Chapter 39: Trouble Comes Knocking

Chapter 39: Trouble Comes Knocking

Xie Yan told her that as a married couple, they should be united, and he hoped she would live a long, happy, and carefree life.

Similarly, she hoped that Xie Yan would find ease and joy in this relationship.

A good relationship isn't about one person carrying all the weight or always compromising; it's about mutual respect, understanding, and comfort.

"It's A Yan," Xie Yan said seriously.

Lu Mingchao pouted. Was that really the main issue?

Xie Yan seemed to have read Lu Mingchao's thoughts. "It's important."

Lu Mingchao laughed. "Alright, alright, A Yan."

Xie Huaiqian watched this scene, a look of contentment in his eyes.

His cousin finally had some vitality and spirit.

He still remembered how young his cousin was when he led them in fleeing for their lives, not much older than he is now.

Back then, survival had been incredibly difficult.

So difficult that it wore down all the vigor and ambition from his cousin, extinguishing all the light in his eyes.

Later, they blended in with the refugees, taking on someone else's identity to evade pursuit and re-registering their household in Changhe County. He settled in Changxi village under the ordinary guise of a hunter.

He was a few years older than Jingyi and Ru'an, so his experiences and understanding ran much deeper.

"Huaiqian, don't zone out. It'll get cold soon," Lu Mingchao reminded him with a warm smile.

Xie Huaiqian nodded, fighting back the tears stinging his eyes.

He wanted the best for his cousin.

……

Because of her period, Lu Mingchao often felt achy and lethargic, barely moving unless she had to.

Xie Yan stayed by her side as much as possible.

The afternoon of the next day, someone knocked on the courtyard door of the Xie household. It was Granny Qi.

Granny Qi had twisted her ankle and pleaded with Xie Yan to take her to the doctor in town.

Xie Yan couldn't refuse. After giving Lu Mingchao and Xie Huaiqian some quick instructions, he hurried off.

Less than half an hour later, the courtyard door sounded again.

The sharp voice calling out "Uncle Xie" made Lu Mingchao feel especially annoyed.

"Uncle Xie?"

Lu Mingchao slowly opened her eyes, the sleepiness not yet fully gone, a faint impatience in her brows.

Uncle Xie?

Did Xie Yan, who was burdened by a blood feud and couldn’t return home, still have relatives?

Separated by a wall, Xie Huaiqian stood by the window, his brows furrowed, his expression dark. His displeased eyes glared at the banging courtyard gate, but he hadn't moved a single step—clearly not wanting to open the door.

After a moment of thought, Xie Huaiqian made his way to Lu Mingchao's room.

"Mother," Huaiqian's expression was far from pleasant, "It's Qi Rui."

Lu Mingchao frowned. "She calls your father 'Uncle Xie'?"

Harboring a private agenda of matchmaking, yet sweetly calling him "Uncle Xie."

Quite the game.

Huaiqian sighed. "Mother, rest assured, my father and Qi Rui are hardly acquainted."

"When I first met her, she was eleven or twelve, but because she didn't have enough to eat or wear, she looked dark, skinny, and small—looking no older than eight or nine, barely older than me. So, she shamelessly followed my generation and called my father 'Uncle.'"

"After over a year, when she had grown a bit, she signed a live-in contract to become a servant, usually returning home to visit Qi Ah Po once every couple of months."

"My father had little interaction with her."

Outside the courtyard, the persistent knocking was getting on his nerves.

Seeing Lu Mingchao's frown deepen, Huaiqian said, "Mother, I'll go open the door and ask what's going on."

Lu Mingchao nodded, then rose and put on a cloak. She walked under the eaves and watched the girl opposite Huaiqian from afar.

Of similar age, yet calling "Uncle Xie" so naturally.

Was she truly innocent, or just playing with affection?

"Huaiqian, where's Uncle Xie?"

"The second young master of the household knew I was visiting home and heard about the simple village life and beautiful scenery in Changxi. He got curious and decided to come along."

"But as you know, our house is too small and cramped to accommodate anyone else besides my grandmother and me. Your family's courtyard is spacious with many vacant rooms, so I need to ask for your and Uncle Xie's help, allowing the second young master to stay for two days."

"Inconvenient," Huaiqian's tone was indifferent.

Qi Rui blinked, looking pitiful. "Huaiqian, my grandmother and I rely on the monthly allowance to get by; we absolutely can't let anything happen to the second young master."

"Little Rui, are you done yet?"

"If necessary, I'll pay more."

A sly voice chimed in.

Following that, a young man dressed in a brocade robe and a black cloak appeared behind Qi Rui, sizing Huaiqian up with a disdainful and arrogant sneer, glancing at the servant boy beside him.

The servant boy understood, pulling out a handful of silver coins from his pouch and stuffing them into Huaiqian's hands, preparing to barge in.

Qi Rui looked both hesitant and pleading.

"I said it's inconvenient," Huaiqian pressed his thin lips together, his sharp gaze cold and unyielding, leaving no room for argument.

Qi Rui looked distressed, her voice choked with sobs. "Huaiqian, are you really not considering the relationship between me and Uncle Xie at all?"

Xie Huaiqian:……

Xie Huaiqian was completely dumbfounded.

He was still standing right there, but the accusations against his father were already flying.

"I don’t remember my father having any connection with you," Xie Huaiqian said, striding toward Lu Mingchao under the eaves.

"Mother."

Lu Mingchao pulled her large cloak tighter, keeping the cold wind at bay.

"Tear down this door for me, young master!"

"You’re refusing the polite offer and asking for trouble."

The shouts continued, occasionally mixed with Qi Rui’s persuading voice, as the gate wobbled precariously.

"What a coincidence," Lu Mingchao said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Hiding won’t do you any good when they’re about to tear down your house."

"You might avoid trouble today, but not tomorrow."

Lu Mingchao stepped forward and opened the courtyard gate, with Xie Huaiqian closely following by her side.

"Are you trying to break into a private home?" Lu Mingchao’s voice was icy, cutting through the air like a cold wind.

Qi Rui looked somewhat flustered. "Who are you?"

"This is my mom," Xie Huaiqian said firmly.

The young man standing next to Qi Rui, who looked down his nose at others, had an oily and disgusting expression in his eyes.

It turned out Changxi Village has a real-life fairy.

This trip was really worth it.

Her crimson fur-lined robe perfectly complemented her fair, smooth skin. Her skin was as white and smooth as jade, her features delicate and clear, her lips as red as cherries. The large fur cloak accentuated her delicate frame, her slim waist and graceful posture silently inviting admiration.

"Miss," the young man quickly switched to a suave tone, pulling out a folding fan. His gaze was uncomfortably intimate as he stared at Lu Mingchao, fanning himself in what he thought was a charming way.

Lu Mingchao thought, It’s freezing, and here he is fanning himself. Is he crazy, or just showing off?

Clearly, the second young master Qi Rui mentioned wasn’t just strange—he was also trying way too hard.

"May I know the fair miss's name?"

"I am the second young master of the Sun family from Changhe County. Do you know the Sun family?"

"The largest grain merchant in Changhe County, half the grain shops in the county belong to our family."

"Do you still want it?"