The officer's face was sweating. He hadn't expected the Li family to be so difficult to deal with, especially the eldest daughter, whose sharp tongue was like a knife, leaving him no room to retort.
Right in front of the yamen, with so many people watching, it was hard for them to make a move.
Just then, a slightly soft voice suddenly came from inside the main gate, "What's all the noise about? Is everyone bored?"
Upon hearing this voice, the officer's eyes lit up as if he had found a savior. "Seventh Miss, you've arrived."
Seventh Miss?
Was she going to meet him this soon?
Li Man'er curiously turned her head and saw a girl of short stature, fair-skinned, and with a dignified and graceful appearance.
This girl had a face like a silver plate, curved eyebrows, eyes that were not large but very spirited, and a pair of dimples on her cheeks.
For some reason, Li Man'er thought of Miss Huang for a moment.
Both girls were of the cute type. Miss Huang was genuinely cute, while this Seventh Miss looked dignified. It was just unknown if her mind was as clear as Huang Yuhe's.
"What's going on?"
Before the officer could speak, Li Man'er stepped forward, looking at Miss Xiao Qi from head to toe. "You're from the Xiao family."
Seventh Miss nodded. "And you are..."
"I am Li Man'er. You've imprisoned my father here, not finding him a doctor or treating his illness, so I had to come myself."
"You're the daughter of Marquis Tiejian?"
Li Man'er almost tilted her chin to the sky. Everyone in the world knew that she, Li Man'er, was arrogant and bossy. Out here in the vast and remote Mobei, not many people knew about her drastic change in personality.
This could serve as her camouflage.
"Miss Li, please calm down. Since you are the daughter of Marquis Tiejian, you are naturally allowed to see him. We are not preventing anyone from seeing him. It's just that the situation in Mobei is different from the capital. Every year, countless spies infiltrate here, trying to spy on military information. If we are not vigilant, I'm afraid we would have already handed over this border territory to the barbarians." Seventh Miss spoke slowly and steadily, with great credibility. Compared to her, Li Man'er seemed like an unreasonable person.
Li Man'er didn't mind and said with a smile, "Oh, is that so!"
Li Nian frowned. This Miss Xiao Qi had too many schemes. Would Man'er be her match?
However, he quickly thought that Man'er was not bad either. She was capable in both literary and martial arts, brave and resourceful. If she could kill over a dozen barbarians alone, even if Miss Xiao Qi was smarter, it would only be a petty cleverness in front of Man'er.
Li Nian felt relieved but deliberately interjected, warning Li Man'er, "Man'er, you are no longer a child. Don't believe everything others say. These people have impure intentions, do you understand?" He played the role of a rough and uncouth military officer who lacked manners vividly.
"Uncle Third, don't worry, I understand." Li Man'er said, "Seventh Miss, you seem to be in charge. Let's not stand here and catch a cold. Can I take my maid to treat my father or not?"
"Of course," Miss Xiao Qi smiled. "However, the eldest young lady's personal belongings will be subject to a routine inspection."
Li Nian gritted his teeth. "Don't push your luck too far."
"It's a routine inspection, as I said. If the eldest young lady has nothing to hide, what is she afraid of?"
Zuo Cheng snorted coldly. "The Xiao family is truly formidable. We've certainly opened our eyes today. When we return to the capital, we will have to tell the lords and ladies in the capital about this."
Seventh Miss didn't seem to mind. "Young lady, do you have many things to bring? It's inconvenient for us women to travel. These guards are clumsy and might knock over your belongings. If you don't mind, I can have my maids check them."
See how beautifully she put it.
"Alright!" Li Man'er said, "I only have a medicine box, a bundle, and a maid."
Li Man'er called Liu Ya forward. "Take your things and let Seventh Miss have a look."
Liu Ya stepped forward and handed over the bundle and the medicine box.
Miss Xiao Qi called two matrons to take the items to a secluded place for inspection. Nothing unusual was found.
The two respectfully returned the items.
"Since everything is in order, can I take my maid in now?"
"Naturally." Miss Xiao Qi moved aside slightly. "Eldest young lady, please."
Li Man'er turned around. "Uncle Third, please go back. When Father wakes up, we can return."
Li Nian was not so optimistic. He stared intently at Li Man'er's face for a long time before saying, "Man'er, take care of yourself."
Li Man'er nodded and entered the yamen with Liu Ya.
They passed through the main hall and skirted a row of back rooms before finally reaching the rear courtyard.
"I'm really sorry to trouble Seventh Miss to personally lead the way." Li Man'er said, "The yamen's rear courtyard isn't that large, yet it can accommodate your entire family. That's not easy."
Seventh Miss simply said, "Our Xiao family has been here for decades, for the sake of the people of this kingdom and to expand the territory for His Majesty. We are not here to enjoy ourselves. As for living quarters, enough is enough. This place is a bit shabby, I imagine it's not as grand as the Marquis's mansion. I apologize for making the eldest young lady laugh."
Was this a subtle way of criticizing her for being ignorant of the people's hardships?
This Seventh Miss was truly an interesting person.
"Oh, it is indeed quite shabby. I didn't expect Seventh Miss to be so self-aware." Li Man'er showed no guilt and was not angry. She added, "I heard that the eldest master of the Xiao family is very shrewd. He has done a lot of business in Mobei, not only improving the lives of the common people by several levels but also running the Xiao family's business prosperously. The Xiao family has quite a few industries in Mobei. Why do you pretend to be shabby?"
A flicker of anger flashed in Seventh Miss's eyes, but she said nothing. Instead, a matron accompanying her could not stand it and gave a slight bow to Li Man'er.
"Eldest young lady, please speak with caution. The Xiao family's affairs are not for outsiders to discuss! Eldest young lady, you are a guest. You need to know your place and not be so unrestrained."
Seventh Miss frowned. "You also know that the eldest young lady is a guest. How can you be so rude to a guest? Guards..."
Just as she was about to say something, Li Man'er stopped her with a smile. "Oh dear, it's just a matron. Why take it seriously with her! Eldest young lady, there's no need to get angry over such a trivial matter. However, Eldest young lady, you should hurry and take me to see my father. If we're late, it might delay my father's illness, wouldn't it? Those who know will understand that Seventh Miss is kind-hearted, but those who don't might think you are intentionally preventing us from meeting."
Seventh Miss had truly never met anyone like Li Man'er. How could she dare to say anything and say it so frankly and without reservation?
Liu Ya lowered her head slightly, barely managing to suppress a giggle.
The eldest young lady was truly formidable, too formidable.