Finally, Ye Qingcheng agreed, believing that with her makeup on, the young master of the Liu family wouldn't recognize her.
There were many carriages at the entrance of the Liu manor, indicating a considerable number of guests.
Upon entering the manor gates, Li Mo'er was like a wild horse unleashed from its reins.
"Sister Ruyan, Sister Ruyan!" she called out as soon as she entered.
Ye Qingcheng shook her head helplessly. Her eyes flicked towards Pei Changqiu and saw him looking at Li Mo'er with doting affection.
Ye Qingcheng's eyebrows shot up. "Oh ho! Looks like there's something brewing!"
She realized she should play matchmaker. If it worked out, she might even have a talent for being a madam.
At this moment, a woman in strikingly gorgeous attire appeared. The moment Li Mo'er saw her, she rushed into her arms. "Sister Ruyan."
Although Liu Ruyan was dressed in opulent and vibrant clothes, she was known in the capital as one of the most gentle and charming women.
How did this reputation come about? Liu Ruyan's embroidery and needlework were exceptional. The girls from Yingchun Tower said that Miss Ruyan didn't mind their humble origins from the brothel. When they sought her guidance, she treated them with politeness, never mocking or turning them away. Over time, Liu Ruyan's reputation grew.
"Mo'er, still so vivacious!"
Li Mo'er giggled and quickly pulled Liu Ruyan over to Ye Qingcheng. "Sister Ruyan, this is the Regent's Consort. I brought her here to play. And also, this is Pei Changqiu, Constable Pei."
Liu Ruyan was surprised. She hadn't expected Li Mo'er to bring Ye Qingcheng: "Liu Ruyan greets the Consort and Constable Pei."
Ye Qingcheng quickly offered a supporting hand, "Miss Liu, there's no need for such formality."
Pei Changqiu returned the courtesy: "Greetings, Miss Liu."
Seeing him, Liu Ruyan found him to be tall and imposing, strong-willed yet not overbearing, possessing a gentlemanly demeanor. She then glanced at Li Mo'er's shy expression and knew that Mo'er had feelings for him.
He seemed like a good man. She wondered about his character, hoping he wasn't like her brother!
Thinking of her brother brought a sigh. She had thought she'd found a good match for him, but unfortunately, the girl didn't think much of him. And truthfully, if the person who liked him was like her brother, she wouldn't think much of them either.
It could only be said that they were destined but not fated.
Liu Ruyan smiled slightly: "Consort, please just call me Ruyan."
Ye Qingcheng smiled without speaking.
As the hostess, Liu Ruyan naturally fulfilled her duties: "Consort, please come inside. Constable Pei, please come in."
Ye Qingcheng nodded, and Pei Changqiu followed.
The three followed Liu Ruyan to the main hall.
Liu Ruyan explained with a smile: "Heh heh! Consort, Constable Pei, please don't mind. Those who come here to play are those I'm closest to, so..."
For some reason, Ye Qingcheng felt increasingly uneasy the further they walked. So, she excused herself to Liu Ruyan: "Miss Liu, I apologize, but could you tell me where the privy is?"
The three present were momentarily stunned. Pei Changqiu cleared his throat and looked away.
Liu Ruyan, momentarily caught off guard by the request, paused for a moment before saying: "Perhaps I should accompany the Consort? Li Yi."
A maidservant beside Ruyan stepped forward and bowed: "Your servant is here."
Liu Ruyan said: "You take Miss Li and Constable Pei to the main hall first. I will accompany the Consort to the privy and return shortly."
"Yes."
Then, she bowed to Li Mo'er and Pei Changqiu: "Miss Li, Constable Pei, please follow this servant."
They nodded and left with the maidservant.
The two followed the maidservant to the hall, where the pot-throwing game was reaching its peak.
The crowd was laughing and heckling a young master for his poor performance in the game.
"Guiyi, you're no good! Your stakes, you're going to lose them all!"
"Hahahahaha!"
Fearing Pei Changqiu wouldn't understand, Li Mo'er explained: "The pot-throwing game has stakes for winning and losing. Initially, the stakes were money, but many felt it was too addictive, so they changed the stakes to physical objects. Look over there." Li Mo'er pointed to a pile of items, including small animals like rabbits and cats, as well as small trinkets like golden hairpins.
"Those are the stakes for this competition."
Pei Changqiu nodded, indicating he understood.
Their situation had attracted attention.
Someone began to tease them: "Oh, isn't this the fifth daughter of the Li family? What brings you here?"
"Yes! I heard the Duchess of England is hosting a polo match today. Your family should all be there, why aren't you?"
This group of people, having spent so much time together, had become accustomed to speaking without restraint.
Li Mo'er waved her hand and led Pei Changqiu forward.
"I'm not going! It's so dusty on the field. Besides, everyone knows the Duchess of England wants to matchmake the County Princess this time, which is why she's invited so many people to play."
A young woman came forward, slung an arm around Li Mo'er's shoulders, and pulled her in her direction: "Exactly! That County Princess, relying on her status as the former Emperor's favored consort, is truly putting on airs."
"That's right! She's arrogant and has a terrible temper."
Someone noticed Pei Changqiu: "Hmm? Mo'er, who is this...?"
Li Mo'er suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to introduce Pei Changqiu.
"Oh, this is Pei Changqiu, the Constable of Kaifeng Prefecture."
Everyone reacted: "Oh! So it's Constable Pei! I heard you caught a thief, that's amazing!"
"Yes! I also heard that thief was skilled in martial arts. To be caught by you is truly impressive!"
Pei Changqiu, with a straight face, humbly replied: "Thank you for your praise. Actually, he wasn't that skilled; he just knew some boxing and kicking techniques, nothing more than mere showmanship."
After a round of compliments, Li Mo'er looked around, not seeing Liu Huai'an.
"Where is Liu Huai'an?"
The others also noticed Liu Huai'an was absent.
"Yes, wasn't he just here a moment ago?"
Someone noticed him sleeping in the corridor.
"Look, there he is!"
Li Mo'er observed Liu Huai'an at this moment. His features were sharp, his jaw pointed. He had become frighteningly thin these past few months.
"What's wrong with him?"
Someone explained: "Alas, it's because of that girl. Ever since she left, Liu Huai'an has become like this. In fact, Ruyan arranged this pot-throwing game hoping he'd snap out of it."
"Sigh. Who would have thought that the young master who used to frequent brothels and drink with courtesans was actually a man of deep devotion."
It was a dream, and he was the only one lost within it. When the dream ended and the girl left, he alone refused to wake.
Those who could see clearly could only sigh in response.
"Come, come, let's stop looking at him and continue playing."
Just then, Ye Qingcheng returned with Liu Ruyan. Upon seeing her, Li Mo'er immediately clung to her.
"Consort Sister, you're here!"
The title "Consort" startled everyone.
What was going on? The Regent's Consort was here to socialize with them, a group of merchants' children.
Everyone quickly put down what they were holding and bowed: "Greetings, Consort."