Chapter 59: Granting a Favor

If Li Lizhi had suddenly visited the Li residence today to aid Lady Changsun, Li Yi truly had no idea what he ought to do. After all, Li Lizhi was a princess, and the blood of the Changsun family ran in her veins. Moreover, Li Lizhi was close to Du Xiaomei, and Li Yi, caught in the middle as the person involved, felt deeply uneasy.

He glanced at Du Gou, who was hiding behind the crowd, looking thoroughly disreputable. Li Yi surmised that this shameless fellow must have already betrayed him, recounting the events to Li Lizhi. Otherwise, how could they have arrived together? It seemed far too coincidental for such a thing to happen.

“Looks like today’s affair will be tricky,” Li Yi thought with a troubled brow. Yet, he refrained from asking anything, feigning ignorance and remaining silent to see whom Li Lizhi intended to help. Without knowing, he felt entirely uncertain.

True to his expectations, it was Li Lizhi who broke the silence first. She glanced at those present in the main hall, her brows furrowed in confusion, and asked Lady Changsun in surprise, “Aunt, why have you brought so many people to the Li residence? What’s the reason for such a grand display?”

Lady Changsun’s heart swelled with joy at the sight. She had just been worrying about how to resolve today’s incident, never expecting Li Lizhi would arrive. It was as if her savior had appeared! Yet, before she could savor her delight, her gaze swept toward Li Lizhi and spotted Du Xiaomei and her brother at her side, leaving her uncertain.

“Du Xiaomei has always been on good terms with the princess. No doubt she brought her here today. But if the princess sides with reason rather than kin, what will I do? No, I must think carefully before answering her! If I say the wrong thing, I’ll find myself at an impasse.”

Lady Changsun hesitated for a long moment, then seemed to steel herself, abruptly changing her previously cold demeanor toward Lady Hongfu and revealing a warm, friendly smile.

She said, “Princess, I came to the Li residence today merely to discuss some small matters with Lady Li. I forgot to send the maids home first. Anyone unfamiliar might think there’s some conflict between us!”

As she spoke, Lady Changsun waved her hand, and the servants immediately understood. First, they paid their respects to the princess, then to Lady Changsun and Lady Li, and promptly departed, leaving only two maids by Lady Changsun’s side.

As for the true purpose of her visit, Lady Changsun was no longer so rash as before. She needed to first gauge Li Lizhi’s intentions before deciding. If Li Lizhi chose to side with reason over kin, Lady Changsun could seize the opportunity to retreat gracefully, avoiding embarrassment. But if she chose kin over reason, then the Li residence would surely suffer.

Earlier, Lady Changsun had been blinded by anger over her son Changsun Chong being beaten, falling into the trap Li Yi had laid, but she was not a fool. She knew that since Li Lizhi had come as a princess, she must have already heard the truth from Du Xiaomei and her brother. Otherwise, she would not have acted so.

Thus, Lady Changsun left herself a way out, in case she needed to turn the situation around.

“Lady Changsun speaks rightly!” Upon hearing Lady Changsun’s sudden change in attitude and seeing many of her servants depart, Lady Hongfu, perceptive as ever, smiled back but said no more. She too was unsure of Li Lizhi’s intentions and would not speak rashly.

Li Yi watched from the side, utterly bewildered. “What’s going on? That shameless old shrew Lady Changsun actually compromised and sent her people away? Could it be… Li Lizhi wants to mediate?”

This thought suddenly struck Li Yi, and he began to guess Li Lizhi’s purpose.

At that moment, seeing that neither Lady Changsun nor Lady Hongfu spoke further, Li Lizhi abandoned all pretense and said directly, “Aunt, Madam, I heard that not long ago, Cousin and Young Master Li had a dispute. Is it because of this matter?”

Both Lady Changsun and Lady Hongfu were taken aback. Since Li Lizhi already knew, there was no need to hide it. It seemed she had indeed come to mediate.

Together, they nodded and smiled, “To be honest, Princess, it is indeed because of this matter.”

“Very well!” As soon as they replied, Li Lizhi nodded with a smile. She said frankly, “Since both ladies are here about this, and I have learned the details before arriving, why not let me act as a mediator? What do you both say?”

Li Lizhi still wore a gentle smile, but within it was the dignity of royalty.

She showed no sign of favoring either party.

Lady Changsun and Lady Hongfu exchanged glances, as if reaching agreement, and said, “Since that’s so, we’ll trouble the princess to take charge.”

“Then I’ll be bold,” Li Lizhi replied, her smile blooming like a pure peony.

At the same time, Li Lizhi cast a questioning look toward Li Yi, as if asking, “Young Master Li, may I help you resolve this matter? Will you grant me this favor today?”

That tender, timid, and pitiful expression left Li Yi at a loss. No man could bear to refuse her.

Li Yi wondered why he could understand Li Lizhi’s gaze, but after thinking for a moment, decided to accept her goodwill.

He nodded with a smile, “Since my mother and Lady Changsun have no objections, I thank the princess and trouble her to take charge.”

Li Lizhi had been worried, but hearing this, her face brightened, “Young Master Li, no need for thanks!”

Finally, at Li Lizhi’s suggestion, Li Yi and Changsun Chong agreed to let the matter rest, and in the future, neither would trouble the other over it. Thus, the issue was resolved.

Neither party had any objection to Li Lizhi’s proposal.

Though Lady Changsun was still somewhat dissatisfied with the outcome, she understood that, given the circumstances, this was the best solution. If the matter were to reach the palace, the result would not be what Li Lizhi had mediated today. That was a prospect neither side wished to see.

Thus, Lady Changsun retreated with her entourage, leaving the Li residence.

Li Lizhi, Du Xiaomei, and Du Gou stayed for a meal at the Li residence before Li Lizhi prepared to return to the palace with her maids.

At the front gate, having walked several steps, Li Lizhi suddenly paused, turned back, and smiled gently at Li Yi, saying, “Young Master Li, don’t forget, today you owe me a favor!”

With that, Li Lizhi vanished beyond the Li residence.

Li Yi looked at the empty street, frowned, and muttered with a wry smile, “Is she trying to tease me?”

(End of chapter)