Chapter 779 A Small Fuss

Chapter 779: A Small Commotion

The return of Yu Yonggui and Xingxing to honor their ancestors caused a sensation throughout Nantuo Village.

Not only that, but the Yu clan from neighboring villages also treated this as a top priority. The sixty-year-old clan leader even hitched his ox cart and hurried over to Nantuo Village.

—Others might not know, but those in charge of the clan records were well aware: Xingxing, the girl adopted by the Yu family, was no ordinary figure now—she was a county princess, a noble title personally granted by His Majesty!

Though the county princess didn’t act high-and-mighty and even sent word that she would host a banquet for them the next day, buying more ancestral land and showing great respect to the clan, the elders knew they had to show proper respect as well!

Moreover, in good conscience, when both children traveled all the way from the capital to pay their respects, it would be unseemly for the elders not to show up.

The clan leader bumped along in the ox cart, but the smile never left his face.

Over the past few years, the Yu family’s business had consistently purchased fifty acres of ancestral land for the clan each year. The deeds belonged to the clan, while the annual proceeds were used to establish a clan school, hiring teachers to educate the children of the clan. Nearby villagers who wished to enroll could also attend for a small fee.

Several of the clan leader’s grandsons were currently studying at the Yu clan school, and his youngest grandson had even been praised by the teacher for his promising talent.

Now, the entire Yu clan was pushing hard to raise another scholar, with Yu Yongliu as their role model.

Even the elderly clan leader felt full of energy, brimming with purpose.

Though he was too old to work the fields, his voice rang louder than ever when dealing with clan matters!

This was the change the Yu family of Nantuo Village had brought to the entire clan.

Now that the youngest son of the Yu family and the county princess had returned to pay their respects, the clan leader was afraid he might even be late!

By the time the Yu clan leader arrived at the Yu residence, it was already dark.

He wasn’t the only one who had come. As soon as he entered, he noticed—Wow!—most of the nearby Yu clan members had already gathered.

Many villagers from Nantuo Village had also turned up.

Yu Yonggui decided to lay out a dozen tables in the main courtyard of the Yu family’s old home to host the villagers and clansmen.

Yu Yonggui bustled about, toasting here and chatting there, hardly stopping for a breath.

When the Yu clan leader arrived, Yu Yonggui exclaimed, “Oh dear!” and hurried over to support him. “Grand Elder, what brings you here? I was planning to bring my sister to visit you first thing tomorrow morning.”

These words greatly pleased the clan leader.

Stroking his graying beard, his smile grew even warmer. “Ah, Gui Geer, you and your sister have traveled such a long way from the capital. As your elder, of course I had to come and see if there’s anything the family lacks or if there’s any way the clan can help. No need for formalities—if you need anything, just say the word.”

Yu Yonggui grinned. “Understood! With your words, Grand Elder, my sister and I are deeply reassured. Don’t worry—if we need anything from the clan, we won’t hesitate to ask.”

The clan leader’s face lit up with a smile.

Yu Yonggui’s words had shown the clan such respect, and the clan leader felt immensely proud—so much so that his joy could almost light up the night.

Xingxing came forward with a smile, offering to help the clan leader to his seat.

The clan leader started and quickly said, “Your Grace—”

Xingxing gave him a slight shake of her head.

Realizing she didn’t want her identity revealed, the clan leader caught himself. But he didn’t dare let the county princess assist him either, hastily waved over his grandson to help him to his seat instead.

The Yu family patriarch naturally took his place at the head table.

Xingxing was also at the main table, but everyone understood perfectly, and no one dared to spout nonsense like "how can a woman sit at the main table?"

They were simple country folk, after all. The Yu family had done so much for their entire clan and village—it was like they’d given them a new lease on life. So what if she sat at the main table?

Heck, even if she danced on the table, nobody’d bat an eye!

That night’s "simple meal" was full of warmth and cheer.

Yu Yonggui had even sent for good liquor from town. They raised their cups and drank their fill.

As the evening drew to a close, most were still drinking. Xingxing didn’t drink, so she bowed out early.

Wei Shiyan, uneasy in crowds, had taken his meal to his room. Xingxing decided to check on him.

Just as she stepped out of the main courtyard’s gate, Yamei'er rushed up anxiously, asking to borrow a carriage.

