Chapter 56

Tuniu'er was left behind to be ravaged by Zhongli Qi, while Liang Xiao returned home. He went straight to find Huan Yuan and told him about the investigation of the Li family, mentioning that Zhongli Qi knew Li Tianming. Finally, he asked bluntly, "Master, do you also know Li Tianming?"

Huan Yuan nodded. "If I hadn't recognized Li Tianming's movements, how could I have let Li Rongqing leave alive that day?"

Liang Xiao was speechless. So you knew all along, why didn't you tell me? Do you know I almost died at her hands?

"Zhongli Qi didn't lie to you. We don't interact with him much. We..." Huan Yuan paused, hesitating. "The grudges of the previous generation are not for you to ask about. Li Rongqing is a good woman; treat her well. I don't think Li Tianming will tell her those old stories."

Hearing Huan Yuan say this, Liang Xiao didn't press further and instead mentioned another matter: someone in the Prince's Palace wanted to kill him.

After listening to Liang Xiao's account, Huan Yuan pondered for a moment and asked, "What do you think?"

"I want to find out what's really going on." Liang Xiao had carefully considered this issue and now spoke methodically. "Given the Prince's Palace's power, to deal with an ordinary civilian like me, they would still need to use someone else. This shows that the person doesn't want to make a fuss. If so, I think he won't act openly but will use other pretexts, just like Hu Lai. I'll be careful and not give him the chance."

"Do you think you can avoid it?"

"Master, I'm not trying to avoid it; I just don't want to overreact. Once I panic, I might expose a weakness. Master said, 'Victory lies within me, defeat lies with the enemy.' If I don't give them a chance, they won't have an opportunity to act. Only then can I slowly investigate who wants to kill me and why."

Huan Yuan's eyes flashed. "Ah Xiao, sometimes I even doubt your age. Even if you were born mature, your performance still surprises me."

"Uh..." Liang Xiao was speechless and could only cover up, "It's all thanks to Master's guidance."

"Let's hope so." Huan Yuan looked at Liang Xiao meaningfully. "Ah Xiao, having a deep mind is good, but too much calculation can make you old before your time. If you don't act boldly in your youth, when you're old, even with a large family and a high rank, you might regret not having had those bold experiences."

Liang Xiao twisted his mouth, unconvinced. Boldness should be about leading a vast army and expanding territory, not squandering money and trading horses for drunkenness. Li Tianming was bold, but his family was destroyed and he lost everything. What's the point?

Seeing Liang Xiao's expression, Huan Yuan didn't say more. "How do you plan to guard yourself?"

"Stay out of sight, practice archery, and build a reputation." Liang Xiao clenched his fists and chuckled. "Stay still and wait for the right moment, be prepared and avoid trouble."

Huan Yuan shook his head and then nodded.

...

Time passed quietly. Liang Xiao's archery skills improved day by day. He switched from a thirty-pound bamboo bow to a sixty-pound standard bow, and his accuracy with three hundred arrows a day improved to over sixty percent.

What made him happiest was that with daily practice, the warmth in his arms slowly began to rise, though it hadn't reached his ears yet. His hearing had noticeably improved, and even the lightest footsteps within ten steps were hard to escape his ears.

With Li Rongqing taking on most of the household chores, not only did Liang Miao have more time, but Liang Xiao also had free time to go out of the city to catch fish, shoot geese, and collect bird eggs to improve their diet.

Persistent practice and adequate nutrition helped Liang Xiao grow significantly in just a few months. He was now seven feet three inches tall, standing shoulder to shoulder with Huan Yuan, and had the initial bearing of a man. Daily archery practice made his shoulders broader, and his long arms made him look very well-built.

Seeing Liang Xiao's transformation, not only did Liang Miao's joy increase day by day, but even Li Rongqing's eyes slowly changed. When she wasn't working, she often stared at Liang Xiao's back, blushing for no reason. At first, Liang Xiao often turned around, but later, he got used to it and ignored her, knowing it wouldn't hurt him.

However, he never shared a room with Li Rongqing as his mother hoped. The Han people had a tradition of early marriage and early childbearing, and it was common for people to marry and have children at fifteen or sixteen. But Liang Xiao didn't want to be distracted before he mastered archery. Given their family's financial situation, another child would add a lot of burden. His mother had already worked hard enough, and he didn't want to add to her stress.

He hoped to establish his career before starting a family.

Li Rongqing's status in the Liang household thus became ambiguous. She started calling Liang Miao "Mother" and Huan Yuan "Master," but she didn't know how to address Liang Xiao. Fortunately, Liang Xiao was focused on archery, and they didn't interact much, usually just a few words when necessary.

Apart from not being able to go out, Li Rongqing's life was very peaceful, like a still pond.

No one came to trouble her, and no one came to trouble Liang Xiao. The gravel-voiced person seemed to have given up and made no further moves.

But Liang Xiao became increasingly uneasy. He felt this matter wouldn't be so easily resolved. The lack of news only meant one thing: the other party was more patient. They wouldn't act until they found the right opportunity. Once they did, they would be sure of victory.

One was open, the other hidden; one was noble, the other lowly. The situation was very unfavorable for him.

...

Under the night sky, after completing his daily training, Liang Xiao sat on the swing under the grape arbor, gently swaying.

The grape leaves had been blown off by the cold wind, leaving only the gnarled old vines, coiling upward.

Hearing familiar footsteps in the distance, Liang Xiao turned his head and saw Li Rongqing carrying an old piece of clothing, coming out of the west wing and walking straight to him. She unfolded the clothing in her hands.

"The clothes have been altered. Try them on. If they don't fit, I'll alter them again."

Liang Xiao didn't move, glancing at the old clothes in Li Rongqing's hands. "You watch me every day; how could you not know my size? No need to check, they'll fit."

"Who said I watched you?" Li Rongqing blushed and tugged at Liang Xiao. "Hurry up, I have a lot to do. I don't have time to chat with you."

"Where do you have so much to do?"

"You had nothing to do back then." Li Rongqing raised her eyebrows and raised her voice. "The New Year is coming, and the Ding family needs more goods. Mother has to work day and night to make money for new clothes for you. She's busy all the time; how can I just sit around? I can't weave double-sided brocade, but I can help with other things."

Liang Xiao raised an eyebrow and only then remembered the New Year was approaching. Unconsciously, he had been there for almost a year.

"New clothes. The gifts Liu Ling sent last time haven't been used much. Take some out and get each of us a new set. We can save on other things, but during the New Year, we need something fresh."

"Do you still plan to go to Huainan?"

"No."

"Since you don't plan to go, it's better not to use her gifts. You can return them later without losing your dignity." Li Rongqing walked behind Liang Xiao, draped the clothes over his shoulders, and adjusted them. "A man in the world must stand upright. Ill-gotten gains are not to be taken, and even in poverty, one must have dignity."

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Second update, please recommend! Please collect!

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