Chapter 71: Is it sweet or not?

Qu Rong, “...Auntie.”

Li Yue'er, "Mother."

Having been caught red-handed, there was no point in trying to cover it up. Qu Rong got off the carriage, straightened her sleeves, and stood beside Li Yue'er to greet Madam Ming.

Qu Rong's face remained expressionless, and her demeanor could even be described as dignified, poised, and unpretentious, but in reality, her soul had already wandered off for quite some time...

The scene was incredibly awkward.

Even Teng Huang covered his mouth with both hands, turned away, frowned, and closed his eyes, not daring to look at Ming Shi. Dan Sha lowered his eyes even more.

Even ordinary young couples would feel uncomfortable if their parents caught them being intimate, let alone Qu Rong and Li Yue'er, whose relationship and genders are both unusual.

Before coming, Qu Rong had considered that if she encountered Li Yue'er's mother, she would make an excuse that she was going the same way and that was why she gave Li Yue'er a ride to the academy. Then she would get off the carriage and greet her in a generous manner, so that Ming Shi would not suspect anything and would leave a good impression on Ming Shi.

Even if she remained seated in the carriage and did not get off, Ming would still be grateful to her for simply bringing Li Yue'er back to spend the night.

Regardless of the interpretation, none of the scenarios included the moment when Ming Shi witnessed her passionate kiss with Li Yue'er.

Qu Rong wished she hadn't come, and was even more annoyed that she had impulsively started whispering sweet nothings to Li Yue'er by the carriage. She usually disliked being affectionate in public.

Qu Rong's face was so hot that she was too embarrassed to look up and meet Ming Shi's gaze. She kept her eyes down, waiting for Ming Shi to start cursing at her.

Unlike the old lady, Ming was born into a merchant family. The Zheng and Qu families were both large merchant households. Even though the Qu family was not large, there were still many dirty things going on inside. Compared to those, grinding mirrors was nothing. It was just a way for the women to relieve boredom behind closed doors. It was nothing serious.

So even though she knew that she slept in the same bed with Li Yue'er, the old lady turned a blind eye and didn't ask too many questions, thinking that she was just using Li Yue'er as a source of pleasure.

But Ming is different. Li Yue'er is her daughter. Being sold into the Qu family as a concubine is humiliating enough. Now she is embracing the mistress. What does the Qu family take her child for?

In Ming's eyes, she must be a low-class woman who played with Li Yue'er, a wicked ghost who forced the master's concubine to submit to her in the inner quarters of a wealthy family, and who committed lewd and disorderly acts.

The heat on Qu Rong's face had subsided, and her lips were slightly pursed.

She wasn't afraid of Ming scolding her, no matter how harsh the words were.

If the Ming family were willing, she could exchange the Ming family's ancestral home for Li Yue'er, and arrange for Li Xing'er to study in the backyard without leaving the house. She could hire the best tutors to teach Li Xing'er privately, and she didn't mind spending the money.

She could even let Li Yue'er come back for a short stay every now and then, as long as Ming Shi allowed them to maintain the status quo.

Qu Rong wasn't afraid of spending money; anything that could be settled with gold and silver was never a problem. But she was afraid that Ming Shi wouldn't want her money and wouldn't allow her to associate with Li Yue'er anymore.

What is commonplace in the eyes of merchants may be considered sordid dealings by refined people.

Scholars value their reputation and aloofness above all else. What kind of talk would this cause if word got out? The Ming family already has enough trouble. If Li Yue'er and hers were added to the mix, all the face the Ming family has built up would be lost.

Li Yue'er was also the most soft-hearted and filial, and neither of the two things that were asked of her were for her own benefit.

One time was to save her seriously ill sister, and the other time was to save her suffering mother.

If Ming's attitude is firm and forces Li Yue'er to make a choice, Qu Rong thinks that Li Yue'er might really break off her relationship with her because of it.

If that's really the case...

"Mother," Li Yue'er called out again.

Qu Rong's thoughts were interrupted, and she subconsciously looked up at her, only to find that Li Yue'er was already standing in front of her, her hand reaching back to grasp the fingertips under her sleeve.

Qu Rong lowered her eyes and slowly grasped it back.

Compared to the mistress, Li Yue'er also felt ashamed, but after all, the person in front of her was her own mother. So, with her face flushed red, she bit her lower lip, moved her feet to protect the mistress behind her, and asked softly, "Mother, why are you outside the door?"

