Chapter 44: Please, Mistress, love me!
Li Yue'er couldn't pinpoint exactly when she fell for him.
It could be the moment she received ten taels of silver from Teng Huang, or the moment when her mistress was willing to help her with her forehead on the carriage at her doorstep, or even when she returned to the beginning and knelt at her mistress's feet, clutching her mistress's dress and begging her mistress to love her.
Li Yue'er lowered her long eyelashes, slowly clasped her hands together to tighten the money bag, letting the loose silver coins gently rub against her palms.
Although she couldn't pinpoint exactly when her feelings for him began, Li Yue'er was now very clear about her own feelings.
Teng Huang stared at Li Yue'er suspiciously, tilted his head and asked in a low voice, "You're not thinking of saving this money and going out today without spending a single penny, are you?"
Li Yue'er, "..."
Li Yue'er turned to look at her, "Am I the kind of person who's only interested in money?"
Gambogi: "You are..."
Li Yue'er reached out and tickled the ticklish spot on her side.
Teng Huang laughed and dodged, "It's just ten taels of silver, is it worth getting so excited like that just now?"
She gently pushed Li Yue'er's hand away, took out a bronze mirror to tidy her hair, and said, "The mistress is always generous to those around her. I think even ten taels is too little for you."
After all, Miss Yue'er is not just someone close to the mistress.
Li Yue'er didn't think it was too little. She hugged the money bag to her chest, her eyes crinkling with joy. "I don't have much to begin with, so even if the mistress gives me less, it's still a lot to me."
Teng Huang's eyes lit up as he looked at Li Yue'er, his tone rising in a teasing tone, "Yo yo yo~"
She looked around curiously, "What did that sweet little mouth eat for lunch?"
The mouth of the eating mistress.
Li Yue'er didn't talk to her, blushing as she turned her head away and lifted the carriage curtain to look outside again.
The streets were truly bustling.
Li Yue'er wasn't indifferent to everything at Shouhe Hall. She occasionally overheard Wu Mama and the old lady talking, saying that the south was in chaos and they didn't know how long the world could remain peaceful.
Because the master lived in the south, and presumably for that reason, the old lady was exceptionally devout in her Buddhist worship this time.
The chaos in the south had clearly not yet affected them. With the carriage curtain lifted, Li Yue'er could still see the shops open for business all over the street, as well as the sounds of roadside vendors hawking their wares.
The air conditioning blows out white mist, but what you breathe in is the sweet and warm aroma of sweet potatoes and chestnuts from all over the street.
Li Yue'er was reluctant to spend money extravagantly, but she was willing to buy some food.
She pulled Gambo and waited in line to buy roasted sweet potatoes, while the carriage waited for them in the middle of the alley where it wouldn't get in the way.
The driver today was not Lin Mu, but another gatekeeper of the Qu family. As for Lin Mu, he was assigned by the mistress to monitor Li Juren. This was something Aunt Qiu had told her in a low voice a couple of days ago.
Li Yue'er herself had never heard the mistress mention this matter. Aunt Qiu said, "The night you came back, the mistress asked Brother Mu to keep an eye on him, saying that Brother Mu was more familiar with him, so even if he was discovered, he could just say that he met him by chance and get away with it."
With Brother Mu watching over him, Li Juren's every move was not only under the control of the mistress, but also prevented from losing his bestial nature and beating people in the courtyard again.
This is also why Li Yue'er was able to relax and play freely today.
She was unusually relaxed, and became more talkative, saying, "I know this street very well."
To prove it to Teng Huang, Li Yue'er pointed and said, "Look, that shop's wine tastes the best and is the most affordable. Many teachers in the academy like it. When I was little, my maternal grandfather liked to hold my hand and take me to the tavern to buy wine."
The teachers at the academy didn't earn much each month, but they had many expenses. Even if they weren't particular about food, clothing, or household expenses, they still needed to buy writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. After deducting these expenses, the remaining money was only enough to buy wine from this particular shop.
It has the most authentic flavor, the least amount of water added, and the most reasonable price; it's even known as "Scholar's Wine."
Teng Huang looked in the direction she was pointing, then turned back to look at Li Yue'er, his eyes showing a hint of heartache.
If Li Yue'er had a different biological father or no father at all, she wouldn't have ended up being sold into the Qu family.
Although she is doing very well now, it cannot cover up the suffering she once endured.
