Chapter 168: Chapter 168: Too Embarrassed to Lift Her Head

“I’ve already sent a letter, and this morning I asked Yu Lu to entrust it to Housekeeper Zhou to send out,” Yan Liqing said softly.

“If I hadn’t asked, were you planning to keep it from me?” Yan Sikang asked.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t approve…” Yan Liqing replied, lowering her head.

Yan Sikang sighed, “It’s my failure as a brother, letting you handle things on your own without daring to tell me.”

“It’s not that,” Yan Liqing quickly said, “Please don’t think that way, brother.”

Yan Sikang shook his head, “Back home in Jinzhou, we barely spent time together. I was focused on my studies, paying little attention to family matters, leaving you to bear all the pressure.”

“At home, I only had a vague idea of what our mother was up to; you understood her far better.”

Yan Liqing said, “Actually, I don’t know much either, only that mother’s actions were foolish, which is why grandmother took back her authority to manage the household. Since childhood, I was raised under grandmother’s watch, so I wasn’t close to mother. However, compared to you, I did spend more time with her. But back home in Jinzhou, with grandmother watching, even if mother muddled things, she didn’t dare get too unruly.”

“Now, being away, without restraints, I finally understand why grandmother initially took the power away from mother. If she hadn’t been truly inappropriate, grandmother wouldn’t have done so.”

“Exactly,” Yan Sikang said, “I also agree that mother should return to Jinzhou. Otherwise, if this continues, it will only further estrange our relationship with the Fu family.”

“Families are supposed to support each other, but if mother causes a rift between our families, it truly would be regrettable,” Yan Sikang continued, “Although you’ve already written to the family, I’ll write a letter too. If father receives letters from both of us, he’ll naturally realize the gravity of the situation.”

Hearing this made a lot of sense to Yan Liqing, who apologized, “I’ll make sure to discuss any matters with you in the future.”

Yan Sikang nodded with a smile, “That’s how it should be. As siblings, we ought to support each other.”

However, even for close siblings, once they’re grown, it’s not appropriate for Yan Sikang to linger too long in Yan Liqing’s room, so he said, “I’ll take my leave. If you need anything, feel free to send someone to find me. Especially if mother comes to trouble you again with nonsense…”

He paused, realizing that in such situations, Yan Liqing wouldn’t be able to send for him in front of Mrs. Yan, so he instructed Yu Lu, “If Madam Yan makes things difficult for Miss Yan again, come find me. You don’t need your young lady’s permission. With mother present, she can’t say anything to you anyway.”

Yu Lu looked toward Yan Liqing, saw her nod, and quickly said, “Yes.”

Yu Lu sighed in relief, believing that the young lady’s days might finally get a bit easier.

Regardless, Mrs. Yan didn’t dare overstep her bounds with Yan Sikang.

As expected, it wasn’t long before Mrs. Yan came looking for Yan Liqing.

Seeing that Yan Liqing was truly unwell and not just avoiding visiting the Marquis Mansion, she advised her a bit to rest well and recuperate, then left.

Who would’ve thought that in the afternoon, Xiao Yingyue would actually come over.

“Today I received a message from a servant of your house, saying your cousin is ill, so I came to check on her,” Xiao Yingyue said to Fu Shinian.

“You came specially for this, it’s bound to make my cousin feel uneasy,” Fu Shinian said.

Fu Shinian then led Xiao Yingyue to Yan Liqing’s courtyard.

To prevent Yan Liqing from feeling bored, Fu Mingzhu brought beads for her to string together.

As Fu Shinian and Xiao Yingyue entered, they saw Fu Mingzhu stringing beads, while Yan Liqing was embroidering a sachet.

Indeed, knowing Xiao Yingyue had come specifically to see her, Yan Liqing felt genuinely embarrassed.

“You embroider so well, I can’t do it at all,” Xiao Yingyue said, her gaze falling on the sachet Yan Liqing was working on. “My embroidery is all crooked and practically unpresentable.”

“Neither can I,” Fu Mingzhu laughed, “That’s why I brought beads to string together, planning to make some bracelets for fun. Liqing is skilled at embroidery and said she’d make us sachets.”

“The color pairings of these bracelets are beautiful,” Xiao Yingyue remarked.

“I’m planning to make them for Shinian and Liqing, so we can wear them together. If you like, I’ll make you one too,” Fu Mingzhu said with a smile.

“That would be wonderful,” Xiao Yingyue didn’t refuse, “Wearing them out will surely show everyone how close we are.”

Yan Liqing hadn’t anticipated Xiao Yingyue being so lively and unpretentious.

“Miss Yan is unwell, she likely won’t be able to visit the Marquis Mansion for a few days,” Xiao Yingyue said, “How about once Miss Yan recovers, we go horseback riding together?”

“You’re thinking just like Shinian,” Fu Mingzhu said, “Shinian also mentioned that once cousin recovers, we should go riding.”

“That’s great, I’ll make arrangements,” Xiao Yingyue said.

Before Fu Shinian could say anything, Yan Liqing, unaware that Xiao Yingyue and Xiao Chengyu were conspiring about Fu Shinian, accepted with a smile.

Seeing Fu Shinian dazed, Fu Mingzhu couldn’t help but laugh, lowering her head to hide it.

“Once you’re well, you must let me know immediately.”

Despite this, Xiao Yingyue continued to visit the Fu Mansion frequently over the next few days.

On the fifth day, Xiao Yingyue came by just as Yan Liqing had recovered from her illness.

Xiao Yingyue then eagerly discussed going horseback riding the day after tomorrow.

While they were chatting, Mrs. Yan suddenly came in.

Over these days, with Xiao Yingyue frequently visiting the mansion, Mrs. Yan initially maintained her composure, thinking that as the elder, even if Xiao Yingyue was a princess, she should see the elders during her visits to the Fu Mansion.

However, she didn’t realize that Xiao Yingyue was already familiar with the Fu family and didn’t stand on ceremony upon arrival.

Moreover, with Fu Shinian and Fu Mingzhu intentionally or otherwise keeping her away, Xiao Yingyue never actually met Mrs. Yan.

Yan Liqing also didn’t want Xiao Yingyue to meet Mrs. Yan, and Madam Fu consistently diverted Mrs. Yan’s attention on the other side.

Thus, Mrs. Yan hadn’t had the chance to meet Xiao Yingyue.

Finally, discerning something amiss, Mrs. Yan, despite Madam Fu’s attempts, insisted on seeing Xiao Yingyue.

Entering Yan Liqing’s room, she indeed saw Xiao Yingyue laughing with everyone.

“Madam,” Yu Lu called out upon seeing Mrs. Yan.

Mrs. Yan entered with a smile, “Is this Princess Pingning?”

Xiao Yingyue looked at Mrs. Yan in surprise, while Yan Liqing blushed and introduced, “This is my mother.”

Mrs. Yan scolded Yan Liqing with a smile, “The princess came over, and you didn’t inform me, making me so impolite.”

Familiar with such situations since childhood, Xiao Yingyue immediately recognized the type of person Mrs. Yan was.

She couldn’t help but glance at Yan Liqing.

Yan Liqing was already too embarrassed to raise her head.

Understanding this, Xiao Yingyue said, “I’m good friends with Shinian and often come to the mansion. I don’t always see Madam Fu each time, so no need for formalities, madam.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep