Chapter 577: Coming to Pester Again

Chapter 577: Trouble Again

Yu Yongliu returned to the Yu residence, outwardly seeming fine. However, the usually composed man tripped over his own steps while climbing them and nearly lost his balance if not for the timely support of his attendant. Pulling himself together, he entered his room and sat down, absentmindedly pouring tea. At first, it seemed normal, but he continued pouring until the cup overflowed, spilling across the table. Only when the water dripped onto the floor did Yu Yongliu snap back to reality.

He gave a bitter chuckle.

"Big Bro?"

Xingxing's cheerful voice sounded from outside the courtyard.

Yu Yongliu pulled himself together and opened the door. "Xingxing, what’s up?"

Xingxing smiled, carrying a lunchbox. "I made some pastries and saved some for you, Big Bro!"

But as soon as she finished speaking, she noticed Yu Yongliu's expression and let out a surprised "Hm?"

"What’s wrong?"

Xingxing frowned slightly, her concern evident. "Third Brother, did something happen? You look... upset."

Yu Yongliu was taken aback, surprised that Xingxing could see through him. He didn’t hide it from her and sighed. "Sort of."

Xingxing grew even more curious.

Third Brother had just aced all six imperial exams and was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. By all accounts, he should be on top of the world. Why did he seem so gloomy?

When Xingxing followed Yu Yongliu into his room and saw the tea spilled across the table, her worry deepened.

"...Actually, I met a girl," Yu Yongliu murmured, his voice low. "...I’m not good enough for her, and I don’t want to keep bothering her. Xingxing, what should I do?"

The usually confident young man, who should have been full of confidence, now showed rare signs of defeat.

Xingxing stepped forward and hugged him. "Third Brother, to me, you’re the best. If that sister rejected you, it doesn’t mean you’re lacking—it might just mean you two aren’t meant to be."

Yu Yongliu chuckled softly. "Yes, perhaps we’re just not meant to be."

Xingxing didn’t know how else to help, so she tried her best to cheer him up.

Seeing his younger sister go to such lengths to lift his spirits, Yu Yongliu’s mood lifted a little. He reached out and patted her head.

When Xingxing left Yu Yongliu’s courtyard, she couldn’t help but let out a worried sigh.

Even someone as outstanding as Third Brother could be troubled by love troubles.

Was love really that powerful?

Then what about her...?

After a moment of thought, Xingxing decided to go with the flow.

After all, she was still young!

Bored at home, Xingxing went to visit Gong Qingniang for some fun.

After Gong Qingniang completely severed ties with the Gong family, it wasn’t long before the Gongs realized the dire state of their shops had been part of a clever scheme set by Gong Qingniang herself.

The Gongs immediately barged into Gong Qingniang’s shop, kicking up a fuss, but she wasn’t having any of it. She reported them to the authorities, scaring them off in an instant.

After all, Gong Laosan was still locked up!

The Gong family trembled at the mere mention of "the authorities."

Public stabbing was a serious crime, and without severe punishment, it would hardly serve as a deterrent. Despite the hundreds of taels of silver Dowager Gong had spent, all it bought was a slightly more comfortable prison stay for Gong Laosan, with better medicine for his injured leg.

Beyond that, nothing more could be done!

The Gong family seethed with hatred!

But no matter how much they hated it, Gong Qingniang was no longer part of their family. They had personally severed ties at the authorities, and she had already been adopted by distant relatives. At best, she was a distant relative now. They had no hold over her anymore.

Li Chunhua gleefully sent a matchmaker to Gong Qingniang's home to propose marriage. Gong Qingniang decided to marry Yu Yongbai herself.

When Xingxing went to visit, Gong Qingniang was working on her bridal veil.

She wasn’t great at needlework and couldn’t care less about the rest, so she hired professional embroiderers to handle the dowry. However, she felt adding a few stitches herself would be meaningful, so she kept that task.

But just as Xingxing arrived, someone started banging loudly on the door.

Xingxing called out casually, "Who is it?"

A slurred, drunken voice shot back from outside, "Gong Qingniang! Is Gong Qingniang here?!"

Though Xingxing had a good memory, the voice was so drunk she couldn’t recognize it.

She peeked through the door crack.

She nearly jumped at the sight.

Whoa!

It was Zhou Yunyi!

"What do you want?" Xingxing asked directly.

Zhou Yunyi, swaying like a drunkard, banged on the door again. "Gong Qingniang! You—what are you so smug about?! Weren’t you kicked out by the Gong family?! Open the door!"

Faced with a drunkard, Xingxing couldn’t care less.

But Gong Qingniang strode out from the courtyard and, through the locked gate, barked impatiently, "Zhou Yunyi, have you lost your mind?! Go find your Wang Jiajia if you’re drunk—why come here and cause trouble?!"

Zhou Yunyi, hearing her voice, went berserk and pounded harder. "Gong Qingniang! Gong Qingniang! Open the door!"

Gong Qingniang grew angrier. She turned, fetched a basin of water, told Xingxing to stand behind her, then flung the gate open and splashed the water straight at Zhou Yunyi!

The drenched Zhou Yunyi stood there, dripping like a drowned rat.

It took him a while to sober up slightly, clearly annoyed as he glared at Gong Qingniang. "You—you!"

Gong Qingniang had no patience for his nonsense. She pointed outside. "Get lost!"

Zhou Yunyi stormed off, fuming.

Gong Qingniang flipped off his retreating back.

Back in the courtyard, she ranted to Xingxing, "...Total nutjob. Not long ago, I heard that Wang Jiajia couldn’t hide her belly anymore. The Wang family dragged her to the Marquis of Weibei’s residence, demanding Zhou Yunyi take responsibility. The Marchioness nearly fainted, but Dowager Marchioness Weibei slammed the table and decreed: if Zhou Yunyi wanted to marry Wang Jiajia, fine—but he’d have to leave the marquisate and live independently. From then on, he’d get nothing from the Weibei estate. Not even a single coin from the Marchioness’s personal wealth would go to him."

"Zhou Yunyi was willing, but when the Wang family heard he’d be disowned and couldn’t even provide a decent bride price, they immediately backtracked."

"Ha! Zhou Yunyi was dumbstruck! He asked Wang Jiajia if she loved him for who he was or his status."

"Wang Jiajia stammered excuses, saying she had no choice—her brother owed gambling debts, and if Zhou Yunyi couldn’t provide a bride price, her whole family would suffer. She’d have to kill herself and the child in her belly. The whole mess was a total dumpster fire!"

Gong Qingniang recounted the story with glee, clearly relishing the memory.

Xingxing suddenly understood. No wonder Zhou Yunyi had come back to harass Sister Gong.