WBSGVS Chapter 11

Indeed, it’s a good thing.

When Qing Li saw Yu Yonglan’s sarcastic look, she confirmed her suspicions.

In the pavilion away from the female guest area, with the curtains drawn, the inside was hidden from view.

As Qing Li walked in, she heard a peculiar, light laugh: “Why does Miss Ji look so haggard? Did losing blood drain too much of your vitality?”

Qing Li pretended to touch her face sorrowfully and sighed, “What can I do? It’s just my unfortunate fate.”

The smile that Yu Yonglan had intentionally put on faltered after Qing Li so directly exposed her weakness. Her lips pressed into a straight line. Slamming down the teacup, she attempted both to mock and show some sympathy: “Didn’t you say your choice was the right one? Why does it seem wrong now?”

Qing Li sat down, poured herself a cup of tea, and slowly held the warm cup. “People’s hearts change easily; it’s not something I can control.”

Yu Yonglan stared at her, clearly frustrated. “So you’ve just let your mother-in-law bully you all these years without saying a word? Ji Qing Li, this is the first time I’ve seen you so pathetic! What happened to all the determination you showed when you rejected my brother?”

Qing Li, undeterred and rather pitiable, replied, “Isn’t it for the sake of family harmony?”

Yu Yonglan snorted, still as sharp-tongued as ever.

However, the worry in her eyes had lessened significantly.

Qing Li remained silent, sipping her tea in a somewhat pitiful manner with her eyes lowered.

The pavilion fell silent for a while until Yu Yonglan could no longer stand it and said irritably, “The Su girl you brought isn’t a good person. She says you want to prevent your husband from taking a concubine and, knowing her reputation is ruined, still want to marry her off to someone else. She’s begging me to help her!”

“Where would a simple, recently arrived orphan from the capital get information about my father’s strained relationship with your family?” Qing Li asked.

“It must be my mother-in-law,” Qing Li said, tilting her head with a smile. She then stood and bowed. “Thank you, Miss Yu, for informing me. I’ll need your help with this matter.”

Yu Yonglan’s expression softened a bit. “What do you plan to do?”

“I’d like your father’s assistance in this matter, but please change the story a bit. Just say that I’m unaware, and it’s the eldest young master of the Zheng family who doesn’t want a concubine,” Qing Li said.

Yu Yonglan was surprised. “Do you want him to take a concubine?”

Qing Li’s expression was calm. “Do you think he’s so foolish that he can’t think of other solutions? Bringing someone back just for a concubine was unexpected. But since he’s already gone wild, I don’t want that person anymore. Let him take a concubine.”

Yu Yonglan looked at her with a complex expression, full of envy. “I see. The Ji family’s style is indeed carefree. It’s probably for the best that my brother didn’t marry you.”

The last comment was a joke.

Qing Li didn’t mind and replied with a smile, “In a few days, it will be your little nephew’s first birthday. I’ll send a grand gift.”

Yu Yonglan coldly snorted. “Don’t! I’m afraid my sister-in-law will get jealous!”

The poor relationship between their families was mainly due to differing opinions among the elders. However, Yu Daren was known for his integrity and fearless stance against power. He wouldn’t harbor ill feelings toward a general who fought bravely on the battlefield just because of a difference in political views.

The relationship worsened after Yu Yonglan’s brother’s failed proposal to Qing Li, leading him to leave for three years in a state of dejection.

Since then, Yu Yonglan had been critical of Qing Li, never speaking to her at banquets, and when forced to, would throw in a few jabs.

She always believed Qing Li had let down her brother and had poor taste.

Two years ago, her brother returned with a new wife. The couple was harmonious, but Yu Yonglan still didn’t warm up to Qing Li.

Despite her dislike, she wouldn’t go so far as to harm her, mainly because Qing Li’s father was a great general. She didn’t dare take advantage of Qing Li’s absence to mistreat his daughter left in the capital.

After settling the matter, Yu Yonglan was ready to leave but said before she did, “A few years ago, I thought you’d been tamed. Now, it seems you’re back to your old self. Ji Qing Li, don’t forget, you’re the daughter of a great general. Don’t lose the family’s dignity!”

“That goes without saying,” Qing Li responded softly.

The original host might indeed have been tamed. Her greatest insistence was not allowing her husband to take a concubine, as it was a principle she had upheld since childhood.

Her father had said that their efforts were not only for the well-being of the people but also to ensure that their children could live happily.

This world is unfair to women, so they had to fight for fairness themselves.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t hold onto anything else. Her mother-in-law’s strict instructions were to keep family troubles private, so even when she was mistreated, she never spoke out. Her husband, valuing his mother’s upbringing over all else, led her to endure every grievance, which only made Zhang Shi more relentless.

In the end, she had become accustomed to hiding everything, until one day she made a mistake and was reported to the emperor. Heartbroken and disheartened, she no longer considered asking her parents for help and just wanted to end her short life as quickly as possible.

It was truly pitiful and regretful.

A woman’s life could be so easily ruined by a husband’s decision or whim.

The curtain was drawn, and Yu Yonglan had already left.

Qing Li didn’t move immediately but sat for a while longer, maintaining her distance from the girl to avoid being seen and ruining her image as someone disliked by Yu Yonglan.

Qing Li thought of this and couldn’t help but smile.

There are still many lovely people in this world, even though scoundrels can be quite disgusting.

Suddenly, a snapping sound, like a twig being stepped on, came from near the pavilion. Qing Li immediately stood up, pulled aside the curtain, and said in a stern voice, “Who’s there?!”

The pavilion was right by the edge of a lake. Who could be sneaking around here?

Just as Qing Li asked, her sharp gaze scanned the area. She expected to see someone desperately hiding but instead saw a young man in a green robe awkwardly cupping his hands together and apologizing. “My lady, please forgive me. I was resting in the pavilion and accidentally dropped my purse while playing with my colleagues. I had no choice but to come and look for it…”

His voice trailed off as he spoke, and under Qing Li’s gaze, his fair face turned crimson and looked extremely uncomfortable.

Qing Li examined him. His green robe was plain and made of cheap material. The headband he wore was the most ordinary kind, and he held a purse that was indeed dirty. His clothes and the purse were damp, and his shoes were muddy.

It didn’t seem like he was merely playing around as he said.

Qing Li smiled slightly and didn’t press further. “Please come up, young sir.”

“Thank you, my lady.” The young man sighed in relief, awkwardly lifting his robe as he walked up to the pavilion. As he stepped onto the clean floor, he accidentally brought mud with him, causing his face to flush even more. He looked up to apologize but was momentarily mesmerized, his ears and neck reddening.

This lady…

She was really beautiful.

Just a bit too thin.

A fleeting thought crossed his mind, and he immediately felt embarrassed, ashamed that he had become infatuated with a married woman.

Qing Li didn’t notice his reaction. She gently asked, “Young sir, did you happen to overhear anything here just now?”

The young man quickly shook his head. “No, I didn’t hear anything.”

Qing Li smiled in satisfaction. “Please wait here for a moment. I’ll send someone to help you.”

It was good that he hadn’t overheard anything. She had secretly asked someone to report her grievances, so whether he had heard anything or not didn’t matter. It was enough that he was cooperative.

She nodded, didn’t wait for a reply, and turned to leave. When she saw a servant on the way, she instructed him to help the disheveled scholar. She expected that the young man would be able to return looking tidy.