Chapter 716: Nonsense to Her “Elder Sister”

Chapter 716: Spouting Nonsense to Her "Dear Sister"

Xingxing stood before the antique shelf adorned with rare treasures, holding an open book in her hand. She coolly watched Zou Wan Shi’s face cycle through shades of fury, without saying a word.

It took Zou Wan Shi a while to shake off her envy and remember the purpose of her visit. Forcing a smile, she produced a paper from her sleeve: "This is Yan Shou's indenture contract, Your Highness. Look..."

Zhao Ying took the indenture from Zou Wan Shi and handed it over to Xingxing.

Xingxing set aside the book she had been reading and carefully examined the indenture.

She distrusted Zou Wan Shi completely and wanted to verify it thoroughly for her own peace of mind.

However, Zou Wan Shi hadn’t forged the indenture. After reviewing it, Xingxing instructed Zhao Ying to fetch two small-denomination notes—a fifty-tael and a ten-tael, totaling sixty taels.

"The indenture states that Yan Shou was bought for thirty taels. Now, I’m paying double to redeem her," Xingxing said calmly. "Take the silver, give me the indenture, and let this matter be settled."

Zou Wan Shi cursed inwardly—this stingy brat probably had furnishings in her room worth far more than sixty taels, yet she was brushing her off with pocket change!

Though she seethed inside, Zou Wan Shi dared not show her true feelings. With an ingratiating smile, she replied, "Of course, of course," while tucking the sixty taels into her bosom.

"Now that the indenture is settled, when will Your Highness visit our residence? I’ll have my son personally apologize to you," Zou Wan Shi asked tentatively.

Xingxing thought for a moment. "Now?"

Overjoyed, Zou Wan Shi eagerly agreed, "Ah, yes, yes! Now works."

Though it was already quite late, Xingxing wanted to resolve this unpleasant matter today so it wouldn’t ruin her next day. She didn’t mind the timing.

However, Xingxing wasn’t reckless. She had earlier asked her second brother to assign her a squad of top guards from the trading caravan.

These guards had traveled far and wide with the caravan, resolving countless conflicts and spilled blood fighting bandits. Their prowess was such that each could hold off ten men—no exaggeration.

Unless the Zou family had the audacity to secretly raise a private army of a hundred men, Xingxing could practically come and go from the Zou residence like walking through an empty house.

As Xingxing boarded the carriage, Zou Wan Shi balked at the sight of the trailing guards. "This is..."

Zhao Ying shot back, "Isn’t it normal for Her Highness to travel with guards?"

Zou Wan Shi’s expression stiffened. *Good thing we’re just testing the waters today and not planning to act...* she thought. *Given this situation, we’ll have to wait for an opportunity when the little miss is unprotected.*

Calculating silently, Zou Wan Shi moved to board the carriage as well.

But Zhao Ying blocked the steps, glaring at her. "You’ll ride in the back carriage, Mrs. Zou."

Though her words were polite, her expression conveyed anything but courtesy.

Zou Wan Shi turned crimson with rage but swallowed her anger and retreated to the smaller carriage at the back. Inside, she ranted for half an hour, cursing Zhao Ying and Xingxing.

When the carriage stopped at the Zou residence, Xingxing happened to see a man and a woman ambling past as she alighted.

The man bore some resemblance to Yu Chongjie and Yu Chongen, prompting Xingxing to study him a beat longer.

As if sensing her gaze, the man met her gaze.

Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment.

The man was taken aback for a moment.

Noticing this, the woman beside him asked, "What's wrong, Chongting?"

They were none other than Yu Chongting and Sun Qiyi.

Sun Qiyi’s old family residence was right next to the Zou family’s.

When Sun Qiyi moved in a couple of days ago, she even brought her butler to present gifts to the nearby neighbors, apologizing for any disturbance caused by the move.

Since she had given gifts to everyone, she naturally included the Zou family.

However, Lady Zou Wan was one to look down on others; seeing that Sun Qiyi was dressed rather plainly, she barely gave her a proper glance.

Yu Chongting shook his head slightly, unsure how to explain to Sun Qiyi the inexplicable flutter he felt when he saw the little girl, which had nothing to do with romantic attraction.

Sun Qiyi did not press further, instead turning her curious gaze toward Xingxing, smiling gracefully and nodding at her as a greeting.

Xingxing returned the smile.

Lady Zou Wan pursed her lips.

Smile, smile, smile—what was there to smile about with such a poor and lowly person!

