Looking at Uncle Li Bai with a look of utter despair,
Zhao Rong held back his laughter.
He glanced at Zhao Qian’er beside him.
The little girl already burst into laughter, "Uncle Li Bai, pfft—it does look a bit like him..."
Her eyes curved into crescents, revealing two small canines as she saw someone approaching from the distance and quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
Zhao Rong glared at her and tugged at her soft hand.
Zhao Qian’er didn’t show any sign of irritation or embarrassment at having her confident assertion overturned so quickly.
She laughed merrily, swinging the hand that Zhao Rong held.
The sword-bearing man’s face grew even darker.
The little girl tried hard to suppress her laughter and cooed to Li Bai in a slightly wheedling tone:
"Hehe, come on Uncle Li Bai, don’t be mad, this time Qian’er was a bit in the wrong. I was careless and didn’t expect someone to really mistake you, um, standing with us, you do resemble a servant somewhat."
Zhao Rong also shook his head, smiling.
Li Bai was a Tribute to the Great Chu Zhao family’s fourth branch, loyal to Lingfei, and although there was a hierarchy, he was not comparable to ordinary family servants.
Furthermore, he was an old retainer of the fourth branch, having watched Zhao Rong, Lingfei, and Zhao Qian’er grow up, and was of the same generation as Zhao Rong’s mother.
Therefore, even though Li Bai accompanied them in the capacity of Zhao Rong’s guard this time, Zhao Rong was also his son-in-law.
But both Zhao Rong and Qian’er treated Li Bai like a close uncle.
It was the same with Lingfei in Du You City.
The Great Chu’s fourth branch had few members, and even including the Tributes and servants, the numbers were not great.
But this also meant fewer petty disputes, unlike other branches which were filled with people and mixed hearts.
Moreover, because of Lingfei and Zhao Qian’er, the fourth branch had an exalted status within the Great Chu Zhao family.
Seeing that Li Bai still looked a bit resentful,
Zhao Qian’er put away her smile and solemnly promised:
"Uncle Li Bai, time was tight this time, but next time I promise I’ll pick out a really nice outfit for you, um, let’s not go for green anymore."
She paused, then changed the subject.
"However, since it’s already bought, we can’t waste it. This is top-notch silk produced by Qiao Sang Country in the south, naturally colored, and just look how bright it is. It repels dust and blood, breathable and self-cleaning—simply the perfect outfit for experts to wear when committing outdoor murder, arson or even burying bodies."
The girl’s crisp voice tried to be serious.
"Um, it’s good clothing, just wear it for now. Later, I’ll swap it out for something that won’t highlight you so much. We can buy you a new one when we have more time."
Li Bai then turned around, listless, and nodded his head.
"Alright, you mustn’t forget. You always remember your brother Rong’er, Uncle..."
Zhao Qian’er cut in, "It’s cherished, it’s cherished."
Li Bai sighed heavily.
Just then, the imposing group from afar had closed the distance.
Zhao Rong had been keeping an eye on the strangers behind him with peripheral vision.
Their arrogance, their shouts, coupled with the way they seemed familiar with walking the Star River Ancient Path—mmm, they probably were ’local snakes’, locals who knew the area. It remained to be seen who exactly they were.
Better to avoid trouble if possible.
Among these hurried travelers, the lead woman dressed in a black skirt appeared rather aloof. Zhao Rong merely glanced at her a few times without paying much more attention.
At that moment, he saw Zhao Qian’er and Li Bai earnestly ’bargaining’ over the next purchase of Expert Skin, seemingly paying no mind at all to the large group behind them, much less stepping aside to make way.
It was as if that bunch didn’t exist at all to them.
Zhao Rong smiled and reached out to pull Zhao Qian’er into his arms, stepping to the side to make way for the main path.
He softly called out, "Uncle Li Bai."
The sword-bearing man mumbled about clothing purchases and stepped to the side of the road.
The three of them cleared the central path for the group behind them.
Following closely behind Su Qingdai, the haughty and bullying Red-clothed maid, who had been frowning and about to speak up, now snorted coldly at the sight.
The crowd passed by the three of them.
With a mocking smile, the Red-clothed maid glanced sideways at a certain congenial man who had politely made way.
However, her eyes were soon drawn to the petite Fairy-like girl nestled in the man’s embrace, and she couldn’t help but take several longer looks at the girl’s handsome face.
Soon, the Red-clothed maid came back to her senses, seemingly recalling something.
She looked at the nonchalant gentleman and the beautiful girl squirming in his embrace, who appeared to be lost in their own world of affection,
again curling her lips, focusing ahead, and no longer paying them any attention.
It was probably because she thought the girl was some enchanting mistress kept by the man.
Meanwhile, walking at the very front, Su Qingdai with her graceful steps and fluttering dress, didn’t even spare a glance for Zhao Rong and the others,
completely ignoring them as she passed by.
It was as if passers-by like Zhao Rong, who lingered on her with their gaze, were as common as the roadside trees and flowers, too numerous to pique the lady’s interest.
She didn’t even bother to feel contempt, merely showing indifference.
But in Zhao Rong’s view,
this stunningly gorgeous woman in a black dress, with her tall figure, slim waist, fair skin, crimson lips, and eyes dark as lacquer, reflected the far-off night scene without a sideward glance,
departing with the grace of a startled swan.
A black and a red-clad woman, leading a tightly-disciplined group of green-clad servants, receded into the distance.
Zhao Rong raised an eyebrow.