maidservant

Chapter 66: Li Meng refuses marriage and confides in the princess

Yunshan was concentrating on making pills in the pharmacy as usual.

Normally, she and Li Meng would collaborate on this kind of work. But Li Meng had been on sick leave for three days, so Yunshan took half a day off to visit her at the Li residence.

She held the visiting card and handed it respectfully to the concierge, then walked towards the inner courtyard under the guidance of the concierge.

When they stepped into the courtyard where Li Mi lived, the old woman walking in front paused, looking hesitant, as if she had something to say but was unable to speak.

After a moment, the old woman turned around and said to Yunshan:

"Song Yaoshi, my young lady has been arguing with the mistress and the master about her marriage recently, and she's in a terrible rage. When you see her later, please help her find some peace!"

When she reached the door, she raised her hand and knocked gently.

Suddenly, there was a "bang" sound inside the house, followed by a cup smashing directly against the door. Li Meng's angry voice rang out: "I said I don't want to eat!"

Yunshan was slightly startled and quickly said, "It's me, Song Yunshan."

The house suddenly became quiet. Soon, the door was opened. Li Meng looked a little embarrassed. She pulled Yunshan into the house and then quickly locked the door.

Li Mei's eyes were filled with concern as she asked, "But the work at the Pharmacy is too much. Are you exhausted and unable to handle it?"

Yunshan couldn't help but burst out laughing at her expression, and jokingly said, "You really are someone who loves working. Even when you're sick, you're still thinking about the pharmacy."

Li Miao bit her lip lightly and shook her head slightly, her tone somewhat helpless: "I'm not really sick," "But it will be soon."

Yunshan feigned ignorance, a look of confusion on her face as she softly asked, "What do you mean? What's the reason?"

"Alas - I have never liked talking about mundane matters like marriage, so I have been thinking about entering the palace to be a female official, so that I can set up my own business in the future and not be bound by these trivial matters." Li Mi frowned slightly, her tone full of helplessness and determination.

"Oh, our Third Miss of the Zhongshuling family, has she ever been hurt by love?" Yunshan asked with interest, picking up a plum with a smile on her lips.

After spending several months together, she and Li Mi had similar personalities, and they were free and easy in their daily interactions.

"That's impossible! I look down on all those ordinary people. None of them can match the style of my eldest brother. They are either too pedantic and pretentious to the point of being annoying, or they exude a sense of roughness and toughness. At worst, they are just dandies with no skills who only know how to live off their parents." Li Mi raised her eyebrows slightly, her face full of disdain.

"I'm not against getting married, I just long to marry the person I like, just like what is described in the picture book, he understands me and I fall deeply in love with him. Alas, it's a pity that I haven't met such a good man yet." Li Meng sighed slightly, with a trace of loneliness in her eyes.

"Before, with my eldest and second brothers standing in the way, it was naturally not my turn to worry about my marriage. But now, my eldest brother has become a prince consort, and my second brother Li Bai also got engaged a few days ago. Now I have no reason to refuse the marriage proposal."

"My father applied for sick leave on my behalf. Now I'm trapped in this mansion and can't even leave."

Li Mei became more and more excited as she spoke, pouring out all the grievances and dissatisfaction in her heart in one breath, and then she fell straight back, muttering:

"Poor old women of marriageable age, love is beyond their control~"

Yunshan listened attentively, frowned slightly, and began to advise, "But it's not a good idea to keep wasting time like this. After all, you can't beat the opponent with your arms, and you're hurting yourself for nothing."

As she spoke, she pushed the plate of snacks in front of Li Meng. Li Meng hesitated for a moment, but the hunger in her stomach made her no longer resist, so she reached out and picked up the snacks and started eating.

"I have also thought about hiding, but where can I run to? I have worked hard for many years to get this official position in the Pharmacy. If I run away like this, I am afraid I will lose it." Li Mi said helplessly while eating.

"We should delay it for one more day. We should try our best. If you really push me to the limit, the worst that can happen is that I will hit my head against the ground and get a bloody wound. - Then you have to come and help me bandage it well, using the best medicinal herbs, and don't let me get any scars." Li Mi said half-jokingly and half-seriously.

Yun Shan looked at her, smiled, and nodded repeatedly in response, "Okay, okay, I will definitely study beauty and skincare techniques when I get back. I just hope you can give me more time to prepare, and please don't act impulsively today."

The two of them originally said it as a joke, but who would have thought that it would come true.

