Chapter 127 *

Li Ming followed Su Shan'er, who had deliberately led him toward the courtyard of Su Liluo. By chance, they encountered Su Liluo standing in a corner of the garden. Su Shan'er looked back at Li Ming to find him standing frozen, his eyes fixed intently on Su Liluo.

"Cousin, Cousin, what are you looking at?" Su Shan'er asked intentionally. Startled, Li Ming immediately withdrew his gaze, but he could not control his heart, which kept wandering back toward Su Liluo. He replied nonchalantly, "It's nothing. Cousin, who is that ahead? Should we go over and greet her?"

Su Liluo had already noticed them. Seeing the two standing together, she stepped forward and greeted them politely, "Third Sister, who is this?"

"Eldest Sister, this is my cousin, Li Ming." Su Shan'er introduced them enthusiastically. Seeing Li Ming staring blankly at Su Liluo, she felt that her plan was working.

Su Liluo glanced at Li Ming, feeling a sense of revulsion at the expression in his eyes. Nevertheless, she said courteously, "So it is Third Sister's cousin. Third Sister, you must treat him well. I have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

Su Liluo departed after only a few words. Li Ming watched her retreating figure for a long time, unwilling to move. Su Shan'er said with feigned envy, "Eldest Sister is truly wonderful. Being the legitimate eldest daughter of the household, she now owns a cosmetics shop that brings in thousands of taels of silver every month. She has more money than she could ever spend. I wonder who will be lucky enough to marry her."

"Cousin, if your sister is so excellent, why is she not yet betrothed?" The scholar had been moved; he wondered if there were some hidden reason why Su Liluo remained unmarried.

"Cousin, don't let your imagination run wild. It is only because our father and grandmother are reluctant to part with her, so they have kept her for a few more years. Otherwise, she would have been married off long ago." Su Shan'er spoke nothing but praise for Su Liluo, which only deepened Li Ming's interest.

Seeing him lost in thought, Su Shan'er knew he had taken the bait. A smug smile touched her lips as she asked with feigned concern, "Cousin, are you feeling unwell? Perhaps we should stroll another day." Having achieved her goal, Su Shan'er no longer had the heart to entertain Li Ming.

Li Ming no longer had any interest in touring the Prime Minister's estate. He nodded hurriedly and said, "Very well, I shall see you back, Cousin."

"There is no need; I have my maid with me. Cousin, I will be off then." After she spoke, Su Shan'er ignored him. Thinking of Su Liluo, Li Ming whispered to himself, "She is the perfect match for me."

Li Ming had made up his mind. Compared to Su Shan'er, the wealthy Su Liluo was clearly the better choice of bride for the Li family. Li Ming imagined Su Liluo married to him, picturing how his family's dire circumstances would be greatly improved. The more he thought, the more tempted he became, and a smile played on his face.

Another factor attracting Li Ming was Su Liluo’s status as the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister. "Once I become the Prime Minister's son-in-law, will the Li family ever need to worry about wealth again?" The more Li Ming thought, the more excited he became, longing to tell his parents the good news.

Su Shan'er knew her words had stirred Li Ming's heart. Hearing from her maid that he had been wandering the garden for days without catching a glimpse of her, Su Shan'er devised a plan to invite Su Liluo to her own quarters and finalize a time for Li Ming to return a book.

"Well? Did the Eldest Miss come?" Seeing only her own maid return, Su Shan'er was disappointed.

"Miss, the Eldest Miss said it was too hot and she did not wish to move; she will come once the weather turns cooler," the maid replied, her face grimacing for fear of Su Shan'er’s wrath.

Su Shan'er frowned deeply, unwilling to give up. "Did you mention that the Fourth Miss was there?"

"I did, but the Eldest Miss still shook her head. I truly had no way to persuade her," the maid said, bowing her head.

Seeing that her maid couldn't even invite one person, Su Shan'er cursed under her breath, "Useless. It seems I must take matters into my own hands."

