Xiao Li opened her eyes wide. "It was Xiao Yue who said it herself. She said that Young Master Xie is unparalleled in the world and that he is a perfect match for her."
Upon hearing this, Madam Wu understood immediately, and she was so angry that she tore the handkerchief out of shape. However, she quickly regained her composure and spoke gently to Xiao Li.
"Ah Li, go back first. I'll talk to your father. In the future, you should go out with Xiao Yue less often and bring more people with you, okay?"
Xiao Li nodded and obediently returned to the courtyard.
A few days later, she asked Wu about visiting her maternal grandparents' house. Wu agreed and sent a carriage to take her there.
Xiao Li's maternal grandfather's family were also military families, and they were a hereditary noble family. Everyone knows that the Marquis of Changping was Xiao Li's maternal grandfather.
The original owner had two uncles, both of whom doted on their niece. The original owner loved to stay at her maternal grandmother's house for a while, which was the happiest time for her.
She loved playing with her older cousins, but as she grew older, she didn't come as often as before.
"Ah Li, as soon as I heard you were coming, I waited for you here. Come on, let's play pitch-pot together."
This is the original owner's cousin, Wu Jiahui, who is only one year older than her, and the two are the closest of friends.
Xiao Li jumped down from the carriage, and her head maid, Si Qin, was so anxious she almost cried. Her mistress had become lively as soon as she arrived at the Marquis of Changping's residence, so the maids had to keep a close eye on her.
Xiao Li glanced at Si Qin, then held hands with her cousin and entered the mansion.
I visited my maternal grandparents first, and then went to see my cousins.
Xiao Li came to the Marquis of Changping's mansion with a purpose. This era is too harsh on women. If she stays in the inner quarters, her only way out is to get married. She wants to earn her own future and believes that her father will support her if he finds out.
"Cousin Yan, let's have a match. I've been secretly practicing, so I'm sure I'm better than you."
Wu Jiayan raised an eyebrow, indicating disbelief; how could he possibly lose to a girl?
The two jumped onto the arena, and Wu Jiayan immediately became serious. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell from his cousin's posture that she had actually practiced.
"Come on, let me see my little cousin's skills."
Xiao Li deliberately held back, and only lost after fifty rounds.
Wu Jiayan patted Xiaoli on the shoulder happily, "Ali, very good!"
Xiao Li forced a smile; that hand was really strong.
Wu Jiahui pouted unhappily, "Why do you all like fighting and killing? I'm about to lose all my close friends. They all think I'm too outgoing and that I'm not virtuous and chaste enough."
Xiao Li smiled silently.
"You don't need that handkerchief anymore. I'll take you horseback riding. It's much more fun than those flowers, grasses, and poems."
Wu Jiahui rolled her eyes. She just felt out of place at the party; she didn't actually like it.
The group went horseback riding together and returned to rest only after they were drenched in sweat.
Xiao Li was so happy living in the Marquis of Changping's mansion that she forgot all about home, while Gu Xiaoyue felt as if she had swallowed a bitter pill.
"We must get in touch with Young Master Sun as soon as possible, or it will be too late."
She racked her brains for a solution, but Gu Qihang was faster.
After learning about Gu Xiaoyue's feelings, Gu Qihang tested Xie Shuhuai and, upon discovering that both of them were interested, quickly arranged their marriage.
The deed was done, and there was no point in trying to create any more accidents. Gu Xiaoyue could only suppress her resentment and give up her hopes.
"Ah Li, your mother has written a letter." The old lady doted on Xiao Li, and upon seeing her daughter's letter, she guessed that it was to urge her granddaughter to return home, so she was quite reluctant to part with her.
Xiao Li opened the letter and read it. Just as the old lady had predicted, Madam Wu had urged her daughter to come home for a blind date after seeing that Gu Xiaoyue was already engaged.
Xiao Li knew this was how it was. She put away the letter and went to her maternal grandfather's study.
"Grandfather, please grant my request!"
Looking at his poised and elegant granddaughter, Wu Xuanyuan had witnessed her remarkable behavior over the past few days. This granddaughter was no ordinary girl; if she were a boy, she would surely achieve great things. What a pity.
"Have you made up your mind? This path won't be easy."
"Yes, Grandfather, I have made up my mind. I do not want to be like other girls, waiting for my husband's favor and relying on my son to secure my status..."
"I don't want to!"
Wu Xuanyuan nodded to himself. Based on these words alone, he was determined to help the child.
"Get up, I'll help you with this."
He personally helped Xiaoli up and handed her a letter of recommendation.
"This is a letter of recommendation for General Wang of the Border City. Give it to him, and he will naturally arrange everything for you."
Xiao Li stood up happily and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Grandfather!"
Wu Xuanyuan was truly a wise old man. Even though the world was at peace, he still insisted that his descendants go to the military camp for training.
Although the border region appears calm on the surface, undercurrents are surging beneath the surface, and minor skirmishes never cease. It is a good place to hone one's skills.
Xiao Li secretly went home to see her mother, Wu Shi. When she told her that she was going to the border town, Wu Shi felt like the sky was falling.
She only gave birth to the original owner and her brother Gu Jinghao, but the brother is only five years old this year. How could she bear to let her pampered daughter suffer?
"Ah Li, I don't want you to go. Just stay by your mother's side, okay?"
Wu was crying with tears streaming down her face. Xiao Li knew this would happen, but she had no choice but to come. She was afraid that if she left secretly, her mother would be even more upset.
"Mother, I'm just going to gain some experience. My cousins will be going with me. With them protecting me, how could anything happen to me?"
Mrs. Wu just shook her head. She never expected that her daughter, who had only stayed at her parents' home for a month, would have to go into danger.
"How can a girl like you go to the border? Isn't it better to be a good wife and mother? That's how everyone does it."
Xiao Li said earnestly, "Mother, I don't want to. That's not the life I want. I want to go to a wider world, to be an eagle, soaring in the sky, instead of having my wings broken and being a canary in a gilded cage."
Mrs. Wu stared intently at her daughter. Had she made a mistake by throwing away the little sword and bow all those years ago? Deep down, her daughter had never given up on martial arts; she had always longed to spread her wings and fly.
After a while, she made a decision, took a key from her dressing case, and unlocked a small box in the inner treasury.
Inside was a delicate crossbow, one of the dowry items given to her by her father, but she lived in the inner quarters and never used it. Now it was perfect to give it to her for self-defense.
Xiao Li was surprised that her mother had such a thing. She could have exchanged it for a more refined and better crossbow, but to put Wu Shi at ease, she did not refuse and happily accepted it.
She poured Wu a cup of tea and added some spiritual spring water to help her regulate her body.
When Wu got tired of talking, she drank it down in one gulp. She noticed that the water tasted a bit sweeter than usual, but she didn't think much of it. Perhaps her daughter had just poured it to make it taste better.
Xiao Li persuaded her for a while longer, even taking out the letter of recommendation given by her maternal grandfather to reassure Wu.
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