"Ma Sanqiang, what do you have to say for yourself? You've raised quite the son, haven't you? Stealing from my daughter and then having the nerve to turn the tables on us! Let's go, let's find the village chief. This won't end until it's resolved!" Yun Tinglu waved her spatula, dragging Ma Sanqiang and his family toward the village chief's house.
Ma Sanqiang instantly cowered. Having only been out of prison for five years, the last thing he wanted was to face the authorities again, especially not the village chief.
"You useless woman! How could you raise a son like this? What are you standing there for? Go get some copper coins, now!" With a swift backhand, Ma Sanqiang struck his wife across the face.
Ma Dabao was stunned. In all his years, he had never seen his father hit his mother.
"And you, you little scoundrel! Stealing, bullying—what are you, a thief? Do you want to end up in jail? Get on your knees and apologize to Fubao, right now!" Ma Sanqiang delivered a swift kick, forcing Ma Dabao to kneel.
Ma Dabao was filled with resentment. He hadn't actually stolen anything; he had only meant to scare the mute girl. Now, here he was, on his knees, being forced to apologize and pay compensation.
Xu Fubao, however, was secretly delighted. At last, she had turned the tables.
After Ma Dabao apologized, and his family handed over five coins in compensation, the matter was finally settled.
Once everyone had left, Yun Tinglu hugged her daughter, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Fubao, you're so clever!"
Fubao, shocked by the kiss, wondered if her mother hadn't realized that she had lied.
But feeling guilty over Yun Tinglu's obvious favoritism, Fubao finally confessed, "Mother, I lied earlier. I wasn't robbed—I hit him first."
Would her mother be angry? After all, Song Xiangyu hated liars. She never liked Fubao, and lying would only get her punished.
But Yun Tinglu didn't seem angry at all. Instead, she said, "Fubao, of course, I knew you were lying. But I also know Ma Dabao has bullied you many times before. You were right to stand up for yourself. Just remember one thing for next time..."
"I won't lie again!" Fubao quickly promised.
Yun Tinglu laughed softly. "Don't lie to your parents—that's important. But if anyone bullies you and you can't fight back, run. Come back and tell me. I'll take care of them for you, got it?"
Fubao nodded, wide-eyed and deeply moved.
So that's what she meant. Yun Tinglu was truly fearless! Fubao adored her new mother even more.
Xu Dahai, who had been standing at the door, had witnessed the whole scene. His feelings were a bit complicated.
Lulu was still the same as she used to be—protective of Fubao, and undeniably strong-willed.
But could raising Fubao this way lead to problems?
The three boys didn't think there was anything wrong with it. This was the mother they had always known. She had always said that some people only understand strength, not reason.
Why waste time reasoning with bad people who wouldn't listen anyway?
The family spent the rest of the day cleaning the house and courtyard, only sitting down to dinner as the sky began to darken.
After the meal, the three boys eagerly washed the dishes while Yun Tinglu tucked Fubao into bed. Then, she went to find Xu Dahai.
The house was large—one room for the three boys, another for Fubao, and one for Yun Tinglu and Xu Dahai.
As soon as Yun Tinglu entered their room, she cornered Xu Dahai against the wall. "Alright, out with it. You've had something on your mind today, haven't you?"
Xu Dahai's heart pounded as he looked at his beautiful wife standing so close. She knew him so well, always able to read his thoughts.
"I... I don't have a problem, really... it's just... I don't know how to raise Fubao properly. I'm afraid she'll be wronged, but I'm also worried she'll turn out like Song Xiangyu." Xu Dahai stammered, unable to meet her eyes, as if they could see right through him.
And besides, looking at her too long made his heart race uncontrollably.
Yun Tinglu paused, then burst into laughter.
"Look at you! Fubao is my daughter, and she'll grow up to be fierce and formidable—no one will ever bully her. She's still young now, but when she's older, she'll know right from wrong. Don't you trust me to raise her right?" Yun Tinglu lifted his chin playfully, her fingers grazing his skin.
This man, the one she had longed for, had spent so many years with another woman. She couldn't help feeling a twinge of jealousy.
Xu Dahai, forced to look at his beautiful wife, felt his heart race even faster. "I trust you... I... I..." He didn't get to finish before she silenced him with a kiss.
That night, the moon was full, its light bright.
Xu Fubao slept soundly, her belly full, while some others could not find sleep.
At the Huo family estate in the county...
"Dashuang, what's going on with the young master? He said he wouldn't stay up late anymore, but he's still awake!" Ershuang was yawning, barely able to keep his eyes open.
Dashuang, equally tired, chuckled. "Ershuang, haven't you noticed? Ever since the young master played the hero, giving away gifts to that little girl, he's been in an unusually good mood."
Ershuang suddenly realized, smacking his forehead. "Oh yeah! Do you think the young master has... lost his mind?"
Dashuang quickly covered his mouth. "Don't speak nonsense. In a few days, the young master will be leaving for Taohua Village to stay for a while."
What?
Ershuang's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Why would he leave behind the comfort of the county, along with all the girls vying for his attention, and head to some remote village?
Dashuang lowered his voice. "Ershuang, if you don't want to follow the young master, just keep shouting. But I'm going with him."
Ershuang quickly changed his tune. "Wherever the young master goes, I'm going too! I'm not leaving him behind."
Just then, Huo Ran emerged from his room, his face serious. "You two, keep your mouths shut. Don't ruin my plans. Otherwise, you can both stay here at the Huo estate."
Dashuang and Ershuang shuddered and immediately sealed their lips.
"Alright, go to bed. Tomorrow, we're heading to Wuzhi Mountain for a hunt," Huo Ran said, turning back into his room.
Lying in bed, he stared at the bright moon outside, and as he gazed, he found himself thinking of Xu Fubao's smiling face.
"Hehe... Xu Fubao, she's really Xu Fubao, huh?"
Before his master left, he had been instructed to find a little girl named Xu Fubao in Taohua Village. If he could take good care of her, his master promised to pass down the legendary wordless heavenly tome.
With that tome...
Huo Ran was overcome with excitement and sat up straight.
With that heavenly tome, the Beilu Kingdom would undoubtedly become the most powerful nation on the continent!
His fists clenched in excitement as grand visions of the future filled his mind.
But what was the connection between Xu Fubao and his master?
Forget it, no point overthinking it.
He wasn't going to marry or have children anyway. Spending time with that little girl wouldn't hurt.