Exhausted in Body and Mind

"Butler Xiao Yuan is drunk!"

The young servants at Fourth Uncle's house hurriedly carried Yuan Yu back to his room to rest.

The banquet lasted until very late, and Bai Lu drank quite a bit, yet her face was pale as death.

On the way back, Su Li deliberately kept her distance from the others, linking arms with Bai Lu and giving her a meaningful look.

"Bai Lu, I know you understand his feelings," Su Li said, looking at Bai Lu with deep sympathy.

Bai Lu was outstanding in looks, ability, and character, truly a perfect match for Yuan Yu, but sadly...

Bai Lu bit her lip, her face growing even paler. "Madam, I... I don't want to marry. I just want to stay by your side forever and help you manage the business."

"Sigh..." Su Li sighed, holding Bai Lu's hand. "If it were any other man, I wouldn't advise you this way. But Butler Xiao Yuan... Bai Lu, he's different. When you jumped into the river, he was the one who pulled you out and took you home. He's the one who avenged you. He knows everything, yet he's still devoted to you. You should know, what matters to him is you, not the past."

"I... I know, I know all of it..." Bai Lu exhaled deeply, her face showing a tragic expression as if the emotions she had suppressed for a long time were finally released. She said faintly, "I've always known his feelings for me, always understood. Brother Yuan Yu is so good-looking, gentle, with a great temper, impeccable in manners, and the right hand of Fourth Master. But the better he is, the more I feel he deserves a more outstanding woman. And I am not that person."

Su Li said, "Why do you think you're not good enough? I think you two are very compatible. He has feelings for you, you have feelings for him, you match in status and family background. If you could be together, it would be wonderful."

Bai Lu's eyes stung, tears welled up instantly. She bit her lip hard and squeezed out a few words through her teeth, "...But I... I'm not pure!"

After saying that, Bai Lu let go of Su Li's hand and ran home in one breath.

Su Li sighed as she watched Bai Lu's back. The importance of chastity was deeply ingrained in women of this era. For Bai Lu to not have committed suicide after what happened was already very brave and resilient. But for a woman born and raised in this feudal society to overcome this hurdle was extremely difficult.

The hardest thing for a person to change is the beliefs rooted in their heart since childhood.

Su Li understood Bai Lu, but precisely because she understood, she felt even more sorrowful.

Clearly, it was a perfect match, sigh...

A wave of exhaustion and helplessness welled up from the bottom of Su Li's heart, making her feel completely drained.

Entering the house, Madam Wang, unaware of Su Li's thoughts, happily walked over and said, "A Li, what kind of girl do you think would be good for Shi Rong? And Yuan Yu, both boys are good, I must inquire well with the matchmakers."

Su Li rubbed her forehead, feeling a bit headache, and said, "Mother, regarding marriage matters, it's better to ask what kind of girls they like first. Otherwise, if you choose a girl they don't like, wouldn't that make them a resentful couple?"

Madam Wang nodded, "A Li makes a good point. Tomorrow I will ask them what kind of girls they like. A Li, you should also keep an eye out for them, especially Shi Rong. He's your brother, so you, as his sister, should care."

"Mother, I know. I'm exhausted and need to rest early. I still have to go to the Vegetarian Bistro tomorrow," Su Li said. When she turned around, she saw Bai Lu standing far away under the corridor, her expression sorrowful, with two tear streaks on her face, evidence of crying.