Chapter 83

The servant at the courtyard gate saw Li Hao and hurriedly saluted, knowing that this young master was deeply loved by the Eldest Lady.

At this time, the bright moon had just appeared, and the starlight was mottled.

The courtyard was brightly lit, and in the main hall of the main house, warm light shone through the window gauze, and laughter came from inside, presumably a happy gathering.

Uncle Zhao and Qingzhi followed Li Hao to the outside of the main hall, stopped before the steps, and stood with their hands down, waiting quietly here for the evening banquet to end. If there were any instructions, they would be called in.

The Li Clan's rules were strict, and these servants didn't dare to overstep easily.

In the main hall.

As soon as Li Hao walked in, he saw a rather eye-catching figure of a strange young girl.

She looked to be about sixteen years old, just the age of a budding flower.

But the young girl was already about 1.7 meters tall, her figure standing tall and slender, her eyes as clear as a frosty lake, possessing a calmness that her peers did not have.

Vaguely, Li Hao could still see a little bit of the pebble-like cheek curve from her childhood on her face, but now that the young girl had grown up, her cheek contours were more exquisite and beautiful, like a flower about to unfold.

She was wearing an oyster-white dress, clean and elegant, with crystal-like sparkles in the folds of the skirt gauze, as if inlaid with crystal chips. Although the overall style was casual, it looked extremely expensive at a glance, and coupled with the young girl's clear and cold temperament, she was like a fairy walking out of clear mist.

Obviously, this was Li Wushuang.

In addition, Li Hao also saw that beside this cousin who had been away for many years, sat Li Yun and Li Zhining, the brother and sister.

But at this moment, they were all submissive, their hands placed properly on their laps, both brother and sister wearing silly smiles on their faces, and amidst the praise and conversation of the adults, their eyes occasionally cast toward their eldest sister beside them.

That figure, as bright as a pearl, also caused hope and light to rise in their eyes, carrying envy and joy.

This appearance reminded Li Hao of five years ago, when they first came to the Shanhe Courtyard, their obedient appearance when they listened to stories with their small hands supporting their chins in front of him, exactly the same.

"As expected of Shuang'er, reaching the Shenyou Realm at such a young age. Fifteen years old and in the Shenyou Realm—this kind of aptitude is already ranked among the top proud talents. It is very hopeful to step into the Three Imperishable Realms in this lifetime."

At the last seat of the ladies, the Ninth Lady Jiang Xian'er, with her cloud bun lightly tied, said in a soft voice.

She was the fiancée of the Li Clan's Li Jiulang, Li Junye, who hadn't yet married into the family, and was also a princess of the royal family.

Li Hao saw the Ninth Lady, and couldn't help but reveal a bit of solemn respect in his eyes.

The Ninth Lady was the youngest among all the ladies, only thirty-two this year. Hearing the Second Master say, the Ninth Lady had come to the Li Clan to live for a period of time when she was young because of something, and it was also at that time that she met the Ninth Uncle.

The two could be considered half childhood sweethearts. They separated after growing up, but later, when the Ninth Uncle was wandering outside and training in the world, he met the Ninth Lady again, and they developed feelings for each other and promised their lives to each other.

And the Ninth Uncle had extremely high aptitude and was also the True Dragon of the previous generation of the Li Clan, so Emperor Da Yu did not stop this marriage and promised the marriage to the two.

It was a pity that the marriage was set, but the Ninth Uncle wanted to make contributions before the grand wedding and then marry the Ninth Lady in glory. Who would have thought that he had only joined the army for two years when he died on the battlefield, causing this marriage to come to an abrupt end near the wedding date, which was regrettable and sigh-worthy.

Originally, the Ninth Uncle was dead, so the marriage naturally came to an end.

You couldn't let a royal princess live as a widow, right?

But this Ninth Lady was very deeply affectionate, saying that in this life, she would only marry the Li Clan's Li Jiulang.

So, after she made a big scene with that emperor who held the world in his hands in the imperial palace, she finally came to Qingzhou, holding the Ninth Uncle's clothes and armor, completed the marriage that the man failed to fulfill, and became the Li Clan's Ninth Lady.

This story was also well-known in Qingzhou.

In the mansion, all the ladies were quite respectful to the Ninth Lady Jiang Xian'er, including the Second Master and the Fifth Master when they mentioned this royal princess, they were also full of love. This had nothing to do with status, just that friendship.

When Li Hao first heard the Second Master tell this story, he was also filled with emotion in his heart.

The carriages and horses of this era were very slow, and one life was only enough to love one person.

One life was also only enough to remember one person.

Unlike his era, where a small hand swiped up, one could change their mind eighty times in one night.

"Ninth Lady is too polite." Li Wushuang smiled lightly at Jiang Xian'er.

