Chapter 158: Giving Thanks

Chapter 158: Giving Thanks

After the interrogation by the authorities, it was revealed that the group of people were kidnappers who operated in various places.

Yu Siyang assisted the authorities in capturing the kidnappers and was awarded three taels of silver as a reward.

However, these were minor issues. When Yu Sanbao found out that Xingxing had almost been kidnapped, he was shocked and reprimanded Yu Siyang, telling him that he should never leave Xingxing’s side when taking her out in the future.

Yu Siyang wasn’t angry about being scolded by his third brother. He nodded vigorously like a hammer, deeply reflecting on his actions.

It was Xingxing who quickly spoke up for Yu Siyang, tugging at Yu Sanbao’s sleeve. “…Third Uncle, don’t be angry. Fourth Uncle didn’t go far, so it’s not his fault!”

Yu Sanbao couldn’t bear to be stern with Xingxing. He patted her little head and didn’t say anything else in front of her.

Xingxing was already very mature, and her maturity often touched his heart. He wished that Xingxing could be a bit more carefree.

But when Xingxing wasn’t around, Yu Sanbao took Yu Siyang aside again to lecture him sternly.

The next day, Xingxing was at her brothers’ table, copying some large characters they had taught her the previous day when the girl Ah Wu arrived.

This time, she wasn’t alone. She was accompanied by a woman in blue velvet attire.

The woman’s hair was neatly combed, and she smiled. She held a brocade box and introduced herself as Lady Xia.

Lady Xia showed no disdain towards Yu Sanbao and Yu Siyang. Instead, she warmly expressed her gratitude to Yu Siyang for saving her young mistress the previous day.

She politely presented the brocade box as a token of their appreciation.

Yu Sanbao was surprised.

He knew that his younger brother had saved a young lady, but he didn’t expect that the girl came from a notable family.

Yu Siyang felt somewhat embarrassed and looked at the woman with clear, sincere eyes, politely refusing. “There’s no need. I only saved my niece. Saving your young mistress was just incidental.”

The girl Ah Wu sighed. “Why are you still saying that? I told you yesterday, no matter how incidental it was, I still need to thank you for saving me. Please accept it.”

Yu Siyang stammered but still said, “…But, what I said is the truth.”

After a pause, he seemed a bit conflicted. “My mother told me that if a favor isn’t returned, wouldn’t you feel uneasy? …So, I’ll accept it.”

Ah Wu looked pleased. “That’s better.”

Lady Xia felt a slight emotional response as she listened to the exchange between her young mistress and Yu Siyang.

This young man looked about seventeen or eighteen years old, but his eyes were pure and clear. It reminded her of her young mistress’s innocence.

When her young mistress had a fever as a child, though she seemed fine at the time, as she grew older, she remained overly innocent and naive.

The adults in the family consulted an imperial physician, who finally discovered the issue.

Of course, it wasn’t the same as having one’s brain damaged by fever. Her young mistress wasn’t foolish, just overly innocent. Her heart and mind were as pure and transparent as crystal. Additionally, her parents had passed away several years ago, leaving her as the only orphan in this branch of the family. The entire household cherished her deeply.

This time, following her retired grandfather back to their hometown, it hadn’t been long before this incident occurred. The maid Muliu who went out with her young mistress was almost beaten half to death!

Thanks to the kind-hearted people who rescued them, otherwise, with her young mistress being so innocent, who knows what kind of suffering she would have endured at the hands of human traffickers!

With these thoughts in mind, Lady Xia became even more enthusiastic towards Yu Siyang. She bowed and offered the brocade box with both hands.

Yu Siyang handed the brocade box to Shuang He, asking her to put it away in the backyard.

He hesitantly said to Ah Wu, “...Why didn’t I see your maid today? You need to be careful, don’t get kidnapped again.”

Mentioning the maid, Ah Wu looked somewhat sad, “Meigiu was punished... I wanted to buy something for her today.”

