Chapter 83: The Imperial Princess
Chapter 83: The Imperial Princess
The servants at the gate bowed respectfully as they saw Li Hao, knowing that this Young Master was deeply favored by the First Lady.
The moon was just beginning to rise, and the stars dotted the sky.
Lanterns were lit in the courtyard, and warm light filtered through the window screens of the main hall, where laughter and conversation filled the air, indicating a joyful family gathering.
Old Zhao and Qingzhi followed Li Hao to the entrance of the main hall, stopping at the steps. They stood with their hands by their sides, waiting quietly for the banquet to end. They would only enter if summoned.
The Li Family had strict rules, and the servants dared not overstep their bounds.
Inside the main hall.
As Li Hao walked in, he immediately noticed a striking figure of a young girl he had never seen before.
She appeared to be around sixteen, the age when she was blossoming into womanhood.
Standing at about 1.7 meters tall, her figure was graceful and slender, with eyes as clear as a frost-covered lake, exuding a calmness that was rare for her age.
Faintly, Li Hao could still see the gentle curve of her cheeks from childhood, but now that she had grown, her facial features had become even more refined and beautiful, like a flower about to bloom.
She wore a pearl-white dress that was elegant and pristine, with glistening pleats that seemed to have crystal embellishments sewn into them. The dress, though casual and relaxed in style, was clearly of great value. Coupled with her cool and serene demeanor, she looked like a celestial being emerging from a mist.
Clearly, this was Li Wushuang.
Additionally, Li Hao saw Li Yun and Li Zhining, his cousins, sitting beside her.
However, they were both demure and respectful, their hands placed neatly on their laps, with smiles of childlike joy on their faces. During the adults' conversations and praise, their eyes would occasionally drift towards their elder sister, their gazes filled with admiration and happiness.
Her radiant presence, like a luminous pearl, brought a sparkle to their eyes, a mixture of envy and delight.
This scene reminded Li Hao of five years ago, when they first came to the Mountain and River Courtyard. They would sit before him, their little hands cupping their chins, listening to stories with the same obedient demeanor.
"Truly worthy of being Shuang'er, reaching the Divine Wanderer Realm at such a young age. Achieving Divine Roaming at fifteen, her talent places her among the top geniuses. It's highly likely she will attain the Three Immortalities within her lifetime."
At the end of the table, Ninth Lady Jiang Xian'er, with her hair lightly coiled, spoke softly. She was the ninth daughter of the Li Family, Li Junye's betrothed, and also an Imperial Princess.
Seeing Ninth Lady, Li Hao's eyes could not help but show a deep respect.
Ninth Lady was the youngest of the ladies, only thirty-two years old. According to Second Uncle, Ninth Lady had stayed at the Li Family for a while during her childhood due to a certain matter, and it was during that time that she met Ninth Uncle.
They could be considered childhood sweethearts, growing up together. After they grew up and separated, Ninth Uncle, while wandering and gaining worldly experience, met Ninth Lady again. They fell in love and made a private pledge to marry.
Ninth Uncle was highly talented and was considered the True Dragon of the previous generation of the Li Family. Therefore, Emperor Yu did not obstruct their marriage and granted them the union.
However, after the wedding was set, Ninth Uncle wanted to establish his reputation before the grand wedding. Unfortunately, he died in battle just two years into his military service, abruptly ending the marriage plans, a tragic and regrettable turn of events.
Originally, with Ninth Uncle's death, the wedding would have been called off.
After all, how could an Imperial Princess be left to live as a widow?
But Ninth Lady was deeply devoted, vowing to marry only Li Family's Ninth Uncle for life.
After a tumultuous confrontation in the palace with the emperor, she eventually came to Qingzhou, holding Ninth Uncle's battle armor and ceremonial clothing, and completed the marriage that he could not fulfill, becoming the Ninth Lady of the Li Family.
This touching story was well-known throughout Qingzhou.
Within the household, the other ladies held Ninth Lady Jiang Xian'er in high regard, and even Second Uncle and Fifth Master spoke of the Imperial Princess with affection. This was not out of respect for her status but for the depth of her feelings.
When Li Hao first heard Second Uncle recount this story, he was deeply moved.
In this era, travel was slow, and one's life was enough to love only one person.
One's life was enough to remember only one person.
Unlike in his time, where a simple swipe could change one's heart eighty times in a single night.
