Arriving in the capital
Li Jinghe said, "These guards are not from the Li family. They were arranged for me by my maternal grandmother."
Su Yuexing asked in confusion, "Your maternal grandmother?"
He went on to explain: "My maternal grandfather and grandmother were founding heroes, and their status in the court was extraordinary."
“My mother was their only daughter, and she died in childbirth because of complications.”
“My health has always been poor, and they were worried about my health, so they arranged for these bodyguards to protect me.”
Su Yuexing nodded and said, "Now that you mention it, I think your mother's status is higher than your father's. So why would she fall for your father?"
Li Jinghe looked at her and said, "It seems you're good at grasping the key points of things."
Su Yuexing chuckled and scratched her head, saying, "Haven't you noticed that your parents' situation is very similar to ours?"
Li Jinghe frowned and said, "Very similar?"
“Yes, there’s an unequal status between us,” she explained.
“If it weren’t for your father, you and I would never have met.”
Su Yuexing lowered her head, not daring to look him in the eye, and said, "Once I've figured out what happened to my brother, you can give me the divorce papers."
Li Jinghe clenched his fists. Dongyang, who was next to him, noticed Li Jinghe's emotions and wanted to say something, but did not know how to start.
He could only try to signal to Su Yuexing with his eyes, but Su Yuexing kept her head down and didn't see the signal from Dongyang.
Li Jinghe said coldly, "We'll talk about it when we get back from the capital." Then he turned his back on him.
Su Yuexing sighed and slowly turned around.
"Actually, it was my mother who fell in love with my father first," Li Jinghe said in a deep voice.
Su Yuexing turned to look at him, just as Li Jinghe turned his head, and their eyes met.
“My father was doing business in the capital when he happened to witness my mother being robbed on the road.”
"Without saying a word, he rushed over and was beaten black and blue by the thugs."
"It was my mother who rescued him from the thugs."
"From then on, my mother fell in love with my father, but the family disagreed because they had already arranged a fiancé for her."
"And my mother was also incredibly stubborn; she refused to marry anyone but my father."
"In the end, my maternal grandparents agreed to their marriage."
Su Yuexing listened quietly to his stories and then asked, "Why are you suddenly telling me all this?"
Li Jinghe looked at her and said, "We are much luckier than my parents; we don't have as many difficulties hindering us."
Actually, there's more to their story than he told her, but none of that matters.
He said all this so that Su Yuexing would understand that if they could be together back then, so can we now.
Su Yuexing looked away and said, "But I don't like you."
Dongyang, who was standing nearby, broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this. "My goodness, please don't upset my young master!"
Li Jinghe was so angry that the veins on his neck bulged, and that was the most important reason!
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Li Jinghe's lips curled up. "I will not give you the letter of divorce!"
Su Yuexing had her back to him, her eyes slightly red. She covered her chest and slowly closed her eyes.
The night passed quickly, and the three of them set off as soon as it was light.
When they arrived at a town, Dongyang bought a horse-drawn carriage and rode along the road while Su Yuexing looked at the scenery along the way.
She was suddenly in a daze. Pingchun County was so far from the capital. How much hardship did Liu Jin have to endure to get to the capital?
Su Yuexing wondered if he had enough money back then.
Li Jinghe, noticing Su Yuexing lost in thought beside him, asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Su Yuexing's thoughts were interrupted by his voice, and she said, "It's nothing."
Li Jinghe said solemnly, "Before we arrive in the capital, there are three things I need to tell you."
"First, you can't trust anyone but me!"
“Remember! Anyone!” he emphasized.
"Secondly, I must keep my distance from my maternal grandfather's family and not get too close."
"Third, no matter where you go or what you do, you have to tell me. If I don't have time, you have to have Dongyang accompany you."
Su Yuexing frowned slightly, not understanding why he said such a thing to her.
Li Jinghe saw her expression and said, "I know you are very confused, but there are some things I can't tell you. Just do as I say."
He then added, "Remember! You can't trust anyone but me! Including your childhood sweetheart!"
Su Yuexing's pupils contracted slightly as she looked at him, only to see his indifferent expression.
"I understand," she whispered.
It took more than three months to get to the capital, and by then it was already winter.
People on the street were all wrapped in thick cotton-padded coats. Su Yuexing lifted the curtain and looked at the bustling scene outside the window, saying with great interest, "The capital is really lively."
Li Jinghe slowly opened his closed eyes. "Once we enter the capital, we must be careful in everything we do."
Su Yuexing's smiling face froze; these were the words he had said to her most often on the way.
What kind of monstrous threat is there in the capital that makes him so afraid?
The carriage stopped in front of a mansion, and the two men got out.
Su Yuexing looked up at the large characters above and read aloud: "Duke's Mansion".
Dongyang stepped forward and said, "Please go and inform the old master and old lady of the Duke's mansion that my young master has come to see him."