Ming asked himself the same question.

She would rather be inside the door...

After recovering from her shock, Ming explained, "Xing'er insisted on coming out to see the world. She said her sister would definitely come back to see her on her birthday. Actually, we had come out several times before this trip, and we planned to go back for dinner after we finished."

Who would have thought that they would actually run into Li Yue'er by such a coincidence.

They really didn't deliberately ambush them here.

Looking at Li Yue'er's protective stance and then at the Qu family matriarch standing behind her with her eyes downcast, Ming Shi could guess, without anyone else saying a word, whether the two of them were being forced to humiliate each other or if it was consensual.

Since her daughter had already adopted such a stance, Madam Ming was not an unreasonable person.

Although she didn't understand why her daughter would get involved with her mistress, she tried to accept it for now. At least she could put the matter aside for the time being and spend the Lantern Festival with Li Yue'er.

"Would you like to come in for a simple meal?" Madam Ming released her hand from Li Xing'er's eyes and gestured for the three of them to come in.

Ming said, "The academy is celebrating the Lantern Festival, it's quite lively. If you don't mind, you can come in and take a look."

She thought Li Yue'er would still be going back tonight.

Ming invited the group to sit in the academy, secretly hoping that Li Yue'er could stay a little longer so that the mother, daughter, and sisters could have a chat.

Li Yue'er held the mistress's fingers, turned to look at her, and asked softly, "Want to come in and sit down?"

Qu Rong's lips moved, but before she could answer, Teng Huang leaned over and asked Ming Shi with a smile, "Aunt Ming, is it convenient for the three of us?"

Ming loved gamboge the most, and a smile immediately appeared in his eyes, making the atmosphere much more relaxed. His tone also became more familiar, "It's just a matter of having an extra chair. Is there anything inconvenient about it?"

Because of the funeral before the New Year, Li Xing'er and Teng Huang were also familiar with each other. After her mother removed her palm, she ran towards Li Yue'er and Teng Huang, first hugging Li Yue'er's waist, and then taking Teng Huang's hand. "They're releasing river lanterns to pray for blessings at the academy. My mother and I made a few too. Shall we go play together?"

Teng Huang squatted down, looked up at Li Xing'er, and nodded with satisfaction, "It seems you're doing quite well at the academy."

They've all become much more lively.

Previously, Li Xing'er was reserved and timid. Even if she had this idea, she didn't dare to hold her hand and say it. Presumably, the atmosphere in the academy was so good that she had peers to accompany her, and she became more cheerful.

Li Xing'er laughed happily, waving Teng Huang's hand, "Go, go."

This is what a "normal" six or seven-year-old child should be like.

Teng Huang looked up at his mistress.

Qu Rong said, "Then sit for a while."

Li Xing'er held her older sister's hand in one hand and Teng Huang's hand in the other.

Teng Huang glanced back, then bent down, picked up Li Xing'er, and jogged a few steps forward, letting Li Xing'er release Li Yue'er's hand. "Let's take off!"

Li Xing'er giggled.

As her younger sister was taken away, Li Yue'er took a few slow steps and snuggled up to her mother.

Madam Ming glanced at the Qu family matriarch walking ahead, then at her daughter nestled beside her, wanting to say something but holding back.

Seeing her mother's conflicted expression, Li Yue'er thought to reassure her, "The mistress said I can stay overnight, and the three of us can sleep and chat in one bed tonight."

Ming's eyes lit up, and she grasped Li Yue'er's hand. "Really?"

Li Yue'er nodded emphatically, "Of course."

Ming Shi became worried again, "Then your mistress and Teng Huang and the other two live in one room, isn't it too crowded?"

Li Yue'er smiled, "They'll go back after playing for a while. They won't stay overnight, so you don't need to worry about them."

Teng Huang covered Li Xing'er's ears and winked at the mistress, "Aunt Ming actually thought of having you stay overnight!"

She chuckled, "I thought you'd be beaten out with sticks. I spent a long time thinking about whether to go with you and get beaten out, or stay and have some tea and listen to the commotion."

Qu Rong, "..."

Just by glancing at Gamboge's radiant little face, you could tell which side she had chosen.

Qu Rong was surprised that Ming Shi didn't scold her; instead, she gently urged Li Yue'er to bring her a cup of hot tea.

