Su Li led her maids back to her courtyard.
"Miss, do you wish to stay up for New Year's Eve, or would you prefer to freshen up first?" Siqin asked.
Su Li smiled, "No rush."
She said, entering the inner room, leaving the maids to exchange confused glances.
Su Li emerged with three small boxes, handing them to them.
"These are New Year's gifts. You've accompanied me through another year. In this world, aside from my parents, you are the people who have been with me the longest. You're all grown women now, and I don't know how much longer you'll be able to stay by my side."
Tears welled up in the maids' eyes as they gazed at Su Li, not reaching for the boxes.
Siqin said, "Miss, Madam has already given us some."
Madam had already given them large red packets, new clothes, and other New Year's gifts. How could they possibly accept more from Miss?
Zhishu, her voice tinged with a sob, declared, "I don't want to get married! I want to stay with Miss forever!" No one in this world treated her better than Miss. Getting married sounded awful. She wasn't as smart as Siqin, nor as pretty as Mohua; all she knew was how to cook. If she married into a family, she wouldn't be well-liked and would surely be stifled to death. She just wanted to stay with Miss, and she couldn't bear to leave her either.
Mohua, also moved, said, "Miss, we servants wish to follow you our entire lives. Once Miss marries His Highness, we'll even get to serve the little masters and mistresses in the future!"
Su Li chuckled, "Now, now, what's with all this melancholy? It's New Year's Day; everyone should be happy. What Mother gives is hers; these are from me. Take them, all of you."
With that, she placed a box into each of the three maids' hands.
"Hurry and open them to see!"
The three maids slowly opened their boxes.
"Miss! This is far too valuable! We can't accept this!"
"Exactly! How can this be!"
"Miss, we only need this hairpin; please take back the rest."
The three maids stared at the jewelry inside the boxes – a whole box full – and a thousand taels of silver notes! How could they possibly accept such generosity!
Su Li smiled, "Keep them all safe. Consider it a dowry for yourselves."
Zhishu said, "Miss, please give them to Siqin and Mohua instead. They need to save for a dowry; I don't."
Su Li teased, "And why do Siqin and Mohua need to save for a dowry?"
Zhishu leaned closer to Su Li, lowering her voice, "Miss, don't you know? Sister Siqin and Brother Xu…"
Siqin quickly stepped forward, interrupting her, "Zhishu! What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Seeing Siqin's cheeks flush, Su Li said with a laugh, "Alright, alright, just take them. Don't refuse now; you've earned these."
Unable to refuse, the maids bowed in thanks.
"Go on and rest. I'll freshen up myself."
Once the maids had left, Su Li removed her jewelry and carefully washed up.
Just as she was about to change into her sleepwear, she remembered Jun Mo's words and paused, picking up a book to read while leaning against the headboard.
The luminous pearl was indeed excellent, illuminating the room as if it were day, making her feel comfortable while reading.
Jun Mo entered, observing her neat attire, and let out a low chuckle. She was clearly guarding against him.
Su Li looked up, seeing the smile in his eyes, and asked, "It's so late. Why aren't you resting back at your own place? What brings you here?"
Jun Mo walked over and sat before her, saying, "Li'er, it's New Year's Day today."
Su Li listened to the sound of firecrackers outside, feeling no inclination to sleep.
She simply got up, put on her shoes, walked to the window, and opened it.
The night was hazy, a thin mist swirling, accompanied by the fragrance of plum blossoms. The sky was filled with dazzling fireworks.
"How beautiful!"
Su Li gazed upwards, murmuring in admiration.
Jun Mo watched the woman by the window. Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall. As she tilted her head back, her graceful, slender neck was revealed. The moonlight added a touch of mystery and dreaminess to her.
Su Li felt a sudden tightening around her waist and found herself enveloped in a warm embrace.
Jun Mo held her from behind, resting his chin on her hair, and stood with her at the window, watching the fireworks outside.
"Li'er, I hope that every New Year's Day from now on, I can be by your side, year after year, morning till night."
Su Li felt the warmth of his embrace and the tenderness in his voice by her ear. Her delicate hand unconsciously covered his large one.
She said nothing, but everything was unspoken.
Jun Mo inverted his hand, enveloping her small hand within his large one. They simply stood there, quietly watching the splendid fireworks outside the window.
After a while, Jun Mo pulled her to the table.
"The night air is cool; be careful not to catch a cold."
Jun Mo poured two cups of tea, handing one to her.
"Li'er, once you've had your coming-of-age ceremony, we'll get married, alright?" Jun Mo gazed steadily at her.
His smile held a captivating warmth, like a spring breeze sweeping over a hundred flowers, bringing life to all vegetation with just a brush.
Su Li asked, "You must know that once Abbot Kongjian says something contrary to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, His Majesty will surely investigate the Bureau."
The Imperial Astronomical Bureau might seem of little use on a daily basis, but it holds a crucial position in matters of sacrifices and national destiny.
Becoming an enemy of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau is something no member of the imperial family desires.
