Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Pushing my daughter into the fire pit
After burning incense, Zhao Qingyi returned to the Zen room to rest. Luo and Li Susu soon caught up with them, but the weather was hot and the family felt stuffy squeezed in the Zen room, especially with two children.
Li Jiao was quite calm and just sat quietly beside Zhao Qingyi, practicing calligraphy.
But Jun Ge'er couldn't do that. He was only three years old and had been spoiled by Zhao Manyi since he was a child. It was hot and boring here, so he started crying.
Although she knew that he was her brother's biological son, Li Susu couldn't help rolling her eyes. Her crying really upset her.
"Mom, it's too hot in this room. I'm going to take a walk in the back." Li Susu was so hot that she shook her handkerchief to cool herself down. She went out without waiting for Luo's response.
The meditation rooms in the temple for pilgrims to rest are connected together. Li Susu walked aimlessly, her eyes still glancing around in the courtyard.
There are many powerful people in the capital, and the Li family is just an inconspicuous one, so naturally they do not receive preferential treatment from the monks of Xiangguo Temple. But it is different for others. Li Susu found that the row of meditation rooms in front were all spacious and bright, and there were even novice monks delivering ice drinks inside.
It’s the same everywhere, the dishes you serve depend on the person.
Li Susu curled her lips in annoyance, not noticing a young man walking towards her from the side. She bumped into him accidentally. She was already upset and was about to explode, but when she looked up, she was stunned.
The man was quick to grab her arm and prevent Li Susu from falling. Seeing her looking at him, he smiled with a gentlemanly demeanor, "I'm so sorry, are you hurt, young lady?"
It was a handsome face with a pink and white complexion, a high nose and thin lips. He was holding a book in his hands. He looked elegant and graceful. After a brief moment of distraction, Li Susu lowered her eyes and blushed quietly.
"No, it's okay. But you, sir...are you not hurt?" Li Susu spoke softly, which was rare for her.
"I'm fine." The other person continued to support her, his big hand around her arm.
Li Susu had never been in such close contact with a man in her life, and for a moment she forgot to ask him to let go.
Until a woman's shocked and horrified voice came from the other side, "Shisanlang, where are you doing?"
The two were startled and separated in a hurry. Li Susu almost fell down, and the other party had to help her again.
The woman's voice became more urgent, "Shisanlang!"
Her voice was quite loud, which naturally attracted Luo who was resting in the Zen room.
Shisanlang? There's another man outside?
Thinking that her daughter was outside, Luo didn't care about anything else and ran out in a hurry. She saw a strange man supporting her daughter, and a noble lady in gorgeous clothes was walking quickly not far away, followed by four or five servants. It was obvious that the leader was the wife of a wealthy family.
The wife of the Earl of Zhongyong walked up to the man, first glanced at his expression, then glanced at Li Susu.
In panic, Li Susu brushed away the man's supporting hand and took a few steps back to create some distance. No matter how dumb she was, she could tell from the man's clothes that he was of extraordinary status. She racked her brains to recall the appearance of Zhao Qingyi she had seen before and pretended to bow.
"Husband, Madam, how are you..."
Li Susu's face flushed red, perhaps out of panic or embarrassment, and she didn't dare to look the woman in front of her directly.
The wife of the Marquis of Zhongyong looked at her and asked, "Whose family are you from? You are quite pretty and pretty."
Her tone was not angry, which made Li Susu feel a little relieved. "My brother Li Che was a Jinshi in the Yichou year, and he once served as the magistrate of Heshan County in Lingnan."
"Are you talking about the Li Tanhua who is about to enter the Hanlin Academy?" A scholar from a poor family, even if he really entered the Hanlin Academy, would only be a minor official of the seventh rank, not worth mentioning in the eyes of a noble like the Lady of the Loyal and Brave Marquis.
However, she still forced a smile, and did not mention Li Che's suspension at home. She said politely, "This sister of the third place winner does look extraordinary. No wonder Shisanlang is here arguing with you."
Li Susu hurriedly shook her head, "No, no, no, Madam, you misunderstood. Your son and I..."
