Having lived two lifetimes, although Li Ying's body was already Mianmian's mother, it was still the first time in her life to discuss marriage with the person she truly loved.
Besides the joy, she also felt a bit of uneasiness.
There were still several months to go before their wedding.
Considering her status, Li Ying didn't want to make a big fuss. But Lu Xunguang insisted on giving her a grand wedding with miles of red bridal decorations.
Li Ying knew he didn't want to treat her badly, so she obediently agreed.
According to the custom, the wedding dress on the wedding day should be embroidered stitch by stitch by the bride herself.
Although Li Ying considered herself quite dexterous, she was not really good at needlework.
The aunts and sisters - in - law in the village were usually rather slovenly, and their needlework was not necessarily much better than hers.
Lu Xunguang waved his hand and said that they could just leave it to the embroiderers in the Lu family's silk shop.
But Li Ying was rarely stubborn and shook her head.
Embroidery the wedding dress by herself, sewing all the tender feelings into the red silk. Every stitch and thread was like the continuous affection between husband and wife in the future, living in harmony until their hair turned white.
There had always been such sayings and customs in the fishing village. Even a clumsy woman would surely do it by herself.
Hearing Li Ying's words, Lu Xunguang couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.
"A Ying, you used to regard all these auspicious omens as some 'consumerist traps'. Why are you so taken in now that it's your turn?"
Li Ying detected the teasing in his tone. She let out a coquettish sound and then put on a serious look.
"Of course I know these are just sayings and may not be true."
"But if it's you, Lu Lang, even a saying that a three - year - old child wouldn't believe, I'm willing to do my best for it."
Li Ying spoke softly, but her eyes were extremely determined. Lu Xunguang's heart skipped a beat, and he pulled her tightly into his arms.
"You two are really deeply in love, like a couple of immortals. It makes one so envious!"
Just as they were deeply in love, they heard a charming laugh from outside the door.
Li Ying raised her eyebrows and knew what was going on.
Calculating the days, Qingliu must have received the reply from Imperial Commissioner Lin sent from the capital.
She had long guessed that Qingliu's obedient hiding wouldn't last long. Sure enough, this uninvited guest had come.
"Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, Boss Li. Qingliu has nothing to offer. Just now I heard that you were troubled by the embroidery of the wedding dress. How about leaving this matter to me?"
"It's not that Qingliu is boasting. My needlework is among the best among my sisters. As long as Boss Li doesn't mind, Qingliu will do her best and teach you all I've learned in my life. It can also be a way to repay Boss Li for taking me in. What do you think?"
Qingliu spoke in a charming voice. As if afraid that Li Ying wouldn't believe her, she took out a silk handkerchief from her bosom. Embroidered on it were peonies and mandarin ducks.
The embroidery thread glistened with a faint silk sheen and was scented with storax. It was really exquisite.
Li Ying sneered inwardly when she saw Qingliu deliberately casting glances at Lu Xunguang.
Her Lu Lang would never be tempted by such vulgar flirting.
Seeing that neither of them spoke, Qingliu looked a bit embarrassed. She put away the silk handkerchief and became more cautious in her posture, with a bit of awkward restraint.
"It was Qingliu who said the wrong thing... Qingliu knows her lowly birth. On Boss Li's big happy day, I really shouldn't have popped up and spoiled the fun..."
She hung her head, with a few strands of hair loose. There were glistening tears in her eyes, looking truly delicate and pitiful.
Li Ying smiled faintly and turned to look at Lu Xunguang.
Lu Xunguang frowned and said in a deep voice, "Since A Ying has taken you in, she surely doesn't look down on you at all. It's your self - assertion that makes people unhappy."
Not wanting to say more, he then looked at Li Ying and said, "A Ying, if you really insist on embroidering this wedding dress by yourself, since there are no embroiderers in the village to guide you, it's not a bad idea to ask this young lady for advice."
Li Ying remained calm.
Lu Xunguang added, "Don't overwork yourself. It's not good if you hurt your eyes."
Li Ying smiled gently and told him not to worry.
Only then did Qingliu look up in surprise. She kept thanking them in a flurry, bowed deeply to Li Ying, and when she turned to look at Lu Xunguang again, her eyes turned red involuntarily.
"Thank you, Master Lu, for your advice. Qingliu has learned!"
She knew when to stop. After bowing to them again, she didn't bother them anymore. She walked away lightly.
It didn't take long for this matter to reach A Man's ears.
"Sister! Are you crazy!"
"Lu Xunguang must have taken the wrong medicine too! With those big eyes, is he just a lantern? He has no brains at all! Even I, A Man, can see that Qingliu is a restless woman. She clearly has her eye on Lu Xunguang's good looks. Her cheap bones are itching again, and she's deliberately trying to seduce him!"
"Sister! You haven't married into the Lu family yet. You don't have to always look at his face! I know you surely won't listen to Qingliu's so - called advice! Sister, as long as you don't want to, no matter what Lu Xunguang means, we can just sweep her out! Aunt and I, A Man, will be your backing!"
The little girl scolded Lu Xunguang mercilessly like a machine - gun. She thought her sister endured the grievance because she regarded her husband as the sky and was about to get justice for her angrily.
Li Ying poured her a cup of hot tea with a smile.
"You're going to take charge of the entire Xikang Hu tribe in the future. Why are you still so reckless all day long? How can I, your sister, rest assured?"
She was neither angry nor happy. Only then did A Man realize that maybe she was too worried and looked a bit embarrassed.
"Sister, are you giving in on purpose to expose your weakness to Qingliu?"
She was quick - witted. Li Ying just smiled without saying a word.
Only then did A Man calm down a bit. But then she frowned tightly again.
"Sister, have you discussed this matter with Brother - in - law Lu? Do you both have a plan in mind?"
Seeing that Li Ying didn't answer, A Man became even more worried.
"Sister! I heard from the aunts in the village that men are always fickle and lustful! Although Brother - in - law Lu has deep feelings for you, if Qingliu keeps acting like a coquette and being submissive, there's no guarantee that Brother - in - law Lu won't waver! You didn't see the cheap way she flirted with the men in the village!"
A Man tried hard to persuade Li Ying not to take risks.
But Li Ying just smiled indifferently.
Having lived two lifetimes, how could she not know that the human heart was the most unpredictable?
But if it was Lu Xunguang, she believed. She believed without a doubt.