The Cycle of Reincarnation in the Four-Courtyard House: A Journey Through the Heavens

Wang Yuyan quickly walked closer, her gaze sweeping between the two, and she instantly discerned the truth.

The look in Shi Yunting's eyes when she looked at Li Xiao was no longer wary and grateful, but rather had a touch of girlish tenderness and shyness, completely different from before.

For some reason, she felt a surge of bittersweet emotion welling up inside her.

She didn't point it out, but stepped forward and said gently to Shi Yunting, "Miss Shi, I've changed your clothes. Let's set off for the city as soon as possible and get back to the mansion so your parents won't have to worry so much."

Shi Yunting was awakened by Wang Yuyan's voice and immediately realized her lapse in composure. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she quickly lowered her head, clutching the hem of her clothes helplessly. She replied softly, "Okay...okay, thank you, Sister Wang."

Seeing this, Li Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said, "Miss Shi, you and Yu Yan will ride the same horse. I will lead the way. Let's set off."

The three mounted their horses, with Li Xiao cracking his whip first. The steed galloped away, kicking up dust on the official road, while Wang Yuyan steadily protected Shi Yunting beside her. The two horses trotted along with their hooves, heading towards Shouchun Prefecture.

In less than half an incense stick's time, the majestic outline of the city gate ahead became clearly visible. The gray-blue city wall stretched out, and although the number of pedestrians coming and going at the city gate was not dense, it still exuded a sense of everyday life.

Before they even got close to the city gate, Li Xiao reined in his horse, signaling the two men behind him to stop.

Wang Yuyan and Shi Yunting followed his gaze and saw a group of soldiers in armor rushing towards the city gate. Their steps were hurried, their expressions solemn, and the clinking of their swords at their waists caused pedestrians along the way to give way.

At the very front of the group was a man around forty years old, dressed in a brocade robe, with a resolute face, but his brows were filled with lingering anxiety.

Beside him was a young man in his early twenties, tall and upright, with a hint of urgency in his eyes. He would occasionally look up into the distance, his steps constantly urging the soldiers beside him on.

Shi Yunting saw the two of them immediately. Her body trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes instantly.

"Father! Eldest brother!"

Upon seeing this, Li Xiao immediately understood—the two men bore a resemblance to Shi Yunting in their features, especially the middle-aged man, whose profile was remarkably similar to Shi Yunting's. They must be Shi Yihong, the prefectural magistrate of Shouchun Prefecture, and his eldest son, Shi Chunlai, who were Shi Yunting's father and brother. They must be personally leading soldiers out of the city to search for the abducted Shi Yunting.

Shi Yihong immediately heard the familiar voice. He looked up in the direction from which the voice came, and his anxious eyes suddenly lit up.

His steps quickened as he rushed towards them, his voice trembling with ecstasy: "Yun Ting! My child!"

"Little sister!"

The young man beside him was also overjoyed. He immediately sped up and ran towards Li Xiao.

Shi Yihong rushed to the front of the horse and, disregarding his manners, reached out to touch Shi Yunting's cheek. Seeing that his daughter was pale and her clothes were slightly disheveled, but she was not seriously injured, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense for a long time, finally settled down.

"Ting'er, I'm so glad you're alright, so glad you're alright... Your father and brother were so worried about you!"

Shi Chunlai, standing beside her, also stopped and looked at his younger sister, his voice full of concern: "Little sister, how are you? Have you been wronged?"

Shi Yunting disregarded etiquette and threw herself into her father's arms, choking back tears as she recounted her ordeal.

"Father, elder brother, I went to Yongen Temple to pray for blessings today, and on my way back I was kidnapped by a villain... That villain is none other than Yun Zhonghe, a notorious lecher in the martial arts world. If it weren't for Brother Li and Sister Wang's timely rescue, I'm afraid..."

At this point, she could no longer continue, turning to look at Li Xiao and Wang Yuyan, her eyes filled with gratitude.

After carefully listening to Shi Yunting's account, the Shi father and son were filled with lingering fear.

He only had one daughter, and if that lecherous thief Yun Zhonghe succeeded in his advances, his daughter would not be able to survive.

When he learned that Yun Zhonghe had been eliminated by Li Xiao, he breathed a sigh of relief. He then bowed deeply to Li Xiao and Wang Yuyan, his tone respectful and earnest: "Thank you both for saving my daughter. This kindness is as heavy as Mount Tai, and I will never forget it!"

Shi Chunlai stepped forward and bowed to the two men, saying, "Thanks to you two benefactors, otherwise my sister would have certainly met with misfortune. I cannot express my gratitude enough. Please come with us to our residence for a chat, so that we can show you some hospitality and repay your life-saving kindness."

Shi Yihong quickly echoed, his eyes earnest: "Yes, my two benefactors, my humble abode is located in Shouchun Prefecture. Please do me the honor of visiting."

After saying this, he waved to signal the soldiers behind him to step aside so as not to disturb his benefactor.

Li Xiao and Wang Yuyan exchanged a glance, and seeing that the Shi family father and son were too eager to refuse, they nodded in agreement.

Li Xiao cupped his hands and said, "Prefect Shi, you are too kind. It is only natural to help those in need. It was just a small matter. Since you have extended such a warm invitation, we will be taking advantage of your presence."

Upon entering the mansion that day, Shi Yihong, to express his gratitude to Li Xiao and Wang Yuyan for saving his life, specially prepared a sumptuous feast at his home. The table was laden with delicacies, and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely.

Shi Yihong repeatedly raised his glass to thank the two men, his words full of enthusiasm. During the conversation, he learned that Li Xiao was actually the son of the prefect of Pingjiang Prefecture. Not only was he exceptionally skilled, but he also came from an official family. Suddenly, he had some unusual thoughts in his mind, and his eyes darted back and forth between Li Xiao and his daughter Shi Yunting, showing a bit of calculation.

In Shi Yihong's view, although his daughter was lucky enough not to be violated by Yun Zhonghe, if the news of her being kidnapped by the villain were to spread, it would ultimately damage her reputation and make it difficult for her to find a good match.

The young and handsome man before him was exceptionally skilled, came from a distinguished family, and was of upright and reliable character. He was undoubtedly the best son-in-law in his heart.

During the banquet, he had already noticed the undisguised admiration and shyness in his daughter's eyes when she looked at Li Xiao, but since she was shy, she certainly wouldn't take the initiative to speak.

Thinking of this, Shi Yihong took the opportunity of casual conversation to subtly inquire about Li Xiao's age and marital status, with every sentence revealing a probing intent.

Li Xiao was quick-witted and saw through Shi Yihong's little scheme in an instant.

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said in a gentle but firm tone, "Prefect Shi flatters me. I already have someone I love."

After saying that, he glanced at Wang Yuyan beside him, his eyes carrying a hint of warmth that was not easily detected.

Wang Yuyan was taken aback upon hearing this, then realized what was happening. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she subconsciously lowered her head to avoid everyone's gaze.

Shi Yihong was shrewd enough to understand Li Xiao's meaning in an instant. Although he felt sorry for his daughter missing out on a good match, he also knew that a forced relationship would not be happy. So he smiled and changed the subject, no longer mentioning the matter.

The woman in front of him, named Wang Yuyan, had a refined and elegant appearance, and she also had a strong scholarly air about her. In terms of appearance, she was indeed slightly better than his daughter. It was no wonder that such a beauty could win Li Xiao's heart.