Chapter 676 We People of the Jianghu Aren’t So Relentless

Chapter 676: We martial artists don’t hold grudges like this

At this moment, the atmosphere in Daxisipo’s cabin was weirdly tense.

By the wooden table, Daxisipo sat on one side, while Xingxing and Yu Yonggui sat on the other.

The girl with frosty eyes stood beside Daxisipo, neither sitting nor speaking.

Daxisipo frowned at her, displeased, and snapped: "Sit!"

Only then did the girl with frosty eyes take a seat.

Xingxing, summarizing what both sides said, concluded: "So, earlier, my fourth brother and this..."

She paused, glancing inquiringly at the girl with frosty eyes for her name.

The girl with frosty eyes looked away stiffly and replied curtly, "Qing Shuang."

Xingxing nodded and continued, "So, earlier, my fourth brother fought with Miss Qing Shuang. My brother was slashed five times and nearly killed by her, while Qing Shuang was stabbed several times by my brother and later saved by Grandma Da Xi..."

Qing Shuang suddenly interjected, her tone icy as she emphasized, "I was stabbed four times—fewer than him."

Xingxing: "..."

Why did she sense a weird one-upmanship?

Daxisipo, however, bluntly called her out: "Enough with the four stabs. When I found you at the bottom of the valley, there wasn’t a single good spot left on your body—you were bleeding like a stuck pig, with lingering poison still in your system. The only reason you’re alive is because I’m a miracle of a doctor!"

Daxisipo worked herself up as she ranted!

She had only felt sorry for the girl because she found her appearance agreeable, reluctantly using up many of her rare herbs she’d been saving for years to save her!

Just thinking about it made her heart ache!

Qing Shuang’s tone softened slightly, though she still tried to defend herself: "...Grandma, that was because I fell off the cliff and got scraped by rocks and branches..."

Daxisipo glared: "Still sassing me!"

Qing Shuang muttered an "Oh" and obediently shut her mouth, saying nothing more.

Yu Yonggui stared, baffled.

Was this really the same lunatic who’d tried to murder him?!

"And you—stop tutting!" Daxisipo glared equally at Yu Yonggui, pissed with him. "How could you hit a girl this pretty?! Do you have any idea how many rare herbs I spent to save her?!"

Yu Yonggui threw up his hands: "Grandma! Grandma Da Xi! If I hadn’t fought back, I’d have been hacked to death by the ‘pretty girl’ you’re talking about—"

He gestured wildly, "She swung a sword *this* big at me like a maniac! If not for my agility, you and Xingxing might be at my funeral already."

"..."

The cabin went dead quiet again.

Qing Shuang seemed to realize how close her savior was to these two. Shifting awkwardly, she muttered, "...I owed a debt to that family. They told me to guard that ledger with my life."

Yu Yonggui barked a laugh: "So, is that debt repaid now? Are you still going to kill me?"

Qing Shuang said softly, "The debt is settled. We’re square. If you still want that ledger, you can go ahead and take it."

After speaking, Qing Shuang quickly glanced at Daxisipo and added hastily, "...From now on, I’ll stay with you, Grandma, to repay my debt."

Daxisipo frowned deeply, displeased. "My herbs are all extremely precious. You couldn’t pay me back even if you tried your whole life."

Qing Shuang replied without hesitation, "You're right, Grandma. If I can’t repay you in this life, I’ll keep serving you in the next, continuing to make amends."

Daxisipo let out a loud snort.

Xingxing and Yu Yonggui couldn’t help but exchange a glance.

Uh, this vibe...

Qing Shuang suddenly spoke again, "...Grandma, you should go celebrate the New Year with them. I’ll stay here and watch the house for you. I’ll dry the herbs that need sunning every day."

Daxisipo snapped, "Just focus on resting. Those herbs can wait a few days."

Daxisipo was well aware that, given the circumstances, it wouldn’t be appropriate to bring Qing Shuang to the Yu family.

In fact, she thought it was only for her sake that Yu Yonggui and Xingxing hadn’t immediately attacked Qing Shuang.

"Enough," Daxisipo said before leaving with Xingxing and Yu Yonggui for the Yu family. She shot Qing Shuang a look and grumbled, "Stay put and don’t go getting hurt, or you’ll waste my herbs again."

Qing Shuang nodded. "Understood, Grandma."

During the carriage ride back to the Yu family, Daxisipo leaned against the wall with her eyes closed, resting. Xingxing, however, lifted the curtain and glanced back.

