Xiao Yujing

"What is this?"

Upon seeing the thoughtful gift prepared by Uncle Zhao, Li Hao opened the gift box and took a look. Inside was a delicate and small dragon horn comb, along with a small bottle.

Li Hao picked up the small porcelain bottle and shook it. Uncle Zhao quickly said, "This contains Divine Forging Pill, which can increase the power of the Divine Soul. I heard that Miss Unparalleled has already reached the Spirit Wandering Realm, so she must find it useful."

"Uncle Zhao is so thoughtful and considerate."

Li Hao couldn't help but praise.

He knew about the Divine Forging Pill; it could be taken by those in the Spirit Wandering Realm. Each pill could increase the distance of the Spirit Roaming by about one hundred meters. Each person could take ten pills, which would basically reach the limit, and no more could be absorbed.

If ten of them are accumulated, that's one kilometer.

This is far better than four or five years of arduous practice.

The only drawback is that the Divine Soul cultivated with the aid of elixirs is slightly different from the one cultivated by oneself. This is not noticeable in ordinary battles, but it can be a weakness in battles between top experts.

This is what Warrior in the martial arts world often say: relying on elixirs to improve one's strength results in an unstable foundation and a fragile body.

Li Hao couldn't absorb the pills, so they were ineffective. Even if he could, he wouldn't choose to take them. After all, he had heard that Second Master Feng never relied on pills. At most, they would eat some Spirit Cuisine Precious Medicine full of energy to strengthen their muscles, bones Qi and Blood.

Because neither Second Master Old Feng are Body Refining, nor do they expend effort to Body Refining.

Therefore, relying on external objects to enhance physical strength is harmless and even beneficial, but one's cultivation level remains spotless, without any trace of medicinal power.

Uncle Zhao smiled slightly; he knew Li Hao hadn't taken it to heart. He earnestly instructed him:

"If, Future many years, you still find Miss Unparalleled's personality agreeable, you could spend more time with your cousin and try to build a closer relationship. After all, she is a disciple of the Thousand Machines Sect, so she might be able to offer some support in the Future."

"No problem."

Li Hao smiled and agreed.

Uncle Zhao sighed inwardly and followed behind Li Hao like an old servant.

Before long, Li Yuanzhao rushed to Mountains and Rivers Courtyard, calling out Li Hao's name from afar as if he were entering his own courtyard.

"It's Young Yuanzhao." Uncle Zhao looked over and a kind smile appeared on his face.

Over the years, Li Hao has been idle and hasn't shown any Martial Dao talent, so the other academies haven't had much contact with the Mountains and Rivers Courtyard.

He also noticed the distance that Li Yun and his sister had distanced themselves from Li Hao.

There are only a few direct descendants of Li Hao of similar age, and now only Yuanzhao comes to Mountains and Rivers Courtyard to keep Young Master Li Hao.

It's no wonder that others are snobbish. As the Steward of Mountains and Rivers Courtyard, Uncle Zhao has extensive connections and acquaintances Trusted Attendant in the other courtyards. He knows that the reason may not be solely due to Li Hao.

Rather, it was because other departments had heard rumors from the Yanbei Battlefield that they acted in this way.

After more than a decade of protracted conflict, many rumors and gossip have already circulated.

It should be noted that although the Li Family was Divine General Residence, they were not without political enemies and envious individuals in the court.

With the constant warfare in Northern Yan, the Li Family suffered heavy losses of soldiers, and with the war still raging, they had nowhere to complain.

However, this is a waste of manpower and resources, yet it requires government funding and logistical support, which is something that people will criticize.

Don't assume that just because the soldiers are away, no one in the court will dare to speak out. On the contrary, it depends on the environment and the people's hearts.

"Hao Ge, the groceries you asked me to buy are all done and have been delivered to First Madam's yard." Li Yuanzhao he rushed over.

Uncle Zhao was surprised to hear this. He glanced at Li Hao and was surprised that he had been prepared. A Forbidden Zone of relief appeared in his eyes.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Li Hao patted Yuanzhao on the shoulder and said, "Let's Past too."

"Um."

Uncle Zhao followed behind the two young masters, along with Li Hao's personal maid, Qingzhi, to the banquet.

The carriage swayed and drove out of Mountains and Rivers Courtyard. Li Yuanzhao he needed to go to Exquisite Jade Courtyard first, which was where Fourth Mother lived, and who was also Li Yuanzhao's adoptive mother.

Li Hao naturally did not refuse and instructed the guards driving the carriage to Personal Guards around and head towards Exquisite Jade Courtyard.

Upon arriving at Exquisite Jade Courtyard, Li Yuanzhao jumped off the carriage, told Li Hao and Uncle Zhao to wait a moment, and then rushed into the courtyard.

Before long, Li Hao saw Li Yuanzhao leading a graceful and dignified noblewoman out of the house.

Fourth Mother is from the Xiao family, named Xiao Yujing. Her ancestors also produced a top expert in the Four Establishments Realm. Her husband is the Fourth Son of the Li Family. It is said that on their wedding night, he was summoned to the frontier. On their wedding night, he had to abandon his bride and rush to the frontier.

Who would have thought that this departure would be their last?

From then on, this Fourth Mother could only live a life of widowhood, having no children of her own.

Therefore, Li Yuanzhao's parents passed away, the old lady arranged for Li Yuanzhao to be adopted by the fourth wife.

Upon seeing Li Hao and Uncle Zhao waiting behind the carriage curtain, Xiao Yujing's furrowed brows turned serious.

When he was little, Li Hao remembered that his Fourth Mother had hugged him; she seemed kind and gentle.

But over the years, he has become increasingly withdrawn and solitary.