She looked at the various goods displayed in the Yujia Commercial Store, her eyes revealing a sense of curiosity.

Ah Wu was born and raised in the capital city, accustomed to seeing silks, satins, jade, and jewels. These novel trinkets in the Yujia Commercial Store were a first for her, and everything seemed novel and fascinating.

Ah Wu perked up again, pointing out several items, asking Yu Siyang to take them down from the shelves.

Ah Wu started to assign, “This one is for Meigiu, and this one is for my grandfather...”

Auntie Xia watched Ah Wu’s back with affectionate eyes.

“By the way, I nearly forgot, where’s your niece?” Ah Wu suddenly remembered, glancing around the Yujia Commercial Store, but ultimately chose to ask Yu Siyang.

Yu Siyang thought for a moment, “Xingxing is in the backyard. Would you like to see her? She was thinking about you last night before she went to bed, afraid that you were frightened.”

Ah Wu felt very happy upon hearing this.

She carefully pulled out a pair of items wrapped in a handkerchief from her bosom.

“These are a pair of pearl earrings I wore when I was little. I think she’s like a little snowball, and she would look beautiful wearing them,” Ah Wu said confidently.

Auntie Xia chuckled.

Yu Siyang then asked Shuang He to call Xingxing over.

Xingxing, dressed in a cloak, came running, “Uncle Three! Uncle Four!”

Spotting Ah Wu, she exclaimed in surprise, “Sister Ah Wu!”

Ah Wu was also very happy, “You...”

She couldn’t help but look at Yu Siyang and whispered, “What’s your little niece’s name?”

Perhaps because Yu Siyang had rescued her in that situation, Ah Wu clearly had some trust in him.

“Her name is Xingxing,” Yu Siyang replied.

Xingxing nodded with delight, “Yes, my name is Xingxing!”

The little girl was lively and cute, her soft voice carrying a sweet tone that made people happy.

Ah Wu was even happier and quickly handed the pearl earrings wrapped in the handkerchief to Xingxing, “These are for you! I like you!”

Xingxing was stunned for a moment.

But Ah Wu directly placed the pearl earrings along with the handkerchief into Xingxing’s hands.

She smiled, “Auntie Xia prepared many gifts, but these were personally chosen for you by me!”

Auntie Xia also said, “Yes, Miss Xingxing, please accept them. My young mistress specially found and wrapped these earrings and has been carrying them in her bosom all the way here.”

Seeing this, Xingxing happily said, “Thank you, Sister Ah Wu! They’re so beautiful! Xingxing really likes them!”

Ah Wu was even more delighted to see that Xingxing liked the gift she had personally chosen.

After buying a few small items from the Yujia Commercial Store, as they were about to depart, Auntie Xia wanted to pay. However, Yu Sanbao refused and smiled, “Miss gave my niece beautiful earrings. These few small items are our gift to Miss from the Yu family.”

Yu Sanbao could tell at just a glance how precious the earrings were. If they really had to reciprocate, they might have to sell some of their family possessions.

But he also noticed that Old Lady Xia, who had come with the young mistress, did not stop her from giving the gift. Instead, she even urged Little Xing to accept it, which showed that to them, it really wasn’t a big deal.

However, even if it wasn’t significant, they still needed to reciprocate—this also demonstrated the Yu family’s attitude.

Ah Wu happily pointed at the delicate items and asked, “Are these gifts for me? I’m so happy!”

Seeing this, Little Xing brought over a few more beautiful boxes. “Ah Wu sister, shall I help you pack them?”

The older and younger girl put the items into the embroidered boxes.

Before leaving, Ah Wu was holding a stack of boxes. Old Lady Xia offered to help carry some, but Ah Wu was unwilling to let go.

Before entering the carriage, Ah Wu turned back and said to Little Xing, “I like you! I’ll come to play with you again!”

Little Xing nodded repeatedly and waved. “Goodbye, Ah Wu sister!”

A sister so beautiful said she liked her—Little Xing was so happy!