Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 522 - 0489: Unceremonious Reception (2)

Li Xing’an took a broom and swept outside the courtyard gate, then inside the courtyard gate.

He wasn’t truly sweeping the ground.

He was waiting for those people to come to him, to ask for his help.

After a short while, they arrived.

Li Xing’an feigned just happening to look up, saw them, appeared stunned, and said with surprise, "You..."

"Third Young Master, don’t you recognize our family?" On horseback, Eunuch An, who was bleeding quite a bit, called out to Li Xing’an with a face full of smiles.

"Third Young Master? You... oh, turns out it’s Eunuch An." Li Xing’an, holding the broom, nodded shallowly at Eunuch An and smiled slightly without much enthusiasm, "What brings you here, Eunuch An?"

What brings you here?

Are you blind? Can’t you see the blood on our family?

Eunuch An was so angry that his vision turned dark. After a year, this Li Xing’an was still so cunning and unlikable.

He was in pain and angry but couldn’t speak.

On the side, his assistant Qi Cheng said, "Third Young Master, Lord An is injured, please take us inside the house to treat his injuries."

Even people like Eunuch An, Li Xing’an couldn’t be bothered with before.

Damn, this Qi Cheng, who just brought Eunuch An foot-washing water, also spoke so arrogantly? It made Li Xing’an even more displeased.

"Oh, isn’t it Xiao Qizi? Haven’t seen you for a year, you got promoted? Congratulations, congratulations." Li Xing’an clasped his hands and congratulated Qi Cheng.

How could Qi Cheng have been promoted?

Not long ago, he made a mistake and offended the Little Emperor, had his salary cut, and became a running outer servant, he was holding back his anger.

"Nowhere, Third Young Master is just joking." Qi Cheng said, feeling more upset after being teased by Li Xing’an.

Li Xing’an didn’t care if he was upset, as long as he himself was not.

"Ah, you’ve come a long way, and our home isn’t prepared, there might be no wine or food. If you don’t mind, come on in." Li Xing’an waved them in and led the way into the house.

Qi Cheng went to help Eunuch An dismount.

The others also dismounted.

There were only four people on horseback; most of their horses were scared away by leopards and lost.

Who knows who will find them and get lucky with the horses.

The ones walking were covered in mud, even their boots filled with mud, but they dared not take them off.

In this cold weather, wearing wet shoes is better than walking barefoot.

Walking barefoot is not only cold but also painful.

The group followed Li Xing’an into the house.

The noise disturbed Uncle Gui, who was taking a nap in the flipped-roof house, and he immediately got up, dressed, and came out to look.

He was startled to find Li Xing’an bringing in a group of muddy people and a few injured ones.

"Sanlang, who are these people?"

In the neighboring house were Li Lixing’s government officials.

Qin Hu and four officials who were playing dice, quickly threw down the dice and came out to see.

Li Xing’an waved his hand behind him, "Uncle Gui, these are old acquaintances from our hometown in the capital, you carry on with what you’re doing, no need to mind us."

Uncle Gui said, "But each of them..."

Li Xingmao in the South Courtyard settled Chai Eying and made sure Guoguo was well looked after. He arrived at the front courtyard gate, "Uncle Gui, Qin Hu, continue with your tasks. When we need your help, we’ll surely call you."

Uncle Gui nodded with a smile, "Very well."

Qin Hu also said, "We are just in the room, Mr. Li can call on us anytime."

Their group was curious as they scrutinized the group brought by Eunuch An and then returned to their rooms.

Once the door closed, someone asked Qin Hu, "Brother Qin, who are these people? So many injured, so dirty? Those injuries don’t look like sword or knife wounds."

"Although injured and with disheveled clothes, each looks extraordinary, especially that middle-aged fat one, seems to be their leader," another said.

Qin Hu was curious too, but they were guests, and since the family’s young master hadn’t said anything, why should the attendants inquire?

That would be discourteous.

Although Qin Hu was curious, he reminded everyone, "Curiosity is fine; keep it in your heart. Don’t inquire or meddle."

His expression was stern.

The other four had ranks lower and experience shorter than his. With his stern reminder, who would dare meddle?

Each of them said, "Don’t worry, Brother Qin."

Chai Eying heard the noise in the courtyard from inside and wanted to go see, but the Princess Consort Luling accompanying her said, "Let the Young Master handle it, you shouldn’t go, lest the baby in your womb is disturbed."

Chai Eying felt very guilty, "There’s family business at home, I can’t help with anything. Even with my sisters-in-law getting married, I can’t lend a hand."

Princess Consort Luling patted her stomach and said with a smile, "Just take care of him well. As for other matters, there are others to tend to them. Their brothers are also at home, let them manage things. How can they let you work while they idle?"

