"I don't want this kind of coddling, Grandmother. I want to go to Mobei." Li Qingyun repeated himself over and over, his mind set on going north.
"How old are you? What good will it do you to go to Mobei? You won't be able to help, and you'll just be a burden to your father and eldest sister."
Though still a child, Li Qingyun's words were firm, "I am the heir of the Iron Gallant Marquis. My father is in trouble, and I cannot stand by and do nothing."
Madam Bai said, "Qingyun, it's not that your second aunt is saying this, but you are still too young! The conditions in Mobei are harsh, it's freezing cold, and there might be danger. What are you going there for?"
Madam Cui cast an approving glance at Madam Bai. "Your second aunt is right. Your task now is to study hard and learn archery and riding. When you're capable, you'll have plenty of opportunities."
"You can't be impulsive. Stay home and wait patiently for your father's return," Li Yi also felt this was childish nonsense.
Li Qingyun was very displeased. He glanced at Li Man'er and asked, "Why can she go and I can't?"
"Your eldest sister is a physician, and she's a few years older than you. Of course, she can go." Madam Cui tried to reason with him, but a child of this age already had a rebellious streak. Even strict upbringing might not completely suppress a rebellious child's defiance.
Li Man'er knew that Li Qingyun would not be satisfied with such an answer.
"But she's a woman! Women have long hair and short foresight. If she can go, why can't I?" Li Qingyun's words were filled with hostility. He was no longer a child, and he had his own interpretations of Guo Shi's death and Li Zhao'er's hasty marriage.
If someone with ulterior motives had whispered a few words in his ear, the situation would have been even worse.
"Qingyun!" Madam Cui reprimanded him, not too harshly, not too lightly. It seemed to give Li Man'er some face, but more importantly, it maintained Li Qingyun's dignity.
Since that was the case, she would break that dignity herself.
Li Man'er stood up and walked towards Li Qingyun.
For some reason, Li Qingyun felt an imposing pressure coming towards him, making it difficult to breathe. He suppressed the urge to flee in disarray, trying hard to appear less weak and vulnerable.
"Do you want to know why I can go and you can't?"
Li Qingyun instinctively asked, "Why?" But after asking, he regretted it. Why should he take her bait?
"Because you are too weak, too vulnerable. You might not even make it halfway before your life is over. Not letting you go is for your own good."
Madam Bai and Li Tian'er were overjoyed upon hearing this. The mother and daughter exchanged a look, both anticipating a good show.
Li En chuckled softly, it was unclear whether he was laughing at Li Man'er or Li Qingyun.
Li En's chuckle sounded like a piercing mockery to Li Qingyun. He glared at Li Man'er and loudly questioned, "On what grounds do you say that? Who do you think you are?"
The inherent flaws in this child's character were fully exposed.
While the Li family might not be considered an aristocratic lineage, they were undoubtedly a prominent family in this era. The family spared no effort in the upbringing of their heirs. From the age of three or four, they would begin their studies, diligently practicing calligraphy and engaging in the six arts of a gentleman. By the age of eleven or twelve, they should have been promising young men, either refined and gentle, or spirited and vibrant.
However, Li Man'er only saw arrogance, hypocrisy, and a ridiculous display of presumption and self-importance in Li Qingyun.
He was Guo Shi's son, carrying the Guo family's bloodline, so perhaps this was not surprising.
"I am the legitimate eldest daughter of the Li family. If you dare to question my grounds for saying this..." Li Man'er sneered. "I am merely speaking the truth. What, does the heir find it hard to hear? Oh~ I see, you're probably used to being flattered, so hearing the truth feels extremely grating."
The members of the second and fourth branches remained silent, merely observing the sibling's confrontation. Even Madam Cui, lost in thought, did not speak or intervene.
Li Qingyun was panting like an ox, clearly enraged by Li Man'er.
"I've heard that you began studying the six arts and archery at the age of six, and you've also trained in martial arts. How about we spar a bit right now, in front of our elders? If you win, I'll take you to Mobei. If you lose, you'll stay home obediently."
Li Man'er delivered the last sentence with a malicious tone, as if Li Qingyun were something as lowly as a cockroach or a mouse.
Just as Aunt Wang was about to speak, Madam Cui stopped her with a hand gesture. Qingyun's resolve was not strong, and he often found it difficult to endure hardships in his studies or martial arts training. Perhaps Li Man'er's indirect humiliation could serve as an encouragement for him.
Li Qingyun had already thrown his fist and charged towards Li Man'er.
Li Man'er placed her hands behind her back, her intentions unclear. In an instant, Li Qingyun reached her. He was shorter than Li Man'er, so he couldn't aim for her face. Thus, Li Qingyun mercilessly swung a punch at Li Man'er's abdomen.
Li Man'er kept her hands behind her back and dodged Li Qingyun's attack with a slight sidestep. She raised one leg and kicked at Li Qingyun's hollow of the knee. Li Qingyun was no match for her. After taking a solid kick, he lost his balance and fell straight to the ground.
Madam Cui gasped, and Madam Bai dramatically rose from her chair as if her own son had fallen.
Fortunately, the ground was carpeted, and Li Qingyun was unharmed despite the fall.
Li Man'er wasn't foolish enough to actually hurt him in front of so many people. However, while physically unharmed, his pride had been deeply wounded. After all, for the dignified heir of the Iron Gallant Marquis to fall flat on his face was incredibly embarrassing.
Li Qingyun immediately got up from the ground, his eyes blazing with fury, wishing he could devour Li Man'er.
"What, not convinced? Want to fight again?"
Li Qingyun gathered all his strength and charged at Li Man'er. His composure had flown out the window. He had forgotten all about techniques and forms. His only thought was to knock Li Man'er down and make her experience the taste of lying on the ground.
Li Man'er didn't exert much effort. She reached out and pressed down on Li Qingyun's head, and with her other hand, she pushed his shoulder. Li Qingyun lost control again and was sent flying, landing with a thud on his backside.
He had been practicing martial arts for several years, yet he couldn't even withstand a single move from Li Man'er. How was this possible?
Li Qingyun remembered his master, who had praised his talent, and the young servants he sparred with. He immediately realized they had been holding back, trying to curry favor with him!
"See, you are completely vulnerable. You might be shivering from the cold before even leaving the capital. And you want to go to Mobei? Are you seeking death?"