Seeing that Lu Xunguang didn't chase after them, A Man grew even more annoyed. Her imposing manner seemed even more aggressive than if she herself had been betrayed.
She ranted at Li Ying about all of Lu Xunguang's faults in a rapid - fire manner. Tired and parched, she was just about to take a sip of tea to moisten her throat when she heard the shy and timid voice of Qing Liu coming from outside the door.
"Boss Li..."
This woman was used to being humble. Seeing her like this, A Man, whose anger had just subsided a bit, became even more furious. She threw down the teacup and was about to rush forward to drive the woman away.
"Miss A Man, I know I'm an unwelcome and insignificant spoil - sport. Today I'm here to offer my wedding congratulations to Boss Li. I just have a few words to say and then I'll leave. I won't be a nuisance!"
Qing Liu blurted out in a hurry. A Man was still about to drive her away, but Li Ying waved her hand. Although A Man was extremely dissatisfied in her heart, she still had to reluctantly shut her mouth, glaring at Qing Liu warily.
Qing Liu took two graceful steps forward. Instead of her usual coquettish and charming behavior, she politely bowed to Li Ying.
She presented a rather large box and respectfully placed it in front of Li Ying.
The red silk slipped off, and inside the box was a framed Hundred Happiness Diagram.
The large and small Chinese characters for "happiness" were embroidered with gold thread, shining brightly. On the red brocade, there were hidden patterns of the dragon and phoenix symbolizing good fortune, making it extremely festive.
Every slight turn of the Hundred Happiness Diagram in Qing Liu's hands was resplendent and very beautiful.
"Boss Li, this Hundred Happiness Diagram was embroidered by Qing Liu herself. The gold thread used was also something I had prepared for my own dowry over the years."
"Boss Li is a heroic woman among women. Qing Liu really respects you deeply and has never had the slightest intention of offending you. There is absolutely no trickery in this Hundred Happiness Diagram. It's just a little token of my affection."
She spoke sincerely. A Man laughed out of extreme anger and snorted, "What a claim of never having the slightest intention of offending! What a claim of repaying kindness! This is the first time I've heard that there's a way of repaying kindness by shamelessly stealing someone else's love!"
Qing Liu's expression remained unchanged. She ignored A Man's provocation and just stared fixedly at Li Ying. Changing her usual flippant tone, she said in a deep voice, "That's right."
"Boss Li, would you like to hear a story from me?"
Without waiting for Li Ying's response, she continued on her own.
"There was a girl from a poor family, but she was chaste and self - respecting. Although she was sold into a music workshop, she abided by her duties and never demeaned herself.
"A wealthy and generous merchant came to the music workshop. He spent money like water just to make this girl smile. He was also very proper in his behavior, truly a rare gentleman. The girl was finally touched by his true feelings and was willing to follow him to the ends of the earth and never be separated.
"Qing Liu paused for a moment, stealing a glance at Li Ying's expression, and then continued, "It's a pity that you can know a person's face but not their heart. After the girl entered the merchant's mansion, she realized that he already had three wives and four concubines, and she was just an insignificant plaything in his hands.
"She was deeply in love and loyal. Even so, she still naively thought that as long as she was more gentle and sensible, she would eventually win her husband's true heart. But unexpectedly, this heartless man actually pushed her out and made her use her body to serve his business friends!"
As she said this, Qing Liu clenched her fists, and there was undisguised hatred in her eyes.
After a long while, she finally composed herself and bowed deeply to Li Ying.
"I'm making a fool of myself in front of Boss Li. That's right, this is what happened to Qing Liu. Most of the sisters who came with me are also poor women with the same sad fate, all heart - broken by the heartless men in this world.
"Our sisters have long admired Boss Li's name. We also know that you've led the fisherwomen to open a factory and earn money without having to look at the faces of the men in the family. You're truly a heroic woman. That's why we traveled thousands of miles to come and seek refuge with you. After getting along with you day and night, we're even more deeply impressed by your noble righteousness.
"All men in the world are heartless. Boss Li, you took us sisters in. You're Qing Liu's benefactor. Merchants value profit and are indifferent to separation. Qing Liu was just worried, so she took the liberty to test the character of Master Lu for you.
"I just used a little trick, and he showed his true colors. Boss Li, Qing Liu knows that she's being meddlesome, but I still have to advise you that Master Lu is really not a good man! Please think twice!"
She kowtowed heavily, thanking Li Ying for taking her in. She left the Hundred Happiness Diagram, saying that it was a gift of thanks for Li Ying. Whether she got married or not, this was her sincere wish.
After saying that, she didn't say anything more and got up to leave.
A Man stared blankly at Qing Liu's back, momentarily confused.
This woman spoke so convincingly, with every word full of blood and every sound full of tears... How did it seem that she herself had wrongly blamed her?
While she was still skeptical, Li Ying had already spoken, softly calling out, "Miss Qing Liu, stop."
Although her voice was not loud, Qing Liu had very sharp hearing. She stopped in her tracks and soon stood in front of Li Ying again.
Li Ying took a deep breath and said softly, "Miss, you've gone to so much trouble and even used yourself as bait just to wake me up. Li Ying is extremely grateful. In the past, I've offended you a lot."
There was a fleeting look of joy in Qing Liu's eyes, but she quickly hid it. She said modestly, "Boss Li, what are you saying? Love is always the most difficult thing to understand. When you're in the middle of it, it's only natural to be blinded."
"As long as Boss Li can see through Lu Xunguang's false feelings, the grievances I've suffered these days don't matter."
She said it lightly. Li Ying didn't respond. She just stroked the Hundred Happiness Diagram and casually asked, "Many of the characters on this Hundred Happiness Diagram are in the styles of famous calligraphers. Miss Qing Liu is in a fishing village and still has to look through ancient books and copy the characters. It must have been really hard."
She said it calmly, but Qing Liu was shocked. After a moment of thought, she quickly said, "Boss Li is really perceptive. No little thought can escape you!"
"That's right. The characters on this Hundred Happiness Diagram were specially found for me by my master. Although he is in a high position, he is a very kind - hearted person. He has always admired you, Boss Li..."
Before she could finish speaking, Li Ying nodded and calmly said,
"I suppose your master is Inspector Lin."
Qing Liu was shocked again - she had really seen through her identity long ago!
She was still racking her brains on how to explain when Li Ying had already drained the remaining tea in her cup and said with relief, "Inspector Lin and I have no enmity. It's just that I was filled with indignation for Lu Xunguang, so I repeatedly opposed him.
"Actually, commoners shouldn't fight against officials. I'm just a weak woman. Why should I provoke this favorite official of the emperor for a man who is half - hearted and fickle?
"Miss Qing Liu, I have an impertinent request. Could you please convey a message for me? If Inspector Lin doesn't mind, I'm willing to bring all my wealth and switch to his side. I only hope that in the future, when the Li family goes head - to - head with the Lu family, we can get a little protection from Lord Lin."
She thought for a moment, then got up and took out a delicate jade box from the dressing table. When she opened it, there was a string of imperial pearls shining like a rosy cloud lying inside. Each pearl was round and radiant.
"These are the newly - cultivated dragon pearls from the pearl farm. Please present them on my behalf for Miss Qing Liu. I've heard that Inspector Lin has been racking his brains to collect imperial pearls for the emperor. This little gift is only hoped to relieve his worries and resolve our previous grudges."