The old woman quickly replied, "Responding to the Old Madam, it is indeed Young Master Xiao."
Cui Shi clicked her tongue slightly, unable to understand why Xiao Yu would suddenly request an audience. The two families had always been distant, and Xiao Yu's situation was particularly unusual.
The Xiao family had defended the northern frontier for generations, becoming the de facto rulers of the region. The local populace revered General Xiao as a deity, as it was the Xiao family army that always saved them from invading foreign tribes.
The Emperor, fearing the Xiao family harbored rebellious intentions, summoned the eldest son of the Xiao family, Xiao Yu's father, and Xiao Yu himself to the capital five years prior. The Xiao father and son stayed in the capital for over ten days, during which the Emperor bestowed upon them residences and gifts, creating quite a stir.
While the outside world believed the Emperor was attempting to win over the Xiao family, unbeknownst to them, just as the eldest Xiao was preparing to return north, a decree detained Xiao Yu in the capital.
Rather than being a prince's attendant, Xiao Yu was essentially held as a hostage.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yu's father, Xiao Ru Di, was ambushed by foreign tribesmen on his journey back to the northern frontier. Although he survived, he was crippled and rendered incapacitated.
For an ordinary person to become crippled might mean a life of mediocrity, but for a commanding general, this was a monumental catastrophe.
How could a cripple lead troops into battle? Would anyone obey him, even in defending a city?
For someone with a weak will, such an event could have shattered them. However, Xiao Ru Di was a man who refused to believe in fate and dared to contend with it. Though crippled and unable to lead troops into battlefield combat, he could still formulate training plans and manage logistics.
One must always look forward.
Compared to Xiao Ru Di, Xiao Yu's five years in the capital had been far from smooth. While the Emperor had not mistreated him, he remained constantly wary and tested him, with all of Xiao Yu's connections to the northern frontier falling under the Emperor's watchful eye.
Had Xiao Yu been even slightly petty or rebellious, he might have turned into a dissolute wastrel. However, Xiao Yu was already sixteen when he arrived in the capital, his character already formed. The vast expanse of the northern frontier had molded him into a man of integrity.
In the years he spent in the capital, Xiao Yu presented himself as a jade-like youth, a suave gentleman. He possessed a hint of roguishness, but for a son of a military family, who had trained in martial arts since childhood, such a trait was not unusual.
In the blink of an eye, Xiao Yu was already twenty-one. In ordinary families, a man of this age would have long been married. However, Xiao Yu's situation was special; his marriage was not something the Xiao family could decide. The Emperor had long stated he would bestow a marriage upon Xiao Yu, yet he had not appointed any particular maiden, leaving the matter indefinitely postponed.
Cui Shi's mind raced through countless scenarios, but the visitor was waiting outside, leaving little time for deliberation.
"Please relay a message to Young Master Xiao: our residence is populated solely by female guests, and the young ladies are of an age where it is improper to meet. If he has time in the future, he may visit the Marquis at his residence." In the end, she did not meet him.
The old woman quickly agreed, curtsied slightly, and hurried out to deliver Xiao Yu's reply.
Indeed, she was not received.
Upon hearing the old woman's words, Xiao Yu showed no excessive disappointment. His status was indeed awkward. The Iron Gallant Marquis's residence held significant power, and it was understandable that they would wish to avoid entanglements.
Despite this, a sense of loss lingered.
Xiao Yu turned to leave, only to bump into Li Zhao Er and her entourage. Li Zhao Er had known Xiao Yu; he was a frequent guest at banquets, and his peculiar circumstances made him hard to ignore.
Li Zhao Er offered Xiao Yu a slight nod, a gesture of courtesy, as it would be rude to pretend not to see him. Unexpectedly, Li Zhao Er's foot snagged on her skirt, causing her to lurch forward uncontrollably and fall directly into Xiao Yu's arms.
Startled by this sudden embrace, Xiao Yu instinctively reached out to steady her, fearing she would fall. However, neither of them maintained their balance, and they tumbled down together.
Xiao Yu served as a cushion for Li Zhao Er, her face landing squarely on his chest.
Although this was a place of quiet cultivation, the temple often received many pilgrims. The Zen rooms were frequented by many women, with people coming and going regularly. This scene was witnessed.
Gossip spreads quickly among servants, and before long, rumors of the second daughter of the Li family throwing herself into Xiao Yu's arms were flying.
When Cui Shi received the news, she was discussing the vegetarian menu with Nanny Wang. Upon hearing it, her vision darkened, and she fainted on the spot.
Nanny Wang was greatly alarmed and immediately sought to have Master Ku Hai attend to her. However, Li Man Er, who had been lurking in a corner, approached with a silver needle. Before Nanny Wang could say anything, she administered the needle.
Cui Shi then slowly regained consciousness, much to the joy of those around her. Nanny Wang, in particular, was overcome with tears, clasping her hands and murmuring prayers to the heavens.
"Old Madam, how do you feel? Are you unwell anywhere?"
Cui Shi had merely fainted from anger, and after Li Man Er's emergency intervention, she returned to normal.
"Grandmother, do you feel unwell? Are your hands numb?"
Nanny Wang quickly explained, "You fainted just now. The eldest young lady administered acupuncture to save you."
Cui Shi waved her hand and asked, "Where is that wretch? And Xiao Yu?"
"Grandmother, please do not worry. Second Sister has returned, and she is well. It is not as dire as the rumors outside suggest. As for Young Master Xiao, he is kneeling outside to atone for his actions!"
Cui Shi sighed deeply, knowing that this matter likely had no turning back. Her reason for not seeing Xiao Yu was precisely to avoid entanglement with the Xiao family at this crucial juncture, which would have put her in a difficult position. Now, under everyone's gaze, even if she wished to distance herself, no one would likely believe her.
Cui Shi was drenched in a cold sweat, and she quickly decided to return to the residence to discuss the matter further.
"Pack up, we are returning to the residence." After a moment of thought, she added, "As for Young Master Xiao, avoid any further contact with him for now. Let him return home."
The servants sprang into action.
The Li family's carriage departed in haste, leaving behind a mess.
Li Man Er, who had remained silent throughout, found the current situation rather intriguing. Why were so many people trying to scheme against members of the Li family? Could there be some unspeakable secret within the Iron Gallant Marquis's residence?
In a secluded house in the back mountain of Gan Zhao Temple, Qi Yi Han poured himself a cup of clear tea.
The tea's fragrance filled the air as he drank it down in one gulp.
A Wu's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he ultimately said nothing.
The persona must not collapse.
"If you have something to ask, ask it."
A Wu pondered for a long time, "Master, is Young Master Xiao targeting the eldest young lady of the Li family?"
"What do you think?"
A Wu fell silent. He was somewhat bewildered now, wondering who this eldest young lady of the Li family truly was, to warrant such actions from these individuals.
It seemed even their own Prince was looking upon her with favor.
Qi Yi Han placed his teacup down and said, "These people are not fools, yet they see everyone else as a fool."