Li Yue'er, however, seemed to have an idea. She withdrew her hand, grabbed Teng Huang's wrist, looked down at her, and whispered, "I have an idea."
Fujiki looked up blankly, still not quite processing his emotions, "Huh?"
The mistress said she would help her get rid of Li Juren, but she had no intention of taking over the whole thing and keeping her out of it. Instead, she encouraged her to do it. As for any loopholes or flaws, she didn't need to worry about them at all; the mistress would take care of everything for her.
Li Yue'er had been pondering how to kill a scholar without making a sound, and today, looking at the familiar winery, she suddenly had an idea—
If we let him die naturally, then no one will suspect anything.
Scholar Li prided himself on being a romantic, and naturally, he had the typical romantic flaws of scholars: drinking and rescuing prostitutes.
In his eyes, drunken assault was an unintentional act of drunkenness, while keeping mistresses and prostitutes was, in his words, an act of being unable to bear seeing innocent girls fall into prostitution.
His evil deeds seem to be rationalized after he is dressed in the guise of a scholar, and all the blame is placed on alcohol and women.
While waiting for the roasted sweet potatoes, Li Yue'er was already making plans in her mind.
She had a vague plan, but to actually implement it, she would need the help of her mistress, since she really didn't have any manpower or money available.
Vendor: "Young lady, your two sweet potatoes are ready."
Teng Huang quickly reached out and took them, handing one to Li Yue'er and asking softly, "What have you thought about it?"
Li Yue'er cupped the scalding sweet potatoes in her hands, looked up at the sky, and said, "Everything should be ready except for a heavy snowfall."
She needed something from her mistress, so she took the ten taels of silver that her mistress had given her, and with Teng Huang leading the way, queued up to buy the pastries that her mistress preferred.
Li Yue'er returned to the mansion at dusk. When Qu Rong saw Li Yue'er coming to the study, she glanced at her a few more times.
Qu Rong stopped fiddling with the abacus. "Back so early?"
Having finally found some peace and freedom, she assumed Li Yue'er would play until she was completely satisfied before returning, at least until she had finished exploring the night market and was about to reluctantly return to her side before the Qu family's gate was locked.
If she hadn't sent Teng Huang to accompany her, Li Yue'er might have gone back to her mother's place tonight.
Like the little bird she kept in the cage, it always longed to fly away.
Li Yue'er kept her hands behind her back, saying, "Of course I miss you."
Qu Rong didn't believe it, and picked up her teacup to sip her tea, suppressing the upturned corners of her mouth.
After taking a couple of sips of tea, Qu Rong slowly picked up the lid and asked, "What do you want now?"
His tone was ordinary, and his expression was as indifferent and detached as usual.
If she didn't genuinely need something from her mistress, Li Yue'er would have felt rather uncomfortable right now. It seemed as if her attempts to please her mistress were merely to ask for something in return…
Hmm, it really is something I need to ask her to do.
Li Yue'er herself felt guilty and her face flushed. She bit her lower lip and looked at the mistress with bright eyes.
The mistress gave a soft chuckle, leaned back in her chair, and glanced at her.
Li Yue'er quickly changed the subject, pulling out the pastry bag hidden behind her back, "I brought you some food."
Qu Rong looked up at her for a while longer because of the change in how she addressed her.
As soon as the oil paper package was opened, the unique aroma of almond tofu immediately filled the study, which was filled with the smell of ink and brushes.
It seems that every time Li Yue'er comes to the study, she has a different feeling.
Last time it was vibrant and fragrant; this time it's a feast for both the eyes and the nose.
Qu Rong, "Did Gamboge tell you that?"
Otherwise, how could Li Yue'er have happened to buy only this one kind of pastry out of all the options in the shop?
Li Yue'er nodded, "She said you like this."
Qu Rong lowered her eyes. "It's so-so."
Li Yue'er let out a soft "Ah" with a hint of disappointment, lifted her skirt and squatted down beside the mistress's legs. When she looked up at her, she said in a distressed tone, "I was hoping to buy some things to please you so that you would help me with my business."
Qu Rong lowered her eyes and glanced at her sideways.
Now she asks her for favors with such confidence.
Although the mistress did not speak, she leaned slightly towards her, her arm resting on the armrest of the chair in front of her.
Li Yue'er knew she was all bark and no bite, so she immediately climbed onto her mistress's forearm and held her hands, pleading softly, "Please, mistress, have mercy on me~"
She's being all coquettish again.
