Chapter 18: Discussion

◎ Doesn't he like Elder Sister? ◎

Erya followed beside the young lady and asked cautiously, "Young Lady, may I dare to ask, although that Mister Li is somewhat detestable, what he said does have some truth. I've heard from Mother that if you have a better place to go, Old Lady would also be happy for you. She often can't sleep at night and tells Mother that she feels guilty, afraid of delaying you and making you suffer."

Yu Lian looked at the little maid, who was full of curiosity, and said, "Some things cannot be compared with external possessions. You're still young and don't understand."

How could someone who had never experienced the hardships of modern life understand the importance of having a good roommate?

"I might be young, but I know that true affection in men is the most valuable thing in this world. It seems that Mister Li has fallen in love with you at first sight. For a noble young man of his background to promise to dismiss his concubines and concubine's chambers, it's something no other noble young man in the capital would do. Aren't you even a bit moved? I'm afraid you might miss out..."

"A kind person like you deserves happiness. If the Prince were still alive, he would also wish for you to live happily and joyfully."

Yu Lian stopped her actions and fell silent. She didn't understand why this little maid was so eager to find her a new roommate.

Although Li Xiang had agreed to dismiss his concubines and concubine's chambers, who didn't have a past relationship in this day and age? She didn't mind if he had been with other women, but it was too late to bring it up now.

Her image was established, and she had solidified her position in the household. Grandmother, the head of the dormitory, was very satisfied with her, and the others didn't pose a threat. She basically had control over the power in this residence. No matter how small the nest, as long as one was comfortable, why not stay?

Moreover, although the current situation is less than ideal, life is full of ups and downs. As long as she manages it well, there's no reason she can't lead a smooth life. Here, she is a free bird, the one who holds power in the household. Everyone in the manor sees her through rose-tinted glasses, adoring her. But if she were to enter another wealthy family's nest...

Like the Ru Yang Marquis House, for instance. Entering such an esteemed family and marrying the youngest legitimate son, she would have no title or authority. All she'd have is the affection of elders, and she'd have to deal with numerous people in the mansion. Intra-family strife would be inevitable. Without control over the household, she would lack initiative, which would mean being restricted and always at a disadvantage. That's not Yu Lian's style.

Even if she were willing to engage in such struggles, to invest her time and energy to help her husband rise in status and take charge of the family, history has shown that the most perilous position is that of an influential relative. Wealth and glory are fleeting like bubbles, riches shadowy like a mirage. The entire marquis house relies on a woman's favor from another man for its prosperity. Such wealth is like walking on a tightrope; one misstep could lead to utter destruction. It would be more straightforward for her father-in-law and husband to stage a rebellion.

Lastly, consider Li Xiang. As the beloved youngest legitimate son, he's accustomed to being indulgent and domineering. How could she trust impulsive promises from such a person? Yu Lian, having studied psychology extensively in her past to advance her career, was confident that if she agreed to leave the Huafu and marry Li Xiang on the spot, his enthusiasm might wane. These kinds of young masters tend to be capricious, cherishing someone deeply one moment and discarding them the next. When his infatuation fades, he could easily dismiss everything with a simple "I don't love you" and continue taking concubines and seeking other women. By then, her reputation, already damaged by breaking the devoted lover persona, would suffer even more by marrying into wealth. Would there be any way back?

Yu Lian didn't take his words seriously, dismissing them as mere nonsense from a spoiled child.

To believe him would be to lose.

Erya interpreted the young madam's silence as a testament to her deep affection for the prince.

Mother was right. How could she impose mundane standards on the young madam? Her heart belongs solely to the prince, and nothing will change that.

"Sis, Big Sis, Sister, I miss you!"

A child's voice rang out, followed by a blur of black as a youngster rushed over and embraced Yu Lian's waist.

Erya was about to pull the child away and scold him for his impudence when she saw the young madam smile, affectionately patting the child's head. She asked in surprise, "Why is Shi here?"

Taking advantage of his mother's absence, Little Yu Shi rubbed against his sister's belly before answering, "Mother said that you had no money and might be hungry. She was worried sick at home, so she sent me to check on you."

"I saw lots of fierce soldiers outside when I came. I told my study companion to go back to the mansion and inform Mother, asking her to send help," he said, blushing with embarrassment. "Mother said that I'm just a child and shouldn't rush into danger. I might not be able to help and could even make things worse, so Shi didn't dare come in. I waited until the armed soldiers left before entering."

Yu Lian patted her brother's head with satisfaction, praising him for his good behavior. It wasn't easy for someone his age to restrain his impulses and follow the elders' advice. This brother had been raised exceptionally well.

In her opinion, if they were to split from the main family in the future, even if their father still couldn't advance in his career, this younger brother might be able to develop the third branch of the family and improve their parents' lives.

The child asked his sister what those soldiers had come for and if they had bullied her.

"I heard people talking. Did they really come to chase you away?"

Yu Lian didn't treat the child like a mere kid, knowing that at this age in ancient times, one should start to understand things. In another decade or so, he would be old enough to marry and manage a household. Thus, she straightforwardly explained, "Your sister's husband offended a nobleman in the past. Now that your sister's husband is gone, and our mansion has fallen on hard times, this nobleman has brought soldiers to bully us and vent his anger. Perhaps he's just bored."

"Ahh... This young nobleman is so wicked. How can he be so cruel? Who is he?"

Yu Lian chuckled. "You should have seen him when he left. He's the youngest legitimate son of the Ru Yang Marquis, the one in the blue robe."

Yu Shi was even more astonished. "It was him?"

"But didn't he like Sister? Why would he make things difficult for her?"

