Chapter 35: Li Wei's Ambition

  Liu Xiyue was brought up by Xiao Er, followed by a man with his head down.

  "You just go and hide in that dark corner." Daiyu pointed to the other side, Xueyan went forward to lead him on his way, the man turned back to look at Liu Xiumei, and followed Xueyan out.

  "Pay respects to the princess." Liu Xiyue took a few deep breaths, her complexion recovering somewhat, before realizing she hadn't paid respects to Daiyu, and hastily made a bow.

  "Get up. I'm curious about what happened." Daiyu looked at Liu Xiumei with a playful smile, rarely showing interest in an outsider, and maybe she would help her.

  "Princess..." Just as Liu Xiyue was about to speak, she heard the commotion outside.

  Daiyu gave a glance at Xiangyun, and Xiangyun went over to push open the door. "Who's making such a racket outside?"

  "Pay respects to the princess." A man who looked very honest and loyal, followed by what seemed to be a house servant, walked in together. He raised his head and saw that his daughter was sitting next to Daiyu, and he felt puzzled - wasn't it said that Xi Yue had come to see that little rascal again? How could she be with the princess?

  "What is Lord Liu doing here instead of attending to his official duties?" Daiyu picked up her teacup and took a sip, pausing for a moment. "I shouldn't be asking about these things, but let Xiyue keep me company for dinner, I don't want to be disturbed." There was a hint of annoyance in Daiyu's expression, which seemed normal to Liu Jian. He had brought someone to intrude on the princess, and it was already gracious of her not to punish him; as for Xiyue's matter, he would deal with it later.

  "Lord Liu, I and Xi Yue get along very well. Perhaps in the future, I will often look for her, at that time, I hope you won't stop me."

  "The princess likes little girl is the blessing of little girl." Facing Daiyu's cold eyes, Liu Jian always felt a lot of pressure, and cold sweat came down from his forehead. He wanted to leave this room, this feeling was really too terrible.

  "Is Mr. Liu still going to stay and have dinner with me?" Daiyu's tone was a bit heavier.

  Liu Jian was taken aback, then bowed and retreated with his servants.

  "Old master, I clearly saw the young lady and..." The house servant's words were cut off by Liu Jian, "Go back." The house servant pouted and could only give up.

  Inside, Zi Juan closed the house door and returned to Daiyu's side, "Xueyan, you can come out now."

  The snowy goose brought out a man with piercing eyes, "Greetings to the princess." The man knelt down and gave Daiyu a deep bow.

  "Get up, now you can tell me what's going on?" Daiyu said with a hint of a smile, somewhat jokingly.

  "Princess, I..." Yuxiuyue wanted to speak but stopped, feeling a bit embarrassed, lowered her head and blushed.

  "If you don't want to say it, then just don't. I won't bother." Daiyu furrowed her brow, having finally mustered the effort to intervene, only to have someone be unappreciative.

  Liu Xiyue's face turned even redder, she stomped her feet and spoke up, "Princess, I'm supposed to bring the candidates for selection, but I already have someone I care about. However, Ama doesn't like him, and Ama said that participating in the selection is an ancestral tradition, I couldn't avoid it. I really don't want to go to the capital, and be separated from Wei Ge." Liu Xiyue simply recounted what had happened.

  "Second Brother?" Daiyu was taken aback, feeling that something was a bit off. "What's your name?" It was somewhat abrupt of Daiyu to ask this question, as in feudal society it wasn't common for a girl to directly ask a man his name.

  The companion of Xi Yue was also stunned, but still raised his head and looked at Dai Yu, "I'm Li Wei."

  It was indeed Li Wei. Daiyu and Li Wei locked eyes, and although he looked ordinary in appearance, his eyes shone brightly, giving the impression that he was a man capable of great things. The historical Li Wei was Yongzheng's powerful minister; having met him today, should she make use of him for a while? Daiyu's eyes darted back and forth as she quickly made up her mind.

  Liu Xiyue and Li Wei gazed at each other, their eyes filled with both hope and despair. Daiyu was a princess, but she was just a princess after all - what could she do to change the tragic fate that awaited them?

  "Xishuang sister, I'll help you. You go participate in the selection, and then I'll let Emperor Ama make you my female official. This way, your marriage will be up to me to decide. As for you..." Daiyu looked at Li Wei, "I have some things that need you to take care of, if you do well, naturally there will be a good future ahead, at that time I'll marry Xishuang sister off to you."

  "The princess is willing to help me, which is my good fortune. However, women cannot participate in politics, and I cannot become an official through the princess. Thank you, Princess, for taking care of Xi Yue. I will work hard step by step to reach a position where I can match up with Xi Yue, and then marry her." Li Wei's eyes were filled with determination as he gazed at Liu Xi Yue with tender affection.

  Liu Xiyue couldn't hold back, and tears fell. He said he would work hard for himself, and that he wanted to marry himself with his own ability.

  Daiyu heard Li Wei's words and couldn't help but praise him in her heart, but it was just a flash of thought. Men's promises are unreliable after all. "Wait until you climb up? How many years will that take, ten or twenty? By then, Xi Yue sister will already have gray hair, and you'll still come to marry her?" Daiyu sneered with a smile, Li Wei was taken aback, his mouth curled into a bitter smile. Yes, he had nothing, didn't know anyone, and couldn't do anything, how could he become an official? Even if he really became an official, how could he rise through the ranks?

  Daiyu gazed at Li Wei's changing expression, her face expressionless. Maybe he really loved Liu Xiumei after all. But how long could this love last? She could only help so much, but Li Wei should meet Yongzheng soon. Calculating, the current Li Wei was only fifteen or sixteen years old, just an underage half-grown child.

  Xueyan furrowed her brow upon hearing Li Wei's words and wanted to say something.

  "Snowgoose, Purple Cuckoo, today's matter is not to be spread outside, otherwise you two don't have to stay by my side either." Daiyu gave a cold glance at Snowgoose and Purple Cuckoo, making up her mind to act as an intermediary herself.

  "Yes, Miss." Xueyan and Zijuan both knelt down and said. They knew that Daiyu's current tone had already explained the problem, if they slipped up, Daiyu would really drive them away.

  "Li Wei, come back here tomorrow and ask to see Fourth Master." Daiyu thought for a moment before saying this. These young masters all liked to keep an eye on her movements, so there would always be someone following her. She might as well just tell them straightforwardly tomorrow. "I've paved the way for you, I hope you won't disappoint my expectations and Xishi's kindness."

  "Thank you, Princess." Li Wei bowed respectfully, his eyes gleaming with ambition.

  Liu Xiyue looked at Daiyu with gratitude, "Thank you, Princess."

  "No need, you're already in my eyes, otherwise I wouldn't have helped you." Although Daiyu's tone was cold, Liu Xiyue could still sense the concern behind her words.

  Liu Xi Yue made another bow to Dai Yu before sitting down to have a meal with her.