Liu Yingying’s face was already streaked with tears, struggling incessantly.
“I won’t go back, I won’t go to the Floating Cloud Sect, I want to stay here, I want to wait for Ping’an to come back!!”
Seeing Liu Yingying about to be dragged into the carriage, Pei Qingxuan, who had always referred to her as a sister, could not bear it any longer.
Just as she was about to rush out, Li Yuer at her side raised her hand to stop her.
Pei Qingxuan was startled and quickly turned her head to look at Li Yuer.
“Yu’er, Yingying is already like this. Why are you stopping me?”
Li Yuer gave a gentle smile.
“Qingxuan, it’s not that I don’t want you to go, but you really can’t. You are the head lady of the Xu Family now. With Mister absent, you represent the family. If you act, it represents Mister’s intentions.”
Li Yuer turned her head and looked at Liu Chengdong.
“And as for the other side, they’re a family handling family affairs. With Mister’s current status, he really can’t afford to be at odds with the Liu Family.”
Although Li Yuer had personally witnessed Xu Ping’an repelling the Master of Burning Wheel Valley,
that was merely an unexpected event. Moreover, Li Yuer did not know what means Xu Ping’an used, nor was she sure if it could be repeated.
The most crucial point is… this Liu Family is different from Burning Wheel Valley.
Burning Wheel Valley belongs to the demonic path, where suppression by force is entirely acceptable and even aligns with their tradition.
But the Liu Family is a proper noble clan of Great Qi. If Pei Qingxuan, representing Xu Ping’an, were to suddenly intervene,
she would certainly offend many families friendly with the Liu Family.
Furthermore, even if this matter went to court, this side would not have the advantage.
A father disciplining his daughter is only right and proper, while Xu Ping’an has neither a marriage contract nor any substantial relationship.
Suddenly interfering in another family’s domestic affairs is unjustifiable no matter how one looks at it.
“But… are we just going to watch Yingying get taken away?”
With Xu Ping’an gone, Pei Qingxuan’s whole demeanor had become much sharper,
her tone no longer as soft as before.
This sentence made Li Yuer look at Pei Qingxuan in surprise.
It seemed as though she was different from her usual self, but Li Yuer merely took it as concern for Liu Yingying and did not question further. Instead, she picked up a round fan with a smile.
“I’ll go. After all, with my status, the Liu Family can’t say much.” “Then… you must help Yingying.” “I’ll do my best.”
Even Li Yuer was not certain of success, but under the circumstances, it was most appropriate for her to step forward.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jing’er quickly went to the door and opened an oil-paper umbrella, and so Li Yuer walked into the courtyard.
Liu Chengdong, who had been watching from a distance, saw Li Yuer approach and a strange light flashed in his eyes, but he said nothing, simply standing there watching.
“Chief of Liu Family, this is our first meeting. I suppose… I don’t need to introduce myself, do I?”
Standing before Liu Chengdong, Li Yuer, though much shorter in stature, possessed an aura far more imposing than his. The bearing of someone accustomed to command made her seem all the more distinguished.
“Miss Li.”
Liu Chengdong slowly lowered his head. Although he did not directly acknowledge her, it was clear he knew exactly who stood before him.
“Since you know, that’s good. Hmm… I trust you also understand, I am recuperating at Master Xu’s residence now, so there are some things I cannot say directly. But your daughter being married to Mister would be a great blessing for the Liu Family. Surely, with Chief Liu’s insight, you should see that clearly?”
Liu Chengdong frowned, his expression stern.
“For you to address him as Mister, it seems my own judgment was lacking. Since that’s the case, the Liu Family won’t reach for something out of our league. Let’s just consider it a misjudgment on my part.” “Please convey this to that Mister Xu.”
When saying the words “Mister Xu,” Liu Chengdong deliberately emphasized them, his eyes showing clear disdain.
“Tell him, my Liu Family may not be an illustrious house, but even so, a daughter’s marriage must be arranged by her parents with the aid of a matchmaker. My Yingying is not destined to serve Mister Xu. From now on, it would be best not to meet again.”
Hearing this, Li Yuer understood completely. No matter who came to persuade him today, this Chief of Liu Family would not give up on taking Liu Yingying away.
“In that case, I will relay your words to Mister.”
When Li Yuer spoke the words “my family’s Mister,” she too stressed the phrase.
As those four words left her mouth, a trace of surprise appeared on Liu Chengdong’s face.
He never imagined that the Xu Ping’an he had always looked down on would be so valued by the Heir of the Zhennan King.
To be able to say “my family’s Mister,” both parties understood the implication of status. Without question, Li Yuer was speaking with the authority of the Duke of the Southern Border’s Residence.
It was as if the Duke of the Southern Border’s Residence had already recognized Xu Ping’an as an honored guest.
Perhaps… even as “one of their own.”
Thus, even if Liu Chengdong looked down on Xu Ping’an, he dared not show it anymore.
“It seems this Mister Xu is indeed quite fortunate to be so appreciated by Miss Li. In that case, the Liu Family is even less worthy of reaching so high. My daughter will be fetched to the Floating Cloud Sect at noon today. From now on, there will likely be no further meetings.”
With that, Liu Chengdong did not waste another word. He cupped his fists to Li Yuer.
“There are important affairs at home that require my attention, so I must take my leave.”
Hearing this, Li Yuer frowned slightly.
“Chief of Liu Family, my suggestion is that you best wait for my family’s Mister and hear his thoughts before making your decision. Of course, I have no intention of coercing you. We are both smart people—I think you know what I mean.”
Though she spoke thus, her words were clearly a form of “coercion.”
It was like saying, “It’s not about the money,” but in fact, it was.
“Miss Li, you hold this physician in such high regard?”
Now it was Liu Chengdong’s turn to be surprised. He had never imagined that, for Xu Ping’an’s sake, the famed Heir of the Prince’s Residence would wield such influence.
“I wonder what Chief Liu thinks? Rather than hurrying along in the rain, why not come in and sit for a while?”
Liu Chengdong hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and refused.
“No need! Thank you for your kindness, Miss Li. There are important matters at home, I must not trouble you further. Farewell.” With that, without waiting for Li Yuer’s reply, he got into the carriage.
And this… meant that the Liu Family had resisted the Duke of the Southern Border’s Residence once.
Li Yuer did not step forward to stop them.
“In that case, I won’t keep you any longer. But I must offer a word of warning to your daughter.”
Before the carriage had fully turned around, Li Yuer suddenly spoke.
Although the curtain of the carriage had not been lifted, it was certain that those inside could hear her voice.
“Liu Family… do not regret this.”
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