I Am Timid and Cannot Be Frightened

"Uh, Auntie, you're absolutely right. I also think my brother, whom I've never met, is too pedantic," Li Hao said, showering Li Qingluo with praise.

"Then tell me, how is your brother pedantic?" Li Qingluo's interest was piqued. Although she detested men, she felt a flicker of curiosity towards Li Hao.

Even Wang Yuyan beside her was curious. She hadn't seen Murong Fu in five years. The last time they met, she was only eleven, a child who was more dependent on her brother than in love.

Women, after all, start to fall when they become interested and curious about a man.

"Murong Fu, the eldest son of the Murong Family. If he succeeds in restoring the Yan, he will be the future Emperor of Great Yan. How can a ruler possess the benevolence of a woman? He must be decisive, willing to betray the world rather than let the world betray him – that is the true way of kings," Li Hao declared domineeringly.

In truth, his words weren't for Li Qingluo, but for Murong Bo, who was hidden behind the scenes.

See? I'm so formidable, more suited to inherit everything in Canhe Manor than Murong Fu.

Anyone who has read "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" knows Murong Bo would do anything to restore Yan. If Li Hao were more outstanding than Murong Fu, Murong Bo would immediately abandon Murong Fu and choose Li Hao.

However, Li Hao had miscalculated. Murong Bo had already made his decision between him and Murong Fu.

"While alliances can achieve great things, there are too many cautionary tales of inviting wolves into the house. Moreover, the Central Plains are not chaotic enough yet. No matter how much he stirs up trouble, it won't affect the overall situation. It would be better to return and continue managing Canhe Manor, recruit soldiers, gather supplies, and wait for the opportune moment."

"His reputation as the Southern Murong is great, but it's all empty fame. What good is empty fame? If you have no money, no power, no territory, who will fight for you? He's too idealistic. He thinks that by creating a reputation for himself, people will flock to him when he calls."

"Unfortunately, there are plenty of people in the jianghu with greater reputations than him. Qiao Feng, Guo Jing, Zhang Sanfeng, Yan Shisan, Xie Xiaofeng, Yan Nantian, and so on – too many to count. Who does this Southern Murong think he is!"

What kind of person was Li Hao? A notorious failed writer from his past life. He loved to argue with trolls who bashed him in his novel's comment section. He could argue for a whole day without repeating himself, and without using a single vulgar word.

"Mmm, I'm thirsty." Li Hao directly picked up the tea on the table in front of him and drank it in one gulp.

"Good tea. The aroma is rich and fragrant. It's just a bit cold. Where were we?" Li Hao smacked his lips.

With a crisp "clatter," a plate fell from a maid's hand at the doorway.

"What's wrong? Were you startled by my heroic words? Haha..." Li Hao chuckled triumphantly.

"Young Master, Young Master, you drank the wrong tea! You drank your aunt's tea," A Bi quickly stepped forward and tugged at Li Hao's sleeve.

"Uh, no way!" Li Hao was startled. He looked up and saw Li Qingluo sitting in front of him, with an empty teacup on her left.

It turned out that when Li Hao was speaking passionately, he had unconsciously walked over to Li Qingluo's side.

"Hehe, Auntie, your nephew was rude," Li Hao said with an awkward smile, quickly returning to his seat and downing his own tea.

"What's your name, and when did you arrive on the island?" Li Qingluo asked the maid at the door, her face turning pale.

Li Qingluo had been hurt in love when she was young. After getting pregnant, she was abandoned. With nowhere else to turn, she sought out the mistress of Mantuo Mountain Villa. Fortunately, the mistress was a devoted admirer who didn't care about her past and, despite everyone's objections, became her protector.

Alas, good people never live long, and devoted admirers never get a happy ending. The mistress of Mantuo Mountain Villa, Murong Fu's maternal uncle, never consummated their marriage until his death. What a tragedy.

Of course, over the years, Li Qingluo had not been touched by any other man. Thus, when Li Hao drank her tea just now, it made her feel a trace of shame.

"I, I'm surnamed Duan, Duan..."

"You're surnamed Duan?" Li Qingluo's face darkened further.

"Yes, Madam." The maid, terrified, prostrated herself on the ground.

"Granny Bai, drag her away and chop her up for fertilizer," Li Qingluo said angrily.

"Madam, spare my life..." The maid cried out in terror.

"Little girl, don't cry. I'll be gentle, it won't hurt," an old woman with white hair appeared beside the maid. Her gentle tone was like that of a kind grandmother next door.

Yet, her words chilled everyone present. She spoke the most cruel words in the most gentle tone.

What did she mean by "gentle" and "it won't hurt"? If someone is dead, how can they feel pain?

"Auntie, to err is human. This maid hasn't committed a great offense; she shouldn't be sentenced to death, should she?" Li Hao quickly interceded.

Although the maid was plain-looking, seeing a young girl die before his eyes still made him uncomfortable. It was such a waste.

"She deserves to die," Li Qingluo said, biting her lip.

"Just because she's surnamed Duan?" Li Hao didn't care about her reasons. Anyone he wanted to save, no one could kill. At worst, he would fall out with Li Qingluo.

She was Murong Fu's aunt, not his. There was no need to indulge her.

"What you just said, about how a ruler must be fair in rewards and punishments to win over the masses. This maid made a mistake, and I'm punishing her according to the rules of Mantuo Mountain Villa. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"

Li Qingluo found Li Hao to be a tiny bit more likable now. He was willing to confront her for a maid he had just met. He was a man.

"That's right. Fairness in rewards and punishments doesn't mean we should kill the innocent. If the King randomly kills people, your subordinates will feel insecure. They will only fear you, not obey you."

"One day, when you fall from power, your enemies won't even need to act; they will seize the opportunity to eliminate you and gain true freedom." Li Hao scoffed at Li Qingluo's idea of fairness in rewards and punishments.

Don't think I don't know you're killing her because she's surnamed Duan.

"You have a lot of nerve to talk back to me like this. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" Li Qingluo's face was as dark as charcoal.

"Uh, Auntie, I advise you not to threaten me. I'm timid. If I get startled, I'll tremble, and if I tremble, it might lead to someone's death." Li Hao stared at Li Qingluo's legs. At the same time, several extremely fine golden needles appeared in his hand.

These "bull-hair" golden needles were specifically designed to break through protective qi. With Li Hao's skill, no one in the hall at Mantuo Mountain Villa was confident they could dodge them.