Three Urgent Matters

When she heard that Si Yan's injury was no longer a secret, and that the capital was probably already abuzz with news of it, Li Qingyan decided not to hide it.

"He is indeed injured, but I don't know the details."

Li Qingyan wasn't lying. Although she was the daughter-in-law of the Si family, her mother-in-law and husband had never told her much about the Si family. In fact, she might not know as much as Wen Xiaoxi.

Wen Xiaoxi didn't notice this. Instead, she quietly brought up another matter.

"Then... Is the bestowment of marriage true? I heard that Madam Lu personally asked for it from the Empress Dowager. Your mother-in-law is really kind."

Li Qingyan had never heard of such a marriage arrangement, so she couldn't provide any useful information to Wen Xiaoxi. Just as the two of them were about to talk about something else, Li Qingyan saw Si Zhong looking at her with a cold expression.

Li Qingyan knew that she had chatted for too long, so she turned around and said goodbye to Wen Xiaoxi.

"Mother-in-law and the others are here. I have to go. When I have time, I'll come to your residence to play with you."

When she heard that Li Qingyan was leaving, Wen Xiaoxi's face fell.

"You always say that, but I've never seen you come to me."

After Wen Xiaoxi finished speaking, she waved her hand at her as if she was out of breath.

"Forget it, forget it. Go find your husband. You two are really stuck together."

Li Qingyan covered her face and laughed when she saw her expression.

"Don't talk nonsense."

Li Qingyan returned to Si Zhong's side and sat down obediently. Si Zhong poured her a glass of water and pushed it in front of her.

When she looked at the cup in front of her, Li Qingyan's complicated thoughts were swept away. She said with red ears, "Thank you, husband."

..

After Li Qingyan left, Wen Xiaoxi stopped staring at Shen Li. However, Shen Li could not sit still. She had drunk too much while listening to the gossip.

She wasn't someone who liked to eavesdrop, but she couldn't stop the sound from drilling into her ears.

Wen Xiaoxi's surprised voice rose and fell. Even though she was trying to control her volume, their seats were too close. She could hear a good portion of their conversation.

Shen Li clutched her swollen abdomen, feeling a little uneasy. Zhong Ning noticed her fidgeting and asked, "What's wrong?"

"I was hoping you wouldn't ask."

Shen Li felt a little embarrassed.

"I need to go to the toilet."

Zhong Ning was only embarrassed for a moment before she turned around to call Xiao Shuang.

"Go with the young lady."

Shen Li shook her head. "I can go by myself."

Ming Yue was guarding the manor, and they had only brought two of their staff members into the palace.

Gu Sheng had been barred at the first door. Xiao Shuang was the only servant girl allowed in. Shen Li felt that it was safer to leave her by Zhong Ning's side.

Shen Li told her as much.

"I'll be at ease with Xiao Shuang by your side. I'll be back in a jiffy. There are so many palace maids around, I won't get lost."

Zhong Ning was still worried. After all, they were unfamiliar with this place and the palace was so big. What if something happened?

"Why don't we go together?"

Shen Li glanced around the hall. Seeing that almost everyone had arrived, she turned down Zhong Ning's suggestion.

"No, what if the Emperor comes and doesn't see any representatives from our palace? What if he doesn't like it?"

After some back and forth, Shen Li finally headed off on her own.

Fortunately, it was not too far away. Shen Li's physiological needs were successfully resolved, and she walked back in high spirits.

However, perhaps it was because she had grown too comfortable. She went in the wrong direction at the first intersection.