Three days later, the Li family's convoy arrived at the prefectural city without incident.
In places like the northern desert, inspections were exceptionally strict. Even though the Li family had all their documents in order, carried a permit from the Ministry of War, and held Li Mu's transfer order, they were still stopped outside the city and detained for nearly an hour for inspection.
It was only when Li Shu's personal guards came to escort them that they were allowed to enter.
The captain of the guards, with a forced smile, apologized to Li Mu, "General Li, please forgive us. This is a matter of great importance. I am merely following orders and dare not slacken in the slightest."
Li Mu knew he was someone who owed his position to the Xiao family and naturally did not give him a good look. The fact that he so brazenly troubled the Li family's people must have been ordered by the Xiao family, otherwise, a mere captain would not have dared to act so recklessly.
"You..."
"Never mind, Third Uncle," Li Man'er had resumed her female attire, though she still wore a veil. Even so, her eyes, like stars, were as captivating as ever.
The captain of the guards even wanted to see what her true appearance was beneath the veil, whether it could match those eyes.
"Everyone is tired, let's go back and rest. I miss Father," Li Man'er changed back to her female clothing mainly to lower others' guard.
By showing weakness, she could better achieve her goal.
"So, it's the Marquis's cherished daughter. My apologies," the captain spoke, but his tone was extremely dismissive, almost making Li Mu draw his sword.
"Third Uncle, let's enter the city," Li Man'er glanced at the man and then entered the city with Li Mu.
The convoy members all looked indignant, which, ironically, made the Xiao family feel more at ease.
The captain smirked at Li Man'er's retreating back, stroking his chin, and muttered to himself, "So fragrant."
The soldiers beside him winked at each other, "Brother Rong, how is it? The noble ladies from the capital are indeed different, aren't they?"
"Alright, alright, are you all so idle?"
"Oh, brothers, we all heard it. You said she smelled so fragrant."
"Oh my~" the others joined in the teasing, as if this Brother Rong had done something to Li Man'er.
Captain Rong sneered, "Brothers, even if... something happened, it wouldn't be my turn." She is, after all, the Marquis's daughter.
That was true, but a woman from the Li family could be a useful leverage. Just thinking about it was amusing.
No one expected that this Captain Rong would fall ill with a sudden acute illness that very night. The person was fine one moment, but then suddenly he started speaking incoherently, followed by bulging eyes, a twisted mouth, and unresponsive limbs, as if he had a stroke.
A military doctor was called, but he couldn't figure out what was wrong. He could only have the man placed in a tent to rest. If his condition didn't improve, he would have to be sent home to fend for himself.
Of course, it wasn't a sudden illness. It was merely a method Li Man'er used to teach him a lesson. Military doctors were usually skilled in treating external wounds from blades and swords. While they sometimes dealt with detoxification, poisons were varied. Who could guarantee they recognized every type?
Coincidentally, the doctor who treated Captain Rong didn't recognize the poison Li Man'er had administered. He mistook it for a wind affliction entering the body and prescribed a decoction, instructing someone to ensure he took it.
This medicine, naturally, was taken in vain.
Li Man'er didn't pay much attention to this person. After all, he had been taught a lesson, and he wasn't going to die. She had spared his life, which was quite something.
She rode with Li Mu into the city, only to discover that they had no chance to see anyone from the Xiao family.
In other words, she couldn't see Li Shu for the time being.
The Xiao family, under the guise of protecting Li Shu, had imprisoned him, claiming they feared someone would harm him and thus devised this plan.
The Xiao family's defenses were heavily guarded. Since several of the main generals were away, the guards pushed responsibility aside, stating they couldn't make decisions and that they should wait for the Xiao family masters to return.
"What exactly is going on?" Li Mu was at a loss and decided to find an inn to settle down first.
The one who came to escort them into the city was Li Shu's personal guard, Zuo Cheng. This man, like Li Wenchang, was one of Li Shu's most trusted men. However, Li Wenchang was rescued by Li Shu, while Zuo Cheng's father had served the old Marquis.
Both father and son were loyal to the Li family, and their loyalty was higher. However, human hearts were unpredictable, and it was hard to say how long their loyalty would last.
Li Wenchang was a prime example, wasn't he?
Zuo Cheng immediately cupped his fists and said, "Third Master, Young Lady, the Marquis was ambushed. That day, we were patrolling outside with the Marquis when a very fast, small beast suddenly emerged from the ground. It was only about half a foot long, grayish, and looked like a rat but not quite. We don't know what it was. After the little beast burrowed out of the earth, it bit the Marquis on the leg. The Marquis tried to chop it with his sword, but the beast let go and burrowed back into the ground to escape. Before the Marquis could sheathe his sword, he fell from his horse. Fortunately, with the pill given by Great Aunt, the Marquis's life was temporarily out of danger after taking it, but he has remained unconscious."
Li Man'er frowned. Her medicine didn't work?
"What about the Xiao family?"
Zuo Cheng was furious, "The doctors who came with us couldn't cure this poison. We couldn't just watch the Marquis suffer, so we sought help from the Xiao family. The Xiao family was extremely enthusiastic at the time and even invited the best doctor for the Marquis. However, after trying decoctions and acupuncture, the Marquis still wouldn't wake up. The doctor said the Marquis's condition was not suitable for moving and he should stay with the Xiao family to recover. We felt it was inappropriate, but..."
It was too late.
The Xiao family had already dug a pit and were waiting for them to jump in!
"Hmph!" Li Mu was so angry his beard almost flew off. "You just stood by and watched, with no way to do anything?"
Zuo Cheng also felt a bit embarrassed. He said, "Third Master, the Xiao family is powerful, and the Marquis's condition is critical. It was truly..."
A bunch of brainless people.
Li Man'er only thought this in her heart and did not say it aloud.
It would be too damaging to morale.
"Third Uncle, don't blame him. Such things are difficult to predict. Brother Zuo, let me ask you, where are the troops my father brought?"
Zuo Cheng quickly replied, "The Marquis didn't bring many troops this time. They are temporarily stationed outside the city. The Xiao family has always been wary of the Marquis and would never allow our men to openly enter the city."
"Are these troops still in one place?"
"No, they are divided into four camps, stationed at the four corners of the prefectural city, forming a pincer formation."
Li Man'er frowned. "Alright!" To put it bluntly, they were tricked. Their forces were divided, and they called it a pincer formation. How could they say that?
"Let me ask you, what's the deal with Li Wenchang?"
Li Wenchang?
Zuo Cheng was bewildered. "Young Lady, Li Wenchang went out to seek reinforcements. You didn't meet him?" He misunderstood Li Man'er's intention. "Then how did you get here?"