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Su Li had heard about the incident in the West Garden but didn’t comment on it. After lunch, she practiced calligraphy under the flower trellis in the garden.
“You’re quite carefree,” a clear, melodious voice called out.
Su Li turned around and smiled. “Cousin, what brings you here?”
Wei Yuan Yao replied, “What? Can’t I come?”
Su Li put down her brush and walked over, pulling her cousin inside. “Of course you can. You’re welcome anytime.”
Wei Yuan Yao sat down, and Mo Hua served tea and snacks.
After taking a sip of tea, Wei Yuan Yao said, “You may leave. I’d like to talk with Li’er for a while.”
Once the room was empty, Wei Yuan Yao took Su Li’s hand and asked, “Have you encountered any trouble lately?”
Su Li was surprised. “Why do you ask, cousin?”
Wei Yuan Yao explained, “Today, my brother came to see me and gave me someone to pass on to you.”
Su Li looked at her cousin in confusion.
Wei Yuan Yao called out into the air, “Mo Yun.”
In an instant, a shadowy figure appeared and knelt before them.
“Mo Yun, at your service!”
Su Li raised an eyebrow.
The person kneeling on the ground was a woman with a cold and proud expression.
Wei Yuan Yao said, “This is Mo Yun. From now on, she’s yours.”
Before Su Li could respond, Mo Yun bowed to her and said, “Mo Yun greets the young miss.”
“Mo Yun?” Su Li asked. “Are you a shadow guard?”
Su Li said, “You may rise.”
Wei Yuan Yao added, “Mo Yun is highly skilled. When she’s in the shadows, no one can detect her. She’ll only appear when needed.”
Su Li looked at Mo Yun and said, “You may withdraw for now.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Mo Yun vanished.
Su Li was startled. Such impressive skills!
She turned to Wei Yuan Yao and asked, “Why did cousin give me a shadow guard?”
Wei Yuan Yao shook her head. “I don’t know. I thought you might have asked him for one yourself during your visit to the study.”
Su Li didn’t dwell on it. After all, her cousin wouldn’t harm her.
Having such a skilled person by her side would certainly make things easier.
Wei Yuan Yao stayed in Su Li’s courtyard for a while, and then the two of them headed to the main house.
When Madam Su saw them enter, she was delighted.
“Yao’er, I heard from your mother that they’re considering a match for you with the young master of the Wuyang Marquis family. He’s said to be talented and handsome. What do you think?”
Wei Yuan Yao exaggeratedly exclaimed, “Aunt, spare me! I’ve been hearing this from my mother nonstop. I finally escaped, and now you’re bringing it up too!”
Madam Su laughed at her dramatic reaction. “It’s not that we’re nagging. It’s just that you’re not getting any younger.”
Wei Yuan Yao, not wanting to suffer alone, decided to drag Su Li into the conversation.
“I’m only a year older than my cousin. If she’s not being matched yet, why should I rush?”
Su Li hadn’t expected to be pulled into this. “Cousin, why drag me into this?”
Madam Su glanced at her daughter, who was wearing a veil, and her expression darkened slightly. But she quickly said, “Li’er hasn’t come of age yet. You’re different.”
Su Li asked, “The young master of the Wuyang Marquis family? Is it the famous Ji Family’s Third Son?”
Madam Su nodded. “That’s right!”
The Wuyang Marquis, Ji Kui, had three sons, all of whom were outstanding young men in the capital.
The eldest served in the Eastern Palace and was a trusted aide of the Crown Prince.
The second son had risen quickly in the military and held a high position in the Military Affairs Bureau.
The third son, Ji Huaizhou, had been hailed as a child prodigy since childhood, excelling in mechanics and mathematics. At the age of twelve, he was apprenticed to the Mo Family, a renowned family of engineers, and rarely appeared in public.
Su Li said cheerfully, “Cousin, if your future husband is Ji Huaizhou, that’s really not bad. You should consider it!”
“No way! I’m perfectly happy being single. Why do I have to get married? I don’t understand. It’s not like our family can’t support me. Why do I have to marry?”
Su Li was surprised by Wei Yuan Yao’s strong resistance to marriage. “Cousin, what are you so afraid of?”
Wei Yuan Yao stammered, “I… I’ve never even met him before. My mother says I played with Ji Huaizhou when we were little and that we got along well. Good heavens! That was ages ago! I don’t remember any of it. Now they want me to marry a stranger. I refuse!”
Su Li thought about it and agreed. “How about this? The Hundred Flowers Festival is coming up in a few days. Ask cousin to invite Ji Huaizhou, and we can observe him from a distance. We can also test his character.”
Madam Su frowned. “That’s highly improper!”
Su Li shook her mother’s arm. “Mother, do you really want cousin to marry a stranger? What if he’s greedy and lustful? What if he’s an alcoholic? What if…”
Madam Su interrupted her. “There aren’t so many ‘what ifs.’ Your uncle and aunt wouldn’t harm Yao’er. Besides, the Ji family is a respectable household. Their sons must have good character.”
Wei Yuan Yao also clung to Madam Su’s arm, pleading, “Aunt, you know what they say—appearances can be deceiving. Some people are good at hiding their true nature. Please, Aunt~”
With both of them pleading and acting coquettishly, Madam Su quickly gave in.
“Alright, but your cousin must keep an eye on you. Bring more servants. The Hundred Flowers Festival is crowded, so don’t get separated. And…”
“We know, we know! Aunt, you’re the best! Come on, cousin, let’s plan our outing…”
Wei Yuan Yao grabbed Su Li’s hand, and the two of them dashed off.
Madam Su shook her head and smiled.