Chapter 1321 Qi Lie

Manager Xu was about to ask more questions when he noticed Ren Huai's unusual expression and paused slightly, "What's wrong?"

"That one, doesn't he look like the new emperor's personal bodyguard?"

Manager Xu looked up and followed his gaze, and sure enough, he saw a somewhat familiar figure next to Xiang Weinan.

Indeed, isn't this Qi Lie, the new emperor's trusted bodyguard?

Before the Fifth Prince ascended the throne, he was an inconspicuous prince. He would occasionally appear in the marketplace, always accompanied by a guard, one of whom was Qi Lie.

Since the Fifth Prince ascended the throne, Qi Lie, as one of his confidants, has naturally risen in status and become a sought-after figure in the eyes of many.

Logically speaking, such a person should be in the capital right now, guarding the emperor.

How could it possibly appear in a remote county town?

"It's just a matter of transferring Lord Xiang back to the capital; an ordinary imperial edict-bearer would suffice. Why would Qi Lie need to step in?"

Steward Xu nodded, "And judging from Guard Qi, he seems to be quite familiar with Lord Xiang."

Ren Huai was a little confused. "Let's go, let's follow them and see."

However, the two could only follow each other to the entrance of the county government office, and Xiang Weinan and Qi Lie both went inside.

Once inside, Xiang Weinan patted Qi Lie on the shoulder with a smile, "I didn't expect it would be you."

Qi Lie sat down in the chair and poured himself a cup of tea. "You think I came here for you? You're just being presumptuous."

Xiang Weinan narrowed his eyes. "Then who are you doing this for?"

“Lu Xiangjun.”

Xiang Weinan, "..."

"They're engaged."

Qi Lie nearly spat out his tea. "Of course I know, the other party is still Meng Yunzheng. Do you think I don't want to live anymore, going to snatch someone away from Young Master Meng?"

"You're not here for the sunflower oil, are you? That kind of thing can be handled by the palace; why did you have to come here personally?"

Qi Lie sighed, "Sunflower oil is one of them."

Xiang Weinan sat down opposite him curiously, "And the second one?"

Qi Lie glanced at him sideways, "You're so curious about other people's affairs, but you should think about your own first. We're about to return to the capital. After Xiao returned home before the New Year, she was taken back directly by the Xiao family, who said that Xiao's father was ill and she was going back to take care of him. Once she left, she never returned to the Xiang family."

Xiang Weinan's expression turned serious, and he frowned slightly. "What did my parents say?"

"The Countess did visit twice, and she wanted to bring Xiao back. But the Xiao family wouldn't release her. I find it strange that they're holding your wife like this. They didn't know you would be promoted and return before the New Year. The Emperor finds it all very odd. After you return to the capital, go and see the Xiao family."

"I know." Xiang Weinan felt a headache coming on whenever he thought of the Xiao family.

Fortunately, although Xiao was a girl from the Xiao family, she was not the daughter of the head of the family.

Xiao was the only granddaughter of the third master of the Xiao family. Among the large Xiao family, the eldest master held the highest position and the most power.

Consort Xiao was the eldest master's daughter, and Lady Xiao should call Consort Xiao her aunt.

Because there was only one granddaughter in the Xiao family in this generation, Xiao Shi was still very favored even though her father and grandfather did not hold official positions, and was especially loved by Consort Xiao.

As a husband, Xiang Weinan could easily bring Xiao Shi home; after all, he couldn't possibly care for her for the rest of his life.

After telling Xiang Weinan about the current situation in the capital, Qi Lie began to ask Shu Yu, "Please have someone tell Lu Xiangjun that I don't have much time in Jiangyuan County, so let's settle the sunflower oil matter first."

"I'll have Hu Li go to the Lu family right now."

(End of this chapter)