Warm medicine emits fragrance

Li Yuhe had no doubts; Shi Mo had grown up with her since childhood and would never lie to her.

"Where is my mother? I want to see her." Li Yuhe didn't want to sit idly by and wait to be married off by her parents like a transaction; she wanted to fight for her own life.

In the past, she lived like a puppet on strings, knowing only how to obey and complain.

But after she stood up for Fan Liuer last time, which caused Fan Liuer trouble, she no longer wanted to live such a muddled life.

If others can still find ways to help her for her freedom, then if she doesn't stand up for herself, she will not only be letting herself down, but also those who have helped her.

A look of panic crossed Shi Mo's face. "I was just... just now in the east wing. I don't know if it's still there now."

"Then I'll go take a look at the east wing." Li Yuhe strode towards the east wing.

Shi Mo wiped the sweat from her brow and caught up with her. "Miss, what brings you to see the Madam?"

"I don't want to get married so early. I want to reject the marriage proposals they've put on me."

"Tomorrow is just a meeting, not a formal engagement. Why don't you take a look first and then decide? Don't anger the First Madam at a time like this."

Li Yuhe's expression was firm: "One compromise will only lead to countless compromises. In the future, I will not back down even a step on anything I am unwilling to do."

Seeing that Shi Mo couldn't persuade him, he bit his lip and stopped trying.

When Li Yuhe arrived at the east wing, the First Madam was there. She showed no surprise when she saw Li Yuhe.

"I thought you came back but didn't even bother to come see me." She said, beckoning to Li Yuhe, "Come here. The other day, Zhucuilou sent over a batch of hairpins, and I immediately fell in love with this pair. You'll definitely look beautiful wearing them."

Li Yuhe stopped in her tracks, her gaze falling on the table, where a wooden tray held four or five different styles of hairpins.

The style in the First Madam's hand, inlaid with a full, round pink bead, is indeed suitable for young girls.

"Why are you standing there? Come here." The First Madam urged her.

Li Yuhe looked away from the hairpin and turned to the First Madam. "Mother, I've come to see you today because I have something to say to you."

The First Madam sighed, "I know what you're going to say. You just don't want to get married. If you don't want to get married, then don't get married."

Li Yuhe had expected a tough battle, but she was stunned by the outcome.

The First Madam continued, "I didn't understand before, but after leaving the manor these past few days, I've realized that I feel empty and something is missing. You said I'm already so reluctant to let you go after only a few days. If you really get married, I don't know how long it will be before I see you again."

Li Yuhe was still stunned. "But Father just said..."

"I will talk to your father. Don't worry, I won't urge you anymore. You can marry if you want, or not if you don't want to," the First Madam interrupted Li Yuhe.

As she spoke, she took the pink beaded hairpin, stood up, walked over to Li Yuhe, and inserted it into her hair.

After examining it from left to right for a moment, he smiled and said, "It looks good."

Li Yuhe seemed to have been scalded, took a big step back, stared at the First Madam for a couple of seconds, then turned and quickly left.

The first wife's smile vanished as she turned away, and she only muttered a curse after the person had gone far away.

"You brat!"

If it weren't for the thought that Li Yuhe might still be useful in the future, she would have loved to marry Li Yuhe off right now and give Li Chenxin a brighter future.

What do you mean by "you can marry if you want, and not marry if you don't want to"?

There is no such thing as a woman not getting married. This has been the case since ancient times. In aristocratic families, which daughter's marriage is not a tool to pave the way for her brothers?

Li Yuhe had always listened to her since she was a child, but ever since Fan Liuer came, she has become increasingly disobedient.

It must be Fan Liuer who corrupted Li Yuhe!

The First Madam thought bitterly that one day she would make Fan Liuer pay!

Li Yuhe left the east wing in a daze, remaining silent the whole way until she returned to her own room, where she murmured, "Strange."

It's impossible for a person to change in a short period of time, and it's even less likely for her parents to do so.

Over the years, she has invested so much hope in her parents, only to be met with just as much disappointment. She no longer expects her parents to love her.

Love that comes too late may be laced with pain.

This time, she won't be fooled by pebbles coated in honey.

Li Yuhe's caution continued until the next day. Not only did she not see any of the supposed prospective spouses come to visit, but the First Madam also told her that she could continue her studies at the Huo residence.

The First Madam personally saw her off at the door, giving her many instructions before she got into the sedan chair, and finally watching her leave.

Li Yuhe felt uneasy, but she couldn't figure out why her parents' attitude had changed.

After returning to the Huo residence, Li Yuhe resumed her daily tedious studies.

Meanwhile, at the Li residence, Fan Liuer was living a comfortable but boring life day after day.

As spring arrives and the weather gradually warms up, she wears fewer clothes and spends more time outdoors.

Occasionally, accompanied by guards, they would stroll around places like the back garden of the Star-Picking Pavilion.

I haven't encountered anyone from the East Courtyard in the past few days.

No one bothered her, and no banquets were ever held in the East Courtyard to entertain guests again; it was even quieter than the North Courtyard.

Fan Liuer was naturally happy to be free, but she always had a bad feeling in her heart.

It was too calm, so calm it was a little frightening.

She always felt that once this calm was broken, there would be a raging torrent underneath, the kind that could crush her in an instant.

She wanted to tell Li Chenbi about her unease, but Li Chenbi had been getting busier and busier lately, and she rarely saw him during the day. If she wanted to see him, she would have to stay up late and wait for him.

However, even when night fell, she had no chance to speak. As soon as she was awake, Li Chenbi would strip her naked and then push her into the bed.

By the time Li Chenbi had had his fill of fun, she was already too tired to speak and had fallen asleep.

It wasn't until mid-March that Siqing returned from the market with some news.

Prince Rong went to war with the enemy two days ago.

Fan Liuer didn't really care much about whether there was a war or not. The Great Yan Dynasty would fight with foreign tribes on the border every few years. Her hometown was not far from the border, so she was used to it.

But this time, she was not at ease. She had a vague feeling that Li Chenbi's recent busyness must be related to the war.

Recalling what Li Chenbi had said before, Fan Liuer began to worry about her future.

Li Chenbi had been planning for so long, and he figured that if a war really broke out, Xingzhou's situation would definitely be bad.

Staying here would mean facing the flames of war head-on.