Qu Rong sat on a long bench, holding a large bowl in both hands, letting the warmth of the bowl travel through her palms to her chest.

When Li Yue'er brought the tea over, she complained, "Mother, why is it ginger tea again? Plain water would be fine too."

Ming asked in confusion, "You don't like ginger tea anymore? You used to love it the most, saying it was the most comfortable for dispelling cold and warming the stomach. I specially brewed it today, thinking you could have a sip when you came back."

Li Yue'er naturally didn't care about these things. When the family was at its worst, ginger tea was like a life-saving tea to her. However, the mistress didn't like spicy food and couldn't get used to the taste.

Li Yue'er said, "Then I'll drink the ginger tea, and I'll pour another glass of water for the mistress."

As she spoke, she was about to take the bowl from the mistress's hands.

Ming leaned over and looked over. "Huh?"

Qu Rong's face flushed, and she quickly lowered her head to take two sips of ginger tea. Enduring the strange taste, she swallowed the ginger water in her mouth with barely any breath.

Li Yue'er, "?"

Li Yue'er looked at her like she was a ghost.

Ming, already wearing an apron, came over and asked softly, "Would you like some plain water? I'll rinse the bowl and pour you a glass of water."

Qu Rong shook her head, "...It's alright, Auntie, I can drink."

Ming glanced at Li Yue'er, her face clearly saying, "Nobody else has as many problems as you."

Li Yue'er, "..."

Li Yue'er supported herself on her thighs with both hands, bent down and looked at the mistress, "You can drink? Then finish it, there's a whole pot full, I'll get you more when you're done."

Qu Rong remained silent.

Qu Rong didn't want to recall the strange taste in her mouth. "I'm not that thirsty, I can leave it for now."

Li Yue'er laughed, making the mistress blush before she could barely control herself. She cleared her throat twice and said softly, "Wait for me, I'll go find where the honey pot is and make you a cup of honey water."

Although she didn't come home for the New Year, the mistress had Dansha prepare New Year's gifts and send them over, including two jars of honey.

Qu Rong didn't want to appear difficult to please at this time, but she really couldn't stand the taste of ginger tea, so she had no choice but to let Li Yue'er make her another bowl of honey water.

Li Yue'er took out the honey, scooped two spoonfuls into the bowl for her mistress, and was about to put the lid back on when she caught a glimpse of Li Xing'er, who had come over at some point, following her like a little tail.

Now it looked up at her obediently, especially at the honey in her hand.

She craved the sweet treat, but knew it wasn't cheap, so after having it once today, she didn't ask for it again.

But in the end, Li Xing'er is only seven years old this year. Although she is sensible, she can't hide her thoughts and feelings.

Li Yue'er took a clean chopstick, poked a piece of honey into the jar, rolled it into a small oval ball, and then put it into Li Xing'er's mouth, asking her, "Is it sweet?"

Li Xing'er carefully sucked on it like she was sucking on candy, and without hesitation, exclaimed, "Sweet!"

A sly glint appeared in Li Yue'er's eyes as she squatted down and said to her, "These were bought by the mistress. Since the honey she bought has sweetened your mouth, you have to say some nice things to her so that she'll buy you more next time."

Compared to Teng Huang, Li Xing'er was clearly somewhat afraid of the mistress and Dan Sha, and didn't even take the initiative to approach them to speak.

Normally it wouldn't be a big deal, but today is different. Seeing Li Xing'er so fearful and distant, the mistress might overthink things.

But given the mistress's personality, it was clear she wouldn't take the initiative to coax the child.

Li Yue'er was pleased with herself; the mistress might not know how to coax her, but she did.

She's the best at comforting her younger sister.

Li Xing'er nodded, "Then I'll take her hand and lead her to the table for dinner later."

She has to be someone who has a very good relationship with children for the children to take her hand and lead the way during meals.

Li Yue'er thought for a moment and reminded her, "Don't hold her hand, just hold her sleeve. The mistress is very clean and doesn't like others touching her."

Li Xing'er gave a blank "Ah", "But I saw you kiss her on the lips."

So, is it only that you can't touch it with your hands?

Li Yue'er, "..."

Li Yue'er pinched her cheek, "Children shouldn't think like that. You must have seen it wrong just now. I didn't kiss the mistress's lips."

She was clearly the mother of God.

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Moon: Soothing my little sister is easy!

Mistress: ...You'd better be referring to the real sister.

Moon: [doge emoji]