None of Them Is a Fuel-Efficient Lamp

In the courtyard of the post station, Li Sanlang, accompanied by Li Wuya and Li Qilang, was carefully selecting medicinal herbs from the numerous boxes. With each opened box, Li Sanlang would take some herbs and place them in an empty box beside him.

"Brother, get more Sanqi."

"Brother, pack them tightly."

At the entrance of the main hall, Zhuang Yutang and Xu Chengkun stood side by side, silently observing the busy Li siblings.

"It seems like the little sister understands herbal medicine even better than her older brother. She's quite clever for a five-year-old!"

Zhuang Yutang watched with interest as Li Wuya directed Li Sanlang in picking herbs.

Xu Chengkun snorted. "Among the siblings, that little girl is the sneakiest!"

Upon hearing that the general was going to reward them with twenty taels of silver, both the older and younger brothers were overjoyed, but the girl remained unmoved.

She shamelessly asked for a promotion for her father, and when that failed, she asked for medicinal herbs.

Getting medicinal herbs from the border was no easy task. A box of herbs couldn't be bought with just twenty taels of silver.

Xu Chengkun glanced at Zhuang Yutang and hesitated for a moment before speaking up, "General, the sealed letter has been opened."

Zhuang Yutang remained unfazed and continued to keep his gaze on the Li siblings. "So what?"

Sensing Zhuang Yutang's indifference, Xu Chengkun's expression turned sour. "The military defence plans are of utmost importance. Various military bases in different regions are top-secret locations. If outsiders get hold of them, the potential losses could be immeasurable."

Zhuang Yutang turned to Xu Chengkun, his expression calm. "What are you trying to say? Do you think the Li siblings, after seeing the plans, intend to kill them?"

Xu Chengkun held his tongue, but his silent reaction indicated his agreement.

Zhuang Yutang's eyes grew distant, but his lips still curled into a smile. "For the sake of defending our homeland, there are times when we may have to do something unusual. However, we cannot become heartless individuals."

"Without those three siblings, the military defence plans might have already ended up in the North Yan army camp. Regardless of whether it's for us or for Greater Chu, those three children have contributed."

"But now, you want to kill them. Isn't that rather disheartening?"

Xu Chengkun's complexion changed multiple times. He raised his neck and attempted to explain, "General, I'm just concerned about the safety of the border."

Zhuang Yutang chuckled softly, patting Xu Chengkun's shoulder. "I understand your thoughts, but..." His gaze shifted back to the Li siblings.

"Even if they opened the sealed letter, I doubt they can comprehend its contents. There aren't many literate people in this border region, let alone those who can understand military defence plans."

"What do you think?"

Xu Chengkun looked at the Li siblings who were still busy picking herbs from the boxes. He lowered his head and admitted, "I was overly suspicious."

Zhuang Yutang nodded with a smile and didn't say more, his gaze returning to Li Wuya.

Did he just see things wrong?

Did that little girl, Li Wuya, really give Xu Chengkun a look filled with murderous intent just now?

Is that even possible?

After all, she was just a five-year-old child. Perhaps he had misperceived.

However, the memory of the deceased Hu Yanhe and his group made Zhuang Yutang uncertain again.

As garrison commanders, they had experienced countless battles and had a certain aura about them that would make even adults wary. Yet, these three Li siblings showed no fear and even actively sought rewards.

Putting aside everything else, their courage was extraordinary!

"Brother, pack them tightly."

"They're already packed as tightly as they can be!"

With the box fully loaded with medicinal herbs, Li Sanlang had no intention of staying any longer. He felt the deputy commander had some hostility towards them.

He bowed in gratitude to Zhuang Yutang, and then with the box in his hands, he led his siblings out of the post station.

Outside the station, a group of people had gathered, all from Tianling Village.

"Third Brother, Fifth Sister, Seventh Brother!"

The Li siblings had barely stepped out when Jin Yue'e, who had been anxiously waiting outside, rushed over to them.

She had arrived early, but the guards stationed at the post station wouldn't let her in.

"Third Brother, are you hurt?"

Jin Yue'e immediately noticed the arrow wound on Li Sanlang's shoulder and then saw Li Wuya, covered in blood. It startled her, and she swayed for a moment.

Li Sanlang quickly supported her. "Mother, we're fine. The blood on Wuya isn't hers. I was shot with an arrow, but it has been removed. I'm not bleeding anymore."

Seeing Jin Yue'e's intent to inspect their injuries immediately, Li Wuya hurriedly held her back. "Mother, I'm scared. Let's go back home first."

Jin Yue'e snapped back to reality, noticing the people around them. She nodded hurriedly. "Yes, let's go home!" She then looked at the box Li Sanlang was holding.

Li Sanlang whispered, "These are medicinal herbs given to us by the General."

Hearing this, Jin Yue'e didn't ask further. She took the box from Li Sanlang and led the three children back to Tianling Village.

Most of the people living in Tianling Village were like the Li family, coming from generations of military households. Only a small number of people were exiled here as criminals.

