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"Could it be... that His Lordship has found a way to rescue Second Sister from the fiery pit of the Fan family?" Kang Ning's eyes immediately lit up after hearing Wei Tingyu speak. This matter wasn't just her Second Sister Fu Hui's longing; it was something that their entire Li family, mother and daughters, had been yearning for! Upon seeing Wei Tingyu nod slightly, Kang Ning was finally content! With this assurance, knowing the details no longer mattered! Tomorrow, she would simply wait to accompany the Marquis and Mother to the Fan family to watch a good show!
Shou Hua's eyes also lit up, of course. After all, she was even more anxious about this matter than Kang Ning! Because only she and Mother Li Niang could truly understand the pain of their Second Sister Fu Hui enduring a living widowhood! And now, His Lordship had already laid out his plans; tomorrow, Second Sister Fu Hui could be rescued from the fiery pit and given a new lease on life! The Marquis truly was the guardian deity of the Li family! Thinking of this, Shou Hua's eyes sparkled when she looked at Wei Tingyu!
Bang... bang bang...
At the same time, the sound of the night watchman's clapper echoed from the street outside, pulling Shou Hua's adoring thoughts directly back to reality. "Your Lordship!" Shou Hua blinked, a hint of reluctance even appearing on her face. Yet, she still respectfully bowed to Wei Tingyu and said, "It is already late; please return to your residence to rest early!"
The moment Shou Hua's words fell, even Kang Ning's face showed a touch of reluctance. However, having been carefully taught by Mother Li Niang since childhood, she naturally understood this principle: at this moment, the Marquis was, after all, not yet their Li family's son-in-law, and his continued presence might lead to inconveniences!
"What? This Li family, known as 'Six Tigers'..." Wei Tingyu, of course, was unwilling to leave in such an atmosphere. He smiled and said, "Could it be that you fear this Marquis would devour you?" After all, he had already offered his betrothal gifts. If these beautiful young women could only be admired and not enjoyed, wouldn't it drive a man mad with longing?
"What 'Six Tigers'!" Eldest Sister Shou Hua's face immediately flushed red when the Marquis brought up this nickname. In her opinion, this was not a good reputation. Describing women as tigers clearly implied they were jealous and fierce, but their family's mother and daughters were clearly not like that!
"Our sisters lost our father when we were young, and Mother raised us alone!"
"But those wicked relatives in our family completely disregarded our blood ties and tried to seize our family's land!"
"To protect our land and us, Mother had no choice but to feign fierceness!"
"And those wicked relatives even spread rumors outside, saying our entire family consists of 'tigresses'... 28"
Speaking of this, Shou Hua felt wronged, her eyes reddening. As the eldest daughter, she had naturally matured the earliest and felt Mother's hardships the most!
"I know!" Wei Tingyu hadn't expected his casual teasing to almost make Eldest Daughter Shou Hua cry. He quickly stepped forward, took her hand, and gently comforted her, "I know your family's disposition best; I won't believe the nonsense of outsiders!"
"I was merely jesting with you just now!"
"Thank Your Lordship!" Shou Hua felt much more at ease after hearing Wei Tingyu's words! She looked up at him with a face full of gratitude, especially when she saw how sincere Wei Tingyu's words were and how genuine his eyes were. Shou Hua's heart was even more touched. It is said that a man dies for one who truly knows him, and a woman beautifies herself for one who delights in her! But once a woman meets a kindred spirit who understands her, she can also be reckless! Just like Shou Hua now! If an assassin were to suddenly appear and stab Wei Tingyu with a sharp sword, Shou Hua would absolutely block him without hesitation!
"Eldest Sister was just worried that Your Lordship lingering here late at night would damage Your Lordship's reputation if it got out!" Kang Ning slowly stepped forward at this moment and said to Wei Tingyu. The emotional exchange between the Marquis and Eldest Sister just now, as seen by Kang Ning, surprisingly left her without a trace of jealousy; instead, she felt deeply moved.
"How could this Marquis's reputation be damaged?" Wei Tingyu blinked and retorted, looking at Kang Ning.
"We naturally know that Your Lordship has offered betrothal gifts... but outsiders don't know!" Kang Ning, seeing Wei Tingyu looking at her, immediately flushed and quickly explained, "Once outsiders know, who knows how they will speculate? After all, people's hearts in this world are the most treacherous..."
Wei Tingyu nodded, understanding Kang Ning's meaning! Although the two families were already betrothed, it hadn't been publicly announced yet! However, these two young women were completely considering his reputation, yet they hadn't mentioned their own clear reputation once. This, in turn, moved Wei Tingyu even more.
