Xiao Ruding did not dare to let Li Maner take out the bone in his leg, but acupuncture for pain relief was still possible. Everyone was watching when she administered the acupuncture, making it difficult for her to do anything tricky.
"It's a bit late today, how about tomorrow?"
Li Maner knew Xiao Ruding didn't trust her and would definitely be wary of her, then find someone else to bear witness, in case she dared to act maliciously, the Xiao family could immediately attack.
Anyway, she wasn't afraid. If she wanted to make a move, even if the Xiao family had eight hundred pairs of eyes, it would still be useless.
"Okay!" Li Maner said, "I'll prepare as well! If General Xiao has a suitable candidate to learn acupuncture, why not bring them tomorrow and learn together?"
Seeing her so frank and open-minded, Xiao Ruding didn't know what to say. He nodded, agreeing.
Li Maner packed her medicine chest and slung it over her shoulder. "Father, General, please continue eating. I'll be leaving now."
Li Shu hadn't figured out why Li Maner wanted to treat Xiao Ruding's leg, although they had agreed on something else before. However, he guessed that Li Maner had her own ideas, and the specifics would be revealed tomorrow.
"Qin Si, escort the elder lady back."
Qin Si lifted the curtain and came in, cupping his fist. "Your subordinate will escort the elder lady back."
Li Maner said, "No need. Father cannot be left unattended. It's only a short distance, I'll go back alone." She glanced at Qin Si meaningfully, as if giving him some instructions.
Qin Si hesitated for a moment before saying, "Then this subordinate will escort the elder lady out."
Xiao Ruding pretended not to notice their prior communication and continued drinking with Li Shu. However, as the wine and dishes had gone cold, he ordered the kitchen to prepare some anew.
"That day when we went hunting, we killed a deer. In winter, roasted venison is the most comforting thing to eat," Xiao Ruding said with a hint of regret. "It's a pity that Marquis cannot eat such tonics now, otherwise, he could have had a taste."
Li Shu secretly rolled his eyes, who was he mocking! Hearing the word "tonic" now made him want to hit someone.
By this time, Qin Si had escorted Li Maner outside. Li Maner didn't say anything, she just glanced at the window, and Qin Si understood.
"Your subordinate understands," he said softly, standing with his hands behind his back under the corridor.
Li Maner, with her medicine chest on her back, walked towards the main courtyard.
The servants of the government office were indeed diligent; the snow on the paths had been swept clean. Li Maner walked slowly, even taking a detour to the rockery in the garden.
She now had a certain degree of freedom in the government office. Ever since she agreed to accompany the Xiao family to the Moluo Mountain Range, her range of activity had expanded considerably. As long as she didn't go to the front where the discussions and official business took place, she could wander freely through the residential areas and gardens behind the government office.
Li Maner seemed to be strolling through the garden with great interest. Suddenly, she lowered her body and scurried towards the passage of the rockery.
A dark figure followed her swiftly into the rockery passage.
Hearing the sound behind her, Li Maner casually threw her medicine chest aside and spun around, her silver needles shooting out.
The black-clad man reacted extremely quickly, dodging the needles with a backflip. Li Maner suddenly produced a dagger and lunged at the man.
The black-clad man had just regained his balance when Li Maner's dagger was upon him. He hastily dodged, seemingly unwilling to confront Li Maner head-on. However, Li Maner's dagger was not so accommodating; with slashes, pulls, chops, and thrusts, the dagger seemed to come alive in her hands, making it extremely difficult to deal with.
The black-clad man continuously dodged, but the passage was very narrow. Being tall, he could not maneuver effectively. Conversely, Li Maner, taking advantage of her small stature, could always find suitable opportunities to strike.
Seizing an opportunity, the man grabbed Li Maner's wrist, intending to press her against the rockery wall. However, Li Maner's strength was immense, giving him no chance. She lifted her leg and kicked towards his lower body.
Although this move was somewhat insidious, any cat that catches a mouse is a good cat.
The man seemed not to expect Li Maner to use such a low-class tactic against him. However, he reacted quickly, releasing her wrist and reaching out to block, pressing Li Maner's leg downwards.
Just then, Li Maner's dagger arrived again, swinging directly towards the man's head. If this blow connected, the man would be severely injured, if not killed.
However, he reacted swiftly, leaning back to dodge. With his lower body still, his upper body nearly flattened into a horizontal line, then he straightened up abruptly.
Li Maner exclaimed inwardly, "What a waist!"
The man grabbed Li Maner's wrist and twisted it lightly. Li Maner felt her entire arm go numb, the dagger fell from her hand, and she lost her balance, falling backward.
The man seemed to press his advantage. As Li Maner lost her footing, he reached out and embraced her. His long arm wrapped around her back, his broad palm pressing tightly against her back, turning her around directly. His own back slammed against the rockery wall with a dull thud, but he protected Li Maner from any harm. She merely stumbled into his embrace due to the inertia.
The man tightened his hold, and their bodies pressed closely together. Li Maner could even smell the faint scent of dragon's blood grass on him.
"Despicable!"
Li Maner's eyes widened, "Let go." This man's internal energy was truly profound! Otherwise, he wouldn't have knocked her dagger away.
The corner of the man's mouth under the mask curved slightly, and he asked softly, "Did you know who I was all along?"
Li Maner struggled fiercely, but the man held her tightly, preventing her from breaking free.
Li Maner's face turned red with anger. She raised her foot to stomp on the man's instep. Her strength was considerable, and she was determined. If this kick landed, the other party would surely suffer.
However, the man suddenly let go of her, shifted his foot to the side, and successfully dodged.
Li Maner retreated two or three steps, glaring at the man, and said angrily, "The dignified Ninth Prince conducting himself in such a manner truly opens this humble woman's eyes. Aren't you afraid that if today's events get out, Your Highness will gain another reputation for harassing innocent women?"
Qi Yihan removed his mask, his eyes gleaming with an almost frightening intensity. "My reputation has never been particularly good, and one more won't make much difference. Thank you for your concern, young lady, it's of no consequence."
"Who is concerned about you!" Li Maner almost bit her tongue. "Your Highness, please take care of yourself." She felt nauseous just seeing Qi Yihan now. If she stayed any longer, she was afraid she would give in to the urge to bite him to death.
Li Maner turned to pick up her medicine chest, but Qi Yihan suddenly grabbed her arm, pulled her forcefully, and brought her into his embrace once more.
Li Maner never dreamed that she would be embracing a man in a rockery passage.