Chapter 273 Eight Characters Changed

As the family banquet neared its end, Xiao Qiniang rose. "Father, with the New Year approaching, I'd like to purchase some items for the celebrations. While the household managers handle procurement, I wish to choose a New Year's gift for Sister Man'er myself; it wouldn't be right to delegate such a personal task."

Xiao Ruidi seemed to heartily agree. "Indeed, you must be careful when you go out. Take plenty of guards with you."

Xiao Qiniang then turned to Li Shu. "Marquis, I have another request."

Li Shu’s brow twitched. "Young Lady Qi, please speak your mind."

"We young ladies do enjoy company when shopping. Sister Man'er has been in Mobei for quite some time but has yet to visit the area outside the prefecture. I was thinking, perhaps tomorrow we could explore the streets together. Mobei may not rival the capital's prosperity, but its customs and local flavor are quite novel; I'm sure Sister Man'er has never seen anything like it."

"That’s a splendid idea!" Xiao Ruidi exclaimed, thoroughly approving. "Staying cooped up indoors can be quite dull. You two shall go out tomorrow!"

Xiao Qiniang looked to Li Shu for his assent. "Marquis?"

"Very well, go!" Li Shu said. "But ensure you take sufficient escorts."

"Thank you, Marquis. Rest assured, I will bring Sister Man'er back unharmed."

Xiao Ruidi added, "Marquis, worry not. I shall assign a small contingent to accompany them; there will be no trouble."

Li Shu nodded. "As parents, we cannot help but worry about our children. I apologize, General, for making a spectacle of myself."

"The Marquis is a loving father, and I can certainly understand," Xiao Ruidi sighed. "You and I are different, however. In raising our children, I am exceptionally strict. Take my son, Si'er, for example. He is my only legitimate son. From a young age, I hired tutors for him. He trained rigorously through the hottest summers and coldest winters. His martial skills, archery, and military strategy—nothing was neglected. I always believed that one must endure hardship to achieve greatness. Therefore, at ten years old, I sent him to the barracks to learn the ways of a soldier. By fourteen, he was fighting on the battlefield, sustaining numerous injuries, both major and minor."

Xiao Qiniang lowered her gaze, her thoughts concealed. She raised her teacup to her lips and drank, her demeanor subdued.

Li Man'er keenly sensed a hint of melancholy emanating from her, wondering if it was sorrow for her brother, or something else entirely.

Li Man'er found Xiao Qiniang's reaction questionable. She seemed to be trying very hard to conceal something.

"For a child to be born into a family like ours is already a great fortune. If they do not strive for self-improvement daily and merely indulge in pleasure, how can the family's legacy be passed down? It would be squandered within two generations."

These were words of wisdom from a father, earnestly planning for his son and worrying about future generations.

Li Shu felt a pang of resonance, his thoughts turning to his own legitimate son, Li Qingyun. Qingyun was also twelve years old. He studied reasonably well, but his disposition was rather soft. His martial arts training was merely perfunctory; he had never truly practiced with dedication.

With so many women in the household, they were all inclined to dote on him. Whenever Qingyun complained of hardship or fatigue, whether it was Cui-shi or Guo-shi, they would immediately relent and stop his training.

The Li family were military commanders by origin; how could they abandon the skills that founded their lineage! Even if Qingyun were to pursue an official career through the imperial examinations, he should be accomplished in both civil and military arts, not a lamb hiding under a protective wing.

Li Shu made up his mind. Upon their return to the capital, he would find several skilled martial artists in the camp to train Qingyun diligently.

"General, your foresight is admirable. I am impressed."

"Marquis, you flatter me. Looking at Man'er, it is evident that you are a skilled father in raising your children. I imagine the heir is still young; in a few more years, he will undoubtedly be a renowned talent across the land."

As the two exchanged compliments, the atmosphere livened considerably.

Finally, Li Shu and his daughter took their leave. Xiao Ruidi, meanwhile, summoned his son and daughter to a small parlor for a lengthy discussion. What transpired within remained unknown.

The next day, after breakfast, Li Shu sent for Li Man'er.

"Father, your complexion appears good, much improved from before. Shall I take your pulse for you?"

Li Shu waved his hand. "That can wait. I have something important to instruct you on."

"Please, Father."

Li Shu coughed lightly. Qin Si and Old Sun withdrew. Seeing this, Liu Ya also followed them out.

When only father and daughter remained in the room, Li Shu began, "Young Lady Xiao Qi invited you to go out today, did she not?"

"Yes, Father. You heard it yesterday, didn't you?"

"Man'er, the Xiao family harbors ill intentions. I fear they are plotting against you. You must be exceedingly cautious when you go out, lest you fall into their trap."

Li Man'er was secretly astonished, thinking, *Has the scummy father been reborn? Otherwise, how could he become so concerned about his daughter overnight?*

"Furthermore, for a woman outdoors, reputation is paramount. If her character is upright, she cannot be easily slandered."

*So much for that daydream.*

*The scummy father is still the same scummy father, always favoring his child without a mother.*

*It's a shame, though, I am nothing like the original's soft nature.*

"Daughter is fully aware of the Xiao family's intentions. As for the uprightness of my character, does Father mean to say I am not upright? That I do not conduct myself with purity?" Li Man'er’s face was stern as she scoffed. "I am the most disciplined person. No matter how ill Guo-shi was, she was my nominal mother. After her passing, I diligently observed the mourning period. If it weren't to save you, why would I have traveled a thousand miles to be schemed against by others?"

Li Shu nearly choked. To salvage his pride, he resorted to dredging up Li Man'er’s past. "Who was it that chased after Young Duke Rong all over the streets back then?"

Fierce little flames of killing intent instantly erupted in Li Man'er's eyes.

"Did Father witness it personally?"

Li Shu dared not meet her gaze. He had only heard rumors; he had not seen it himself.

"They say there's a new mother and a new father. It's certainly true. If I were so infatuated with Tong Qiao, how could I have cleanly broken off our engagement? I never liked him, nor did I wish to marry into the Rongguo Duke's estate. A mother-in-law like the Grand Princess Dowager; could she be easily managed? Only second sister liked him, eagerly framing her own elder sister to usurp her place."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Li Shu became enraged, his voice rising.

"Nonsense?" Li Man'er sneered. "If it's nonsense, then let me ask Father: why did Guo-shi send me away back then?"

"That was because your sister's health was poor, and your birth characters were incompatible. You had to be sent away so she could rest. Your mother feared you would be mistreated in the countryside, so she sent you to your maternal grandfather's home to stay safe. What is there to be dissatisfied about?"

Li Man'er wished she could split Li Shu's head open and see what was inside.

"Incompatible birth characters—only you would believe such ghost stories. Then why, after I returned, did I live with my second sister for so many years, and she remained unharmed? Did her birth characters change?"

Li Shu glared. "Nonsense. Birth characters cannot be changed."