Chapter 554 I’ve Heard It All

Chapter 554: Word Got Back to Me

Bai Xiaofeng was confused.

Why, all of a sudden, did her son want to investigate someone named Yu Mingzhu?

Bai Xiaofeng dazedly looked at her son, then confusedly at Xingxing.

Seeing both of them smiling, Bai Xiaofeng hesitated for a moment before relenting.

Well, as long as the children knew what they were doing!

But Gui Ge'er...

Bai Xiaofeng couldn’t help but scrutinize Gui Ge'er with a mother’s critical eye. Seeing him lounging with one leg propped up on his chair while eating, her eyebrow twitched in irritation. She scolded, "Yu Yonggui! That's no way to sit! Who taught you to eat with your foot on the chair?!"

Gui Ge'er pleaded, "Oh, dear mother, I only have this short break to rest. Can’t you just let me eat this meal in peace without finding fault?"

Bai Xiaofeng shot back, "But you can’t just be so sloppy—"

As the mother and son continued bickering, Xingxing, with a faint smile, casually glanced out the half-open window. There, she saw Gong Qingniang marching by angrily, followed closely by Yu Yongbai, who was frowning as he kept a distance of about three to five steps behind her.

Clearly, Yu Yongbai was following to ensure Gong Qingniang didn’t do something rash while angry.

Xingxing quickly leaned out the window, waving at Gong Qingniang and Yu Yongbai, calling, "Sister Gong! Second Brother!"

The people inside the room froze, and so did the two outside who had been called.

By the time Gong Qingniang and Yu Yongbai entered the room, Bai Xiaofeng couldn’t contain her curiosity as she sneaked glances at Gong Qingniang.

Wow, could this be their future second nephew’s wife?

The young lady was quite pretty!

Though she clearly seemed a bit uncomfortable.

Unable to suppress her eagerness for gossip, Bai Xiaofeng kept glancing between Gong Qingniang and Yu Yongbai.

Even someone as bold and straightforward as Gong Qingniang grew flustered under the scrutiny, looking increasingly uneasy.

Yu Yongbai, too, looked uncharacteristically flustered.

Bai Xiaofeng’s smile widened, and she suddenly got up. "I just remembered something—I forgot to buy an item. Gui Ge'er, come with me to get it?"

Gui Ge'er, quick on the uptake, immediately responded, "Ah, yes! Mother, didn’t you say my clothes were shabby? Let’s go buy a few new outfits while we’re at it."

The mother and son left arm in arm, with Bai Xiaofeng thoughtfully shutting the private room door behind them.

Now, only Yu Yongbai, Gong Qingniang, and Xingxing remained in the room.

Xingxing sat beside Gong Qingniang, took her hand. "Sister Gong, earlier I saw you looking furious. Did my second brother upset you somehow?"

Gong Qingniang automatically looked at Yu Yongbai, a flash of hurt crossing her eyes before she turned away. "It has nothing to do with your second brother."

"Then..."

Xingxing peered at Gong Qingniang, puzzled.

Gong Qingniang clenched her fists and gave a bitter smile, "Xingxing, you're like family... I'll just say it outright. My family has already accepted the bridal gifts from an old widower and plans to promise me in marriage next month."

Xingxing sucked in a sharp breath.

She had naturally heard Gong Qingniang mention before that the Gong family was dissatisfied with her running the family shops. But earlier, Yu Yongbai and Gong Qingniang had already admitted their feelings for each other—the feeling was mutual. Naturally, Yu Yongbai had been helping Gong Qingniang fight to keep control of the businesses she had built up herself.

Gradually, the actual control of the Gong family shops shifted into Yu Yongbai's hands. Backed into a corner, the Gong family used their position as elders to promise Gong Qingniang in marriage to that monster of a widower who'd killed three wives.

No wonder Gong Qingniang was so furious.

Xingxing frowned and turned to Yu Yongbai, "Second Elder Brother, didn’t you go to propose?"

Gong Qingniang's frown deepened as she sneered, "I was the one who stopped him. The Gong family has gone mad. If Second Elder Brother dared to propose, he wouldn't leave without being skinned alive!"

Yu Yongbai also frowned and interjected, "But I can’t just stand by and watch you being forced into marriage with that monster of a widower!"

He grew agitated, "What are you worried about? Even if they dare to take everything I own, let's see them try to keep it!"

Gong Qingniang’s eyes reddened as she argued with Yu Yongbai, "My family is already bad enough! Why drag you into this mess too?"

Her tone was full of dejection.

Xingxing glanced between them, scratching her cheek awkwardly, "...Um, Sister Gong, no offense, but the Gong family suddenly acting so crazy must mean something happened, right? Shouldn't we investigate?"

Gong Qingniang and Yu Yongbai both froze.

They'd been too worked up, and hadn't considered this angle.

Xingxing’s reminder snapped them out of it, and they began recalling unusual signs.

Gong Qingniang’s expression shifted slightly as she shot to her feet, gripping the table edge, "...Now that I think about it! Recently, my Second Uncle and Third Uncle have been frequently demanding large sums of silver from the shops—hundreds of taels each time—but the clerks refused them."

Yu Yongbai narrowed his eyes, putting two and two together, "Generally speaking, sudden and repeated financial shortages usually mean gambling."

Gambling!

With a clear direction for investigation, Yu Yongbai also stood up, "I have good connections with the owners of several major gambling dens in the capital. I’ll go ask around."

Gong Qingniang’s eyes turned steely, "Then I’ll return home and try to gather information too."

She bit her lip and looked at Yu Yongbai, whispering, "...Mr. Yu, you won’t look down on me because of my family’s mess, will you?"

Yu Yongbai stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace, "Miss Gong, do you really think so little of me?"

Their eyes met, love shining in their eyes.

Fortunately, Gong Qingniang still had some sense left and remembered Xingxing was still there—

Xingxing turned her back, covering her eyes, "It’s fine, it’s fine! I’ve suddenly gone blind and deaf—I didn’t see or hear anything!"

Gong Qingniang and Yu Yongbai couldn’t help but burst into laughter, lightening the mood.

Now with a clear goal, both were filled with determination.

Xingxing saw them off downstairs. She and Gong Qingniang walked ahead while Yu Yongbai trailed behind—this way, they avoided gossip while still maintaining propriety.

But just as they reached the teahouse entrance, they ran into an unexpected person—Zhou Yunyi.

Zhou Yunyi was startled to see Gong Qingniang.

His gaze flickered between Xingxing and Gong Qingniang before he finally said, "Fancy meeting you here."

Gong Qingniang’s expression remained indifferent as she scoffed and ignored him, preparing to leave.

However, Zhou Yunyi blocked her path, his eyes complicated, "...I’ve heard about it."

Gong Qingniang found him utterly baffling. She raised her eyes to meet his, "Heard what?"