Li Yi was halfway through his tea when he was shocked by the Matriarch's sudden performance. In a moment of carelessness, he actually choked and coughed violently.
The Matriarch slapped her thigh and stopped in mid-air. Her crying stopped abruptly and she asked with concern,""My grandson, are you alright? Quite a few words."
Li Yi's face was flushed red as he waved his hand. It was no wonder that the old lady had such a big reaction. In this world, other than his own mother, Second Mistress, personal attendant Li Mu, personal maid Li Xiang 'er, and physician Ouyang Jin who specialized in treating him, no one else knew that the Prefecture Overseer who inherited the hereditary official position was a woman. A grown man going to that brothel to fool around would naturally anger the Matriarch, who wanted to see the Li family's population flourish.
"Yi 'er, listen to grandma. There's nothing good about men. Women are still better! You haven't had a woman's taste. If you had a woman, you wouldn't go to that kind of place. No, I have to arrange your marriage as soon as possible.”The Matriarch whispered to Li Yi's side.
When he turned around and saw Xiang 'er, he clapped his hands like a child and said,"Yi 'er, you and Xiang' er grew up together. Why don't you just take her in? Your father and his sworn brother, Liu Qianfan, once said that they would betroth you to his child. If the two families had two girls, they would become sisters. If they had two boys, they would become sworn brothers. If they had a boy and a girl, they would become husband and wife.
However, there had been no news of the Liu family for so many years. She did not know if his child was a boy or a girl. I'll arrange for someone to go around and ask around. Your wedding can't be delayed. It's better to settle it with Xiang 'er first. When you find the Liu family, it doesn't matter even if their family is a daughter. At that time, you can marry Miss Liu. No one would feel wronged if she and Xiang 'er were to be equal wives.”
Li Yi did not know whether to laugh or cry as he looked at Fragrance. The little girl's face was flushed red. He also knew that as he grew older, he would have to face marriage sooner or later. Although the Liu family and he were engaged when they were young, they had lost contact for so many years. Perhaps they had long forgotten about this matter. Pretending to marry Xiang 'er would save him a lot of trouble, but it would delay Xiang' er's life. How could he ruin her happiness for him?
"Grandma, I've always treated Xiang 'er as my younger sister. How can I talk about marriage with my younger sister?"”
" You're trying to brush me off," the Matriarch said unhappily." Do you really like men?" Otherwise, why would you go to that brothel?”
As the Matriarch spoke, she pursed her lips and slapped her legs. She raised her voice and cried,"The ancestors of the Li family! I've let down the Li family! I…"
Li Yi helplessly drooped his shoulders and accepted everyone's sympathetic gazes. Even Xiao Gouzi, who had almost been beaten up, and Ah Ni, who had almost been thrown out, felt that this adult had to face such a grandmother every day. It was really pitiful.
He could only wait for an opportunity at the side. When the Matriarch had calmed down and was about to continue crying, he leaned over and whispered into her ear. Everyone looked curiously at the grandfather and grandson pair.
The Matriarch's expression relaxed at first, but then she suddenly became very nervous. Then, she nodded repeatedly and looked at the little dog and Ah Ni meaningfully. Then, she leaned in and continued to listen. She did not know what Li Yi had said. The Matriarch was so shocked that her eyes widened. She grabbed Li Yi's hand excitedly, as if she was waiting for his answer. Seeing Li Yi nod his head heavily, she was so happy that she beamed with joy. She looked around at everyone and saw that everyone became exceptionally pleasing to the eye.
"It's getting late, everyone should go and rest." Let the two of them go. In the future, they must abide by the Li family's rules and serve the young master well.”
The two maidservants obediently went forward to support the Matriarch and walked out with wobbly steps. He could faintly hear the Matriarch's restrained laughter. If it wasn't for her status, this old lady would probably dance and perform.
