A Secret Discovered
Mrs. Wang kept nagging at Li Gouzi, insisting that Su Li was just winning the villagers over with small favors, and would soon show her true colors.
Zhao wasn't really listening. Dressed thinly, she hurried to gather firewood, quickly picking up a bundle of not-too-wet sticks from the back mountain and carrying them home on her back.
But at the foot of the mountain, she ran into two people.
Li Yanhao wore a dark expression as Xiao Yunsheng dragged him back to the foot of the mountain for another 'walk,' just to keep him from hanging around the young mistress all day and making General Xiao uncomfortable.
“Oh my, look at this snow, Your Lordship! Should we build a snowman?” Xiao Yun grinned, linking arms with Li Yanhao.
Li Yanhao's face darkened even more. He tried hard to shake off Xiao Yun's arm, but since Xiao Yun was a martial arts expert, there was no way a pampered young master like Li Yanhao could break free.
“Enough already! Can't you stop? There's no one else here!” Li Yanhao snapped, glaring at him.
Xiao Yun wasn't the least bit afraid. In fact, he leaned in closer and played along, pretending to be shy. “Oh my, Your Lordship, it's freezing out here. You can't possibly want to... We'll freeze to death!”
“You! Country bumpkin! Disgusting!” Li Yanhao was so angry his lips were trembling, and he threw a punch at him.
Xiao Yun easily blocked Li Yanhao's punch with a smile. He grabbed Li Yanhao's fist, wrapping it in his own hand, and teased, “Tsk tsk, Your Lordship is so eager and passionate. Your hand is so soft and smooth—feels even better than a maiden's.”
Li Yanhao: ...Damn it, Xiao Zetian, why is your subordinate so shameless!
Xiao Yun completely ignored Li Yanhao's anger and protests. With his martial arts skills, he easily overpowered him and continued dragging Li Yanhao along for their walk.
Zhao stared at the two, dumbfounded. "Oh my, isn't that Yuanbao's eldest cousin, Tudan? Why is Tudan so close with the young lord? Could it be... the rumors in the village are true!?"
Covering her mouth, Zhao recalled the recent rumor about Li Yanhao being a 'cut sleeve.'
When she first heard it, Zhao thought it was absurd. How could a dignified young lord be a cut sleeve? Must be someone making things up.
But now, seeing Tudan and Li Yanhao so close—holding hands and linking arms—oh my! Maybe it really is true!
Zhao felt like she'd uncovered some earth-shattering secret. She rushed home with her firewood and plopped down by the stove, deep in thought.
No wonder Li Yanhao helps Su Li’s family so much—it must be because Su Li told Yuanbao's cousin Tudan to seduce him! Tsk, look at Tudan, tall and handsome. Not as good-looking as Yuanbao, but still a striking young man.
“Well, well, Su Li actually made Tudan use his looks to climb up the ladder and snag the Prince of Huainan’s son. Ugh, filthy! Disgusting!” Zhao spat angrily. “How can men be together? It’s against all morals—so disgusting! Su Li will do anything for money, so shameless!”
After cursing Su Li in her heart, Zhao heard Su Shimao come in with a gloomy face. He saw Zhao sitting by the stove, not cooking.
Su Shimao snapped, “Mom, why aren’t you cooking? It’s the Lantern Festival and I’m starving. Is there any meat? I want meat!”
When Zhao heard her son was hungry, she quickly got up to start the fire and cook. “Shimao, the pot is almost empty. Where would we get meat?”
Su Shimao immediately sulked and huffed. Seeing her son upset, Zhao hurried to comfort him. As she looked up, she noticed Su Shimao’s face.
Zhao’s heart skipped a beat: My Shimao is quite handsome too, and he’s educated! He’s no worse than Tudan. If only my Shimao could win over the young lord...