83. Revisiting Old Issues
Chapter 83: Revisiting Old Issues
After Li Xuanli arrived, he first greeted the First Madam, He Jianlan, with a slight bow.
Then he greeted each of his sisters-in-law and exchanged a few words with the younger members of the family before finally sitting down. Smiling, he said, "Shuang'er, how is your training at the Qianji Sect? I heard you made it to the Qian Ranking. Well done."
Hearing her father's praise, Li Wushuang remained calm, but the light in Li Yun's eyes shone brightly, showing his pride. Li Zhining, sitting beside them, also looked at her older sister with sparkling eyes, obviously admiring her as a role model.
"It's just the bottom rank," Li Wushuang replied without any intention of boasting, merely stating a fact. "If I could be like Ninth Uncle, who topped the Qian Ranking as soon as he entered it, that would be impressive."
Mentioning the Ninth Uncle, Li Xuanli's expression changed slightly, his smile fading. That meteoric figure, as Emperor Yu had said fourteen years ago, was the pain of the Li family! Though they had nine brothers, not counting their sisters, they were all closely bonded and highly united.
Only after each married did their interactions lessen, leading to a gradual estrangement.
Back then, they practiced martial arts, ate together in the large courtyard, laughed and joked together, and hid from their father's punishments...
Time flew by.
The summer frog croaks in the courtyard, memories of that period, were long gone...
Noticing the atmosphere had quieted a bit, Li Wushuang realized she shouldn't have brought up the family's painful memories, and her face changed slightly, choosing to stay silent.
Li Xuanli, feeling the atmosphere had been affected by his emotions, smiled and said cheerfully, "Comparing yourself to your Ninth Uncle? You're still young. He was seventeen when he reached the Tianren Grandmaster Stage, defeating all challengers at Fengxiantai outside Qingzhou, leaving no one daring to face him!"
Reminiscing about those youthful days, Li Xuanli's face lit up with nostalgia for the times of grand ambition and free-spirited days.
Back then, they still had their father and eldest brother, allowing them to roam the martial world freely.
Drinking, riding horses, and traveling the nineteen states.
But as the "heaven" above them fell, their father's soul trapped in the Underworld River, unable to return to the ancestral hall or reincarnate, they lost their carefree lifestyle.
Instead, they began to train intensely, bearing the family's burdens, defending the borders, fighting on the battlefield, and slaying demons!
The wives of the various courtyards, hearing Li Xuanli's words, also felt nostalgic. Those were the most innocent and romantic times when they first married into the Li family, the best times with their husbands.
Li Wushuang's eyes reflected admiration. Her father's few words painted a picture of an invincible figure, her Ninth Uncle, whom she had always been proud of.
Challenging the world, such peerless bearing, how many could achieve that?
Li Hao, however, sighed inwardly. Such a prodigious talent, dying young, was truly tragic.
"The dishes are getting cold; let's eat first," He Jianlan sensibly suggested, smiling.
Everyone smiled and began to serve themselves.
"Hmm, these dishes are quite good," Li Xuanli commented.
During the meal, they shifted topics, avoiding the sad memories, seemingly reaching an unspoken agreement.
Li Xuanli, enjoying several dishes, praised, "Shuang'er, you rarely come back. Try this Bamboo-Flavored Dragon Liver. It's quite good. It tastes just like it did years ago. I haven't had it in a long time."
"Oh?"
Li Wushuang, who had maintained a cool demeanor, showed a hint of curiosity and childlike demeanor as she picked up a piece to taste.
"Hmm, indeed, it's good," she smiled, revealing her teeth.
Li Xuanli turned to He Jianlan, smiling, "Sister-in-law, you've been thoughtful. The Bamboo-Flavored Dragon Liver from Cuihu Courtyard is a delicacy of Qingzhou. It's been so long; I almost forgot its taste."
He Jianlan smiled gently, glancing at Li Hao who was eating, and said, "It wasn't me who prepared it. Hao'er and Yuan Zhao bought it. They said Shuang'er, who has been away for years, surely hasn't tasted Qingzhou's delicacies, so they made a special effort to get it."
Li Xuanli paused, looking at Li Hao and Li Yuan Zhao, "You bought this?"
Li Hao glanced at him, showing respect for this veteran of the battlefield, and nodded.
Li Yuan Zhao smiled, "Fifth Uncle, Hao Ge knows the best food. The tasty dishes you just ate were all bought by Hao Ge's recommendation. There are more dishes to come."
"Oh?"
Li Xuanli was surprised. He certainly remembered Li Hao, the only son of his seventh brother and Qingqing. He attended Li Hao's hundred-day banquet.
Later, he heard this child had a cultivation defect but managed to unblock his meridians, possibly with help from the Second Grandpa. Regardless, he could cultivate again.
It was a pity that he had missed the foundational and blood-merging stages, making his aptitude less than others, and his late start wasted much time.
Thinking of this, he felt a pang of regret, looking at Li Hao with more tenderness.
