Li Yue Shu caressed the smooth bracelet, a dark hue in her eyes.
As the female lead of the novel, Li Xiang Ru was inherently kind and benevolent, which was why their sisterly relationship was so good in the beginning.
Even when their parents were biased, Li Xiang Ru would take on the responsibility of an older sister and share her good things with the original body.
However, as time passed, she seemed to have been subtly influenced by her parents' attitudes and became increasingly accustomed to the original body's misfortunes.
The reason their parents had decided to sell the original body to the Shen family was because Li Xiang Ru had said, "Both my sister and I are of marriageable age. The dowry needs to be prepared for two sets."
Regardless of whether she said this intentionally or unintentionally, her sister's tragic fate was inextricably linked to her.
Li Yue Shu looked up at the somewhat dazed Li Xiang Ru before her, her expression as cold as ice.
"Sister, from now on, we will live our own lives. If we have the chance to meet again in the future, I hope you will remember the sisterly affection we once shared."
Because of the four children, she and Li Xiang Ru might have to become opposing sides, and then, the already scarce sisterly affection would likely completely disappear.
But Li Xiang Ru was unaware of this. Hearing these words, she felt inexplicably sad.
When she was very, very young, Li Yue Shu always liked to follow behind her, timidly calling her "Sister."
But from some point onwards, their relationship had gradually become estranged.
Li Xiang Ru lowered her gaze.
Never mind. In the end, she was the one who had wronged her. Now that she was married, her life would likely be spent in nearby prefectures. She would certainly not travel to the distant Chong Zhou, so why should she worry so much?
Li Xiang Ru collected herself, closed the box on the table, and pushed it towards Li Yue Shu. "I still need to go home and prepare for my departure back to Chong Zhou tomorrow. I won't disturb you any longer, sister."
Li Yue Shu did not refuse. She even got up and saw her to the door.
Although their sisterly affection was no longer there, if the children could escape the plot and not become villains, she would be happy to have a harmonious relationship with Li Xiang Ru, the female lead blessed with good fortune.
Assisted by Huai Er, Li Xiang Ru boarded the carriage. Before entering, she looked back at the courtyard and her gaze fell upon Mo Lian, who was standing with Shen Yi Min not far away.
She pursed her lips and said nothing, then got into the carriage.
In her past life, she had heard that the Prime Minister Mo was a gentleman who repaid kindness. It was said that an old man, seeing the weeds growing around his mother's grave and no one to worship her, took pity and helped to clear the grass. In return, he helped the old man's son enter officialdom, and he rose to the position of a minister.
She had saved his mother's life, and he would surely remember this kindness.
In her past life, she had been confined to the Second Prince's manor for most of the time and did not know if Mo Lian had sided with any of the princes in their struggles.
But with this favor, even if they became enemies, she would have a greater chance of winning.
Li Yue Shu noticed her expression and followed her gaze to Mo Lian, her brow furrowing.
Had she not given up on Mo Lian yet?
As Li Xiang Ru's carriage gradually moved away, Li Yue Shu fell into her own thoughts.
She remembered that in the original book, it was mentioned that Li Xiang Ru had returned to Tong Mu County once after following the Second Prince to Chong Zhou.
But this was her second return, wasn't it?
Li Xiang Ru said she had returned because their father was injured, but this plot point was not in the original book. Had something happened that changed the original story?
As she was thinking, the person beside her suddenly called out, "A Shu."
Li Yue Shu subconsciously turned her head, her eyes meeting a pair of deep, star-like eyes.
Qin Mo Yuan's eyes were filled with concern. He gently reached out and stroked her head. "From now on, we are your family."
The gentle gesture and intimate tone seemed to touch something in Li Yue Shu's heart.
She stared blankly at the person before her, her breath catching for a moment.
After recovering, she quickly dodged Qin Mo Yuan's hand, her ears turning pink. "You've already been divorced. Who is your family?"
After speaking, she ran back into the courtyard without looking at Qin Mo Yuan.
Qin Mo Yuan looked at his palm, which seemed to still retain a soft touch.
The corners of his mouth curved upwards, and his eyes were filled with tenderness.
...
Mother Mo came out of the kitchen with a kettle and almost bumped into Li Yue Shu, who was running towards her with her head down.
Seeing her flushed cheeks, Mother Mo could not help but ask, "Madam, what's wrong? Why are your cheeks so red?"
Li Yue Shu touched her cheek, her eyes flickering. "No... it's too hot today. I sat in the courtyard for too long just now."
Mother Mo did not suspect anything. Thinking of Li Xiang Ru from earlier, she asked, "Madam, was there something your sister came for today?"
Li Yue Shu quickly suppressed the heat on her face. "She's leaving for Chong Zhou tomorrow and came to say goodbye."
Upon hearing this, Mother Mo frowned slightly. After a moment of hesitation, she mentioned the matter of Li Xiang Ru saving her life.
Because Li Yue Shu and Qin Mo Yuan had returned with injuries, and coupled with Shen Ting Yi's incident, she had almost forgotten about it. It was only when Li Xiang Ru visited today that she suddenly remembered.
Li Yue Shu's expression changed. She suddenly recalled the look Li Xiang Ru had given Mo Lian as she left.
Her hands clenched involuntarily, and she turned to look at Mo Lian, who was talking to Shen Yi Min.
"Does A Lian know about this?"
Mother Mo nodded. Noticing her slightly off-color, she felt a sense of confusion.
Mo Lian, not far away, met Li Yue Shu's complicated gaze. He said something to Shen Yi Min and then walked over.
"Madam."
Mo Lian's demeanor was no different from usual, still a mixture of trust and dependence with a hint of respect.
Li Yue Shu did not want to ask, but looking at the young man who exuded composure and restraint in his every movement, she hesitated for a moment before speaking. "A Lian, I heard my sister saved your mother before. Do you know about this?"
"I know." Mo Lian nodded honestly, unsure why she was asking.
Li Yue Shu pursed her lips, her expression somewhat unusual. "What do you think about this matter?"
This question confused Mo Lian. He hesitated slightly before replying, "She saved my mother's life. I will never forget this kindness. If I have the opportunity, I will surely repay her."
Although she had already expected the answer, Li Yue Shu's heart skipped a beat upon hearing him say this.
In the original book, Mo Lian was a gentleman who repaid kindness. Because Li Xiang Ru had buried his mother for him, he had risked his own career years later to help her and the Crown Prince seize the throne.
But she had clearly saved Mother Mo and severed their chance of meeting. Why would Mo Lian still owe Li Xiang Ru a debt of gratitude?
In an instant, Li Yue Shu had a bizarre guess.
Was Li Xiang Ru's return to Tong Mu County this time a plot correction, allowing her to reconnect with Mo Lian?
At this moment, Li Yue Shu felt a sense of crisis unlike anything before.
She had tried so hard, yet A Yi was still involved with the Poison King of Pang Shan, and Mo Lian still owed Li Xiang Ru a debt of gratitude because of his mother...
Had all her efforts been in vain against the plot?