The Exiled Life of the Noble Girl

Chapter 172

Ah Xiu carefully put down the small box, stole a glance at Li Mingwei who was resting with her eyes closed, and hesitated whether to tell her mistress about her brother-in-law flirting with a young lady right after arriving in the capital.

She opened her mouth, then closed it again.

With the sudden quietness, Li Mingwei felt a bit unaccustomed. She half-opened her eyes and looked at the wavering Ah Xiu, raising her eyebrows.

"What's the matter? When did you start hiding things from me?"

"Nothing." Ah Xiu pouted, but still reported the incident, though she added, "It was just that one time. I haven't seen him go to places like the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion after that. I've been keeping an eye on him for you, mistress."

She secretly said, "But that Tang Jue has been there a few times."

Li Mingwei smiled lightly. So Liu Yizhu flirted with a young lady? Did he recite romantic poetry?

"What did they say?"

Ah Xiu shook her head. "I didn't hear, but I saw that the young lady's face turned red, so there must have been something fishy going on. That's when I just flung the book in my hand at him, to let him know someone was watching. You see, after that he didn't dare do it again."

"You..." Li Mingwei felt a headache. "You hit him without even hearing what was said?"

Perhaps he was just saying that her sister seemed to dislike him.

Ah Xiu widened her eyes innocently. Wasn't that allowed?

"Never mind." Li Mingwei waved her hand. It's done, what more could she say? He was tough, it probably didn't hurt him much.

Sigh...

"Mistress, we've arrived."

Ah Xiu jumped down first, placed the footstool, and had just taken the child when Liu Yizhu came out. He reached out to support Li Mingwei. "I thought you weren't coming back."

"Then why were you waiting here?"

Liu Yizhu didn't respond. Ah Xiu, holding the child and unable to bow, just nodded and said, "Good day, brother-in-law."

"Who's this?"

"Ah Xiu, my personal maid."

Liu Yizhu nodded in understanding. So this was the one who hit him.

He had inquired about it already. Li Mingwei was an only child with no sisters. Today she only brought Ah Xiu back, so she must be different. If there was anything before, it must have been arranged by her.

Ah Xiu handed the child to Liu Yizhu. "Mistress, you go in first. I have too many things to carry. I'll come find you after getting settled."

"Alright." Li Mingwei turned to the gatekeeper who came to help. "Have Tang Housekeeper arrange a place for her."

"Yes, ma'am."

Ever since she returned, Liu Yizhu sensed a hint of gloom from her. Seeing them carrying so many things, he felt uneasy. Had she argued with her family again?

But if they had argued, shouldn't she have come back sooner? How could she have stayed out the whole day?

Or perhaps she had only argued with her mother?

Liu Yizhu sent the two children to his mother, speaking softly, "Mingwei is a bit tired today. Could you please look after the children for a while, Mother?"

"It's no trouble at all." Old Lady Wang was now also a servant. With two more children, she could still manage. She asked, "She was out the whole day with the children. What was she doing?"

"Nothing much." Liu Yizhu didn't know how to explain to his mother. This matter was a bit complicated. If she knew, she might not be able to take it. So he kept it to himself for now, intending to see the Li family's stance first before saying anything.

Li Mingwei leaned against the kang bed, looking up as he entered the room. "Did you send them over?"

"Yes." Liu Yizhu sat beside her, caressing her face. "Don't worry. Tang Housekeeper has arranged for a maid to assist Mother, she's not alone."

"Mmm."

Liu Yizhu noticed her dazed expression. Thinking she was just tired, he wanted to fetch a quilt to cover her. But as he lowered his gaze, he noticed faint tea stains on her dress, only on her knees and above. The area below was clean, so she must have been kneeling.

He moved closer to Li Mingwei, concerned. "Did your mother punish you?"

"Hmm?" Li Mingwei saw where his hand was, and shook her head. "No, I just knelt for a while."

She stroked Liu Yizhu's worried face and smiled. "I did it myself, to show remorse. You have to display the right attitude, don't you?"

"Then what about the tea?"

Li Mingwei didn't want to explain further, merely saying, "It's nothing."

Liu Yizhu was about to speak when she covered his mouth. "Don't ask, it's nothing if I say it's nothing."

"You..." Liu Yizhu's expression fell as he pretended to bite her fingers, forcing her to let go.

Li Mingwei quickly withdrew her hand and grabbed his clothes, feeling embarrassed. "It's just that Mother made a request, and she needs your cooperation."

"What is it?"

"Mother wants me to have another child bearing the Li surname."

This request was not unreasonable, since the Li family had no heir. Liu Yizhu could understand. He scooped up Li Mingwei and carried her towards the bed, enthusiastically saying, "Then let's get started."

"Hey!"

"I haven't washed up yet!"

Liu Yizhu put her down and went to the kitchen to wash up. Starting after that would be fine too, he wasn't in a hurry.

Ah Xiu knocked on the door and, after being allowed in, peeked inside. She glanced at Li Mingwei, who had changed clothes. "Mistress, you've washed up already? I was going to ask if you needed any water."

"No need. Are you all settled?"

"Yes, I'll be staying right behind your room. Call me if you need anything." Ah Xiu sat beside her and handed her the small box. "You should keep this, mistress. Think about where you want to hide it."

She scanned the room. "The wardrobe or the dressing table?"

Not receiving a response for a while, Ah Xiu turned to find Li Mingwei dazed. "Mistress, what are you thinking about? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Li Mingwei looked at Ah Xiu for a long while before speaking. "Ah Xiu, will you always follow me?"

"Does the mistress want to chase me away?"

"No." Li Mingwei shook her head. "I've already told Uncle Li to prepare for your and Cai's wedding. If you follow me, won't you have to separate from Cai?"

Their families have served the Lis for generations as bestowed-surname servants. Uncle Li has been attending to my grandfather since he was young, he can't leave Grandfather. Cai is supposed to take over his duties. If Ah Xiu stays with the Li family, it might be better for you two as husband and wife."

"What do you think?"

Ah Xiu muttered softly, "But I want to follow the mistress."

Li Mingwei sighed. "Stay with me for now. When you have time, go back and discuss it with him, see what he thinks."

"You're not young anymore. It's time to consider your future."

"Alright."

Liu Yizhu returned to the room, just in time to see Ah Xiu leaving dejectedly. He sat beside Li Mingwei and raised his eyebrows. "What's wrong with her?"

"Nothing." Li Mingwei looked at him, suddenly remembering something. She pretended to be angry and grabbed his ear. "Liu Yizhu, I heard you were flirting with young ladies right after arriving in the capital."

"Ah?"

Did that happen?

No, it didn't, right?

"Don't say it didn't happen. Ah Xiu saw it herself."

Liu Yizhu thought back. He had only gone out once after arriving in the capital. As soon as he reached the gate, she hit him with something. That day, he had just... "Oh, I was just asking for directions that day, and she hit me."

"Where did she hit you?"

Liu Yizhu frowned slightly, his voice lowering. "Didn't you see it yesterday?"

"See what?"

"My back..."

Li Mingwei sat up hurriedly and tried to pull off his clothes, worried there might be a scar left. Ah Xiu was so vicious!

She removed his clothes and examined his back for a while. "Where is it?"

Liu Yizhu curved his lips, hearing the concern in her voice. He smiled, "My wife is so anxious."

Then let's start over.

He turned and pressed her down on the kang bed, nuzzling her neck. "Going out tomorrow?"

"Huh? No, not going out."

Li Mingwei was a bit confused. Weren't they just talking about the scar on his back? What did that have to do with going out?

"You..."

"Liu Yizhu!"

"You're a dog!"