Chapter 82

"What is this?"

Seeing the gift Uncle Zhao had thoughtfully prepared, Li Hao opened the box and took a look; it was an exquisite, delicate dragon-horn comb, and inside, there was also a small bottle.

Li Hao picked up the small porcelain bottle and shook it. Uncle Zhao hurriedly said, "Inside is a Spirit-Casting Pill, which can increase spiritual soul power. I heard that Miss Wushuang is already in the Shenyou Realm, so she must be able to use it."

"Uncle Zhao is still the most thoughtful and considerate."

Li Hao couldn't help but praise.

He understood the Spirit-Casting Pill; those in the Shenyou Realm could take it, and each pill could increase the Shenyou range by about one hundred meters. If a person took ten pills, they would basically reach the limit, and any more would be impossible to absorb.

And if ten pills were accumulated, that would be one kilometer.

This was enough to surpass four or five years of bitter cultivation.

The only drawback was that because the pill assisted in tempering the spiritual soul, there was a very subtle difference compared to one cultivated by oneself. In ordinary combat, it was nothing and not easily noticed, but in a contest between top experts, it would instead become a flaw.

This was what martial artists in the Jianghu often said: relying on pills to improve meant an unstable foundation and a frivolous body.

Li Hao could not absorb pills, and taking them was ineffective, but even if he could eat them, he would not choose to. After all, he heard that the Second Master and Old Feng and the others never relied on pills; at most, they ate some spirit food and precious medicine full of energy to strengthen their tendons, bones, and blood.

Because the Second Master and Old Feng and the others were not body refiners, nor would they spend effort to refine their bodies.

Therefore, relying on external objects to improve physical strength a little was harmless and only had benefits, but in terms of their own cultivation realm, it was spotless, without half a bit of medicinal mixture.

Uncle Zhao smiled slightly; he knew Li Hao hadn't taken this matter to heart, and he earnestly entrusted him:

"It's been many years, Young Master. If you are still getting used to Miss Wushuang's temperament, you can spend more time with your cousin to get closer. After all, she studied under the Qianji Sect, so it will be good to have support in the future."

"Easily done."

Li Hao smiled and agreed.

Uncle Zhao sighed secretly, following behind Li Hao like an old servant.

Not long after, Li Yuanzhao rushed to the Shanhe Courtyard, calling Li Hao's name from afar as if entering his own courtyard.

"It's Young Master Yuanzhao." Uncle Zhao looked over, a kind smile appearing on his face.

Over these years, Li Hao's temperament had been idle, and coupled with not showing any martial arts talent, the other courtyards didn't interact much with the Shanhe Courtyard.

Including the alienation of Li Yun and his sister toward Li Hao, he also saw it in his eyes.

There were only a few direct descendants of the third generation similar in age to Li Hao, and now only Young Master Yuanzhao remained who would come to the Shanhe Courtyard to accompany Young Master Li Hao.

This couldn't be blamed on others for being snobbish. As the steward of the Shanhe Courtyard, Uncle Zhao had news coming from all directions, and he also had his own acquaintances and confidants in other courtyards. He knew the reason might not just be on Li Hao.

It was because the other courtyards had heard some rumors and news from the Yanbei battlefield, which was why it was like this.

In the more than ten years of protracted war, many rumors had already spread.

You must know, although the Li Clan was a Divine General's Mansion with immense wealth, it was not without political enemies in the imperial court, nor without others who were jealous.

Coupled with the annual wars in Yanbei, the soldiers their Li Clan lost—the war hadn't ended, so naturally, there was nowhere to complain.

But it was labor-intensive and costly, requiring the imperial court to allocate funds and logistics reinforcements, all of which were things that gave people leverage.

Don't think that just because the soldiers were away, no one in the court dared to discuss it; on the contrary, it still depended on the environment and the hearts of the people.

"Brother Hao, the dishes you asked me to buy are all bought and have been sent to the Eldest Lady's courtyard." Li Yuanzhao smiled and rushed over.

