Chapter 213: Chapter 213

Miss Chai wore a worried expression, "That’s why I’m very anxious, but I can’t find anyone to talk to, so I had to come to you, Aunt, to ask for your advice."

The Princess Consort of Luling said, "Do you want me to persuade your elder brother?"

Miss Chai forced a smile, "I’m afraid my older brother won’t listen to reason. He’s not worried that I won’t get married; he’s just trying to get back at someone, so he wants to marry me off to a very wealthy and noble family as soon as possible, and the sooner the better."

The Princess Consort of Luling shook her head, "This is a major life decision; how can it be handled so hastily? Your brother’s approach is short-sighted."

Miss Chai sighed, "He’s very stubborn, and rarely changes his mind once he’s decided on something."

The Princess Consort of Luling thought for a moment, "How about pretending to be ill? If a girl is sick, the groom’s family will surely give up, and your brother won’t force you either."

Miss Chai still wore a wry smile, "I’ve thought of this method too, but my brother would take me to see a doctor, so how could I keep up the act?"

The Princess Consort of Luling was at a loss; pretending to be sick wouldn’t work either, so what to do?

Li Yuzhu blinked and came up with an idea.

She said, "I have an idea. Let Eying pretend to be sick, but don’t stay at the original house; come live with us. Since I’m a doctor, I can check on Eying anytime, and I believe Brother Chai won’t say anything."

The Princess Consort of Luling immediately said, "This method is feasible. Eying, what do you think?"

Chai Eying thought, this idea is excellent.

With the Li Family covering for me, I’m not worried about hiding it from my brother.

"It’s just..." she furrowed her brow, "will this disturb everyone?"

Although the Li Family’s house is large, because the family fled here, they don’t have much money to buy furniture. As she knew, the sisters of the Li Family shared a room.

Daily supplies are also in short supply.

Additionally, the Li Family has a sister-in-law who’s not very easy to deal with.

The Princess Consort of Luling laughed, "What disturbance? A few days ago, Liu the bricklayer’s granddaughter also stayed with us for a few days, and we didn’t find it troublesome at all. My house is big with many rooms, just pick one to stay in. Though, it’s not fully furnished, so it might be a bit rough for you."

"Oh, Aunt, don’t say that. You’re letting me stay and solving my problems, I’m already very grateful, why would I mind anything else? If something’s missing, I’ll just send the coachman to get it, my house is only four or five miles away, and it won’t take long by mule cart." Miss Chai hurriedly said.

"Alright then, let’s settle it . You can move in whenever it’s convenient for you, and I’ll have a room cleared for you." The Princess Consort of Luling said with a smile.

Miss Chai thought for a moment, "Today is too rushed, so tomorrow. I’ll move my luggage over in the morning."

The Princess Consort of Luling smiled, "Alright, I’ll make arrangements."

Having settled a concern, a smile crept onto Miss Chai’s face.

She played with Guoguo for a while, then got up to say goodbye.

The Princess Consort of Luling urged her to stay for lunch before leaving.

But Miss Chai still refused.

She knew that the Li Family wasn’t well-off, and since she came in a hurry, the family probably hadn’t prepared much food.

So she said, "I still need to go back and pack up early, I’ll come back tomorrow, and we can have lunch then."

The Princess Consort of Luling didn’t insist either, "Alright, we’ll have lunch together tomorrow then."

Miss Chai said goodbye to Guoguo once more, but Guoguo wouldn’t let go of her coat.

Her tiny fingers held tightly, and Li Yuzhu had to spend quite some time prying them open.

She laughed in exasperation, "Guoguo, Aunt Chai will be back tomorrow. She’s going to get her belongings now. If you don’t let go, she won’t have any clothes to change. Besides, she can’t fit into your clothes."

Whether it was because Guoguo understood or because the Princess Consort of Luling tickled her, she couldn’t bear it and let go with a giggle.

Miss Chai smiled, patted her cheek, and turned to leave.

Guoguo ah-ah-ed, wanting to follow and see her off.

Li Yuzhu had to carry her to see Miss Chai off until she boarded the mule cart and disappeared from sight, only then did Guoguo turn away.

