Warm medicine emits fragrance

Siqing was no longer surprised by this. She nodded upon hearing this, and then sighed.

"Madam Fan, to be honest, I admire you quite a bit. How do you manage to make the Second Master angry every time?"

Fan Liuer was also troubled. "I don't know. I'm actually a very easy person to get along with, right?"

Siqing nodded, "Yes, I've never met anyone as good-tempered as you, Madam Fan."

Fan Liuer pouted, "So, Li Chenbi's anger is definitely not my problem, it's his own fault."

Siqing didn't dare to agree with this, even though she felt there was some truth to it.

Second Master can be quite unpredictable at times.

After Li Chenbi carried Fan Liuer back to her bedroom that day, he didn't appear for several days. However, unlike before, he didn't stay out all night and came back every day.

Sometimes he would return quite early before Fan Liu'er was asleep, and she could hear him walking past the bedroom, but he never stopped at the door.

Another day passed, and Li Yuhe came to say goodbye to Fan Liuer.

Li Yuhe's face showed joy, but also a hint of reluctance. "Madam Fan, I'm going to stay at the Huo family mansion in the east of the city for three months tomorrow, so I won't be able to visit you as often."

Fan Liuer was somewhat surprised, "Why do you want to stay at the Huo residence?"

"Old Master Huo was originally the Grand Tutor. After he stepped down, he took his whole family back to Xingzhou. He has a granddaughter who was engaged to a prince in the capital before he stepped down. That prince is the nephew of the current Empress Dowager and is very much liked by her. For this reason, the Empress Dowager specially sent several palace tutors from the capital to teach Miss Huo."

"Miss Huo is the same age as me. Old Master Huo invited me to come to his house to attend classes together. Because the teaching nanny is very strict and I have to get up very early every day, he let me stay at Huo's house for a while."

Fan Liuer felt a little strange upon hearing this.

Li Yuhe is not favored at home, and Li Chenbi is still in charge of the Li family. How can a young lady whose father does not care about the family and who is not favored by the family attract the attention of outsiders?

If the family's social standing was lower than that of the Li family, it would be understandable that they wanted to curry favor with the Li family.

But Old Master Huo was once a Grand Tutor, and Miss Huo is engaged to the heir of the capital. There's no need for her to try to curry favor with the Li family, is there?

After thinking for a moment, she tentatively asked, "Was this arranged by your second uncle?"

Li Yuhe nodded. "I guessed so. My second uncle sent someone to tell me a few days ago not to worry, and I received the invitation the very next day."

Upon hearing this, Fan Liuer couldn't help but worry. She could guess that it was Li Chenbi's doing, and the people in the East Courtyard might be able to guess as well.

"Do your parents agree to let you go?"

When her parents were mentioned, the joy on Li Yuhe's face faded, and she gave a light scoff. "My mother has always wanted to marry me off to the capital. Now that I have this opportunity to be taught by the palace matrons, she can't wait for me to go and learn."

Fan Liuer was relieved to hear this, and at the same time, she was impressed by Li Chenbi's deep thoughtfulness.

Li Yuhe is, after all, Li Chenxin's daughter. No matter how much Li Chenbi, as her second uncle, loves her, he cannot go over the head of her parents' relationship.

This tactic of exchanging what they valued most for Li Yuhe's temporary freedom didn't even require him to intervene; the other party eagerly jumped into it on their own.

By the time Li Yuhe returned from the Huo residence, so much time had passed that no one would remember such a small thing as her speaking up for Fan Liuer.

Li Chenbi is cunning and meticulous. If he wants to take revenge on someone, the other person will definitely suffer a fate worse than death.

Fan Liuer was immediately filled with lingering fear.

She always manages to provoke Li Chenbi. If he ever wants to take revenge on her, wouldn't she be finished?

After seeing Li Yuhe off, Fan Liuer told Siqing about her worries.

After listening, Siqing looked at Fan Liuer for a long time before saying, "Madam Fan, think about it from another angle. You've angered Second Master so many times, yet he hasn't killed you. Doesn't that prove something?"

Fan Liuer: "This proves that he knew he was throwing a tantrum for no reason, that he was in the wrong, so he couldn't retaliate against me."

Siqing: "..."

With a sigh, she said, "Now I finally understand why Second Master is always getting angry at you."

Fan Liuer rested her chin on her hands, sighed, and said listlessly, "I know what you mean. You mean it's because he cares about me enough, right?"

Siqing nodded, "Yes, everyone in the Li family knows that Second Master cares about you."

Fan Liuer looked at Siqing. The two had been together for so long and their relationship was like that of sisters. Fan Liuer could talk to Siqing about many things.

She knew Siqing wouldn't tell anyone, and even if she said she was leaving the Li residence the next day, Siqing wouldn't betray her.

She whispered, "But how long can this pampering last?"

"Siqing, do you think a woman who lives off a man's affection will have a good ending?"

"Most of the loving couples in this world are well-matched in terms of social status. The man's family is reasonable, and the woman's family is supportive. Only in this way will the man have some restraint and dare not abandon her even if he changes his mind."

"And how many of those women who married into high positions lived well? Some grew old and faded, spending their days alone in their empty rooms, shedding tears, while others, after losing their husbands' favor, were quietly erased from this world."

"Without a powerful family to back you up, you can't even get justice."

"It's not that I'm heartless. I see how good Second Master is to me, and I remember it in my heart. If my family background were better, if my parents were still alive, and if I had someone to support me, I would have dared to accept this kindness."

Fan Liuer lowered her eyes. "But I have nothing."

"I dare not gamble the rest of my life on this moment of intense affection."

After listening to Fan Liuer's words, Siqing said after a moment, "Actually, that's what I think too. After I came of age, I went out to find work and worked in the mansions of many wealthy families. Those young ladies and ladies look glamorous on the surface, but they have no one to tell them about their suffering."

"My fellow women all hope to marry into a wealthy family, but I just want to find someone like myself and live a down-to-earth life."

The two were of one mind and shared the same thoughts, which strengthened their relationship even further.

Fan Liuer suddenly leaned close to Siqing and asked with a smile, "So, do you have someone you like?"

Siqing blushed immediately and turned her face away.

That reaction is definitely there.

"Who is it?" Fan Liuer asked curiously.

Siqing hesitated and refused to speak.

"Are they guards in the courtyard? Servants in the backyard? Or those outside the north courtyard?"

"Oh dear, none of those are true, don't guess!" Siqing blushed even more and hurriedly got up to avoid Fan Liuer's questioning.

"I'll go to the kitchen and ask if your sweet soup is ready yet."

Fan Liuer stared at Si Qing's retreating figure, lost in thought.

"Could it be a cook from the kitchen?"

The images of the chefs in the kitchen flashed through her mind, and she immediately dismissed the idea.

No way! Those guys are old enough to be Siqing's father.

She won't allow it!