Chapter 55

Liang Xiao racked his brains but couldn't figure out why he would have a grudge with the Jiangdu Wang's household. One in the sky, one on the ground, how could they be connected?

Could it be that he did something in the past and just forgot about it?

Liang Xiao carefully questioned Li Rongqing, but unfortunately, Li Rongqing couldn't explain the specifics. She only knew that the person was of high status, and even though he treated Hu Lai rudely, Hu Lai didn't dare to show any displeasure.

"Perhaps Feng Ji knows," Li Rongqing said finally.

Liang Xiao didn't respond, half-believing and half-doubting. He had heard that person's voice, but from their conversation, he couldn't draw the conclusion Li Rongqing suggested. It was common for people in the Wang's household to have matters they couldn't handle personally and to delegate tasks to rascals like Hu Lai. It didn't necessarily mean it was related to him.

Maybe Li Rongqing just wanted to stay here and was making up an excuse. Staying here meant having food to eat and a chance for revenge, a win-win situation. Life on the run was tough. Just look at how dirty and hungry she was earlier; in a few days, she might end up in some ditch.

Seeing Li Rongqing's disdain, Li Rongqing became furious, got up to leave, but was held back by Li Miao. Li Miao glared and kicked Li Xiao out, but was gentle with Li Rongqing, which made Li Xiao very frustrated. Oh, my dear mother, are you worried your son won't find a wife, grabbing every girl you see and bringing her home? They haven't even met, and you're already protecting her.

Liang Xiao shrugged, left his mother and Li Rongqing, and returned to his room. It wasn't that he wasn't worried about his mother, but he knew she wasn't a woman without a mind of her own. Calling her a heroine among women wasn't an exaggeration. If she dared to take in Li Rongqing, she must have her reasons, and he didn't need to worry too much.

In a way, his mother was even more resolute than he was. Thinking of this, Li Xiao felt a bit depressed.

This Han Dynasty was truly a fierce era. Even women were so fierce, not yielding to men, at least capable of holding up half the sky. No wonder Emperor Wu, the great ruler of the Han Dynasty, was tightly controlled by his grandmother, Empress Dowager Dou, and could only act freely after her death.

Speaking of which, this old lady from the Dou family probably doesn't have many years left. I need to hurry up, practice my archery, and prepare to join the military.

...

The next morning, Li Xiao, as usual, practiced empty-handed in his room for half an hour, then picked up his bamboo bow and headed to the front yard. As soon as he entered, he was surprised to see the yard spotless, with his bamboo arrows neatly arranged against the corridor.

Smoke was rising from the kitchen, and a slender figure was busy inside. Li Xiao curiously walked over and leaned against the door, seeing Li Rongqing adding firewood to the stove. The red flames reflected on her face, making her cheeks rosy.

"So early?"

Li Rongqing glanced at him, expressionless. Li Xiao felt a bit awkward, turned, and left to start his daily routine.

"The water on the stove is already hot, wash your face first," Li Rongqing said, coming out from behind the stove. She lifted the soup pot, scooped two spoons of hot water, and added cold water from the water tank to mix it. She tested the temperature with her hand and handed it to Li Xiao.

"Thank you," Li Xiao said, taking the water and washing his face. Li Rongqing turned back to the stove, her face stern, focusing on the fire without looking at Li Xiao.

Li Xiao didn't speak, returned to the yard, and started practicing archery. He practiced in the front yard for half an hour, shooting three hundred arrows. According to his previous life's standards, this was about five arrows per minute, not particularly fast or slow. Essentially, he was continuously shooting and drawing the bow, except for the time spent retrieving arrows.

According to Huan Yuan, the best archers could shoot at least three arrows in one breath, all hitting their targets. However, contrary to common sense, when starting, one shouldn't focus too much on accuracy to avoid muscle tension and deformed movements. Once the correct shooting form becomes a habit, ingrained in the muscles, accuracy naturally improves, reaching the wondrous state where the arrow follows the mind.

Only then could one truly enter the realm of archery and be eligible to learn the archery etiquette. Li Xiao was at most standing outside the door, able to take a distant look. To reach that level, he needed long-term, arduous practice.

After shooting three hundred arrows, Li Xiao put down his bow, relaxed his body, and prepared to fetch water for Huan Jun, who was about to wake up. Li Rongqing, holding washing tools, walked out of the kitchen and headed straight to the west wing.

Li Xiao hesitated for a moment, then approached. "I'll do it; I handle these tasks every day."

"From today on, I'll take care of these tasks," Li Rongqing said, walking past Li Xiao with a light step. She was wearing Li Miao's old clothes, which were a bit loose but couldn't hide her youthful curves, making Li Xiao feel a bit dizzy, involuntarily recalling their intimate contact the previous night.

As if sensing Li Xiao's attention, Li Rongqing walked even faster.

...

After breakfast, Li Xiao went out and met Tu Niu, who looked like he was heading to the execution ground. He pulled Tu Niu out of the city and headed straight for Gaoyang Li. Li Rongqing was left at home by his mother, and he needed to investigate her to see if she was lying.

In Gaoyang Li, he didn't have to ask much to find out about the Li family.

An old man with a white beard told him that the Li family originally had five people. Li Rongqing was the eldest, with two younger brothers. Li Rongqing's father, Li Yunming, had good martial skills and had earned a title for his military service, even receiving a reward and the title of Wudafu.

However, after returning home, Li Yunming couldn't settle down to farming. He spent his days with a group of rascals, not only selling the title he earned for his service but also selling the dozens of acres of good land passed down from his ancestors. The family often went hungry, and one of Li Rongqing's brothers starved to death. Li Rongqing's mother, in a fit of anger, took the youngest son and left, leaving Li Rongqing to struggle alone.

A few months ago, Li Yunming was killed and left dead in the fields. Li Rongqing, without money to bury him, sold herself to the Hu family to ensure he was properly buried.

Hearing this, Li Xiao felt a bit sad, and even Tu Niu sighed. This was a typical outcome for a rascal.

As Li Xiao was about to leave, the old man muttered, "It's strange, why do people keep asking about the Li family?"

Li Xiao immediately realized something was wrong and asked a few more questions. He learned that several people had already asked about Li Rongqing before him. The old man had received two groups, which is why he spoke so fluently earlier.

The old man sighed, "Rongqing is a filial daughter, but she has an irresponsible father. The Hu family is a den of tigers and wolves. Once you enter, you can't come out whole. What a pity."

Li Xiao didn't dare to stay longer, took Tu Niu, and hurriedly left Gaoyang Li. Tu Niu was very curious and kept asking about Li Xiao's intentions. Li Xiao, helpless, explained the situation with Li Rongqing at his home. Tu Niu was very regretful and imitated the old man's tone.

"What a pity for this girl."

Li Xiao ignored him, arrived at Shili, and saw Zhongli Qi with a gloomy face. He explained why Tu Niu was late. Zhongli Qi raised an eyebrow, "You mean the person who faced off against your master that day was Li Tianming's daughter?"

Liang Xiao was surprised. "Uncle Zhongli, do you know Li Tianming?"

"Of course, Li Tianming was once my comrade-in-arms," Zhongli Qi's eyes flickered, then he added, "But we had little interaction."

---

It's Monday again, time to ask for recommendations.

Calculating the time, Laozhuang hasn't been on the new book list for long and hasn't even topped the category. Please help me get on the list!

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