Chapter 17: When a Daughter Grows Up, She Cannot Be Kept

Li Yi was momentarily taken aback, but when he saw the earnest expression on Li Jing’s face, he hesitated no longer and nodded. “Yes!”

It seemed that Li Jing had already anticipated Li Yi’s answer, for his expression did not change in the slightest. He simply fixed his gaze on Li Yi, betraying no hint of emotion.

Li Yi did not avert his eyes either; father and son looked at each other steadily.

After a long silence, Li Jing exhaled deeply and spoke in a grave tone. “Sanlang, for now, your father... does not permit you to enter court as an official.”

Li Yi frowned slightly. “Father, may I ask why?”

Li Jing sighed, shook his head, and placed his hands firmly on his thighs before sitting upright. “You are still young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. You do not yet grasp the dangers of officialdom. I cannot bring harm upon you.”

He spoke with great seriousness, as though he had pondered this decision at length.

Yet upon hearing these words, Li Yi could not help but purse his lips in silent exasperation.

Seeing Li Yi’s expression, Li Jing, uncharacteristically, broke into a smile. Even his tone lightened as he asked with a laugh, “Sanlang, do you feel any discontent in your heart?”

“I would not dare!” Li Yi replied languidly, resuming his rakish demeanor.

Li Jing was a shrewd man—how could he not see through Li Yi’s feigned submission?

Chuckling softly, Li Jing shook his head in amusement, then rose and crossed to the desk. As he practiced calligraphy, he asked casually, “Sanlang, what do you think of your conduct today?”

Li Yi blinked, fiddling with a painting on the wall as sleepiness overcame him. His eyelids drooped, and with a yawn, he said, “Father, I ask for your guidance.”

Li Jing gave no reply but instead wrote five bold, powerful characters upon the paper: “Endure all things for peace.”

Only then did he speak calmly. “Your temperament is too upright. Today, offending Imperial Physician Luo was a minor matter, but should you enter court and offend a more powerful minister, what then?”

“Come here and look at what I have written...” Li Jing was about to instruct his son further, only to discover that, at some point, Li Yi had already fallen asleep.

From Li Yi’s nostrils came the steady sound of even breathing.

Li Jing’s mouth twitched, a cascade of exasperation crossing his face, and he muttered through gritted teeth, “Hmph, this rascal—still as incorrigible as ever!”

Suppressing his frustration, Li Jing stood and slowly walked over to Li Yi.

Yet Li Yi did not stir; he slept soundly, deeply.

Seeing his son’s peaceful slumber, so genuine and unlike the feigned sleep of the past, Li Jing’s heart softened.

“Hmph, little scamp!” he chided with a gentle laugh, shaking his head.

At that moment, Lady Red Whisk stepped in from outside, carrying tea. She was astonished to witness the scene—Li Jing showed not the slightest sign of anger, allowing Li Yi to sleep undisturbed. With a soft laugh, she said, “Chen’er, have someone escort Sanlang to rest.”

“Ah...” Lady Red Whisk was momentarily taken aback before she nodded, smiling. “Yes, Master.”

She then summoned someone to fetch Yue’er, who came to take Li Yi back to his room.

Later that night, Li Jing and Lady Red Whisk conversed quietly, recounting all the events that had transpired at the Du residence that day.

Meanwhile, in Li Yi’s room, Yue’er helped him onto the bed. Seeing how deeply he slept, without any sign of pretense, she grew bolder and stood at the bedside, gazing at him intently.

“How handsome the young master is...” Yue’er thought to herself, her face dreamy and foolish, cupping her cheeks as she blinked.

After standing there for a long while, she finally left, satisfied.

Li Yi, exhausted, was lost in slumber, wholly unaware of the world outside.

Yet the Du residence did not rest easy that night.

Inside Du Ruhui’s sickroom, his wife sat at his bedside. After helping him take his medicine, she spoke quietly. “Husband, there is something I wish to discuss with you.”

“Is it about my younger sister’s marriage?” Du Ruhui’s aged eyes gleamed with wisdom as he smiled.

His wife blushed, her cheeks rosy as she smiled and nodded. “You always know what’s on my mind.”

Du Ruhui nodded, then after a moment’s thought, asked softly, “The third son of the Li family?”

“Yes.” She nodded without any evasion.

“He is a fine young man. Yet, I wonder what your sister herself thinks?” Du Ruhui pressed, his expression becoming solemn.

Though their family valued alliances between great houses, Du Ruhui never forced his children into marriage.

Therefore, he asked in this way.

His wife stifled a laugh behind her hand. “If you wish to know, why not summon her and ask her yourself?”

Du Ruhui was momentarily stunned. Seeing his wife’s confidence, he realized she must have considered this matter thoroughly.

At that moment, the door opened softly.

Dressed in blue, his young sister stood before them, graceful and poised. She bowed respectfully. “Father, Mother.”

Du Ruhui smiled warmly. “Come, sit by me.”

“Yes, Father.” With a beaming smile, she went to his bedside. “Father, are you feeling better?”

“My dear, I am much improved,” Du Ruhui replied with a tender smile.

Looking at his daughter, though only a year had passed, she had grown into a beautiful, elegant young woman, as radiant as a fairy. He could not help but feel a twinge of guilt.

“This past year, you alone have shouldered so much,” he sighed.

He knew that she had gone to the Daoist temple to cultivate, all to pray for his health—a gesture of filial piety that filled him with remorse.

What parent wishes to see their child far from their side?

Especially when the Du brothers, though grown, had yet to distinguish themselves, content only to live as idle young men.

Only his daughter gave him solace.

She shook her head earnestly. “Father, I do not suffer. So long as you recover, I am willing to do anything!”

“Good child, truly worthy of being my daughter!” he praised, his heart full of comfort. Then, with a change of tone and a smile, he asked, “My dear, you are of age now. Shall I choose a husband for you?”

“I do not want that!” she quickly refused, pouting and shaking her head. “Father, I do not wish to marry. I only want to stay by your and Mother’s side and care for you both all my life!”

At this, both Du Ruhui and his wife could only smile and sigh in helpless affection.