Chapter 306 You'll Understand Sooner or Later

Xiao Rudí laughed a few times, unable to articulate the complex emotions swirling within him. "Li Shu raised a fine daughter, yet he doesn't realize it."

After Gong Xiao's death, his brother, Gong Yin, took his place, serving by Xiao Rudí's side. Years ago, the brothers had risked their lives to transport goods to the northern desert, nearly perishing at the hands of barbarians. It was Xiao Rudí who saved them and brought them into his army.

Not only did the brothers survive, but they also found an opportunity to make a name for themselves. From then on, they followed Xiao Rudí through thick and thin, achieving many military victories.

Later, Xiao Rudí was injured and could no longer fight on the battlefield. However, the brothers remained by his side, never leaving.

They were both grateful individuals. Whether in the military or in business, they were willing to follow Xiao Rudí, and no one could deter them from repaying his kindness.

After Gong Xiao's death, Xiao Rudí had intended for Gong Yin to return home and care for his elderly mother in her final years. However, Gong Yin adamantly refused, insisting on staying by Xiao Rudí's side. His reasons were twofold: to repay his benefactor and to find the killer of Gong Xiao, avenging his elder brother.

As for his mother at home, he claimed his younger siblings would attend to her.

Xiao Rudí tried to persuade him several times and even dismissed him twice, but Gong Yin would not leave. He would rather stay by Xiao Rudí's side, tending to horses or stoking fires.

Having no other choice, Xiao Rudí allowed him to take his brother's position as a personal guard.

"General, what do you mean? Since ancient times, women at home follow their fathers. How can a young lady, disregarding filial piety and disobeying elders, be in the right?"

"You see things with ordinary eyes. In this, you are not as insightful as your brother." Xiao Rudí paused at this point, then let out a long sigh.

Gong Yin understood that he was thinking of Gong Xiao again. He immediately said, "General, there is no need to be saddened. If not for you back then, my brother and I would have died long ago. Where would we have today's prosperity? My mother now lives like a noble lady, accompanied by servants wherever she goes. My younger brother can study, and my sisters have not starved to death. These were things we dared not even imagine before. It is all thanks to the General that our family can live in peace today. Although my brother is gone, my brother and I were prepared for anything and will never regret it. General, you need not sigh; it is more important to take care of yourself."

Gong Yin's words were a testament to the brothers' unwavering loyalty to Xiao Rudí.

"It is I who have wronged your brother, causing your mother to mourn her son."

Gong Yin, being straightforward, replied, "General, if not for you, we would have died long ago. Your subordinate knows that your brother's death has been a great blow to you, but this is not the time to dwell on such matters. Your subordinate will avenge him."

Xiao Rudí nodded, and the conversation steered back to the Li family.

"This Li Man'er is truly remarkable, decisive and possessing a heroic spirit, stronger than her father. The words that girl speaks are dangerous, and she is clearly someone who has faced death and survived." Xiao Rudí's gaze held a hint of admiration. "Such a girl is too good for Si'er."

"General, why do you speak thus of the eldest young master? Any woman who marries him would be blessed by good fortune from her past lives." Gong Yin utterly disliked Li Man'er. She was too alluring and lacked the demeanor of a lady of a prominent family, in no way deserving of the eldest young master.

Furthermore, Li Man'er practiced martial arts, and her skills were not weak. Could she be involved in his elder brother's death?

Gong Yin was unable to hide his thoughts, and his suspicion showed on his face.

Xiao Rudí then said, "It couldn't have been her. At the time, she was eating with Qi Niang inside, with maids serving them, and elderly women guarding the courtyard. No matter how skilled she is, she couldn't have slipped out under everyone's watchful eyes."

Gong Yin nodded, acknowledging the reasoning.

"General, every year during the New Year, the barbarians launch small-scale raids. Will handing over the defense to Li Shu's men cause any trouble?"

Xiao Rudí snorted, "There won't be a major problem, but there will be minor ones."

"What do you mean?" Gong Yin did not understand.

"They are unfamiliar with the terrain there and will surely suffer losses. My two good brothers are not to be trifled with. If the losses are too great, how will Li Shu explain it to the capital?"

Gong Yin's eyes lit up instantly. He was not as clever as Gong Xiao, but he was not foolish either, and some words struck a chord with him.

The northern desert was a dangerous place. Ever since Li Shu arrived, he had either been poisoned or suffered a stroke, facing one misfortune after another. He had only led troops to patrol the border twice before falling ill in the prefectural city and not emerging since. The soldiers, divided into four large camps, were already dissatisfied with him, believing he was enjoying the luxuries of the prefectural office while abandoning them, the ordinary soldiers without any backing, to endure hardship on the front lines.

As a commander, one must be prepared for hardship.

When the unruly elements in the army went to battle, did they not all put their lives on the line? As military officers, they were prepared to die on the battlefield. Therefore, everything they achieved was through real combat. Only those commanders who shared the same fate as their soldiers and loved them as their own would earn their genuine respect.

A commander like Li Shu, who retreated into the prefectural office upon arrival in the northern desert, would inevitably fail to earn the love and respect of these soldiers. If something were to go wrong, he would be the first to bear the blame.

"The General is wise."

Xiao Rudí smiled faintly, "Just wait and see." There was a show to watch!

Li Man'er was so angered by Li Shu that she returned to her room with a dark expression, sitting in silence and not even drinking a sip of water.

Liu Ya was so frightened by her that she didn't dare to breathe, let alone try to persuade her.

Persuade her about what!

From what the young lady had said, the death of her birth mother, Madam Ning, was highly suspicious, and it was very likely that the Marquis and his son were involved.

What was even more infuriating was that the Marquis's estate was clearly struggling financially, and they had sought to marry a wealthy wife by coveting the Ning family's substantial dowry. Yet, they turned around and disdained her for being from a merchant family, deeming her unworthy of the Li family's noble title.

Liu Ya blinked, thinking that if she remembered correctly, the Li family had also risen from humble beginnings. It was only with the late Marquis that they had made a name for themselves. How many generations had it been before they began to look down even on the foremost merchant in the realm?

It was no wonder that for so many years, the third master and third madam had been wandering outside, unwilling to return to the capital. The troubles within the Li family were enough to give the third madam a headache even now. With such an unmanageable mother-in-law and several sisters-in-law who, while appearing to squabble amongst themselves, were in reality colluding behind the scenes, it was truly a perplexing situation.

"Young lady, please don't be upset."

"I am not angry." Li Man'er's face was as cold as ice. She felt hatred!

The word "angry" was insufficient to describe her current emotions.

"Liu Ya, what do you think of the Li family now?"

Liu Ya gasped, "Young lady, this is not something a servant like me can comment on. I am merely the third madam's maid, skilled in tending to horses and cleaning weapons. If you ask me about matters within the estate, I truly don't understand."

"What is there to fear about not understanding? You will understand sooner or later."

Liu Ya pondered what Li Man'er's words could mean.