Over the next few days, Li Juechen and Li Yuanzhou were tied down at the military camp outside the city. In a month’s time, Li Xiao planned to invite the Shen and Meng families to inspect a military parade, a crucial task that Li Xiao always entrusted to Li Juechen.
The Li Army fielded a total of 150,000 troops, and the camp outside the city was only a fraction of their force. Invading the space of Commander Shen and Commander Meng for this parade served as a deliberate show of power—a warning to keep the peace. With a truce currently holding among the three factions, these parades were held every six months to deter anyone from harboring thoughts of starting another war.
With Li Juechen and Li Yuanzhou handling the military parade, the duty of arranging accommodations and itineraries for the guests naturally fell to Li Zhenting and Li Yuzhang.
At this, Li Yuzhang couldn’t help complaining, “Father is so biased. The good jobs never fall to us. When the parade goes off without a hitch, all the credit goes to Third Brother. Who’s going to remember who ate what or where they stayed?”
Li Zhenting warned him in a stern voice, “It’s fine to say things like that to me, but don’t you dare let it reach Father’s ears.”
Li Yuzhang knew better, of course. “Fourth Brother, I’m just feeling aggrieved. Everyone knows Li Juechen, the Third Young Master, is Father’s handpicked Young Marshal. It feels like everything we do is in vain. Unless Li Juechen is out of the picture, Father won’t even consider us. Are you and I really any worse than him? Just because he came out of First Wife’s womb?”
Li Zhenting patted his fifth brother’s shoulder and said earnestly, “As long as Father hasn’t made an official announcement, there’s still a chance. Showing fear before the battle even starts is a fatal mistake for any general!”
While Li Juechen was away busy at the military camp for days, Feng An strictly followed the Young Master’s orders, bringing all the famous chefs in Beiping to the house where Tang Lichu was staying.
This residence was about five kilometers away from the Commander’s Manor—a three-story Western-style villa. The interior was decorated entirely in European fashion, a lavish gift given to Li Juechen by Qin Jiu, the president of the Beiping Chamber of Commerce.
Before Tang Lichu moved in, Li Juechen had only visited once. But in the dozen or so days since her arrival, he had made a habit of dropping by daily for a brief stay.
Yet, ever since that intimate encounter between them, Li Juechen hadn’t shown up for days. Looking at the newly redecorated dining room, Tang Lichu turned to Feng An with a puzzled expression. “Adjutant Feng, what is going on here?”
Feng An explained, “Miss Tang, these are the Young Master’s orders. He will be hosting meetings with important guests here in the future. The second-floor study has also been remodeled to his taste. As you know, military documents are confidential, so I locked it. Ah, as for the key… should I leave one with you, just in case you ever need it?”
Tang Lichu immediately waved her hands in refusal. “Why would I need the key to the Young Master’s study? No need to leave it with me. I live on the third floor and won’t go anywhere near the study. I know the rules.”
With that, Tang Lichu turned on her heel and hurried off with quick, hurried little steps.
Watching her rush away, Feng An scratched the back of his head and muttered to himself, I didn’t even say anything wrong!
“Ah!”
A sudden cry echoed through the hall. Feng An instinctively looked toward the sound, but the moment he took in the scene, a chill shot straight up his spine, instantly breaking him into a cold sweat.
Not far away, Tang Lichu was kneeling miserably on the steps.
Feng An’s heart sank, and he shouted in a panic, “What are you all standing around for? Someone come quickly! Miss Tang fell!”
Just then, a deep voice rang out from nearby: “What happened?”
Hearing that familiar voice, Feng An nearly fainted right then and there. Does the Young Master have eyes in the back of his head? Of all times to show up, why now?!
Done for, I’m completely done for! What do I do now? He’s not going to slaughter me to vent his anger, is he?
At the same time, Tang Lichu lifted her head, her gaze meeting Li Juechen’s. Her charming, phoenix-shaped eyes were shimmering with tears, slightly reddened. In a soft voice tinged with a sob, she explained, “I… I just accidentally fell, that’s all.”
Li Juechen’s face darkened instantly. He shot a deadly glare at the trembling Feng An standing nearby, then strode over to Tang Lichu. Without a word, he slid his hands under her arms and lifted her up effortlessly, setting her securely against his arm, which was as solid as steel.
He then whipped his head toward Feng An and barked, “What are you waiting for? Get a doctor! If she broke a bone, I’ll snap your damn legs!”
Frightened out of his wits, Feng An trembled all over, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and stammered, “Y-yes, right away! Going now!” With that, he took off like grease on lightning, running toward the exit.
Tang Lichu was tall. Even in flat shoes, she stood as tall as women wearing high heels. Yet in front of Li Juechen, who stood nearly 190 cm (approx. 6’3″), she was completely swallowed up in his embrace.
Currently, she was being held tightly against his chest in an immensely embarrassing posture. To make matters worse, servants were bustling around clearing the area, causing her delicate, fair face to flush bright red in an instant.
Shyly, she turned her head away slightly and stole a cautious glance at Li Juechen. The man’s handsome face was covered in frost, radiating a terrifyingly cold aura that made people afraid to look him in the eye.
“Um… I’m fine. I was just walking too fast. I’ll be careful next time!” Tang Lichu mustered the courage to say softly.
Li Juechen gave a heavy grunt through his nose. “I’ll carry you back to your room first. The doctor will be here shortly. Don’t be afraid.”
Tang Lichu: “…”
Before the doctor arrived, Li Juechen carefully placed the delicate girl in his arms onto the bed. He gently pulled up the hem of her knee-length qipao dress. The first thing that caught his eye was her swollen, reddened knee from the fall. Seeing her bruised knee made his heart ache with distress.
“It’s a bit swollen. Does it hurt?”