"Hao'er, you've been thoughtful. I heard your father is coming back soon. The war in Yanbei is over, and the report has been submitted to the court. You'll see him soon."
As he spoke, he turned to his daughter, "Shuang'er, you should thank your cousin. His gesture is as good as any gift."
Li Hao's heart stirred. His Fifth Uncle had arrived last, yet spoke with hidden meaning, suggesting he had been observing the situation with his spiritual sense all along.
Feeling a surge of goodwill, Li Hao decided to let the earlier incident slide. Pretending nothing had happened, he continued eating, knowing that even a glance from him would make Li Wushuang feel awkward.
On the other hand, Li Wushuang's face changed when she heard her father's words. She glanced at Li Hao, seeing him focused on his food, not seemingly waiting for her thanks.
To her, this attitude appeared arrogant and dismissive.
Her face grew cold as she moved the half-eaten Dragon Liver from her bowl to the table and chose another dish, saying, "Father, I already thanked him. Besides, I don't like the Dragon Liver; it's too greasy."
Li Xuanli's face darkened, putting down his chopsticks and glaring at her, "Shuang'er, I taught you to be honest and straightforward. You've just returned; what grudge do you hold against Hao'er? Is it because he gave you a bottle of pills?"
He hadn't hidden the fact that he had been aware of the earlier conversation.
His anger caused the others to stop eating. Gao Qingqing, knowing her husband's temper, felt puzzled. Shuang'er was never like this before.
But seeing the tension, she chose not to ask her daughter to apologize, fearing it would hurt her pride.
He Jianlan, sensing the awkwardness, gently said, "Xuanli, Shuang'er just got back. Don't be angry. Shuang'er, do you have any issues with Hao'er?"
Li Wushuang, not expecting her father to reprimand her publicly, felt a surge of unjustified anger. She hadn't even spent much time with him yet, and he was already scolding her for an outsider.
Biting her lip, she glared at Li Hao, "You should ask him. He bullied my brother while I was away. Father, you were in seclusion, so you don't know."
"Hmm?" Li Xuanli was puzzled. Li Hao bullied her brother? Li Yun's face also changed, feeling nervous.
When Li Wushuang had first returned, the three siblings naturally had much to discuss. In a casual inquiry, she asked if anyone had bullied them over the years.
Seizing the moment, Li Yun recounted how Li Hao had once beaten him up. He felt embarrassed to tell his mother but felt justified complaining to his sister, hoping she would stand up for him.
He had wanted to retaliate himself but felt inexplicably intimidated every time he faced Li Hao.
So that's the reason... Li Hao felt speechless, glancing at Li Yun. This kid held a grudge for so long, maybe I didn't hit him hard enough; he dared to remember it.
"Yun'er, when did this happen?" Gao Qingqing asked, her face changing.
Li Yun, never having been the center of so many elders' attention, blushed and lowered his head, "Years ago."
"When exactly?"
"Five or six years ago..."
The crowd realized it was a misunderstanding. Five or six years ago?
Back then, Li Hao and Li Yun were only eight or nine years old. At most, it was childish mischief, not bullying.
Moreover, at that time, Li Hao had not even begun his cultivation, his meridians unblocked yet.
While Li Yun had been training for years in the martial field.
Wait, so how did he get bullied? The realization dawned on everyone, glancing between Li Hao and Li Yun with suspicion.
Gao Qingqing, relieved it wasn't what she feared, figured it was likely childish disputes, not serious bullying. The injuries probably weren't worse than those from training in the martial field.
"You silly boy, it's been years. How can you still hold a grudge and complain to your sister?" Gao Qingqing scolded, realizing her son's narrow-mindedness. She hoped he would learn to be more generous, like his father.
The others chuckled, and Liu Yuerong teased, "Yun'er, five or six years ago, your cousin wasn't even cultivating. Who was bullying whom?"
Though seemingly a joke, Li Hao sensed a probing undertone.
Li Yun's face turned redder. He felt ashamed but remembered not winning against Li Hao then. Li Hao's strength had overwhelmed him.
"I was careless."
"He ambushed me; he's much stronger," Li Yun defended, his face flushed.
Hearing his words, everyone laughed. Li Hao had trained in physical strength, naturally stronger.
Seeing Li Yun's flushed face, they knew he was embarrassed, admitting defeat to someone who hadn't started formal training yet. He confided this to his sister, feeling the need for support.
"Hmph, didn't you always fancy Li Hao's fiancée?"
Li Yuanzhao, hearing his words, huffed.
As soon as he spoke, he felt his mother's glare, signaling him to shut up.
Li Xuanli, understanding it was a misunderstanding, glared at Li Yun, "Useless boy, complaining to your sister over such trivial matters. If you're upset, challenge Hao'er to a match in the martial field. Crying to your elders won't solve anything!"
His harsh rebuke made Li Yun feel more ashamed.
Gao Qingqing, noticing her husband's scolding, diverted the topic, "Li Hao, when will your fiancée return? She's apprenticed to the Sword Saint. When she does, she and Shuang'er can spar."