Lady Zou Wan didn’t dare show her displeasure to Xingxing, but she had no such reservations with Sun Qiyi.

She snorted loudly at Sun Qiyi.

Seeming to understand what Lady Zou Wan was thinking, Sun Qiyi remained unperturbed, smiling slowly. "Madam Zou, I have some knowledge of medicine, and there is something I must remind you of..."

Zou Wan's smile was forced. "Oh? Is that so? You actually understand medicine? But which proper young lady would go and study medicine?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expression on Zhaoying, who was beside Xingxing, immediately changed.

Zhaoying said coldly, "How dare you! To defame the Lady of the County!"

Zou Wan was taken aback.

No, she was mocking that poor family next door!

Zhaoying continued coldly, "Who doesn't know that our Lady of the County is proficient in medicine and has even saved the Empress several times? The Emperor and Empress have both praised her medical skills. By defaming her now, are you questioning the Emperor and Empress?"

This heavy accusation was too much for Zou Wan to bear; she was sweating profusely, cursing herself inwardly for not having done more research, while secretly berating this girl for having such a fortunate situation. On the surface, she hurried to soften her stance.

Zou Wan quickly patted her own mouth lightly. "Oh dear, I was just talking nonsense. Please don't take it seriously, Lady of the County."

Xingxing only looked at Zou Wan coldly and indifferently. "That young lady kindly warned you, but you responded with harsh words. You should apologize to that young lady."

Zou Wan hurriedly turned to look at Sun Qiyi.

Sun Qiyi still had her hand on Yu Chongting's arm, clearly he had wanted to attack just now.

Zou Wan cursed inwardly but forced a smile. "Miss Sun, don't mind me. I'm just someone who speaks harshly but has a good heart... What did you say you wanted to warn me about?"

Sun Qiyi glanced at Xingxing somewhat unexpectedly before turning to Zou Wan. "I noticed earlier that Master Zou had some marks on his neck, which seemed like a certain illness. When you have the time, perhaps you should take Master Zou to see a doctor."

Sun Qiyi spoke very tactfully, avoiding saying the three words "venereal disease."

Zou Wan's face changed several times, but she held back from cursing.

Dr. Sun Qiyi had given a reminder, fulfilling his duty as a doctor; whether or not it was heeded was up to the other party.

Dr. Sun Qiyi shrugged and whispered to Yu Chongting, "Shall we go?"

Yu Chongting nodded, bowed to Xingxing, and then left with Dr. Sun Qiyi.

Xingxing seemed lost in thought.

Seeing that the destitute man surnamed Sun had finally left, Lady Zou Wan let out a sigh of relief, fearing that things might turn for the worse if they lingered, she hurriedly led Xingxing back home.

Lady Zou Haigui, the matriarch, had been waiting. As soon as Lady Zou Wan brought Xingxing in, they almost immediately recognized this delicate and elegantly dressed young girl as the little girl they had thrown into the turbulent river from their boat over ten years ago.

For a moment, neither Lady Zou nor Lady Zou Haigui looked pleased.

Xingxing's expression remained calm as she glanced at Lady Zou Wan, "Didn't you say your son would apologize to me? What is this about?"

Lady Zou Wan carefully observed Xingxing's expression, seeing no signs of abnormality, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed that this wretched girl truly did not remember what had happened in the past...

Lady Zou Haigui tentatively called out, "Princess?"

Zhao Ying frowned.

Xingxing rarely put on airs as a princess, preferring to keep a low profile. However, while Xingxing's humility was one thing, for this old lady to directly address her as 'princess' despite knowing her identity was indeed somewhat disrespectful.

Before Zhao Ying could speak, Xingxing placed her hand on Zhao Ying's arm, a gesture that appeared casual but conveyed an unspoken message. Understanding Xingxing's intent, Zhao Ying paused briefly and lowered her head, remaining silent.

Lady Zou Wan smiled apologetically, "Princess, please don't be offended. This is my elder relative who wishes to meet you and also to apologize on Minglei's behalf. Minglei did not mean to offend you that day on the street; he was merely so admiring of you that his behavior became inappropriate..."

Xingxing's pitch-black eyes turned to look at Zou Wan Shi: "Are you done? If this is your apology, then I'm leaving."

With that, Xingxing took Zhao Ying's hand and prepared to leave.

Zou Wan Shi panicked and hurriedly stopped her: "Wait, wait, wait! Hold on, My Lady, just a moment. It's my son who wants to apologize to you personally... Please don't rush..."

Xingxing paused indifferently.

Zou Wan Shi couldn't help cursing inwardly—where did this nasty temper come from?!

