Chapter 2.1

The arrival of the common people at that place and on that day was not entirely accidental. Rather, they learned about the marriage between the Li and Xiao families and, supposedly, came to see the excitement.

Contrary to what they expected, though, the Li Family was extremely quiet. If it were not for the red packaging of the firecrackers lying on the ground everywhere, everyone would think they were in the wrong place. They were all baffled when they saw a miss introduce herself, hair loose and spilling all over her shoulders. Clad in crimson wedding robes embroidered with gold and silver threads, she said she was Xiao Youning and that the Li Family had just divorced her.

Xiao Youning … This name might not be very known to the common people of the capital, but when connected to the Xiao and Li families, everyone immediately knew that this was General Xiao’s daughter, the one so precious that he cupped in the palm of his hand. General Xiao had something to do with defending the frontier, and even though his daughter was getting married he couldn’t return to the capital. Why was she saying she was divorced when she just got married?

It could even be said that these words stirred up a thousand waves and the common people began to whisper in one another’s ears, discussing furiously. In addition, they mentioned those days when the Xiao Family supported the Li Family’s Master’s former matter.

When the Li Family’s guard came out, he heard the common people gossiping, not trying to cover up their tone at all. They directly pointed at the Li Family’s gates. He was so startled from hearing the commoners talking and also from seeing Xiao Youning standing there that he immediately ran back to report the news.

“Miss!” Yuan Guo arrived in front of her family’s miss and anxiously swallowed hard. “Miss, we should leave quickly, ok? Any moment now, that poisonous Li woman will have someone come grab us. I’m afraid we won’t be able to escape by then.”

Xiao Youning, having vented out the grievances in her heart, remained unmoved. Instead, she changed her target, facing the crowd of common people standing to the side and bent her knees as if to receive their blessings. Raising her voice, she said: “Today, the Li Family turned their backs on me. My father and elder brother cannot be here by my side, so I have no other choice but to trouble everyone to bear witness in their stead.”

As soon as these words came out, everyone then saw her lift up her head and noticed that the Xiao Family’s miss’s eyes were very red. Originally, they just wanted to see the drama unfold, but soon after, they felt pity in their hearts and their comments about the Li Family became much louder.

The guard saw the common people pointing at the gates. Previously, he had received the master’s command to guard the gate and was told he couldn’t allow the Xiao Family’s miss to go out. Although he didn’t understand what major event had happened inside, he was certain he couldn’t allow anyone to lurk around here to watch the scene.

“Quickly leave! This isn’t a gathering place!” The guard acted as the head and waved a hand, shouting for a few of his comrades to come and send away those slandering people.

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that of the commoners within the capital, which of them hadn’t run into a few nobilities on the streets? Also, while relying on the number of people around, some bold ones mingling among the crowd shouted: “We are in the middle of listening to Miss Xiao’s words, what business is that of yours? Perhaps it’s a matter that concerns something that is heavy in their conscience, something they don’t want us to know!”

“Yes, what’s the rush? Is this long road engraved with your Li Family’s name, ah? Are other people not allowed to stand here?”

“Does this alley only house the door of your Li Family, ah?”

“Bullying someone’s young miss, your Li Family has a lot of face, ah! General Xiao is guarding the home and defending the country, who doesn’t know that your Li Family originally was forcibly climbing on their household!”

Having had someone set the example, the commoners all began to argue noisily. Whenever one said a sentence, another would say something back. Soon a discussion broke out. The guards were scolded until their complexion looked ashen. They were full of anger, wanting to pull out their swords to chop off the wicked tongues spewing malice at them.

As Yuan Guo listened to the people’s flimsy change of sides, astonished, she turned her head to look at her family’s miss, only to find her chin slightly raised. Except for her two very reddened eyes, her face did not look even remotely frail, having plenty of tenacity like the branch of a bamboo tree.

Yuan Guo suddenly understood her miss’s intentions. Miss actually wants everyone to know that the Li Family had betrayed her.

Indeed, it wasn’t their fault. Why should they run and hide like homeless dogs? Even if Master has truly committed a mistake, they couldn’t disregard Master’s established outstanding military service for the country and its people. Even more, it wasn’t Miss’s mistake!

Watching the people criticize the Li Family until their saliva flew, Yuan Guo’s inner thoughts couldn’t be more carefree. Still, she held Xiao Youning’s hand closely, trying to use her own palm’s warmth to let her miss know that she would resolutely accompany her.

“Such nonsense!”

Among the raining remarks, a shrewish female voice appeared near the Li Family’s gates. Immediately after, Madam Li walked out from behind the gates, panting through the entire journey.

Xiao Youning heard ther words, her eyes flashed. Slowly turning around, she discovered not only Madam Li but also the bearded Master Li following his wife.