"Oh, so in the end, becoming a royal physician was thanks to our Li family's intervention?"
"I knew it, how could he become a royal physician at his age."
"He claimed he didn't want to step into our Li family, but in the end, he still relied on us?"
"Perhaps he became a Heavenly Dragon instructor also through our Li family's help."
"..."
The members of the Li family began to mock him with sarcastic remarks.
Initially, the Li family members thought Li Se had become a royal physician through his own abilities, but in the end, he still had to rely on their Li family?
Li Zhongfu frowned. He hadn't expected the old madam to bring this matter up. He could only say in a deep voice, "I wasn't the only one who recommended Li Se back then. Sun Bai was also involved. It was because of our joint recommendation that the Royal Physician Review Committee proceeded with the review, but in the end, it was Li Se's own superior medical skills that led to his appointment. If his medical skills weren't so impressive, how could he have become a royal physician?"
"Dad, I have something to say about this," Li Shengmin said with a smile. "We all know you have a good relationship with Physician Sun. It's not surprising that you recommended him together. Moreover, when the review committee learned that two royal physicians had recommended him simultaneously, they naturally eased up a bit in their assessment."
The old madam looked at Li Zhongfu and said, "Zhongfu, you say the Li family needs to rely on him, but isn't he also relying on our Li family?"
Li Zhongfu's beard trembled in anger. Sun Bai's recommendation was certainly not because of him, but he knew now that no matter how much he explained, no one would believe him.
"Don't you understand?" Li Zhongfu sighed lightly. "Old woman, I know you have opinions about Shengjun's lineage, but the excellence of the younger generation is crucial for the Li family to continue being a top family in the capital!"
The old madam smiled, "What you mean to say is that our Li family won't function without him, is that right?"
As soon as she said this, the Li family members were extremely displeased, but they dared not defy Li Zhongfu, as he was still the head of the Li family.
Li Zhongfu didn't know what to say. This old woman was simply shortsighted, unaware of the current situation of the Li family. However, he knew clearly that even if she understood, she would never allow Li Se to join the Li family.
Sometimes, prejudice is a mountain.
"Shengguo, do you know about this recommendation matter?" the old madam asked.
Li Shengguo said with some helplessness and truthfully, "Mom, I know about this, but the matter is not as you..."
Before he could finish, he was interrupted by the old madam: "No need to say too much. It's very clear now, that Li Se became a royal physician entirely because of our Li family, right?"
"If you want to say that, it's not entirely wrong, but..." Li Shengguo had just started to speak when he was interrupted again.
"Enough!" the old madam declared decisively, "Since he relied on our Li family, it means he wants to return to the Li family. If the Xu family wants an explanation, then we will give them that explanation. Hand Li Se over to them. I'll give Li Se only one day to apologize to the Xu family himself!"
After saying this, the old madam left directly, unwilling to say any more.
After the old madam left, Li Shengguo said somewhat helplessly, "Dad, what should we do now?"
Li Zhongfu's face turned dark, his expression extremely grim. He said, "If he can influence that child Li Se, then she is indeed formidable!"
Li Shengjun couldn't be bothered to say more. After glancing at the Li family members, he left directly. As for this Li family, if it weren't for Li Zhongfu, he would feel very, very estranged. It was unavoidable, as he was not the old madam's biological son but Li Zhongfu's illegitimate son.
To the old madam, he was an outsider in every sense of the word.
However, over the years, he had gained considerable honor and established great military achievements, which had propelled the Li family to a higher status!
Throughout the capital, when the Li family was mentioned, people would inevitably bring up Third Master, or Li War God. This meant that people were more in awe of the Li family because they were in awe of Li Shengjun. To attain the title of War God was no easy feat; within China, there were definitely fewer than five such individuals!
The old madam, supported by Li Shengmin, returned to the backyard, saying as she walked, "All these years, everyone has felt that our Li family has reached its current position solely because of Li Shengjun, as if our Li family would falter without him!"
Li Shengmin smiled slightly, "Mom, this is normal. When the entire capital speaks of us three brothers, they only refer to him as Third Master, but not to me as Second Master or anything."
"Still Third Master!" the old madam snorted, "If I hadn't brought him into the Li family back then, with his background, could he have even stepped into the Li family? What a joke! What he does now is what he should do, what he is obligated to do. It's just that he had to give birth to such a troublemaker!"
Li Shengmin said, "Mom, if this continues, when people mention our Li family, it will truly be only Li Shengjun. Now, with Li Se added, heh heh, even Dad feels as if the Li family will falter without these father and son."
"This bastard must be eliminated!" the old madam's eyes glinted with coldness.
Li Shengmin, on the other hand, wore a smile, appearing amiable and gentle throughout.
Li Se was unaware of the discussions about the Li family. However, he did indeed receive notification from the Li family, instructing him to apologize to the Xu family within a day and to accept whatever the Xu family decided.
"Is the Li family being ridiculous?" Li Se was speechless. He couldn't be bothered to pay attention, even acting as if nothing had happened.
However, at this moment, a man with a fair complexion, long hair, and an effeminate demeanor walked towards Li Se.
Upon seeing this effeminate man, Li Se also stopped. He naturally recognized this man; he had seen him at Li Shanju, and he was Li Shengmin's eldest son, Li Qingming.
The Li family had many members. Although Li Zhongfu had three sons, Li Shengguo and Li Shengmin had quite a few children, while Li Shengjun only had one, Li Se.
It could be said that Li Shengjun's lineage had the fewest members.
As for Li Qingming, frankly, Li Se's first impression of him was very bad, because such people gave off a sinister vibe.
"Li Se!" Li Qingming stood before Li Se, a smile on his face, but it was a sinister smile.
"Why haven't you gone to the Xu family yet?"
Li Qingming's first question upon arrival was this.
Li Se smiled faintly, "Why should I go to the Xu family?"
"My grandmother has already given the order, telling you to apologize to the Xu family within a day. You must obey. If you defy her old self, there will be no good end for you," Li Qingming said with a half-smile.