The Exiled Life of the Noble Girl

Chapter 131

Cui Ying's little face was somewhat gloomy, and she hadn't made a peep. Li Mingwei guessed she had realized something. With a sigh, she sat down beside her.

"What's wrong?"

"Does Sister Mingwei know who gave Cuicui her handkerchief?"

Li Mingwei still wanted to cover for Cuicui. If Cui Ying was upset knowing about it, Cuicui wouldn't be happy either. She hesitated, "Can't it be one she embroidered herself or bought?"

"Impossible."

They grew up together since childhood. She was very clear about what kind of material Cuicui usually used for her handkerchiefs. That one was obviously embroidered by a shop's craftsmanship. Cuicui wouldn't spend that kind of money.

"You know her quite well."

"Of course." Over a decade of friendship, how could she not know everything about the other person?

"Then why ask me? Just ask yourself. For example, who gave her the handkerchief. She wants to hide it from you."

Who else could it be but Ye Cheng?

Cui Ying's heart confirmed the answer. Her little mouth pursed as tears streamed down her face. She was heartbroken that the person she had liked for so long already had someone in her heart. Anyone would feel awful.

She threw herself into Li Mingwei's arms and bawled loudly.

Li Mingwei heaved a long sigh, gently stroking her hair. She couldn't offer any comforting words. It was only a matter of time before she suffered this blow. Letting her vent was for the best.

She just didn't know if their decade-long friendship would become estranged because of this.

The crying in her arms gradually quieted. Cui Ying leaned weakly against her, aggrieved. "Sister Mingwei, I know Mother won't let me marry into the Ye family, but I'm still so upset. What should I do?"

Li Mingwei shook her head. "I don't know. I feel a little upset now too."

Cui Ying's grieving mood was suddenly interrupted. "Why?"

Because she had just recalled something frightening.

Li Mingwei's voice trembled slightly. "Ye Cheng's father is Ye Hui's father!"

"That's right, they're blood siblings."

With a father-in-law like that, eek, how awful!

Li Mingwei suddenly didn't want Cuicui to marry into that family either. She had met Ye Cheng twice and he seemed well-behaved and obedient. She couldn't connect him at all with a father like that. If Cuicui gave birth to a daughter in the future, who knew how she might be treated!

And with a sister-in-law like Ye Hui...

No, she took it back. Whoever married into the Ye family was doomed for bad luck in this and the next eight lifetimes.

Cui Ying thought about it too. Ye Cheng seemed to be the only good person in the Ye family.

She was too anxious to feel heartbroken anymore. "Then what about Cuicui? Does she like Ye Cheng?"

"Looks like she does a little..."

They exchanged a look, both wearing difficult expressions. What should they do?

The front gate creaked open and Liu Yizhu met two pairs of round eyes. He stopped in his tracks. "You two..."

Cui Ying wiped the tear stains from her face a couple times. She stood up respectfully. "Master Liu."

Li Mingwei calculated the time. It wasn't his day off today.

She went up to him. "Why are you back?"

Liu Yizhu glanced at Cui Ying and didn't answer. He smiled and asked, "What's wrong? You two don't look very happy."

Cui Ying was a little embarrassed. She lowered her head obediently to gather her things and took her leave first to go home.

Liu Yizhu closed the yard gate and turned around to hug Li Mingwei. "What were you talking about? Hurry up and go eat."

"I'll go soon. Why did you come back?"

"To get money." Liu Yizhu led her toward the room, explaining, "The shop owner at the bookstore said a new book from Beijing arrived on the Jianghuai side. He happens to be going there soon and asked if I want him to bring it back for me."

There was no harm in reading more books. Liu Yizhu wouldn't miss the opportunity. It was just that the book was quite expensive and he didn't have that much money on him. He could only come back to get it.

"How much?"

Liu Yizhu felt a little pain. "Over two taels."

Li Mingwei thought it was normal, but it was indeed not cheap for him. She laughed. "You're willing to spend that much?"

"No choice."

If others could read it and he couldn't, he would fall behind.

Seeing him head straight for the bedside, Li Mingwei followed right behind his butt. Today she was going to see for herself just how much private money he had.

Liu Yizhu took out the box where he kept money. He opened it and looked inside, feeling some heartache as he counted out three taels of silver and stuffed it into his clothes. Li Mingwei crowded over to peek at what he had left. Surprisingly, there were still a few silver pieces. She was astonished.

"You're pretty wealthy."

Liu Yizhu raised a brow. "Haven't you seen it before?"

"I only found out today you hide money here. When could I have seen it!"

"I told you about it already."

Li Mingwei thought back but had no such memory. She complained angrily, "When did you tell me!"

Liu Yizhu blinked innocently. "I told you on our wedding night." He had told her to take it herself if she was out of money. She had agreed at the time.

Li Mingwei gritted her teeth. "You should have told me at a time when I was more clear-headed!"

Was she not clear-headed at the time?

Liu Yizhu raised his eyes to ponder for a moment. She did seem a little unclear.

He smiled awkwardly and presented the box to her. "You're clear-headed now, right? Feel free to look."

Li Mingwei closed his little box with a snap. She had already seen enough. She calculated her own private funds, then sidled up to him. "Do you want to see my private money?"

Liu Yizhu drew her into his arms and pinched her little nose. "You have private funds? The money you earn is barely enough to feed you, little glutton."

Buying snacks one day, meat the next, occasionally some paper and ink, and it was pretty much gone.

Li Mingwei huffed but didn't plan on telling him about it. How annoying.

She wriggled out of his arms and tidied her clothes. "Let's go, it's time to eat. Mother will get anxious again soon. When are you leaving?"

"It's fine. I already went to the academy before coming back. Mother knows I came back to take care of something. Leaving a bit later is no problem."

The road already had accumulated snow and it was difficult to walk. He arrived in town around noon and went straight to the academy. Seeing she still hadn't come over, he came back first to get money and to bring her along since the roads were slippery from the snow.

Because she had seemed a little upset last time he left, Liu Yizhu held her hand and carefully observed her expression, speaking softly, "I'll probably have to leave after eating."

He had taken the day off just to come back for money. He still had classes to teach tomorrow.

Li Mingwei pouted her lips and dragged him along. "Let's go eat."

Liu Yizhu quietly watched her for a while but didn't notice anything off. He put away the box and led her toward the academy.

As they walked, Li Mingwei suddenly stomped on his foot. Liu Yizhu knew she was throwing a tantrum but didn't dare cry out. He could only helplessly grip her hand tighter.

Seeing he had no reaction, Li Mingwei slyly glanced at his completely calm face.

Hmm, quite tolerant!

She stomped on his foot again.

"Wife~"

Li Mingwei turned her innocent big eyes to look at him. "Yes?"

"Let's switch feet."

The academy was still quite a distance. If she kept targeting the same foot, he really might not make it to the county seat today.