"What about Lady Sun?" asked Xin He as she picked up a piece of red-braised beef that Ah Guai loved.
Marquis Mu Houchu pursed his lips, his eyes cooling a bit. "Of course, she was not spared."
If the Emperor shows no mercy, it certainly means death.
Xin He spoke lightly, "I am curious, what kind of leverage could Lady Sun hold against the Emperor to persuade him to spare Li Junyan? If we could obtain it, perhaps it could be of use to us."
Marquis Mu Houchu said, "At present, Li Junyan cannot be found, hence it’s impossible to know. Let’s drop the matter, you should not meddle anymore."
In reality, Mu Houchu did not like Xin He getting involved in these affairs.
"Yes," Xin He chuckled, "Speaking of which, this year promises to be an eventful one. We have to arrange Shulan’s marriage next month, then hurry up with Xiao Bei’s marriage preparations. Fortunately, we have finished constructing his mansion in advance. I will personally select some furnishings and start the preparations."
"You can handle it," said Mu Houchu nonchalantly. Xin He was ever dedicated to Xiao Bei’s matters, so he didn’t need to intervene. As for Shulan, she was but a servant. Marrying her off with some dignity was, after all, a show of kindness by Xin He.
Suddenly as if struck by a thought, Mu Houchu asked, "And who might the man be who is to marry Shulan?"
"He is the nephew of the manager of a teahouse under my name, he seems like a good person, I’ve met him," Xin He replied.
"Do you know all his details?" asked Mu Houchu.
His only concern wasn’t about the man’s character but rather his background. After all, Shulan was Xin He’s personal maid. She might be getting married, but only after her suitor’s background is thoroughly checked can he be at peace.
After some thought, Xin He replied, "I’ve had an investigation conducted. His background is clean, and his uncle works for me. Everything seemed fine."
"Then that’s good," said Mu Houchu with a smile. "Let’s eat."
"Yes!"
Meanwhile, outside the side gate of the Royal Mansion.
A young man rode up on his horse, stopping right outside the mansion gate.
On seeing him the doorman quickly remarked with a humble smile, "Young Master Li is here."
In the royal household, young Li held a status not quite equivalent to that of a servant, but he was not exactly a master either. As a child, he was often called young Li, but as he grew older, the servants’ reverence towards him grew and they dared not take liberties. After all, he was favored by the princess, raised like a blood brother. Hence, they all began to address him formally as Young Master Li.
Nevertheless, Li had a low-key personality and didn’t like to show off. So, he always used the side gate to enter and exit the Royal Mansion unless he was accompanying Xin He.
Young Li handed his horse over to the doorman and said, "I am here to see the princess."
"Of course, Young Master Li. Please come in!"
Upon Xin He’s return to the mansion, she had sent for him. For some reason, she was still worried about him and wanted him near to question him further.
Young Li nodded in acknowledgment before entering the mansion.
Just as he was about to enter, he came face to face with a scholar leaving the mansion. The man bowed respectfully upon seeing Young Li. Young Li nodded in return and passed by him without giving him another glance. He was always indifferent towards strangers and didn’t consider them worth his time.
"Princess, young Li has arrived," Xiaoyu reported.
Xin He said, "Let him in."
When Young Li came in, Xin He said with a smile, "Have you eaten? Eat first."
Young Li replied, "I have already eaten."
Irritated, Xin He glared at him, "If you’ve eaten, then have another meal!"
Young Li rubbed his nose and obediently sat down.
Unable to hold back a smile, Xiao Bei said, "If only you had been so obedient earlier. It seems that indeed my sister knows best."
Xin He laughed, "Alright, enough joking around. We rarely get to sit together for a meal. Let’s eat."
Marquis Mu Houchu shot a glance at Young Li. For some reason, he found the boy even more irritating.
Rationality told him it was best to proceed with his plans gradually, so he held himself back.
He had been able slowly to eliminate Li Nan from Xin He’s life, a task he had managed to accomplish to a great extent. Xin He’s confidantes were now Li Saner and Lai Fu. Li Nan, stationed at public school, barely made an appearance once a month, and Xin He only enquired about his studies on occasion. If things continued in this manner, in no more than six months, Li Nan would be a far off figure in their lives.
"Daddy, I want to eat that big crab!" Ah Guai tugged at Mu Houchu’s sleeve. Her sticky sweet voice, along with the rice grains adorning her small mouth, made her bright eyes, which were fixated on the far-off crab, twinkle even more.
With a resigned smile, Mu Houchu wiped off the rice grains from her mouth and began to help her peel apart the crab.
Apart from Young Li, everyone enjoyed a hearty meal.
Xin He too had noticed Young Li’s unusual quietness. His low spirits were inexplicable, yet she just couldn’t leave him be. She had taken him in from the princess’ mansion seven years ago, and raised him just like she did Xiao Bei, like a younger brother. How could she tolerate him being downcast?
After the meal, Xin He decided to give Young Li a thorough talking-to.
Xiao Bei and Young Li stood side by side. Xiao Bei glanced at Young Li with some sympathy. He remembered how in their childhood, Young Li seldom had a reason to be scolded. They stood together just like now, but it was always Xiao Bei who was chastised because he was always causing trouble.
Now, as grown-ups, Xiao Bei was a lot quieter and far less troublesome than his childhood self. On the contrary, Young Li seemed to be scolded more often. It was as if their roles had swapped at some point in their lives.
With an intense look on her face, Xin He said, "Li Nan, I’ve watched you grow up. You have no parents, I treated you like a brother. I believe there should be no secrets between us. If there is any issue, tell me directly. If you are facing some difficulty, I will strive to resolve it. If you cause some trouble, though I’d be angry, I would ultimately help you clean up the mess. But why are you sinking into such sullenness? What is going on?"
Young Li pursed his lips, "There’s nothing I’m keeping from you."
Xin He snapped, "Li Nan, are you pushing me to lose my temper?!"
Xiao Bei could feel his heart skip a beat. When his sister lost her temper, it spelled disaster!
With a firm gaze, Young Li said to Xin He, "Why do you always treat me as a child?"
Xin He was taken aback, she stood frozen, unable to react for a moment.
"I’m seventeen years old, I held my coming-of-age ceremony at sixteen. I’m officially an adult, yet in your eyes, why am I still a child?" Young Li tugged up the corners of his lips, adding a hint of self-mockery to his tone.
Having said that, he lowered his gaze, turned, and walked away. He didn’t want her to see the profound sadness in his eyes. He was truly hurt. Why couldn’t he ever grow up in her eyes? Why was it that ever since his emotions for her began to bud, he was destined never to reveal them?
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