Chapter 473: Chapter 173 Going Up the Mountain
Yueyao sent soone to send a ssage to Tingzheng, that she would be going to the Sumr Mountain Villa for at least two months. She wouldn’t be able to see Tingzheng during these two months.
Upon hearing that Yueyao was going to be away and they wouldn’t see each other for two or three months, Tingzheng, holding Yueyao’s hand, said, “Sister, I’ll go too.” When he had vacation ti, he could still visit his sister at their uncle’s house, but now that she was going to the Sumr Mountain Villa, he wouldn’t be able to see her for two or three months, which filled his heart with unhappiness.
Yueyao, stroking Tingzheng’s head, thought that Tingzheng had also grown up and should learn to be independent; he couldn’t always rely on her. In a gentle voice, Yueyao said, “Sister has business to attend to at the villa this ti, and besides, you need to attend your lessons. You mustn’t neglect your studies.”
Tingzheng felt sowhat aggrieved. The ti he spent with his sister was growing shorter and shorter. He wondered if it was because his sister disliked him. Tingzheng, filled with thoughts he dared not share with Yueyao, sulkily returned to his own courtyard.
The next morning, Yueyao accompanied Tingzheng to the Li family. After seeing Tingzheng onto the carriage, she whispered, “There’s no need for you to co back to Lian Mansion while sister isn’t there; just stay at Uncle Li’s house.” Seeing Tingzheng’s unhappy expression, she thought for a mont and then said, “If circumstances allow, I will have soone fetch you to the Sumr Mountain Villa later, how’s that?”
Only then did Tingzheng cheerfully respond, “Good.”
Lady Li heard that Yueyao was going to the Marquis Jingning’s Sumr Mountain Villa. Although the Marquis Jingning’s household had been discreet in choosing a study companion for Luo Mingzhu, Lady Li, who was socially active, had still caught wind of the news. However, she had not expected them to pick Yueyao.
But the old nanny by Lady Li’s side said, “Madam, this is a good thing for Miss Lian. As long as she wins the favor of the Third Miss of the Luo Family, and perhaps a word of praise from the Empress Dowager, Miss Lian won’t have to work so hard afterward.”
Lady Li shook her head, “It’s not that easy! Who doesn’t know about the Third Miss of the Luo Family’s notorious temper? That child will suffer grievances. Alas, I wonder how she caught the eye of the Marquis Jingning’s household?”
Lady Li also felt sorry for Yueyao. Ever since Tingzheng had been sent to Li Mansion, she had sent generous gifts for every festival. Knowing that Yueyao would not accept money, Lady Li had chosen to give expensive gifts during festivals instead, so Yueyao wouldn’t seem grasping. This child was sensible and sensitive, which made her plight seem all the more pitiable.
Li Guoxing, having heard his wife’s words, said coldly, “The Luo Family really lives up to its reputation as a prominent clan, now even selecting a study companion for their own young lady?” He found it pretentious for the Luo family to pick a study companion when she wasn’t a Princess or a Commandery Princess.
Lady Li felt helpless; the crux of the matter lay elsewhere: “I’m worried that the child will suffer indignities. She’s only ten years old and has a stubborn nature. She wouldn’t speak out even if aggrieved.” At the Lian family, she had endured many hardships yet never complained; when asked, she would only reply that all was well.
After a mont of reflection, Li Guoxing said, “There’s nothing we can do to help.” He did want to help, but he genuinely was unable to do so. If he had good relations with Lian Dongfang, he might have been able to offer so advice, but unfortunately, the two had never gotten along since they were young. He could only stand by and watch, unable to intervene.
Lady Li offered a compromise: “Why not ask Lord Ma for advice? Lord Ma is Yueyao’s uncle, and it would be most appropriate for him to intercede.”
Li Guoxing nodded, “That seems to be the only choice.”
At the appropriate mont, Li Guoxing approached Ma Chengteng about the issue.
After hearing what Li Guoxing had to say, Ma Chengteng shook his head and replied, “Yueyao is going to the Sumr Mountain Villa, but not to serve as Luo Mingzhu’s study companion; she’s accompanying Luo Mingzhu to the villa for a sumr retreat. She’ll return in two or three months.” Yueyao’s statent that she dared not stay at the Marquis’ household had not been made lightly; it was deliberate. She didn’t want people truly to think of her as Luo Mingzhu’s study companion, which would lower her own status. And if she didn’t stay at the Marquis’ household in the future, the role of study companion, which essentially required being constantly by one’s side, much like a personal attendant, would naturally cease to exist.
Of course, Marquis Jingning’s Residence didn’t consider Yueyao as a study companion either, which coincided with her wishes to not need any explanation later.
Li Guoxing was sowhat surprised. Not being a study companion was a relief; friendship between young ladies from secluded households was not a concern. Friends, after all, if they didn’t get along, simply wouldn’t associate, and there would not be so many constraints.
Ma Chengteng asserted confidently, “That’s just a misunderstanding outside. Yueyao gets along very well with the young lady of the Luo Family; Brother Li needn’t worry.” He didn’t see Li Guoxing’s involvent as ddling; on the contrary, he was grateful. It showed that Li Guoxing truly cared for Yueyao, unlike Lian Dongfang, her biological uncle, who coldly looked on without a word, which was disheartening.
Relieved, Li Guoxing felt at ease.
Yueyao mainly packed books, taking with her a box of them. She didn’t bring along any ink, brushes, paper, or inkstones, trusting that the villa would have everything prepared. Of course, even if they didn’t, they could simply acquire the necessities. Given the vast power and wealth of the Marquis Jingning’s Household, surely they could afford it.
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