The heavy city gates creaked open, and a fully armed small squad emerged to greet them, lining up on both sides, their spears held upright, presenting an imposing sight.
This was clearly a show of force.
The dark-faced man who had argued with Li Man’er from the city walls – no, who had shouted at Li Man’er – also hurried out, cupping his fists towards her. "Young Lady Li, the weather is cold and harsh. Please, come in for some tea and warm yourselves up."
"Heh heh, a true man knows when to bend. Very well," Li Man’er replied.
The man’s complexion seemed to darken further, his chest heaving and his breaths growing heavier, as if Li Man'er’s words had genuinely angered him. However, he dared not let Li Man’er go. Xiao Ruidi was still counting on her for his life.
Li Man’er dismounted and tossed the reins to the dark-faced man. "It would have been easier if you'd just done this from the start. You had to make me angry."
Qi Yihan stood behind Li Man’er, silent, perfectly playing the role of a bodyguard.
The dark-faced man kept sizing him up, likely trying to figure out what sort of man could be chosen by Li Man’er to accompany her to the old city.
"Young Lady Li, please."
Only then did Li Man’er enter the city.
Li Man’er had been secretly observing the city’s defenses along the way. She discovered that the guards had been purged, and not a single one was familiar to her.
"This general looks unfamiliar. May I ask your name?"
"Your subordinate, Wei Huai," the dark-faced man replied tersely, not wishing to say another word.
"Oh, a good name." Two ghosts, indeed.
"General Wei, is my father still in his original courtyard? Could you take me to see him?" Li Man’er stopped, seizing the opportunity to ask.
Wei Huai’s face was grim. "Young Lady Li, in the current state of the old city, it is hardly suitable for the Marquis to recuperate. Rest assured, he is in the new city, with the best physicians attending to him. He will certainly not lack for medical care or attention."
This was effectively house arrest.
Li Man’er laughed instead of getting angry. "In the Marquis's condition, you dared to move him without authorization? This is not over. If anything happens to him, you will pay with your lives."
Wei Huai offered a wry smile, his eyes filled with disdain.
"Young Lady, you should focus on yourself." The implication was that Li Man’er could barely protect herself.
Li Man’er raised her hand and slapped him across the face. "What right do you have to speak to me like this?" The force of the blow was significant, splitting Wei Huai’s lip.
The guards beside Wei Huai drew their sabers, but Wei Huai stopped them. He reached up to touch the blood at his lip, his eyes cold, yet a smile played on his lips. "Young Lady is a woman of strong emotions, accustomed to a pampered life. Your subordinate's skin is thick; Young Lady, be careful not to hurt your hand."
Li Man’er also smiled. "You shouldn't be called Wei Huai. You should be called a lackey."
"How dare you!"
"You're seeking death!"
Wei Huai’s guards stirred again, but Wei Huai restrained them. "Do not be disrespectful." In truth, he was furious, but killing Li Man’er would doom the general's leg to no hope of recovery.
"Young Lady, please..."
It was as if nothing had happened.
This Wei Huai was quite a character, but unfortunately, a short-lived one.
Li Man’er said nothing more and followed him towards the prefectural office, asking as they walked, "General Xiao is wise and mighty. Surely, he would not allow his family members to harm each other?"
"If Young Lady has something to say, it would be best to wait until you see the General."
Li Man’er fell silent and accompanied him to the prefectural office.
Though she had been here for a long time and was familiar with the place, in the span of a single night, everything seemed to have changed.
Li Man’er paid it no mind. As she stepped into the small courtyard, she heard muffled cries of pain, one after another. The sounds made one’s hair stand on end, and in that moment, one could feel the agony of the person suffering.
The inside and outside of the courtyard had been changed. Every person’s gaze towards Li Man’er was filled with murderous intent, as if she were already a dead woman.
Li Man’er paid them no heed. As she was about to enter the house, she was stopped by two guards at the door.
"Xiao Ruidi is waiting for me to save him. How dare you stop me?"
"No one is allowed to carry weapons inside. If Miss Li wishes to enter, please hand over your weapon."
Li Man’er sneered, her eyebrows raised in defiance. "Step aside."
"Miss Li, it would be wise to comply, or we will have to search you."
This was clearly disrespectful. Given the differences between men and women, a search was an affront to Li Man’er.
This time, before Li Man’er could speak, Qi Yihan, who had been standing behind her, suddenly moved. His action was incredibly swift. He struck out with a palm, directly sending the guard who had threatened to search her flying. The force shattered the door panel behind him, and he crashed into the room.
The surrounding people instantly drew their weapons, forming a cordon around the two.
"How dare you!"
"Presumptuous!"
"All of you, stand down," a voice suddenly boomed, and then someone stepped out quickly.
Li Man’er’s eyes lit up, and she smiled. "So it is Young Lady Xiao Qi. I trust you are well?"
Xiao Qi Niang’s gaze flickered upon seeing Li Man’er. She seemed to glance deliberately behind Li Man’er before saying, "Sister Man’er, it’s been a long time."
"Your Xiao family's hospitality is truly unique."
"This is a misunderstanding," Xiao Qi Niang said, her eyes cold as she looked at the surrounding people. "What do you think you're doing? Sister Man’er is an honored guest. Put away your swords!"
No one dared disobey her command, and they immediately retreated.
Xiao Qi Niang affectionately linked arms with Li Man’er. "You’ve come at the perfect time. Father’s leg injury has worsened. Come quickly, let’s go in and see him."
Between the two, there seemed to be no rift, as if they were sisters.
Li Man’er hummed an acknowledgement and followed her into the house.
As for Qi Yihan, no one stopped him.
Upon reaching the inner quarters, Li Man’er heard Xiao Ruidi’s heart-wrenching wails. Xiao Ruidi was a man of strong will, and for him to cry out in agony, it was clear the pain was beyond what an ordinary person could bear.
Li Man’er assumed Xiao Qi Niang would immediately pull her to treat Xiao Ruidi. However, Xiao Qi Niang slowly led Li Man’er to a side room. "We haven't seen each other in days. Let's catch up!"
"What?"
"Are you alright? Your father is screaming like that, and you’re not going to save him?"
"Will he die?" Xiao Qi Niang asked, holding her teacup. "You were the one who did it. You know best. Will he die?"
"No."
Xiao Qi Niang actually sighed. "That's a shame."
A flicker of surprise crossed Li Man’er’s eyes, but she quickly understood. "Miss Xiao is truly interesting. It seems you have a story to tell too."
"Stories? I have many. Which one would you like to hear?"
Li Man’er cut to the chase. "To make a long story short, what are your conditions!" She had underestimated Xiao Qi Niang. It seemed Xiao Ruidi was now under her control.
Xiao Qi Niang put down her teacup and looked at Li Man’er, suddenly breaking into a smile. "Restore order."