Uncle Zhao was surprised when he heard this and looked at Li Hao. He didn't expect him to have been prepared long ago, and he couldn't help but reveal a bit of gratification in his eyes.

"You've worked hard."

Li Hao patted Yuanzhao's shoulder and said, "Then let's go over too."

"Mm."

Uncle Zhao also followed behind the two young masters, and then brought Li Hao's personal maid, Qingzhi, to attend the banquet together.

The carriage swayed out of the Shanhe Courtyard. Li Yuanzhao said he wanted to go to the Linglong Courtyard first; this was the Fourth Lady's residence, which was Li Yuanzhao's foster mother.

Li Hao naturally didn't refuse and let the mansion's personal guards driving the carriage turn to the Linglong Courtyard.

Arriving at the Linglong Courtyard, Li Yuanzhao jumped off the carriage, let Li Hao and Uncle Zhao wait a moment, and then rushed into the courtyard.

Not long after, Li Hao saw Li Yuanzhao bringing out a noble lady with a graceful figure and dignified demeanor, slowly walking out from inside.

The Fourth Lady was of the Xiao Clan, named Xiao Yujing. Her ancestors had also produced top experts of the Four Standing Realms. Her husband was the Fourth Son of the Li Clan. It was said that it was their wedding night when they encountered the frontier conscription. On their wedding night, he could only abandon his new bride and rush to the frontier.

Who would have thought that after this departure, he would never return.

This Fourth Lady had since only been able to live as a widow, with no children of her own.

Therefore, Li Yuanzhao's parents both died, so under the decision of the Old Lady, Li Yuanzhao was adopted into the Fourth Branch.

Seeing Li Hao and Uncle Zhao waiting on the carriage, Xiao Yujing's furrowed brows darkened.

When he was young, Li Hao remembered that the Fourth Lady had held him, looking kind and amiable.

But over these years, her temperament had become increasingly lonely and gloomy.

And every time she saw him, she seemed to have some anger. Li Hao didn't know where he had offended her.

"Didn't I tell you today that your cousin Shuang'er is coming back and asked you to prepare a gift? You're messing around with him again, right?"

Xiao Yujing didn't care that Li Hao was right next to them and turned to scold Li Yuanzhao to his face. Li Yuanzhao scratched his head and said foolishly, "Mother, I went with Brother Hao to prepare the gift, and it has already been sent to the Eldest Lady's courtyard."

"What kind of gift did you prepare?" Xiao Yujing frowned.

"Hongxiang Tower's crispy roast goose..." Li Yuanzhao immediately said everything in detail.

Before he could finish, Xiao Yujing couldn't listen anymore and said angrily:

"You are really stupid. She has been wandering outside for a long time and has even made it onto the Qiankun Ranking's Qian Ranking. What kind of delicacies hasn't she eaten? Does she lack this bit of yours? It only costs a few silver coins; isn't it shabby to send this?"

Li Yuanzhao looked at Li Hao, felt a bit more confident, and said, "Mother, what does our Li Clan lack? Weapons, cultivation techniques—Cousin can just pick whatever she wants. Do we need to prepare it? Cousin hasn't been back to Qingzhou much over these years, so she definitely hasn't eaten our authentic local delicacies."

"She hasn't eaten them, but do you think she cares to eat them?"

Xiao Yujing rolled her eyes slightly, full of a beauty's charm, and said unpleasantly, "Whether she needs it is one thing, but you definitely can't be shabby when sending gifts. Whether they want it is their business, but at least you should be able to say it when you take it out. If people find out you only sent this bit of food and drink, wouldn't it make people laugh their heads off!"

Speaking of this, she looked at the carriage and immediately caught a glimpse of the gift box on the seat beside the curtain, sneering: "Take a look, what is this?"

Uncle Zhao saw that she had misunderstood and hurriedly said, "Madam Xiao, this was prepared by this old servant specifically for him to give to Miss Shuang'er, fearing that Young Master Hao would be impolite."

"Hmph."

