Li Xi sat upright next to the barbecue grill, skillfully grilling lamb skewers in one hand and brushing them with her secret sauce.

The aroma of grilled lamb skewers gradually filled the air, making mouths water. The heat of the charcoal fire was evenly distributed over each skewer, resulting in tender, juicy meat with an irresistible fragrance.

The meat skewers became increasingly fragrant as they grilled over the charcoal fire, the aroma of the grilled meat mingling with the flavors of various seasonings, making one's mouth water.

The juices from the grilled meat sizzled under the heat of the charcoal fire, and the meat gradually became tender and flavorful.

During the grilling process, sprinkle on an appropriate amount of chili, cumin and other seasonings to make every bite a delightful surprise.

The aroma instantly filled the air. Seeing that the skewers were ready, Chen Quan immediately ate about ten. "Young master, your skills are improving day by day!"

"Don't just eat, you grill it. You've been following me for so long and you still haven't learned how?" Li Xi smiled as she looked at his rude eating habits.

"Young Master, your grilling is still the best." Chen Quan's skin was getting thicker and thicker.

Chu Ran was quite helpless. Xiao Xi didn't have the clear hierarchy with anyone; anyone could joke with her. "Xiao Xi, don't spoil her."

This time, Li Xi only took Chu Ran and Chen Quan with her. The estate belonged to the retired emperor, and most of the helpers on the estate were hired farmers.

"Uncle Chen, why don't you try my cooking?" Li Xi was stunned to see him standing there looking in their direction.

Uncle Chen was a gardener in the mansion. He was usually taciturn, but his skills in tending the flower garden were excellent.

It was Steward Liu who brought him in, saying he was destitute and that's why he was taken in. I never expected that the person who takes care of the flower garden would be so skilled.

“Young Master,” Uncle Chen said, coming back to his senses, looking somewhat flattered, “this is unacceptable.”

Li Xi put down the skewers in her hand and went over to pull Uncle Chen to sit down next to her.

"There are enough skewers for everyone here today, eat as much as you want." He casually placed a plate of freshly grilled lamb skewers on the table in front of him.

Seeing this, Butler Liu said, "Old Chen, quickly thank the young master. Don't refuse, just eat."

Having spent more than half a month with Li Xi and the others, he knew that Li Xi was an unconventional person who did things casually and never looked down on them as servants.

Even so, they still diligently perform their duties in their daily lives.

Upon seeing this, Uncle Chen quickly said, "Thank you, young master." He had already been attracted by the aroma, and his stomach was practically rumbling with hunger.

The old lady in the kitchen watched for a while and finally learned how to do it. The two of them took over the meat skewers and continued grilling.

After eating over thirty skewers, Li Xi got a little tired of them and asked someone to prepare some vegetables to grill.

As night fell, everyone sat in a circle in the courtyard, with a flickering fire in the center, and laughter filled the air.

Li Xi sat there, her gaze drifting into the distance, lost in thought.

Seeing her like this, Chu Ran picked up a roasted corn for her and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Li Xi took the corn, took a bite, and said, "I'm wondering if I'm a bad person?"

"Huh?" Song Qinghe didn't hear clearly.

"Nothing much, I was just wondering if Lan'er has returned to the capital yet, and I don't know if that sickly Prince An can protect her." Li Xi hadn't received a letter from her in a long time and was a little worried.

"It's alright, he's a prince after all, he's very capable. Tomorrow, have Chen Quan go to the city to see if there are any letters." Chu Ran thought that although they were a thousand or two miles away from the capital, it was still best not to talk about the royal family behind their backs.

After the event ended, Li Xi went back to her room, and not long after, she heard a "chirp chirp" sound.

She ran out in surprise, raised her arm, and a gyrfalcon flew onto her arm.

"Little pig, you've worked hard, come here." Li Xi led it into the room and had someone prepare a plate of raw meat.

She took the letter off its leg, patted it to give it some energy, and let it go.

It was a letter from Feng Monian, who had also trained the gyrfalcon.

Before leaving Kyoto, he asked her to bring it, saying it could be used to deliver messages.

If you take it along the way you came, it will find its way back.

Upon opening them, I found four letters, written by different people.

She first read what Meng Zhelan had written, and learned that she had already returned to Beijing. Li Xi was very happy.

"Xi'er, I've returned to the capital, but unfortunately you've gone out. This time I..." As expected, Lan'er is the most capable.

Now that the epidemic has been resolved, her status will undoubtedly rise significantly. Li Xi was happy for her, but also somewhat worried; since ancient times, fame has always brought trouble.

The letters Old Master Sun wrote to her were all about things within the Hidden Sect, and the caring words in Ling'er's letters made her want to go back.

The last one was written by Feng Monian, who said he would come to see her in a while.

Looking for me? Li Xi wondered if there was something important that couldn't be said in a letter, and that she had to say it in person?

After careful consideration, she picked up her pen and began writing a reply.

Over the past year, she has become proficient in writing many traditional Chinese characters, and she can now handle basic correspondence with ease.

As dawn broke, Li Xi got up early and practiced swordsmanship in the courtyard, constantly changing her sword techniques.

The sound of swords swishing could be heard continuously; her swordsmanship was becoming more and more proficient, and her moves were becoming more and more exquisite.

The frost and fog of the night had not dissipated; instead, they deepened the chill of the morning. Li Xi had just finished her sword practice and was about to return inside to make some preparations when she suddenly heard a painful cry.

He rushed over and found that Uncle Zhao had accidentally fallen to the ground. Li Xi immediately stepped forward and offered a helping hand to Uncle Zhao to get up.

"Uncle Zhao, are you alright? Can you still walk?" Li Xi noticed his swollen ankle.

Uncle Zhao frowned in pain. He tried to stand up, but the pain in his ankle prevented him from doing so. He shook his head and said, "Alas, I'm old and useless."

Li Xi beckoned Steward Chen over and asked him to help Uncle Zhao into the carriage.

Zhao Bo said awkwardly, "Young master, there's no need to trouble yourself. I'll just apply some liniment."

"Uncle Zhao, a sprain can be serious or minor. It would be better to see a doctor to put your mind at ease." Li Xi harnessed the horse.

"Young master, I'll fetch the coachman," said Steward Chen.

“No need, Steward Chen. I’m going to the county town anyway, so you can come with me.” Li Xi invited him to get into the car.

It's been a long time since I've driven a horse-drawn carriage, but luckily I still have the skills.

On the treetops by the roadside, a few yellow leaves still clung stubbornly, swaying precariously in the wind as the carriage moved forward.

Li Xi went to the county town today to find the craftsman in the town who was skilled at making arrows.

She was never quite satisfied with the arrows that Po Lu used, and wondered if the craftsman could forge more suitable arrows for her.

After Butler Chen helped Uncle Zhao into the clinic, Li Xi began her search.

After asking around, she finally found the craftsman's blacksmith shop.

The craftsman was a middle-aged man, burly with muscular arms and calloused palms.