Li Linfeng, the emperor's brother-in-law, held the high-ranking position of Minister of War, a first-rank official. His family was the newly emerging most powerful in the capital. His two legitimate sons, Li Li and Li Tong, both held positions in the court. His legitimate daughter, Li Weiwei, was Princess Chengning. They had three illegitimate daughters and two illegitimate sons who achieved little. While waiting in the hall, Tian Yu recalled what she knew about the Li family. She didn't dare drink the tea and sat waiting. After a long wait, thinking they had forgotten her, someone finally entered—the eldest son, Li Li, whom she had met at the literary gathering. Li Li stepped forward, bowed politely, and said, "I apologize for keeping you waiting, Mr. Tian. My father is on official business; please wait a moment."
"It's alright! May I ask what brings Lord Li here?" Seeing his polite manner, Tian Yu felt she should at least reciprocate, so she stood up, bowed, and smiled. In her heart, however, she thought: You invited me here, and now you're all so busy, leaving me waiting here. Are you trying to intimidate me? No way!
"I don't know the specifics either. Perhaps my father admires Mr. Tian's talent and wants to learn from him."
"Is that so? You flatter me, Lord Li. I have people waiting at home. Perhaps I should come to visit another day."
"Mr. Tian, please wait a moment while I go and urge them," Li Li said, bowing slightly.
Not long after Li Li left, he came in again with his father, Li Linfeng. Although Li Linfeng was over fifty, he was in good spirits. He looked very serious and not easy to talk to. He walked in and sat down in the main seat without even looking at Tian Yu. Tian Yu wanted to roll her eyes, but Li Li was warmly entertaining her, so Tian Yu didn't want to lose face. She had no choice but to sit down and continue the polite conversation. Li Linfeng straightened his clothes, drank some tea, and then said, "I have long heard of Mr. Tian's outstanding literary talent, which is unmatched in the world today. Today, I invited Mr. Tian here for two reasons: first, I want to see Mr. Tian's literary talent with my own eyes, and second, I want to discuss something with Mr. Tian."
"Lord Li, you have already witnessed my literary talent, so I think there is no need for that. As for discussing matters, I wonder what matters Lord Li and I need to discuss in private?"
"I've already had people investigate your affairs in Shancheng. You're not Tian Yu, no! No, I should say you're not Xiao Tian!"
Tian Yu felt a little flustered, but she tried her best to remain calm. Even if they found out that she was different from the previous Tian Yu, they couldn't possibly guess that she was a soul who had traveled through time. Tian Yu looked up at Li Linfeng and smiled, saying, "Lord Li, you're joking. If I'm not me, then who am I? Why would I run to Old Zhao Village for no reason? And what's the explanation for Tang Yuan?"
"Your person hasn't changed, but other things have, haven't they? I heard that you couldn't read a single word a year ago, but now you can write articles and poems. Don't you find that strange?"
"Lord Li, is this all you invited me here to tell me?"
"Mr. Tian, aren't you going to explain?"
"Lord Li! Imperial Uncle Li! Even my son, the Marquis, hasn't doubted me. Don't you find it ridiculous that you doubt me? If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now." Tian Yu stood up, bowed, and left.
Li Li stood up to try and persuade her to stay, but Li Linfeng stopped him and summoned a servant to see Tian Yu off. As Tian Yu stepped out the door, Li Linfeng suddenly said, "The Marquis doesn't know yet, does he?"
Tian Yu's body stiffened, but she quickly and calmly left. The Li family father and son behind her watched Tian Yu leave and said, "Father invited her here just for this?"
"yes!"
"Is that enough? Zhao Moyan is still investigating the case from back then."
"That's enough, he won't have time to investigate anytime soon."
As Tian Yu passed through the courtyard, she heard a commotion coming from the other courtyard. A servant passing by hurriedly whispered, "The eldest young lady is throwing a tantrum again. The three young ladies are in for trouble."
"That's right. The master has arranged so many marriages for her, but the young lady just doesn't want any of them. Now she's arguing with the master and mistress again."
Meanwhile, Qinyuan Lvliu and Qiuju were in a panic. Tianyu had instructed them to inform the Marquis if she didn't return before dinner, but it was getting dark and they still hadn't seen her. What should they do?
"Why don't we go and tell the Marquis now?" Green Willow said anxiously.
"No, let's wait a little longer!" Qiuju said.
"But what if something happens to Madam?" Green Willow said.
"You wait here, I'll go find the Marquis," Qiuju said after thinking for a moment.
Qiu Ju had just run out of Qinyuan when she ran into Zhao Moyan, who asked, "What happened? Why are you in such a panic?"
"My lord, something terrible has happened! The lady has been taken away by the servants of Li Guojiu."
"When did this happen!?"
"After noon."
"Why are you only telling me now!"
"If Madam refuses, we don't know what to do."
"Prepare the horses!"
Halfway there, Tian Yu lifted the carriage curtain and saw Zhao Moyan galloping towards her. Zhao Moyan also saw her, tightened the reins, and stopped in front of the carriage. Tian Yu quickly got out of the carriage, but Zhao Moyan pulled her onto the horse. Zhao Moyan said to the coachman, "Go back and tell Lord Li that if there's anything, just come to me directly. Don't involve others." After saying that, he turned his horse around and rode away gracefully.
In Qinyuan, Zhao Moyan sat opposite Tian Yu, staring at her intently. Tian Yu had been thirsty all afternoon, drinking cup after cup of tea without looking at Zhao Moyan.
"What does Li Linfeng want with you?"
"It's nothing. He said he admires my writing skills and wants to learn from me."
"That's all? They didn't say anything else."
"I came back without agreeing to this one."
"He didn't make things difficult for you?"
"No, I even had a servant escort me back. Didn't you see that yourself?"
Why didn't you tell me sooner!?
"I didn't think there was any danger, so I..."
"You're not going to tell me? How do you know there's no danger?"
"Think about it! He took me away in public, how could he possibly make things difficult for me? I'm a celebrity, you know!"
"You! Don't do that again next time."
"Okay! I understand."
"Also, why have you been avoiding Li Xingyun with the princess lately?"
"Alright! Why so many questions? Are you a walking encyclopedia of questions? I'm so hungry, let's go eat!" Tian Yu stood up and pulled Zhao Moyan, who shook his head and could only follow Tian Yu to the living room.
The following day, another heated debate erupted in the court. The Emperor of Chen had clearly stated in his letter his willingness to form a marriage alliance with Wu, and the delegation would arrive in Wu after the spring. Neither country wanted to fight again, and a marriage alliance was the best solution. The question was whether the princess should marry into Chen or marry a nobleman from her own country. Although the Emperor had privately promised the princess that if she found a suitable match before the Chen delegation arrived, he would consider not forming a marriage alliance with Chen, the court officials did not share this view.
Li Linfeng's faction strongly advocated for the princess's marriage to secure peace between the two countries. However, Li Linfeng remained silent, with his cronies speaking out most of the time. When the ministers were arguing heatedly, the emperor asked Li Linfeng's brother-in-law, who then stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe all the ministers have valid points. A marriage alliance with the princess would bring lasting peace between the two countries. Even if the princess doesn't marry, our Wu Kingdom's warriors can still maintain peace; the only difference is the number of casualties. The decision rests entirely with Your Majesty." This answer was tantamount to saying nothing at all, and the scene reached a stalemate!
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