Jiang Woli looked a bit angry. "Third Sister, why do you always act so differently from others?"
Oh, so this little thief was Jiang Wodan, the third young lady who had been out of sight for a long time.
She was just as exquisitely featured as Jiang Woli, but her eyes were even more captivating, as if they held twinkling stars, with a liveliness and clarity that Jiang Woli's eyes lacked.
Jiang Wodan patted the dirt off her butt and got up defiantly. "Of course, because I'm born unique."
Saying that, she swaggered towards the courtyard gate.
Li Gusu found it amusing. How could this Jiang Wodan be the kind of person who would cower at home?
"Stop! Do you think my courtyard is a place where you can come and go as you please? What would that make me?!"
Jiang Wodan turned around and said playfully, "You guys are here to enjoy the flowers. Are you sure you want me, a third wheel, tagging along? Brother - in - law wouldn't agree, would he, Brother - in - law?"
Li Gusu's smile froze for a moment.
The feeling of being controlled and ordered came back to him, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.
Revenge was one thing, but he didn't want to act recklessly. He was only fifteen and had a future ahead of him.
Moreover, the real culprit, Luo Siyuan, had long since passed away. Now, Jiang Xuyao was at most an accomplice.
The Marquis of Anding had lost much of his will to live and was just looking for a target to vent his anger on.
Hearing Jiang Wodan's "third - wheel" theory, Jiang Woli blushed a little and said awkwardly, "He's not your brother - in - law."
The denial seemed a bit forced.
Li Gusu could see Jiang Woli's shyness, but deliberately took it as a cold - hearted rejection and made an excuse to take his leave.
Sure enough, people with a less - complicated mind usually led a more carefree life.
After staying in the Jiang Mansion for nearly ten days, the Marquis of Anding finally sent someone to call him back.
Li Gusu let out a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to go to the study in the Jiang Mansion to bid farewell to Jiang Xuyao, he suddenly thought of something and stopped in his tracks.
He deliberately went there at mealtime and went straight to Tang Yuning's courtyard.
Sure enough, Jiang Wodan was there too.
His little scheme having succeeded, Li Gusu felt much better. He was polite and graceful, looking much more approachable than usual.
When Li Gusu entered the room, Jiang Wodan's eyes rolled like two juicy black grapes.
Li Gusu clearly saw her little trick of putting croton powder on the osmanthus cakes while she was serving them, but she was completely unaware. With a mischievous smile on her lips, she carried the osmanthus cakes in front of Li Gusu.
Li Gusu found it both funny and interesting, but still pretended to be serious and coldly bid farewell to Jiang Wodan.
This Jiang Wodan seemed quite interesting.
Judging from her usual behavior, she was nothing like an ordinary boudoir lady.
After bidding farewell, he naturally had to leave the mansion. Jiang Woli came to see him off, her eyes full of reluctance.
Jiang Woli's affection came too quickly.
But he didn't want it.
Li Gusu even felt a twinge of guilt because of this.
Forget it. Since he couldn't make his own decisions, he might as well let things take their course. Maybe one day, he would really develop some feelings for Jiang Woli.
Jiang Woli's eyes were full of tears. "If you can win the archery competition at the hunting event in half a year, I'll get engaged to you. Okay?"
Li Gusu nodded. "Okay."
He would try to get closer to Jiang Woli.
Jiang Woli said, "If I marry you in the future, you mustn't marry anyone else. I'll be the only one. Okay?"
Li Gusu nodded. "Okay."
If he liked someone, that's what he should do.
But who could tell him what to do if he didn't like her?
Jiang Woli said, "You must practice hard and win."
Li Gusu nodded. "Okay."
It was just a guise for a marriage alliance. He knew that.
He knew many things, but he didn't know his own heart.
Not long after he returned to his mansion, the image of Jiang Wodan's delicate and playful eyes popped up in his mind.
