Zhou Mengli's tears fell suddenly, falling on the back of Shen Lansui's hand.
"Cousin, are you here to see my joke?"
She choked and said, then regretted it and wanted to push Shen Lansui away and leave.
However, Shen Lansui held her wrist tightly and whispered: "Don't you want to talk to me? Don't you want to know why I knew your intention but let it go?"
Zhou Mengli was startled and looked at her without speaking.
*
The maid came in and cleared away the dishes. Guan Chun brought two cups of tea and then left with the others.
Shen Lansui and Zhou Mengli sat on opposite sides of the table. Zhou Mengli looked like an eggplant beaten by frost, lowering her head and shedding tears silently.
"Cry, cry out your grievances, and don't cry anymore." Shen Lansui handed her a handkerchief. Zhou Mengli was not polite, took it and wiped her face, sniffed and asked hoarsely: "Did you ask my cousin to say those words to me?"
"My original intention is to let you be alone for a while to see how you react. Although I know why you are here, I don't like to convict people because of things that didn't happen. If you don't mention it or do anything extraordinary, I won't do anything to you, but Saburo is a person who doesn't like trouble, so he directly provoked your thoughts, and what he said may be a bit harsh, so don't take it to heart."
Shen Lansui picked up the tea cup and took a sip of tea, calmly and calmly.
Infected by her, Zhou Mengli's mood gradually stabilized.
"Actually, what he said was not serious at all. It's just that I feel very embarrassed." Zhou Mengli's clear vision became blurry again.
"I know, you feel that your thoughts are being seen through, and you have no way to hide. You are embarrassed and embarrassed, right?"
"Isn't it?" Zhou Mengli said excitedly: "I thought only my aunt and I knew about this matter, but I didn't expect that everyone knew about it. Before Jingzhi stopped me, I thought she just said it casually, but it turns out It’s me who is stupid.”
Shen Lansui looked at her and shook his head: "It's not that you are stupid, it's that you have gone to a dead end."
Zhou Mengli raised her head in confusion, "What dead end?"
"Let me think about what the eldest lady told you." Shen Lansui tapped his forehead with his fingertips and whispered: "Does it mean that your status allows you to marry into the Duke's mansion and be a concubine for the Marquis? Is it Gao Pan? She also said that she is your aunt and she will not harm you. In the future, under the same roof, she can protect you and your good days are still to come? "
Zhou Mengli was shocked and her eyes widened, "How did you know?"
Shen Lansui chuckled: "You're right, I know what kind of person she is, and I also know what your current predicament is. If you think about it, it's not difficult to guess."
"I don't want to analyze with you whether her words can be realized. I just ask you -" Shen Lansui looked at Zhou Mengli seriously, "Do you think she really does it for your own good?"
"I really treat you well, why am I willing to let you be my concubine? Your mother is a concubine, but you are a legitimate daughter, why can't you be on the stage? If you can't marry into a rich family, wouldn't it be good to marry a noble family? ? As a concubine, you have to serve your mistress and husband, and you have to rely on others to live your life. Even if your mother-in-law is your aunt, how much can she interfere in the affairs of the house? "
Zhou Mengli was shocked, as if her brain had been hit by someone, and a "buzz" sound made her dazed for a while.
Yes, according to the status of the eldest lady, it is not difficult to propose a marriage to her, right?
Why make her your concubine?
Zhou Mengli was confused before, but she didn't expect this.
Shen Lansui looked at her expression and nodded without saying another word. He picked up the light cyan cloak from one side, stood up and walked behind Zhou Mengli to put it on for her. She said warmly: "Zhou Mengli is Zhou Mengli." Mengli, you shouldn’t be the so-called Zhou family in the backyard, there’s no need to envy others, as long as you stand up for yourself, your life will be fine.”
That moment was like an enlightenment. Zhou Mengli suddenly woke up, held Shen Lansui's hand, and turned to look at her.
Shen Lansui held her hand in his hand. Her palm was warm and dry, making it comfortable to hold.
She said, "This cloak looks beautiful on you."
Zhou Mengli's nose felt sore, and she nodded with choked sobs, "Thank you."
*
Zhou Mengli calmed down for a while, finished a cup of tea before leaving.
Returning to her room, she stood in front of the mirror and took a good look.
The light blue cloak is embroidered with large pear blossoms, which is very elegant and beautiful.
The maid also praised her: "Miss, where did this cloak come from? It suits you really well."
"Suitable?"
Zhou Mengli looked at herself in the mirror and said with relief, "It's a good fit."
Is it okay to do something with a certain status, marry a person with a certain status, and be well-matched? Why must we climb high branches?
The scenery on the high branches is really good, but it may be blown down by the wind at any time.
The scenery below is a little worse, but it's peaceful and peaceful, so it's not a bad place to go.
She also knew that she was not a smart person and could not figure out the twists and turns, so she was really not suitable for engaging in intrigues.
With a sigh, she smiled in relief.
Early the next morning, she wore this cloak to see the eldest lady.
*
"What did you say?" The eldest lady was dressing up at that time. As soon as Hejiao put the hairpin in her head, she turned her head. The hairpin almost scratched her eyes. Hejiao quickly raised his hand and wiped her face. .
The eldest lady "tsk", Hejiao immediately knelt down and said in fear: "I didn't mean it, madam, forgive me!"
The eldest lady had no intention of arguing with her now. She waved her hand to let her get up and looked at Zhou Mengli, "What did you just say? Say it again."
Zhou Mengli was still a little frightened when facing her, but after thinking about it all night, she felt that she still didn't want to get between Lu Xingyue and Shen Lansui, and said firmly: "Aunt, I don't like my third cousin, and neither does he." He likes me, but I don’t want to have contact with him anymore. I want to go home and discuss the marriage with my father. Thank you for your aunt’s hospitality these days, Mengli is very grateful.”
She bowed, her posture was respectful.
The eldest lady gritted her teeth and said, "Did someone tell you something? Didn't we agree before? Why did you suddenly go back on your word?"
As she spoke, her expression changed and she asked coldly: "Did Shen Lansui say something to you? She can't tolerate you, right?"
Zhou Mengli did not expect such a big reaction from her, and was so frightened that she became speechless for a moment.
This look in the eyes of the eldest lady was her acquiescence, and she immediately became furious, "He Chu, go and call Shen Lansui over -"
"Wait a minute -" Zhou Mengli quickly stopped He Chu and said anxiously: "It has nothing to do with my cousin, I don't want to!"
"You don't want to? Why don't you want to? They really didn't force you? I heard that you went to Pinglan Courtyard yesterday and you cried when you came out? Don't be afraid. If they really dare to bully you, you tell them Aunt, aunt will definitely make the decision for you!"
She spoke sincerely, but Zhou Mengli only felt cold all over. How did she know that she went to Pinglan Courtyard yesterday? How do you know she came out crying?
