My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 125 Chai Shao
The rest of the family also learned the news one after another.

Li Xiuning hurriedly left the house, and since everyone returned, they haven't seen their grandfather yet.

Li Xiuning walked the fastest, arriving at the lobby entrance before her younger brothers had even received the news.

Before she even went inside, she heard her father's hearty laughter coming from within.

As she walked in with a smile, her father was chatting with someone.

Li Xiuning had never seen this person before. He was quite young, probably around the same age as her elder brother. Despite his youth, he was dressed in military uniform, exuding a heroic air. He was tall and had a handsome appearance.

Li Yuan was taken aback when he saw his daughter burst in.

Although he missed his daughter very much, with guests present, he could only frown and give a slight nod.

Li Xiuning immediately realized what was happening, and only had time to bow to Li Yuan before hurriedly leaving.

After his daughter left, Li Yuan turned to the young man beside him and said with a smile, "Sichang, I haven't had time to see my family since I arrived in Loufan. The children miss me. Please don't blame me."

Chai Shao was still staring at Li Xiuning's disappearing figure when Li Yuan spoke, which brought him back to his senses. He quickly lowered his head and said, "How dare I, how dare I."

Li Yuan, seemingly oblivious to Chai Shao's expression, asked, "So, Yang Qing has become the prefect of Xingyang?"

"Yes, the original plan was to have Yang Qing serve in Weizhong and then be transferred to a prefecture outside the capital."

"It was because of the Duke of Chu's strong recommendation that he got this position."

"With him gone, I had an opportunity, so I asked my family to help me. I originally wanted to go to the Northwest to make a name for myself, but I never expected to be sent to such a place. If there is no war, I will have to find a way to go back next year."

Chai Shao said with a wry smile.

Looking at the sincere young man in front of him, Li Yuan quite liked him.

He couldn't help but laugh and said, "You're still too naive! You didn't explicitly say you wanted to go to the west, did you? Remember, those old fogies in charge are all incredibly cunning. You have to tell them your intentions. Don't be shy. If you don't say it clearly, you definitely won't get any military merit."

Chai Shao nodded. "The Duke is right."

This young man was named Chai Shao, courtesy name Sichang. His hometown was not far from here, in Linfen. His grandfather, Chai Lie, had served as the General of the Cavalry of the Northern Zhou Dynasty and was enfeoffed as the Duke of Guanjun County. His father, Chai Shen, was enfeoffed as the Duke of Julu County. Like Li Yuan and others, he came from a military family.

This young man was chivalrous and righteous, agile and brave. He had a reputation for bravery since childhood. When he grew up, he served as a Qianniu Beishen in the court, which was the same position that Li Yuan wanted Li Xuanba to hold. He was a palace guard who protected the emperor and members of the royal family. Chai Shao, for example, was previously responsible for protecting the crown prince.

He had a good relationship with the Crown Prince and was originally a sure-fire confidant of the future emperor. Unfortunately, the Crown Prince died young, and Chai Shao suddenly lost his support.

He had always wanted to make a name for himself and revitalize his family. This time, due to the intervention of the Duke of Chu and Yang Qing's transfer, Chai Shao saw an opportunity and wanted to go to the front line in the northwest to make a name for himself. However, he put his efforts into the wrong place and ended up taking a position in Loufan.

Of course, he was still serving in the army and had nothing to do with Li Yuan, the prefect, since the prefect had no authority over Yingyang Prefecture.

However, since the two families had a past connection and Chai Shao respected Li Yuan, he went to pay his respects to Li Yuan as soon as he arrived.

Seeing this person arrive, Li Yuan's mood improved considerably. The problems of Yingyang Prefecture also needed to be resolved, and he felt that Chai Shao should be capable of handling external matters.

The two then began to discuss the matter inside the house.

Li Xiuning waited outside for a while longer, but feeling that her grandfather would be busy for some time, she didn't wait any longer and returned to her own courtyard.

Just as Li Xiuning left, Li Xuanba arrived with his two younger brothers.

They had been separated from their father for a long time and missed him very much.

When his three sons burst in, Li Yuan finally did not signal them to leave. Although the current etiquette was not as strict as it was during the Han Dynasty, there was no reason for his wife and daughters to meet guests on their first visit. Especially for young ladies, there would naturally be more considerations. But for these little children, there was no need to be so cautious.

"Grandpa!!"

The three brothers quickly bowed and paid their respects.

"This is General Chai, the son of my old friend. You can address each other as brothers."