"Don't be nervous, I'm not here to blame you." Lady Zhongyong looked as if she understood everything. She smiled gently at Li Susu, but turned around and glared at Shisanlang next to her.
"Look at you, if you like that girl, just come back and tell me, why bother staying in this temple...ah!" She seemed to be unable to speak, and her words made Shisanlang feel ashamed.
Li Susu was left speechless and almost in tears, "Madam, you really misunderstood. It's not what you think. I don't know this young master..."
The other party insisted, "Don't worry, young lady. My Thirteenth Brother has done something shameful. My uncle's family will not deny it and will definitely give you justice."
While the two were talking, Luo had already reached Li Susu's side. She naturally heard their conversation, but she noticed the appearance and style of the wife of the Marquis of Zhongyong. She asked tentatively, "I am the mother of the third place winner. I wonder who you are, madam..."
A maid at the back continued, "My wife is Wang Yangzhi, the second assistant minister of the cabinet, the legitimate sister of Lord Wang, and the current mistress of the Loyal and Brave Earl's mansion."
"Oh, it's Mrs. Wang!"
Luo was worried at first, but when she heard that the other party was actually from the Bo Mansion, her heart was relieved. She hurriedly adjusted her clothes and hair, and smiled flatteringly, "Madam Wang, I'm so sorry!"
Even Li Susu, who looked aggrieved, was stunned. She didn't expect that the noble lady in front of her was actually the wife of the Earl's family!
That……
The person who just bumped into her was... the young master of the Bo Mansion!
Li Susu's heartbeat suddenly quickened.
Mrs. Wang curled her lips, as if returning the favor to Mrs. Luo. She glanced at Li Susu again and asked knowingly, "Is this girl from your family?"
Mrs. Luo pulled Li Susu aside and said, "Yes, this is the only daughter in our Li family who is still waiting to be married."
Mrs. Wang was very satisfied with the reply and asked casually, "Are you and your daughter the only ones here to pray and burn incense today? Are there any others?"
"Yes, yes, our whole family is here." Fearing that she would miss the opportunity to make friends with the Bo family, Mrs. Luo sent Mother Luo to invite Zhao Qingyi over.
Zhao Qingyi was drinking tea in her room, watching Li Jiao practice calligraphy. Li Jiao was just beginning to learn calligraphy and was writing very diligently. When she heard Luo Mama coming over to pass on a message, she thought for a moment and said, "Jiao'er, practice calligraphy here and don't run around."
Li Jiao was very obedient. "Take care, mother. I understand."
Zhao Qingyi led her maid out and saw Madam Wang from the Marquis of Zhongyong's Mansion. She was not surprised and just bowed to her.
Mrs. Wang's eyes lit up. It was indeed the daughter of the Zhao family. It seemed that she had found the right person today.
"I've heard that the Li family has married a capable and virtuous wife. After meeting her today, I can see that she is truly extraordinary." Unlike when she dealt with Mrs. Luo, her smile to Zhao Qingyi was even more sincere.
Zhao Qingyi deliberately kept a low profile and dressed simply, but the noble air she brought up in a high-class family could not be hidden from Mrs. Wang.
"Madam, you are too kind." Zhao Qingyi smiled faintly and glanced at the man behind Li Susu and Madam Wang.
The two of them lowered their heads, looking as if they had made a mistake, and Li Susu's eyes were slightly red, as if she had been wronged, but at this moment she was secretly glancing at each other.
Is this because she fell in love with him after knowing his identity?
Thinking of Li Susu's fate in the previous life, Zhao Qingyi sneered in his heart, fearing that this was not a chance encounter at all, but a deliberate plot by the Bo's family.
The next moment, Mrs. Wang said, "Oh, yes, I was so busy chatting that I almost forgot about the main thing. I saw Shisanlang and Miss Li flirting with each other earlier. I wonder if Miss Li is married?"
Luo's heart skipped a beat. Pulling and tugging?
