Qi Yihan emerged quickly and arranged a carriage for Li Man'er.
"I don't want to ride in this, I want to ride a horse."
"Be good," Qi Yihan knew she had been working hard lately and wanted her to rest more. "The wind is so strong outside, riding a horse will be tiring."
Li Man'er felt a little bit of sweetness in her heart. Although she wasn't pampered, she was naturally happy when someone was willing to spoil her and let her be pampered.
"Alright!" She quickly compromised and got directly into the carriage. As Li Man'er's maid, A Si followed closely behind and got into the carriage.
Qi Yihan rode his horse, with A Qi, and a team of elite cavalry, heading towards the new city.
The snow on the road had not completely melted, and the road was not easy to travel. Li Man'er sat in the carriage, feeling dizzy from the bumps, which was quite uncomfortable.
Perhaps sleeping too much made her feel a bit unwell. Fortunately, there was plenty of food prepared in the carriage. She opened the eight-treasure box and put a candied plum in her mouth, feeling much better.
The carriage was spacious, with tea and a charcoal stove.
Li Man'er closed her eyes to rest with the candied plum in her mouth. A Si seemed to have a lot of questions for her, but seeing that she appeared to be asleep, she didn't dare to disturb her. "If you have something to say, then say it."
A clear and cold voice rang out. A Si flinched, startled, and quickly said, "Miss, when you see Third Master Li later, will you fight?"
Li Man'er's eyes snapped open. "Fight?" She looked at A Si. "Why would you think that?"
"Your maid just feels that Third Master Li's actions are a bit unethical. Although imperial orders are hard to disobey, you treated them with all your heart. I feel, I feel..."
She felt that Li Man'er's sincere heart had been let down, and she must be unhappy. Although she had not followed Li Man'er for a long time, she could see that Li Man'er was the type of person who would retaliate immediately if wronged, never saying anything like a gentleman's revenge takes ten years.
"We won't fight," Li Man'er smiled. "In the adult world, fighting is not an easy thing to do because they have to weigh the pros and cons."
Li Nian had kept some things from her, but he was helpless. Moreover, Li Nian had taken good care of her along the way. Speaking of which, Li Nian was born to a concubine, and although his purity as a third uncle was not high, he had protected her.
On the other hand, Li Shu, her own father, what about him? He wasn't even as good as Li Nian!
Relationships between people always need to be maintained.
Either through emotion, or through mutual benefit.
Li Nian's actions could actually help her share a lot of pressure. When she returned to the capital in the future, Cui Shi might focus her attacks on Li Nian, and she would be safer.
Since relationships could not be maintained through emotion, they should be maintained through mutual benefit. Anyway, it didn't matter to her.
A Si understood and nodded, "Your maid understands."
Li Man'er closed her eyes again and swayed all the way to the new city.
As soon as Xiao Xiang appeared, Xiao Rudu was stripped of his power. Some of his subordinates were arrested, and some defected. In short, he was almost alone. Now, the troops stationed in the new city had all been replaced by Li family members, and the few Xiao family members were all Xiao Xiang's subordinates.
When Qi Yihan and his group arrived at the city gate, they didn't even say a word before the city gate opened. It was as if these people had already known he was coming and respectfully welcomed everyone into the city.
Upon receiving the news, Li Nian immediately put down what he was doing to greet Qi Yihan. However, he did not expect that after Qi Yihan dismounted, he would not even look at him, but instead walked directly to the carriage behind and helped someone down.
When Li Nian saw Li Man'er get out of the carriage, his eyes nearly popped out. He looked at Qi Yihan, then at Li Man'er, and understood everything.
"I'm not one of those pampered girls in the capital, why do you have to come and help me?"
Qi Yihan was speechless, but he just glanced at Li Man'er without saying anything.
A Si wanted to laugh but dared not. In the entire capital, how many people wished the prince would support them, yet the prince ignored them. But when it came to Miss, she was complaining.
"This humble general pays his respects to the prince."
"General Li, you are excused."
Li Nian cast an awkward glance at Li Man'er. At this point, nothing could be hidden.
Li Man'er, however, acted as if nothing had happened and called out, "Third Uncle, it's been a while. How are you? How is Qingyan?"
"I'm well, I'm well, Qingyan is also well."
"I think you've lost some weight," Li Man'er frowned. "Where is the Marquis? During my absence, has his health improved?"
Li Nian gave a bitter smile. "My elder brother's illness is unlikely to improve any time soon. Your Highness, the wind is strong here, let's talk at the prefectural office."
"Good." Qi Yihan, ignoring the gazes of others, held Li Man'er's hand and did not let go.
Li Man'er did not want to attract too much attention. There were too many important matters to attend to, and she was more eager to see Li Qingyan.
"Your Highness, why don't you go first, and I'll go see Qingyan."
"Agreed." Qi Yihan let go of Li Man'er's hand and glanced at A Si, his meaning obvious.
A Si quickly curtsied, indicating that she understood.
Li Nian hurriedly made a gesture of invitation and led Qi Yihan all the way to the prefectural office.
Li Man'er didn't bother with anything else. First, she asked someone to find out where Li Shu was staying. After she saw Li Shu, she would go see Li Qingyan.
After all, she had to pretend.
Unexpectedly, halfway there, she saw Li Qingyan and Liu Ya, who had always been with him.
In just a few days, Li Qingyan had grown taller, becoming much taller and appearing more steady. On the other hand, Liu Ya behind him looked much thinner, having lost a lot of weight since arriving in Mo Bei.
"Big Sister," Li Qingyan walked to Li Man'er's side, his eyes shining. Then, he solemnly bowed to Li Man'er.
"Qingyan?" Li Man'er smiled. "What's wrong, child? Have you become estranged from your sister after just a few days apart?"
Li Qingyan shook his head, a flash of pain in his eyes. "Big Sister, I know everything. I... I didn't expect my father..."
"That's enough!" Li Man'er interrupted him. This was ancient times; children should not speak of their parents' faults. She didn't care, but she didn't want Li Qingyan to bear the reputation of being unfilial.
"You are still a child, you don't need to worry about these things." Li Man'er's gaze fell on Liu Ya. "Liu Ya, it's cold here, take your young master back first. I'll go see the Marquis first, and I'll come to find you later."
Liu Ya quickly replied, "Yes, Miss." She was also uncomfortable, but she could not do anything about it.
"Qingyan, be good, go back first, I'll come to find you later."
Li Qingyan nodded. "Big Sister, hurry up. I have a lot to tell you."
"Okay, I still have to check your homework."