Cao Shuda was also swift and decisive in his actions. Once the marriage alliance was decided, he imdiately called upon an elder from the Cao family and then asked this elder and his youngest son, Cao Wen, to go to the Li family in Xiongshan County to explain the situation.
Afterwards, once Li Xuan returned from his studies and it was finally settled, the Li family would co to the prefectural city to confirm the engagent, and then choose an auspicious day for the wedding.
In recent days, various terrifying rumors from Xiongshan County had reached Hundred Flowers Mansion. Initially, Cao Wen was afraid to go, but seeing both his fathers with a deanor of "it’s fine, nothing will happen," he cald his apprehensive heart and set off with the Cao family elder.
Of course, Cao Yi also heard about this matter.
...
A few days later, while accompanying Li Xuan fishing at the pavilion of Yanzi Dock, she appeared more charming and distracted, occasionally twirling her black hair with her fingers and foolishly smiling at the distant turquoise waves.
Li Xuan, with white hair draping over his shoulders, stroked his beard and chuckled, "You’re not yet married, and already thinking about your little husband?"
Cao Yi’s face turned red, like a cute yellow oriole. She hopped over behind Li Xuan, clenched her small fists, and gently massaged the elder’s shoulders while coquettishly complaining, "Yi’Er isn’t thinking about other n. I just want to be with my godfather."
Li Xuan laughed heartily, then suddenly noticed the fishing line was taut.
Cao Yi excitedly shouted, "Godfather, godfather, the fish!"
Though she was both a talented young lady and a spoiled child, in the presence of such a terrifying elder, she was more like an innocent girl.
She didn’t even rember how long she had discarded this "innocent girl" persona.
Li Xuan flicked the fishing rod.
Splash!
The fish leapt out of the water, scattering gem-like droplets in the sunlight.
Plop.
Imdiately, the fish landed on the soft green grass, flopping and making sounds.
As it continued to flop, the fish slowly edged back towards the riverbank, and if left unattended, it might just make its way back into the water.
Cao Yi hurriedly ran over, bent down, and firmly pressed the fish down.
She pouted, slightly lifting her light green skirt, revealing ankles as white as lotus roots, also embodying the fullness and maturity of "pluck flowers at their best."
Cao Yi held up the fish and shouted, "Godfather, Godfather, it’s a maple leaf carp, so big."
Li Xuan gazed at her graceful silhouette, her lovely curves. Suddenly, his heart raced. For so reason, in monts like this, he felt an inexplicable thrill.
Though the marriage alliance was entirely a natural developnt, at this mont, so thoughts that any normal man would have erged in his heart.
In a daze, Cao Yi had already tossed the maple leaf carp into the wooden bucket, then shook it in front of Li Xuan with a playful smile and called out, "Godfather, Godfather, what’s wrong with you?"
The two t each other’s gaze, and suddenly Li Xuan felt anxious and nervous.
Lately, he had indeed done quite a bit of killing and arson, but that was all forced upon him.
In truth, if you put it into perspective, he’s just an eighteen-year-old young man;
A true aimless hedonist who only considers taking the imperial exam when absolutely necessary.
As for becoming stronger?
In tis of peace, who wants to beco stronger?
At this mont, faced with the close scrutiny of a girl the sa age, plus the indecent thoughts he had just entertained, even Li Xuan couldn’t help but blush.
Fortunately, his skill in Illusion was profound enough to hide his blush.
He adopted the posture of an elder and said, "Mind your manners."
Cao Yi quickly distanced herself, stuck out her tongue, and said, "Godfather, I was wrong."
Still, she sat quietly on the elder’s long chair, her long legs hanging naturally, and the embroidered shoes on her small feet gently tapping the wooden bucket.
In those bright eyes, the fish just placed into the bucket swam frantically under her light kicks.
Li Xuan took a deep breath quietly and mused to himself: ’Li Xuan, Li Xuan, right now your status is as Cao Yi’s godfather, you mustn’t think of yourself as her husband, otherwise, if you get distracted and make a mistake, it would be terrible.’
Suddenly, Cao Yi asked, "Godfather, do you want to hear a tune?"
Initially, she approached this with the mindset of completing a task, to help deepen the emotional bond between the Cao family and this terrifying elder, yet after spending ti with him, she found genuine joy in it.
