Chapter 497: By Reason and Emotion

Chapter 497: By Heart and Principle

Before Xingxing could say anything, one of the young noblewomen she hadn’t met before suddenly spoke up with clear disdain, "Who does she think she is?!"

As she spoke, her finger pointed accusingly at Huya, who was still soaking in the hot spring.

"How rude!" The young noblewoman narrowed her eyes, her expression sour, clearly displeased with Huya. "We’re standing here, and she’s just lounging around?!"

Huya, not wanting to cause trouble for Xingxing, gritted her teeth and prepared to step out, but Xingxing stopped her. "Wait."

Xingxing turned to the unfamiliar young noblewoman and said, "Miss, my sister is here treating her injuries using the hot spring."

Instead of backing down, the young noblewoman scoffed and deliberately walked to the side to get a better look at Huya’s wounds. The moment she saw them, she flinched in revulsion. "...Revolting! Out, now!"

Huya, a seasoned caravan leader, recognized the young noblewomen’s attire and knew their families must be highly influential. Not wanting to cause trouble for Xingxing, she yielded. "I’ll leave, then."

But Xingxing, rarely angered, insisted firmly, "Stay put, Sister Huya. Keep soaking."

The young noblewoman who had expressed disgust was taken aback that Xingxing would openly defy her, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

Yu Mingzhu interjected softly, playing peacemaker. "Township Lady, under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t mind, but we’ve come all this way to this remote wilderness just to enjoy this medicinal spring. Miss Yang is only thinking of the rest of us. Please don’t take offense."

The young noblewoman surnamed Yang snorted in disdain, "...Mingzhu, stop being such a pushover. This Township Lady truly has no regard for anyone!"

Yu Mingzhu sighed gently, pretending to worry for Xingxing, and gave her a helpless look. "Township Lady, you... Ah, do you know who this is? This is the daughter of the Minister of Rites. Her elder sister, Yang Wanyi, is currently pregnant with the Emperor’s heir and adores this sister dearly. Perhaps... you should apologize to Miss Yang?"

She sighed again, as if sincerely concerned for Xingxing.

The young noblewoman surnamed Yang was struck dumb, her face flushing red with anger.

Ignoring Yu Mingzhu, Xingxing addressed Miss Yang directly. "Miss, emotionally, my sister Huya is undergoing medicinal treatment in this spring and cannot be interrupted. Logically, the deed to this mountain is in my name, which means this spring is mine. Neither emotionally nor logically is there any justification for forcing my sister to leave for your sake."

Miss Yang was left speechless, her face flushing red with anger.

Yu Mingzhu’s eyes darkened, seething at the realization that the hot spring they had eagerly sought out actually belonged to the detestable Yu Xingxing.

She fell silent.

The young noblewoman surnamed Yang turned to Qing’an Junzhu, complaining, "Qing’an! Look at this!"

Qing’an Junzhu’s eyes gleamed with amusement as she smiled, even seeming entertained. "Ruyuan, what do you want me to see? I think Township Lady makes a fair point. This is her medicinal spring, and we arrived afterward. Emotionally and logically, we have no grounds to criticize her."

Pausing thoughtfully, she added, "In fact, Ruyuan, I wonder if you’re being overly fixated on that girl in the spring... Come to think of it, she does look somewhat familiar..."

Yang Ruyuan hadn’t expected Qing’an Junzhu to side with Yu Xingxing—especially with that last remark, which hit too close to home.

Her face darkened, and she snapped, "If that’s how it is, what’s the point of staying?!" With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off.

Yu Mingzhu hesitated, torn between following Yang Ruyuan and staying with Qing’an Junzhu.

Finally, she sighed. "Junzhu, in this remote wilderness, even with attendants and maids, it’s still dangerous. Shouldn’t we go after Miss Yang first?"

Qing’an Junzhu waved a dismissive hand and smiled at Xingxing. "You two stay and relax. We’ll take our leave."

With that, the young noblewomen and their maids left just as suddenly as they’d come.

As Wei Shuangyan was leaving, she frowned and glanced at Yu Xingxing.

She'd never liked Xingxing, but since Xingxing had once saved her father's life, Wei Shuangyan couldn’t very well cause trouble for her.

Hesitating for a moment, Wei Shuangyan waited until most of the group had walked ahead before lingering behind. Lowering her voice, she quickly warned Xingxing, "...Yang Ruyuan holds grudges—be careful."

After saying this, Wei Shuangyan hurried away without looking back.

Xingxing fell into thought.

Huya, her face pale, emerged weakly from the pool after soaking long enough. She said to Xingxing, "...Miss Cen, did I get you in trouble?"

Xingxing shook her head, using a handkerchief to dry Huya’s hair. "Not at all. That Miss Yang was acting weird right from the get-go. Like the princess said, she seemed to be deliberately targeting you..."

Huya pressed her lips together. Though her expression remained pale and blank, her eyes flashed with bitter amusement. "It might not necessarily be targeting. Those rich folks never treat people like us as human beings to begin with."

Only after speaking did Huya suddenly remember that the Yu family was now considered wealthy as well. She quickly corrected herself, "Miss Cen, I didn’t mean the Yu family."

Xingxing chuckled, wringing out the handkerchief before continuing to dry Huya’s hair, not bothered in the least. She just nodded along.

However, not long after Xingxing and Huya left the pine grove, two hulking men, their faces covered with cloth, leaped out, claiming to be bandits out to kidnap them.

Xingxing immediately recalled Wei Shuangyan’s earlier warning.

This had to be it.

In these remote mountains, where you wouldn't even see wildlife before spring, bandits would starve in no time if they tried to rob here.

It had to be that Miss Yang from earlier.

Huya assumed a defensive stance, fighting to stay upright as she shielded Xingxing behind her.

Her voice hoarse, she whispered to Xingxing, "...Miss Cen, run like hell and don't look back. I’ll keep them busy..."

Xingxing gave Huya's arm a reassuring squeeze.

Huya grew anxious. "Miss Cen!"

Before Xingxing could respond, the two bandits charged forward.

Xingxing quickly murmured a warning to Huya, "Hold your breath!"

She hurled a pouch of powder straight at the approaching men.