Remarrying Chun Yuan

"No, I didn't. I saw him because he had something to do, not what you think." Li Shu stammered, flustered and unsure how to explain.

Liu Yuechu rarely showed impatience. "I'll say it again: he's not a good match, and I have absolutely no feelings for him. If you want to choose him, you'd better observe the situation of the Marquis's mansion more before making a decision."

For example, there's his greedy mother, his vicious cousin, and a group of poor relatives who come to freeload all day long. If Li Shu were to marry into that family, she'd be torn to shreds.

Li Shu felt extremely embarrassed when her innermost feelings were exposed, but she also hated Liu Yuechu for pretending not to know what had happened.

"I thank you for reminding me, and I hope you can find a good husband on the second day of the second lunar month. But my parents are both alive and will make the decision for my marriage, so I don't need to worry about it at all."

After she finished speaking, she turned around and left with her maids. Only after turning her back did she cover her face with a handkerchief and run away, sobbing.

Lin Mengyu was furious, her hand trembling as she pointed at her for a long time, "When did she become so vicious!"

Liu Yuechu's mother passed away, and her father never returned home. She was all alone, having to keep an eye on her unreliable brother and guard the family business that was being eyed by covetous eyes. Outsiders never tend to expose her dirty secrets.

But Li Shu brazenly reopened her wounds just for Wei Gongming? That's too much!

When Liu Yuechu heard this, her heart ached. If her father had come back to support her in her previous life, her and her older brother's lives wouldn't have been so miserable, right?

"My parents are gone, but at least I can choose the person I want to marry." She stood by the window, looking towards the south of the city.

A perfectly good little gathering has fallen apart so absurdly.

On the carriage home, Liu Yuechu remained silent.

Bai Shao hesitated several times before finally kneeling before her to apologize, "It was my fault for being so talkative and causing such an embarrassing situation between you and Madam Li... I was really angry. Why did she have the right to criticize you like that?"

Liu Yuechu chuckled and gently touched her face. "Get up. I'm not blaming you. It was just a matter of time."

If Li Shu were to marry Wei Gongming, she would naturally distance herself. She hadn't completely ignored this man's magnanimity. Since she couldn't ignore him, she could only distance herself, even if it hurt Li Shu; she didn't want to cause herself any distress.

Bai Shao seemed to understand her words but not quite. "Why are you so sure that Young Master Wei is not a good man?" In her memory, her master did not seem to have any interaction with Young Master Wei.

Liu Yuechu then recounted the private conversation between Madam Liang and her at the Princess's residence that day: "...The elders all have such an opinion, which clearly indicates that the Zhenning Marquis's residence has serious problems. But no matter how much Li Shu likes Wei Gongming, it's useless. Minister Li will not agree."

The Ministry of Rites' Vice Minister's residence places the utmost importance on decorum and propriety. How could they possibly marry their daughter to a household that harbors criminals?

Bai Shao was stunned. "You didn't tell Madam Li about these things?"

Liu Yuechu rubbed her temples. "Would she believe me if I told her? Let her investigate herself. Only what she finds out herself will be truly unforgettable."

Bai Shao was speechless for a moment, only lamenting that Li Shu was too foolish.

Feeling depressed, Liu Yuechu had the carriage stop at the night market. She and her maids got off to walk around, hoping to dispel the bad luck in her heart and also to share in the New Year's joy.

The winter was cold and dry, and the air we breathed instantly turned white. Although the snow disaster caused some damage, the number of deaths and injuries was not large. The epidemic she was worried about did not break out on a large scale, but it made the capital city full of festive atmosphere.

When the street vendors saw Liu Yuechu, they grabbed handfuls of snacks and stuffed them into her hands to try. Before the master and servants had gone far, their pockets and arms were stuffed full.

With no other options, Liu Yuchu could only flee with the white peony and Sichuan pepper.

“…Master, next time you want to go shopping, please bring a few more people.” Bai Shao’s arms almost gave way; the various snacks piled together were quite heavy.

Liu Yuechu didn't expect things to turn out this way, but she was happy about this little incident.

Huajiao pouted, "There are many people in this world who know how good you are." But these people do not include Li Shu. During the snow disaster, Liu Yuechu sent a lot of things to the Li family.

Liu Yuechu didn't want to talk about it anymore. She couldn't lift the things in her arms when she suddenly saw a person at the stall in front of her.

Yuan Cuo was writing New Year couplets and the character "福" (good fortune) for the people. Beside him was a basket filled with gifts and food.

With a "whoosh" sound, the large basket was instantly filled.

Yuan Cuo looked up and gazed at Liu Yuechu standing in front of him, rubbing his wrists. Bai Shao and Hua Jiao also seemed relieved as they helped him organize the food in the basket.

His gaze shifted for only a second before returning to the Red Alliance.

But when I shifted my gaze, I could see out of the corner of my eye that her hands, as tender as bamboo shoots in early spring, were slightly red from her self-inflicted rubbing. Her pouting lips were moist, lacking her usual dignified and aloof arrogance, as if she were a girl next door being affectionate.

Yuan Cuo was lost in thought, and he wrote the character "福" (fortune) crookedly.

The people nearby sneered, "Luckily, it wasn't Young Master Yuan who was treating me today, otherwise, if he had been distracted and added two extra qian of Coptis chinensis, I would have died from the bitterness."

"Seeing Lady Liu makes even bitterness taste sweet. I'd gladly drink two ounces of bitter herbs, let alone two ounces."

Yuan Cuo coughed awkwardly twice, quickly laid out the paper again, wrote it down, and sent the person away as soon as possible.

He rubbed his wrist, indicating to the waiting people to wait a moment, as he also needed to rest.

"Why don't you write at the bookstore? It's too cold to set up a stall here." Liu Yuechu's nose was already red from the cold after standing there for only a short while.

Yuan Cuo shielded her from the cold wind, saying, "The gifts from the villagers are mostly food; the books will get tainted with the smell." That was her bookstore, and he cherished it. Looking down at her, he noticed that her long eyelashes were frosted over.

Liu Yuechu was surprised by his thoughtfulness and pointed to the odds and ends in the basket, "These were given by kind-hearted villagers. They are all their specialties. Take them back and try them."

Yuan Cuo looked at the full basket; he figured they wouldn't be able to finish it even on the second day of the second lunar month. But he didn't refuse; he simply nodded and thanked them.

Looking at the red paper couplets on his table and the person waiting, Liu Yuechu realized it wasn't the right time to speak. She had something to say, but couldn't bring herself to say it.

And if she didn't leave, he would stand there motionless, like a thin wooden stake.

They remained quietly for a moment until the carriage found them after navigating through the crowd. Liu Yuechu, accompanied by Bai Shao and Hua Jiao, bid them farewell, wishing them a "Happy Year of the Dragon," and handed them a red envelope before quickly getting into the carriage and leaving.

As Yuan Cuo watched her carriage depart, he felt the warmth of the red envelope, tucked it into his pocket, and continued to sit down to write couplets for the people.

Hou Lai appeared out of nowhere. "So much food, are you taking it to eat on the way out of the capital?"

Yuan Cuo did not stop writing. "It will spoil on the way. It's not too late to leave after you finish eating."

Hou Lai: "..." He had no intention of leaving at all, as if no one could see through him.

However, he didn't expose him and started tasting the snacks in the basket.