Su Shan'er told Su Baihan about Su Liluo's refusal to come, hinting with suspicion, "Could it be that Sister dislikes us, which is why she refuses to visit?"

Su Baihan, filled with anger, glared at Su Shan'er and snapped, "She wouldn't dare! Let's go. I want to see just how much airs she can put on."

The two arrived at Su Liluo's quarters. Seeing the coolness of the room, they were filled with envy and jealousy. "Eldest Sister, you certainly know how to enjoy yourself."

"Why have you two sisters come? I clearly sent word through my maid that I would not be coming today." Su Liluo, surprised by their arrival, rose quickly and ordered her maid to serve tea.

"Sister, we specifically invited you to play. Why are you so unwilling? If you fear the heat, we can have the servants carry you in a sedan chair. I have also prepared ice in my room; you will certainly not be hot." To ensure today's success, Su Shan'er had spared no expense, using her own ice ration to place two basins in the room, making it quite refreshing.

Su Liluo wanted to decline, but Su Shan'er grabbed her hand and said, "Eldest Sister, please do us the favor. It is rare for us sisters to gather together; it would be so disappointing if you refused."

When Su Liluo didn't agree, Su Shan'er kept whispering about sisterly affection until Su Liluo became annoyed and nodded, "Very well. Give me a moment to change my clothes, and I shall join you."

Su Shan'er beamed, "Take your time, Sister. The Fourth Sister and I are in no rush."

The three arrived at Su Shan'er's courtyard. The room was indeed comfortable and filled with a faint fragrance. Su Liluo praised, "Third Sister, you are indeed one who knows how to enjoy life."

Su Shan'er smiled, "Not at all, I cannot compare to you, Sister. Please sit; I will have someone bring out some fine tea for you to taste."

Once outside, Su Shan'er heard her maid report that Li Ming had arrived with the book. She nodded slightly and whispered in her ear, "Find an excuse to make the Fourth Miss come out as well."

Seeing that Su Baihan had also come out, Su Shan'er immediately ordered the maid serving tea to light the incense by the ice basins.

Everything was prepared. She walked away with her maid. The room was cool, and as the incense burned, the scent began to spread. Qingyi and Qingyao, Su Liluo's maids, caught a peculiar odor and, noticing the smoke rising from the incense burner, whispered, "Miss, there is an aphrodisiac in the incense."

A look of disgust crossed Su Liluo's eyes. It didn't take much thought to realize her dear sister was trying to sabotage her again. Rolling her eyes, she suddenly cried out, "Ah!"

Su Baihan, hearing the cry, entered the room and found Su Liluo sitting upright, asking in confusion, "What is the matter?"

Su Liluo clutched her stomach and cried in pain, "Sister suddenly has an urgent need; you stay here, I must go to the latrine."

Knowing about the aphrodisiac, Su Liluo and her maids had already held their breath. Su Baihan, thinking it was a trivial matter, said impatiently, "Go, go."

Su Liluo had someone close the door and quickly left with her maids.

Not long after she left, a refined-looking man dressed in a dark blue robe appeared, holding a blue-covered book. Looking at the closed door and recalling Su Shan'er's instructions—"You can come directly in to return the book"—he pushed the door open and entered.

Su Baihan had been inside for some time; the more she inhaled the incense, the softer her body became. Feeling restless and hot, she loosened her outer garment, revealing her pink bodice beneath. This was the scene that greeted Li Ming as he entered.

He turned to leave, but his feet stopped at the threshold. Su Baihan's fair skin remained etched in his mind. He was conflicted, but her status as the legitimate daughter tempted him. Looking around and seeing no maids present, he turned and closed the door.

Li Ming reached out and touched Su Baihan's face. Seeing her infatuated expression, as if she were looking at her beloved, ignited his own desires.

"This is something you delivered to my door yourself." Li Ming steadied Su Baihan, who could not distinguish who was before her. Her mind was a blur, and when Li Ming kissed her cherry lips, she responded fervently.

Li Ming unfastened her clothes, and seeing her fair, tender skin, he kissed her fragrant shoulders in a frenzy of passion.