Here, every family was relatively poor, living in houses made of yellow mud and thatch.

The Li family's condition was slightly better due to Li Changsen, who served as a junior officer in the guard. Their house was also made of yellow mud and thatch, but it had a yard and more rooms.

The Li family's courtyard was a square-shaped quadrangle. There were five rooms in the main building, three rooms each in the east and west wings, a two-room reverse building, a kitchen, and a woodshed.

At this moment, outside the Li family's courtyard, Li Erya was stretching her neck, anxiously looking towards the entrance of the village.

Weren't the commanders at Dielian Pass supposed to have killed the North Yan captives who had taken over the post station?

Why hasn't Mother returned with Third Brother, Fifth Sister, and Seventh Brother yet?

Recalling the report from earlier that said the North Yan group had killed many people at the post station, Li Erya grew increasingly anxious. She wished she could immediately rush over there.

Unfortunately, she slipped by the well while washing clothes a couple of days ago and sprained her foot. It hurt like a stabbing pain whenever she walked a few steps, so she could only wait at home.

Li Erya glanced back at the people sitting in the main hall, a trace of resentment on her face.

Father wasn't home, and Third Brother and Fifth Sister, along with Seventh Brother, were stuck at the post station. Yet Grandfather and Grandmother hadn't asked Uncle Two or Uncle Three to go check on them.

"Li Erya, why are you standing at the door? Hurry up and prepare dinner. Everyone is hungry."

Li Changlin, Li Changsen's second brother, stood at the door of the hall, yelling at Li Erya.

Li Erya was already full of resentment, and hearing this made her angrier. She turned back with fury in her eyes. "If it weren't for my cooking, do you plan to starve, Uncle Two?!"

Upon hearing this, the Li family members in the hall were all dumbfounded.

The four children from the main branch of the family were all sly and difficult to manage. Whenever Uncle Two or Uncle Three tried to make them help with chores, they never succeeded.

Although they were quite annoying, today was the first time they had openly defied and talked back to their elders.

After a while, Li Changlin regained his senses and grabbed a nearby broom, storming toward Li Erya with anger. "You ungrateful child, dare you curse me? Let me teach you a lesson on proper respect for your elders."

Li Erya stood her ground at the door, looking coldly at Li Changlin. "Uncle Two, if you dare hit me today when my father returns, I'll tell him exactly what happened."

With those words, the previously indignant Li Changlin suddenly deflated like a punctured balloon, standing still in the courtyard.

They all held a certain fear towards Li Changsen, the eldest brother. This fear wasn't exclusive to Li Changlin; even Li Changmu and the other family members felt it.

Li Changsen had killed countless people on the battlefield, his body exuding an aura of bloodlust. Anyone who bullied the four youngsters of the main branch would undoubtedly face his wrath when he returned.

Just then, a broom used for sweeping the hearth was flung out of the main hall, landing with a thud in front of Li Erya.

"Ungrateful troublemaker! Is this how you speak to your elders?"

"It's thanks to your Uncle Two and Uncle Three that you've managed to survive all these years when your father hasn't been home. If it weren't for them, you and Third Brother might not even be alive. Are you really so oblivious as to curse them?!"

The person speaking was Old Madam Li. At this moment, she had moved from sitting on the hearth to standing at the doorway of the main hall, her face dark as she looked at Li Wuya.

Li Wuya showed no intention of backing down, her expression defiant as she looked at Old Madam Li. "Nana, you're mistaken. Who has been supporting whom in this family all these years? It's my father who risks his life on the battlefield, expanding our military land by ten acres, and using his salary every month to support everyone."

"What have Uncle Two and Uncle Three done for this family?"

Old Madam Li was infuriated, slapping her thigh and howling, "This is beyond belief, this is beyond belief! This old woman can't even speak to you anymore, you disobedient and unfilial creature!"

"Uncle, why are you both just standing there? Go and drag that insolent girl over here. Today, I must teach her a lesson."

Li Changlin's eyes lit up, and he eagerly approached Li Wuya.

The older the four siblings from the main branch became, the more they resisted authority. It was time to loosen their reins.

Seeing Li Changlin approaching, Li Wuya's face showed a hint of trepidation, but she still stood her ground, refusing to bow to Old Madam Li.

"Who is Nana scolding?"

Jin Yue'e entered the yard, leading Li Sanlang, Li Wuya, and Li Qilang. From a distance, she heard her mother-in-law scolding Li Wuya.

Seeing Jin Yue'e return, Li Changlin, who was about to apprehend Li Wuya, immediately backed down.

Big Brother wasn't easy to provoke, and neither was Big Sister-in-law. It would be unwise to rush in and court trouble.

Li Old Madam glared at Jin Yue'e, snorted, and said nothing more.

Li Changlin noticed the box on Jin Yue'e's back, his eyes glinting as he turned his gaze. "Sister-in-law, you've returned just in time. You should really discipline Li Wuya properly."

"Didn't you see? She just talked back to Nana. For every one thing, Nana said, she replied with ten. She's truly rebellious and unfilial. With her attitude, who would dare marry her in the future?"