Xiao Yujing turned her head to Li Yuanzhao and said, "See, you treat others as Brother Hao, but they may not treat you sincerely. They fool you into running around foolishly while they secretly prepare generous gifts themselves."

"Now, you are empty-handed, with nothing. What will you use to see your cousin?"

Li Yuanzhao opened his mouth slightly and said aggrievedly, "But this was prepared by Uncle Zhao for Brother Hao; it's not Brother Hao's fault..."

"You!"

Xiao Yujing was almost so angry that she raised her hand to beat him. Had this guy been fed some kind of love potion by Li Hao, that he just wouldn't listen? She held back, snorted angrily, and finally considered that Li Hao and Uncle Zhao were both nearby, so she suppressed her anger:

"Forget it, Mother has already prepared a gift for you. Zhuxiang, bring it to Yuanzhao." Xiao Yujing said.

A maid behind her walked over gracefully and respectfully handed a gift box to Li Yuanzhao.

Li Yuanzhao was curious and wanted to open it to see, but was glared at by Xiao Yujing, so he sullenly withdrew his hand, honestly drooping his head and following behind his mother.

"We have our own carriage, so we won't go together." Xiao Yujing said lightly to Li Hao and Uncle Zhao.

"Mother..."

"Shut up."

Li Hao was a bit helpless. The Fourth Lady always seemed to have an inexplicable hostility toward him, which made him feel a bit baffled.

"Yuanzhao, then we'll go first. You go with your mother." Li Hao didn't let the little fatty be caught in the middle and winked at him.

Li Yuanzhao nodded immediately: "Brother Hao, we'll be there right away."

At the same time, he turned his body, smiled secretly at Li Hao behind his mother's back, revealing two rows of white teeth.

Li Hao smiled, and he and Uncle Zhao left first.

"Mother, why do you always not let me be with Brother Hao? Brother Hao is actually..."

"Shut up."

Xiao Yujing glared at him unpleasantly: "I told you to interact more with the Piaoxue Courtyard; why do you always stay with him? He could only refine his body before, and now his meridians are open, but his cultivation started late. Let's just leave those things aside. Mother is not a snobbish person; I just don't want you to get into trouble, you know?"

"Ah?"

Li Yuanzhao was confused. How did he get into trouble?

"I can't get through to you. You just need to listen to Mother. Get closer to that little girl Zhining." Xiao Yujing said in a low voice.

Li Yuanzhao was suspicious in his heart. He had asked a few times before, but his mother hadn't said anything. This time he didn't ask either, just pretended to be obedient and said "Mm."

"When Madam Xiao got married, the Fourth Master sacrificed himself on the battlefield. Madam Xiao has had some prejudices against the Li Clan over these years."

Inside the carriage, Uncle Zhao said to Li Hao in a low voice, speaking very cautiously.

This was originally the master's business, and they, as servants, shouldn't discuss it, but he was worried that Li Hao would develop a grudge against Xiao Yujing, and being too young, he wouldn't know how to hide it, leading to trouble.

Li Hao nodded slightly. He also thought of this reason. After all, he could understand the resentment in a widow's heart.

He didn't have any anger toward the Fourth Lady. After all, the cold looks she gave him were mostly shown to his face and never secretly played tricks behind his back.

On the contrary, the Second Lady in the Shuihua Courtyard was amiable and smiling every time she saw him, asking about his well-being in every sentence, which made him feel uncomfortable.

And with Li Yuanzhao there, for his sake, Li Hao wouldn't have any hostility toward the Xiao Clan. At least, she was truly good to Li Yuanzhao.

Not long after, the carriage arrived outside the Changchun Courtyard.

Outside the alley here, several carriages were parked, obviously the ladies from other courtyards had already arrived first.

Before entering the courtyard, they heard lively sounds coming from the outer courtyard, vaguely saying things like "My Shuang'er is really amazing." It seemed that several ladies were surrounding that proud daughter of heaven and praising her hard.

Li Hao held the gift box given by Uncle Zhao and walked slowly into the courtyard.

(End of chapter)