"Ninth Lady is too kind", Li Wushuang said with a gentle smile to Jiang Xian'er.
She was unyielding to everyone else, but she held a deep respect for this Ninth Uncle's love.
"Hao'er has arrived."
At that moment, He Jianlan, seated in the center of the hall, saw Li Hao. Her originally smiling face broke into an even broader grin as she waved him over:
"Come, sit down quickly."
Only then did the others notice Li Hao. Jiang Xian'er turned her head, glanced at him, and smiled warmly.
Li Hao returned her smile. Over the years, he had interacted with the Madams of the various courtyards. Only Mother and this Ninth Lady made him feel the most at ease.
Walking to the table, he saw that two dishes he had asked Yuanzhao to purchase earlier were already laid out. Li Hao smiled and then handed the gift box to his elder cousin:
"I heard Miss Wushuang has returned, so I prepared a small gift. I hope you like it."
Li Wushuang's gaze swept over the gift box. She took it, her expression unchanged: "Thank you."
With that, she was about to pass the gift box to the gift stand at the back.
Liu Yuerong, seated beside He Jianlan, noticed this and smiled, "Shuang'er, why don't you take a look at what Hao'er has given you? Hao'er hasn't given anything to anyone except food these past years."
He Jianlan said calmly, "We don't lack anything. The delicacies Hao'er sends are all made by his own hands, and that's the most precious thing."
"That's true", Liu Yuerong nodded with a smile.
Jiang Xian'er turned to look at Li Hao and smiled, "Hao'er, come sit down. It's been a long time since I've had your pastries."
"If Ninth Lady likes them, I'll make some for you tomorrow", Li Hao said as he took his seat with a smile.
While the two were talking, Li Wushuang frowned slightly. She had no particular interest, but since Second Lady had spoken, it would seem too dismissive not to take a look.
She casually opened the gift box and saw the porcelain bottle and the dragon horn comb inside.
Indeed, these were common items. Li Wushuang shook her head inwardly, finding them uninteresting, and was about to close the box.
Liu Yuerong, however, chuckled, "Hao'er is really thoughtful. This dragon horn comb is finely crafted and shows a lot of effort. I wonder what's in the porcelain bottle?"
"Soul-Casting Pill", Li Hao replied with a smile.
Li Wushuang raised an eyebrow, closed the gift box, and placed it on the gift stand beside her. She said coolly, "Do you think I need such a pill?"
Her voice was gentle, but the atmosphere suddenly turned cold.
This was a difficult question to answer.
Need? That would imply she had poor aptitude and needed to rely on pills.
No need? Then why send it?
Li Hao was taken aback for a moment, then felt a bit helpless.
Indeed, giving gifts was a troublesome matter.
"Shuang'er",
Fifth Madam Gao Qingqing, noticing her child's tone, didn't want any unpleasantness at this family banquet meant to celebrate her return. She smiled and tried to ease the tension:
"Hao'er's gesture is heartfelt. You haven't seen each other in years, and he didn't know what you liked. This dragon horn comb is quite nice. As for the pill, you can keep it if you don't need it."
Li Yun, who had been sitting obediently, suddenly became a bit more relaxed and even a touch arrogant when he saw Li Hao. He felt somewhat embarrassed about maintaining such a well-behaved demeanor in front of Li Hao.
Seeing Li Hao in an awkward position, Li Yun leaned back strategically, mimicking Li Hao's usual calm expression, and huffed:
"Li Hao, do you know that my sister is a Ninth-Rank War Body, a top genius! She doesn't need any pills to assist her. Taking such pills would harm her instead. Are you looking down on my sister?"
He looked at Li Hao with a smug expression, feeling secure with his older sister backing him up.
What a foolish son of the manor... Li Hao glanced at him, somewhat speechless. This banquet is for your sister, and if I lose my temper now, it will be your sister who looks bad, not me, you silly boy.
Sure enough, upon hearing Li Yun's words, Gao Qingqing's expression changed slightly. She quickly pinched Li Yun's back, knowing that they were all family and that they shouldn't embarrass anyone, especially with the eldest sister present.
Li Yun winced, looked up, and saw the angry gaze in his mother's eyes. He immediately knew he had done something wrong.
But, what did I do wrong?
Isn't what I said the truth?
While Li Yun was in a daze, Li Hao smiled, not letting the situation upset him. Of course, he wasn't going to get flustered and try to explain himself.
