When the group of people arrived at the summit of Misty Peak, because a bridge spanned across the peak, the numerous carriages had to stop, and everyone had to proceed on foot up the mountain. Fortunately, this place wasn’t far from Ning’an Manor, and the path was already level, not requiring too much effort. Moreover, Ning’an Manor had already sent people to wait at the bridge head—dozens of them, primarily to guide the way, and secondarily to help those distinguished guests carry items into the manor.

Dozens of carriages stopped in sequence, and people gradually descended from them. The manor’s people began helping to unload the cargo one by one.

The scenery atop Misty Peak was exceptionally beautiful, surrounded by dense forests. The towering trees grew particularly well, and beside the road was a bamboo grove where birds chirped merrily inside, creating very pleasant and melodious sounds.

However—

“The people of Ning’an Manor should have sealed off this broken cliff long ago. This bridge is convenient enough, but carriages just can’t get through. If they ever need to transport any large objects, wouldn’t it require tremendous effort?” A voice emerged from the crowd.

Immediately someone picked up the conversation, saying, “Exactly! And who knows if this bridge is safe or sturdy? What if many people stand on it and the ropes break? What would we do then?”

“Now that you mention it, my heart’s all aflutter!”

“I’m just speaking the truth. If I lived here, I would have filled in the cliff long ago.”

“How would you fill such a deep cliff?”

“With money, anything can be done!”

Several young masters dressed in luxurious clothing chatted intermittently.

These people usually traveled by sedan chair—how would they know that coming to Ning’an Manor would require walking a section of road!

Just as they were discussing quite animatedly, Li Shiyan walked over from behind with an extremely poor expression on his face, saying, “You people truly can’t spit ivory from a dog’s mouth!”

Hearing this, everyone turned around to see him and Zhu Yao approaching.

Several people looked at each other, each wearing expressions of disdain on their faces.

“So it’s Young Master Li!” A person in the crowd called Wang Huai snorted coldly. This person was the nephew of the Minister of Works. He was usually frivolous and had his own circle of friends, all of whom were either wealthy or noble with considerable backgrounds. They had always looked down on Li Shiyan’s domineering manner. In the past, they’d had many disputes and verbal exchanges with him, but since he was the heir apparent after all, they didn’t dare do anything openly. Moreover, Li Shiyan also had his own group of friends, each also important figures. So these two factions often fought back and forth in Yanjing City, but neither dared to truly provoke the other!

Li Shiyan’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Wang Huai, you lot never stop talking, do you? From Yanjing City all the way here, and now you’re even gossiping about Ning’an Manor! What do you think this place is—your home?”

“What? Is the young master trying to lecture me?”

“I wouldn’t dare. You, Young Master Wang, are such an important person—how would I dare lecture you? I’d rather enshrine you and offer three sticks of incense daily!”

Hearing these words, Wang Huai immediately became agitated, pointing at Li Shiyan’s nose and saying, “You little punk, I think you’re the one who can’t spit ivory from a dog’s mouth.”

He was about to strike when the people beside him held him back. “Wang Huai, don’t be impulsive. He’s deliberately trying to provoke you.”

“All of you let me go. I must teach him a lesson today.”

“This is Ning’an Manor’s territory, and Elder Li is his uncle. We can’t cause trouble here!”

“I don’t care about his uncle or not—let me go!” Wang Huai’s face turned bright red with agitation.

Several people desperately held him back.

Meanwhile, Li Shiyan looked at those people with provocative eyes, wearing an expression that said, “I just love how you can’t stand me yet can’t do anything about me.”

Zhu Yao beside him was frightened. Her steps involuntarily shuffled backward, hiding behind him as she softly called out, “Shiyan.”

She was truly scared!

Usually staying within the inner chambers, this was her first time witnessing such a scene.

Li Shiyan turned his head and softly replied to her, “Don’t be afraid!”

This phrase “Don’t be afraid” immediately brought much reassurance to her heart.

She couldn’t help but feel moved.

It even made her feel that Li Shiyan actually did like her.

Wang Huai was held back and couldn’t advance, the fire in his heart burning hotter and hotter.

At this moment, Zhao Quan walked over from ahead, saying sarcastically, “Oh my, how did the circus from Yanjing City relocate here?”

The implication was that Wang Huai and the others were the circus.

It must be said that Zhao Quan’s mouth was sometimes several times more venomous than Li Shiyan’s!

Hearing these words, Wang Huai and the others naturally flew into a rage, immediately redirecting all the fury they had previously directed at Li Shiyan toward Zhao Quan!

“Who are you calling a circus? Say it again?”

Zhao Quan gave a cold laugh, walked to Li Shiyan’s side, hooked his shoulder, then looked at those agitated young masters before them and said, “I never said you were a circus. Why are you getting angry at me? Isn’t this a confession without being pressed?”

After saying this, both he and Li Shiyan laughed.

They laughed quite brazenly!

Not giving those people any face at all.

Wang Huai’s complexion changed from red to livid. The people beside him also couldn’t hold back anymore and began cursing: “Zhao Quan, I think you’re just Li Shiyan’s lapdog.”

Someone picked up the thread: “Who doesn’t know you’ve always relied on Li Shiyan! If you have the ability, why don’t you stop leaning on this big tree?”

“Two parasites of Yanjing City!”

“Thinking you’re so great, showing off here.”

…

Several young masters spoke intermittently.

Someone even more viciously pointed at Zhao Quan and said, “Your father, the Governor-General of Jiangguang, also relies on Marquis Kangding. Otherwise, what would you amount to?”

At this, Zhao Quan couldn’t hold back and was about to strike when Li Shiyan beat him to it!

He rushed forward, raised his fist and swung it over, hitting squarely on the face of the person who had spoken these words. That person was thin and small—how could he withstand Li Shiyan’s punch? He immediately fell down, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.

Thus, the group led by Wang Huai began fighting!

Seeing this, Li Shiyan immediately engaged in battle, and Zhao Quan also rushed forward.

Two against five!

Zhu Yao was scared pale. Though frightened, she still quickly rushed forward to pull Li Shiyan back, saying, “Shiyan, stop fighting.”

But Li Shiyan fiercely swung his hand, unintentionally throwing her to the ground!

The maid Cai’er quickly came to help her up. “Miss, are you alright?”

“Don’t worry about me—quickly go try to stop them.”

But that group of men had already engaged in a brawl. How could a weak woman like her possibly break it up?

The commotion was very loud, and many people came to watch.

Su Ziluo was helped off his carriage. Just as he sat in his wheelchair, about to cross the bridge with the people from Ning’an Manor, he heard the sound of fighting from behind. In the distance, a crowd had already gathered.

“What’s happening?” Qi’er looked over and shook his head. “Young master, I can’t see clearly.”