She lived her whole life without knowing what giving up meant.

Besides, she had already put it this way. If Li Shiyue still couldn't understand, Feng Lanyin would really start to wonder if the person in front of her was missing something.

Princess Chunhui's affections for the heir of the Rongguo Duke's mansion were no secret in the capital. Feng Lanyin asked herself honestly, perhaps her feelings for Xu Yunci weren't as pure as Princess Chunhui's.

She only wanted to seek benefits for her family. However, Xu Yunci, the chosen candidate, was the younger brother of the future Empress Dowager and the future Duke of Rongguo. Although he was a subject, if she married him, she would be his principal wife, not a concubine in Chonghua Palace.

She wasn't scheming enough to compete with other women for the Crown Prince's favor; she had her pride and was determined to become the principal wife.

Looking around the capital, there is no young man more suitable than Xu Yunci.

Feng Lanyin was young and naive, and her provocative expression was very obvious, while the deeper meaning of her words also seemed somewhat impetuous.

Li Shiyue put down her wine cup and gazed at Feng Lanyin's face: "What is the Third Miss trying to tell me by saying these things to me?"

"Your Highness is joking. I, Lan Yin, would not dare to lecture you." Feng Lan Yin was surprised. She had indeed underestimated her, but she had not expected her to be so calm.

She wasn't afraid of the Yunyang Earl's Mansion. As Miss Fan said, the Yunyang Earl was still in the Jingzhao Prefecture prison, and his fate was uncertain.

However, as a county princess personally bestowed by the emperor, she had to pay extra attention to this cousin living in the Duke's mansion.

She was also present at the polo match that day and witnessed Xu Yunci carrying her away. Afterwards, she took the initiative to clarify that she had not damaged Li Shiyue's reputation.

Perhaps it was her sensitivity, but she didn't see it as a good omen. Becoming the wife she envisioned was one thing, but she also harbored a secret crush on Xu Yunci, partly due to his appearance.

I dare not, perhaps because there are many things I haven't said yet.

Li Shiyue smiled slightly, leaned forward, and whispered in Feng Lanyin's ear, making it seem to outsiders that they were having a very pleasant conversation.

"I don't care why the Third Miss has taken a liking to one of my cousins, Madam Xiao. If the Third Miss is trying to get information from me, she's come to the wrong person."

Feng Lanyin clearly didn't believe it: "But I remember that the county princess and the young master of the Xu family were also engaged. Although it was only verbal, it was no secret in the capital that the old lady of the Xu family doted on the county princess."

"If it were up to Old Madam Xu to make the decision, I wonder which young man from the Xu family the County Princess favors."

Li Shiyue laughed in anger. So Feng Lanyin meant that the young men of the Xu family were like cabbages in a field, choosing whichever was the best.

Even if the Feng family is willing, how can we be sure that the Xu family is also interested in a marriage alliance?

"My marriage is arranged by my parents and matchmaker. My maternal grandmother will decide my marriage. She would never harm me. It is unreasonable for her to inquire about my private affairs on our first meeting today."

"Third Miss seems to value my marriage very much. Why don't you come back to the Xu family with me later and ask my maternal grandmother for her opinion?"

Li Shiyue smiled, her tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable air of rebuttal, unlike the provocation on Feng Lanyin's face.

She didn't feel she had anything to say to outsiders. Even if her grandmother had indeed chosen a cousin for her to marry, what did that have to do with Feng Lanyin?

The smile on Li Shiyue's face gradually faded, and she no longer looked at Feng Lanyin's changing expression beside her.

Feng Lanyin was furious. She didn't know what had just happened or how it was resolved. All she knew was that Miss Fan and Xu Lingwan had left the mansion with her mother.

Seeing Li Shiyue's attitude, Feng Lanyin also lost her temper: "The county princess is truly magnanimous. I guess Miss Fan Er was right."

Her attitude only made Li Shiyue feel strange, but she didn't need to pay attention to it.

Compared to Feng Lanyin, who had suddenly arrived, Li Shiyue was now worried about Xu Lingzi, who had been away from the table and had not returned. She put down her chopsticks, looked around, and wasn't worried that Xu Lingzi would cause trouble. After all, although Xu Lingzi was playful, she was sensible.

There was no need to cause trouble while staying at someone else's house, but I couldn't help but worry that Xu Lingzi hadn't returned for a long time and that someone might be causing her trouble.

She moved to a different spot: "I'm going to find my cousin. If your aunt asks, just tell her the truth."

Xu Lingqing subconsciously looked at Yang Shi, but Yang Shi and Xu Lingyu were talking to the officials' wives and did not notice them.

The rule that men and women cannot sit together is such a hassle.

"Okay, if my cousin and sixth sister don't come back, I'll tell my aunt to go look for you."

Li Shiyue smiled and nodded: "Okay."

She glanced around, then lifted her skirt and walked out of the small garden. Little did she know that even as she sat quietly, she was the center of attention for some people.

When Madam Xiao saw Feng Lanyin return, she lowered her head, a hint of restlessness in her eyes, and looked on with a lingering gaze towards Li Shiyue. She saw Li Shiyue get up and leave her seat, seemingly lost in thought.

Yang paused, turned her head and saw that Li Shiyue and Xu Lingzi were both alone, then looked at Xu Lingqing.

"Aunt, my cousin has gone to look for my sixth sister."

Madam Yang nodded without speaking, secretly pondering whether she should send someone to look for them later.

The first thing you see outside the small garden is that uneven corridor. Li Shiyue's gaze fell on the rippling lake surface, and she turned and took a step to the other side.

The path is paved with limestone steps embedded in the soil, and the trees on both sides block the sunlight from above. A gentle breeze blows, bringing a coolness mixed with a hint of heat.

Not seeing Xu Lingzi there, Li Shiyue was about to turn back and look in another place when a young man suddenly emerged from the bushes. Li Shiyue breathed a sigh of relief when she saw his face clearly.

Fifth cousin.

Xu Yunyao scratched his head and greeted her with the courtesy due to a peer: "Cousin."

He was actually listening to his second brother talking with some officials in the front yard when someone from Jiu Niang's side told him that he had gotten lost outside the small garden and asked him to hurry over.

He had already spotted Li Shiyue and realized he'd been tricked by his younger sister again. Li Shiyue was clearly looking for someone, and after thinking for a long time, he finally came over. Maybe he could be of some help; he couldn't just pretend he didn't see her.

"Is there some trouble you're in? Can you help me?"

Most of the young men in the Xu family inherited their ancestors' good looks, each with their own unique handsome features. Xu Yunyao was different; having practiced martial arts since childhood, his skin was not as fair as his other brothers'.

His gaze was dark and unwavering, devoid of any impurity, like a clear lake reflecting the blazing sun, dazzling and impossible to ignore.

Perhaps that's what my grandmother admired about him.