"Elder Cousin doesn't need such a pill, but perhaps younger brother does. You can give it to him."
Li Hao said with a half-smile, "As for the comb, does Elder Cousin not like it? Then you can give it to Zhi Ning."
Li Wushuang's face darkened. How could she not hear the hidden sarcasm in Li Hao's words? Was he insinuating that her brother was no good?
"What do you mean by that?"
She spoke directly, disliking beating around the bush. As for saving face, she didn't care about it at all.
"Didn't Auntie hear clearly?"
Li Hao feigned surprise, thinking that this brother and sister seemed to be a bit lacking in sense.
Li Wushuang's eyes narrowed, wanting to lash out, but Gao Qingqing's timely cough interrupted her.
"Shuang'er, Hao'er is still young and doesn't know your situation. His intention in giving you the Soul-Casting Pill was good. Why are you still upset with your cousin?"
Jiang Xian'er, sitting next to Li Hao, smiled sweetly. "Shuang'er, if you don't like it, I can make it up to Hao'er later."
"That's right, Shuang'er. Hao'er's intentions were good", Liu Yuerong hurriedly added.
Li Wushuang glanced at Li Hao, then said nothing more. She simply put the gift box away on the gift stand behind her.
At that moment, footsteps approached from outside, followed by Li Yuanzhao's voice calling, "Brother Hao."
Li Hao turned to see Fourth Madam and Yuanzhao arriving.
Hearing Li Yuanzhao's call, Xiao Yujing, who had just calmed down, felt her anger rise again. This brat, who did you call first when you entered? Anyone who didn't know better would think you came to celebrate with Li Hao!
Angry as she was, she couldn't scold her son in front of everyone, so she hurriedly walked up, smiling.
"Everyone, I'm late. This is Shuang'er, right? Oh my, it's been years since we last met. You've grown so tall and beautiful. Qingqing, you really have a lovely daughter."
With a few words, the atmosphere became lively, and the attention shifted, covering up Li Yuanzhao's rudeness.
Li Hao sat at the table, smiling. These ladies, none of them were easy to handle.
Li Yuanzhao greeted Li Hao, exchanging a glance with his brother, and knew that the earlier incident hadn't caused any misunderstanding. Relieved, he smiled and handed the gift to Li Wushuang.
"What is it?" Liu Yuerong asked with interest.
"Open it and see, Auntie", Li Yuanzhao replied, not knowing what his mother had put inside, but he was clever enough to smile and say so.
Li Wushuang frowned, feeling a bit helpless, but she opened the gift and found a sharp short dagger.
"It's actually the famous 'Fragrant Blade'!"
Gao Qingqing immediately recognized it, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked at Xiao Yujing. "Fourth Sister, this is a renowned divine weapon, said to be able to pierce the body of a Three Immortalities Demon King."
Xiao Yujing smiled. "This is Yuanzhao's heart. As long as Shuang'er likes it, that's all that matters."
Gao Qingqing came to her senses and turned to her daughter. "Thank your cousin."
Li Wushuang's eyes lit up, clearly fond of the dagger. Though she used a sword, she had another hand for it.
Carrying it with her, it would be extremely convenient for close combat when her sword couldn't be used effectively.
"Thank you, Cousin."
She spoke gently, her expression warm.
Li Yuanzhao waved his hand and smiled, then sat down next to Li Hao.
Soon, the remaining Third Madam and Eighth Madam also arrived, and everyone was present.
He Jianlan knew that Li Wushuang, upon returning to the manor, disliked large gatherings, so he hadn't invited the concubines from the other courtyards. Thus, those present were all of the Main Lineage. Though the number wasn't large, it suited Li Wushuang just fine.
In addition to the Madams, Li Wushuang's father, Li Xuanli, also returned from the Meditation Mountain deep within the manor.
He looked to be in his forties, exuding a refined and scholarly aura. Years ago, he had been severely injured in battle but, compared to his other brothers, he had managed to retreat relatively unscathed.
Escaping with severe injuries from the jaws of demons was no small feat, as the Li Family's sons were typically the primary targets of the Great Demons on the battlefield. Once injured, they would be attacked relentlessly by the demons.
After all, the Li Family had been defending the border for years, slaying countless demons, accumulating a great deal of enmity.
To the demon race, the Four Divine Generals' Mansions, except for the Wang Family, were their mortal enemies, whom they wished to devour, drink their blood, and use their skin as pillows!
(End of Chapter)
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