"What's so difficult about this?" Wei Tingyu shrugged casually at this thought, then again took Kang Ning's hand. Holding both sisters' hands, he said, "If someone truly sees us, it's no big deal. Tomorrow, I'll ask Lady Li Niang to sign the concubine contract, and that will naturally silence all gossip!"
Shou Hua and Kang Ning were startled, and then both their faces simultaneously flushed with shyness. Tomorrow? That's too fast, isn't it? Although they felt nervous, they were filled with even more anticipation and joy! After all, the Marquis showed no hesitation whatsoever, which meant he genuinely intended to take their sisters into his residence!
"Your Lordship has his own plans; we don't demand..." Of course, Eldest Daughter Shou Hua feared most that Wei Tingyu would misunderstand her. Especially if the Marquis interpreted Third Sister Kang Ning's words just now as pressuring him to quickly marry the Li family sisters, that would be terrible.
"I know!" Wei Tingyu smiled directly, seeing Shou Hua's anxious expression, and said, "I know your character! That's why I sought your hand in marriage!" Wei Tingyu's words were clearly praising the Li family sisters for their noble character, and he was very satisfied.
"Then, Your Lordship... would you stay a little longer?" Shou Hua's heart swelled with delight. She looked up at Wei Tingyu with a sweet smile and asked. Good heavens! This young woman's smile... this tone... it's simply alluring! Did he want to stay a little longer?
"This Marquis isn't leaving tonight!" Wei Tingyu blinked at this thought, smiling as he said to Shou Hua and Kang Ning. The moment his words fell, the two sisters were utterly bewildered! Goodness! They had originally thought Wei Tingyu just wanted to spend more time with them, and their hearts were filled with joy. But now, looking at the situation, it seemed the Marquis wanted more?! Although the marriage between them and the Marquis had been settled, they hadn't officially entered the household yet. How would staying overnight be interpreted?
Kang Ning, who was originally an unmarried young woman, froze there for a few seconds, then suddenly snapped back to reality with a jolt. She rolled her eyes, then quickly pulled her hand back, withdrawing her tender grasp from Wei Tingyu's large one. "Then... please allow Eldest Sister to serve Your Lordship! I'll rest now!" After understanding what Wei Tingyu intended, Kang Ning naturally dared not linger. She lifted her skirt and turned to run towards the back room. At the same time, she continuously apologized to Eldest Sister Shou Hua in her heart. It's not that your younger sister is disloyal, it's just that she's not mentally prepared yet! Besides, for this kind of matter... even if all five sisters entered the Marquis's Residence at the same time, the first night serving the Marquis should be Eldest Sister Shou Hua's turn! There's no way it would fall to me, the third sister!
"Third Daughter... you..." Just as Kang Ning reached the back room's door, she happened to encounter Qiong Nu returning from the back. However, before the young woman could finish a single sentence, she was pulled by the wrist by Kang Ning and dragged back inside.
"..." Eldest Daughter Shou Hua was also stunned by her sister's rapid series of actions. By the time she reacted, Kang Ning had already vanished with Qiong Nu. And now, in this vast front hall, only she and Wei Tingyu remained alone. Connecting this with his earlier declaration that he wouldn't leave tonight, did that mean he truly intended for her to stay and serve him? But... Shou Hua immediately felt shy and conflicted at this thought, because she wasn't mentally prepared either!
"Your Lordship..." Shou Hua only felt her small hand being held tightly by Wei Tingyu, knowing she couldn't pull it free. She could only sigh in her heart, then said, "We don't have any spare rooms here..." After all, Si Fu Cha Shi was merely a place that sold pastries and tea; it wasn't an inn, so there were no extra rooms.
"Then Eldest Daughter's boudoir..." Wei Tingyu chuckled upon hearing this. Such a clumsy excuse could still be found? However, the best way to break down these excuses was sincerity! So, he bent down and brought his mouth close to Shou Hua's ear, whispering, "May I borrow your room for the night?"
"..." Shou Hua heard Wei Tingyu's words in her ear, and at the same time, the warm breath exhaled from his mouth and nose brushed against her fair, smooth neck, making her heart pound even faster. Especially when their strands of hair inevitably touched, wasn't this what was called "ear-to-temple intimacy" in storybooks? Shou Hua felt her legs go weak at this moment! But as the eldest sister of the Li family, her last shred of rationality still remained!