The servant at the door looked at the three of them curiously and asked, "What is your young master's surname?"
Dongyang said, "My young master's surname is Li, and he is the grandson of the old master of the Duke's mansion."
Upon hearing this, the servant immediately replied, "I'll go in and report right away."
Su Yuexing could tell from the decorations at the entrance that the owner of this mansion was either very rich or very noble.
A short while later, a thin old man walked over from a distance. When he saw Li Jinghe, his eyes welled up with tears.
"Young Master! You've arrived!" Butler Meng said.
Li Jinghe nodded and said, "Yes, I came to visit my maternal grandparents and take care of some business."
Butler Meng wiped away her tears and said, "The old lady and the old master have been talking about you lately."
"But considering your poor health, we didn't send anyone to Pingchun County to pick you up."
Butler Meng's eyes shifted to Su Yuexing beside her, and she asked, "And who is this?"
Li Jinghe explained, "My wife."
Butler Meng's eyes flashed, and he bowed, saying, "Greetings, Madam."
Su Yuexing nodded and said, "Get up."
Butler Meng led the group toward the old lady's courtyard. The winding path along the way made Su Yuexing sigh with admiration.
This Duke's mansion is even bigger than the Li mansion! The thought of meeting her elders made Su Yuexing a little nervous.
She unconsciously clenched her hands in front of her abdomen, and Li Jinghe in front of her suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Ouch!" Su Yuexing's head bumped into it.
When Butler Meng heard the sound, he turned around and saw Li Jinghe holding Su Yuexing's hand, continuing to walk forward. As he passed Butler Meng, he even smiled at him.
Watching their figures, Butler Meng realized that getting past the old lady would be difficult, so he continued to follow them.
Upon arriving at the old lady's villa, Li Jinghe and Su Yuexing were instructed to have the maidservant guarding outside announce their arrival. Soon, they entered the room.
The old lady looked at the door with a bright and lively expression. When she saw Li Jinghe appear, she couldn't help but get up from her seat and walk towards them.
"He'er! You've come!" she exclaimed excitedly.
Li Jinghe helped the old lady up and said, "Grandmother, please take care of yourself!"
Tears streamed down the old lady's face. "My little grandson! You've finally deigned to come see this old man!"
Li Jinghe wiped away her tears and said, "Don't cry, Grandmother, come and sit down." He helped the old lady back to her seat.
The old lady then noticed the woman beside him. "Who is this?"
“This is my wife,” he introduced.
The old lady's face darkened. "I've long heard that your father has arranged a wife for you!"
"She's just a farmer's daughter! How could she possibly be worthy of being the grandson of a duke in our country!"
Su Yuexing was at a loss for words, unsure of what to say to ease the awkward atmosphere.
Li Jinghe said, "She's very good. There's no question of whether she's good enough for someone."
Hearing her grandson speak up for her, the old lady said unhappily, "My little grandson, what kind of taste do you have!"
"You actually fancy a farmer's daughter! And I've even heard that her sister slept with your father!"
"With a sister like that, their whole family is no good either!"
Su Yuexing's heart trembled. How could the old lady know about my sister's affairs!
Li Jinghe said solemnly, “Grandmother, she is very good! I will not allow anyone to slander her! Including you!”
The old lady said angrily, "Grandson! I'm doing this for your own good!"
“Your maternal grandmother has already chosen a girl for you. Her family’s social status is also suitable for our Duke’s mansion.”
Su Yuexing felt like a joke standing there, and felt uncomfortable all over, wanting to escape.
Li Jinghe changed the subject, saying, "Grandmother, why haven't I seen Grandfather?"
The old lady said irritably, "I don't know what's wrong with your maternal grandfather, he's become obsessed with fishing, and these past few days he's been going to the river outside the south suburbs."
A maidservant came in and announced, "Madam, the First Madam requests an audience."
The old lady said, "Let her in. Perhaps she heard the news of Jinghe's return and wanted to come and see him."
A woman walked in, bowed to the old lady, and said, "Daughter-in-law greets Mother."
"Get up," the old lady said, waving her hand.
Li Jinghe bowed and said, "Greetings, Aunt."
Meng said kindly, "Jinghe, get up quickly."
"Let your aunt take a good look at you." Her eyes swept over Li Jinghe from head to toe, and she nodded with satisfaction, saying, "You look better."
Li Jinghe said respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt."
Meng's gaze then fell on Su Yuexing beside her, and she said, "This must be Jinghe's wife. She is quite petite."
Su Yuexing bowed slightly to her and said respectfully, "Hello, Aunt."
Meng nodded lightly and said, "Get up." Then she said to the old lady, "Mother, I have already made arrangements to prepare a sumptuous dinner tonight as a welcoming feast for Jinghe."
The old lady nodded in satisfaction and said, "It's fine as you decide."
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