Her childhood was almost devoid of elders’ company, her father governed an area, her mother was always busy, her family had wealth and power, yet she seed to always lack sothing important.
Now, she understood.
The missing piece was actually "a child playing beside an elder, the elder doing his thing, while the child could run, play, laugh, and cry, no matter how far they went or what they did, the elder would always be there waiting to go ho with you."
This was quite different from their current situation.
But perhaps Cao Yi had never experienced this, so she genuinely saw the terrifying elder as her godfather, even her calls, her coquetry weren’t faked, but rather... genuine.
While Li Xuan fished, Cao Yi chirped away to the elder in a boastful manner about the tunes she knew.
After a while,
Li Xuan said lightly, "Little Yi, go and see, I called for soone ages ago, why aren’t they here yet."
Cao Yi jumped up from the lakeside pavilion railing, dusted off the creases on her bottom without any lady-like pretense, and said with a smile, "Yes, Godfather."
Saying so, she ran off.
By the ti she returned, half a day had passed, and as dusk approached, she led two won over.
One woman wore a red dress, her deanor slick and charming, truly an expert at socializing, none other than Zuo Hong.
The other woman wore an ink-colored dress with a high bun, a somber expression, and a long knife at her waist, precisely Lin Jianfeng’s wife, Yao Xiaoxiao.
When the two arrived, they said in unison, "Greetings, Mr. Su."
Li Xuan maintained his composed deanor, not turning around, and just replied faintly, "Why are you late?"
Zuo Hong’s eyes darted, just about to say sothing,
Yao Xiaoxiao beside her spoke first, "Reporting to sir, because so people completely ignored your command, blocking us halfway, insisting we promise to say certain things to you before allowing us to leave.
If not, they threatened to make us sorry.
They said, the Qing River transport gang belongs to them, so even if you want to assign your own people, you should summon soone among them, not us.
Dock Master Zuo agreed, but I did not, hence the delay."
Based on subordinates’ insights, their foundation is deeply rooted, even the previous Mr. Su couldn’t exert much control over this place."
Upon finishing, Yao Xiaoxiao maintained her fist-salute posture and fell into silence.
Li Xuan, of course, knew.
The previous Mr. Su wanted to let Lin Jieniu thrive, so naturally, he wouldn’t exert much control.
But now he wants to exert a certain degree of control over the transport gang.
Only this way could the transport gang open up waterways for him, increasing the production of Dan Fish, and even finding waters where Dan Fish, this mystical creature, are naturally bred.
The transport gang’s original circle of interests was deeply entrenched, and unless broken, orders would ultimately be t with lip service.
He knew, Cao Shuda covets the silver ant for the transport gang’s "tribute."
But he had no interest in vying for that silver; he wanted control.
Upon realizing this, Li Xuan suddenly reached into his bosom, then tossed out a jade token.
Yao Xiaoxiao hastily caught it.
Upon inspection, it was the Grand Elder’s Order.
The transport gang belonged to Cao Shuda’s faction, and the Grand Elder’s Order was given to Cao Shuda by the transport gang years ago.
Though the transport gang had no elders, this token was added as equivalent to a leader’s token, recognized by all mbers.
In so cases, the transport gang mbers even held the Grand Elder’s token in higher regard than the leader’s token.
"Yao Xiaoxiao, if you wish to proceed, then proceed. How long until a result, old man?"
Li Xuan asked.
He seed already aware of Yao Xiaoxiao’s intentions.
Yao Xiaoxiao replied solemnly, "One month."
After saying so, she saluted again, adding, "To inform sir, my na is no longer Yao Xiaoxiao."
"I... am called Yao Qiu now."
Li Xuan nodded, saying, "Zuo Hong, accompany her. As for your explanations after leaving, discuss it among yourselves. Though those people distrust Yao Qiu, they will trust you."
Zuo Hong handled affairs smoothly within the Twelve Linked Docks, got along with everyone, and being a dock master herself, naturally commanded trust.
Yet...
Zuo Hong felt speechless, bitterly smiling inside, baffled at how this fearso elder could discern the internal relations within the transport gang. However... at that mont, she had no choice but to concede.
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