Li Yue Shu’s complexion shifted, and Mo Lian and his mother naturally noticed.
Mo’s mother hurried forward to support her, asking with concern, “Madam…”
Li Yue Shu came back to her senses and gently shook her head.
She looked at Mo Lian, her expression somewhat serious, “Ah Lian, if one day, I and Li Xiang Ru become enemies, who will you choose to help?”
The question seemed to stun Mo Lian. He looked at her blankly, taking a long moment to respond.
Mo’s mother was the first to break the silence. “Why are you so certain that you will become enemies with her?”
Li Yue Shu turned to look at her, her expression stirring slightly. “I’ve always known.”
Truth be told, she hadn’t wanted to be enemies with Li Xiang Ru in the beginning.
Her initial goal was merely to whitewash her image in the eyes of the four children, ensuring they wouldn’t seek revenge when they grew up.
Later, as they spent more time together, she became concerned about the children’s future, which led her to instinctively want to plan more for them.
Li Yue Shu didn’t explicitly state it, but Mo’s mother suddenly thought of her magical space and felt a sense of sudden realization.
Madam must be an immortal from the heavens, thus knowing future events!
Mo’s mother glanced at her son, then back at Li Yue Shu, and said with unwavering conviction, “No matter when or where, I will always stand by Madam’s side.”
Mo Lian was an intelligent person, so even though he still felt somewhat bewildered, he didn’t ask further questions.
He raised his eyes to meet Li Yue Shu’s gaze, his expression firm. “No matter when or where, I will never betray Madam.”
He had his own principles. The debt of gratitude he owed Li Xiang Ru couldn’t be ignored, but for Madam, he would bet his life rather than betray her.
He didn’t say these words aloud, but Li Yue Shu could probably guess.
She wouldn’t force Mo Lian to make a promise now. After a moment of silence, she said, “The things I hate the most are deception and betrayal. If something happens that forces a difficult choice, I’d prefer to be upfront about it beforehand.”
Not far away, Qin Mo Yuan, who had been silently listening to their conversation, felt a pang in his heart.
A Shu indeed wouldn’t forgive him easily!
He looked at her, who was speaking with such seriousness to Mo Lian and his mother. Her face held an unreadable emotion, appearing like a stone statue waiting for a wife’s pity.
At the entrance of the side room, Hong Dai sat on a stool with her legs crossed, leisurely watching the scene unfold.
She hadn't expected to witness such devotion from the famous God of War of Chen Nan. This should be considered unique intelligence in the world!
Hong Dai smacked her lips, suddenly feeling like boasting to that fellow.
Even with the world’s best intelligence network, there were still things he couldn’t find out, but she could witness firsthand!
However, the thought of that fellow quickly ruined her good mood.
Even though she had sabotaged his marriage, that guy never lacked female companions. Who knew which woman he was flirting with right now!
Hong Dai suddenly felt annoyed. She stood up, kicked the stool aside, and turned to go into the room.
Although she suspected that fellow was up to no good, Hong Dai couldn’t help her curiosity and had people from Ming Yue Tower investigate his whereabouts.
The next day, when she received the letter, her face immediately turned green.
Ever since Qing Feng Guan was burned down, she had been hiding here. That guy had sent people to track her movements, but with Qin Mo Yuan’s people guarding the place, even Chi Yun Tower couldn’t find her in a short time.
Yet, that guy had searched for her for a while and then simply given up, not taking her seriously at all and not intending to continue the search!
When Li Yue Shu came to find her, Hong Dai had just finished reading the message from Ming Yue Tower.
She didn’t know what the letter said, but she angrily tore it to shreds and threw it into the chicken coop.
The oblivious chickens, thinking she was feeding them, quickly gathered to peck at the scraps.
Li Yue Shu looked at her in surprise. “What happened to make you so angry?”
Hong Dai pouted, still a little annoyed. “My attempt to sabotage the marriage wasn’t successful, and that guy’s wedding is still on.”
Li Yue Shu raised an eyebrow.
Although she didn’t know who “that guy” was, based on her understanding of Hong Dai, a wedding that even she couldn’t sabotage was likely not simple.
Li Yue Shu was curious, but seeing Hong Dai’s dejected expression, she wisely didn’t pry further.
“Sister Hong Dai, what are your plans next?”
Hong Dai lay lazily by the bed, her feet gently swinging. “Plans? I think living here is quite good.”
Li Yue Shu knew very well that she was living quite comfortably here. With Qin Mo Yuan, that gullible person, she didn’t have to worry about being found while hiding here.
She said helplessly, “After Shen Tan and the others’ birthdays, we plan to set off for Chong Zhou. Do you still intend to stay here?”
“So soon?” Hong Dai quickly sat up from the bed. “I’ll go with you!”
She knew that when Li Yue Shu left, Qin Mo Yuan, the four children, and Mo Lian and his mother would all go. Only Shen Tan and the seven of them would be left behind. There was no reason for her to stay.
Li Yue Shu had anticipated that she would join them, so she had come to talk to her about something. “Sister Hong Dai, I’d like to trouble you to go to Chong Zhou in advance and do me a favor.”
Upon hearing this, Hong Dai couldn’t help but hook her chin. “Little Yue Shu needs my help, I am naturally willing to assist.”
It was strange, their first meeting wasn’t pleasant, and their subsequent interactions were full of probing. Now, they had become friends who could help each other, and she no longer had any desire to pry into her secrets.
Li Yue Shu rubbed her chin, not disliking Hong Dai’s proximity. Then, she took out several large denomination silver notes from her space and began to discuss important matters.
…
No one else knew about their conversation. In fact, Hong Dai departed that very afternoon.
Hong Dai’s departure was ostentatious, matching her flamboyant red attire, as if she wished the entire village would come out to see her off.
She didn’t say what she was going to do, only that she had important matters to attend to, so everyone didn’t ask further.
Li Yue Shu stood at the doorway, watching her bold and unrestrained laughter, and couldn’t help but twitch her lips.
Hong Dai sat on horseback, her red robes fluttering in the wind, and with her beautiful face, she looked like a picture of a heroic and graceful beauty.
But that was her horse!
She had already agreed to cover all expenses for the journey to Chong Zhou, yet Hong Dai, claiming she was “too lazy to pick,” had dismantled her new carriage!
How many carriages had she lost now?
Headache!
Li Yue Shu felt that she might not have a fate with carriages. Perhaps she should switch back to a bullock cart?
Despite thinking this, the next morning when she went to town, she still went to the horse market.
This time, she planned to buy a cheaper one. If she lost it due to bad luck again, it wouldn’t hurt as much.
After getting a new carriage, Li Yue Shu didn’t rush home but strolled around the street.
She had already written the gift list for Shen Tan and the seven of them, so it was time to start purchasing them in advance.
Qin Mo Yuan was naturally accompanying her. However, while Li Yue Shu went into shops to buy things, he waited by the carriage.
Li Yue Shu bought quite a few items, and it took some time before she came out of the shop.
As soon as she stepped out of the shop, she saw a figure in a green long dress rush towards Qin Mo Yuan.