Two figures came in one after another. During this period, Gu Yuan turned around and helped Jiang Shanshan as he stepped over the threshold. His love and care were self-evident.
The two came to the hall, saluted Mr. Li and others, and then sat down aside.
Duke Jingguo and the Crown Prince are not here, except for Gu Yuan, who is the female family member of the mansion.
Originally, he shouldn't have stayed and delayed their conversation, but he was worried and shamelessly refused to leave.
Looking at Mrs. Li who was talking to Jiang Shanshan very intimately, Li Ying pursed her lips and said to Gu Yuan: "Cousin, fourth cousin and fifth cousin are all in the camp and won't you come back?"
When Gu Yuan saw her asking, he couldn't ignore her, so he could only say: "They are going to the camp for training, and it will take at least more than a month before they can return."
Li Ying seemed to be curious with some interest, "Has my cousin been to the camp too? I remember that you went to that border place for me. Think about it, five years have passed since then."
Gu Yuan frowned, not wanting to answer this question.
It's not that he has a guilty conscience, it's that the matter is related to her as soon as he says it.
It is true that I did have the intention to avoid her back then, but I was really young and energetic and wanted to have a chance.
Normally this is nothing, it would be over after just a few words, but today...
He looked at his mother and Jiang Shanshan who didn't know when to stop talking.
The atmosphere was a little stagnant for a while.
The ladies of the house lowered their heads and pretended to have tea, but in fact they were watching a good show.
Finally, Mrs. Li, who couldn't stand it anymore, spoke.
"There's nothing wrong with young people going out to have their own adventures. Later, the four and five will also be sent to see the blood. This is the long-standing practice of our Duke's mansion. A Ying should not worry too much."
Li Ying choked, and even the smile on the corner of her mouth froze, and the next moment she looked at her aggrievedly.
Mrs. Li sighed in her heart. After all, she was her niece, so she couldn't really put her down, so she had to say: "Okay, let's go and see if the kitchen is well-arranged. Make more Lin'an dishes, lighter ones, to avoid unnecessary trouble."
A Ying can’t get used to it.”
After receiving the order, my mother bowed and obeyed.
Seeing that the sky was getting darker, the Duke of Jing's brother and the Crown Prince still hadn't returned home. Guessing that they were delayed by official duties, Mrs. Li didn't wait for them.
When moving to the flower hall to have dinner, Mrs. Li took advantage of this opportunity to pat Jiang Shanshan's hand and whispered: "Don't worry, I don't have those thoughts."
Knowing what she was talking about, Jiang Shanshan nodded.
Zhou, on the other hand, was responsible for accompanying Li Ying. Although she had a smile on her face, she felt bitter in her heart.
How come this hot potato fell into her hands!
The same goes for the men in the family. Except for Gu Yuan, no one was seen. She wondered if he had hidden away on purpose.
During the banquet, everyone was polite as if nothing had happened, but in fact many people did not know how to taste the food.
Duke Jingguo and others who were still outside were sitting in the restaurant raising glasses to the moon, enjoying a rare moment of leisure and ease.
Gu Shu, who was pouring the wine for him, sighed, "Dad, are we really okay with this? What if my mother asks about it when I get back..."
"What are you afraid of? Do you want to go back and watch these women in a show, this one and that one?"
Are you annoyed?
Gu Shu seemed to make sense when he thought about it.
Looking at my second and third uncles, they are not worried at all, as if they are already used to it.
He thought deeply for a while.
It seems that I still have some learning to do.
In the Duke's Mansion, Jiang Shanshan talked to Mrs. Li in a low voice. When he learned that she wanted to find a doctor, although it was a little strange, she still agreed.
After thinking for a while, he asked, "Is Master feeling ill?"
"My husband is very good, but the doctor I want is good at detoxifying."
"Detoxification?" Ms. Li lowered her voice, "Who was poisoned?"
"Speaking of which, I have something to do with you, Madam. I hope you can help me, Madam."
As for why I wanted to talk to Mrs. Li, I naturally wanted her to understand that the matter was related to the Master and it was not appropriate to come forward openly.
Mrs. Li also knew the pros and cons and expressed her reassurance after accepting the offer.
"It's getting late, so I won't disturb Madam." Jiang Shanshan stood up and said.
Li nodded, glanced at Gu Yuan who had already come over, and said, "Be careful on the way back. If it's too late, you don't have to come back."
The last words were said to his son.
Gu Yuan agreed, then said goodbye to several elders and left with Jiang Shanshan.
During this period, neither of them glanced at Li Ying. It wasn't until they left the flower hall that Li Ying's eyes turned red.
"Auntie..." she called to Mr. Li with tears in her eyes.
Now that there was no one else around, Li Ying couldn't hold it any longer. Seeing this, the second lady and the third lady got up and left first.
Mrs. Zhou looked at it and saw that she could neither sit nor stand. After a while, she had to quietly retreat.
In the flower hall, Li Ying cried aggrievedly: "You knew I liked my cousin, so why did you get engaged? It was you who arranged the engagement. Is it possible that the orphan girl is better than your niece?"
Mrs. Li pressed her forehead with a headache and said, "You are not suitable."
"What do you mean by inappropriate?" Li Ying refused, "Whatever my cousin likes, can't I do it? Even if I have to go to the border, I can't do it!"
"What are you talking about? If you go with him, he will want you?"
"I don't care, what's wrong with that orphan girl? She only has such a face that can be seen..."
"That face is enough."
Li Ying choked and said angrily: "How is it possible? Third cousin is not such a superficial person."
Mrs. Li snorted, who knows?
Seeing her like this, Li Ying not only failed to seek comfort, but instead felt even more aggrieved.
She knelt down next to Li's legs and pulled her sleeves, "Auntie, can you cancel the marriage?"
"Shut up!" Ms. Li pushed her hand away, her brows filled with impatience.
This mouth really dares to say anything.
"I personally arranged this marriage, and there is no possibility of going back on it. As for you, just stop worrying about it! It's really brave for a girl to come to Beijing without saying goodbye to your parents."
Li Ying sobbed and said, "You don't know how sad I was when I learned that my cousin was engaged in Lin'an. Why did I care so much? Besides, I don't know the way and I don't have any guards."
As she said that, she softened her voice and said, "Auntie, just let me stay! Even if you can't marry your cousin, at least let me see you more."
"It doesn't matter if you take a few more glances. I've already sent a letter to your parents and will arrange a marriage for you later."
"I don't want-" Li Ying grabbed her in a hurry, "Aunt, I was wrong. I really just want to see my cousin again. Really, you can just let me go!"
Mrs. Li lowered her eyes and looked at her niece, sighing at her persistence.
But there was nothing she could do about it. She wouldn't force her son to do anything he didn't like, even if the person was her niece.
"At most half a month, someone will come from Lin'an to take you back."
Li Ying's eyes lit up when she heard this. She wiped the tears on her cheeks and nodded: "Thank you, Auntie, for making it happen."
"Don't do more things that are not beneficial to you." Mrs. Li said: "You are a girl, and you will still get married in the future!"
Li Ying lowered her head and seemed to respond respectfully, but only she knew what she was thinking.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
Thank you Shen Mingjue for the reward, I love you! Mmm~