Xingxing looked up—night had fallen, leaving only a bright moon overhead.

"It’s so late. Where are you going?" Xingxing asked. "If it’s mountain roads, it’s a bit dangerous."

Yamei'er’s face was twisted with worry. "...It’s my husband. I think something’s happened. I can’t rest at home, so I want to go to the county town to check."

Upon further questioning, Xingxing learned that Yamei'er’s husband had gone to the county to sell some saved-up pelts and was supposed to return the next day. But a villager claimed to have seen him get into an argument with someone and thrown into jail.

Jail was never a good sign.

The villager rushed back to tell Yamei'er, sending her into a panic.

The two households in the village with donkey or mule carts happened to be away on work trips.

With no other options, Yamei'er swallowed her pride and begged Xingxing for the carriage.

"...I know if he’s really in trouble, going now won’t do much good. It’d be better to go tomorrow to sort things out and see him," Yamei'er said quietly, her face twisted with worry. "But the thought of him in jail feels like claws tearing at my heart. I just want to go to the county town—at least I’ll be closer to him."

Xingxing squeezed Yamei'er’s hand and made up her mind. "Don’t worry. I’ll go with you to the county town."

Yamei'er gaped at her, shaking her head hard. "No, no, it’s so late..."

Xingxing insisted, "That’s exactly why I can’t let you go alone. I’ll come with you."

With that, she ordered someone to prepare the carriage.

Yamei'er wavered but shook her head once more. "...Never mind. I’m not thinking straight, but I won’t risk you too."

She forced a smile. "Let’s go first thing tomorrow morning."

Yamei'er even tried to reassure Xingxing. "Going tomorrow won’t delay anything. The magistrate doesn’t hold court at night anyway."

Then, as if afraid Xingxing would insist on accompanying her that night, Yamei'er dashed several steps away and waved vigorously. "You’ve had a long day—get some rest. I’ll head back now."

And with that, she scurried off.

Xingxing sighed, watching Yamei'er vanish into the dark.

A pair of village women, drunk and clinging to each other, staggered by. Drunk and careless, they gossiped freely.

"Ha, I just saw Xiang’s Yamei'er... You know, even though she lost her mother young, she’s had decent luck. Her dad doted on her, and she even took in a husband—built like an ox and dotes on her... Did you see how she ran just now? That’s how a girl runs when she’s still untouched." "Oh, you’re too drunk to see straight. Yamei'er and her husband have been married for three months. She wears her hair up like a wife—how’s she still a maiden?"

"My eyes have seen so many young girls and married women over the years, I can tell at a glance, how could I be wrong?... I heard that the man Yamei'er took in as a live-in son-in-law thinks she’s still too young and wants to wait a few more years."

"Oh dear, isn't that just like, what do you call it, a child husband?"

"Seriously, Yamei’er hit the jackpot. That hunter she snagged is not only strong but also handsome, and he dotes on her. Heh, she’s got it made."

The two drunken women, giggling and gossiping, ambled away.

Xingxing stood nearby, unnoticed by the women, but she overheard bits of their gossip about the young couple.

All that ‘did they or didn’t they’ talk...

Xingxing studied medicine and knew a thing or two, so she understood perfectly.

She glanced once more in the direction Yamei'er had left.

If what the village aunties said was true, then Yamei'er really had found herself a good husband.

...

The next morning, Yu Yonggui woke up early, ran through his sword drills for a while, then crawled back under the covers for a nap.

Qing Shuang had never seen such behavior before.

Say he’s lazy? He got up early to practice swordplay.

Say he’s diligent? After practicing, he went straight back to sleep.

Qing Shuang was speechless. In the end, she put in another half-hour with her blade.

Xingxing also rose early, got ready, had breakfast, and got ready to go with Yamei'er to the county town.

But as she walked out the gate, she found Wei Shiyan already waiting outside, sword in hand.

He looked at her and said, "I'll go with you."

Xingxing didn’t refuse. "Alright."

The two of them went to the Xiang family together.

Yamei'er had faint dark circles under her eyes—clearly, she hadn’t slept well.

When she saw Xingxing, she jumped up in happy shock. "So early... I thought you wouldn’t be up yet."

