Chapter 296: End of Mourning

Chapter 296: End of Mourning

The follower shivered, his throat suddenly felt as if it was blocked by something, rendering him speechless.

However, when he looked again, he saw the man accompanying the quick-witted little girl smiling warmly, as if the previous chill had just been his imagination.

Tan Shaomeng then turned to look at Bai Ge'er beside Xingxing, adopting a mature demeanor as he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture: "...Second Young Master Yu, so this is your younger sister."

Bai Ge'er smiled politely: "A few days ago, my sister mentioned a minor disagreement at the teahouse. So it was Young Master Tan... From the looks of it now, there must have been some misunderstanding. Young Master Tan is well-known for his kindness, how could he possibly bully a delicate ten-year-old girl like my sister?"

The way he phrased it...

Xingxing turned her face away, trying hard not to laugh.

Wasn't this just thinly veiled sarcasm?

Her second elder brother was clearly still upset and standing up for her.

Tan Shaomeng's face flushed red again, stammering awkwardly, "...That day, that day, I was indeed in the wrong..."

Bai Ge'er gave a meaningful chuckle and said nothing more.

Tan Shaomeng was utterly ashamed and quickly bid farewell, fleeing as if running for his life.

Xingxing's bright eyes turned to Bai Ge'er, smiling: "Second brother, were you defending me?"

Bai Ge'er looked down at Xingxing with a gentle smile: "You're my sister. If I don't defend you, should I instead cheer and praise Young Master Tan?"

Xingxing covered her mouth to stifle her laughter.

After the laughter, Bai Ge'er turned serious: "Xingxing, I might not be able to accompany you these next couple of days. I need to look into that person who claimed to be a scholar from Bannan County."

Xingxing naturally understood the importance of the matter and nodded with a smile: "That's fine, I'll spend a couple of days at Third Aunt's place."

Wei Sanniang, Wei Pozi's younger sister, had left the Liu family years ago with her only son, Liu Yuanfeng, with only two hundred taels of silver and a small stationery shop.

After Liu Yuanfeng married Jiang Mengniang from the Jiang family, the young couple, along with Wei Sanniang, worked hard to grow the stationery shop, which had now grown into a well-known business over the years.

Wei Sanniang had often heard Wei Pozi say that Xingxing was their family's little lucky star and deeply believed that her ability to smoothly separate from the family and live independently with her son was due to the luck Xingxing brought.

Over the years, Wei Sanniang had often sent gifts to the Yu family, with the most going to Xingxing.

All the stationery Xingxing used was sent by Wei Sanniang.

Bai Ge'er, of course, had no objections.

...

At Wei Sanniang's home.

When the Liu family divided their property, Wei Sanniang and Liu Yuanfeng received an old courtyard near the west of the city. Over the years, Wei Sanniang had gradually renovated it using silver, and the old courtyard now looked much more splendid and prosperous.

When Bai Ge'er brought Xingxing over, two strings of firecrackers were hanging outside the old courtyard, popping loudly.

Bai Ge'er quickly calculated and smiled: "So today is the day Yuanfeng's mourning period is over."

More than two years ago, Old Master Liu passed away. Despite the family division, Liu Yuanfeng, being the youngest legitimate son of Old Master Liu, had dutifully observed the twenty-seven months of mourning.

Today marked exactly twenty-seven months.

After the firecrackers had been set off, Jiang Mengniang, Liu Yuanfeng's wife, came out and instructed the maid to clean up the firecracker debris at the entrance.

Looking up, she saw Bai Ge'er and Xingxing standing there. Jiang Mengniang exclaimed with delight, "Bai Ge'er, Xingxing, you've come!"

Bai Ge'er, holding Xingxing's hand, stepped forward and smiled, "Hello, Aunt."

Jiang Mengniang reached out to take Xingxing's hand, and Xingxing affectionately allowed Jiang Mengniang to lead her into the Liu family.

Xingxing asked Jiang Mengniang, "Aunt, why haven't I seen Si Ge'er?"

Liu Si was the son of Jiang Mengniang and Liu Yuanfeng, four years old this year, and usually very clingy to Jiang Mengniang.

At the mention of her son, Jiang Mengniang couldn't help but laugh, "...Today marks the end of the mourning period, and we set off firecrackers. Si Ge'er is afraid of the firecrackers and is hiding at his grandmother's place."

Jiang Mengniang added, "...Your uncle is still at the shop and hasn't returned yet. I'll send someone to call him back from the shop later."

As they chatted, they reached Wei Sanniang's courtyard.

The old Liu family courtyard wasn't very large, consisting of only two courtyards. Wei Sanniang lived in one, while Liu Yuanfeng, Jiang Mengniang, and their only son Liu Si lived in the other.

Over the years, although Liu Yuanfeng's stationery store had earned some money, both Liu Yuanfeng and Jiang Mengniang felt it unnecessary to spend too much on the house. They planned to send Si Ge'er to the famous Songhe Academy for his education when he was a bit older.

"Mother, look who's here?"

Jiang Mengniang entered the courtyard with a smile, her voice light and cheerful.

Wei Sanniang, fanning herself and soothing Si Ge'er, was startled by Jiang Mengniang's voice. She looked up to see Jiang Mengniang leading Xingxing in through the curtain.

Si Ge'er joyfully called out "Sister Xingxing," rolled off the couch, and ran to hug her legs.

Wei Sanniang was thrilled, "Xingxing is here?"

She repeatedly called for the maid to bring candy for Xingxing.

Everyone caught up with one another.

However, both Bai Ge'er and Xingxing were tactful, neither bringing up the malicious actions taken against Liu Ge'er before his exam.

Bai Ge'er smiled and mentioned he might be busy the next couple of days and unable to look after Xingxing, so he wanted to leave her with the Liu family for two days.

Wei Sanniang was overjoyed, "Only two days?...Xingxing rarely visits the city, why not stay with us a few more days."

Wei Sanniang firmly believed Xingxing was a little lucky star, and since she was naturally well-behaved and likable, most elders adored her. Wei Sanniang naturally wanted Xingxing to stay a few more days.

Bai Ge'er smiled, "We'll see, if things aren't settled, I might have to trouble you with Xingxing for a couple more days."

Wei Sanniang beamed, "Alright, Bai Ge'er, you just go ahead with your work."

She hugged Xingxing, "Let me enjoy some quality time with my precious granddaughter."

Xingxing smiled bashfully.

Si Ge'er happily ran around the room, then darted to a cabinet, bent down, and retrieved his "treasure" hidden at his grandmother's—two pieces of malt candy.

Si Ge'er was at the age where he loved candy, but Jiang Mengniang was strict about his sugar intake, fearing it would ruin his teeth. Si Ge'er had to use all his cunning to hide his stash—two pieces of malt candy—in his grandmother's room.

Not only Jiang Mengniang, but Wei Sanniang too was amazed.

This clever little troublemaker...

The room was filled with laughter.

In the evening, Liu Yuanfeng, who had hurried back from the shop, had a few drinks with Bai Ge'er. After a few drinks, they started talking about past events.

They said that since the family split, the first household of the Liu family had been declining rapidly. After the Old Master Liu passed away, the first household quickly squandered the ancestral property and had recently tried to come to their house to seek help.