Chapter 235 I Don’t Want to Run Away
“Miss, here is an invitation from the Ling Mansion.”
Mammy Li brought an envelope from outside which was drawn with many flowers. Su Li felt strange. How could Ling Li contact her so boldly, and use this garish envelope.
What the h.e.l.l was he doing?
She opened the envelope, and saw the letter was signed by Qiu Meng. Suddenly, she understood.
“Little Li, the New Year is coming, and the plum trees begin to blossom. I cooked some dishes, but still felt lonely. Could you please come to accompany me and appreciate the beautiful scenery?”
Knowing it was not Ling Li, she relieved. She was very good at cooking and treating. That’s why Qiu Meng asked her for help.
But Qiu Meng was busy settling the accounts for the Ling Mansion. Why did she still have time to cook dishes?
“Miss, the servant from the Ling Mansion are waiting outside. How to reply?”
Mammy Li asked anxiously. She was old enough and had no children. She regarded Su Li as her child, so, she was worried about her marriage.
Lord Rui’s Mansion was in equal status with the Ling General’s Mansion. The general was powerful and kind, but she never heard that he wanted to marry. The Third Master was a playboy. Miss Su Li couldn’t marry him.
When Su Li looked up, she saw Mammy Li murmured. She shook her head, closing the envelope and giving it to her, and said, “Tell the servant that I will go and enhance my cooking skills under the directions of Madam Qiu.”
Mammy Li saw the name, and smiled embarra.s.sedly. She was oversensitive.
In the Ling General’s Mansion, Qiu Meng was extremely happy when she got the reply. She took the invitation and walked to the backyard.
In the backyard, there was a little prayer room. All the people in the Ling Family who were killed in battles were set memorial tablets there. Ms. Gu almost stayed here every day, just for inner peace.
“I killed many people in my whole life. I beg you, not for a peaceful death in my old age, not for an excellent life after death, but for my future generations. Please bless them not being invaded by the evil…”
She twirled the beads, closing her eyes, as if she was integrated herself into the Buddha statue and became a peaceful Buddha herself.
“Mom, are you there?”
It was Qiu Meng. Ms. Gu finished her last prayer, putting down the beads and standing up slowly. Then, she picked up her crutch, pus.h.i.+ng the door and coming out. With a serious expression and stable voice, she asked,
“Meng, what happened? You interrupt me, and I know it must be an important thing, so, I came out in a hurry.”
“Mom, good news.”
Qiu Meng told her the whole thing, and showed her the invitation.
Ms. Gu kept silent, suddenly she beamed with a smile. “Su Li is a good girl. We should try our best to treat her well. Li must treat her sincerely. If Su Li is unwilling, we also should not force her.”
“You’re right! But…”
Qiu Meng hesitated, “Li finally had a thought of changing himself and returning to the right path…”
“Even so, we can’t make use of the innocent girl!”
Ms. Gu tapped the floor with her stick. Her turbid eyes were full of brightness to see through the world. “Meng, I know you are eager, so am I. But… More haste, less speed.”
Ms. Gu walked along the corridor with her cane, and Qiu Meng held her arms and followed.
“For several years, the Ling Family has been supported by Ping alone. He has sheltered us from troubles. Li is still a descendant of our Ling Family, and even though his legs were broken, he should know his responsibility! If he only knows to be greedy for enjoyment and beauties under the protection of Ling Ping instead of being sincere, it’s our duty not to hurt Su Li, do you know?”
“I can tell that he’s serious this time.”
Qiu Meng could not help but retort, but Ms. Gu laughed, “He is only 17 years old. The most frequent thing he has done in the past ten years is to take the little fatty of the Tang Family to the entertainment alley. If his father was still alive, he would have broken his legs!”
Qiu Meng kept silent. Seeing that she was a little embarra.s.sed, Ms. Gu continued but didn’t expose too much, “It can’t be taken seriously because the young man is headstrong, especially Ling Li. He is full of tricks. The Ling Family has been faithful and virtuous from generation to generation. If Ling Li can’t promise loyalty to Su Li, we must not be humiliated in this matter! But…”
At the moment, Ms. Gu took the invitation from the hand of Qiu Meng and said with a slight smile, “You’ve done without asking my opinion. Since the girl is coming, it’s better to see if they are predestined.”
Qiu Meng opened her eyes wide, “You… Do you agree?”
“When did I say no?”
Mrs. Gu smiled, “But it must be dealt carefully. Whether the girl is a princess or not, it depends on her own, you know?”
“I know.” Qiu Meng nodded and looked at Mrs. Gu longingly.
Mrs. Gu shook her head and laughed, “I’m old. I’m afraid I can’t even knead the dough. But our Gu Family used to have a snack shop. The secret formula is still saved. Follow me and take it.”
Qiu Meng’s eyes were brightened, and she was dainty and said with a smile, “I liked snacks of the Gu Family very much when I was a child!”
Mrs. Gu scoffed, “We didn’t make any progress in the matter of Su Li and Ling Li. And you just want her to make snacks for you?”
“It’s said that Su Li’s craftsmans.h.i.+p is superb. If the shop of the Gu Family wasn’t closed, if I had given her the snack formula, maybe I could still have a taste of the snacks in those years.”
“You are a mother of two grown sons, are you not afraid of being laughed in such a manner?”
“I’m the First-Grade Madam granted by the imperial court. Who dares to laugh at me?”
Qiu Meng was very proud. Ms. Gu laughed and shook her head without saying a word. Her eyes flashed with love for her daughter-in-law. She treated her as her daughter, and she was reluctant to say anything bad about her.
At this moment, in the east courtyard of the Ling Mansion, Ling Li was shocked to stand up from the wheelchair by Ling Xian’s news. “What? My mother invited Su Li to come home directly?!”
A hint of weirdness flashed through Ling Xian’s eyes, and she gently nodded, “Madam has gone to talk to the old lady and she would make snacks with Miss Su Li.”
Ling Li suddenly got toothache. What was his mother’s purpose?
Be frank?
No, no, no! This was absolutely impossible. He was not ready yet!
Although he didn’t know how to prepare.
“If you feel tedious, it’s better to stay in the east courtyard.”
Ling Xian’s proposal made Ling Li more upset. He didn’t tell anyone about going to see Qiu Meng alone. Of course, he was not going to tell anyone about that for the moment, but…
“I don’t want to run away!”
Ling Li said in a low voice and his firm att.i.tude frightened Ling Xian.