To others, she didn't show any color, but to this lover of the Ninth Uncle, she also had quite a lot of respect in her heart.

"Hao'er is here."

At this time, He Jianlan, sitting in the center of the main hall, saw Li Hao, and her originally smiling face revealed even more smiles, beckoning:

"Quick, come over and sit."

At this time, others noticed Li Hao. Jiang Xian'er looked back and smiled slightly at Li Hao, quite kind.

Li Hao also returned a smile. Over these years, he had been in contact with the ladies of all courtyards, and only the Eldest Lady and this Ninth Lady were the people who made him feel most at ease and comfortable.

Walking to the table and seeing two plates of delicacies he had previously asked Yuanzhao to buy already placed on the table, Li Hao smiled, and then handed the gift box in his hand to this cousin:

"I heard Cousin Wushuang is back, so I specially prepared a small gift, hoping Cousin likes it."

Li Wushuang's gaze swept over the gift box, and she reached out to take it, her expression showing no ripples: "Thank you."

Saying that, she was about to pass the gift box to the gift table behind her.

Liu Yuerong, sitting beside He Jianlan, had sharp eyes and said with a smile: "Shuang'er, why don't you see what Hao'er sent you? Hao'er hasn't sent anything to anyone over these years except food."

He Jianlan said plainly: "We don't lack anything. The delicacies Hao'er sends are all made by his own hands, which is the most precious."

"That's true." Liu Yuerong nodded with a smile.

Jiang Xian'er turned to look at Li Hao and said with a smile: "Hao'er, come and sit. Speaking of which, I haven't eaten the pastries you made for a long time."

"If Ninth Lady likes them, I will make them for you tomorrow." Li Hao took the seat and said with a smile.

While the two were talking, Li Wushuang frowned slightly. Originally, she had no interest, but since the Second Lady had spoken, if she didn't open it to take a look, it seemed she was too indifferent.

She opened the gift box casually and saw the porcelain bottle and dragon-horn comb inside.

Sure enough, it was these vulgar things. Li Wushuang shook her head secretly, even less interested, and was about to close it.

Liu Yuerong chuckled and said: "Hao'er is really thoughtful. This dragon-horn comb is finely crafted and took some effort. I wonder what's in that porcelain bottle?"

"Spirit-Casting Pill."

Li Hao smiled at her and said. Li Wushuang raised her eyebrows slightly, covered the gift box, turned and placed it on the gift table beside her, and said indifferently: "Do you think I need to use this kind of pill?"

Although the voice was soft, it made the atmosphere suddenly much colder.

This sentence made it very difficult for people to respond.

Need? Wasn't that clearly saying her aptitude was poor, needing to rely on pills?

Don't need? Then why did you send it?

Li Hao was stunned for a moment, then felt a bit helpless.

Sure enough, giving gifts was a very troublesome thing.

"Shuang'er."

The Fifth Lady Gao Qingqing saw that her child's tone was wrong. It was originally a family banquet to celebrate for her, so she naturally didn't want unpleasant things to happen, and smiled to ease the situation: "Hao'er also has good intentions. You haven't seen each other for many years, and he doesn't know what you like. I think this dragon-horn comb is very good. As for the pills, if you don't use them, just keep them."

Li Yun, who was originally extremely obedient and well-behaved, suddenly became a bit arrogant in his sitting posture after seeing Li Hao appear, as if he felt a bit ashamed to show such an obedient posture in front of Li Hao.

He saw Li Hao seemed to be in an awkward situation, and immediately leaned back tactically, learning Li Hao's usual indifferent expression, and snorted lightly:

"Li Hao, do you know that my sister is a Ninth-Grade Battle Body, a top proud talent! She doesn't need pill assistance at all. Taking pills is actually harming her. Are you looking down on my sister?"

After speaking, he looked at Li Hao triumphantly. Now with his eldest sister supporting him, he wasn't afraid of Li Hao anymore.

Where did this silly son of a landlord come from... Li Hao looked at him speechlessly. This banquet was held for your sister. If I lose my temper now, it's your sister who will look bad, not me, silly boy.

Sure enough, hearing Li Yun's words, Gao Qingqing's face changed slightly, and she hurriedly pinched Li Yun's back. They were all family, and the Eldest Sister-in-law was here, so they couldn't make others look bad on the surface.

Li Yun felt a pain from the pinch, looked up, and saw his mother's eyes filled with a trace of anger. Mother and son knew each other's hearts, and he immediately knew he seemed to have done something wrong.

But, what did I do wrong? Wasn't what I said the truth?

While Li Yun was stunned, Li Hao smiled slightly and naturally wouldn't get angry and stand up because of this. Of course, he wouldn't nervously explain anything either.