Qu Rong touched the paper and abacus with both hands, but now that Li Yue'er had blocked her from getting up to wash her hands, she simply gestured for Li Yue'er to bring the pastries over and feed them to her, "Tell me about it."
Without needing her mistress to say anything, Li Yue'er instinctively washed and dried her hands first, then carefully held the almond tofu in one hand and offered it to her mistress's lips.
Almond tofu is just a name; it has nothing to do with real tofu. It just melts in your mouth and is somewhat like tofu.
Qu Rong looked reluctant, took a sip from Li Yue'er's hand, lowered her eyes, and then looked up at her, signaling her to continue.
Li Yue'er: "I've thought of a way to deal with him."
By the time Li Yue'er finished speaking, Qu Rong was almost full. She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and slowly nodded, "That's feasible."
Li Yue'er couldn't help but flinch and throw herself into her arms, wrapping her arms around her shoulders, and asked in surprise, "Really?"
Her hands were trembling, and her voice was shaking, filled with both fear of harming people and excitement at getting rid of the beast.
Qu Rong lowered her eyes, raised her hand and placed it on Li Yue'er's thin back, gently patting it with her palm. "If you're afraid, I'll have Dan Sha do it."
Li Yue'er rested her forehead on her shoulder and whispered, "I'm scared, but I'm going myself."
Qu Rong didn't say anything, only softly replied, "Okay, then go ahead and do it."
Li Yue'er's fingers were covered in crushed almonds, but her mouth was clean, so she tilted her head and kissed her mistress's earlobe.
Qu Rong reminded her, "This is the study."
Li Yue'er naturally knew.
Li Yue'er: "What are you thinking, Mistress? I'm just going to give you a kiss, I won't do anything else."
As she spoke, she naturally got up from the mistress's arms.
Qu Rong, "..."
Aren't you going to do anything else...?
Then why did she kiss her like that...?
Meeting Li Yue'er's teasing and sly gaze, Qu Rong frowned and lowered her eyes, straightening her clothes and skirt, and abruptly changed the subject, "Have you eaten? Let the maids set the table."
This means I want to have a meal with her.
But Li Yue'er had eaten her fill before returning, and she also had other things to do.
Li Yue'er twisted her sleeves with both hands, her eyes darting around.
Qu Rong looked at her expressionlessly.
Li Yue'er admitted truthfully, "I also bought food for Xiaoxiao and Aunt Qiu, and I was just thinking of bringing it to them later."
Today, Li Yue'er bought all the food items she had made a list for last time but couldn't buy, including the two portions of dried meat for Teng Huang.
She's been so busy these days that she hasn't had a proper chat with Xiaoxiao and Aunt Qiu. She was planning to take advantage of the time to deliver the pastries and talk to them more.
Qu Rong narrowed her eyes, "Using my money to repay a favor?"
The mistress held out her hand, palm up, "What about mine?"
Li Yue'er looked at the almond tofu and noticed that her mistress's gaze was becoming increasingly dangerous. Li Yue'er quickly bent down and turned her face to the side, pressing her cheek against her mistress's palm. "What do you mean 'yours' and 'mine'? Even I belong to the mistress."
Qu Rong, “...sweet talk.”
Li Yue'er straightened up, smiling as she placed her fingers in her mistress's outstretched palm, her fingertips gently gliding and teasing the fabric. "My mistress treats me so well; I have no way to repay her, so I can only serve her diligently at night."
She says such inappropriate things in serious situations.
Qu Rong felt a tingling sensation in her palm, and she tightened her grip on Li Yue'er's fingers, glancing at her, "Always good at sweet talk."
Li Yue'er became smug, her lips brushing against her mistress's ear, "Who told me to drink something sweet right after waking up this morning~"
...Li Yue'er was kicked out of the study by the mistress, who said that not only could she not help with the accounting, but she also came in and caused trouble everywhere.
When Tenghuang Hou saw her close the door behind her and come out, he quickly looked at her.
Li Yue'er was delighted, "The mistress has agreed."
Teng Huang's gaze swept over her mouth. "That's not what I'm asking. I'm just checking if the mistress has had any 'snacks'."
Li Yue'er, "..."
Li Yue'er smiled.
What a coincidence! The mistress always eats something else, but just now she only ate almond tofu.
Gamboge, "..."
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