CHAPTER 115: CHAPTER 115: FACE TO FACE

"Hey..."

Looking at her nervous and uneasy demeanor, Long Yue couldn’t help but sigh. This little girl was too tense; her complexion and behavior said it all.

"Sister Yue, I..."

"Don’t say anything, Sister Yue has been through it herself, how could she not know your thoughts? If you like him, hurry up and tell him, don’t wait until it’s too late and regret it."

"Speak... this..."

The little girl was already timid, and upon hearing she needed to "speak," she was even more at a loss, looking at her in a panic.

"Yes, speak up, let Young Master Xiang understand your feelings. Only by telling him can you know if you have a chance."

Long Yue took Qiao’er’s hand and taught her, "Lifetime matters require mutual affection, but in this world, true mutual affection is rare. It’s mostly parental orders, matchmaking words. No one can guess what Young Master Xiang thinks of you; only by asking him yourself can you know."

"Sister Yue, I’m still a young girl; this... going up and asking directly might not be good! If outsiders hear it, they’ll say I’m shameless!"

In this era, there were too many restraints on women; their words and deeds couldn’t have a single error, otherwise, they would face gossip.

Upon hearing this, Long Yue realized she was too aggressive. Maybe the experiences from her past life were too tragic, making her cherish those around her more, which is why she urged Qiao’er to confess.

But in the current societal context, it’s too rash!

She thought for a bit and said, "How about this, I’ll help you probe his thoughts?"

With this inquiry, she could already confirm that Qiao’er indeed had feelings for Xiang Yin. Seeing her this absent-minded all day, Long Yue also felt uncomfortable. Besides, Xiang Yin previously mentioned his parents had arranged a blind date for him, which he wasn’t very pleased with...

Hey, this matter seems to have great potential!

"Huh? Probing thoughts, this... Isn’t this not so good... I’m too embarrassed..."

Qiao’er was just shy. Upon hearing about probing his thoughts, her face turned bright red, and she covered her face, bowing her head.

"Alright, your silence is acquiescence? Then I’m going!"

"Sister Yue, wait..."

Qiao’er called her, but couldn’t speak out what she wanted to say at the moment.

Long Yue snickered and said, "Don’t worry, Sister Yue knows what she’s doing!"

After speaking, Long Yue didn’t bother with Qiao’er’s shyness and directly went to find Xiang Yin.

Xiang Yin had already gone to Li Qingmu’s room, and was talking to him when Long Yue arrived, hearing them discussing matters.

"The Xiliang envoy is already near Qingtian County, and will soon arrive at Gaoyang County, on your side..."

"I’ll handle it according to regulations!"

"No, the Xiliang envoy injured many people when they passed by, you need to pay extra attention on your side."

"Really?"

Li Qingmu was organizing some paperwork, and upon hearing this, squinted his eyes slightly, showing a hint of danger. These Xiliang envoys really dared to be reckless!

"Seventeen years ago, the Xiliang army invaded Xinan, causing our dynasty to suffer continuous defeats. It was General Cao who managed to withstand the disadvantage, but eventually, we had to sign the Liang Zhou Alliance, giving Xiliang three hundred thousand taels of annual tribute every year. It’s a humiliation! Moreover, Xiliang people are proud of this, and come to Dazhou every year to show off, it’s truly abhorrent!"

"Ah, Xiliang people aren’t that terrifying, it’s just back then, due to the Rebellion of the Seven Princes, our national power weakened, giving them an opportunity..."

Li Qingmu and Xiang Yin were both scholars, naturally understanding these political affairs, and Xiang Yin couldn’t help but sigh.

Li Qingmu sneered, "Seventeen years of recuperation, now we might not lose to them!"

"Hey, don’t say such things, otherwise, if outsiders hear, it will cause trouble..."

"Cough, cough!" Long Yue coughed lightly on the side, entered gracefully, glanced at Xiang Yin, and chuckled, "I heard everything!"

Xiang Yin, "..."

"Did my wife eavesdrop? Is there anything you’d like to say?"

Li Qingmu’s expression was slightly stiff, but he still managed to smile. This clever little wife just overheard his words; would she have any thoughts on it?

What thoughts could Long Yue have; her man wasn’t a mild-mannered one, the implications in his words just now were clearly wanting to stir up trouble.

But what trouble did he want to stir? This guy didn’t even inform her beforehand, isn’t this crossing the line?

She stepped in, with her hands behind her back, appearing very formidable, lightly raising her chin, "Xiang Yin, I have something to talk with you, come out with me!"

Li Qingmu had a black line on his face. His little wife wanted to talk about matters with him, shouldn’t it be with himself?

Xiang Yin didn’t notice Li Qingmu’s unpleasant expression, and went out in response. Once they left, a man in black suddenly appeared.

"Everything arranged on the Princely Heir’s side?"

"Everything’s ready. To remove the mountain bandits’ stronghold at Luanshi Ridge, are you confident?"

Li Qingmu glanced up at the other party, smiled lightly, "Naturally confident! As long as the Princely Heir lends me troops when the time comes!"

"Alright! Once things are done..."

"I’m not interested in fame or fortune; I just want to be able to go to Xinan when the time comes." Li Qingmu looked up, said slowly, and the man in black nodded, ready to leave. Suddenly, a quiet inquiry came from behind.

"That mountain bandits’ stronghold, is it really a mountain bandits’ stronghold?"

The man in black’s figure slightly froze, and coldly said, "Mr. Li is a smart person, isn’t this question unnecessary for me to answer?"

Li Qingmu smiled lightly, "I overstepped, please!"

With a flash, the figure of the man completely disappeared.

Li Qingmu watched the direction he vanished, with a deep gaze.

...

"Sister-in-law, why did you call me out?"

Xiang Yin was led out of the room by Long Yue, feeling inexplicable, as if there was something that couldn’t be said inside that room. Sister-in-law... wouldn’t have that idea, right?

Xiang Yin was daydreaming, and Long Yue saw the obscenities running through his mind and gave him a knock on the head, "What are you thinking about? I came to ask about your family’s arranged marriage, how did it go?"

"Oh, that..." Xiang Yin looked relieved, shaking his head, "Not too well, not interested!"

"But your parents are anxious, right?"

"Yes, they’re pressuring me. Father even said, if I don’t find a girl soon, they’ll directly arrange a marriage for me!"

"Hmm, then what do you think... of Qiao’er? That girl is cute, clever, and will surely be a good helpmate in the future. You want to go on an official path, right? The business at home is difficult to manage; if Qiao’er helps out, how great would that be? Besides, Qiao’er is familiar with Yun Niang and them, haven’t you considered?"

Long Yue said so much and noticed he was in a daze, feeling a bit frustrated and wanting to hit him.

Xiang Yin paused, thinking about Qiao’er’s slightly chubby baby-like face and her gentle voice, his heartbeat couldn’t help but accelerate.

"Sister-in-law, isn’t this inappropriate? You can’t just randomly matchmake..."

Long Yue looked at his dazed expression, tut, he might also have some interest, right? Quickly she laughed, "What random matchmaking? Qiao’er doesn’t have anyone she likes, marriage matters are determined by parental orders and matchmaking words, aren’t they? If you think she’s suitable, just let me know, and I’ll help you with the proposal!"

Seeing his hesitation, Long Yue knew there was hope, so she quickly urged, "Hurry up, marrying an unattractive one is not as good as marrying a pleasing one. Miss this chance and it won’t come again, don’t you think?"

Xiang Yin thought carefully and felt that the words made sense. Besides, he liked that girl, so he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright!"