"Your Lordship, please don't be like this..." Despite going against her body's instincts, Shou Hua still closed her eyes and softly said, "If the younger sisters find out tomorrow, they will tease Your Lordship..."
"What's there to tease about?" Wei Tingyu chuckled and said, "Or, first thing tomorrow morning, I will ask Lady Li Niang for your concubine contract!" After saying this, without waiting for Shou Hua's reaction, Wei Tingyu directly bent down and scooped the beautiful young woman into his arms. Then, he strode towards the back courtyard.
"Your Lordship..." Shou Hua was suddenly startled, and after feeling herself float like a cloud, she completely gave up any resistance. "The room on the left..." To prevent Wei Tingyu from carrying her into Mother's or her sisters' rooms, she even actively guided him. Wei Tingyu, of course, understood perfectly, and carried the beautiful young woman in his arms into her boudoir.
An entire shichen later, the clouds dispersed and the rain ceased in Shou Hua's boudoir.
"Your Lordship!" Shou Hua lay semi-reclined on Wei Tingyu's shoulder, her eyes slightly closed, waiting for her breathing to slowly even out.
"What's wrong?" Wei Tingyu found it somewhat amusing in his heart. Why did it seem that every one of his wives and concubines looked like this after their first intimacy?
"Your concubine has given everything to you..." Kang Ning, hearing Wei Tingyu's response, immediately opened her beautiful eyes and looked up at the side of his face. But she didn't speak too directly, as she didn't want Wei Tingyu to feel that she was forcing him to take responsibility.
"Rest assured!" Wei Tingyu considered himself a scoundrel, but he was certainly not someone who would pull up his pants and deny responsibility! These simple three words immediately brought Shou Hua's somewhat restless heart to complete peace. Even she herself didn't understand why she trusted Wei Tingyu's words so completely! Whatever guarantee he casually gave, Shou Hua firmly believed it from the bottom of her heart, without the slightest hesitation!
"Tomorrow, please, Your Lordship, remember..." Of course, although she believed Wei Tingyu would absolutely take responsibility, there was one thing Shou Hua felt compelled to remind him of. She then said, "To ask Mother for your concubine contract!" One must know that Shou Hua had always been a well-educated and refined young lady. Just now, she had only reluctantly fulfilled his wishes under Wei Tingyu's gentle persuasion. If it were up to her own true feelings, she would never have willingly given herself to him before the concubine contract was signed. But now that the deed was done, regretting it was useless! The calm Shou Hua's only hope now was to quickly mend the situation. At least with the concubine contract, her identity as a concubine of the Marquis's Residence would be established! Then, even if she were to stay and serve Wei Tingyu every night, Shou Hua would not feel any psychological pressure!
"Rest assured! You needn't remind me of this, my lady!" Of course, besides nodding in agreement, Wei Tingyu even changed his address for Shou Hua. My lady?!
And Shou Hua's heart secretly rejoiced upon hearing Wei Tingyu's address for her! That's right! Now I am truly Wei Tingyu's woman! After signing the concubine contract with Mother tomorrow morning, I will be a proper, noble concubine of the Marquis's Residence! From now on, I can openly stand by Wei Tingyu's side without worrying about any gossip or strange looks! Thinking of this, Shou Hua couldn't help but smile, giggling softly as she lay in Wei Tingyu's embrace. Yes! Even the most virtuous and serene woman is fundamentally still human! With joys and sorrows, naturally, there will be laughter and tears! Wei Tingyu felt greatly comforted seeing Shou Hua in his arms display the demeanor of a young woman. After all, her being able to completely reveal this true self, utterly different from her public persona, didn't it signify her complete sense of security when she was with him?
"Alright, alright! Everyone up!" Early the next morning, Lady Li Niang began counting her daughters in the back courtyard. Second Daughter Fu Hui, Third Daughter Kang Ning, Fourth Daughter Hao De, Fifth Daughter Le Shan, and Qiong Nu had all gathered around her, chattering and playfully teasing each other while discussing whether their clothes looked good today. Lady Li Niang was naturally accustomed to this boisterous scene. She turned her head and looked around, noticing that her eldest daughter Shou Hua hadn't gotten up? There's no reason! Eldest Daughter Shou Hua was always the earliest to rise; why is she still sleeping in today?
"Where's Eldest Daughter?" Lady Li Niang thought of this and turned to her daughters, asking, "Could she have already gone to the front hall?" The moment her words fell, the old servant walked in from the front courtyard and gently shook her head at Lady Li Niang. She had naturally heard Lady Li Niang's question; this gesture was to inform her that Shou Hua was not in the front hall.