Chapter 82: Xiao Yujing
Chapter 82: Xiao Yujing
"What's this?"
Seeing the thoughtful gift Old Zhao had prepared, Li Hao opened the gift box and saw a delicate, small dragon-horn comb, along with a small bottle.
Li Hao picked up the small porcelain bottle and shook it. Old Zhao quickly said, "This is a Soul-Casting Pill. It can enhance the power of the Divine Soul. I heard that Miss Wushuang has already reached the Divine Wanderer Realm, so she should find it useful."
"Old Zhao is always so thoughtful and considerate."
Li Hao couldn't help but praise.
He knew about the Soul-Casting Pill. It could be consumed by those in the Divine Wanderer Realm, and each pill could increase the Divine Roaming distance by about a hundred meters. A person could take up to ten pills, after which they would reach the limit and could no longer absorb more.
Ten pills would accumulate to a kilometer.
This was equivalent to four or five years of arduous practice.
The only downside was that the Divine Soul strengthened by the pill had a very subtle difference from one cultivated naturally. In ordinary battles, this difference was hardly noticeable, but in top-tier duels, it could become a vulnerability.
This was what martial artists in the jianghu often referred to as "relying on pills for enhancement, leading to an unstable foundation and a light body."
Li Hao couldn't absorb the pills, so they would be ineffective for him. Even if he could, he wouldn't choose to take them. He had heard that Second Uncle and Uncle Wind never relied on pills; they only consumed some energy-rich spiritual foods and medicines to strengthen their muscles and blood.
This was because Second Uncle and Uncle Wind were not Body Cultivators and didn't put much effort into Body Cultivation.
Therefore, relying on external aids to boost their physical strength was harmless and even beneficial. However, in terms of their own Cultivation Realm, they remained untainted, with no trace of medicinal power mixed in.
Old Zhao smiled slightly. He knew that Li Hao wasn't too concerned about this and earnestly advised:
"Young Master, after so many years, if you can still get along with Miss Wushuang's temperament, you should spend more time with your cousin and build a closer relationship. Since she is a disciple of the Thousand Mechanisms Sect, it will be beneficial to have her support in the future."
"Sure thing."
Li Hao smiled and agreed.
Old Zhao sighed inwardly and followed behind Li Hao like an old servant.
Before long, Li Yuanzhao arrived at the Mountain and River Courtyard, calling out Li Hao's name from a distance as if he were entering his own home.
"It's Young Master Yuanzhao", Old Zhao said, a kind smile on his face.
In recent years, Li Hao had been rather laid-back, and he hadn't shown any significant talent in the Martial Dao. As a result, the other courtyards had gradually stopped interacting with the Mountain and River Courtyard.
Old Zhao had noticed that even Li Yun and his sister had become distant from Li Hao.
Among the third generation of the Main Lineage, those of Li Hao's age were few, and now only Young Master Yuanzhao still came to the Mountain and River Courtyard to keep Li Hao company.
This wasn't entirely due to others being snobbish. As the steward of the Mountain and River Courtyard, Old Zhao had extensive connections and knew that the reason might not be entirely on Li Hao's side.
The other courtyards had probably heard some rumors from the Northern Yan Battlefield, which led to this change.
After more than a decade of prolonged warfare, many rumors had already spread.
After all, although the Li Family was the Divine General Manor, enjoying immense wealth, they weren't without political rivals or envious eyes in the imperial court.
Moreover, with the annual battles in Yanbei, the Li Family had suffered many casualties, and with the war still ongoing, they had nowhere to voice their grievances.
But such actions would be a drain on the state’s resources, requiring funding and logistical support, which would only give others a reason to criticize.
Don’t think that just because the soldiers are away, no one in the capital dares to speak out. On the contrary, it all depends on the environment and the mood of the people.
“Hao Ge, I’ve bought all the dishes you asked for. They’ve already been delivered to Mother’s courtyard,” Li Yuanzhao said with a smile as he hurried over.
Old Zhao was surprised when he heard this. He glanced at Li Hao, not expecting him to have made such preparations. A hint of satisfaction showed in his eyes.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Li Hao patted Yuanzhao’s shoulder and said, “Let’s head over then.”
“Sure.”
Old Zhao followed the two young masters, along with Li Hao’s personal maid, Qingzhi, to the banquet.
The carriage swayed as it left the Mountain and River Courtyard. Li Yuanzhao said they needed to stop by the Linglong Courtyard first, which was where Fourth Madam lived, and also where Li Yuanzhao’s adoptive mother resided.
Li Hao naturally didn’t refuse and instructed the household guards to turn towards the Linglong Courtyard.
When they arrived at the Linglong Courtyard, Li Yuanzhao jumped out of the carriage and asked Li Hao and Old Zhao to wait, then rushed into the courtyard.
Soon, Li Hao saw Li Yuanzhao leading a graceful and dignified lady out.
Fourth Madam was of the Xiao clan, named Xiao Yujing. Her ancestors had produced a supreme expert at the Fourth Establishment Realm. Her husband was the fourth son of the Li Family. It was said that on their wedding night, he was called to serve in the border wars and had to leave his new bride to fight in the frontier.
Unluckily, he never returned.
Since then, Fourth Madam had been living a life of widowhood, with no children.
Therefore, when Li Yuanzhao lost both his parents, the old lady had him adopted by the fourth branch of the Li Family.
Seeing Li Hao and Old Zhao waiting in the carriage, Xiao Yujing’s furrowed brow deepened.
When Li Hao was younger, he remembered Fourth Madam holding him, seeming kind and gentle.
But over the years, she had become increasingly aloof and distant.