"Brother!"

Upon hearing the word "General," Li Shimin's eyes lit up, and he took the lead in bowing.

The other two also bowed in greeting.

Li Yuan then introduced his three good-for-nothing sons to Chai Shao, who returned the greeting with a smile. Chai Shao, not much older than the three, praised them, saying, "The Duke's children are all very filial. They were eager to see you as soon as they heard you were back." Li Yuan smiled smugly, "You know my eldest son, Jiancheng. He's busy with work outside right now. I'll have him come to see you when he returns."

After discussing for a while longer, Chai Shao felt it was time for him to leave.

Although Li Yuan wanted to host a banquet for the other party, he remembered that the other party had things to do outside, so he did not try to keep him.

Li Shimin quickly got up, "Father, my elder brother isn't here, I'll go see him off!"

Li Yuan narrowed his eyes and nodded.

Li Shimin left with Chai Shao, all smiles. After he left, Li Xuanba and Li Yuanji rushed to their father's side. They hadn't seen Li Yuan for a long time and missed him dearly. Li Yuan laughed heartily, rubbing his two sons in his arms, "You two are the best! That brat outside is only thinking about Yingyang Mansion."

Just as Li Yuan said, at this moment, Li Shimin followed Chai Shao and asked about Chai Shao's situation with curiosity. When he learned that Chai Shao was the current Langjiang of Yingyang Prefecture, Li Shimin was even more excited.

"To be honest, brother, I've always wanted to see the soldiers of Eagle Banner, but Father always forbade me. I've heard that their training is very brutal, and they are all heroes and warriors."

Chai Shao laughed, "No problem, wait a few days, I'll come pick you up then, and I'll show you how the soldiers are training! I can even teach you a few tricks!"

Li Shimin was overjoyed, "Thank you, brother! Thank you, brother!"

Chai Shao cleared his throat and suddenly asked, "Did your whole family come to Lou Fan?"

"Yes, everyone's here except my cousin; he went back to his hometown."

“Oh, when my grandfather was still alive, I met your brother and your sister, and we were quite familiar with each other.”

"I see!"

"Is your older brother married?"

"No, his family said they were going to take him a concubine, but they never mentioned marriage."

"Oh, what about your older sister? Is she married?"

"No, who would dare marry her?"

"what?"

"Oh, it's alright, brother. Are you married?"

"No, not yet."

Chai Shao chuckled and scratched his head. He wanted to ask a few more questions, but he was afraid of being presumptuous. As he walked around the mansion, he looked around from time to time. Finally, he bid farewell to Li Shimin at the gate. Li Shimin stood there and watched him leave. Suddenly, he touched his chin, as if he was deep in thought.

He wasn't like Li Xuanba. He had spent his childhood hanging out with all sorts of unreliable people, and he already knew everything he should and shouldn't know. From Chai Shao's few words, he actually discerned something different.

He went back into the house and went to his father's side. Not long after, Li Xiuning also arrived.

The family was enjoying a happy time together, but unfortunately, Li Yuan didn't stay long. He quickly distributed gifts to everyone and left again.

The children dispersed, and Li Shimin walked beside Li Xiuning, glanced at her, and said, "Sister, do you know that guy who came today, the one named Chai Shao?"

"Chai Shao?"

Li Xiuning thought for a moment, "I seem to have some impression of him. I think I saw him when I was a child. Oh, it's him who came today. Ha, I didn't expect that."

She muttered a few words, and Li Shimin nodded, then suddenly said, "Just now when I saw him out, he asked me about my sister in a roundabout way. I think this person is unreliable, my sister, you should be more careful. Anyway, I don't plan to have anything to do with this person anymore. As for Yingyang Prefecture, it's better to just ignore it!"

"what?"

Li Xiuning's eyes widened as she recalled the delicate face she had just caught a glimpse of. Many childhood memories suddenly resurfaced, and her face flushed slightly before instantly returning to its original state. She grabbed Li Shimin by the back of the neck and roughly pulled him in front of her.

Why don't we keep in touch?

"That's Eagle's Roar Prefecture, after all. It's alright, it's his business if he wants to inquire! You don't need to pay attention to him! If he wants to take you to Eagle's Roar Prefecture, just go. Um, remember to send someone to let me know. By the way, if you get into Eagle's Roar Prefecture, see if you can get me some good arrows. My arrows are all broken, and I can't find any good ones."

"Do you understand?!"

"Here"

(End of this chapter)