Chapter 82 – Xiao Yujing

“What’s this?”

Seeing the thoughtful gift Zhao Bo had prepared, Li Hao opened the gift box and peered inside. Nestled within was a delicate, miniature dragon-horn comb, accompanied by a small porcelain vial.

Li Hao lifted the little bottle and gave it a shake. Zhao Bo quickly interjected:

“This is Zhushen Elixir—enhances Spiritual Soul power. I heard Miss Wushuang has already reached the Divine Travel Realm. She’ll surely find this useful.”

“Zhao Bo, you’re truly thoughtful—so considerate,” Li Hao remarked, genuinely impressed.

He knew the Elixir well. At the Divine Travel Realm, it could be consumed—each pill boosting one’s soul-wandering distance by roughly one hundred meters. Ten pills per person would reach the maximum absorption limit; beyond that, no further benefit could be gained.

Ten pills meant one kilometer of enhanced range—enough to surpass five years of grueling cultivation.

The only drawback? The spirit soul strengthened by the Elixir, while powerful, carried a subtle difference from one naturally cultivated through cultivation. In ordinary combat, this distinction went unnoticed. But in high-level duels between true masters, the artificial enhancement could become a fatal flaw.

This was precisely why martial artists often warned: Elixir-assisted leveling leads to unstable foundations, light bodies, and fragile cores.

Li Hao couldn’t absorb the Elixir at all—taking it would be useless. But even if he could, he wouldn’t. He’d heard that Second Uncle and Old Feng never relied on such substances. They only consumed nutrient-rich Spiritual Nourishment and Treasure Medicines to strengthen muscles, bones, and vital energy.

After all, Second Uncle and Old Feng weren’t Body Cultivators—nor did they expend Qi in physical cultivation. So, using external aid to slightly boost physical strength was harmless, even beneficial. But their cultivation realms remained pure—untouched by any medicinal residue.

Zhao Bo smiled faintly. He’d expected Li Hao wouldn’t take the matter seriously. With a gentle, fatherly tone, he urged:

“After so many years apart, if Young Master still finds Miss Wushuang’s temperament bearable, perhaps you should spend more time with her. Strengthen your bond. After all, she’s a disciple of the Qianji Sect—having her on your side in the future would be advantageous.”

“Of course,” Li Hao replied with a warm smile.

Zhao Bo sighed inwardly, following behind like a loyal servant.

Not long after, Li Yuanzhao arrived at Mountain and River Courtyard, greeting Li Hao as if returning home. He called out from afar with familiar warmth.

“Master Yuanzhao,” Zhao Bo said, his face softening with paternal fondness.

In recent years, Li Hao had grown indifferent, showing no sign of martial talent. As a result, the other branches had grown distant, and even Li Yun and his siblings had drifted away. Zhao Bo, as steward of Mountain and River Courtyard, had heard everything—through trusted subordinates in other halls, through whispers, through the quiet glances exchanged between families.

He understood that the distance wasn’t solely due to Li Hao’s lack of promise. It was also because of rumors—whispers carried from the Yanbei battlefield. Years of prolonged war had bred countless rumors.

Though the Li Clan held the title of Divine General’s Residence, blessed with imperial favor and wealth, they were not without enemies. Others in court watched with envy. And with the endless battles in Yanbei, the Li Clan’s losses piled up—men lost, families shattered—but until the war ended, there was no way to seek justice. Yet the cost of war—wasted lives, drained resources—required imperial funding and logistical support. That was how leverage was created.

Don’t think the court was silent while soldiers fought far away. On the contrary, it was precisely in such times that politics thrived, and hearts turned.

“Brother Hao,” Li Yuanzhao grinned, jogging over. “I got all the dishes you asked for. They’ve already been delivered to Madam Da’s Courtyard.”

Zhao Bo raised an eyebrow in surprise. He glanced at Li Hao, then back at Yuanzhao. He hadn’t expected Li Hao to have prepared in advance. A flicker of relief crossed his eyes.

“Good work,” Li Hao patted Yuanzhao’s shoulder. “Then let’s go.”

“Right,” Zhao Bo nodded, falling in step behind the two young masters, accompanied by Li Hao’s personal maid Qingzhi as they headed to the feast.

The carriage swayed from Mountain and River Courtyard. Li Yuanzhao insisted on stopping by Linglong Courtyard first—the residence of the Fourth Lady, and also his foster mother.

Li Hao didn’t object. He instructed the guard to turn the carriage toward Linglong Courtyard.

Upon arrival, Li Yuanzhao leapt down and told Li Hao and Zhao Bo to wait. Then he dashed into the courtyard.

Moments later, Li Hao saw him emerge, this time with a graceful, dignified noblewoman walking beside him.

The Fourth Lady—Xiao Yujing, of the Xiao clan—had once produced a Peak Master of the Four Foundations Realm. Her husband, the Fourth Young Master of the Li Clan, had been summoned to the outer borders on his wedding night. Forced to abandon his bride, he never returned.

Since then, she had lived as a widow—childless, isolated.

When Li Yuanzhao’s parents died, she had taken him in, adopting him into the Fourth Branch.

Now, as the carriage waited, Xiao Yujing’s brow furrowed sharply. Her expression darkened.

Li Hao remembered her from childhood—once warm, even holding him in her arms. But over the years, she had grown colder, more withdrawn. And every time she saw him, she seemed to carry a hidden anger. He had no idea what he’d done to offend her.

