After hearing what Uncle Pei said, A Man finally understood her elder sister's good intentions. Two pools of clear spring water welled up in her dark eyes at once.
"Sister, dear sister! It was all A Man who misunderstood you! A Man is so stupid. A Man comes to apologize to you!"
She grabbed Li Ying's hand, crying and laughing. It took her quite a while to come to her senses. Then she suddenly realized that Uncle Pei was still standing nearby, smiling as he watched their sisterly affection.
"Sister, I... I'll leave first!"
She felt her face burning. She stuck out her tongue and fled in a hurry, leaving Li Ying alone, warily looking Uncle Pei in the eye.
Uncle Pei had given A Man some advice. He was probably a friend rather than an enemy. But for some reason, Li Ying couldn't let down her guard whenever she faced this man.
Uncle Pei walked to the table on his own, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and drank it in one gulp. Seeing that Li Ying was still as tense as a drawn bow, he said helplessly with a bitter smile, "Miss Li, why do you have to regard me as if I were a scourge?"
Li Ying stiffly greeted him and invited him to sit in the seat of honor.
"I'm sorry I didn't greet Your Grace properly. May I ask what brings you here? You can't have just come to give A Man some advice, can you?"
She asked straightforwardly, and Uncle Pei didn't beat around the bush either. He said frankly, "After the Empress Dowager's birthday, I'll lead the troops to defend the southern border in Nanyang. I'm here today just to ask Miss Li one thing. Have you considered what I mentioned to you that day?"
Li Ying was taken aback.
She was weighing in her mind how to decline politely. But this momentary hesitation already made Uncle Pei understand.
He stared at Li Ying steadily. As if in self - mockery, he slowly said in a low voice,
"Forget it, Boss Li. You don't have to be so embarrassed."
"The peacock flies southeast, pausing every five miles. Since you could choreograph such a touching peacock dance for Miss A Man, I should have known your feelings earlier. Since you've set your heart on Lu Xunguang, you'll be with him through thick and thin and never abandon him. It's a pity that I came a step too late."
If he had met this intelligent and deeply affectionate woman a step earlier than Lu Xunguang, would he be the one accompanying her now?
Li Ying didn't know how to respond. She had thought Uncle Pei was just acting on a whim and hadn't taken it seriously. But now seeing his heart - broken look, she felt rather embarrassed for a moment.
He was different from Su Buchi. She had to choose her words carefully when declining him.
Uncle Pei naturally understood her hesitation.
He smiled self - mockingly. "Miss Li, I think I'm quite a handsome and graceful man when I'm not in armor. I've also lent you a helping hand, both openly and secretly, to solve many of your urgent problems. You don't have to be so afraid of me."
Li Ying caught the implication in his words. A sudden thought flashed through her mind.
She asked in a low voice, "Is the woman who filed a complaint to the Emperor arranged by Your Grace?"
Uncle Pei didn't answer but just said indifferently, "The Emperor has long intended to replace the Supervisor of the Jiangnan Textile Bureau, but he just couldn't find a good excuse. Since we've set up a trap, we should ensure everything goes smoothly."
Li Ying was stunned.
Those details that had seemed vaguely wrong to her before suddenly became clear at this moment.
The Emperor's sudden decision to leave the palace with all the officials was a spur - of - the - moment idea. How could that lonely girl who filed the complaint be so lucky as to bump into the imperial procession?
The imperial bodyguards were all imposing, with their sharp swords glinting. But they just let this unknown woman easily rush in front of the Emperor without killing her as an assassin. It was really strange.
But if all this was secretly arranged by Uncle Pei, it would make sense.
He had led troops for a long time, and there were many of his former subordinates in the Capital Patrol Battalion who admired him.
As long as he wanted to protect that woman and let her reach the Emperor smoothly, who could touch her?
The show of "weeping and crying for justice in front of the Emperor" gave the Emperor a legitimate reason to interrogate the Cao family.
She didn't know how much of the evidence of "forming cliques for personal gain" of Supervisor Cao that Su Buchi and the Supreme Court had investigated was actually leaked by Uncle Pei in advance!
It seemed that it was she and Lu Xunguang who had laid out all the plans to deal with Supervisor Cao. But actually, there was an invisible hand of Uncle Pei behind the scenes, fanning the flames!
He seemed just an illiterate martial man who only knew how to wield guns and swords. In fact, under this seamless disguise, he had been secretly scheming. What a profound schemer he was!
Li Ying smiled faintly. Yes, the Emperor was suspicious and deeply afraid of the power of the imperial in - laws. Empress Pei was firmly established in the middle palace and had given birth to the legitimate son. Once the son was made the crown prince, the Pei family could control the world. In such a situation, Uncle Pei could still forge ahead bravely and regain the military power. How could he be a reckless man without any knowledge?
Li Ying's palms felt a bit cold, and her weariness grew stronger.
When would these scheming and intrigues finally stay away from her?
She missed the fishing village, the hoarse sound of the ship's whistle on the dock, the rows of lush seaweed on the tidal flat, the bamboo - leaf - like footprints left by water birds on the beach, and the salty but free evening breeze.
This dejected look on Li Ying's face said it all to Uncle Pei.
He let out a soft sigh.
"It was my rudeness that scared you, Miss."
He bowed deeply to Li Ying, and there was even a look of apology on his face.
"My original intention was to secretly help Miss Li. Whatever Lu Xunguang can do, I can do too. My methods will never be inferior to his."
"However, it seems today that what I've done has only made you afraid of me and keep your distance. If the same arrangement had been made by Lu Xunguang, you would only think it was his helpless self - rescue measure. I've lost this game."
Li Ying just stood there, speechless.
Yes.
She had also worried that Lu Xunguang would lose his true self in the intrigues of the officialdom.
But today, Uncle Pei's words made her understand that she had witnessed Lu Xunguang coming from the pitch - black night. She had seen all his forbearance, his waiting, his schemes, and his ambitions.
Whether he was the bright moon after a fresh rain in the empty mountain or a deep and unfathomable cold pool.
She could always see the light in his eyes and would never abandon him in life or death.
Li Ying's lips moved with difficulty. She wanted to say something, but it was as if there was a wad of cotton in her throat. She, who was usually eloquent, was at a loss for words today.
Uncle Pei couldn't bear to see her so embarrassed. Instead, he laughed first.
"I've saved the lives of countless old people, the weak, women, and children under my spear. If everyone wanted to repay my kindness by marrying me, my mansion would probably be overcrowded by now."
"Getting rid of Supervisor Cao is also of great benefit to me and the Empress. Miss Li doesn't have to take it to heart. If you really feel bad about it, just prepare some delicious and easy - to - eat dishes for my soldiers when they fight in the north and the south! In this way, we'll be square."
Li Ying naturally readily agreed.
Uncle Pei didn't stay any longer and got up to leave.
He walked a few steps and then stopped. He reminded in a deep voice, "The Emperor has already heard the hidden meaning of your 'Peacock Dance'. He still hasn't given up the idea of making Lu Xunguang marry the princess. Miss Li, you two should be more careful."