Moreover, she always seemed angry whenever she saw him, and Li Hao didn't know what he had done to offend her.

"Didn't I tell you today that your cousin Shuang'er is coming back and I asked you to prepare a gift? And you've been hanging out with her again, haven't you?"

Xiao Yujing didn't even consider that Li Hao was right next to her, and turned around to scold Li Yuanzhao to his face.

Li Yuanzhao scratched his head and said in a simple and honest manner, "Mother, Hao Ge and I went to prepare gifts and have already delivered them to First Madam's courtyard."

"What gifts have you prepared?" Xiao Yujing frowned.

"Hongxiang Restaurant's crispy roast goose..." Li Yuanzhao immediately described it in detail.

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Yujing couldn't stand it anymore and said angrily:

"Are you really that stupid? They've been wandering around outside for ages, and they've even made it onto the Universe Rankings Qian Rankings. What kind of delicacies haven't they tried? Do they need your little bit? It's only a few silver coins; wouldn't it look stingy to send it up?"

Li Yuanzhao at Li Hao, then regained some confidence and said, "Mother, what doesn't our Li Family have? Weapons, Cultivation Method —my cousin can just go and choose whatever she wants. Do we need to prepare anything? My cousin hasn't been back to Qing Prefecture much these past few years; she certainly hasn't tasted our local delicacies."

"They may have never eaten it before, but do you think they'd be interested in it?"

Xiao Yujing rolled her eyes slightly, displaying a charming beauty, and said irritably:

Whether they need it or not is one thing, but you can't give them something cheap. It's their problem if they don't accept it, but at least you can say you're not ashamed to accept it. If people find out you only gave them this little bit of food and drink, they'll laugh their heads off!

At this point, she glanced around the carriage and immediately noticed the gift box on the side of the curtain, and sneered:

"Look, what's this?"

Seeing that she had misunderstood, Uncle Zhao quickly said, "Madam Xiao, this old servant was worried that Young Master Hao'er would be impolite, so I specially prepared this for him to give to Miss Shuang'er."

"Snort."

Xiao Yujing turned to Li Yuanzhao and said, "See? You treat him like Hao Ge, but he might not be True Heart with you. He's just fooling you, making you run around in circles like a fool, while he secretly prepares lavish gifts for you."

"Now, you're empty-handed, you have nothing. What are you going to show your cousin?"

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

"You!"

Xiao Yujing was so angry that she almost raised her hand to hit him. What kind of bewitching drug had Li Hao given him? He just wouldn't listen to reason.

She held back, letting out a snort of anger, ultimately suppressing her rage because Li Hao and Uncle Zhao were both present.

"Never mind, I've already prepared a gift for you. Take the Bamboo Fragrance and give it to Yuanzhao," Xiao Yujing said.

A maidservant then gracefully approached and respectfully handed Li Yuanzhao a gift box.

Li Yuanzhao was curious and wanted to open it to take a look, but after being glared at by Xiao Yujing, he reluctantly withdrew his hand, obediently hanging his head and following behind his mother.

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

"Mother..."

"Shut up."

Li Hao felt somewhat helpless. Fourth Mother always seemed to harbor some inexplicable hostility towards him, which left him puzzled.

"Yuanzhao, we'll head over first then. You stay with your mother." Li Hao winked at the chubby boy, not wanting him to be caught in the middle.

Li Yuanzhao nodded immediately. "Hao Ge, we'll be right there."

At the same time, she turned to the side, her back to her mother, and secretly smiled at Li Hao, revealing two white teeth.

Li Hao smiled and left with Uncle Zhao.

"Mom, why do you always forbid me from being with Hao Ge? Hao Ge is actually..."

"Shut up."

Xiao Yujing glared at him, annoyed. "I told you to associate with Snowdrift Courtyard more. Why are you always hanging out with him? He could only Body Refining before, and now his Meridians are open, but he started cultivating late. I'll let that go. I'm not a materialistic person. I just don't want you to get into trouble, you know?"

"Ah?"

Li Yuanzhao was bewildered; how had he gotten himself into this mess?

"I can't reason with you. Just listen to your mother and spend more time with that girl Zhi Ning," Xiao Yujing said softly.

Li Yuanzhao was puzzled. He had asked her a few times before, but his mother had never answered. This time, he didn't ask either, but just pretended to obediently hum in agreement.

"When Madam Xiao got married, Fourth Master died on the battlefield. Over the years, Madam Xiao has harbored some resentment towards the Li Family."

Inside the carriage, Uncle Zhao whispered to Li Hao, speaking very cautiously.

This was originally a matter for the master of the house, and the servants were not supposed to discuss it. However, he was worried that Li Hao might harbor resentment towards Xiao Yujing, and that Li Hao was too young to know how to keep things quiet, which could lead to trouble.

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

He wasn't angry with Fourth Mother, since she usually showed him her displeasure openly and never secretly plotted against him.

On the contrary, the Second Madam of Water Bloom Courtyard always greeted him with a kind smile and caring words, which made him feel uncomfortable.

Moreover, with Li Yuanzhao around, Li Hao wouldn't harbor any hostility towards the Xiao family out of respect for him; at the very least, she treated Li Yuanzhao True Heart well.

Before long, the carriage arrived outside Evergreen Courtyard.

Several carriages were parked outside the alley, indicating that the ladies from other courtyards had already arrived.

Before even entering the courtyard, one could hear lively sounds coming from the Outer Institute, vaguely saying things like "My Shuang'er is so amazing." It seemed that several ladies were praising that favored daughter of heaven.

Li Hao, carrying the gift box given to him by Uncle Zhao, slowly walked into the courtyard.