"Cousin doesn't need this kind of pill, but Cousin might need it. You can keep it for him."

Li Hao said with a half-smile: "As for the comb, does Cousin not like it either? Then give it to Cousin Zhining."

Li Wushuang's face darkened slightly. How could she not hear the sarcasm in Li Hao's words, thinking her brother was incompetent?

"What do you mean?"

She said directly, not liking to beat around the bush. As for the face problem, she didn't care at all.

"Cousin didn't hear clearly?"

Li Hao pretended to be surprised, thinking how did this brother and sister seem to be a bit brainless? Li Wushuang's eyes narrowed slightly, wanting to flare up, but Gao Qingqing coughed in time to interrupt, saying: "Shuang'er, Hao'er is still young and doesn't know your situation. Sending you the Spirit-Casting Pill is also good intentions. Why are you still blaming your cousin?"

Jiang Xian'er, sitting beside Li Hao, smiled beautifully and said: "Shuang'er, if you don't like it, I will make it up for Hao'er later."

"Yes, Shuang'er, no matter what, Hao'er also has good intentions." Liu Yuerong hurriedly persuaded.

Li Wushuang stared at Li Hao for a moment, didn't say anything more, just casually put away the gift box and placed it on the gift shelf behind her.

At this time, a burst of footsteps came from outside, followed by Li Yuanzhao's call: "Brother Hao."

Li Hao turned his head and saw the Fourth Lady and Yuanzhao also rushing over.

Hearing Li Yuanzhao's call, Xiao Yujing's just-calmed mood flared up again. This stinky boy, who do you call first when you enter the door? People who don't know would think you came to celebrate for Li Hao! Angry was angry, but there were many people in the main hall, so she couldn't scold her son in public, so she had to walk up quickly and say with a smile: "Sisters and sisters-in-law, I'm late. Is this Shuang'er? Oh my, it's been several years since I've seen you, and in the blink of an eye, you've grown so tall and are so beautiful. Qingqing, you really gave birth to a good daughter."

In two or three sentences, the atmosphere became lively, and everyone's attention was diverted, covering up Li Yuanzhao's impoliteness.

Li Hao sat at the table with a smile on his face. These ladies, none of them were easy to deal with.

Li Yuanzhao greeted Li Hao, and the brothers squeezed their eyes, knowing that the previous matter hadn't caused any misunderstanding or gap, and Li Yuanzhao was relieved, smiling and handing the gift to Li Wushuang.

"What is this?" Liu Yuerong asked with great interest.

"Cousin will know when she opens it." Li Yuanzhao didn't know what his mother had put inside, but he wasn't stupid and said with a smile.

Li Wushuang frowned, feeling a bit helpless, but still opened it to take a look, and it was actually a sharp short dagger.

"It's actually the famous dagger 'Hanxiang'!"

Gao Qingqing recognized it immediately, and her surprised gaze turned to Xiao Yujing: "Fourth Sister-in-law, this is a famous divine weapon. I heard it can pierce the body of a Three Imperishable Realm Demon King."

Xiao Yujing smiled and said: "This is Yuanzhao's intention, as long as Shuang'er likes it."

Gao Qingqing came back to her senses and said to her daughter: "Why don't you thank your cousin."

A bit of brightness also appeared in Li Wushuang's eyes, and she quite liked this dagger. Although she used a sword, she had another hand.

Carrying it with her, in close-quarters combat, when the sword couldn't be used, the dagger was like a short sword, extremely convenient.

"Thank you, Cousin."

Her expression was gentle, and she thanked him softly.

Li Yuanzhao waved his hand and smiled, then sat down beside Li Hao.

Not long after, the remaining Third Lady and Eighth Lady also arrived one after another, and soon everyone was there.

He Jianlan knew that Li Wushuang had returned to the mansion for the first time and didn't like many people, so she didn't let those concubines from other courtyards come over. Therefore, those present were all direct descendants. Although the number wasn't very large, it was more to Li Wushuang's liking.

In addition to the ladies, Li Wushuang's father, Li Xuanli, also returned from the Zen Mountain deep in the mansion.

He looked to be in his forties, with a scholarly temperament all over his body. He had been seriously injured on the battlefield many years ago, but fortunately, compared to his other brothers, he was considered to have retreated unscathed.

Being able to escape from the demon's mouth with serious injuries was quite difficult, because the Li Clan's sons on the battlefield were usually the targets of concentrated hunting by Great Demons. Once injured, they would be crazily attacked by demons.

After all, the Li Clan had guarded the frontier for these years, killing countless demons, and had accumulated countless grievances.

To the demon race, the four Divine General's Mansions other than the Wang Clan were the mortal enemies of the demon race, wishing to eat their flesh, drink their blood, and sleep on their skin!

(End of chapter)