Chapter 248

Upon hearing this, both family heads showed a trace of embarrassment on their faces.

The Stone Family head scratched his head: "Don't worry about the little girl laughing at us. Our Stone Family Fist and the Liu Family's Willow Leaf Sword have been operating in Qingping Town for generations; both families have established martial halls. Our Stone Family excels in fist and foot techniques, while the Liu Family is renowned for swordsmanship."

"Recently the authorities suddenly announced they would select a 'Number One Martial Artist of Qingping Town', make a plaque, and hang it on the martial hall's lintel."

"Isn't this exactly what we're fighting for—the title of 'Number One'?"

The Liu Family head also sighed: "It's all just to have a way to make a living."

Tuan Tuan suddenly understood: "I get it—you both want that Qingping Town Number One martial arts plaque! Without it, it'll be hard to get anyone to come study under you later, right?"

Both family heads nodded together: "Exactly!"

Xiao Ningxun and Xiao Ran exchanged a glance; no wonder they had started fighting but neither would deliver a killing blow.

Tuan Tuan tilted her little head, thought seriously for a while, then her eyes lit up: "This isn't hard to fix!"

The two family heads stared: "What clever plan do you have?"

"Tomorrow I'll go tell the authorities that you're both number one—Stone Uncle as 'Number One in Fist and Foot', Liu Uncle as 'Number One in Great Blade'!"

"Have the authorities give each of you a plaque; then you can both take on apprentices. Those who want to learn fist and foot go to Stone Uncle, those who want to learn the great blade go to Liu Uncle. Do you like that idea?"

Upon hearing this, the Stone and Liu family heads' faces instantly filled with surprise and delight!

What a good idea! If we could do that, wouldn't it be a win-win, pleasing everyone?

After the surprise, the Liu family head looked at the little girl before him and couldn't help but be half-believing, half-doubting: "Little girl, this is naturally a great thing. But whose child are you? For such a major matter, how can a little kid like you decide for the authorities?"

Xiao Ningxun stepped forward half a pace and gently drew his sister to his side.

He gave the two family heads a slight smile: "Chiefs, rest assured. Though my younger sister is young, she is already the Mystic Commandant of Tianji Pavilion; Tianji Pavilion has many eyes and ears, and ordinary officials will give it some consideration. You two just wait for good news."

This little girl is actually the Mystic Commandant of Tianji Pavilion!

The Stone and Liu family heads, having wandered the jianghu for many years, had long heard of Tianji Pavilion like thunder in their ears, and couldn't help but reassess the people before them.

Upon closer look, the Xiao siblings bore an extraordinary demeanor, and the two guards beside them were clearly internal masters, deeply hidden; it seemed his words were not false.

They bowed deeply again: "Now I understand! Thank you, Lord Master! Thank you, young masters! If this succeeds, your Lord Master will be a great benefactor reborn to our two schools!"

"From now on, all of our Stone Family Fist (Willow Leaf Sword) will obey only the orders of the Tianji Pavilion Lord Master!"

Lu Qi returned the salute: "You two are too polite."

He lowered his head to glance at his own little Lord Master, and couldn't help but look at her anew.

No wonder the Pavilion Master let the Little Princess serve as Mystic Commandant—she is so clever and kind-hearted.

Although Tianji Pavilion doesn't care whether these two small sects are loyal, what matters is that the Lord Master can win them over sincerely.

Xiao Ran looked at Tuan Tuan and also hadn't expected that this little kid could do it—no wonder the Imperial Teacher wants to take her as a disciple.

The next day, Xiao Ran appeared as the Ninth Prince, ordered the local officials to give the Stone and Liu families each a plaque, and satisfactorily settled the matter.

The Stone and Liu family heads came to see them off: "We don't know where the Lord Master wishes to go; is there anywhere we could be of service?"

Tuan Tuan replied: "We're heading to Qingzhou Prefecture!"

The Liu family head thought, then clasped his fists and replied: "Qingzhou Prefecture is far to the northwest; it seems we cannot reach that far."

"However, when I was young I once went there; I had run out of travel funds, and luckily a local Qingyunguan took me in, letting me lodge for over half a month."

"That Temple Master goes by the name Qixiazi; he is very refined and kind, the disciples in the observatory are mostly diligent, and in the Qingzhou Prefecture area his reputation is excellent, often offering free medical consultations and medicine to the locals."