"How annoying, I carry you every day, worry about your eating, drinking, and well-being, afraid you’ll face grievances, and hold you whenever I have time. Yet, I never see you reluctant to part with me. Chai Eying only met you twice, and you’re clinging to her ? I’m telling you, Li Guoguo, I’m jealous. You have to kiss me so I can feel balanced."

Guoguo laughed and held her face, planting a kiss.

Li Yuzhu chuckled, "That’s more like it."

The Second Princess, the Great Princess, and the Second Young Master were not at home; they had gone to the market and wouldn’t return until evening.

For lunch, it was just the Princely Heir, Prince Luling and his wife, along with the two children, Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an.

Lunch was prepared by Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an together.

Since there weren’t many people dining, not many dishes were cooked.

There were only two chopstick-length fried fish, some boiled beans, and a plate of stir-fried lotus roots, and nothing more.

The lotus roots were immature lotus roots gathered by Li Xing’an from the marsh.

Sliced thinly and stir-fried, they were light and refreshing.

As for staple food, they didn’t compromise on quality; everyone had a bowl of brown rice.

Jingjing ate fish soup over rice, with green beans as a side, plus a bowl of milk.

Guoguo had half a bowl of milk and half a bowl of rice paste cooked with fish soup.

Both children loved the flavor of fish soup and ate with satisfaction.

Prince Luling loved wine, content with wine without meal.

He ate a single bean, sipping on wine.

Li Yuzhu thought he could eat until tomorrow.

The Princely Heir looked at the wine in surprise, "Where did this wine come from?"

Li Yuzhu replied with a smile, "Oh, it was brought by Miss Chai."

Li Xing’an took a sip of the wine, "Wow, this wine is quite good." He clinked glasses with Prince Luling, and the father and son drank with satisfaction.

The Princely Heir asked puzzled, "Why did she bring wine?"

"She not only brought wine but also a piece of clothing for Guoguo, and some snacks for Jingjing. Oh, and the clothing was handmade by her; her needlework is on par with your eldest sister." The Princess Consort of Luling smiled.

The Great Princess was known for her needlework in the Capital, and for a girl from a small place to have needlework matching the Great Princess, this surprised the Princess Consort of Luling.

It was evident that the girl had put in a lot of hard work normally.

Seeing the Princely Heir was still bewildered, Li Yuzhu explained, "Her brother is forcing her to marry, but she doesn’t want to at the moment. She thought of coming to our house to feign illness to avoid her brother’s pressure; that’s why she came seeking our help and brought things."

Li Xing’an was shocked, "What? There’s actually such an overbearing brother? Forcing his sister to marry? Can’t he make ends meet?"

"Forgetful? You forgot? She doesn’t lack money in her hands. She told us herself." Li Yuzhu reminded him.

"What is it with that guy?" Li Yuzhu said, "Is this not retribution? Heaven really has no justice!" Then she steered the conversation back to Eldest Young Master Chai and she asked, "So why does he have such urgency in marrying her off? He should let you take your time to find someone good."

Li Yuzhu and the Princess Consort exchanged a glance and saw understanding in each other’s eyes.

In order to break the marriage arrangement, Miss Chai used the excuse of being ill to delay the process.

The Princess Consort and Li Yuzhu looked at each other knowingly and came up with such a plan together. They knew fully that it would be hard to deceive Brother Chai because of his obstinacy, so they needed a good reason, which they found in Li Yuzhu’s esteemed status as a doctor.

Feeling more at ease, Miss Chai played with Guoguo for a while before taking her leave.

The Princess Consort invited her to stay for lunch, but she demurred, knowing well the modest circumstances of the Li Family, which may not be prepared to host an impromptu guest with sufficient provisions.

"I’ll need to head back and sort things out. I’ll come back tomorrow and join you for lunch then," said Miss Chai, declining the offer with gratitude.

The Princess Consort nodded understandingly, "Alright, we’ll have lunch together tomorrow then."

Miss Chai also bid farewell to Guoguo, but Guoguo clung to her coat, not wanting to let her go.

Her tiny fingers clutched tightly, and it took quite some effort for Li Yuzhu to pry them off.

