Chapter 419 - Chapter 419: Chapter 426: Unable to Bear It (1/2)
Chapter 419: Chapter 426: Unable to Bear It
Chen Li had no choice but to acknowledge the reality of Liu Xiu’s engagement to Yin Lihua, but how could things have come to this? Liu Xiu had been so good to her these days, even more tender and affectionate than before, and she had made her own feelings clear, Liu Xiu couldn’t possibly misunderstand!
Chen Li’s knowledge of history was only general, and even the parts she knew had undergone great changes. However, in her understanding, Liu Xiu was not an emperor who indulged in wanton passion, and the harem didn’t have many concubines.
As for who was in Liu Xiu’s harem, how could Chen Li have known she would travel to this era and never paid attention to such details? Therefore, she hadn’t considered Yin Lihua a threat, even though there had been rumors outside about an alliance through marriage between the Yin Family and the Liu Family, Chen Li didn’t take them to heart.
In her eyes, an emperor like Liu Xiu, of such ability, wouldn’t need to secure his position through marriage alliances. An emperor from horseback—his country was won through battle, after all. Chen Li was pitfallen by her own half-baked and rudimentary understanding of history; moreover, there had been so little interaction between Yin Lihua and Liu Xiu normally that Chen Li had truly underestimated the situation, and now it was too late to realize the news.
“No, no, he couldn’t do this to me,” Chen Li murmured unconsciously, unable to believe that Liu Xiu could treat her in such a heartless manner. If Liu Xiu truly intended to get engaged to Yin Lihua, why wouldn’t he have mentioned anything to her beforehand? Today, she had dressed up especially beautifully and had come to the banquet in high spirits, only to feel like a fool in hindsight.
Chen Li was not adept at hiding her emotions, and at this moment, she had no intention of doing so. Her forlorn appearance was seen by everyone, but nobody sympathized with her; instead, faces twisted with disdain and mockery.
In the eyes of these noblewomen, Chen Li was the daughter of a merchant, not suitable for the limelight. That would be tolerable on its own, but Chen Li defied convention by conducting business outside and even meddling in men’s affairs. Many had been irked by her behavior but tolerated it only because of Liu Xiu. Now they seized the opportunity to ridicule her.
“Oh, what’s wrong with Miss Chen? Looking all forlorn as if her man was stolen from her. Quite pitiable to see,” someone jibed.
“Indeed, Miss Chen’s complexion seems off; surely she hasn’t been abandoned by a man, has she? Tsk, tsk, it’s important to know one’s place. One shouldn’t covet what isn’t theirs, or else retribution is bound to follow,” said another.
“Isn’t that the truth? A woman ought to remain demurely at home, looking after her husband and teaching her children. So restless, attempting to meddle in men’s matters outside—no matter how capable, what good did it do in the end? Still discarded. She’s got too high an opinion of herself,” chimed in a third voice.