Madam Xu looked tired, and her face showed signs of vicissitude.
Li Shiyue had a lot to say, but the Emperor's reaction after she entered the palace that day was really strange.
Her cousin said that her mother knew the official, but her intuition told her that this was not the case based on the official's reaction.
However, she didn't find a suitable opportunity to ask about the events that occurred before or after.
After Granny Tong helped Old Madam Xu to bed, she came out from the inner room.
"Granny, do you still have the spices I brought?"
Granny Chang was wearing a brown jacket with a front opening, and her graying hair was tied back. As soon as she spoke, she said with a smile, "Don't worry, Miss, the spices are still available and have already been lit."
Li Shiyue wasn't worried that Granny Chang wouldn't serve her well, and smiled, "That's good. If it's not enough, just call me and I'll go to the garden to pick some more flower petals."
“My grandmother is getting on in years, and even the finest sandalwood would be too somber. Floral and fruity scents can help alleviate her headaches.”
"This is too much trouble for Miss Biao. I'm afraid the old lady will blame us if she finds out."
Li Shiyue shook her head: "These are all minor matters. If Grandmother wants to blame me, just push me over there."
"It's kind of you, Miss, but you should also take care of your health."
Granny Chang's gaze softened as she instructed Chunling, "The young men and ladies have been gone for a while now. Be careful when you get back. This is freshly made chestnut cake. Take it back for your cousin to try."
"Oh, Granny, don't bother seeing me off, I'll head back now."
Li Shiyue then led Chunling out of Shousong Hall and slowly walked towards Chengyu Pavilion.
Granny Chang stood there, saying that it was a small matter, but the fact that she could persist in doing it every day was truly admirable.
Watching the master and servant leave, he turned and went inside.
In the distance, the sunset hangs low, and the sun is reduced to a small arc on the horizon, gleaming with a golden light. The dappled rays of the setting sun sprinkle the ground, creating a sense of warmth.
Li Shiyue stopped and calmly stared at the figure in front of her.
Seemingly sensing someone's presence, Xu Yunyang turned around with his hands behind his back, a momentary look of confusion on his gentle face before he broke into a smile.
"cousin."
"Men and women are different. Did my third cousin wait for me here on purpose?"
Li Shiyue lowered her eyes, hiding the resentment in her heart, and took a half step back to keep her distance from Xu Yunyang.
The young men had left together, and she had spent some time with her maternal grandmother in Shousong Hall. Xu Yunyang was clearly waiting for her there on purpose.
Xu Yunyang spoke warmly, as if the one who had just made a mistake was not his own sister. Although his second aunt, Madam Liu, was a bit uncouth, she genuinely loved her daughter, just in the wrong way.
So what blinded her in her past life that made her fall for such a cold-hearted man, abandoning family ties and blood relations, and still fantasizing that he would have other feelings for her?
She was delusional.
Xu Yunyang, unaware of Li Shiyue's thoughts, smiled gently and said, "My cousin is intelligent."
"Shi Niang has made a mistake and has already been punished, so please don't take it to heart, cousin. If there is any mistake, it is that Mother has always spoiled her, which has led to her developing such a personality today."
His expression was feigned regret, and if Li Shiyue hadn't been unaware of it, she would have been completely fooled.
Li Shiyue gazed calmly at his face, a half-smile playing on her lips: "Does Third Cousin mean that Aunt's spoiling is a mistake?"
This indifferent reaction was not what Xu Yunyang had expected.
He was about the same age as his older brother, and they inevitably compared themselves from childhood. Unlike his fourth brother, he wasn't spoiled by his mother. But this new little cousin was really beautiful, and he was willing to pretend to be a gentle and refined gentleman to win her favor.
Thinking about what happened today, my little cousin must be lonely. If he could keep her company, it would be even better if he could win her heart. Besides, my little cousin isn't alone. If the manor prepares another set of dowry chests after she gets married, it would probably last for several lifetimes.
Thinking about it this way, she's not the useless little girl her mother used to talk about at all.
It was all an act. Li Shiyue knew Xu Yunyang's character all along, and now she could clearly see the eagerness in his eyes.
If he hadn't brought up his own mother, Liu, perhaps Li Shiyue would still consider Xu Yunyang a decent person.
"Whether it's my aunt spoiling her or not, as a junior and a newcomer, how can I comment on the affairs of a mother and daughter? As for what my third cousin said, I'm afraid I can't bear such a accusation."
"No matter what my tenth cousin did wrong, in the end she just falsely accused me. It's childish talk. Since she calls me 'cousin,' how can I take it to heart?"
"Could it be that my third cousin thinks I'm petty? It's my fault that everyone thinks of me this way."
After saying that, Li Shiyue turned her body to the side, not even sparing Xu Yunyang a glance.
Xu Yunyang was taken aback by this and quickly explained, "That's not what I meant, I..."
"It's alright. My third cousin and my cousin are family. They can say whatever they want."
Li Shiyue gave a slight curtsy and said in a distant tone, "Men and women should be different. Third cousin, please don't block me like that in the future. It's just ruining your reputation."
As soon as she finished speaking, Li Shiyue had already led her maid away through the round moon gate in front.
Xu Yunyang stood there, hurriedly reaching out to stop them, but saw that the master and servant had already walked far away.
Li Shiyue ignored Xu Yunyang, walked quickly without looking back, and returned to Chengyu Pavilion, where she collapsed onto the wooden couch.
Chunling, who followed in, usually had a round, smiling face, but now her brows were furrowed and her expression was cautious.
Chunling squatted on the footstool, her expression worried: "Miss, Third Master, he..."
Only the two of them, master and servant, were in the room. Li Shiyue sat up slightly and leaned softly against the cushion beside her. She reached out and pinched Chunling's cheek: "I know what you're worried about."
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