On the Difficulties of Escape in Ancient Times

Although most people nowadays get married based on their parents’ arrangements and matchmakers’ words, there are exceptions.

Like me and Li Yan, isn't it just like a turtle and a mung bean, they fell in love with each other and that's why they want to get married?

Bihe was a maidservant of Xiao Zhou. Xiao Zhou and Li Yuan got engaged two years ago, and then Da Zhou married the emperor. As a result, the prices of maidservants like them also rose.

Logically, Bihe should have found a suitable partner in the Li family, but she still found a man from the Zhou family. There is only one possibility, that the two young people fell in love with each other.

It’s no wonder that we can’t find any clues from her mother’s side.

Of course, it’s not that Li Yan and Xiao Zhou are stupid and didn’t think of this.

But nowadays, unmarried women rarely see their fiancés before they get married. What's more, Luhe lives in Li's Mansion and her fiancé lives in Zhou's Mansion, so it is difficult for them to see each other.

"You are really thoughtful." After hearing what she said, Xiao Zhou also reacted: "In the past few months, I often asked people to go back to her parents' home, and she went there several times."

It happened to be the Chinese New Year, and she couldn't go out because she was in confinement, so she could only ask the maids and servants to make more trips to her parents' home.

The old woman and the head maid served the mother and son personally, while the errands were mostly left to the second-class maids.

Xiao Zhou directly asked her trusted housekeeper, "Has Lu He been out during this period?"

For a moment, the old woman couldn't remember things that happened too far ago, but she still remembered what happened the day before yesterday: "Replying to Second Madam, Luhe went back to Zhou's house to deliver a letter the day before yesterday."

"It's getting late today, why don't you go back and rest first?" Li Yuan saw the tense atmosphere and could only speak to smooth things over: "I'll have someone check it out tomorrow."

"Okay, we'll go back first and you guys should go to bed early." Li Yan had no objection.

If he went to the Zhou Mansion to ask for someone, he was afraid that the Zhou family would think too much.

Furthermore, when something like this happened, it was probably because there were conflicts among the branches of the Zhou family, and it was very likely that one of their own people had secretly created obstacles.

The son-in-law is half-son, so it would be better to let Li Yuan go.

Early the next morning, Li Yan finally opened his eyes in the familiar environment.

Before he even opened his eyes, he could feel Xiao Xiao clinging to him like an octopus.

This is the advantage of winter. She is afraid of the cold, so she craves my arms.

Thinking of the antics of the two last night, his eyes darkened and he decided to find an opportunity to go to the study and look through those books that were not presentable.

He remembered that his stepmother had prepared all the calligraphy, paintings, and beauties on the pretext of letting him know about human affairs.

At that time, he was so scared that he didn't even look at those books and picture albums and put them all aside.

That's why he became a foolish boy with no vision and was quickly defeated by her.

Then he must rise up and make progress.

Li Yan really wanted to do something, but unfortunately he was also a worker and couldn't be late, so he had to give up the dirty thoughts in his mind and got up quietly to go to the bathroom.

The moment he stepped onto the ground, he felt his legs go a little weak.

He was very glad that Xiao Xiao hadn't woken up yet and didn't see this embarrassing moment of his.

It’s also my fault for not having enough self-control. I shouldn’t have fooled around for so long at night.

When he came out of the bathroom, he heard his daughter's tender but loud cry outside. Soon, a maid came out and said, "Grandma, the eldest girl has woken up. Are you awake now?"

Of course, if Xiao Xiao hadn’t gotten up, there was a wet nurse in the yard, so the girl wouldn’t starve.

Xiao Xiao lazily responded: "Mother Yan, just bring the eldest girl in." Maybe because she had been playing around for a long time last night, she was too lazy to move. She also didn't want the nanny to come in and see her at this moment, so she asked Mother Yan to come in.

When Yan's mother came in, she saw that the grandmother's face was flushed with pink, and it was obvious that she had been restless last night.

But she didn't say much, after all, the eldest grandmother had specifically asked for the best item in the dowry and studied it.

However, Mrs. Yan still felt a little uncomfortable, as if she had witnessed something she shouldn't have seen.

Fortunately, the baby, who was only a month and two days old, had a small appetite and was full quickly. He was also awake with his big eyes that could clearly see black and white, which was a rare sight.

Of course, children at this age cannot actually see anything.

But Xiao Xiao was still very surprised: "Yi Yi, I am your mother."

When children are cute, they are like little angels, so precious.

When he poops or cries, he is definitely a little devil.

At this time, Xiao Xiao was very glad that she could call upon her slaves and maids to protect herself from the evil sound.

If it were before, Mother Yan would also be happy to let the master and the eldest girl get closer.

But today, she saw the master coming out of the bathroom, but she didn't dare to stay, and hurriedly picked up the little master: "The girl needs to change her diaper, this old slave will take the girl back first."

Xiao Xiao wanted to raise both hands in approval, fearing that something would leak out, so she hurriedly said, "Then you can take it away."

After saying that, she glanced at Li Yan again, thinking that she seemed a little wild last night, and felt a little embarrassed to face it. She rolled up the quilt and turned over to continue to catch up on her sleep: "My husband has worked hard on this job, see you tonight."

But don’t you know how attractive you are when you are shy?
Anyway, at this moment, Li Yan's heart was numb and his whole body felt like it had been electrocuted.

He came over and hugged her together with the quilt, laughing softly: "You have worked hard, eat more delicious food later and replenish your body."

Li Yan is now going to the palace to take up his post, and he is also going there by carriage.

Although riding a horse is majestic, it is winter and he is not made of iron and steel, and he does not like the cold wind.

What's more, there has been a lot of rainy weather in recent days.

When Li Yan went out, Liu Da was also sitting on the shaft of the cart eating buns.

Liu Da and He Shuang had followed Li Yan since they were young, and they served as both servants and bodyguards.

Now they take turns to send Li Yan to the palace. If Xiao Xiao wants to go out, Li Yan will ask them to be the drivers themselves before he feels at ease.

"Master, I have something to report." Liu Da saw him, swallowed the bun in two or three bites, and came to his side and said, "Sun Daguo celebrated his birthday last night, and he insisted on inviting me to have a drink."

"Who knew I was going to a brothel? I was about to turn around and leave, but I accidentally heard some news about the Gu family."

Li Yan was in the army before, but after the emperor ascended the throne, he took control of the military power, and he rose from a junior general to the current deputy commander of the Imperial Guards.

Now he holds the rank of a third-rank official and is a favorite of the Emperor. He is even more popular in the army than before.

It is not easy for many of his former colleagues and subordinates to invite him now, so they simply invite Liu Da and He Shuang from time to time.

However, He Shuang was more indifferent and taciturn, and not easy to deal with, which made Liu Da more popular.

Of course, Li Yan also agreed to Liu Da's going out, which was equivalent to asking him to maintain the relationship with his former colleagues and subordinates.

The favorite places for the men in this army are either pubs or red-light districts. (End of this chapter)