Chapter 314: Firecrackers in the Outhouse

Chapter 314: Firecrackers in the Outhouse

When Bai Ge'er, Liu Ge'er, and Xingxing returned, the Yu family was overjoyed.

They held Xingxing's hands, checking everyone over to make sure they were all fine.

Then they gathered around Liu Ge'er, asking if he had handled the exam stress and how he had performed.

In between, Mian Ge'er and Xu Ge'er occasionally called out, asking Xingxing to hold them.

The whole family was buzzing with joy, everyone beaming.

Of course, Bai Ge'er and the others wouldn't bring up the city incidents right then.

That evening, Li Chunhua whipped up a feast to welcome Bai Ge'er, Liu Ge'er, and Xingxing back.

It was the longest time Xingxing had been away from Granny Wei, so that night, Granny Wei slept with Xingxing.

Xingxing nestled in Granny Wei's arms, sharing stories from the city. It was then that Xingxing told Granny Wei about Tan Jingqian's attempt to frame Liu Ge'er.

Granny Wei's eyes widened in fury.

Xingxing quickly patted Granny Wei's chest to help her breathe easier.

"Granny, don't be upset. I think Second Brother and Third Brother have a plan, but they can't talk about it yet," Xingxing whispered. "You need to take care of yourself and not let it get to you. It's not worth ruining your health over those scoundrels."

Granny Wei gently ran her fingers through Xingxing's silky, shoulder-length hair.

She remembered when this little one first came to the family, with thin, yellowish hair and a small, frail body that seemed like it could be blown away by the wind.

After years of care, the little girl had blossomed, her hair now thick and glossy like satin.

Time had flown by.

"Alright, I'll listen to our Xingxing," Granny Wei said with affection.

Xingxing smiled happily at Granny Wei.

The next day, Xingxing slept in a bit due to the long journey.

The Yu family was lenient about waking up early, especially since everyone doted on Xingxing. They figured the kid was worn out from the trip, so it made sense for her to sleep in.

No one disturbed Xingxing.

Even the maids tiptoed around, sweeping and cleaning in hushed tones.

However, around noon, someone came rushing from the village, saying that the Lin Yang Marquis's estate had caught several teenagers causing trouble at the shed where they were building the tomb in the mountains.

They said the teens had tossed firecrackers into the outhouse while the supervisor was doing his business.

The supervisor bolted out, pants in hand, and in a rage, he had the Marquis's guards round up the teens and tie them to trees.

Among them was Ju Ge'er.

Su Rouer felt like her head was about to explode, she was so furious. "That little rascal... He had one day off from school, and look what he's done!"

Su Rouer didn't even need to ask to know that her son was the main instigator.

But no matter how mad she was, she couldn't just abandon Ju Ge'er.

Bai Ge'er and Liu Ge'er shook their heads and prepared to go rescue their little brother.

Just then, Xingxing woke up.

She had already rubbed her eyes, opened the door, and changed her clothes.

She told the maid to get her some water to wash her face and said to Bai Ge'er and Liu Ge'er, "Second brother, third brother, wait for me, I'm coming too."

Su Rouer cut in, "No rush, Xingxing, you just woke up, have something to eat first. There's red date and white fungus soup warming on the stove, and hearty old hen soup. The shrimp dumplings are all ready, just steam them. Eat first, then we'll go."

As Ju Ge'er's mother, Su Rouer thought it would be good for her son to be tied up a little longer to learn a lesson—but she absolutely couldn't let Xingxing go hungry!

Xingxing herself was puzzled: "But Ju Ge'er..."

Bai Ge'er interrupted, "Never mind Ju Ge'er. You eat first."

"But..."

Liu Ge'er chimed in, "You eat first."

"Ah..."

Su Rouer decided, "Since the villagers told us to come get him, they won't hurt him. Ju Ge'er is only ten years old, and still causing such trouble, he should learn a lesson. Xingxing, you eat, we're in no hurry!"

Xingxing relented, "Alright."

Although Xingxing agreed to eat first before going, she ate quickly, polishing off four shrimp dumplings, half a bowl of red date and white fungus soup, and a bowl of old hen soup. Finally, she wiped her mouth with a napkin, set the bowl aside, and stood up, "I'm done, let's go get Ju Ge'er!"

Su Rouer scolded lightly, "You're spoiling Ju Ge'er."

She rubbed Xingxing's stomach to prevent indigestion, then they all headed to the back mountain.

A few days ago, improper control of explosives caused half the mountain to collapse. The sheds for the Lin Yang Marquis's estate overseer and craftsmen were urgently moved to the mountain behind.

Ju Ge'er and the other mischievous teens from the village were tied to trees nearby.

Su Rouer wanted Ju Ge'er to learn his lesson, but seeing him tied up, she hurried over.

The Lin Yang Marquis's estate overseer looked stern and pointed at Ju Ge'er, half-smiling as he said to Su Rouer, "Madam, is that your son?... He's really something! Inciting the village kids to do such a thing!"

Su Rouer could only apologize profusely.

Ju Ge'er was tied to the tree, hands behind his back. Luckily, the cool autumn weather spared him from sunburn. He was still shouting, "Mom! Our house was blown up by these people causing trouble, so what's wrong with me blowing them up!"

Su Rouer's temper flared, and she turned to yell, "Shut up!"

Seeing that his mother was really angry, Ju Ge'er shut his mouth reluctantly.

The other teens, still tied up, pleaded for Ju Ge'er, "Aunt Su, don't be mad! He was just standing up for us!"

"Yeah, Auntie, Ju Ge'er meant well!"

Su Rouer's forehead was throbbing.

The Lin Yang Marquis's estate overseer coughed, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

Although he was the victim of the firecracker incident in the outhouse, the losses to Nantuo Village were indeed their fault.

Before they left the Marquis's estate, their matriarch had repeatedly reminded them that building tombs was about accumulating virtue and must not harm the local villagers' interests. The matriarch even opened her private treasury to add some extra money for the villagers' relocation and compensation.

Thinking of this, the Lin Yang Marquis's estate overseer said little more and waved his hand, letting the guards untie the children from the trees.