Chapter 29: How Is Little Sister?

The sight before him stunned Li Yi, making him momentarily dumbfounded. All the dissatisfaction he had felt vanished in an instant.

“Little sister?” Li Yi looked at her in surprise.

But as he remembered how he had just been about to tease Yue’er, his face became somewhat awkward. Fortunately, he hadn’t been too frivolous, otherwise, he would have truly embarrassed himself!

Du Xiaomei, however, only smiled gently, as if she hadn’t noticed anything amiss at all. Her face was full of delight, and she raised her bright smile, calling softly, “Third brother.”

Her tone was exceptionally gentle, carrying a softness that inspired endless imagination...

Yet what puzzled Li Yi even more was that Du Xiaomei did not dare meet his gaze. A nameless blush had spread across her cheeks.

No matter how he looked, Li Yi felt—this was a gaze brimming with affection.

“What’s gotten into this little lass today?” Li Yi wondered, a surprising thought flashing through his mind. “Could she be... enchanted?”

Just then, Lady Hongfu and Madam Du entered the residence together.

Seeing Li Yi and Du Xiaomei in this state, both ladies exchanged a knowing smile, making Li Yi feel all the more bewildered.

“Yue’er, bring us some tea,” Lady Hongfu said with a sly smile, instructing the girl standing nearby.

“Yes, madam,” Yue’er replied obediently, her face flushed as she turned to fetch the tea.

Li Yi then abandoned any intention of teasing Yue’er. With others present, it would be unseemly and damaging to his reputation.

Ahem...

Granted, his reputation wasn’t particularly stellar, but a little restoration was still necessary...

“Third son pays respects to madam.” After greeting Madam Du, Li Yi followed Lady Hongfu into the main hall to take a seat.

Du Xiaomei stood quietly behind Madam Du, but her eyes occasionally stole glances at Li Yi. When he noticed and smiled back, Du Xiaomei suddenly shrank her neck and lowered her head, like a child caught sneaking snacks in the night. Her small hands nervously clutched at her dress.

This sight made Lady Hongfu and Madam Du smile and nod in approval.

Lady Hongfu cast a smiling glance at Li Yi and suddenly asked, “Third son, now that you’re grown, shall I find you a bride?”

“Ah...?” Li Yi was instantly stunned, wholly unprepared, and looked speechlessly at Lady Hongfu.

Lady Hongfu had always doted on him, and hadn’t she promised not to pressure him anymore? What was happening today—and right in front of Madam Du and Du Xiaomei!

Was he picked up off the street, perhaps...?

Just then, seeing Li Yi remain silent with his mouth slightly open, Madam Du seized the moment, smiling warmly, “Indeed, third son, you’ve reached the age for marriage. Tell me, is there someone you fancy?”

Li Yi’s cheeks twitched slightly. He hadn’t expected Madam Du herself to act as matchmaker for him. Surely the sun was rising in the west today?

But as she was a guest and his elder, kindly offering to arrange his marriage, Li Yi could not refuse.

So, he replied evenly, “Not at the moment.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Du’s smile grew even brighter, and Du Xiaomei’s eyes immediately darted to Li Yi, her face blooming crimson with shy anticipation.

The strange scene made Li Yi feel as if he were on trial in an interrogation chamber.

It was truly daunting!

Lady Hongfu fell silent, while Madam Du, still smiling, suddenly changed the subject, “Third son, what do you think of Xiaomei?”

“What... Xiaomei?” Li Yi’s face was full of astonishment and confusion.

Was he hearing things?

He looked up at Madam Du, whose expression was entirely sincere, showing no sign of having misspoken.

Moreover, with Madam Du’s words, Du Xiaomei seemed to gather her courage, her gaze fixed directly on Li Yi, full of yearning.

Seeing the two women’s demeanor, Li Yi finally understood—their purpose was to arrange a marriage between Du Xiaomei and himself!

“Um, mother...?” Li Yi glanced at Lady Hongfu, but she returned a look of satisfaction and pride, glancing at him and Du Xiaomei and nodding slightly.

Li Yi was left speechless. He realized Lady Hongfu and Madam Du must have already reached an understanding in secret.

Otherwise, Lady Hongfu would not have worn such an expression.

“Madam,” Li Yi finally spoke after a moment, looking at Madam Du and hesitating, “Xiaomei... she’s still very young. Isn’t it a bit too soon?”

He was speaking the truth.

Du Xiaomei was only twelve or thirteen; in modern terms, she was just a young girl in middle school...

Besides, in his brief acquaintance with Madam Du, Li Yi found her far from a stodgy or old-fashioned woman, and Du Ruhui hardly seemed rigid or dull.

So why rush to marry off Du Xiaomei at such a young age?

It was true that in the entire Tang dynasty, most girls could be wed at thirteen, but Li Yi’s heart had not fully adjusted from his modern sensibilities.

For now, he couldn’t quite accept such early marriages.

Before Madam Du could reply, Du Xiaomei suddenly looked away in panic, dejectedly asking, “Third brother, do you... not like me?”

Her eyes, so pitiful, carried both anticipation and disappointment, making Li Yi’s heart flutter.

Besides, Du Xiaomei was beautiful and well-mannered, and their relationship had always been close.

Li Yi couldn’t find a reason to reject her.

In fact, he thought having such a wife would be quite wonderful!

But he still wasn’t ready for early marriage.

Of course, these were thoughts Li Yi dared not utter aloud.

If Lady Hongfu learned of them, she’d likely hang him up for a thrashing, which would be most unfortunate.

So Li Yi waved his hand and smiled gently, “That’s not the case—I like you very much...”

Instantly, Du Xiaomei’s cheeks bloomed with a rosy hue, like little red apples.

“Oh, so third brother likes me too...” Hearing this, Du Xiaomei’s disappointment vanished, her heart eased, and her smile blossomed like she’d tasted honey.

Lady Hongfu and Madam Du, seeing this, both smiled in deep satisfaction.