Jin Yue'e looked at Li Changlin indifferently. "As for Wuya, no need for you to worry, Uncle Two. Perhaps you should keep an eye on the Third and Fourth Sisters."

Li Changlin nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, I'll listen to Big Sister-in-law. Oh, by the way, Big Sister-in-law, let me help you with the box on your back!"

Without waiting for Jin Yue'e's response, Li Changlin reached for the box.

"Bang!"

A wooden stick as thick as three fingers struck hard against Li Changlin's hand.

"Ah~"

Li Changlin let out a scream that could rival a pig's squeal.

"Uncle Two, you dare touch your niece?!" Old Madam Li's face turned purple with anger.

Old Master Li, who had been silent in the hall, also walked out, his face displeased as he looked at Li Wuya.

Just as he was about to reprimand Li Wuya, she spoke first.

"Grandfather, Grandmother, didn't you see that Third Brother and I are injured?"

At this point, the other members of the Li family noticed the bloodstains on Li Sanlang and Li Wuya, and their expressions changed.

Li Wuya walked towards Li Changlin with a mischievous smile.

Li Changlin, who was bent over in pain, looked at Li Wuya approaching and inexplicably took a few steps back, somewhat intimidated.

"Uncle Two, who do you think I'm going to teach a lesson to?"

Old Madam Li's eyes flickered towards Jin Yue'e, "That's a fine question. Who is this disobedient brat that dares to talk back to her elders?"

Li Changlin's eyes brightened as he saw the box on Jin Yue'e's back. He grinned and said, "Big Sister-in-law, you've returned just in time. You should discipline Li Wuya properly."

"Don't you see, she just defied Nana? For every word Nana said, she replied with ten. She's truly rebellious and unfilial. A girl like her, who would dare marry her in the future?"

Jin Yue'e looked at Li Changlin apathetically. "Regarding Wuya, Uncle Two, don't worry. Perhaps you should keep a closer eye on Third and Fourth Sisters."

Li Changlin nodded eagerly. "Of course, I'll heed Big Sister-in-law's words. Oh, by the way, Big Sister-in-law, let me help you with the box on your back!"

Without waiting for Jin Yue'e's response, Li Changlin reached for the box.

"Bang!"

A loud thud echoed as a wooden stick as thick as three fingers struck Li Changlin's hand fiercely.

"Ah~"

Li Changlin screamed in agony, his voice piercing the air.

"Uncle, how dare you lay a hand on your niece!" Old Madam Li's face was flushed with anger.

Old Master Li, who had been silent in the hall, stepped out and glared at Li Wuya.

Just as he was about to say something to admonish her, Li Wuya spoke first.

"Grandfather, Grandmother, didn't you see that Third Brother and I are both injured?"

At that moment, the rest of the Li family members noticed the blood stains on Li Sanlang and Li Wuya. Their expressions changed visibly.

Li Wuya walked towards Li Changlin with a playful smile.

Li Changlin, who was clutching his hand in pain, watched Li Wuya approach. For some reason, he felt a hint of fear and took a couple of steps back.

"Uncle Two, do you know how many people those North Yan men killed at the post station? Do you know how my brother and I managed to leave alive?"

Li Changlin swallowed hard and shook his head, retreating again.

As he retreated, Li Wuya moved forward.

"Uncle Two, don't be scared. I'm not hurt. The blood on me isn't mine. Can you guess whose blood it is?"

Li Wuya lowered her head and tugged at her blood-stained clothes. "It's from a North Yan man. He was hiding behind a wardrobe, and I thrust my sword into him."

"But he didn't die from the first blow. He tried to attack me, so I pulled out my sword and stabbed him again. Then he was as dead as a doornail."

While saying this, Li Wuya demonstrated the motion with her stick. It was as if the stick had transformed into a sharp sword. She pointed it at Li Changlin, who was now lying on the ground after being frightened off.

"Hehe~"

Li Wuya covered her mouth and giggled, looking at Li Changlin with some disdain. "Uncle Two, you're quite timid. This is just a stick, yet you're so frightened."

Pausing for a moment, she continued, "Even if it were a sword, do you really think I'd kill you?"

Li Changlin opened his mouth, but no words came out. When the stick had just lunged toward him, he had genuinely felt the sensation of facing death.

It wasn't just Li Changlin who was terrified; everyone in the Li family was frozen in place.

Li Wuya laughed twice, suddenly cutting off her laughter. She looked around at the Li family members with an indifferent expression. "The box contains medicinal herbs. My brother and I risked our lives to get them. Anyone who dares to take them…"

With a "crack," she thrust the stick into the ground.

The Li family courtyard fell into silence. After a moment, Old Madam Li looked at Li Changmu and said, "Old Third, go help your Second Brother up." Then she glanced at Li Wuya and went back into the hall without a word.

The members of the main branch of the Li family were a troublesome lot, and the one that troubled her the most was this defiant girl.

When her eyes fixed on someone, it sent shivers down one's spine.