Li Gusu felt a bit panicked. But after the panic, he directly hinted to Jiang Chunfeng that he had a terrible diarrhea and deliberately led the conversation to the osmanthus cakes Jiang Wodan had given him.
He was hoping that Jiang Wodan would come to see him.
Even just once, even if it was out of guilt.
It was Chinese New Year's Eve at that time.
The Marquis of Anding always got drunk alone on this occasion and never stayed up with him to see in the new year. There were very few servants in the mansion, making it seem desolate and cold.
He was holding a bow and arrow, feeling bored. As he shot arrows aimlessly, he heard a little thief climbing over the wall.
The little thief was extremely cautious, climbing up bit by bit. It was obvious that she had good light - footed skills.
But her small body swayed, and her little hands grabbed the tiles on the inner wall. When she climbed over, it seemed as if a gust of wind could blow her away.
Li Gusu found it interesting. What kind of thief was so overconfident as to come and steal from the marquis's mansion?
Just as the secret guard beside him was about to take action, Li Gusu raised his hand to stop him.
After the little thief climbed in, what came into view was a green ruffled dress with lucky cloud patterns. The glistening water - like color at the hem of the skirt was like rippling waves.
Li Gusu was stunned. In this day and age, did even thieves dress so formally when stealing?
The little thief was wearing a forehead ornament that had a faint glow in the dark. He remembered that Jiang Woli had one.
Li Gusu was stunned again. Was it Jiang Woli who had come?
He suddenly had a wild thought. If Jiang Woli could always be as fresh and playful as she was tonight, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to obey his father's order.
Li Gusu tentatively asked, "A Li?"
The little thief on the other side quickly put on a veil, leaving only a pair of clear and bright eyes. "Ah, so you miss me so much. You guessed it was me right away."
Jiang Wodan's still - amateurish undercover skills naturally couldn't fool Li Gusu. She revealed herself within just a few words.
But since Jiang Wodan was wearing a veil, it was obvious that she didn't want to be exposed, and Li Gusu didn't know how to face her.
After all, he was about to get engaged to Jiang Woli.
It was better to keep it a secret like this.
Jiang Wodan stayed by Li Gusu's side all the time. When Li Gusu was busy, she quietly stayed beside him.
But every time Li Gusu looked worried, Jiang Wodan would give him a sweet smile and say, "Young Marquis, let's go out and play."
Li Gusu would then feel that those worrying things didn't seem so important anymore.
Jiang Wodan took him to pretend to be a beggar and ask for food, but said seriously, "This is to experience the hardships of the common people. It's a necessary survival skill."
Jiang Wodan took him to pick pockets in the bustling market, still saying seriously, "This is to rob the rich and help the poor. It's a necessary survival skill."
Jiang Wodan took him to cheat and win a lot of money in the brothels and gambling houses, still saying seriously, "This is to uphold justice. It's a necessary survival skill."
Jiang Wodan took him to eat a free meal in a shady restaurant, still saying seriously, "This is to feel the different aspects of life. It's a necessary survival skill."
Jiang Wodan... secretly kissed him when he was bent over writing a document.
Li Gusu raised his eyebrows. "What, is this also a necessary survival skill?"
Jiang Wodan's little face would turn bright red, and she would turn away and ignore him.
Li Gusu would feel extremely happy. He didn't know exactly why, but he just felt happy.
Half a year passed in a flash.
On the day of the archery competition, Li Gusu was in military uniform and won the first place, receiving full applause.
But he couldn't feel elated.
Li Gusu knew that Jiang Wodan was also there, watching from afar but not coming forward.
As soon as he put down his bow and arrow, Jiang Woli ran over, her face flushed. "Young Marquis, you won."
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jiang Wodan's back as she turned to leave.
"Yes." Li Gusu smiled in resignation.
He had easily won the competition, but just as easily, he had lost his heart.
This half - year had been both a blessing and a punishment for him.
It had blessed him with the happiest half - year of his life, but it had also punished him by ensuring that he would never be that happy again for the rest of his life.