Back then, she had treated her like dirt, and now she dares to put on airs!

Not daring to cause more trouble, Zou Wan Shi exchanged a look with Old Madam Zou and Zou Haigui before leading Xingxing out.

Zou Haigui quickly stepped forward: "I haven’t visited Ming Lei today either. Let’s go, I’ll join you."

Xingxing’s gaze briefly lingered on the skin sores around Zou Haigui’s neck but said nothing.

When they arrived at Zou Minglei’s courtyard, Zou Minglei was still throwing a tantrum inside.

Yan Shou, specially bought to serve him, had already been sent away, and the other maids’ contracts didn’t belong to the Zou family. Zou Minglei felt they were all half-hearted in their duties and deceiving him.

Moreover, stuck in bed all day with nothing to do, his frustration naturally flared.

As soon as Xingxing entered the courtyard, Zou Minglei’s filthy cursing reached her ears.

Even Zhao Ying wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Zou Wan Shi and Zou Haigui were clearly uncomfortable.

Zou Wan Shi forced a smile and explained, "This boy... he can be a little too straightforward at times. But he means well, truly."

Xingxing didn’t respond.

Zou Wan Shi quickly raised her voice, "Ming Lei! The princess came just to see you!"

Zhao Ying’s face darkened with anger, her expression stern as she rebuked, "Mrs. Zou! Our princess only came to your residence because you begged repeatedly, claiming your son wanted to apologize! And now you dare spout such nonsense—do you think our princess is naive, deliberately trying to humiliate her?!"

Zou Wan Shi seethed silently at how troublesome this maid was!

Yet Xingxing was also watching her coldly, making Zou Wan Shi tense up and hastily lower her voice to explain, "Princess, please... just humor my son for a bit. Ever since he was beaten, he’s been moping around all day. I only meant to cheer him up... Don’t worry, he’s truly sorry for that incident. You needn’t worry!"

While Zou Wan Shi was trying to smooth things over, Zou Minglei’s voice suddenly rang out.

His voice was giddy with excitement, rising sharply, "Really?! The princess is really here?!"

"Young master, you mustn’t move recklessly, young master..."

The maids tried to stop him from inside the room.

Hearing this, Zou Wan Shi’s face paled as she rushed in to stop Zou Minglei, "My son, the physician said you mustn’t leave the bed—don’t move! It’s true, the princess is really here. Calm down!"

She then hurried back out to grab Xingxing’s arm, "Princess, please come inside and see him."

Zhao Ying scowled and angrily swatted Zou Wan Shi’s hand away, "How insolent!"

Her small face was pale with rage, "Just because our princess is kind-hearted, you think you can take advantage?! Is this what you call an apology?!"

Zou Wan Shi inwardly wanted to strangle Zhao Ying and throw her out!

But outwardly, she forced a smile, "No, no, we truly invited the princess here to apologize..."

Instead, Xingxing turned and walked toward a stone table and bench in the courtyard.

Zhao Ying took out a handkerchief and wiped the bench clean before Xingxing sat down. "I won’t go in. If he wishes to apologize to me personally, he can speak loudly from inside. I can hear him perfectly well from here."

Zou Wan Shi’s face twisted in panic, "How is that the same?!"

But Xingxing’s stance was firm. Left with no choice, Zou Wan Shi could only return to the room to persuade Zou Minglei.

After some whispered discussion between mother and son, Zou Wan Shi soon called for several burly servants to carry Zou Minglei out on a palanquin.

Zou Minglei lay on the palanquin, which was set down in the courtyard.

Straining to lift his head, he gazed at Xingxing with infatuation, "Princess..."

Xingxing’s expression remained icy.

Zou Minglei was utterly bewitched by her. Following Zou Wan Shi’s instructions, he mumbled an apology for the previous incident—only to immediately follow it with rambling about love, claiming he had fallen for her at first sight.

Zhao Ying was shaking with rage, her fingertips trembling, "Seems like you didn’t get enough of those beatings!"

Such shamelessness!

Xingxing stood and looked at Zou Wan Shi, her face unreadable. "...Aren’t you going to stop him?"

To Xingxing, no matter how detestable Zou Minglei was, he was still her brother.

Zou Wan Shi’s earlier behavior had clearly indicated she recognized Xingxing and was testing her.

Yet now, she was allowing Zou Minglei to spout such nonsense to his own "elder sister"?

Zou Wan Shi coughed and gave a token scolding to Zou Minglei.

Xingxing’s suspicion deepened.