After Xiao Qiniang left, only Li Man'er, Liu Ya, and Xiao Si remained in the private room. Xiao Si's attendants waited outside the room; after all, it was improper for an unrelated man to be alone with Li Man'er. However, Xiao Si lacked such awareness. He knew what his sister's look before leaving meant: seize the opportunity.
"Man'er, my dear sister, although Qiniang cannot accompany you, I happen to have nothing pressing to do. Perhaps I can accompany you on a stroll."
Li Man'er's eyelids drooped slightly, betraying no emotion, but she did not refuse. "Scholar Xiao is a busy man. How can he neglect his important affairs for me?"
"It's nothing!" Seeing that she hadn't directly refused, Xiao Si immediately said, "We won't be going far. Accompanying you around is also a form of patrolling."
Li Man'er raised her teacup. "Then I shall trouble Scholar Xiao."
Xiao Si's eyes lit up. He had been worried that Li Man'er would refuse him. Now that she had agreed, his heart settled back into his chest.
The marriage alliance between the Li and Xiao families promised many benefits. Moreover, Li Man'er was already the woman he adored. The first moment he saw her, it felt as if a flower had bloomed in his heart, as if no words could adequately describe her beauty.
If he could marry the woman he loved, he would have no regrets in this life.
"Man'er, my dear sister, you call Qiniang 'sister,' yet you call me 'Scholar Xiao.' Is that not showing favoritism?" Xiao Si's ears felt hot. He had never said such a thing before, fearing he might offend the lady.
"How can that be the same? There is a difference between men and women," Li Man'er said simply. "Didn't Scholar Xiao say you would accompany me on a stroll? Let's head downstairs and have a look!"
"Alright." Although Xiao Si hadn't achieved his ultimate goal, being able to stroll with Li Man'er was a step forward.
Xiao Si paid the bill and accompanied Li Man'er out of the teahouse, and they began to wander the streets.
Only after the two had walked away was a window on the second floor of the teahouse, facing the street, pushed open. Someone peered out the window, gazing in the direction of the street.
"Your Highness, do you think Miss Li will truly take a liking to that brat Xiao Si?" Ah Qi stood by the window, watching until Li Man'er and Xiao Si were no longer in sight. He then closed the window and returned to sit beside Qi Yihan.
Qi Yihan held his teacup and glanced at Ah Qi. "Are you very idle? If you have free time, why not finish your task quickly?"
Ah Qi chuckled sheepishly. "Your subordinate merely feels that Xiao Si is not worthy of Miss Li." He cautiously raised his head to look at Qi Yihan, only to see his master still with a stern expression, as impassive as ever. Ah Qi pouted inwardly, thinking, 'Serves you right for being single and unable to find a princess consort. Such a golden opportunity is before you, yet you don't cherish it.'
Qi Yihan merely said, "The New Year is approaching. We cannot afford to be careless at this time. Go to the front camp and deliver a message. Tell them to strengthen their defenses and prevent the barbarians from breaching the passes."
"Yes!" Ah Qi's expression immediately turned serious. "Your subordinate will depart at once."
Li Man'er was, of course, unaware of all this. She and Xiao Si walked around the streets for a while, buying nothing, appearing quite disinterested.
For the most part, Xiao Si did the talking, and Li Man'er listened. They exchanged very few words.
Xiao Si was anxious but genuinely didn't know how to please a girl. He could only rack his brain for ideas.
"Man'er, my dear sister, are you tired? We've been walking for half the day. Shall we rest at the restaurant ahead for a while?" Xiao Si regretted his words as soon as he spoke them. Ahead was an inn that offered lodging and meals. Its environment wasn't particularly outstanding, but it was the best restaurant in the vicinity.
He should have directly suggested taking Man'er to Shangpin Tower. The environment there was better, the dishes were also superior, and it was far better than this inn.
Just as Xiao Si was regretting his poor judgment, he heard Li Man'er reply, "Alright. I am indeed a bit weary from walking."
Xiao Si was overjoyed and quickly sent someone to inquire if there was a private room available.
Li Man'er, however, said, "Scholar Xiao, I am wearing men's attire, which makes it convenient to move around. There's no need for a private room; dining in the main hall is the same."
"Very well, Man'er, my dear sister. You must be inconvenienced." Li Man'er's straightforwardness pleased Xiao Si greatly. He had always disliked noblewomen, finding them as fragile as paper. Someone as forthright and generous as Man'er was truly rare.
The few of them entered the establishment, and a waiter quickly approached. "Esteemed guests, are you here for a meal or lodging?"
Xiao Si said, "Find us a table in a quiet corner."
This implied they were there to dine.
The waiter quickly led them inside, selecting a relatively secluded corner. "How is this spot, esteemed guests?"
"Good," Xiao Si said. "Just bring us your finest wine and dishes."
They all took their seats.
"Certainly! Fine wine and dishes are being prepared."
Xiao Si, fearing his rough speech might leave a bad impression on Li Man'er, quickly added, "I don't know what their specialties are, nor do I know Man'er's preferences. I can only ask them to send over some of their best. I'll treat Man'er to a meal at Shangpin Tower another day. Their cuisine is the best in the entire Mobei region."
Li Man'er smiled faintly. "Scholar Xiao worries too much. The weather is so cold; it's good to come in and eat something to warm up." Without drawing attention, she gave Liu Ya a subtle signal. Liu Ya quietly withdrew.
The restaurant they had come to was the same one where Li Nian and the others were staying. Ever since Li Man'er entered the magistrate's office, she had only sent a message once and had not returned. She had deliberately sent Liu Ya away to deliver a message to Li Nian; they were to meet later.
Xiao Qiniang, thinking she was clever in creating an opportunity for Xiao Si, had actually been used by Li Man'er. Xiao Qiniang was more perceptive than Xiao Si, and it was not easy to shake her off. Xiao Si was a man, and there was a distinction between men and women. As long as she used the situation appropriately, she could avoid him and meet Li Nian.
Soon, Liu Ya returned. She had arrived back with the waiter who was bringing the dishes, so she did not attract anyone's attention. Xiao Si's attention was entirely focused on Li Man'er, so he naturally paid no mind to Liu Ya.
Liu Ya nodded subtly, putting Li Man'er at ease.
"Esteemed guests, the dishes are here. This is our specialty: steamed mandarin fish, braised donkey, stir-fried sprouts, and braised soft-shelled turtle..."
Before he could finish speaking, the waiter's hand suddenly trembled. The entire dish of braised soft-shelled turtle landed directly on Li Man'er, splashing the thick sauce all over her. The turtle and side dishes fell from her body onto the ground, a rather comical sight.
The waiter was dumbfounded. Before he could react, Xiao Si leaped to his feet. "Man'er, are you alright? What's wrong with you? Can't even serve a dish properly?"
The waiter, terrified, knelt on the ground. "Your humble servant did not do it intentionally."
Xiao Si was a military officer. Although his appearance was not fierce, his imposing aura was more than a waiter could bear.