Ambiguous Smiles

Early the next morning, Lily Evans saw Leonard Li and Egghead coming out of the same room, her eyes wide with shock.

"You two, w-why did you sleep together?" Lily Evans stammered, her lips trembling.

Lucky was behind them, trying hard not to laugh, his eyes twitching with the effort.

"No, Lily, it's not what you think! He—Egghead insisted on sleeping in my room!" Leonard Li hurried to explain.

Sean Hayes walked out of the room, smiling coyly, his arm slung around Leonard Li's neck: "Who would've thought the dignified Heir of Huainan would be afraid of the dark when sleeping? Don't worry—from now on, I'll keep you company at night!"

Lily Evans looked at the two strikingly handsome men arm in arm, their expressions ridiculously suggestive.

"I—I'm not! Lily, it's not what you're thinking, let me explain!" Leonard Li tried to push Sean Hayes away, but Sean dragged him along by the neck. "Cousin, cousin-in-law, the Heir wants me to join him for a morning walk!"

As the two walked off, Lucky innocently chimed in, "Wife, why is Mr. Leonard still not married at his age?"

Lily Evans stroked her chin. Considering Leonard Li's age, it really was odd that he hadn't married yet.

With Leonard Li staying at her home, Lily Evans had even notified Governor Yale, so she no longer feared him coming to cause trouble. But the Evans family spent three days waiting at the village entrance, hoping the soldiers would come and arrest Lily Evans. Their necks stretched like giraffes, but there was still no sign of the troops.

May Parker suddenly grew anxious: "This won't do, I need to go to the governor's mansion and ask Uncle Yale why he still hasn't come to arrest anyone."

Helen Parker said, "Yes, go and urge him. Lord Yale is busy with official duties, so don't let him forget about this matter."

May Parker immediately set off for town. As soon as she entered the governor's mansion and saw Governor Yale, she exclaimed, "Uncle Yale, why haven't you gone to arrest Lily Evans yet? It's been days! You can't let that shrew get away with it!"

The moment Governor Yale heard Lily Evans's name, his head began to buzz. Ever since he'd offended Lily, first a mysterious expert had snuck into his room at night to slaughter a pig in warning, then the Heir of Huainan sent a personal letter scolding him. And just now, news from the capital arrived: suddenly, a censor was impeaching him for corruption and negligence!

It was now clear that Lily Evans was under the protection of the Heir of Huainan. Governor Yale could figure out with his toes that this sudden impeachment was definitely related to offending Lily!

So when May Parker started making a fuss, Governor Yale's pent-up anger and fear exploded all over her: "You ignorant woman, what are you shouting about! You're just a village wench, and you think just because your father once saved me you can boss me around? Who do you think you are!"

May Parker was stunned. How had Governor Yale's attitude toward her done a complete one-eighty in just a few days?

"U-Uncle Yale, I... I'd never dare to boss you around," May Parker stammered, quickly trying to appease him when she saw his anger.

"Who's your Uncle Yale? Don't try to claim kinship!" Governor Yale snapped, pointing angrily at May Parker. "You're just a village woman—when you see an official, you should kneel and pay your respects!"

Governor Yale was a second-rank official, and his authority was overwhelming. His anger made May Parker's legs go weak; she hurriedly knelt and pleaded, "Lord Yale, please don't be angry! I'm just a country woman and don't know the rules—please don't hold it against me."

Governor Yale was fuming like a volcano ready to erupt. Even after scolding May Parker thoroughly, he still wasn't satisfied. He called for his secretary: "Go, bring me the list of scholars! I'm striking off the name of Su Shimao! Strike it off!"