Chapter 562: Am I in the Way Here?

Chapter 562: Am I Being a Nuisance Here?

Old Lady Gong never expected this sweet-looking girl, who seemed as delicate as a glutinous rice ball, to be so difficult to deal with.

Her expression changed abruptly. "You—"

Xingxing’s brows were cold.

She had exquisite features, the kind that exuded sweetness and beauty, and also possessed the auspicious appearance that elders favored.

But at this moment, her eyes suddenly turned cold, radiating a chilling aura. She looked regal and untouchable, making it hard for anyone to meet her gaze directly.

Old Lady Gong had come here to cause trouble, hoping to force the Yu family to hand over Gong Qingniang, then threaten them into withdrawing their lawsuit at the yamen to get Gong Lao San released.

But the young girl who came out was not buying any of it!

Xingxing said coldly, "Old Lady Gong! Do you really think no one knows about your family's affairs? The two uncles of the Gong family have been gambling away most of the family's fortune, and they even dared to lay hands on the only orphaned niece in the main branch! If it weren't for Township Lady Ben's second brother stepping in to protect my Sister Gong, that Gong Lao San would have stabbed her to death! How can you still have the nerve to claim that we kidnapped Sister Gong?!"

The Yu family had just produced a top scholar who had won six consecutive titles, making them highly renowned in the capital. The nearby residents often received lucky money from the Yu family, and with such a dramatic family drama unfolding, everyone instinctively sympathized with the underdog. They all tsked disapprovingly, looking at Old Lady Gong with disdain and pointing fingers.

Old Lady Gong had lived a life of luxury, supported by Gong Qingniang over the years, like an old dowager. Today, she had put aside her dignity to save her beloved third son, coming here to make a scene.

But she never imagined that a young girl would have such presence!

And what was this "Township Lady" business!

She didn’t dare to make a scene anymore!

She was truly afraid that these servants might tie her up and send her to prison!

Madam Gong's eyes darted around as she shouted with false bravado, "Anyway, my granddaughter is in your house! Give her back to me now, or you're trying to drive this old woman to her death!"

Xingxing wasn’t intimidated at all. Her small face was stern, and she even took a step forward, causing Madam Gong to stagger back in fright. Xingxing raised her voice, "My second brother was nearly killed by your Gong Laosan! And you have the nerve to come here and accuse us of driving you to your death? How have we done that? To prevent your family from killing Sister Qingniang, I invited her to stay with us as a guest—several ladies of standing can testify to that. And now you claim I’m trying to kill you? You keep insisting we’ve abducted Sister Qingniang—what does that do to her reputation? Madam Gong, first you twist the truth and falsely accuse us of threatening your life, and second, you're cruelly putting Sister Qingniang in danger. How vicious can you be?"

Xingxing’s logical arguments earned approving nods from the surrounding onlookers and neighbors.

Madam Gong was left speechless by Xingxing’s sharp rebukes. Just as she was about to throw another tantrum, Xingxing calmly asked her one last question: "Have you given up on Gong Laosan then?"

All of Madam Gong’s bluster instantly died in her throat.

Xingxing watched coldly.

Finally, Madam Gong spat out a weak "Just you wait!" before slinking away as the crowd mocked her, likely to figure out what to do next.

Only then did Xingxing calmly return to the residence. But the moment she stepped inside, she stuck out her tongue at Yu Yongliu and said, "I scared her off."

Yu Yongliu smiled and patted her head. "You did well."

If Yu Yongbai wanted to marry Gong Qingniang, the Gong family was an unavoidable obstacle. At the very least, for now, before a clear strategy was in place, Xingxing couldn’t push things too far.

Otherwise, as Xingxing put it, she’d have just let the authorities "calm Madam Gong down" with a good scare!

Though Yu Yongliu was still waiting for Emperor Jiazheng or the Ministry of Personnel to assign him an official post, he hadn’t been idle these past few days. The capital's endless rounds of mandatory banquets had kept him busy.

Yu Yongliu wasn’t one to keep to himself—his mentors and classmates all had gatherings he couldn’t refuse.

After visiting his second brother, Yu Yongbai, he went out again.

Xingxing watched Third Brother Yu Yongliu’s retreating figure sympathetically and said, “It wasn’t easy for Third Brother to achieve the first-place scholar title either.”

Yu Yongbai was in much better spirits today, with some color returning to his face. He chuckled at the remark, “Grandfather has already sent someone to inform the clan. This time, Third Brother becoming the top scholar is a glorious honor for our ancestors—much more impressive than just being a merchant like me.”

He was clearly joking.

Gong Qingniang, who was peeling an apple nearby, frowned disapprovingly and shot him a glare. “Don’t belittle yourself like that.”

Yu Yongbai immediately brightened even more. “Yes, yes, whatever Ms. Gong says.”

The indulgence in his tone was unmistakable.

Gong Qingniang rolled her eyes at him but couldn’t help a small, private smile.

Xingxing let out a soft “hiss,” suddenly doubting herself.

Was she… maybe third-wheeling here?

And should she even tell Gong Qingniang about the incident with her grandmother?

After wrestling with her thoughts, Xingxing decided that since the Gong family issue would have to be faced sooner or later—and since her Second Brother had been stabbed by Gong Laosan, making them both victims—it was better to speak up.

Carefully, she asked Gong Qingniang, “…Sister Gong, your Third Uncle is still in jail. What do you think about that?”

At the mention of Gong Laosan, Gong Qingniang’s voice hardened with anger. “…I hope he rots in prison for the rest of his life!”

Xingxing scratched her cheek. “…Actually, Sister Gong, your grandmother came to our gate earlier, causing a huge scene. She accused us of kidnapping you and demanded we hand you over.”

Gong Qingniang paled and abruptly stood up. “…My grandmother…?”

She had known her grandmother favored her uncles, but she never imagined her grandmother would disregard her well-being entirely!

The Yu family, concerned for her reputation, had even invited several other ladies to witness Xingxing formally inviting Gong Qingniang to stay with them for a few days—making everything proper and respectable.

Yet her own grandmother!

To pressure the Yu family and force her compliance, she had come to their doorstep and caused a scene, as if trying to publicly shame her and make her life harder!

Gong Qingniang’s heart twisted bitterly.

Though she had long been disillusioned by her uncles’ cruelty, her grandmother… was still family. Deep down, she had clung to a sliver of hope.

But she should have known better!

How could someone who allowed her uncles to gamble themselves into ruin ever care about her?

Gong Qingniang pressed her lips tightly together.

Yu Yongbai, distressed, tried to rise to comfort her but winced as the movement tugged at his wound.

Gong Qingniang’s focus immediately shifted to him, her own sorrow momentarily forgotten as she hurried to restrain him. “What are you doing?!” she scolded.