“Didn’t I tell you this morning?” she snapped, turning to Li Yuanzhao without sparing a glance at Li Hao. “Your cousin sister, Sister Shuang, is returning. You were supposed to prepare a gift. And now you’re off chasing after him again?”

Li Yuanzhao scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. “Mom, I did prepare a gift with Brother Hao. I already sent it to Madam Da’s Courtyard.”

“What did you send?” Xiao Yujing frowned.

“Crispy Roast Goose from Hongxiang Tower…” Li Yuanzhao replied promptly.

Before he could finish, she cut him off, exasperated.

“You really are dense! She’s been wandering the world, ranked in the Heaven and Earth Ranking List’s Qian Tier. What kind of food hasn’t she tasted? What’s a few silver coins worth? Sending such a meager gift—it won’t even show respect!”

Li Yuanzhao glanced at Li Hao, then regained confidence. “Mom, we’re the Li Clan! We have weapons, combat scriptures—she can take whatever she wants. Why do we need to bring her food? She hasn’t been back to Qingzhou in years—she’s never had our local delicacies!”

“She may not have eaten them,” Xiao Yujing retorted, rolling her eyes with a hint of elegant disdain, “but do you think she cares? Whether she needs it or not isn’t the point. What matters is that your gift must be impressive. It’s not about whether she accepts it—it’s about whether you can be proud to offer it. If people find out you gave her just a plate of food, they’ll laugh their heads off!”

She turned toward the carriage, then froze.

Her eyes landed on the gift box resting beside the curtain.

“Look at this,” she said coldly. “What’s this?”

Zhao Bo stepped forward quickly. “Lady Xiao, this was not meant for you. Old servant Zhao Bo feared Young Master Hao might be careless. I prepared it for him—so he could present it to Miss Shuang.”

“Hmph.”

Xiao Yujing turned back to Li Yuanzhao. “See? You think he’s your friend. But he doesn’t care about you. He’s using you—leading you around like a fool while he secretly prepares something grand.”

“Now you’re empty-handed. What will you bring to meet your cousin sister?”

Li Yuanzhao opened his mouth, voice pleading. “But this was Zhao Bo’s gift… it’s not Hao’s fault…”

“You!” Xiao Yujing nearly raised her hand in anger—was this boy bewitched by some mind-confusing potion? He just wouldn’t listen!

She restrained herself, breathing through her nose. She glanced at Li Hao and Zhao Bo, and forced her voice down. “Never mind. I’ve already prepared a gift for you. Zhu Xiang, bring it.”

A maid stepped forward, bowing gracefully, handing Li Yuanzhao a sealed gift box.

Li Yuanzhao’s curiosity flared—he tried to open it—but one sharp glare from his mother made him drop his hands. He slumped, shoulders drooping, walking silently behind her.

“We have our own carriage,” Xiao Yujing said coldly to Li Hao and Zhao Bo. “We’ll go separately.”

“Mom…”

“Silence!”

Li Hao sighed. The Fourth Lady always seemed to carry a hidden hostility toward him. He couldn’t fathom why.

“Yuanzhao,” Li Hao said, giving him a knowing wink. “We’ll go ahead. You stay with your mother.”

Li Yuanzhao nodded eagerly. “Brother Hao, we’ll be right behind you!”

He turned, hiding his face from his mother, and gave Li Hao a quick, toothy grin—two rows of white teeth flashing.

Li Hao smiled back, then turned with Zhao Bo and left.

“Mom,” Li Yuanzhao whispered, “why do you always keep me from going with Hao? He’s actually—”

“Shut up.”

Xiao Yujing shot him a sharp look. “I told you to spend more time with Frost Snow Courtyard. Why are you always clinging to him? He was only a Body Cultivator before—now his meridians are open, but his cultivation started late. That’s all fine. I’m not a snob. But I don’t want you getting caught in the crossfire, understand?”

“Huh?” Li Yuanzhao blinked, confused. Crossfire? What does that even mean?

“You don’t get it,” she murmured, lowering her voice. “Just do as I say. Spend time with Zhinin—your little aunt.”

Li Yuanzhao’s heart sank. He’d asked before, but she’d never answered. Now, he didn’t press. He simply nodded, pretending to be obedient.

……

……

“Lady Xiao’s husband died in battle,” Zhao Bo murmured in the carriage, voice careful and low. “She’s held a grudge against the Li Clan ever since. That’s why she treats Young Master Hao so coldly.”

It was a private matter—something servants shouldn’t speak of. But Zhao Bo feared Li Hao might misunderstand, or worse, let his emotions show. He was still young, too innocent to hide his feelings. And that could bring danger.

Li Hao nodded slightly. He’d already guessed as much. Grief, resentment—it was natural. He didn’t blame the Fourth Lady. After all, she never hid her disdain. She showed it openly, never plotting behind his back.

In contrast, the Second Lady of Water Splendor Courtyard—always smiling, always offering warm words—was the one who made him uneasy.

And with Li Yuanzhao around, Li Hao wasn’t about to harbor ill will toward the Xiao family. At least, she treated Yuanzhao with genuine kindness.

Soon, the carriage arrived at Changchun Courtyard.

Outside, several carriages were already parked—evidence that the other ladies had arrived early.

Before even stepping into the courtyard, laughter and chatter spilled out from the outer yard. Faint words drifted through the air: “My Shuang is truly formidable…”—evidently, the other ladies were lavishing praise on the prodigy.

Li Hao held the gift box Zhao Bo had given him, walking slowly into the courtyard.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end