But soon, Luo Shi thought of a clever idea and waved her hands repeatedly, following Mrs. Wang's words, "No, no! My Susu has been brought up in a strict family since she was a child. Her brother also controls her. She never dares to overstep the boundaries and has never had contact with men outside. It was only just now that I was not paying attention and let Susu have contact with your husband..."
Mrs. Luo slapped her thigh in frustration, "Oh my god, if this gets out, what's going to happen to my unmarried Susu?"
How could Mrs. Wang not understand the deeper meaning of Luo's words? She was blaming Shisanlang for tarnishing Li Susu's reputation.
This woman from a small family is really good at climbing up the ladder and can't wait to get to the loyal and brave mansion.
If the Li family had not married the rich and powerful daughter of the Zhao family who worked hard for the Li family, she would not have even glanced at the Li family.
Madam Wang secretly mocked him, but smiled and winked at the man, "Shisanlang, you offended Miss Li earlier. Why don't you apologize to her?"
Shisanlang bowed deeply again.
Li Susu was shy, but could not resist the burning gaze. Her heart was pounding in her chest. All women loved handsome men, and she was no exception. Moreover, the other party was the son of an uncle's family. With such a family background, what else could she find picky?
Anyway, Mrs. Wang had already misunderstood, so she just went along with it.
Mrs. Wang saw this and said, "It seems that Miss Li doesn't blame Shisanlang anymore. My Shisanlang hasn't married yet, and he has accidentally damaged Miss Li's reputation. How about we marry our two families?"
Luo's eyes lit up. This was exactly what she had been waiting for!
"Madam Wang, are you really willing to marry into my family?"
"How could I be lying?" Madam Wang took Luo's excited hand and said, "Don't worry, a man from my uncle's house wouldn't do such an irresponsible thing. Even if it's for the sake of my uncle's house's reputation, I will definitely give Miss Li an explanation."
"Shisanlang, give me the jade pendant."
Shisanlang did not dare to delay and hurriedly presented a pair of carved jade pendants from his sleeves.
Madam Wang gave half of the jade pendant to Luo Shi and said, "If you agree to the marriage between our two families, this half of the jade pendant will be a token of my uncle's family's loyalty. I will go back and choose an auspicious day to propose marriage."
Mrs. Luo felt dizzy and light-headed. She couldn't believe that such a good marriage had happened to her daughter. She took the jade pendant with trembling hands and said, "Oh, how could my daughter Susu be so worthy as to be favored by Madam Wang and Master Ling?"
Zhao Qingyi watched the whole process coldly.
Luo was right about this statement. What virtue did Li Susu have, and what virtue did her Li family have?
"Mother-in-law, it's getting late. We should go back after the vegetarian meal." Zhao Qingyi lowered her eyebrows and spoke in a gentle tone.
Perhaps because she was about to marry into the Bo Mansion, Mrs. Luo felt emboldened and glanced at her sideways. "Didn't you see I was talking to Madam Wang? You have no tact!"
In front of outsiders, Zhao Qingyi was still the good daughter-in-law who always obeyed her mother-in-law's orders and said, "Then mother-in-law, please speak slowly. I will go back and prepare the vegetarian meal first."
Li Che was suspended from his job and stayed at home, which was undoubtedly a disaster for Li Susu's marriage. No one was willing to marry them. Luo Shi became more and more anxious. When she met the marriage proposal from the Earl of Loyalty and Bravery, she felt that it was a blessing in disguise. She wanted to marry into the Earl's family immediately, but she didn't think about what the Earl's family could see in the Li family.
In her previous life, Li Susu married into the House of Loyal and Brave Marquis, but she got into trouble before the marriage, causing the Marquis to come to her house to ask for an explanation and to cancel the engagement. In order to save the marriage, Luo agreed to the Marquis's request to double the dowry, and in the end, she had to pay all the dowry, and for this she also had to pay a hot spring villa under her name.
In this life, Zhao Qingyi was 90% sure that they had an "accidental" marriage at Xiangguo Temple, and the Zhongyong Earl's Mansion was plotting something bad.
By agreeing to this marriage, Mrs. Luo was pushing her daughter into trouble.
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