There was a secret in the Li family that everyone knew except Li Qiyu.
That was that everyone loved watching the way Li Qiyu and Zhou Donglin got along.
In modern terms, it was called "shipping a CP".
When Zhou Donglin came to play with Li Qiyu, Li Yuanhua would lead the way in joking about the two of them where Li Qiyu couldn't hear.
"Look, the little daughter-in-law has come knocking on our door again."
When Zhou Donglin got into trouble with Li Qiyu outside and came back bruised, Li Xiangping, their father-in-law, wasn't angry at all. Instead, he watched with a big smile as Li Qiyu and Zhou Donglin argued about who was the worse fighter and sighed, "Fighting means love, scolding means affection."
Even the servants in the Li family would sometimes bicker and discuss with me in private, "Madam, if our eldest miss and Young Master Zhou next door were to get engaged, who would send the betrothal gifts?"
"Our eldest miss is the apple of the Li family's eye. She definitely can't marry out. So, we must bring Young Master Zhou into our family."
"You're right. Anyway, Young Master Zhou is just like a little daughter-in-law, following our miss around all day, calling her 'Xiaoyu' this and 'Xiaoyu' that. He's quite happy to be that little daughter-in-law."
Unlike everyone else who watched the two of them like they were a young couple for entertainment, I was always worried about what Li Qiyu had told me. When Li Yuanhua joked about Li Qiyu and Zhou Donglin again, I couldn't help but stop him.
"If these two kids have no chance of being together, we'd better not say such things. It'll only cause more trouble."
Unexpectedly, when Li Yuanhua heard this, he glared at me and asked, "Who did you hear this from? What do you mean they have no chance?"
I never expected that Li Yuanhua, who had never raised his voice at me, would be so angry after hearing this. I always thought this was a consensus between the Li and Zhou families. It seemed that at least among the Li family, there was no such consensus yet.
I didn't dare to betray Li Qiyu, so I could only make an excuse, "The Zhou family is full of civil officials, while the Li family are military generals. If the two families were to form a marriage alliance, would the Emperor feel at ease?"
"Our Li family's marriage has nothing to do with that old emperor!" Li Yuanhua got angrier as he spoke, but there was also a hint of unwillingness in his anger.
I guessed he should know the crux of the matter. He was just feeling sorry for Li Qiyu and Zhou Donglin.
I advised him, "Keep your voice down. Be careful of eavesdroppers."
Li Yuanhua wasn't worried at all. He said, "In the Li family, everyone is a comrade who has fought side by side. No matter what we say in the Li family, they will never spread it outside."
This was probably the pride of being a member of the Li family.
Moreover, the Li family truly had the capital to be proud.
However, as he talked, Li Yuanhua couldn't help but sigh first. "Actually, my father and Zhou Donglin's father did make an agreement. The two families agreed not to fall out or form a marriage alliance."
"Yes." This was exactly what puzzled me. Since there was an agreement, why bother looking for trouble?
"But don't you think it's a pity? They say it's easy to get priceless treasures, but hard to find a loving partner. We've watched Donglin grow up. He has a good relationship with Qiyu. And I can guarantee that it would be good enough if Qiyu didn't bully Donglin. That boy Donglin would never dare to bully Qiyu."
That was true. Zhou Donglin couldn't even beat Li Qiyu.
"I just think that when you meet someone who is truly sincere to you, you should cherish them. I've discussed it with my father. As long as the Zhou family agrees, there's nothing our Li family can't do. If it's really hard to get past the Emperor, then our Li family can just quit being officials. We'll marry their Zhou family's son and find a place to live in peace."
Among the headstrong people in the Li family, Li Yuanhua was the only one who was mature, steady, and responsible. I never expected that even Li Yuanhua would say such a silly thing.
"What about the common people in the world? Will the Li family just ignore them?"
There was a moment of hesitation on Li Yuanhua's face. He stammered, "Everyone has their own selfishness. Of course, one's own younger sister is more important than outsiders."
Looking at Li Yuanhua like this, I wanted to laugh but also felt a bit touched.
Yes, Li Qiyu was the apple of everyone's eye. Who didn't like her? This was the Li family. I didn't think there was any contradiction in what they said. The Li family was just like this. They protected their own and also cared about the people in the world.
It was a pity that even though the fallen flower yearned for the flowing water and the flowing water reciprocated, it didn't necessarily mean they could have a happy ending. The Li family might be able to let go of their wealth and honor, but the Zhou family might not.
Moreover, in most cases, love was the most insignificant and sacrificial part.
I used to think that Li Yuanhua was the calmest in the Li family. Now it seemed that the calmest one was actually Li Qiyu.
She probably saw early on that she and Zhou Donglin were doomed not to be together. Even if the Li family gave up their wealth and honor, and even if they gave up the world, they might not be able to be together. So, she decisively cut off her feelings in the bud. If she didn't fall in love, she wouldn't get hurt.
How much willpower that must have taken!
In this regard, Zhou Donglin was really no match for Li Qiyu. He was simple and sincere, and would give Li Qiyu his all, but he forgot whether it would be a burden after giving.
Looking at Li Qiyu, I suddenly felt a bit sorry for her.
I couldn't help but think that if only... they weren't in this world and weren't Li Qiyu and Zhou Donglin.
They could go to a new place and start their own small life.
But these were just my fantasies. Life went on day by day. Li Qiyu's troubles remained unsolved, and now my own troubles came.
Since I accidentally had a miscarriage while managing the accounts, I hadn't been able to conceive for many years. Every time I went out, I could hear people whispering about me. The things they said were really unpleasant.
They called me a hen that couldn't lay eggs and said I was jealous. Even in this situation, I still wouldn't let my husband take concubines.
Even my parents came to persuade me.
"Daughter, the Li family has been kind to you and our family. Our Hua family can't let the Li family have no descendants. If outsiders are worried, why don't you pick a few maids from your room to be concubines? If they have children, you can raise them yourself. Isn't that the same as your own?"
Naturally, I felt sour in my heart, but I didn't know how to refute my parents. I'd been married into the family for five years. Except for the child I lost in the first year, there had been no sign of pregnancy. Although my father-in-law and husband didn't blame me, the pressure from the outside world was so great that I didn't know how much longer I could bear it.
Who would want to find women for their husband?
But...