Moreover, every time she saw him, she seemed to be angry, though Li Hao had no idea what he had done to offend her.
“Didn’t I tell you today that your cousin Shuang'er is coming back, and you should prepare a gift? Why are you hanging around with him again?”
Xiao Yujing didn’t care that Li Hao was standing right there. She turned to Li Yuanzhao and scolded him on the spot.
Yuanzhao scratched his head and said in a simple manner, “Mother, I went with Hao Ge to prepare the gift, and we’ve already delivered it to Mother’s courtyard.”
“What kind of gift did you prepare?” Xiao Yujing frowned.
“Crispy roast goose from Hongxiang Tower…” Li Yuanzhao began to list the items.
Before he could finish, Xiao Yujing interrupted, her face showing anger.
“Are you really that stupid? She’s been traveling outside and has even made it onto the Heaven List of the Heaven and Earth List. What kind of gourmet food hasn’t she tried? Do you think a few silver coins’ worth of food will impress her? It’s just going to make you look cheap.”
Li Yuanzhao looked at Li Hao, feeling a bit more confident. “Mother, what doesn’t our Li Family have? Weapons, cultivation techniques—she can choose whatever she wants. Do we really need to prepare a gift? She hasn’t been back to Qingzhou in years, so she definitely hasn’t tasted our local delicacies.”
“She might not have tasted them, but do you think she would value them?”
Xiao Yujing rolled her eyes, her beauty still striking, and said irritably,
“It’s one thing whether she needs it, but you can’t send something cheap. If she refuses it, that’s her business, but you need to be able to stand by what you send. If people find out you sent such a meager gift, they’ll laugh at you!”
As she spoke, she glanced at the carriage and noticed a gift box placed next to the curtain. She sneered,
“Look at this, what is it?”
Old Zhao, seeing her misunderstanding, quickly said, “Madam Xiao, this is a gift the old servant prepared for Master Hao, to give to Miss Shuang'er.”
"Hmph."
Xiao Yujing turned to Li Yuanzhao and said, "Did you see that? You treat him like a Hao Ge, but he doesn’t necessarily treat you the same. He’s been fooling you around, making you run errands, while he secretly prepares lavish gifts for himself."
"Now, you have nothing in your hands. What are you going to show your cousin when you see her?"
Li Yuanzhao opened his mouth slightly and said with a hint of grievance, "But this was what Old Zhao prepared for Hao Ge, it's not Hao Ge's fault…"
"You!"
Xiao Yujing almost raised her hand to strike him, wondering what kind of spell Li Hao had cast on this boy that made him so obstinate. She held back, suppressing her anger because Li Hao and Old Zhao were still there.
"Fine, I’ve already prepared a gift for you. Zhuxiang, bring it to Yuanzhao", Xiao Yujing said.
A servant girl gracefully approached and respectfully handed Li Yuanzhao a gift box.
Li Yuanzhao, curious, wanted to open it, but Xiao Yujing gave him a stern look, making him reluctantly put it away. He obediently followed his mother with his head hanging low.
"We have our own carriage, so we won’t join you", Xiao Yujing said coolly to Li Hao and Old Zhao.
"Mom…"
"Shut up."
Li Hao felt a bit helpless. Fourth Lady seemed to have some inexplicable animosity towards him, which left him puzzled.
"Yuanzhao, we’ll go first. You stay with your mother", Li Hao said, winking at the little boy to ease his discomfort.
Li Yuanzhao nodded immediately, "Hao Ge, we’ll be right there."
He turned his body slightly, giving Li Hao a secret smile and showing his white teeth.
Li Hao smiled and left with Old Zhao.
"Mom, why do you always stop me from being with Hao Ge? He is actually…"
"Shut up."
Xiao Yujing glared at him, "I want you to spend more time with Snowfall Hall. Why do you always hang around with him? He could only practice Body Cultivation before, and even though his meridians are now unblocked, he started late. But that’s not the main issue. I just don’t want you to get into trouble, understand?"
"Huh?"
Li Yuanzhao was bewildered. How would he get into trouble?
"You won’t understand, but you must listen to me. Spend more time with Zhi Ning", Xiao Yujing said in a low voice.
Li Yuanzhao was puzzled. He had asked about this a few times before, but his mother never explained. This time, he just pretended to be obedient and nodded.
...
...
"Fourth Lady has had some grievances with the Li Family ever since her husband died in battle on their wedding day", Old Zhao whispered to Li Hao in the carriage, speaking cautiously.
This was a sensitive family matter, and as a servant, he shouldn’t comment, but he was worried that Li Hao might develop a grudge against Xiao Yujing due to her attitude, especially since Li Hao was young and might not know how to handle it.
Li Hao nodded slightly. He had already considered this possibility. After all, a widow’s resentment was understandable.
He didn’t have any particular anger towards Fourth Lady. She was straightforward with him, never hiding her displeasure behind his back.
On the contrary, Second Lady from Shuihua Courtyard always greeted him with a warm smile and kind words, which made him feel uneasy.
Moreover, with Li Yuanzhao around, Li Hao wouldn’t harbor any ill feelings towards the Xiao family, at least not towards Xiao Yujing, who genuinely cared for Li Yuanzhao.
Soon, the carriage arrived outside Changchun Courtyard.
Several carriages were already parked outside the alley, indicating that other Madams had arrived earlier.
Even before entering the courtyard, they could hear the lively chatter from the Outer Academy, with phrases like "Shuang'er is so amazing" floating in the air. Clearly, the Madams were gathered around the prodigy, showering her with praise.
Li Hao, holding the gift box given by Old Zhao, walked slowly into the courtyard.
(End of Chapter)
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