Xingxing smiled. "I’m usually up pretty early. The carriage is ready—shall we go?"

Yamei'er scooped up her bundle in a hurry and followed Xingxing out.

Throwing a look at the east wing, she whispered, "...My father hasn’t been doing too well these past two years. Didn’t wanna stress him out, so I lied and said I was just going to the county town with you for fun."

Xingxing gave a knowing nod.

As Yamei'er hopped into the carriage, she noticed Wei Shiyan bringing a horse around. She asked Xingxing quietly, "Your... friend’s tagging along?"

She sounded nervous.

Xingxing glanced at Wei Shiyan, who had already swung up into the saddle, holding the reins with an indifferent expression. Yeah, he wasn’t exactly the friendly type.

No wonder Yamei'er was a little afraid of him.

Xingxing climbed into the carriage and whispered to Yamei'er, "...He's going with us. You don't have to be afraid of him. He's Brother Yan from Nameless Taoist Temple."

Yesterday, when Yamei'er mentioned the term "fiancé," Xingxing was so flustered that she forgot to tell Yamei'er about Wei Shiyan's identity.

Upon hearing this, Yamei'er gasped sharply and covered her mouth. "...So this is the Young Master Shi you often told me about? He... looks like this?"

Xingxing nodded.

Yamei'er had never met Wei Shiyan before, but when they played together, Xingxing had occasionally mentioned him. She knew that deep in the mountains, there was a Nameless Taoist Temple where a young man surnamed Shi, who was close to Xingxing, lived.

Realizing he was an old acquaintance, Yamei'er relaxed noticeably, though her worry for her husband, Tian Dalei, still lingered on her face.

Xingxing added some calming herbs to the tea and handed it to Yamei'er.

After drinking it, Yamei'er drowsed against the carriage and fell asleep.

Seeing Yamei'er sound asleep, Xingxing pushed aside the carriage curtain and peeked outside.

Wei Shiyan rode his horse, keeping an easy pace beside the carriage.

...His presence was incredibly reassuring.

Noticing Xingxing looking at him, Wei Shiyan turned his gaze toward her, his eyes silently asking, "What's wrong?"

Xingxing smiled at him, picked out a fruit, and reached out the window, offering it to him. "It's a mountain fruit. Aunt Xianglan gave it to me this morning. It's sweet and sour—want to try?"

Wei Shiyan accepted it, took a bite while still on horseback, and nodded. "Tastes good."

Xingxing's eyes crinkled with a smile as she withdrew into the carriage and picked up a fruit for herself.

The mountain breeze gently brushed past them—one on horseback, the other in the carriage—both slowly savoring the fruit, their eyes filled with shared contentment.

Xingxing had measured the calming herbs precisely, so by the time the carriage entered the county town, Yamei'er began to wake.

When they neared the county yamen, the carriage stopped, and Yamei'er immediately grabbed her bundle, eager to rush toward the prison not far behind the yamen.

Xingxing hurried after her.

The magistrate who had been friendly with them before had been transferred elsewhere and was no longer in office.

Last night, Xingxing had investigated—the new magistrate, surnamed Qiu, was known to be corrupt.

So Xingxing guessed that Yamei'er’s bundle likely contained her life savings.

Afraid that Yamei'er might naively hand over everything without guaranteeing her husband's release, Xingxing hurried to catch up. "Hold on. Let’s take it slow."

Yamei'er trusted Xingxing deeply. She bit her lip and nodded.

As the two girls approached the prison, the duty constables stepped forward. "This is a restricted area. What are you two young ladies doing here? Be on your way, go play somewhere else."

Luckily, Xingxing noticed that although the magistrate had changed, the constables were still the same ones from before—she even recognized these two!

Yamei'er, anxious, was about to speak when Xingxing stepped forward with a smile. "Officers, don’t you recognize me?"

The two constables looked at her in confusion.

When had their small, backwater Mapo County produced such a vision?

And why did she seem to know them?

Normally, they might have suspected someone of pretending familiarity to gain favor.

But this bright-eyed girl, smiling as she asked, made them feel that *not* recognizing her was entirely their fault!

"You are...?"

"I’m Yu Xingxing," she said cheerfully. "A few years ago, my eldest brother became an official in the capital, so we all moved to the capital. Remember me now?"