Li Man'er's reaction was much like Liu Ya's. "Seeing that he was about to lose and had to kneel and kowtow to become a disciple, he just disappeared. He said he was missing, his whereabouts unknown. Hmph, trying to fool a three-year-old, he was clearly just a coward."
"Exactly." Liu Ya naturally sided with Li Man'er. "Miss, I think that Miss Xiao Qi is doing this on purpose."
"Of course she is doing it on purpose." Li Man'er winked at Liu Ya, signaling her to scold more.
Although Liu Ya didn't understand Li Man'er as well as Zi Yan and Lu Yi, she had been with her for some time and had figured out some of her temper.
This young lady, although seemingly carefree and a bit mischievous, actually had a plan for everything she did.
"If you ask me, that Feng fellow is just a doctor. How could he have the audacity to oppose Miss? It's likely the Xiao family instigated him," Liu Ya muttered and scolded for a long time, all of which was overheard by Jiaoniang.
Jiaoniang had originally wanted to rely on the Marquis of Iron Courage. Although Li Shu scolded her and looked down on her, she had no other choice but to continue taking care of Li Shu and stay by his side.
After all, he was now immobile and needed someone to care for him. Thus, Jiaoniang humbled herself and endured everything, which in turn made Li Shu lose his temper and tacitly agreed to her caring for him.
Jiaoniang heard Li Man'er and Liu Ya's words and silently remembered them. She found an opportunity to go to the main courtyard to report to Miss Xiao Qi.
"Miss, now that the Marquis has woken up, should we notify Third Master?" As soon as Jiaoniang left, Liu Ya quickly asked Li Man'er for a decision.
Li Man'er said, "Will the Xiao family agree? Father has just woken up and is still a bit weak. I'm afraid they will have many excuses and refuse to let Father leave."
"Then what do we do?"
Li Man'er said, "We'll just wait it out. The Xiao family is more anxious than us."
More anxious than them?
What did that mean?
Liu Ya didn't understand what the young lady meant by that. Why would the Xiao family be more anxious?
At this time, in the main courtyard, Jiaoniang did not see Miss Xiao Qi.
A guard stopped her, saying that Miss Xiao Qi was discussing important matters with the stewards and asked her to return later.
Jiaoniang was unwilling, but she dared not stay too long. She was afraid of angering Miss Xiao Qi, and then it would be difficult for her to leave this bitter and cold place with Li Shu.
In the secret room of the study, two people shrouded in black robes sat opposite Miss Xiao Qi.
"Still no news of Feng Jue?"
Miss Xiao Qi sighed. "Not yet. It's not convenient to search for him openly right now, so we can only send people to search secretly. Our manpower is inevitably insufficient, which makes the search rather troublesome."
"Insufficient manpower?" a somewhat rough voice said. "That's an excuse. Your Xiao family has over two hundred thousand elite soldiers, how can you lack manpower?"
"The current state of the Xiao family is not known to outsiders, but you two should be very clear." Miss Xiao Qi's face showed a hint of anger. "I sincerely want to find a way out for myself and the Xiao family. How could I not put in my best effort? Let alone two hundred thousand, even twenty thousand, can we be sure that everyone will be loyal? This matter is of great importance. Unless it's an absolute confidant, one must never be sent. If anything goes wrong, can you two bear the consequences?"
The two black-robed figures glanced at each other, implicitly agreeing with her statement.
"Miss, you must put in more effort. This is a matter of great importance. Find Feng Jue as soon as possible."
Mentioning this matter, Miss Xiao Qi was also weary. Feng Jue's disappearance was too bizarre. In the middle of the night, he and his belongings vanished. What was most infuriating was that the guards heard nothing, and no clues were left in the room. Even the most skilled master thief would probably not have the ability to make Feng Jue disappear into thin air!
"Don't worry, sirs. This is a matter of great importance to the Xiao family. I will definitely give it my all."
"Miss Xiao Qi, if this drags on, it will not be beneficial to anyone," said another person with a slightly sharper voice. "Only by demonstrating your value will the master grant you a noble position. Otherwise, I'm afraid your lifelong wish will be hard to fulfill."
Miss Xiao Qi's expression worsened. She had grown up in the northern desert, carefree, and was known as a model of refinement. She had never been looked down upon like this before.
"Don't worry, sirs. Even for myself, I will definitely give it my all."
The previous rough voice spoke again. "Miss Xiao, Li Shu has woken up. Have you thought of a plan?"
"Li Shu cannot be moved for the time being."
The two black-robed figures showed surprise and asked in unison, "Why?"
"Every winter, the barbarians will invade, and the border towns will be in constant turmoil, bringing considerable losses to the northern desert. This winter is particularly cold, and the snow is falling particularly frequently. It's likely that many of the barbarians' livestock will freeze to death. With less food and clothing, they will surely invade again, and there might even be a major battle. They are all going to die anyway, why don't we let Li Shu's men go to their deaths?"
The secret room was quiet, with only the faint candlelight flickering.
After a while, a light chuckle was heard. "In that case, I wish Miss Xiao success in her endeavors."
Perhaps it was due to lying down for too long, but after drinking his medicine, Li Shu wanted to get out of bed and walk around. His body was still weak, and his internal organs were still recovering. He needed someone to support him to walk a few steps in the room.
No matter how thin he was, he was still an adult man.
Jiaoniang was frail and could not support him at all.
Li Man'er then asked Jiaoniang to go to Miss Xiao Qi's place to ask for someone. "Just tell Miss Xiao Qi that either let my father's guards enter the mansion, not many, just two will suffice. They can serve him closely and help him move things. Otherwise, ask her to assign two people to come over. Also, now that Father has woken up, it's not convenient for me to continue living in the outer rooms. Ask her to arrange another place for me to live."
Jiaoniang, who was already planning to report, naturally accepted the task without hesitation. This time, she successfully met Miss Xiao Qi, not only telling her the conversation between Li Man'er and Liu Ya but also relaying Li Man'er's requests.
Miss Xiao Qi smiled, as if she had thought of something.
"Very well, Miss Li's requests are not excessive. By rights, as the Marquis is a guest, he should be cared for by the servants of our mansion. However, Miss Li does not seem to be very reassured. Then let her write a letter and call two personal guards into the mansion. They can temporarily reside in the outer rooms and be at the Marquis's beck and call. As for Miss Li's residence..." Miss Xiao Qi suddenly looked up at Jiaoniang. "What do you think about letting her move into the main courtyard?"
Jiaoniang was stunned. "This servant doesn't know."
"I think this is a very good idea." Miss Xiao Qi had a cold smile on her lips, thinking: She wanted to see what secrets this Li Man'er held.
Jiaoniang reported truthfully, explaining Miss Xiao Qi's arrangements.
Liu Ya felt that this Miss Xiao Qi definitely had ill intentions, wanting to keep their young lady under her watchful eye.