Laughing with feigned irritation, Li Yuzhu said, "Guoguo, Aunt Chai will be back tomorrow. She has to go back to get her luggage now. If you don’t let go, what will she do without a change of clothes? You can’t lend her yours, can you?"

Whether it was due to understanding her or because of the tickling from the Princess Consort, Guoguo couldn’t help but giggle and let go.

Miss Chai smiled and patted Guoguo’s face before turning away.

Guoguo mumbled and tried to follow her out.

Li Yuzhu had no choice but to carry her to escort Miss Chai. Only after seeing Miss Chai get in the mule carriage and disappears did Guoguo turn around.

"How frustrating, I carry you every day, worried about your food, drink, and everything so that you won’t suffer, but I don’t see you being reluctant to leave me. You’ve only met Chai Eying twice, and you’re already so attached to her? I’m telling you I’m jealous, Li Guoguo, you need to give me a kiss for me to feel better." Li Yuzhu pretended to be angry and leaned her face towards Guoguo’s little mouth.

Guoguo giggled and held her face, leaning in to give a kiss.

Li Yuzhu chuckled, "That’s more like it."

The Second Princess, the Great Princess, and the Second Young Master weren’t home. The three had gone to the market and wouldn’t return until evening. Latest content published on N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

Those who were home for lunch included the Princely Heir, Prince Luling and his wife, as well as the two children, Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an.

Luncheon was prepared by Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an together.

Since there weren’t many people for lunch, not much food was made.

There were only two chopstick-length fried fish, some boiled beans, and a plate of lightly fried lotus rhizomes, nothing else.

The lotus stalks were immature lotus roots, harvested by Li Xing’an from the marsh.

Sliced thin and stir-fried, it was light and refreshing.

As for the staple food, nobody was disappointed; each had a bowl of brown rice.

Jingjing ate rice with fish soup, green beans, and an additional bowl of milk.

Guoguo drank half a bowl of milk, and ate half a bowl of rice paste cooked with fish soup.

The two children loved the flavor of fish soup and ate contentedly.

Prince Luling loved wine, and was satisfied with just wine and no food.

He would eat a single bean and take a sip of wine.

Li Yuzhu thought, at this rate, he could eat until tomorrow.

The Princely Heir looked at the wine and was surprised, "Where did the wine come from?"

Li Yuzhu laughed, "Oh, Miss Chai brought it over."

Li Xing’an took a sip of the wine, "Wow, this wine is really good." He clinked glasses with Prince Luling, and the father and son drank contentedly.

The Princely Heir, still puzzled, said, "Why did she bring wine?"

"She didn’t just bring wine, she also brought a piece of clothing for Guoguo, and some snacks for Jingjing. Did you forget?" The Princess Consort said with understanding.

Seeing the Princely Heir still looking perplexed, Li Yuzhu continued, "Her brother is forcing her to marry quickly, but she’s unwilling. Don’t you remember? She’s even rich enough herself, so money isn’t the issue."

"What? No punishment for such a villain? Heaven really doesn’t have eyes!" Li Xing’an slammed down his wine cup, clearly taking the side of Miss Chai in his mind.

The Princess Consort, knowing her husband’s ways, calmly said with a smile, "You shouldn’t say such things in front of Miss Chai. It would only upset her."

Despite his father usually being satisfied with some wine and no food, Prince Luling joined his son and they both drank contentedly.

Meanwhile, the Princely Heir, also puzzled, asked, "Why did she bring wine?"

Li Yuzhu replied with a smile, "Oh, Miss Chai brought it over. But she didn’t just bring wine. She also brought a dress for Guoguo and some snacks for Jingjing."

Li Xing’an tasted the wine and remarked, "Wow, this is quite good," and then clinked glasses with Prince Luling.

The Princess Consort of Luling continued, seeing the Princely Heir’s puzzled face, "She brought more than just wine. She also brought snacks for Guoguo and some clothes for Jingjing. Did you forget?"

The Great Princess shrugged, ambivalently, "It doesn’t bother me either way."

"I have no objections either," said the Second Young Master. "Whenever you’re ready, I’ll tidy up a room for her and you can bring her to stay here tomorrow."

Liu Si Niu, being a guest herself, kept silent.