"The girl you admire is, in my opinion, a discarded woman you admire. Are you only satisfied when you've driven your mother to her death?"
Madam Liu slammed the teacup in her hand to the ground and angrily shouted at Liu Zhiyuan.
Do you think I don't want to please you and do what you want? Do you think I only care about personal gain?
Liu Niangzi became more and more excited as she spoke.
“Even if you were to marry a disabled, lame, or blind man, I wouldn’t stop you. But you insist on marrying a divorced woman who has been married before. How am I supposed to face anyone after that?”
After careful consideration, Madam Liu realized that her son was still young and immature, and as his mother, she had to take responsibility for him.
"From this day forward, the Liu family will no longer have a third young master."
Liu Zhiyuan sighed, slowly closed his glasses, and turned to leave.
Liu Zhiyuan originally wanted to explain to his mother that although Li Youran had been married, she was still a virgin. But what was the use of explaining? His mother cared about her reputation.
"If you dare step out of this door today, don't ever come back!"
Liu Niangzi didn't expect her son to lose his temper with her so much, and as she spoke, she smashed another teacup.
Liu Zhiyuan paused for a moment, then continued walking forward.
Liu Zhiyuan took nothing with him, including Liu Er, and wandered aimlessly through the streets until he unknowingly arrived at Li Youran's steamed bun shop.
"Young Master Liu, what brings you here? Are you alone?"
Li Youran was putting up Spring Festival couplets when she looked up and saw Liu Zhiyuan.
"Why are the couplets being put up today? Aren't they supposed to be put up tomorrow?"
"I haven't been staying here for the past few days, so I was thinking of putting up the couplets in advance so I wouldn't have to come all the way here to put them up for the New Year tomorrow."
Liu Zhiyuan nodded upon hearing Li Youran's words, and the gloom in his heart dissipated with Li Youran's smile.
Liu Zhiyuan did not answer Li Youran's previous question, and she did not ask again.
"Young Master Liu, would you like to come in and sit for a while?"
Seeing that Liu Zhiyuan looked distracted, Li Youran knew that he must have something on his mind, so she invited him to sit inside the shop.
"Why did you decide to open a shop in the capital?"
Liu Zhiyuan had long known that this small place couldn't keep Li Youran, but he didn't expect this day to come so soon.
"I've saved up some money during this time, so I'm thinking of going to big cities to try my luck. Maybe I'll gain something else."
"The capital isn't as simple as you think; it's full of high-ranking officials and nobles. I'm worried about you..."
Liu Zhiyuan had intended to say that she would go to the capital after he passed the imperial examination, but she felt it was inappropriate and swallowed the words back.
Putting aside the fact that Li Youran is a person with his own opinions, even if he could pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, so what? Under the emperor's nose, there are countless people of high status.
"Now that you've decided to go to the capital, please don't hesitate to ask if there's anything I can do to help," Liu Zhiyuan said dejectedly. "I only blame myself for not being able to protect you properly."
"But don't worry, I will definitely work hard to become stronger."
"Young Master Liu, could we wait until after the imperial examinations to give you an answer regarding our matter?"
Li Youran couldn't give Liu Zhiyuan an answer right away. He didn't want to directly reject Liu Zhiyuan and dampen his enthusiasm, but he also didn't want Liu Zhiyuan to misunderstand. So he could only come up with this solution.
"Alright, give me your answer after the imperial examination."
Liu Zhiyuan's smile was like a ray of sunshine in spring, shining into Li Youran's heart. The feeling of being carefully protected and treated like a treasure warmed Li Youran's heart.
However, Li Youran couldn't tell whether this feeling was passively generated by love, or whether she truly had feelings for Liu Zhiyuan...
Tang Lei injured his arm, so the mold was ultimately made by Uncle Tang.
"Uncle Tang is indeed a master blacksmith; his craftsmanship is truly superb."
The actual product was even better than Li Youran had expected.
"When do you plan to go to the capital?" Tang Lei asked awkwardly, coughing twice.
"I plan to take advantage of the bustling atmosphere in the capital these days and set off as soon as possible."
During festivals and holidays, banquets are indispensable, and ladies attending these banquets naturally need to prepare jewelry and cosmetics.
Li Youran felt that these few days should be the best time of year for business, so he wanted to take advantage of this time to investigate and get familiar with the capital.
"Here are a silver note and a token."
As Tang Lei spoke, he handed a purse to Li Youran and continued.
"Once you arrive, go to the Yunlai Inn and find the innkeeper. Show him this token, and he will understand everything."
Li Youran took the purse, put it in her bosom, and turned to leave.
"Wait a minute."
That damn woman, can't she just say one more word to him? Every time we finish discussing business, she turns around and leaves.
"Is there anything else?"
Li Youran looked at Tang Lei with curiosity.
"Um... be careful."
Tang Lei wanted to tell Li Youran that he had no romantic feelings for Hua Ruyu and that she shouldn't overthink it, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Damn woman, doesn't she care about this? Why doesn't she just ask him...?
Don't worry!
Li Youran stretched out her left hand, shook the ring on her hand, and said with a smile.
Li Youran always wore the ring he had given her, and Tang Lei's various speculations vanished, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his face.
Because the Li family moved here later and lived in a separate household, they didn't have any relatives to visit during the New Year. So Li Youran didn't drive the carriage alone and set off for the capital.
When traveling in and out of the capital, Li Youran felt that her eyes were simply not enough to take it all in.
Bright red lanterns hung on the tall city tower, and the streets were bustling with people and vehicles. Every shop was busy welcoming customers and seeing them off, and business was booming.
"Little girl, come in and have a seat. Our door nail meat pie is absolutely authentic."
Seeing that Li Youran looked travel-worn and didn't seem like a local, the waiter treated her with great hospitality.
Li Youran was also hungry, so she didn't refuse. She tied up the carriage and followed the waiter inside.
Thin skin and generous filling; the skin breaks at the slightest touch, and juices flow out along the chopsticks, revealing the meat filling clump together in a tempting lump.
Li Youran first took a small, light bite; it was juicy and incredibly delicious. Then she took a big bite, almost burning herself in the process.
He put down the meat pie, then, imitating those around him, held his bowl and drank the fried liver in circles.
"I'm just a carriage puller. Whether the second prince or the third prince ascends the throne, it doesn't affect my carriage pulling."
"There's no need to discuss this matter at all. It's certain that the Third Prince will ascend to the throne. Even if the Second Prince were to help him take the throne, he wouldn't have the heart for it."
Such remarks could be heard everywhere in a small restaurant, indicating that a power grab was imminent.
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