The girl with the cool gaze stood alone at the end of the mountain path, watching their carriage depart.

As they neared the Yu residence, Daxisipo, still with her eyes shut, suddenly spoke, "Gui Geer."

Yu Yonggui responded, "Huh?"

Without opening her eyes, Daxisipo asked calmly, "What’s on your mind? Do you want to kill that girl for revenge, or what?"

Yu Yonggui immediately sounded indignant. "What? Grandma, is that how you see me? You think I’m that kind of guy? As if I suffered some huge loss at her hands! Didn’t I nearly kill her too? That makes us even! Am I really that small-minded? We fighters don’t dwell on stuff like that!"

Daxisipo opened her eyes, studied Yu Yonggui’s expression, and, seeing he meant it, closed them again with a snort.

Yu Yonggui continued rambling, "...Besides, I have my parents, grandparents, Xingxing, and a bunch of brothers who care about me. That girl was poisoned, fell off a cliff, was saved by you, and now owes a debt she’ll still owe in the afterlife. Compared to her, I’ve got it way better! Why would I kill her for revenge?"

"Grandma, let me tell you, the way you asked that really hurt me. That hurt my feelings! One pack of your special golden wound medicine won’t fix this—make it two!"

Finally, Daxisipo couldn’t take it anymore and snapped, "Enough! Zip it!"

That finally stopped Yu Yonggui’s complaints.

But he still looked aggrieved, as if wanting to drag Xingxing into the argument.

Xingxing stuck out her tongue teasingly.

When they arrived at the Yu residence, Daxisipo, as comfortable there as at home, didn’t wait for Xingxing and Yu Yonggui, who lagged behind. "I’m beat. Heading to bed first," she said, walking ahead.

Xingxing gave a nod.

Trailing behind, Yu Yonggui tugged at Xingxing’s sleeve and whispered, "...Little sister, keep Mom in the dark about Qing Shuang living with Grandma. After I nearly died this time, Mom clenches her jaw just talking about the person who hurt me. I don’t dare say much in front of her—one wrong word and she bites my head off."

Xingxing whispered back just as quietly, "Don’t worry, Fourth Brother. I know when to keep quiet."

While the siblings walked on, whispering to each other, a voice suddenly called out to Xingxing, "...Milady!"

Xingxing turned to see Wei Zihang, with Ju Geer at his side.

Wei Zihang quickly stepped forward, first giving Xingxing a respectful bow as a greeting, then bowing to Yu Yonggui as well: "Fourth Brother Yu."

Yu Yonggui stood with his hands behind his back and grunted in acknowledgment.

Ju Geer beamed. "Fourth Brother, Xingxing, did you guys just get back with Grandma Da Xi?" He glanced around. "Where is Grandma Da Xi?"

Xingxing smiled in reply. "The trip wore her out, so Grandma Da Xi went straight to her room. Fourth Brother and I are walking slowly behind."

Ju Geer gave a knowing nod.

He then pointed at Wei Zihang and said, "Zihang came to deliver some things to our household."

Xingxing frowned in confusion.

A few days ago, she had helped Bai Xiaofeng and Gong Qingniang go over the records of holiday gifts exchanged with other families.

The Jiping Commandery Prince's residence had already sent their holiday gifts early, and after discussing it, they'd sent suitable gifts in return.

What was he delivering now?

Seeing Xingxing's confusion, Wei Zihang hurriedly explained, "Turns out one of our ships just docked yesterday, bringing back many goods from overseas."

Xingxing understood.

If Wei Zihang had once entertained the idea of asking his parents to arrange a betrothal with Xingxing, after everything that had happened, he knew it was just wishful thinking now.

He still had feelings for Xingxing, but he felt he wasn't worthy of her.

But as a young guy, he wasn't about to give up without at least trying. Thus, Wei Zihang found himself deeply conflicted.

Still, none of this stopped him from feeling overjoyed every time he saw Xingxing.

Yu Yonggui caught Wei Zihang stealing looks at his sister and wasn't happy about it.

He shot a look at Ju Geer.

What was up with his little brother? Why was he letting a wolf in the door?

Was Ju Geer really that oblivious that he couldn't see someone was eyeing their sister?!

Yu Yonggui cleared his throat and threw an arm around Wei Zihang's shoulders. "Thanks for being so generous to our family, Young Master Wei."

Wei Zihang quickly replied, "I—Ju Geer and I—we're like brothers. It's only natural. Besides, Ju Geer often brings me nice things too."