Chai Eying nodded with a smile, "I understand, Mother."

Guoguo brought over a small stool and sat next to Chai Eying.

Chai Eying and Princess Consort Luling chatted leisurely while doing needlework.

Guoguo couldn’t participate, so she petted Li Lixing’s little dog, looking towards the direction of the sounds.

Her eyes were wide open, filled with anxiety.

After a while, she pursed her lips and stood up.

Princess Consort Luling immediately pressed her back onto the small stool, "Good Guoguo, sit tight, don’t move."

This child had become mischievous; earlier she said she was going to find her aunt and uncle to play, but instead, she went to the back gate to play with firewood.

She had come back with her leopard-skin cloak covered in straw pieces.

Now that so many strangers were at home, Princess Consort Luling wasn’t at ease letting Guoguo run out again.

With the adult’s hand holding her down, Guoguo couldn’t run away, so she sighed and had to sit down.

Princess Consort Luling laughed in exasperation, "You child, you’re even sighing?"

Chai Eying also laughed at this.

Guoguo didn’t smile, and turned her head towards the direction of the sounds.

Actually, Princess Consort Luling’s smile was also forced.

With so many unfamiliar men’s voices suddenly coming into the home, there was no need to guess who had arrived.

Even Li Lixing and Li Jing were disturbed, but due to Prince Luling’s stern warning, no one told them not to go out freely.

Sitting outside the Great Princess’ bedroom resting, Pei Shenyan heard the commotion from the front courtyard and immediately stood up, followed promptly by his servant Pei Fusheng.

But Pei Shenyan said to Pei Fusheng, "Fusheng, stay here with the young mistress. I’ll go take a look and come back."

Pei Fusheng glanced towards the room behind him and murmured, "Young master, Cui Xi is with the young mistress."

Inside the room sat Li Yuwen and Cui Xi.

Under the plum tree outside, Pei Shenyan and his servant sat together.

Li Yuwen didn’t let Pei Shenyan enter her boudoir.

It’s not that she was petty, but this boudoir belonged to her and her two sisters.

Since the other two didn’t agree, she couldn’t bring another man into the house.

Pei Shenyan was aware that the three sisters lived together, and he didn’t mind.

"I told you to stay put and watch; why do you have so much nonsense to say?" Pei Shenyan retorted angrily.

Pei Fusheng pouted and had no choice but to stay, "Young master, you’re just a guest. Your health isn’t good either; take it easy."

"Nonsense!" Pei Shenyan glared at him and walked away.

He went directly to the North Courtyard Main House.

Eunuch An and those people had already reached the steps of the North Courtyard Main House.

Prince Luling wasn’t seen, only the Li family brothers followed those people.

But then again, considering Prince Luling’s nature, he wouldn’t be keen on meeting Eunuch An voluntarily.

"So it’s Eunuch An." Pei Shenyan walked over and called out.

Eunuch An turned around, seeing Pei Shenyan approach, he was quite surprised.

Despite his injured shoulder, he cupped his hands in salute to Pei Shenyan, "Isn’t this Fifth Young Master Pei? How are you here?"

After being brought back to the Capital by people from Old Mrs. Pei, Pei Shenyan had been introduced to all the officials in the Capital.

With his good family background, Eunuch An couldn’t forget him even if he wanted to.

"This is my father-in-law’s house, why shouldn’t I be here?" Pei Shenyan smiled slightly and then looked over at Eunuch An’s group, his smile fading, "Eunuch An, what’s going on here? Has something happened?"

Eunuch An didn’t attend to his own matters, but focused on the word "father-in-law" that Pei Shenyan spoke, "Fifth Young Master, what did you say... father-in-law? Whom did you marry?"

Pei Shenyan maintained a light smile, "Miss Li Yuwen, today is the third day of our marriage return visit. We’re almost ready to return. I came to bid farewell to my father-in-law and brothers-in-law, unexpectedly meeting Eunuch An here. By the way, Eunuch An, why are you here?"

Eunuch An suddenly had a headache.

Though Pei Shenyan was just Prime Minister Pei’s illegitimate son, he was a grandson highly favored by Old Mrs. Pei.

And Old Mrs. Pei’s grandfather was a founding hero, someone who had fought alongside the Grand Ancestor to establish the kingdom. That’s where the Pei family’s influence comes from.

Even the Emperor had some reservation towards Old Mrs. Pei, and with Pei Shenyan marrying the Great Princess, wouldn’t that interfere with the marriage alliance talks?

If he dared take Li Yuwen back, Old Mrs. Pei would surely use her cane to crack his head open.