Qi Yihan watched Li Nian without speaking, his eyes fixed on him as if there were flowers on his face.
Li Nian, holding his teacup, was at a loss, frozen in place, unsure whether to drink or put it down.
"I thought you were one of the rare intelligent people in the Li family, but now it seems you're just as foolish." Qi Yihan's expression soured. "Miss Li has achieved remarkable feats, and the Emperor will soon know of them and bestow rewards and titles. Why do you family members deem everything she does wrong?"
Qi Yihan's voice was neither loud nor soft, yet it carried an undeniable authority. Although Li Nian was a man of the Emperor, in Qi Yihan's eyes, he was not a significant figure. To put it bluntly, if Qi Yihan wanted to deal with him, Li Nian wouldn't even know how he died.
"Your Highness misunderstands," Li Nian said with composure. "Although I have kept some things from Man'er, I have never intended to harm her. This child has suffered greatly, and I only wish for her well-being. It's just..."
Recalling the closeness between Qi Yihan and Li Man'er, and the things they had accomplished together in the old city, he hesitated before asking, "Your Highness, do you have any plans? After the new year, Man'er will be eighteen..."
"I have my own plans for this matter, you need not worry." Qi Yihan knew Li Nian was telling the truth. If it weren't for his lack of ill will towards Li Man'er, he would have been unable to remain in the desert north long ago.
Li Nian pondered his own mission and then considered Li Man'er's personality. All his exhortations turned into a sigh.
"I intend to send someone back to the capital. Man'er suggested that my people escort your son back to the capital. I wonder what your thoughts are on this."
Li Nian was overjoyed. He naturally trusted Qi Yihan's people. If the Ninth Prince's men couldn't protect Qingyan, he certainly couldn't.
The desert north was not only harsh and cold, but also dangerous. Now he had to guard against the barbarians and the counterattack from the Xiao family. As long as Old General Xiao was not present, the city of the desert north would likely still face major events. If Qingyan stayed here, he would always be a hidden danger, a weakness that others could exploit.
If Qingyan could return to the capital, it would be ideal. His health was also almost fully recovered. Upon returning to the capital, he could pursue his studies or martial arts training. After a few years of experience, even if he later pursued the path of military examinations, father and son fighting side by side would be possible.
This would be much better than being easily manipulated like now.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Li Nian stood up solemnly and bowed to Qi Yihan.
"This was not my idea. If you want to thank someone, thank Man'er. My people will be departing for the capital soon, so you should act quickly."
"Ah..." Li Nian's mind was once again overwhelmed by the thought of his niece's personality. He rose, apologizing, and went to Li Qingyan's residence.
Before he reached the door, he heard Li Qingyan's laughter from inside. Li Nian listened by the door for a while and realized that his son was completely different in front of Li Man'er than he was in front of him. The boy was somewhat steady and composed when he was with him, especially these past few days, when he had been arguing with him, giving him the cold shoulder.
But now, he was laughing heartily, speaking eloquently, like a lively jester, revealing the innocent side of a child.
Li Nian sighed and knocked on the door.
"Qingyan, Man'er, may I come in?"
Upon hearing Li Nian's voice, Li Qingyan became unhappy, and a hint of anger flashed across his youthful face. Li Man'er knew well that the child was speaking up for her, so she smiled and said, "Alright, what kind of behavior is this."
Li Man'er got up to open the door. "Third Uncle, please come in. We were just chatting."
Seeing that Li Man'er treated him as she always had, Li Nian felt a complex mix of emotions.
"Third Uncle, did the Prince speak to you about returning to the capital?"
"Yes." Li Nian nodded, looking at Li Qingyan, who had a stern face, and said, "Pack your things. You'll be returning to the capital with the Prince's people shortly."
Li Qingyan was reluctant to leave. Although it wasn't as fun as the capital, his cousin was here, and he wanted to stay. However, recalling what his father had told him earlier, he understood that staying would be a burden, and someone might use him to threaten his father at any moment.
Although Li Nian had done things that angered Li Qingyan, Li Nian was far better than that scumbag father, Li Shu. Li Qingyan knew he couldn't joke about such important matters, so he reluctantly agreed.
"Liu Ya, please help pack. Prepare to return to the capital with Qingyan."
Liu Ya glanced at Li Man'er and nodded. "Yes."
Li Nian wanted to speak with Li Man'er alone, so Li Man'er asked A'si to wait outside for her.
"Man'er..."
Li Nian had just begun to speak when Li Man'er interrupted him.
"Third Uncle, I know what you want to say. Actually, you did nothing wrong in this matter. Imperial decrees are hard to defy. You couldn't disobey the order, and besides, you didn't harm me, nor did you do anything else. It was the Xiao family that pushed things to this point. I understand."
All of Li Nian's words were blocked, and he was rendered speechless.
Li Man'er's attitude was very good, and she didn't even blame him. However, he could hear the unfamiliar tone in her words. The way they spoke to each other now was polite and distant, lacking the previous tacit understanding between uncle and nephew.
Li Nian felt helpless, but this was the reality, and no one could change it.
Li Man'er's mindset was also undergoing a transformation.
She had previously thought that after Li Shu's downfall, she could cede the title of nobility to Li Nian, making Li Qingyan the heir. But now she had changed her mind. If Li Shu died, then she would have Li Qingyun become the Marquis of Iron Gallantry! With the character of that father and son, they wouldn't be able to stir up any trouble.
Especially Li Qingyun, he was not good at studying, nor could he lift a shoulder pole or carry a burden. He was a good-for-nothing. If the Li family was handed over to him, their downfall would not be far off.
Soon, Li Qingyan, who had finished packing, emerged and asked Li Man'er with reluctance, "Big Cousin, when are you returning to the capital?"
"Very soon. I still have some matters to attend to."
"Then you must come back quickly. I'm still waiting to learn martial arts from you!"
Li Man'er smiled. "Okay, I understand." She then walked over to A'qi. "A'qi, I'll have to trouble you to escort my younger brother back."
A'qi dared not be presumptuous in front of his mistress and savior. He immediately bowed respectfully with clasped hands. "My lady, please rest assured. A'qi will definitely deliver Fourth Young Master Li safely to the manor, and he will not be harmed in the slightest."
Li Man'er nodded. "I am naturally at ease."
Soon, Li Qingyan and Liu Ya, accompanied by several guards escorting Li Qingyan and A'qi's elite cavalry, departed from the desert north.
Having completed this task, Li Man'er began preparing for her journey with Qi Yihan to the Moluo Mountain Range.
The medicines that Xiao Qiniang had prepared for her earlier were still there. With intensified refining, there should still be enough time. It would be convenient to also prepare the medicine Xiao Xiang needed.