Xiao Si couldn't refuse Li Menglan's proposal. Furthermore... although Xiao Si was just a young waiter in a teahouse, he was quite astute. The previous time, Zhao Qingyun's slightly different treatment of Li Menglan compared to others—Xiao Si had seen it all and taken it to heart.
Xiao Si hurried into the back hall to give a brief greeting, then led Li Menglan, Li Dazhu, Li Zhiming, and Li Zhihao—the father and sons—toward the Zhao family residence.
The Li father and sons followed behind Xiao Si, twisting and turning, not knowing how many bends they had taken. Unknowingly, the group walked further and further into desolation, the population gradually growing sparse. Before they realized it, Li Menglan and the others had followed Xiao Si out of Qingshui Town.
"Brother Xiao Si, is the Zhao family actually outside Qingshui Town?" Li Menglan found it rather strange and couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Right! Brother Xiao Si, how much further is your young master's home?" Li Zhihao reached up to wipe the sweat from his forehead, asking between pants.
"Not much further." Xiao Si was also sweating profusely from the walk. He stretched out his hand to point at a small grove of trees not far ahead and said, "Look, do you see that forest up ahead? Once we pass through it, we'll be there."
Li Dazhu had originally wanted to say something, but after hearing Xiao Si's words, he fell silent.
They had walked into the small forest for only about a li when they heard the babbling sound of a mountain stream. Looking further ahead, an azure stone bridge spanned a clear little stream. On both sides were ancient, vigorous stone railings. Along the banks were planted all sorts of exotic flowers and rare grasses, verdant pines and lush bamboo, emerald willows and flourishing peach trees. Beneath the bridge, water flowed like churning silver and rolling snow, disappearing into a stone cave.
"Do you see it?" Xiao Si pointed at a grand residence on the other side of the azure stone bridge. "That is our young master's home."
Good gracious... Li Menglan clicked her tongue secretly. She really hadn't expected that Zhao Qingyun's home would be so magnificent and grand. It seemed their family was truly not simple—if not wealthy, then certainly noble!
Rich people—truly meant to be worshipped and looked up to!
From afar, Li Menglan had only thought he was a super-rich guy. But once they walked closer, it was incredible... If not for Li Menglan's clear head, this girl really would have thought she had transmigrated into the world of *Dream of the Red Chamber*.
Once through the vermillion main gate, there were winding covered corridors. Below the steps, pebbles formed paved paths. Green willows hung all around, three hanging-flower gate towers stood tall, and covered walkways lined all four sides. In the courtyard, paths connected with one another, with mountain rocks dotted among them. Passing through a small door led to the back courtyard, where a large pear tree stood alongside banana trees. At the base of the back courtyard wall, a small opening suddenly appeared—a clear spring channeling in a groove only about a foot wide, pouring into the enclosure; it wound around the steps, traced the house to the front courtyard, and curved out beneath the bamboo.
Red bricks, green window lattices, white railings, pale yellow tiles... Forget Li Menglan—Li Dazhu, Li Zhiming, and Li Zhihao, the father and sons, had long since been dazzled by everything before their eyes, unable to tell north from south.
A servant led Xiao Si and the Li family through courtyard after courtyard, walking into a small rectangular courtyard paved with gray bricks. Compared to the other places, this courtyard was clearly much simpler.
In the center of the courtyard was a flower bed, upon which were displayed more than ten pots of blooming chrysanthemums. Beside the flower bed stood a red crabapple tree over a zhang tall, its branches pruned to an appropriate density. The entire courtyard seemed even more ancient and serene. Only when gusts of clear wind blew—causing fallen leaves from the potted chrysanthemums and crabapple tree to rustle against the ground—would the silence of the courtyard occasionally be broken.
The autumn sun shone upon this small courtyard, seemingly adding a touch of human warmth. On the bamboo lounge chair beneath the eaves, that slender youth in white clothing, perfectly handsome and elegant—who could it be but Zhao Qingyun?
"Young Master." The servant respectfully called out to Zhao Qingyun softly. "The waiter from 'Xianke Ju' says he has business with you."
"What?" Zhao Qingyun's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. His originally closed eyes suddenly opened. "What did you say? 'Xianke Ju'?"
When Zhao Qingyun opened his eyes, he naturally saw Xiao Si, Li Menglan, and the Li father and sons following behind his servant.
"Lan'er, why is it you?" Zhao Qingyun quickly stood up, a trace of surprise flashing across his face... and a faint, shallow smile.
"Young Master Zhao, your home is truly hard to find. This road is certainly long enough." Li Menglan was small and physically weak. Although she wasn't carrying anything, walking all this way... truth be told, she was truly exhausted.
And so... as soon as she finished speaking, she found a clean stone on her own and sat right down, throwing all notions of maidenly etiquette to the side. Oh my... pity her poor little arms and legs!
As for the two brothers Li Zhiming and Li Zhihao, hehe... they had already flopped onto the ground panting one step ahead of Li Menglan!
Don't forget, those two brothers were still carrying several dozen jin of weight on their backs. Being able to endure until here was already incredible. Fortunately... at least the Li family still had one person standing respectfully before Zhao Qingyun.
There was no helping it. Li Dazhu was the father; of course he couldn't be like his children with no sense of propriety. Hehe... at the very least, the Li family still had a representative, didn't they?
"Lan'er." Because of Li Menglan's words, that small hint of delight Zhao Qingyun had felt upon seeing her just now had completely vanished without a trace.
Today, Li Menglan wore a pink dress with light butterfly patterns. Compared to when Zhao Qingyun had first met her, she looked much more pleasing to the eye. It was to be expected... these past few days, because the food at home had been good, Li Menglan's small face seemed to have filled out a little; her complexion had greatly improved too. This should have been something to make one happy.
But... Li Menglan's form of address toward Zhao Qingyun caused his brows to lock tightly, his heart full of displeasure. "Lan'er, didn't I say to call me Brother Zhao? How did you forget again?"
"Uh... about that, I think it's still better to call you Young Master Zhao." Li Menglan smiled dryly, suddenly feeling that this autumn sun was somehow a bit gloomy.
"Brother Zhao." This kid Zhao Qingyun also had a stubborn temper. After Li Menglan said that, his temper flared up too, and he was nearly shouting at her with a red face and thick neck.
Uh... you're a grown young man; are you really going to bicker with a little girl?
"Young Master Zhao." This girl, Li Menglan, also had that stubborn habit of refusing to yield to force.
Uh... the people in the courtyard were suddenly dumbfounded. What was the situation now?
"Little sister!" The eldest Li brother, Li Zhiming, gently tugged at Li Menglan's skirt. The two siblings whispered to each other right there in the courtyard: "Don't forget we still have matters to attend to. Isn't it just a form of address? Brother Zhao it is, then! What are you afraid of? Calling out once won't make you lose a piece of meat."
Uh... Li Zhiming's words brought Li Menglan back to her senses. She couldn't help but find it a bit funny inwardly. She was already over thirty years old at heart; how was she still haggling over every little thing with a child?
"Brother Zhao." Li Menglan reined in her temper, humbled herself before Zhao Qingyun, and smiled slightly.