Everyone stood up and respectfully sent away the living treasure of the Li family. Their gazes gathered on Li Yi again. The intuition of women, coupled with their curious genes and gossipy talent, made them smell something unusual. All of this could only be answered by Li Yi, the only man in the Li family.
However, Li Yi was not in the mood to chat now. Although he did not do anything for a day in the brothel, it was still hard work! He was so tired that he was exhausted. He drank so much that his head was heavy and his feet were light. He could only give everyone an apologetic smile and quickly escape.
At this moment, he finally understood how difficult it was to be a man! It didn't matter if you had gone through a mountain of knives or a sea of fire outside, or how much you had fought for this family. When you go home and face the women at home, you have to be as gentle as water and deal with them carefully. Otherwise, if you're not careful, there will be oppression on the outside and war on the inside. I'll turn your world upside down and make you restless.
Li Yi grinned and sighed. He smiled bitterly and ordered everyone to go back and rest. Right now, he just wanted to have a good sleep alone and continue to be a man of the Li family.
Everyone saw Li Yi swaying towards his room and went back to their own rooms. Little Dog stood at the back and looked at Li Yi's back. He wanted to say something, but he did not know how to say it. After hesitating for a while, he shook his head and sighed. He had no choice but to return to his room with his head lowered.
Ah Ni, who was at the side, saw all of Puppy's reactions. Looking in the direction Li Yi had left, she bit her lip and made up her mind as she walked towards his room.
With gentle steps, she gently arrived at the door of Li Yi's room. He raised his wrist and was about to knock on the door when Ah Ni's face turned as red as a ripe apple. She bit her lips lightly and a trace of blood seeped out. Although she was only an 11-year-old child, she had been in the brothel street for a long time. She already understood what she would have to face once she walked into this room. She was afraid of men, especially after those thugs from the brothels forced her to learn how to play the flute. Whenever she thought of men, she could not help but tremble, as if there were countless large hands touching her body randomly. A filthy thing in her mouth made her so disgusted that she would rather die.
"It's Xiang 'er, right? Go back to your room and sleep. You don't have to serve me.”Li Yi said softly when he saw the shadow at the door.
Ah Ni's body stiffened. He turned around and was about to run away when the little dog's lonely expression became clear in his mind again. This might be her only chance, she reminded herself over and over again. She turned around stiffly, gently pushed open the door, and timidly walked into Li Yi's room.
Li Yi was thirsty. As he drank his tea, he was a little surprised to see that it was Ah Ni who came in. He saw that there were tears in her eyes and that she looked weak and timid, as if she had suffered some grievance.
"What's wrong?" she asked gently. Did someone bully you?"
Ah Ni shook his head and knelt in front of Li Yi. His eyes stared at Li Yi as he babbled and gestured.
Li Yi could only cooperate with her and guess randomly,"You're begging me to keep you."”"Do you want to go home?" The novel network didn't jump. "Is it because of the little dog? Did he bully you?"
Ah Ni shook his head in panic and gestured again.
"You're begging me to keep the puppy, right?" Li Yi smiled as he came to a realization.”The novel network didn't jump.
Ah Ni's eyes lit up and he nodded repeatedly, eagerly waiting for his answer.
Li Yi frowned slightly. He did not think too much about taking in Little Puppy. She only felt that he spoke sincerely and did not lie. Although he was a thief, he did not have the cunning aura of a common man. If he was given the opportunity to work by his side, he might be a useful person. However, things were different now. The woman he was begging him to buy was from the Bucker tribe. This matter was not so simple. Perhaps this little dog was originally a member of the Bukel clan. Why did he come to the Great Zhou? Was he a spy sent here? It was hard to say. He really hadn't thought about how to deal with this little dog.
Ah Ni looked at Li Yi with a burning gaze and saw that he was still hesitating. She lowered her head in disappointment and reached for her clothes with trembling hands. He slowly unbuttoned his clothes, revealing his skinny shoulders and slightly protruding chest.
