C12 Why?

Yan Li lifted the curtain and stepped inside, finding Luo Tingye already awake and sitting upright at the head of the bed. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a glow on his handsome face—half illuminated, half in shadow. Yet, the darkness wasn't intimidating; instead, it lent him an almost surreal, mysterious beauty.

Sensing something amiss, Yan Li noticed that while Luo Tingye's complexion had improved, his expression remained composed and serious. Her instincts told her he had something on his mind. She approached and sat by the bed, her demeanor solemn.

"Do you have something to say?" she asked, addressing him as the Eldest Young Master rather than her husband or by his name.

Luo Tingye slightly raised his striking, narrow eyes, which held an inscrutable depth as he gazed at the woman before him. Her eyes were clear and calm, her features delicate and graceful. She sat like a serene orchid in a secluded valley, yet moved with the vibrant energy of a sunflower under the blazing sun, captivating and unforgettable.

But was she truly different, or did she simply pity him? Luo Tingye's brows furrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure emanating from him.

Yan Li didn't rush him. If he chose not to speak, she would wait patiently for him to begin. After a long pause, Luo Tingye finally spoke.

"Yan Li, why do you do this?"

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "What do you mean?"

He continued, "You could easily choose to ignore it."

Ignore it? Yan Li understood. He was referring to her confrontation with Mrs. Lau—was it for his sake? She chuckled inwardly. Could she explain it was all a misunderstanding? In truth, she was inherently selfish, doing everything for herself. Would he believe that?

Yan Li lowered her gaze slightly, watching his elegant fingers rest casually on the quilt. It was a beautifully embroidered red and gold quilt, exquisite in its craftsmanship, yet she found it less beautiful than his hands.

She sighed softly. Since things had reached him, she didn't mind being open and honest.

She said, "Eldest Young Master, tell me, as a farm girl at the very bottom, alone and without support, she can't even lift a chicken, let alone work the land. Her only means of living are the flowers in the two acres of land in front of her home. When she learns she has a marriage contract she can't refuse, what choice do you think she should make?"

She never had the power to choose for herself; all she had was "compliance." But in her compliance, she tried to make life a bit easier for herself.

Luo Tingye's dark eyes deepened slightly.

Yan Li chuckled softly and continued, "Eldest Young Master, you were born into a wealthy family, so you might not understand how terrifying it is when death truly comes. A year ago, I died once. A high fever took my life, and when I woke up again, I decided I didn't want to be weak anymore, didn't want to be bullied. More importantly, I wanted to live a good life, a comfortable life. Can you understand that?"

These words were sincere. She had truly died and come back to life.

Luo Tingye understood, yet he didn't.

"So, you're saying that if you married the Luo family cousin, you'd protect him just as you do now?"

In Luo Tingye's dark eyes, there was a subtle hint of danger, expressing his displeasure. Did this woman only care about living happily and comfortably, regardless of whom she married?

Yan Li thought for a moment, then honestly replied, "Not necessarily. It depends on what kind of person the Luo family cousin is. If he's a good person like you, Eldest Young Master, I wouldn't mind helping him fight for the position of the main wife."

This was the honest truth, spoken from the heart.

But these words made Luo Tingye feel a bit uneasy. She was complimenting him, but the thought that she would also help the Luo family cousin made him a bit unhappy. It was a very strange feeling.

Luo Tingye's displeasure remained unchanged, his voice still cold. "Continue."

Yan Li smacked her lips slightly. This man seemed a bit moody. Was this how the eldest son of a wealthy family behaved, so proud and aloof?

She raised an eyebrow. "Since I'm destined to marry, I want to make my life a bit better. Can you understand that?"

Luo Tingye snorted. "And what does that have to do with opposing Mrs. Lau? Yan Li, don't try to play smart with me. My body may be ill, but my mind is perfectly fine."

In the Luo Mansion, Mrs. Lau didn't dare make a move against him yet. At least, the Old Master wouldn't allow it. For now, Mrs. Lau was only meddling in small aspects of his life, and Yan Li had likely noticed this long ago.

If Yan Li kept her head down and behaved, she wouldn't be deprived of any of the privileges due to the Great Young Madam. She'd enjoy good food, wear fine clothes, and live comfortably. Why go through all this trouble?

From the first day of serving tea, to understanding Mrs. Lau's character, to the spring rituals and morning and evening greetings, and finally the punishment of Nanny Cheung, each event clearly declared her opposition to Mrs. Lau.

But why? He couldn't believe it was just for a comfortable life.

Luo Tingye's eyes remained puzzled.

Yan Li sighed deeply. "Alright, let's be straightforward. I don't want to stay in the Luo Mansion, and I don't want you to stay here either. I want to leave and create my own household, where I can call the shots. That's what I truly want."

Luo Tingye: ?

Create her own household?

Luo Tingye couldn't deny his shock. He had imagined countless reasons for her actions, but never this intention or plan.

Yan Li stood up. "Eldest Young Master, forgive my bluntness, but as long as you're here, your health won't improve. Everyone says a peaceful life leads to longevity. Your illness might not just be physical; it's likely psychological. Living under Mrs. Lau's constant manipulation is enough to make anyone sick. Also, I didn't choose who to marry, whether it was Cousin Luo or you. But, the luckiest thing was being married to you, Eldest Young Master. You have a good heart."

The final words left Luo Tingye feeling quite pleased, especially the phrase, "most fortunate."

"Really?" Luo Tingye's handsome brows lifted slightly.

Seeing his expression soften, Yan Li's eyes brightened, and a sudden realization struck her: this proud husband of hers actually enjoyed a bit of flattery. Well, that made things easier.

"In a different household, I might have been kicked out for marrying in someone else's place, but a family like yours is truly fitting for you. So, the fact that you didn't send me away on the first day shows your integrity. Plus, your guidance during the tea ceremony was invaluable, and these past few days, you've let me arrange things in the courtyard..."

Yan Li spoke sincerely. She was well aware of how strict the social hierarchy was in the past. Women were often seen as mere accessories to men, and she had witnessed several wives on the estate being ordered around by their husbands. The fact that Luo Tingye remained silent and allowed her some freedom was a significant improvement.

Luo Tingye looked at her grateful expression and murmured softly, "Really?"