"Is it really so?" Ye Haoxuan showed no anger, while Lian Xueâerâs heart was uneasy, not knowing if the prince would involve her too.
She cried out in grief, "Prince, please save me. I know I shouldnât have impersonated the Ye Familyâs lady. But I had no choice. County Magistrate Zhong made me do it. Madam Zhong told me Iâm fortunate to have a good face, and said that as long as I bite the bullet, I would become the aristocracy, but if I didnât obey, my parents would be dead. Prince, I beg your mercy."
Li Luru, still holding Xiaobai, asked curiously, "According to what you say, you just needed to grit your teeth and say nothing, then everything would be fine. Youâd have money and servants, no longer a country girl. So why did you speak out?"
Ye Haoxuan glanced at her and then shifted his gaze back to Lian Xueâer.
"Yes, why did you speak out?"
"Prince, Iâm scared. Iâve been unable to sleep at night these days. Although Iâm from a farming family, I know right from wrong. I know what County Magistrate Zhong asked me to do is wrong. And since Iâve been in the county, I havenât seen my parents anymore. Two days ago, I overheard the Zhong familyâs young ladies talking, saying that my parents were dead."
Lian Xueâer couldnât be bothered to wipe her tears, crawling two steps forward on her knees, "I barged in and questioned the Zhong familyâs young ladies, but they denied it, saying it wasnât true, that I had misheard. But Iâm scared, sob..."
Ye Haoxuan didnât know what he was thinking, after a while, he waved his hand, "Alright, I know about this, you can go back first."
"Prince..."
She wanted to say something more, but the attendant grabbed her, "Miss, the prince has his own thoughts on this matter."
Seeing this, Lian Xueâer didnât say anything more.
After she left, Li Luru asked, "Do you believe what she said?"
Ye Haoxuan countered, "What do you think was true or false in what she just said?"
"A mix of truth and lies." Li Luru said thoughtfully, stroking her chin, "I feel that this girl is different from ordinary country girls. Ordinary country girls are quite rustic, but she doesnât have that rustic air at all. And although she cried pitifully, when she mentioned her parents were dead, I didnât feel she was that sad."
"Your observation is quite keen."
"Right, you think so too?" Li Luru looked for affirmation with sparkling eyes. "And did you notice, a country girl like her having such delicate, fair hands without any calluses? The girls working at our familyâs farm are nothing like her."
As she spoke with excitement, she clutched Ye Haoxuanâs arm, "Thereâs definitely something wrong with this Lian Xueâer, we must investigate thoroughly."
Ye Haoxuan was briefly stunned as his arm was grabbed.
He lifted his eyelids and met Li Luruâs smiling eyes, "Let go of your paw. Didnât your mother teach you that men and women shouldnât touch?"
After his reminder, Li Luru realized the awkwardness, laughed sheepishly, and let go of her hand.
"Youâre the one with paws, skinny chicken claws."
A manâs hands being so slender and long truly sparked envy.
"Li Luru, I think youâre a bit bold today," Ye Haoxuan said, reaching for his teacup only to find it empty.