"Shouldn't you treat someone you like kindly? Just like how Shi-er likes Sister and our parents, so I'm nice to both of you and listen to your words. I don't understand how someone could love someone yet send fierce soldiers to bully them?"

The innocent words of the child warmed Yu Lian's heart, and she couldn't resist pinching his plump cheeks.

Erya interjected, "Young Master, you don't know. This gentleman fell in love with Madam the moment he saw her at the door. Adults call it love at first sight. If he had met Madam before, would he still dare to come and bully her? He'd be begging for her favor! That's why he ran away quickly, right?"

Yu Lian tossed a fruit into Erya's mouth to silence her.

Elder Yi came over and pulled her daughter away to prevent her from talking nonsense.

Yu Shi seemed to grasp the idea but not entirely. Suddenly, he remembered something and took out two silver bills from his pocket, handing them to his sister.

"Your mother asked me to give you this, saying that if your sister runs out of money, she'll send someone over and find a way to help."

Yu Lian gazed at the two crumpled banknotes in the child's pouch, each worth a thousand taels - a total of two thousand. She knew her father, holding a humble sixth-rank official position, had a meager salary that barely covered even the most basic necessities. In their household, the three branches lived off the provisions provided, with no other sources of income.

Grandmother had yet to divide the family assets, so nothing substantial reached their branch. Her father's low salary meant that these savings were solely thanks to her mother's dowry shop.

But saving money was no easy task. Yu Niang doted on her children, ensuring they always had the finest food and clothing, refusing to let them be outdone by the first branch. She often secretly took money to purchase extras, as their young stomachs easily became hungry after meals. With the kitchen not providing additional free meals, they had to spend more for extra dishes and snacks.

Moreover, her father had social obligations to attend, and all those expenses fell on her. Even with a small household, their monthly expenditures were considerable, leaving very little room for saving.

These two thousand taels, Mother might have to save for a year or more.

Pushing the banknote back, she was indeed calculative and desired comfort, but she still held her principles. To her brother, she said, "Take it back and tell Mother that since I've severed ties with the Wei Duke's residence, I can't accept this money. It's already incredibly unfilial of me to leave without a care, so how could I take the hard-earned savings that Mother has worked so tirelessly for?"

"Tell Father and Mother not to worry about me and to stop thinking of me. This path is one I've chosen myself, and I'll walk it well. Their daughter isn't a fool; I'll manage to live a prosperous life. The people at the Hua residence treat me exceptionally well, especially Grandmother, who is kind and affectionate, caring for me greatly."

Considering her brother's bewildered expression, she feared he might forget, so Yu Lian fetched paper and pen to write a letter to their parents, asking her brother to deliver it. She explained in her heart, they would always be her parents, but her actions were already incredibly unfilial, and she didn't wish to involve them further. If the elder matriarch found out, trouble might ensue.

She concluded the letter with, "Don't think too much, dear parents, from your daughter."

Finished writing and dried it, she folded the letter and slipped it into her brother's pocket.

"Alright, hurry back. Don't stay too long. If Grandmother finds out, you'll get punished."

Yu Shi pouted, "Sis, I'm thirsty. I've been standing here for so long, talking so much, and you're not even giving me a drink before sending me off?"

Yu Lian was amused and promptly instructed the young maid to bring over the almond milk that was being warmed in the kitchen.

She tapped his forehead affectionately, "You got lucky. Your sister has been craving this for a while."

After finishing the almond milk, the child wiped his mouth contentedly, "I'll pass on the message to Father and Mother. But sis, you're too late. Before I came, Mother already told me that Grandmother would find out. I've prepared myself for a scolding. At worst, I'll just lie low for a couple of days. Mother promised to make me some delicious pastries."

Looking at the child, Yu Lian's eyes welled up with tears as she waved him off with a smile, urging him to head back quickly.

Exiting the Hu family's gate, Little Yu Shi felt around his small pocket and chuckled secretly. Although his sister refused the banknotes, he had secretly placed them on the table.

However, upon returning to the Duke's residence, he discovered two banknotes tucked into his clothes, which his sister had discreetly returned!

Failing to complete his mother's task, Little Yu Shi returned to his courtyard with a dejected look. The maid informed him that Mother was not there, but had been summoned by Grandmother. He initially wanted to seek her out, but realized that going to Grandmother's quarters would be like walking straight into a trap. So, he decided to sit and wait for his mother to return.

In the residence of the Wei Duke, the matriarch had been frowning at the third branch of the family for days, treating them with cold disdain. This was all due to Li Xiang's audacious actions. Although her bold move didn't bring any direct harm to the Wei Duke's household, she had severed ties with the entire city in front of its citizens. As a result, she offended the Ru Yang Marquis's family.

She had initially negotiated an alliance through marriage with the Ru Yang Marquis's family, which would have greatly benefited both her granddaughter and the entire estate.

Unfortunately, Li Xiang didn't see it that way and instead fled the mansion, causing the Ru Yang Marquis's family to hold them accountable and sever all relations. The matriarch had been worried lately, fearing that the Empress would use this against the Emperor.

Now, however, the legitimate youngest son of the Ru Yang Marquis openly declared his intention to marry her granddaughter, not holding her past actions against her. The Ru Yang Marquis's family even sent a messenger, indicating a chance to mend their relationship. How could she let such an opportunity slip away?

"Qin'Er is my own flesh and blood. Would I ever harm her? Speaking of fate, Qin'Er is truly fortunate. First, she was connected to the wealthy East Yuan Marquis, and although that family is no more, now there is the Ru Yang Marquis. I've heard that Li Xiang fell in love with Qin'Er at first sight. This is a blessing. If he marries her, he won't let her suffer. She'll live a life of luxury and prosperity, far better than enduring poverty and hardship in the Hu household."