Linchuan City, The Li Family

Jiang Moran and Ning Qingzhu followed behind the carriage. A guard walked on either side with steady, measured steps, keeping pace with the vehicle as it moved slowly forward.

Jiang Moran narrowed his eyes slightly as he observed the two men. Though they appeared to be walking casually, their guards were entirely seamless. Their fingertips unconsciously rested against the hilt of their sabres, ready to strike in an instant.

This was not a skill ordinary guards possessed...

Furthermore, it was exceedingly strange. Why would a young lady from an aristocratic family travel off the official highway? She was either deliberately avoiding public attention or harboring ulterior motives...

Meanwhile, the two guards were secretly assessing him as well, maintaining a high state of vigilance against these strangers of unknown origin.

No one spoke along the way. Before long, they turned onto the official highway, yet the guards' alertness did not lessen in the slightest, making Jiang Moran all the more certain of his suspicion.

The setting sun hung low, painting the horizon a deep crimson. Ahead, the outline of Linchuan City's gate tower gradually took shape, its majestic city walls bathed in the golden glow of twilight.

As the carriage pulled up to the city gate, the guards standing watch paled upon recognizing it. They hurriedly cleared a path to let it through without a moment's delay.

A guard on the other side stepped forward to inspect the carriage, but his companion caught him by the arm and shook his head. “You were just transferred here, so you don't recognize this carriage. That belongs to Miss Li!”

“Miss Li?!”

Hearing this, the guard's expression shifted dramatically, and he promptly shut his mouth.

As the sole prominent aristocratic family in Linchuan City, the Li Family held complete control over the city's finances. They were virtually the local rulers here. Furthermore, her grandfather had served as a first-rank imperial official in the court, leaving behind a network of connections that was not to be underestimated!

The guards didn't even dare to question the two traveling alongside the carriage, letting them pass directly into the city.

Ning Qingzhu gently tugged at the corner of Jiang Moran's sleeve, looking curiously at her surroundings. Although Linchuan City lacked the ostentatious luxury of Fengcheng, it was pleasantly cozy and full of vibrant everyday life.

The entire street bustled with a lively, peaceful atmosphere.

Even Jiang Moran couldn't help but remark softly, “The public security in Linchuan City is quite impressive...”

Overhearing his words, the guard walking ahead showed a trace of pride and smiled. “That is all thanks to the Li Family. Originally, there were numerous families, large and small, in Linchuan City, every one of them vying for control over the city's resources. Later, the Li Family stepped in to set things right. They consolidated all of Linchuan City's resources for centralized distribution. How much each family gets is entirely up to Old Master Li!”

Just as the guard finished speaking, that pleasing voice sounded through the brocade curtain once more: “The lack of peace stems from human greed. That is why forceful measures were used to centralize distribution—to make them understand that what is rightfully theirs may be taken, but what is not must never be touched.”

By the end of her sentence, a faint edge of unquestionable authority crept into her tone—an aura unique to those accustomed to ruling over others.

Jiang Moran nodded in agreement. He hadn't expected a young lady from a prominent family to see through human nature so clearly. It was indeed rare.

“If Young Master has no pressing matters on this journey, why not stay at the Li Residence for a few days to experience the local customs of Linchuan City?”

Jiang Moran raised an eyebrow instinctively and glanced over with interest. Inviting two total strangers to be guests upon their very first meeting—this young lady's mind was truly difficult to fathom.

The guard beside them instinctively wanted to object, but swallowed his words. Miss's decisions always had her reasons.

Since he could save the money for an inn, Jiang Moran naturally had no reason to refuse. He promptly agreed with a smile and followed the carriage to the Li Residence...

Unlike what one might expect, the Li Residence was not extravagantly ostentatious. Instead, it presented a quiet and elegant retreat. Lush greenery and flowers filled the courtyards, a few stalks of green bamboo swayed gracefully in the wind, and servants occasionally moved to and fro.

There was not a trace of vulgar opulence, but rather a subtle scent of scholarly sophistication.

Ning Qingzhu was instantly captivated by the peaceful and refined atmosphere, feeling a sense of deep calm settle over her heart.

“Yu'er!”

A woman's voice called out. Jiang Moran turned toward the sound and saw a gentle, dignified noblewoman hastening toward them, her face filled with motherly affection.

“Mother, I'm back.” The blue curtain of the carriage was gently lifted, revealing first a pair of delicate embroidered shoes patterned with cloud motifs. Out stepped a woman clad in a moon-white brocade gown. Her figure was graceful and slender, her movements slow and composed as she leaned lightly on a maid servant's wrist to alight from the carriage.

Only now could one clearly see her face. Her brows and eyes were delicate and gentle, yet bore a subtle air of heroic resolve between them. Her sleeves fluttered gently in the breeze, radiating an atmosphere of elegant refinement.

The noblewoman stepped forward and embraced the young lady, her eyes reddening slightly as she scolded, “That deadbeat father of yours... How dare he make you go out searching for someone! Does he not know how dangerous it is out there?!”

“Mother~ I am fine. Father was tied down with official affairs in the city and couldn't leave, so I offered to go myself.”

At this, the mother's eyes turned even redder, and her tone grew fiery. “Aha! That old fool is so busy he doesn't even care about his daughter's life! I'm taking you back to my maiden home right now, and we're never coming back!”

“Mother...”

Jiang Moran and Ning Qingzhu quietly lowered their presence, not daring to stare recklessly as they watched the interaction between mother and daughter...

“Ahem.”

A soft cough sounded, attempting to interrupt the conversation between the mother and daughter. However, it was completely useless; the woman continued to denounce his offenses.

“...Ahem, ahem!” This time, his cough was far more exaggerated, finally drawing everyone's attention over. Standing there at an unknown moment was a tall, erect middle-aged man. Though his face bore the understated marks of time and his temples were touched with frost, he did not look old at all; rather, he possessed an air of profound composure.

The newcomer was none other than the Patriarch of the Li Family, Li Zhongyuan.

Unfortunately, his wife gave him no face whatsoever. With a cold snort, she stopped looking at him, took her daughter by the hand, and turned to walk away.

Patriarch Li: “...”

The two guards exchanged glances. The Madam was probably the only person who dared to slap the Patriarch's face like this...

“Wu Yi, Wu Er, you are dismissed,” Patriarch Li commanded.

“Yes.”

A moment later, only Jiang Moran's pair and Patriarch Li remained in the courtyard. He had intended to foster an authoritative atmosphere, but instead, things had turned rather awkward.

In the end, Patriarch Li was the first to speak. “So you two are the ones Yu'er saved on the road.”

Holy crap, to ignore the awkwardness just now and ask such a moronic question, this guy truly has the potential of a Great Emperor.

No wonder he's the Patriarch.

Jiang Moran nodded. In all his years traversing the jianghu, he had seen many formidable figures and plenty of treacherous ones, but someone this mind-bogglingly impressive was a first...

Patriarch Li continued, “Although Yu'er brought you back, the Li Family is currently experiencing unrest. Therefore, I must still remain on guard against you. Please forgive me.”

“For the next few days, you may stay in the residence. However, you are strictly forbidden from approaching the inner courtyard, or suffer the consequences.”

Having said his piece, Patriarch Li departed, leaving a servant behind to arrange accommodation for them.

...