Chapter 288: Trading Mountains for Mountains

Chapter 288: Trading Mountains for Mountains

Grandfather Liu came to the Yu household again today for a meal.

Grandfather Liu's hair had turned completely white, but he remained spirited; though he used a cane, it was mostly for support, and he could still move briskly.

He could even carry the hefty Xu Ge'er while walking briskly!

Xu Ge'er adored his great-grandfather with the white beard, listening to his historical tales with rapt attention.

Xu Ge'er's wet nurse felt the pressure—the countryside bedtime stories she told, passed down orally, no longer held Xu Ge'er's interest...

Once again, Grandfather Liu was pestered by Xu Ge'er to tell three historical stories in a row, nearly depleting his repertoire.

A poised young man entered and offered a cup of tea: "Teacher, have some water to moisten your throat."

Liu Ge'er, now nearly seventeen, was quite handsome and clearly had a scholarly air.

Liu Ge'er had been studying diligently under Grandfather Liu for several years, his temperament growing more reserved. Recently, he had aced the county and prefecture exams, earning the title of scholar.

In a few days, Liu Ge'er would head to the provincial capital to take the provincial exam.

For the past two years, Grandfather Liu's robust health was partly thanks to Liu Ge'er's attentive care.

Grandfather Liu was quite pleased with this close disciple.

He took the tea and sipped it.

Liu Ge'er gave Xu Ge'er a look, clearly signaling him to stop bothering Grandfather Liu and let him rest.

Xu Ge'er obediently called out "Third Brother" and didn't ask for more stories.

Liu Ge'er sat beside Xu Ge'er and picked him up: "Your sixth brother will head to the county to study in a few days when the weather cools. When he comes back from school, ask him to tell you what he learned and any interesting happenings, it'll be fun."

Xu Ge'er's eyes lit up, and he nodded.

Grandfather Liu watched with a smile.

At that moment, a commotion arose outside.

Liu Ge'er frowned and stood up, stepping outside to ask the flustered maid: "What's going on?"

The maid trembled as she spoke: "Third Young Master, outside, a group of intimidating guards suddenly showed up, saying they want to find Miss Xingxing..."

Liu Ge'er's expression shifted, and he strode out of the house.

Hearing the exchange between Liu Ge'er and the maid, Grandfather Liu couldn't stay seated. He told the wet nurse to look after Xu Ge'er, took his cane, and hurried out of the fourth courtyard with Old Mao.

Earlier, in the main courtyard, Wei Pozi and Xingxing heard the maid's report.

Wei Pozi immediately recalled the people from the Lin Yang Marquis's estate who wanted to move the graves, as the village head had mentioned.

So, it was obvious.

Probably, the people from the Lin Yang Marquis's estate had discovered at the government office that the land deeds for the mountains behind belonged to Xingxing.

Wei Pozi, worried about Xingxing, held her back and decided to go out with Yu Laotou to handle the situation.

Although Xingxing was young, she always had her own ideas. She tugged at Wei Pozi's sleeve: "Grandma, I'm not scared. If they want the land deeds, we can sell them, no big deal."

Wei Pozi thought it over and agreed.

As commoners, they didn't want to get involved with a marquis's household.

Since the other party was willing to pay for the grave relocation, they probably wouldn't try to seize the land deeds, right?

Xingxing went to her room to get the land deeds and then headed to the main gate with Wei Pozi and Yu Laotou.

...

The guard captain, still on his tall horse, looked down somewhat condescendingly at the small house before him.

Though this family was considered well-off in the small mountain village, the guard captain, from the Lin Yang Marquis's household, looked down on such modest buildings.

The guard captain grew impatient: "Where are they? Why aren't they out yet?"

The horse, sensing its master's impatience, snorted and pawed the ground.

The Yujia doorkeeper, silent as a stone, hung his head and didn't respond.

The guard captain grew more impatient, his hand instinctively touching the sword at his waist, a clear threat.

"Are you looking for me?" Xingxing's gentle voice called from inside the gate.

She quickened her pace and stepped out the gate.

The guard captain was a bit surprised.

Coming from the Lin Yang Marquis's household, he'd seen many noble ladies. If he didn't know she was a farmer's daughter, he might have thought she was a noble's pampered child.

Though young, one could already see she'd grow into a beauty.

Even now, the girl was fair and soft, with almond eyes and round cheeks, her hair loosely tied and cascading over her shoulders. Her childish charm was utterly endearing.

Even the guard captain softened: "...Are you Yu Xingxing?"

Wei Pozi and Yu Laotou were nervous, but Xingxing stood her ground.

She tilted her head up to look at the man on the horse.

Grandfather Liu and Liu Ge'er arrived just in time to hear the question.

Liu Ge'er's expression shifted, and he stepped forward, calling, "Xingxing."

Xingxing turned to Liu Ge'er and smiled: "Third brother, it's fine."

She turned back to the guard captain: "Yes, I'm Yu Xingxing. Are you here for the mountain land deeds?"

The guard captain, seeing the young girl's straightforwardness despite her soft voice, softened further: "Yes. You know our marquis's household plans to build a mausoleum on the back mountain, so we want to buy the land deeds."

Xingxing agreed sweetly: "Sure, uncle. But I have a condition. I bought these mountains for a relative who loved the mountains. You can have the deeds, but find me some scenic, accessible mountains with good feng shui. Can we trade?"

The guard captain's expression softened further, becoming quite friendly.

He'd braced himself for outrageous demands.

But the girl spoke gently and reasonably, proposing a fair mountain exchange without outrageous demands.

The guard captain agreed without hesitation, "No problem at all."

Xingxing smiled at him, her eyes curving into a smile.

The guard captain felt even better.

Grandfather Liu observed from the sidelines, ready to back Xingxing up if needed.

Even though he'd been retired for years, he still had pull in the capital.

If this guard captain tried to push Xingxing around, he wasn't about to let anyone mess with her!

But Xingxing handled it well, too.

Grandfather Liu stroked his beard thoughtfully, quite pleased with himself.

She'd dodged a fight without giving anything up.

Nice job, really nice job!