"If you encounter any difficulties in Qingzhou Prefecture, you could go seek help at that Qingyunguan. However, that was already many years ago."

Tuan Tuan imitated his gesture, clasped her fists and returned the salute: "I know! Thank you, Liu Uncle!"

Everyone laughed, and the party set off again.

The carriage traveled along the official road, proceeding neither too fast nor too slow for several days.

That evening, the carriage stopped by a river to rest.

The evening glow reflected on the river water, the scenery was very beautiful.

Tuan Tuan leaned against the carriage window, gazing at the splendid horizon, but her little mouth pouted slightly.

"Third Brother, I miss Mother, I also miss Father."

Xiao Ningxun saw her somewhat downcast little face, his heart softened, he drew her close and said softly: "Third Brother is here; you can write to them."

"Right!" Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up at once: "I'll summon Meiwei and Jiayao!"

She instantly became spirited, her small hand vigorously shaking the red cord tied with a golden bell on her wrist.

Not long after, the two plump Lingxiao Sparrows shot like two white bolts of lightning, landing silently on the carriage window frame, their golden eyes blinking as they gazed at Tuan Tuan.

"Meiwei! Jiayao!" Tuan Tuan happily patted their little heads: "You're so well-behaved!"

She turned her head to Xiao Ningxun: "Third Brother, hurry up and write!"

Xiao Ningxun laughed as he took out paper and brush, spreading them on the small table: "All right, tell me, Third Brother will write."

Tuan Tuan knelt beside him, her small hand supporting her chin, thought seriously: "Father, Mother! Are you well? I am fine."

"The jianghu is quite fun! A few days ago I ate a snack called Layered Pastry—sweet, layered, something you don't find in the capital—it's delicious!"

She swallowed: "It was at a place called Qingping Town; there's a shop named Zhang's Shop that makes the best! Remember to bring Xiao Yueyue, you must go eat their Layered Pastry! Remember—just eat theirs!"

"By the way, go eat it secretly, don't tell Imperial Uncle!"

She emphasized it over and over, as if this were the most important thing in the world.

Xiao Ningxun suppressed a smile, his brush never stopping, he recorded everything, sealed it, and carefully tied it to the little messenger pouch on Meiwei's leg.

Tuan Tuan blinked her big eyes: "Third Brother, write another one."

"Who else should we write to?"

"To Imperial Uncle!" Tuan Tuan said matter-of-factly: "He gave me the little birds; I need to thank him!"

Xiao Ningxun thought, and agreed—his sister ought to openly express gratitude; that is a subject's duty. When did Tuan Tuan become so sensible? How wonderful.

This is actually a memorial to His Majesty! He sat upright, brush poised, ink loaded.

"Just write: Imperial Uncle, thank you for sending my two little birds; they are very pretty and fly so fast!"

"I gave them names, one called Meiwei, one called Jiayao!"

"Xiao Ningxun's brush stalled, he hesitated for a moment, then thought, forget it, I'll write it—it's alright, not rude."

"Tuan Tuan continued: 'But Third Elder Brother also gave me a big carriage that I can sleep in! You only sent two birds! Honestly! If you do this again, I'll have Meiwei and Jiayao poop on your writing desk!'"

"You made me run all the way to that faraway place to investigate a case, and yet you're being so stingy! Quickly think of something else good to give me! Otherwise, in my heart, you'll fall behind Third Elder Brother!"

"By the way, I got to eat something delicious that you can't buy in Jingcheng, but I'm not telling you! I'm making you drool!"

"Xiao Ran stared, eyes wide, mouth agape."

"The brush in Xiao Ningxun's hand trembled; can this even be written?"

"'Write it, Third Brother!' Tuan Tuan urged."

"Xiao Ningxun took a deep breath, steeled himself, and wrote down these words of 'grave impropriety' character by character, then sealed it and tied it to Jiayao's leg."

"'Go! Meiwei returns home, Jiayao goes to find the Imperial Uncle!' Tuan Tuan waved her small hand."

"The two Lingxiao Sparrows rubbed against her fingers, then flapped their wings and flew high, turning into two tiny white dots that quickly vanished into the darkening night sky."

"The next day, Meiwei flew straight into Zichen Hall, while Jiayao flapped her wings happily toward the Ning Prince's Mansion."