Li Man'er sneered, "I'm actually not too reassured. Since I arrived in Mobei, you're the only蕭 family member I've seen. I haven't met Old Master Xiao or the Xiao generals yet. The entire yamen is under the command of Miss Xiao Qi. You're not old, and if it were an ordinary matter, it would be fine. But for something this important, where are the heads of the Xiao family?"
Xiao Qi Niang seemed to have anticipated Li Man'er's request. She said, "I understand Miss Li's concerns. Don't worry, the Xiao family will naturally not let you have such worries. It's just that digging up graves isn't exactly a glorious affair, and we can't exactly announce it everywhere with great fanfare, can we?"
"Miss Xiao Qi, what you say does have some logic to it."
Xiao Qi Niang's smile widened by two points. "Entering the mountains is no trifling matter. The Moluo Mountain Range spans a thousand miles. The deep woods haven't been trodden for centuries. Who knows what demons and spirits lurk there? A moment of carelessness could cost one their life. It's winter now, with heavy snow. The dangers in the mountains are even greater, and we need to prepare thoroughly. Since Marquis Tie Dan's body needs some time to recover, we can only set off once our preparations are complete. By then, even if Miss Li doesn't say anything, several of my uncles from the Xiao family will return."
Several uncles?
Li Man'er calmly said, "Miss Xiao Qi, you have shown some sincerity. At that time, please introduce me."
"Certainly!"
"By the way," Li Man'er said, as if remembering something, and suddenly asked, "Knowing you for so long, Miss Xiao Qi, I still don't know which branch of the family you come from."
Xiao Qi Niang had no intention of hiding it; it wasn't a big secret and could be easily found out. "My father is the eldest."
"Oh, excuse me. So Miss Xiao Qi is the daughter of the Jade-Faced General Xiao Ruidi. No wonder you are so extraordinary."
A hint of melancholy crossed Xiao Qi Niang's features, but she quickly concealed it. "Miss Li flatters me."
"Right, to ensure everything goes smoothly on the journey, why don't I make a list of the medicinal herbs we'll need?" Li Man'er said, "Miss Xiao Qi, you may not know, but some medicines are quite difficult to refine. If we don't prepare them now, I'm afraid it will be too late."
This was important.
Xiao Qi Niang quickly replied, "Then please have Miss Li prepare a list. I'll send someone to buy them later."
"Very well."
Xiao Qi Niang then took her people and departed.
Li Man'er had Liu Ya fetch paper and brush, grind ink, and she began writing on the paper with a flourish.
Seeing her write so diligently, Liu Ya dared not disturb her and could only quietly attend to the ink and brush.
Li Man'er wrote without stopping, filling four or five pages without any sign of ceasing.
"Miss, buying so much medicine?" Liu Ya had followed Li Man'er for a while and was somewhat familiar with the names of medicinal herbs. Looking at the densely packed list of herbs, Liu Ya felt her vocabulary was insufficient.
She didn't recognize many of the characters.
"Besides medicinal herbs, we also need to buy many commonly used items. Since we're not paying, don't be stingy."
Hearing this, Liu Ya also became happy. "Indeed, indeed. Miss, I can also help by offering suggestions. It's cold in winter, and spending nights in the mountains is very tough. Let's prepare some frostbite ointment, and we can't forget tents. It would be best to have mules that can travel mountain roads; they have good stamina and can help us carry luggage."
"Ah, what you say makes sense." Li Man'er lightly pointed her brush at Liu Ya. "This is an excellent suggestion. I'll write it down."
Li Man'er thought as she wrote, with her maid occasionally offering suggestions. Soon, the two of them had filled over a dozen pages.
Li Man'er put down her brush and reread the pages from beginning to end, feeling very satisfied.
"Liu Ya, take these to Miss Xiao Qi and tell them to prepare them quickly."
"Yes." Liu Ya carefully folded the papers, tucked them into her sleeve, and hurried forward.
Perhaps Xiao Qi Niang had given instructions, so Liu Ya had a smooth passage through the main courtyard. They were staying in the southeast corner of the main courtyard, still some distance from Xiao Qi Niang's residence.
The old women in the courtyard knew who Liu Ya was and had her wait outside while they went to announce her.
Perhaps to give Liu Ya a show of dominance, the old woman was gone for nearly half an hour, leaving Liu Ya to freeze outside.
Liu Ya was not someone to be trifled with. She wouldn't allow herself to be treated this way. She waited for so long merely to give them an opportunity and save face for the Xiao family. Since they were being unreasonable, she saw no need to stay any longer.
Liu Ya turned and walked out. The old woman who had been watching from the shadows panicked when she saw her leaving and hurried to chase after her.
Liu Ya was skilled in martial arts, and the elderly old woman couldn't catch up, only able to watch helplessly as Liu Ya returned to the small courtyard where she and her mistress were staying.
"It's over," the old woman stamped her foot and quickly hurried back.
Liu Ya said indignantly, "Miss, the Xiao family's old woman made this servant stand outside for nearly half an hour, saying she was going to announce me. I think she intentionally wanted to put me in my place."
"Such loyal servants?" Li Man'er smiled. "Alright, go and warm yourself by the fire. I'll handle this matter."
Liu Ya said glumly, "This servant feels so useless. Those people, each one has a thousand schemes in their heads. It's one thing for them to plot against this servant, but they are clearly trying to insult you."
"It's all about protecting one's master, what's the difference!" Li Man'er said, "Go warm yourself by the fire. If I'm not mistaken, someone will come to beg forgiveness shortly."
Liu Ya said, "This servant also knows they wanted to stop me, but I walked fast and they couldn't catch up. If they had caught me, the matter wouldn't have reached you, Miss, and it might have been brushed aside again."
"Outside, a servant is her master's face. Their plotting against you is an insult to me." Li Man'er's demeanor seemed to change, making Liu Ya's eyes light up.
Most of the time, Li Man'er, the Marquis's daughter, was not very dignified. She spoke without reservation and did not speak softly like those young ladies from noble families. Her free and unrestrained manner was more like that of someone from the army, which Liu Ya greatly admired. In her opinion, coming to Mobei with Li Man'er was much more interesting than dealing with noble ladies in the capital.
However, she hadn't expected that in Mobei, where the Xiao family held absolute power, their servants would become so arrogant and employ so many tactics.
"This servant understands." Liu Ya went to warm herself by the fire, her body still chilled. Before the cold had dissipated, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.
Li Man'er glanced at Liu Ya and said, "Watch me get justice for you."
A moment later, the door was knocked. The voice of Xiao Qi Niang's maid, Zhu Yu, rang out, "Miss Li, this servant has been sent by my mistress to bring someone to you."