Ju Geer nodded vigorously. "Good brothers, right!"

Yu Yonggui mentally facepalmed at his brother's denseness.

You treat him like a good brother, but all he wants is to make a move on your sister and become your brother-in-law—can't you see that?

After Wei Zihang left, Yu Yonggui gave Ju Geer a knuckle rap on the forehead.

Ju Geer grabbed his forehead, shocked. "Fourth Brother? What was that about?"

Yu Yonggui scoffed. "Don't you get what your 'good brother' is after?"

Ju Geer finally understood and scoffed, leaning closer to Yu Yonggui and lowering his voice: "...I know, I know it all! I also know our Xingxing has no romantic interest in Ah Hang—that’s why I’m not worried about her! Besides, I’ve seen how troubled Ah Hang has been with his family matters lately, and I didn’t want to pile on his troubles."

Yu Yonggui, who worked in intelligence, had been recuperating from injuries but hadn’t slacked off on his duties.

He gave Ju Geer the side-eye at the mention of this: "...His sister’s matter, right?"

Xingxing overheard this: "Second Miss Wei? What happened?"

Yu Yonggui didn’t hide it from her and coughed lightly: "Nothing much. A while ago, Second Miss Wei had a complete blow-up with the second son of the Duke of Xinguo’s household... Lately, she’s been causing quite a stir at the Jiping Commandery Prince’s residence. Eventually, the Princess Consort of Jiping Commandery hardened her heart and forced an abortifacient on Second Miss Wei. But somehow, the medicine didn’t harm the child in her womb. Second Miss Wei then had a screaming match with the Princess Consort and ran away from home."

Not only Xingxing, but even Ju Geer, who was close to Wei Zihang, had no idea about this.

He only knew that Wei Shuangyan had recently been making a scene about leaving home, and the Jiping Commandery Prince and his wife were fed up with Wei Shuangyan that they simply sent a full team of guards to follow her and let her go.

Ju Geer looked at his fourth brother with admiration—how did he even know such things?!

Yu Yonggui basked in his younger brother’s starstruck look before clearing his throat: "I’m just giving you a heads-up so you don’t accidentally push his buttons in front of that kid later... Anyway, just keep this to yourselves."

Xingxing and Ju Geer nodded in unison.

...

Though Daxisipo had come to the Yu household, she didn’t say it aloud, but deep down, she was still concerned about Qing Shuang.

She told Xingxing that after spending New Year’s Eve dinner with them, she would return on the first day of the new year.

Xingxing thought for a moment and realized, hugging Daxisipo’s arm and sticking out her tongue: "Grandma Da Xi, you’re worried about that Miss Qing Shuang, aren’t you?"

Daxisipo tapped Xingxing’s little nose: "Nonsense. Why would I worry about her? I’m worried about my herbs."

Xingxing didn’t expose Daxisipo’s all bark and no bite—after all, her Grandma Da Xi was always so tough on the outside but soft on the inside.

However, just one day before New Year’s Eve, something unexpected happened. A young beggar brought over a crudely made jade pendant stained with blood, saying a woman outside the city had asked her to deliver it.

The moment Daxisipo saw the bloodied pendant, her face went pale.

She immediately stood up, her voice urgent as she asked the beggar: "Where is the person who gave you this?"

The beggar gulped nervously, looking frightened: "She... she’s in a ruined temple outside the city, on death's door. She also told me to pass on a message—she said in her next life, she’ll be your slave to repay your kindness."

Daxisipo’s eyes reddened with anger as she cursed: "Oh, she'd like that, wouldn't she!"

Daxisipo was about to rush off, but Xingxing grabbed her arm: "Grandma Da Xi, don’t rush! I’ll go with you!... Miss Qing Shuang is injured, not to mention other potential dangers. Let’s bring a team of guards!"

Daxisipo nodded grimly.

Yu Yonggui, who was also at home, heard about this and felt a pang of dread. He quickly came over to Daxisipo to clear his name: "This really wasn’t my doing, and it shouldn’t be anyone from our side either!"

Daxisipo had no time to argue with him and snapped impatiently: "Fine, fine, I didn’t say it was you!"

Yu Yonggui scratched his head anxiously and decided to go with Daxisipo and Xingxing.

By the time Daxisipo, Xingxing, and Yu Yonggui arrived in a hurry, Qing Shuang was sitting in a corner of the ruined temple, drenched in blood, leaning on a knife to support her faltering body, to keep herself from collapsing.