Chapter 399: What a Nerve to Threaten Our Womenfolk!

Chapter 399: What a Nerve to Threaten Our Womenfolk!

"Have a bite to eat to tide you over," Xingxing whispered.

Master Hao's eyes were puffy and swollen from crying. He nodded, then shook his head.

"I'll eat once Mom wakes up..." Master Hao sobbed, lying by An Ningxin's bedside, refusing to get up no matter who tried to persuade him.

Wei Pozi and Li Chunhua felt a deep pang of sadness.

Outside, the sky grew darker, and the Earl and Countess of Qin'an, who had been making a racket, had left. Wei Pozi and Li Chunhua decided it was time to head back to the Yujia household.

However, upon stepping out of the room and into the courtyard, they realized that the Earl of Qin'an hadn't left yet; he was still standing in the courtyard.

As for the Countess of Qin'an, it seemed the Earl had somehow managed to make her leave.

The Earl of Qin'an quietly studied Wei Pozi and Li Chunhua, then suddenly bowed to them: "...I’ve just been informed by the doctor that it was you two who saved Ningxin. I haven't thanked you yet."

Wei Pozi and Li Chunhua, both seething with disgust for the Earl of Qin'an, didn't want to accept his thanks and both stepped aside.

The Earl straightened up, his face showing both embarrassment and anger.

But he still lowered his voice: "Today’s events involve Ningxin and the honor of our Qin'an Estate. I hope you won't spread this around. Otherwise..."

Li Chunhua, who already despised the Earl, was stunned to hear him threatening them and let out an incredulous "Ha!"

Wei Pozi was even angrier but, aware of An Ningxin in the next room, also lowered her voice: "What are you implying! You dare to do such things and then fear gossip?"

Before the Earl could respond, a stern male voice echoed from the path connecting the clinic’s front to the back: "Grandma, who's threatening you?"

It was Huai Geer, lantern in hand and sword at his side, striding confidently over.

Li Chunhua’s face brightened with joy: "Huai Geer, what brings you here?"

Xingxing also happily called out, "Big brother!"

Huai Geer smiled: "I was on my way back from the military camp just outside the city and saw Grandpa and Dad preparing the carriage to come and pick you up. They mentioned you’d sent a maid to say you were delayed at the clinic. But with it being dark and the streets still covered in snow, they were worried... so I volunteered to come and take you home."

At this point, Huai Geer glanced at the Earl of Qin'an and sneered, "And it looks like I showed up just in time, right as someone was threatening my mom and grandma!"

Huai Geer paused, looked at Xingxing, and added, "Oh, and our dear Xingxing too."

The Earl of Qin'an frowned, scrutinizing Huai Geer from head to toe: "You are..."

Huai Geer didn't like the way the Earl was looking at him and let out a cold laugh: "Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is, who do you think you are, daring to threaten our women!"

The Earl of Qin'an’s anger flared even hotter!

Earlier, his focus had been solely on An Ningxin’s injuries, and he hadn't paid attention to the outsiders. But after handling the Countess, the more he dwelled on it, the more he felt that his earlier loss of composure had been witnessed by these outsiders. If this got out, the Qin'an Estate’s reputation would be in tatters!

That's why the Earl had stayed behind to warn Wei Pozi and Li Chunhua.

But he hadn’t anticipated running into someone who wouldn’t back down.

The Earl of Qin'an didn't recognize Huai Geer, but after his head servant had been observing Huai Geer for a while, he suddenly remembered something and whispered a reminder to the Earl.

The Earl’s expression shifted slightly, and he exclaimed, "...Are you the newly appointed General of the Western Garrison by the Emperor?!"

Huai Geer let out a cold snort.

The Earl of Qin'an was now struggling to keep his composure.

Although he was a noble, in the capital, nobles were a dime a dozen, and the streets were teeming with the powerful.

It was once said that if a signboard fell from the street and hit three people, chances are, one of them would be a noble or a dignitary.

There were many nobles and powerful people, nothing out of the ordinary, but to be promoted to the rank of a third-grade military officer at the age of twenty through military merit and be personally appointed by His Majesty as the General of the Western Garrison, in the past hundred years, there was only one such person—Yu Yonghuai!

Moreover, the General of the Western Garrison was held in high esteem by His Majesty. It was said that at the time of the conferment, in addition to being granted a mansion that only first-grade officials could afford, he was also awarded a trove of rare treasures!

This shows the extent of the Emperor's favor towards the General of the Western Garrison!

No wonder the Earl of Qin'an was so visibly shaken now.

"...Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding," the Earl of Qin'an had some cold sweat on his forehead, coughed, and attempted to defuse the situation, "I didn't mean to threaten the two ladies earlier, I was just thinking that family matters should remain private..."

Li Chunhua couldn't help but interject, "Isn't that wrong? Didn't Lady An just cut ties with you? How is it family shame then?"

The Earl of Qin'an was at a loss for words.

Li Chunhua had scolded the Earl of Qin'an before and always disliked him. Now with her son backing her up, she didn't hold back: "You behave in an inhumane manner, and yet you fear others talking about it!"

The Earl of Qin'an's face was full of embarrassment, and he knew these were individuals he dared not cross.

In the end, the Earl of Qin'an quickly fabricated an excuse and left in a hurry.

Li Chunhua didn't mince her words and spat at the Earl of Qin'an's retreating figure.

Huai Geer, carrying the lantern, led Wei Pozi, Li Chunhua, and Xingxing back to the Yujia residence.

The next day, Li Chunhua was still feeling uneasy and took Xingxing with her to the clinic again.

This time, they arrived at an opportune moment. Not only was An Ningxin awake, but the other little girl from An Ningxin's carriage and the young woman who appeared to be a maid had also woken up and were all in An Ningxin's room.

When Li Chunhua arrived, the maid was feeding An Ningxin medicine, and Master Hao was, as usual, lying by An Ningxin's bedside, refusing to leave her side.

The little girl, however, with bandages still on her head, sat far away, somewhat reserved and silent.

Li Chunhua glanced around, felt a bit puzzled but didn't dwell on it, and went forward to ask An Ningxin how she was feeling.

Seeing Li Chunhua and Xingxing, An Ningxin's eyes filled with joy: "...Much better, I woke up today feeling much lighter."

The maid holding the small bowl to feed the medicine also had bandages on her head but looked in better condition than An Ningxin, adding, "Even the doctor said that our lady's pulse, despite her severe injuries, looks much better today, it seems like we have the gods' blessings."

An Ningxin smiled palely, not forgetting to tell the maid, "Xiao Qi, these are the lifesavers I told you about."

The maid quickly put down the bowl and was about to kowtow to Li Chunhua and Xingxing, which startled Li Chunhua greatly.

Back in the countryside, Wei Pozi didn't like the servants of Yujia to kowtow. But after coming to the capital, with Huai Geer being appointed as the General of the Western Garrison, the Yujia family had to deal with the outside world and had to adapt to local customs, so they didn't stop the servants from kowtowing much.

But Li Chunhua still wasn't quite used to others kowtowing to her at every turn and quickly helped the maid up, "Hey hey hey, you're still injured, you mustn't, you mustn't."