The maid outside came in with a message, saying that the master wanted the young lady to go to the main hall. If she refused, she would be carried there by the maids. Upon hearing this, Yunshan hurriedly advised Li Meng, "Go and see what happens. Don't be impulsive. Don't worry about the work at the pharmacy. I'll come back to see you in a few days."

Here, Li Mi was half-pushed and half-pulled by the maids to the main hall, where she saw her father Li Yin already waiting, and her mother, Madam Li, also sitting beside them.

Mrs. Li looked at her precious daughter, who had been spoiled since childhood, with a face full of heartache, and then turned her gaze to Li Yin, her eyes full of helplessness. She could only shake her head gently and sigh softly.

"Father, Mother." Li Meng called softly, with a hint of nervousness and uneasiness in her voice, and her eyes looked around.

"Your mother and I have arranged a marriage for you. We have finally found a very suitable family according to your standards." Li Yin spoke slowly, his tone revealing an unquestionable determination.

"Father?!" Li Meng's eyes widened instantly, with resistance and astonishment written all over her face.

"The Gao family was just promoted to Minister of Revenue this year. Their eldest son, Gao Sen, has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood. He was also a successful candidate in the imperial examinations. He often practices martial arts with your brother, Bo, and his skills are no less impressive than your brother's. You've also met his sister, Gao Cairen; she's a stunning beauty. I've also met Gao Sen a few times; he's quite handsome."

Father Li explained patiently, fully believing that he had found a good husband for his daughter.

"Father! Why must my daughter marry a stranger?!" Li Meng asked loudly and emotionally.

"What's wrong with Gao Sen? Would your father push you into the fire pit?!"

Li Yin was so enraged by his daughter's words that his beard stood up in anger, his face full of disbelief.
"Men should marry when they are old enough, and women should marry when they are old enough. This has been the order of parents and matchmakers since ancient times. In a duke's family like ours, how many people know each other before marriage? Your mother and I were also arranged by Old Taishan and your grandfather!"

"Mian'er, your father is afraid of letting you down. He doesn't ask for a high-class family background, nor does he expect you to inherit a title. He only wants to help you find a husband's family that suits your taste. You should be sensible and stop being so willful." Mother Li hurried forward, gently patted Li Yin's back to calm him down, and then turned around to persuade Li Meng.

After several rounds of arguments, Li Mi still refused to agree to the marriage. Li Yin could no longer suppress his anger and suddenly threw the porcelain bowl in his hand to the ground, shattering it all over the floor.

He then immediately ordered the palace to resign Li Mi's official position so that she could stay at home and prepare to get married.

When Li Meng heard this, she stood up all of a sudden from her kneeling position. Due to being too excited, her knees instantly became weak and she almost fell to the ground.

She tried hard to hold back her tears and said angrily, "Father, if you force me like this, I will never fulfill your wish even if my face is disfigured and I become a nun!" After that, she rushed towards the pillar regardless of everything.

The chaotic commotion in the main hall soon attracted Li Song and the eldest princess.

"Father." The two walked in and bowed respectfully. Li Yin saw the eldest princess coming and suppressed his anger, turned his back and stopped shouting.

Li Song quickly grabbed Li Meng and helped her sit on a chair, then ordered his servants to prepare medicine immediately.

"Father, may I have a moment to speak?" the princess asked respectfully, kneeling slightly. Li Yin turned and gestured for Li Song to take Li Mi back to tend to her wounds.

"Father, since our third sister is so determined not to get married, why not just follow her wishes?" The eldest princess said softly.

"Princess, why do you follow this ignorant and naughty girl in saying such things?" Li Yin frowned and asked with some displeasure.

The princess slowly lowered her head, and when she raised it again a moment later, her eyes were filled with tears:

"Father, when I first met Li Lang at the banquet that day, I fell head over heels for him. Later, when I learned he wasn't engaged, I mustered up the courage to tell my brother, the Emperor, about my feelings. I thought we would live a life of love and affection."

Seeing the princess's expression, Li Yin quickly gestured for her to sit down and asked with concern, "Did Song'er bully you? Don't worry, I won't let him off easily."

"No, father, the prince consort treated me with respect and courtesy. He never had any philandering behavior and never showed any displeasure towards me. It's just that—"

The princess paused, a trace of sadness flashed in her eyes.
"But, that wasn't true love between husband and wife. I tried everything I could to get into the Prince Consort's heart, but it was always in vain. He has promised to treat me well for the rest of his life, but I know in my heart that this was just a helpless choice, a choice made only because of his good character, not because of his true love."

"I'm afraid we can only treat each other with respect and equality in the days to come. But who can understand the helplessness in this?" After the princess finished speaking, tears finally fell from her eyes.

(End of this chapter)