Jun Mo chuckled, "The Imperial Astronomical Bureau has internal corruption; that is what truly poses the greatest danger to Tianqi. Sooner or later, we'll have to confront it."
Seeing his seriousness, Su Li smiled and said, "For the rest of my life, I shall dwell with you and never fail you!"
Jun Mo froze for a moment before he reacted.
Then came sheer ecstasy. He shot up, "Whoosh!"
"Li'er! You agreed?!"
Su Li quickly stopped him, "So loud! If you're discovered, you can forget about coming here at night ever again!"
Jun Mo paid no heed to any of that. In his mind, only the words 'To dwell with you, I shall never fail you' echoed.
He took two long strides to Su Li's side, pulled her into his embrace, looked at her soft, tempting red lips, and lowered his head.
His arms tightened, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones and blood.
Their breaths mingled. Her breath, like orchids, and a captivating, subtle fragrance lingered between their lips.
Outside the window, the fireworks had gradually ceased at some unknown moment, and the sound of firecrackers had faded.
Only the gentle moonlight poured in, silently embracing the lovers in the mortal world.
After a long while, Su Li pushed him away, gasping for air.
Was this man trying to devour her alive?
Seeing his beloved maiden's shy, yet slightly resentful, charming petulance, Jun Mo let out a low laugh.
He pulled her back into his embrace, lightly brushing her red lips.
"Li'er, you've made great progress."
Upon hearing this, Su Li's small face flushed crimson, and she struggled to pull away.
Jun Mo held her tight, not letting go, and sat down at the table, holding her in his lap.
Su Li sat on his lap, saying unnaturally, "Let go."
Jun Mo's breath hitched.
"Li'er, don't move. I'm just holding you."
His voice was hoarse, as if he were enduring something.
In an instant, Su Li understood, and dared not move again.
Inwardly, she cursed, "Scoundrel."
Jun Mo chuckled aloud.
Su Li turned her head, meeting a pair of eyes like the warm sun of spring.
His face was like white jade, his eyes like myriad stars.
Su Li's heart suddenly skipped half a beat.
She turned her head away, no longer looking at him. This man was too captivating; in front of him, she couldn't even muster a shred of anger.
"It's late. Aren't you going back?"
Outside, everything had returned to peace; it must have been close to midnight.
Jun Mo stood up and swept her into his arms.
Su Li gasped in surprise, quickly wrapping her arms around his neck.
"What are you doing?"
Jun Mo carried her further into the room.
"You… what are you doing?" Su Li asked, her voice tense.
Jun Mo lowered his head, glancing at the woman in his arms, and a faint smile touched his lips. "What do you think I'm doing?"
That smile was like a blooming poppy – alluring yet dangerous.
Su Li's heart tightened, then immediately relaxed.
A wave of amusement washed over her. What was she worried about? This man would never harm her.
Noticing her sudden lack of tension, Jun Mo asked curiously, "Why aren't you nervous anymore?"
Su Li smiled, "You're not that kind of person."
Her words were spoken with certainty and a complete lack of fear.
Jun Mo gently placed her on the bed and pulled the covers over her.
"You trust me that much?"
Su Li nodded, the trust in her eyes completely evident.
Jun Mo sighed, collecting the luminous pearl back into its box and closing the lid. He left only a small lamp lit in the room, then gently ruffled her hair, holding her hand as he said, "Sleep. I'll leave once you're asleep."
Su Li stared at him with wide eyes.
"Are you staring at this king like that because you want this king to do something?"
The moment he finished speaking, Su Li immediately closed her eyes.
Her long eyelashes cast small shadows.
Su Li thought she wouldn't be able to sleep, but feeling the warmth in her palm, she surprisingly drifted off very quickly.
Jun Mo gazed at the woman's sleeping face, utterly mesmerized.
He continued to hold her hand, watching her for nearly an hour.
Hearing the sound of the night watchman's gong, he withdrew his hand, gently tucked the corner of her blanket, and prepared to leave.
Suddenly, the woman's brows furrowed, as if she were sleeping restlessly.
"Zhao Huai'an! Su Yue! You… you'll die a horrible death!"
"Father! Mother! Your daughter… your daughter was wrong! Your daughter shouldn't have…"
"Cousin…"
"Li'er hurts so much…"
Finally, she curled up like a wounded little beast, silently weeping.
Jun Mo's heart suddenly constricted. Her tears seemed to be heavy drops smashing onto his heart, causing him agonizing pain.
He pulled her into his embrace, tenderly wiping away her tears, his heart aching.
He gently patted her back, softly coaxing, "Be good, Li'er, it's just a dream. Be good, Li'er…"
He watched as the woman gradually stopped crying, slowly calming down.
But her hands clung to his collar, unwilling to let go, like a drowning person clutching a piece of driftwood.
Unable to pull away, he simply lay down beside her.
She slept soundly, yet he remained wide awake.
The phrase 'Li'er hurts so much' had deeply pierced him.
What exactly had she dreamt of? Or had she truly experienced something in her past life?
Who dared to hurt her to such an extent?!
Zhao Huai'an?
Is he that strategist?
He should have killed him last time!
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