She's making it clear today that she's going to keep playing dumb.
Xu Yunci saw it and immediately recognized it as Xu Yunxu's clothes. Thinking that Li Shiyue was talking with Xu Yunyao in the back mountain, she guessed that she hadn't had time to go back yet. It was probably because Granny Chang couldn't find Xu Yunyao, so she could only go to Xu Yunxu.
In terms of physique, Xu Yunyao is more similar to him. As for facial features, Xu Yunxu, his brother from the same mother, is naturally more like him.
Xu Yunci choked up for a moment, and just as his gaze was about to fall down, he suddenly met the smiling eyes of Old Madam Xu. It seemed that the old lady was in a good mood, and she could not hide the upward curve of her lips.
He couldn't help but chuckle. Chasing a wife was never easy, and now his only confidante, his grandmother, who had nodded in agreement before his cousin came in, was now watching the show with amusement.
However, he couldn't refute it. His cousin's admission of spending time alone with Xu Yunyao meant that she was accepting someone else.
Feeling a pang of unease, Xu Yunci's hand, which had been reaching for the robe, gradually paused. Finally, under the watchful gaze of Old Madam Xu, he picked it up and said, "I'll go change and then come back to talk to Grandmother."
Li Shiyue stood up, placed her hands in front of her and bent her knees. After he left, she sat back down next to Old Madam Xu.
Her clothes today were all in simple colors, and even her hair was styled simply, just a very basic updo, with the only complicated part held back with a hairpin.
Her hair was secured at the back of her head with a small, inconspicuous rectangular button with a begonia-shaped silver thread, which perfectly matched her outfit today. As soon as she sat down, she saw the smile in Old Madam Xu's eyes as she looked her over.
Remembering what Granny Chang said, Old Madam Xu already knew that she was in the back mountain with Xu Yunyao. Even though the chanting ended early, she didn't send anyone to find her, probably because she was trying to bring them together.
Xu Yunyao is undeniably a very good person. In terms of future prospects, he may not be as promising as his older brothers in the Xu family, but his character is undeniably excellent.
However, Li Shiyue didn't know how to fall in love. What she felt more was admiration and respect for Xu Yunyao. This affection wasn't romantic love, and she didn't know if it could eventually transform into the kind of marital affection that Old Madam Xu hoped for.
Although Granny Chang's words went against the rules, they were not without Granny Chang's sincerity and loyalty to Old Madam Xu. Otherwise, who would care about you? Li Shiyue would remember this kindness.
"The peach grove on the back hill is indeed so beautiful."
Ignoring the probing look in Madam Xu's eyes, Li Shiyue reached out and lifted Madam Xu's skirt, then knelt on the bed, took off her shoes, and knelt as she walked inside.
She placed her hands on Madam Xu's legs, which were already swollen. She controlled the pressure and slowly began to knead Madam Xu's calves.
A wave of comfort washed over her legs, and Mrs. Xu felt gratified, her smile growing even wider.
"It's alright. Actually, when the rain is heavy, the ground is covered in mist, making it impossible to see anything clearly. Standing in the pavilion, all you can see is a hazy, powdery white expanse in the torrential rain."
She was telling the truth, and she also sensed the teasing in Old Madam Xu's words. She wasn't asking about the peach blossom forest at all; she clearly wanted to know what she and Xu Yunyao had talked about and how they got along.
She asked the question subtly, but based on her understanding of Old Madam Xu, she could still guess what she was thinking.
"You're so honest, you won't even lie to me." Old Madam Xu sighed softly, her gaze falling on Li Shiyue's face.
Her appearance inherited all the best features of her mother and father when they were young. No matter how absurd the Earl of Yunyang is now, he was actually a handsome young man when he was young. Otherwise, how could Old Madam Xu have chosen the Earl of Yunyang's family from among all the nobles?
It's a pity that after all the careful selection, they still ended up with the worst one.
Li Shiyue's eyebrows were curved, like the bright moon hanging in the night sky, just like her childhood name, Jiaojiao. Her fair and delicate skin, when not smiling, gave her a serene expression, like a moon fairy descending to earth, radiating a cool and serene light.
Her eyebrows curved into a smile, her eyes clear as the azure sky, her almond-shaped eyes like the high-hanging sun, warming people's hearts.
She controlled the pressure in her hands perfectly, landing on Old Madam Xu's legs with just the right amount of force. Her profile was serious, as if what was placed in front of her was not Old Madam Xu's legs, but something very serious and important.
“It rained heavily yesterday and the thunder was loud, so my cousin didn’t sleep well. Would you like to take a nap to rest for a while? You have to kneel on the prayer cushion to chant sutras every day, and your legs can’t take it. I’ll massage them for you later so they won’t hurt when you chant sutras tomorrow.”
Li Shiyue's hands moved non-stop, massaging the left leg and then the other, without the slightest impatience.
Madam Xu was very pleased, but it was clear that she was anxious because Madam Xu was unwilling to bring up the important matter. It was Madam Xu who had not kept her composure.
"You pretend to be stupid whenever I ask you anything. You only tell me it's not true when I ask you how you get along with Goro."
Li Shiyue let out a long sigh, lowered her eyes, and appeared obedient, as if letting Old Madam Xu do as she pleased.
"You know what I'm thinking, and you know my fifth cousin even better. He certainly won't do anything out of line. We were just talking about what's on our minds."
“I told my fifth cousin that I don’t object to taking a concubine, but at least after I, as the legal wife, have given birth to a legitimate son and my position is secure, even if I take a concubine, the hierarchy should not be disrupted. The concubine’s child should be brought to me, the legal wife, and I should be given the respect that a legal wife deserves.”
"If he can't do these things, I won't make things difficult for my fifth cousin. He has to get married, right? My cousin seemed to be frightened by me, but he agreed."
Madam Xu was not surprised at all by her attitude or her request. With the example of Madam Xu before her death right before her eyes, even if Li Shiyue did not ask, she would not send Li Shiyue out to gamble again.
Having lost her only daughter, and if she were to lose Li Shiyue before she passed away, Old Madam Xu would not be able to imagine how she would go on living. Her old bones simply could not bear it.
Li Shiyue looked up and smiled: "You also think I'm asking for too much, right? But if no one can meet those expectations, I'd rather not get married. You love and cherish me, and you're not letting me get married so that I'll suffer."
"Besides, you said you wanted to find me a son-in-law who could protect me. If he can't do that, how can he protect me?"
A slight smile played on her lips, her eyes showing no hesitation. This pride was a gift from Old Madam Xu. It was also an indirect way of expressing her stance, telling Old Madam Xu that if she could, she would rather remain unmarried for life than suffer such grievances.
"My fifth cousin also said that if he doesn't become as successful as my cousin the heir, I might blame him."
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