"What's it to you?" Li Xiaoxiao retorted, only then realizing that these people were watching her sleep? Did her husband feel ashamed? No wonder this woman used this pretext to scare her.
I need to go back and appease my husband, but right now I need to deal with this scheming woman.
Yi Shu was furious, but at this moment she hoped that Qi Yu would turn around and look at her. After all that, Li Xiaoxiao's husband should have some reaction. Qi Yu turned around, took Li Xiaoxiao's hand, and said in a cold voice, "I apologize to everyone, my wife has been impolite. I will take her back and give her a proper talking-to."
Qi Yu still didn't glance at Yi Shu, not even once, which made Yi Shu so angry that she had a headache. She slowly walked closer to Qi Yu and said in a low voice, "Young Master Qi, Li Xiaoxiao was originally a hero in the county and had made great contributions before. Such an unseemly behavior really affects the image of the county. Her reputation has already spread. She has not restrained herself at all and does whatever she wants. It is really not good."
The onlookers kept glancing at Li Xiaoxiao and whispering among themselves. She asked, "May I ask, young lady, what crime have I committed?"
Yi Shu blinked, speechless. What crime had Li Xiaoxiao committed? She didn't know. Indeed, Li Xiaoxiao had only taken a nap in the tree and hadn't done anything wrong. After thinking about it carefully, everyone realized that Li Xiaoxiao had only lost some dignity, which wasn't a big deal. She was a strong and free-spirited woman.
"No, Madam Li, your sleeping posture is exceptionally good. The sun is shining brightly today, so we'll take our leave now." The men quickly left, leaving behind a few women who had been talking in hushed tones. When they saw Li Xiaoxiao looking at them, they immediately brought over fresh vegetables.
Madam Jiang was exceptionally attentive, "Over there, it's Madam Li, so dashing! We were down there discussing how to stay in a tree for two hours without falling. You truly are a peerless heroine; we greatly admire your figure. Here are some fresh vegetables; would you like to take some home?"
The crowd felt a chill run down their spines. Li Xiaoxiao was someone who wouldn't even kneel before the county magistrate, and who could kick and punch more than a dozen bandits. How could ordinary people possibly afford to offend her? They had actually dared to talk about her just now; did they want to die?
"Madam Li, please don't misunderstand. We never thought you had lost face. We just wanted to know how someone with such unparalleled martial arts skills usually practiced. It turns out you even slept in trees to train your alertness and balance. You are truly a master."
The woman who spoke again was Madam Chen, Chen Xueqing's mother. Her words caused a stir among the crowd, who went from initial disdain to great excitement.
Regardless of the era, the veneration of military power and the desire and envy of the strong are unavoidable.
"Madam Li, could you accept some disciples? A master like you shouldn't be buried among the masses." The crowd began to fervently look at Qi Yu with envious eyes.
The group of people who had initially retreated swarmed back in. Just moments before, she had been leading the crowd to criticize Li Xiaoxiao's Yi Shu, which had completely overwhelmed the crowd. She truly didn't understand why Li Xiaoxiao could so easily gain the admiration of these people. If she had done the same thing, she would probably have been cursed so badly that her back would have been twisted.
A bittersweet feeling spread through my heart.
She always knew that she did not agree with this worldly view. Why should women be inferior to men? Therefore, she participated in the imperial examination and went to school. Ironically, she had the title of Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination) just a year ago, but she was still swayed by worldly conventions and subconsciously followed all the so-called rules set by the world.
But Li Xiaoxiao can do whatever she wants and break this rule.
Yi Shu's real name is Wang Lian. She is the daughter of Wang Shanzhang. She has always come from a good family and lived a carefree life. Her father did his best to give her whatever she wanted, and her brother was a high-ranking official in the imperial court.
She eventually returned home dejected.
Li Xiaoxiao was confused by the group of people who had changed their tune, and Qi Yu was even more furious. He grabbed Li Xiaoxiao and led her towards the oxcart. After Li Xiaoxiao left, everyone started to make their own plans.
Qi Yu helped Li Xiaoxiao onto the oxcart, while Uncle Luo drove the cart with a grin, saying, "Madam Li is really something. With that reputation, things on this mountain have been much more peaceful these past two years."
Qi Yu just kept looking at the surrounding mountains without saying a word, and Li Xiaoxiao didn't dare to ask either.
After arriving home, Li Xiaoxiao paid the oxcart fare, got off to drink water, and was about to check on the recent construction progress of the craftsmen when Qi Yu returned to his room, seething with anger, and didn't say a word.
Green Snake rarely comes out of the house, but one of her arms is wrapped in a long strip of cloth. When she sees Li Xiaoxiao, she bows her head and calls out, "Master, I encountered some things before and have not appeared for the past few days. I was injured and please forgive me."
Li Xiaoxiao approached and patted the green snake's head. "It's good that you're alright. I was so worried about you when you weren't back. Tell me what happened." The green snake looked unwell and hesitated before finally saying indifferently, "I was making an antidote and accidentally hurt my arm. It's nothing." Li Xiaoxiao remembered that her husband was still throwing a tantrum, and she had to think of how to coax him.
Bai Han and Bai Yi were practicing horse stance in the courtyard, with their aunt watching from the side. After a while, the sound of a carriage came from not far away. Everyone looked over and saw an unfamiliar nobleman riding a horse to the place.
Upon arriving at Li Xiaoxiao's home, he immediately got out of the carriage, accompanied by more than a dozen guards. When he saw Li Xiaoxiao, he loudly announced, "Li Xiaoxiao, receive the imperial decree."
The people inside immediately rushed out and knelt before him. Li Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment, but finally knelt down as well. Seeing Li Xiaoxiao kneel down, the man continued to announce, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Li Xiaoxiao, a woman from Xinghua Village, has helped to eliminate mountain bandits, offered a good strategy for governing the country, and produced five papermaking formulas. Xinghua Village is hereby awarded one hundred acres of fertile land and one thousand taels of silver as a model."
"Thank you for your great kindness." Only the old woman stood up from her chair, without making any attempt to kneel down.
After the imperial decree was announced, Li Xiaoxiao was overjoyed. With a hundred acres of fertile land, she could now freely develop her business. Li Xiaoxiao secretly gave the man who announced the decree five taels of silver, which he accepted without hesitation and then left.
After the imperial edict was issued, Qi Yu returned to his study. Li Xiaoxiao ignored her and continued to check on the progress of papermaking. After a while, the sisters she had met with the bandits came over to discuss development with her.
At this moment, the aunt entered the study, told Green Snake and Bai Yi to guard outside, and then called Qi Yu to go into the dark room together. After confirming that it was safe, the aunt looked at Qi Yu carefully and took out a black token with strange patterns from her hand.
"Qi Yu, do you know your own identity? I came here specifically for you. Keep this token. Remember, you are destined for great things. Perhaps your wife can help you. You must treat her with respect."
Qi Yu's eyes widened in shock. Wasn't he just an ordinary child?
"Let me tell you..." After saying that, the aunt placed the token in Qi Yu's hand, then turned her back to Qi Yu, her eyes cold and resolute, "You must remember the ultimate goal you need to achieve."
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