Every day, Jiang Zhe busied himself following behind Father Jiang from morning till night.
When Li Cai Wei didn"t see him for a half a month consecutively, she breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, at the same time also feeling a faint sense of disappointment and self-ridicule.
What happened that night was way too embarra.s.sing; for her to not meet Jiang Zhe now can also be considered a good thing.
Perhaps in his heart, he has already labelled her as a frivolous woman.
Li Cai Wei was immersed in her thoughts. As she was distracted by her thoughts, she did not pay attention and the needle p.r.i.c.ked her fingertip, drawing blood.
Cui Xi hurried to get gauze to dress her wound, nagging, “Young Mistress, you can leave these clothes to us servants. You don"t have to do so much.”
Li Cai Wei: “It"s just something I picked up to occupy my time.”
Cui Xi sighed: “Eldest Young Master was really too busy these days, if not he could still bring Young Mistress out to play.”
Li Cai Wei smiled and did not speak. Her heart was clear that based on Jiang Zhe"s past behaviour, he would definitely not be willing to bring her out.
She looked down at the embroidered shoes on her feet and had to admit that they did not look as good as high heels.
And she, she can"t afford high heels.
If it was said out loud, everyone would probably laugh. How could the Jiang family"s Young Mistress be unable to afford even a pair of shoes? But the reality was as such.
Her father-in-law was busy with the business, her mother-in-law guarded against her like she was a thief, and her husband? Her husband probably spurns her existence deep down in his heart.
Why was she so muddle-headed that night?
Li Cai Wei rubbed her forehead in annoyance. Cui Xi was puzzled, but she still remembered to stop her, “Young Mistress, what are you doing? Are you feeling dizzy?”
Li Cai Wei: “It"s nothing.”
Cui Xi carefully looked at her, determining the Young Mistress was really okay, before she relaxed. She picked up the needlework beside her and continued to sew.
Li Cai Wei gave a few words of advice from time to time, “If you want to sew it here, why not embroider an orchid? It complements the colour of the clothes, and also gives it a refreshing new style, such that it can be worn as new set of clothes.”
Cui Xi: “Yes, why didn"t I think of it? Sure enough, Young Mistress knows best. When I finish sewing the clothes and bring it home, Que"er that brat will be so happy. Young Mistress, you are so talented. The Eldest Young Master marrying you was really a blessing to the Jiang family.”
Cui Xi was a girl p.r.o.ne to talking. Li Cai Wei hadn"t had any thoughts of dismissing her ever since she decided to groom her to stay by her side.
Looking back now, her original decision was correct.
It"s just that Cui Xi has suffered, following her, a Young Mistress with no future.
Cui Xi was still talking on non-stop. Li Cai Wei looked at her mouth still moving, her thoughts unknowingly drifting again.
Back then, when the Li family had not yet fallen, she was still a carefree Eldest Miss of the Li family. One day, she brought her younger brother out to play, but accidentally got her purse stolen.
Fortunately, a valiant young man helped her. She remembered that the sun on that day was just right and the breeze was not dry. He strode toward her one step at a time, the golden sunlight bathing his body in a soft glow, softening his face.
He said: “Lady, your purse.”
There was no smile on his face, and his brow was even slightly wrinkled. But towards that pair of calm eyes, her heart thumped, and she didn"t even dare to look at him. When she raised her head again, all she saw was his handsome back.
After returning home, she asked people to investigate, and found out that the man was actually the Jiang family"s eldest son.
Later on, when her father asked if she would be willing to marry into the Jiang family, she agreed without hesitation.
Unfortunately, the Li family fell too fast. Before she returned to her senses, her father had already hung himself, her mother followed in grief, and her younger brother matured overnight.
With their past days of glory shattered, they couldn"t even afford their parents funeral expenses.
Fortunately, Father Jiang kept his promise. He did not destroy the marriage, and gave timely support, allowing them to conduct a decent funeral for their parents.
To repay the kindness, and to continue her younger brother"s studies, she married into the Jiang family within a hundred days despite people"s criticisms*.
However, after she married into the Jiang family, it was not as beautiful as she thought. The man was not a harbour that could shelter her from the harsh winds and cold rain.
…………
Li Cai Wei took back her thoughts of running away, picking up the needle again.
No matter how many unrealistic fantasies she had previously, it had all become nothing now.
It was better to face reality.
The sharp needle pierced the cloth, mending a torn area in two to three st.i.tches.
Cui Xi took a look, stroking the st.i.tches, and praised sincerely, “Young Mistress, this st.i.tch is really exquisite. Your craft is really good.”
Li Cai Wei: “It"s nothing.”
Cui Xi: “Young Mistress, you can"t say that. Such excellent needlework cannot be achieved by just anyone.”
The two of them chatted one-sidedly, when someone came to pa.s.s a message, “Young Mistress, Young Mistress, your younger brother came. He"s waiting in the main hall.”
Li Cai Wei looked up suddenly: “What did you say?”
"Young Mistress, your brother is here, waiting in the main hall.”
Li Cai Wei felt that she was hearing things. Only when Cui Xi pulled on her, did she rush out.
In the main hall, Shui Gen was serving tea and pastries, showing warm hospitality.
Li Ming was a bit uncomfortable. “Brother Shui Gen, you don"t have to do this. I"m only here to visit my sister.”
Shui Gen: “Sir Li, don"t put this servant in a spot. The Eldest Young Master gave instructions to serve you well. If he knew I slighted you in any way, he will be mad with me.”
Li Ming: “But…”
Shui Gen: “Sir Li, don"t protest. I"ve already gotten people to pa.s.s on the message. The Young Mistress will be here shortly.”
Li Ming: “……Alright.”
The two men waited for a few minutes before Li Cai Wei came over. She had run all the way, her hair messily blown by the wind. When she saw the boy in the main hall, her eyes turned red.
She ran over excitedly and hugged Li Ming: “A"Di, are you okay?”
Li Ming nodded and smiled: “I"m doing good, sis.”
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*Chinese culture has it that you are supposed to observe a period of mourning for your loved ones who pa.s.sed away. It is likely that the criticism she attracted has both to do with marrying up the social ladder, as well as having a happy occasion despite only burying her parents a few months ago.