“You’re saying my daughter wasn’t buried by the falling rocks?” After hearing Chi Can’s words, Li Guangwen immediately felt his foot didn’t hurt anymore, his stomach wasn’t hungry anymore, and his eyes brightened.

“Uncle Li, don’t worry too much. Li Third… Third Miss is blessed and will be fine.”

That girl had been kidnapped by human traffickers and still managed to encounter him. He hadn’t shown favor to any woman for so many years, yet in that instant his heart had softened. If she wasn’t blessed, what was she?

“That’s good, that’s good.” Li Guangwen smiled foolishly with joy.

Zhu Yàn said from the side, “Is Master Li’s foot injured? You should go rest under that canopy over there and treat the wound.”

With so many people clearing the mountain road, there were quite a few officials on site directing, so temporary canopies had been set up for people to rest. Not only were dry rations and tea provided, there were also many medicines in case anyone got injured.

Li Guangwen looked down and saw that his snow-white silk socks were already seeping with bloodstains.

He immediately drew in a sharp breath: “Hui’er, quickly, quickly help me over there.”

“Thank you, three brothers.” Li Hui thanked Chi Can and the other two, then helped Li Guangwen walk toward the canopy.

The canopy was filled with people. Li Hui helped Li Guangwen walk in and searched for a long time before finding an empty seat.

“Father, be careful.”

However, before Li Guangwen could sit down, a hand reached out and took the chair away.

Li Hui looked up and discovered it was a tall, middle-aged man. The man didn’t even glance at the father and son pair and sat down leisurely.

“Sir, my father is injured and needs to treat his wound. We also saw this empty seat first. Could you please give way?” Li Hui suppressed his anger and spoke to the tall man.

Though Li Hui was young, he understood this wasn’t the Imperial Academy, much less at home. When facing these crude fellows, he couldn’t be forceful.

The tall man glanced at Li Hui, saw he was just dressed as an ordinary student, and the older one beside him was clearly a poor, sour old scholar. He sneered coldly: “Little brat hasn’t even grown all his hair yet, and you’re already pointing fingers at your grandfather?”

“Sir, speaking like this is going too far—”

“Heh, now you’re lecturing your grandfather? Your grandfather hasn’t closed his eyes since yesterday, constantly busy with rescue work. What have you, powerless scholars, done? Only know how to cause trouble. Go, go, go, don’t provoke your grandfather’s anger!”

Hearing this person had been busy since yesterday, though Li Hui was annoyed by his terrible attitude, he also felt somewhat ashamed.

Even if these people were crude and rude, at least they were doing work.

But Li Guangwen wouldn’t stand for it and asked coldly: “Does this, sir, look down on scholars?”

Bullying his son for being thin-skinned? Hmph, doesn’t he see that his father is still here?

When Li Guangwen asked this question, the tall man was stumped.

“All occupations are lowly, only reading is noble.” He dared not admit to looking down on scholars, otherwise, those officials would tear him apart.

“Receiving the ruler’s salary, sharing the ruler’s worries. Since you’ve taken on this assignment, you usually feel it’s natural to act domineering, but now doing some real work makes you feel wronged?” Li Guangwen asked again.

Hmph, when it came to verbal sparring, even their dean couldn’t out-argue him. Who was he afraid of?

The tall man was indeed choked speechless, his face alternating between green and white in a spectacular display.

Someone nearby tried to smooth things over: “Commander Jiang, it’s rare to get a break to drink some tea. Why bother arguing with them?”

So this tall man was West City Commander Jiang Cheng, who had escorted Princess Zhenzhen back yesterday.

Jiang Cheng hadn’t slept much in a day and was already harboring anger. Being embarrassed by a poor sour scholar in front of everyone, how could he still endure it? He lifted his foot to kick Li Guangwen: “Get lost, don’t block your grandfather’s sight!”

“Commander Jiang, you have quite a temper.” A cool voice sounded.

Jiang Cheng’s extended foot stopped abruptly. He looked up and quickly stood: “So it’s Young Master Chi.”

The Five Cities Military Commissioner’s Office was responsible for the capital’s security. Anyone who could sit in the position of West City Commander couldn’t be a real fool. He could recognize, if not every single one, at least most of the fifth-rank and above officials, imperial relatives and nobles, and sons of third-rank and above official families in the capital.

As for this young master from Princess Changrong’s residence, Jiang Cheng knew him all too well.

These past few years had been better, but in previous years, this Young Master Chi and his companions had caused quite a bit of trouble.

Jiang Cheng glanced up and saw Zhu Yàn and Yang Houcheng standing far away outside the canopy, and his mouth couldn’t help but twitch.

Sure enough, it was those three again!

“Commander Jiang, quite the temper. Just drink your tea—randomly biting people isn’t good!” Chi Can reached out and pulled the chair from under Jiang Cheng’s bottom, placing it behind Li Guangwen. “Uncle Li, please sit.”

Everyone in the canopy, including Jiang Cheng, was shocked, their gazes all falling on Li Guangwen’s face.

What was this person’s background that the young master of a princess’s residence would actually call him “Uncle Li”?

Wait, Uncle Li?

Someone slapped their forehead in sudden realization and vigorously pulled the person beside them, whispering: “I know who that person is!”

“Who?”

“The one who made a scene at the Jinlin Guards office!”

Quite a few people stood up at once, several hands reaching out to offer chairs: “Scholar Li, please sit.”

Anyone who got involved with this hothead would be unlucky. Just giving up a chair—no shame in that.

Chi Can: “…” So many people competing with him to make a good impression?

Seeing no one dared to provoke Li Guangwen anymore, Chi Can was too lazy to stay longer and returned to Zhu Yàn and the other.

Zhu Yàn thought for a moment and asked: “Shixi, you—”

“What about me?” Chi Can nonchalantly raise an eyebrow.

“Uh, nothing.”

“Stop pretending. I don’t believe Yang Er didn’t tell you.”

Zhu Yàn smiled helplessly: “I do know indeed. But are you serious about this?”

Chi Can rolled his eyes: “Obviously. If I wasn’t serious, would I be so bored I had nothing better to do?”

“Then how are you going to handle Scholar Li—”

“Marriage is a major life event, isn’t it about parents’ commands and matchmakers’ words?” Chi Can said with a straight face.

Yang Houcheng grinned.

He was enlightened. Today, he learned how this old saying was used.

Zhu Yàn was more composed than Yang Houcheng. After pondering for a moment, he kindly reminded: “Shixi, have you convinced the Eldest Princess?”

Chi Can was stunned.

It wasn’t that he had convinced her, but that he subconsciously didn’t want to think about it. However, he had already made up his mind—no matter what, he would make his mother understand his heart.

Zhu Yàn understood and patted Chi Can’s shoulder without saying anything more.

Chi Can looked up at the devastated mountain road and sighed softly.

Stinky girl, you must return safely.

“Look quickly, there seems to be someone on the cliff face.” Yang Houcheng suddenly said, then became excited. “It’s Tingquan!”

Chi Can and Zhu Yàn were both delighted. Looking into the distance, they saw a familiar figure approaching from far away, nimbly descending the cliff face.

The three hurried in that direction.

Shao Mingyuan landed on the ground and leaned against the mountain wall to rest briefly. His guards gathered around to pay their respects: “General!”

His lips were already cracked, but his eyes remained bright as ever as he said lightly: “Bring water.”