Li Yi came back to his senses and looked at Ah Ni. He understood why she was here. His expression changed and he shouted,"Nonsense! Put on your clothes."
Ah Ni raised his head and held his breath as he looked at him pitifully. Tears silently flowed down his cheeks. Other than her body, she really did not know what else she could exchange for. If Daren didn't even want her body, did that mean that he didn't want to keep his benefactor? Then how disappointed would his benefactor be? He had destroyed everything that originally belonged to him.
Looking at the helpless Ah Ni, he sighed helplessly. If it was in the modern world, an eleven or twelve-year-old child like him would still be acting coquettishly in his mother's arms. She wore beautiful clothes every day and was like a happy bird, chirping non-stop. However, the child in front of him could only think of using his body in exchange for such a simple request. What could he blame her for? She was so helpless and needed protection. If not for the little dog begging him to buy her. Perhaps she was already lying in the arms of some man and being violated at will. In this matter, at least the little dog was kind. He did not turn a blind eye to her misfortune to protect himself. Could this be a reason for her to keep him?
Li Yi was deep in thought. He turned around and took out a food box from a drawer. He opened it gently and took out a handful of pickled dates. He walked up to Ah Ni, took her little hand, and placed it in her hand. He gently helped her put on her clothes and helped her up.
Like a loving elder, he gently scratched her nose and said with a smile,"Hurry up and go back to your room. Eat the candied dates and sleep early. You're still a child. Don't think so much. Since you've come to the Li Residence, you're a member of the Li Family. Be obedient and listen to me. Go!"
Ah Ni looked at Li Yi with a flattered expression. The tears in his eyes sparkled under the candlelight. Other than her parents, no one had ever loved her so much. The child! In the eyes of the adults, she was a child who needed protection. Such a warm feeling was so familiar, yet so unfamiliar. No wonder his benefactor cared so much about whether his lord would keep him. To be able to follow such a lord was such a rare blessing! This was the greatest grace the Prairie Goddess had given to her benefactor and herself.
Ah Ni smiled sweetly and held the crystal clear candied dates tightly in his hand. He bowed deeply to Li Yi and left happily. She was like a happy little bird, jumping around.
The night sky was so beautiful, the night breeze was so gentle, every green leaf was full of vitality, and every flower was so fragrant.
"It's candied dates. This is the most precious thing I've obtained since I came to the Great Zhou. I want to give it to my benefactor. He will be happy to eat it.”
"I'm not happy, father. I thought Li Yi was a good official because he was able to distribute food and disaster relief. However, she never expected that he was just a man who was greedy for beauty. Moreover, he was a person from Long Yang, yet he actually liked to go to the Prime Minister's Hall. "He's really..." Ouyang Bo said angrily.
Ouyang Jin stroked his beard and smiled faintly. He said unhurriedly,""Although I don't know why Milord went to that kind of place, he must have his reasons. You have only been by Daren's side for a short period of time. When you are able to gain Daren's trust, you will know that Daren is definitely not a person who is lustful for women, much less a person who likes men. Bo 'er, sometimes what you see with your eyes might not be true. You have to look with your heart.”
Ouyang Jin looked at his beloved son meaningfully.
Ouyang Bo didn't notice the different meaning in his eyes and walked around the room a few times. "I don't know why my father thinks so highly of Li Yi. I can't follow him to the streets all day long. In the future, even if Li Yi begged me, I would not take a step into those places. Not even a step!"
Ouyang Jin chuckled as he watched his son leave in a huff. He shook his head and said softly,""Silly child, you still don't know Li Yi's secret. If one day you find out, forget about the streets and alleys, I'm afraid you'll be at the ends of the earth, mountains of blades, and seas of flames. You would be willing to accompany him! I don't know if letting you stay by Li Yi's side is a blessing or a curse for you!”
Ah Ni's Pillow
Chapter 20: The Ah Ni Pillow was Handmade by * Members. For more chapters, please go to the website: ..
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