Meanwhile, at the Li manor, Madam Li looked at Ye Qingcheng in disbelief.
"Princess Consort, are you speaking the truth? Is Mo'er really, truly that bold?"
Ye Qingcheng smiled, "Madam Li, there's no need for such a reaction. When he arrives tomorrow, you will know his character."
Madam Li's eyes blazed with anger as she looked at her daughter, who was sitting beside her, secretly pleased. She was furious.
"Li Mo'er."
Li Mo'er's hands trembled. She had never heard her mother call her by her full name.
Madam Li pointed to the floor. "Kneel."
Li Mo'er's heart lurched. She immediately dropped to her knees on the spot her mother had indicated.
Seeing the situation turn sour, Ye Qingcheng tried to intercede, "Madam Li..."
"Princess Consort," Madam Li cut her off. "I address you as Princess Consort out of courtesy, but that doesn't mean I cannot reprimand you as an elder. Look at what you have done. I had no idea my own daughter was out there scouting for a man."
Madam Li still found it hard to believe. Her daughter, to such an extent of boldness, actually finding a man herself.
This... this, what would happen if this got out!
"The man is coming to propose tomorrow, and I'm only finding out now. How can you not expect me to be angry?"
She turned to Li Mo'er. "Normally, I haven't been too strict with you, as I didn't want you to feel inferior. I know you well, and I understand your feelings. I've never compared you to your elder sister, because I know my methods of education were flawed. And now, look at this. You dare to go out and find men? How desperate do you think you are not to be able to get married? Speak up! Are you mute?"
Li Mo'er straightened her body. For the first time, she challenged her mother. "Mother, it is my fault in this matter, but he is truly excellent, so... so..."
Madam Li sighed, "Excellent? Then who is he? Where does he live? What is his ancestral home? Who are his family members? How long have you known each other?"
Li Mo'er spoke eloquently, "We've known each other for almost a month. His name is Pei Changqiu. He is a constable in the yamen and has solved many cases. He's very intelligent. He only has his mother at home. They live at..."
"Slap!"
Before she could finish, Madam Li, in a fit of rage, slammed the table.
"You... you... I thought you had found someone truly remarkable! Turns out you've just found yourself a constable. You... you..."
Li Mo'er felt a pang of discomfort at her mother's words. "Mother, I don't like what you're saying. What's wrong with being a constable? Constables are respectable. He doesn't steal or rob. Just recently, he apprehended a criminal."
Madam Li looked distressed, "But he's several ranks below your father!"
"So what?" Li Mo'er puffed out her chest. "I never intended to marry into a prominent family. I know those prominent families aren't suitable for me. They are meant for my elder sister. My sister is smart, well-read, and few in the capital can compare to her. I also understand that I'm not good at anything. I'm not skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting, and I don't speak very well. So... so I understand clearly..." As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.
Madam Li sighed, "But... but you can't just settle for a constable!"
Li Mo'er shook her head and knelt beside Madam Li. "Mother, I'm not that casual. He truly treats me very well. He doesn't think I lack feminine charm. He says I'm cute, and that's enough. Mother, I know you dislike his humble background, but didn't you defy my maternal grandparents' objections to marry Father when he was taking the imperial examinations? My maternal grandparents held far greater influence than Father back then!"
Madam Li shook her head, "This is incomparable. The reason I agreed to marry your father was primarily because your grandmother had a good disposition and was well-mannered. However... I don't know what Pei Changqiu's mother is like, and neither do you. What if she is difficult to get along with? What will happen to your life then?"
Li Mo'er pouted, "I haven't thought about that! But, who truly has an easy life? Don't all women endure for decades to become elders? If I am not as fortunate as Mother, and end up with a mother-in-law like my grandmother, then I'll have no choice but to meet my end."
Madam Li still wanted to persuade her, "But you are good at managing a household! If you marry him, it will be a waste of your talent!"
Li Mo'er shook her head. "Mother, I don't feel my talent is wasted. I don't want to manage a large household. As the saying goes, managing a household for three years will make even cats and dogs despise you, so I don't want to live like that. It would be better to be with Pei Lang..."
"Stop," Madam Li scolded. "What Pei Lang? You are so thoughtless, girl. I haven't agreed to it yet..."
"What's going on?" At this moment, Old Madam Li appeared, breaking the tense silence.
Li Xuan'er followed behind her.
As soon as Old Madam Li arrived, she saw Ye Qingcheng. "This old woman pays her respects to the Princess Consort."
Li Xuan'er also bowed. "Greetings, Princess Consort."
Ye Qingcheng quickly went to support the old lady. "Old Madam Li, there's no need for such formalities. Have you been feeling better lately?"
Old Madam Li chuckled, "I must thank the Princess Consort. This old woman's health is much better now." She was then helped to the main seat by Li Xuan'er. Glancing around, she saw Li Mo'er kneeling on the ground. "What is happening? I could hear you arguing from a distance."
"Mother," Madam Li stepped forward. "It's this miscreant. She found herself a man outside and says he's coming to propose tomorrow."
Old Madam Li's eyes narrowed. "Oh? Is that so? Then she deserves a beating."
Li Mo'er's head shot up, disbelief evident. "Grandmother."
Old Madam Li looked at her. "Your mother often says she hasn't taught you well, that you can't be like your elder sister. But do you know, your elder sister wishes she could be like you?"
Elder sister?
Li Mo'er looked at Li Xuan'er.
"But now, I feel that it's fine to just be yourself. Don't complain too much. Since the man is coming to propose tomorrow, let him come!"
Madam Li looked incredulous. "Mother! How could you agree so readily?"
Old Madam Li's eyes were clear. "What else can we do? Do you really want to beat your daughter until she's confined to bed and can't move?"
Madam Li was instantly silenced.
Old Madam Li rose and adjusted her clothing. "Since the matter is settled, let nature take its course. When he comes tomorrow, we will assess him properly. Xuan'er, let's go."
"Yes."
Madam Li bowed. "Mother is right. I understand."