Xiao Si's gaze was direct, making it difficult for Li Man'er to pretend not to see it. She offered a half-bow to Li Shu and Xiao Rudì, "Father, General Xiao."
She didn't spare Xiao Si a single glance from beginning to end.
"Why are you so late?" Li Shu, accustomed to putting on airs, did not restrain himself even in someone else's home. He was a coarse man and completely missed Xiao Rudì's intentions.
"Why are you dressed so plainly?" Li Shu glanced at his daughter twice, then at the brightly dressed Xiao Qiniang beside her, and felt even more displeased.
Her deliberately simple attire was an embarrassment to the Marquisate, wasn't it?
Li Man'er's lips curved slightly, with a hint of defiance. "Your daughter is still in mourning. Attending the banquet is already my limit. Mother passed away only six months ago. Father, have you perhaps... forgotten?"
Li Shu froze for a moment, then shifted his gaze away with a hint of panic. He had indeed forgotten, and more importantly, he had forgotten the period of mourning. Ever since he arrived in Mobei, he had continued to eat meat, drink wine, and even spent a few nights with Jiaoniang...
It was fortunate that this was Mobei, far from the capital and unobserved by censors. Had he acted this way in the capital, he would likely have been impeached long ago for impropriety.
The atmosphere became awkward, and Xiao Rudì had to step in to smooth things over. "It's the New Year today, let's set other matters aside for now. Come, let's be seated, let's be seated."
Li Shu's expression improved somewhat.
Xiao Qiniang silently cursed Li Shu as an idiot, then said, "Man'er, let me introduce you. This is my elder brother, Xiao Si. He's been in the military camp all this time and hasn't been home for a long time. If it weren't for his current rotation, he might not have returned until after the New Year!"
Li Man'er gave a slight curtsy, saying nothing.
Xiao Si also quickly returned the bow, his eyes involuntarily drifting towards Li Man'er.
Liu Ya watched closely. Xiao Si appeared to be a man of good character, but his gaze was untoward, and he was certainly not a good person.
"Man'er, unlike the capital, we don't attach much importance to etiquette here, such as men and women sitting separately. Today is a family banquet, and our family is small, so we've set up this table setting without screens. You don't mind, do you?"
"One person per table is fine."
The capital also enjoyed this style, considering small table banquets to be sophisticated and elegant, reminiscent of the Han Dynasty. Everyone loved to play this way.
As everyone took their seats, the banquet officially began. Without songs or music, it resembled more of a matchmaking banquet.
Xiao Qiniang sat next to Li Man'er and introduced her to Mobei's specialty wines. "This is made from fruit. It's not usually available, only during the two-month fruit season each year. Although it's not precious, it is quite rare. It doesn't make you drunk, so you should try some, Sister."
Xiao Rudì also said, "Marquis, today is a family banquet, and there are not so many rules. Don't restrain Man'er. A girl's time at home is only a few years; she should be more unrestrained. Those noble ladies in the capital are all stiff and dull. It's best to be genuine and true to oneself like Man'er."
Li Shu felt a pang of displeasure but could not lash out. He merely said, "She's just a little rascal. Even if the General praises her more, she'll probably float to the heavens."
Hearing this, Xiao Si's gaze fell upon Li Man'er, and he asked, "Man'er, what do you usually enjoy doing for fun?"
Before Li Man'er could reply, Xiao Qiniang immediately said, "Elder Brother, you don't know, Man'er is unlike ordinary young ladies. She usually likes to tinker with medicinal herbs and ride horses. Even swordsmanship is not a problem for her."
Xiao Qiniang understood Xiao Si. He disliked women who were stiff and uninteresting, and the reason he had remained unmarried for so long was his dislike for those so-called ladies of noble birth.
In fact, Xiao Si's marriage was no trivial matter. The Xiao family was always a cause for the Emperor's suspicion. If they were to form a marital alliance with another powerful minister's family, what would that entail?
Fortunately, Xiao Rudì was well aware of this, so for years, the official explanation had been that Xiao Si was too playful and not interested in marriage.
It was precisely because the Xiao family made no moves that the Emperor could turn a blind eye. Otherwise, an imperial edict for marriage might have been issued long ago.
Indeed, Xiao Si's eyes lit up. "Man'er, you can also ride and shoot?"
Your sister, *you* are the sister, your whole family is the sister.
"Young Master Xiao, don't forget that the Li family is also from a military background. As a daughter of the Li family, how could I not know martial arts?"
Li Shu had witnessed Li Man'er's capabilities. If nothing else, her sheer strength was beyond that of ordinary warriors.
Xiao Rudì also showed a satisfied expression. The Xiao family was at a critical juncture. If they could enlist the Li family as an ally, it would be all the better.
As for the Emperor...
Thinking of this, Xiao Rudì chuckled inwardly. The person was sent by the Emperor himself! If the Emperor had not decreed for Li Shu to lead troops to Mobei, how could they have seized such an opportunity!
The two children were fond of each other. If something were to happen accidentally, and the rice was cooked, wouldn't it be reasonable? The Emperor could not stand by and watch a daughter of the Li family lose her reputation, could he?
"That's perfect. Man'er, my son here enjoys wielding swords and spears. He is quite well-respected in the army. I'm not bragging, but among the younger generation, his martial arts skills are indeed outstanding. If you have some free time, he can offer you some pointers."
Even Li Shu, no matter how slow or dull he was, understood by this point. He subtly glanced at Li Man'er, then at Xiao Rudì, and immediately grasped Xiao Rudì's plan.
This old fox was thinking of a marriage alliance!
Li Shu felt indignant but could not express it.
He had been appointed by the Emperor with the specific purpose of counterbalancing the Xiao family and diminishing their influence in Mobei. How could he collude with the Xiao family?
If the two families formed an in-law relationship, it would be disastrous. Wouldn't that be going against the Emperor?
Thinking of this, a deeper shade appeared in Li Shu's eyes, but his outward appearance remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
His change did not escape Xiao Rudì's notice, but Xiao Rudì was not worried. Even if Li Shu knew, so what? Mobei was his territory, and Li Shu was in a precarious position himself. He had no ability to stop anything, even if he wanted to. As long as Li Man'er and Si'er became a couple, Li Shu would have to agree to the marriage, unless he preferred his daughter to commit suicide rather than marry. That would be a different story.
In any case, it was not the Xiao family who would be at a disadvantage.
Li Man'er watched the two old foxes engage in a silent struggle, her heart filled with joy, while her face remained impassive.
From now on, it was a matter of waiting and seeing.
This meal was eaten with differing intentions, each person harboring a hundred thoughts.
For some unknown reason, Xiao Qiniang kept bringing up the matter of purchasing New Year's goods.
Li Man'er thought that perhaps she was brewing a grand plan.