"You two, go find someone to carry the wild boars. I'll head to... what's the family's name in Taohua Village?" Huo Ran gave the order, then turned to Xu Fubao.
Xu Fubao tilted her chin proudly. "Taohua Village, the best house in the west end, home of Xu Dahai and Yun Tinglu."
Huo Ran waved his hand at his two attendants. "You heard her. Remember the place. I'm off."
Huo Dashuang: ...
Young master, I've got three silver notes on me—it's more than enough. You really don't need to go as a hostage.
Huo Ershuang: ...
Did the young master just hold up three fingers? Was he signaling us not to worry?
While the two servants puzzled over this, their young master had already started down the mountain, trailing behind the Xu siblings.
Throughout the journey, the three Xu brothers stayed protectively close to their little sister, not letting Huo Ran come near.
Huo Ran: ...
I'm not a kidnapper! Why are they guarding her so fiercely? It's not like I'm desperate to be near her.
"Xu Fubao, when did you suddenly acquire three brothers?" Huo Ran edged closer to her, though, of course, it wasn't because he wanted to—it was just that her voice was so soft, and he couldn't hear her from a distance.
Xu Fubao wasn't secretive at all. She even boasted, "My parents have three sons, so naturally, I have three brothers! And they're identical, really strong, and super handsome. You don't have any, do you? Hee hee..."
Xu Jiayan, Yibai, and Younian: ...
Our sister has excellent taste.
"Little sister, you shouldn't say that," Xu Younian, usually quiet, suddenly spoke up.
Xu Fubao paused. Did Third Brother think I said something wrong?
Xu Younian continued, "While we brothers may be handsome, we don't come close to matching your beauty."
What?
Xu Fubao blinked in surprise. Did she hear that right? Third Brother barely speaks, but when he does, it's stunning! He actually praised my looks! Haha... I'm thrilled.
"Dian's right—our sister is the most beautiful," Xu Yibai chimed in, though he was less articulate. Still, he knew their sister was lovely.
Xu Jiayan gave a thumbs-up. "Sister is even more beautiful than a fairy."
What girl doesn't like being told she's pretty? Xu Fubao was so happy that she practically floated as she walked.
Huo Ran: ...
The Xu brothers clearly haven't seen much of the world. So what if they have a sister? Is she really prettier than a fairy? Do you expect me to join in and compliment her too? Well, I won't!
"Xu Fubao, stop spinning around," Huo Ran said as he watched her.
All four Xu siblings turned to him.
Huo Ran pointed to the flowers and grass around them. "Haven't you noticed? If you keep spinning, the butterflies are going to chase you like you're a flower fairy."
Flower fairy?
Xu Fubao: ...
Is this guy trying to flatter me by calling me a flower fairy? Did my arch-nemesis come down with a fever? He's actually praising my looks now? I distinctly remember him telling me once that I wasn't pretty and should stop scaring people.
Xu Jiayan, Yibai, and Younian: ...
What's going on with this guy? He's starting to see how beautiful our sister is? No way! Our sister won't be swayed by this sneaky guy!
They pulled her even closer, shielding her more tightly.
Huo Ran: ...
What did I do wrong? Aren't we all competing to see who can give the best compliment?
Xu Fubao had no idea what was going through her brothers' or Huo Ran's minds. She was just in a great mood. If her arch-nemesis always stayed this dim-witted, life would be perfect!
Thanks to this little diversion, the group took their time walking back, not in any rush. What they didn't realize was that trouble was brewing back home.
After being humiliated yesterday, Old Madam Xu had stormed home, furious. By early morning, she was already shouting, "Those ungrateful brats, daring to treat their own mother like this!"
Xu Dafeng was equally resentful. How could that lowly hunter Xu Dahai deserve to live in such a nice house? And word was he had received fifty taels of silver from a benefactor! Even Xu Fubao, that worthless girl, had been gifted a jade pendant!
Heavens! Such treasures were wasted on the likes of Xu Fubao. She didn't deserve any of it!
After breakfast, Old Madam Xu grew more and more enraged. Grabbing a stick, she stormed off to confront Xu Dahai. Today, she vowed, she would take the house and all the money. If not, she'd camp out at their doorstep and never leave!
From the east end of the village to the west, she passed many people on her way, and they all followed her, sensing the drama about to unfold.
"Xu Dahai, you come out here! You coward, hoarding all that silver behind your mother's back! Get out here!" Old Madam Xu shouted at the top of her lungs from the doorway.
But after waiting a long while, no one answered.
Annoyed, she started pounding on the door with her stick, hurling insults. Still, there was no response.
"I'll tell you what, Old Madam," said the Wu family's daughter-in-law from next door, munching on melon seeds. "Xu Dahai and his wife left early this morning, and the kids went out to play. No one's home."
No one home? Even better.
Rolling up her sleeves, Old Madam Xu declared, "My son's house is my house! I'll just go inside and see if they're hiding from me!"
Ignoring the onlookers, she kicked open the door and strutted in.
What a sight—the house was neat and tidy, and from the lingering smell, it seemed they'd even eaten meat that morning!
Old Madam Xu seethed with rage. They ate meat without thinking to offer any to their mother? Ungrateful wretches!
But since this was technically her house, everything inside belonged to her, right?
With that in mind, she grabbed a basket from the floor, ready to start filling it with goods.
"How dare you trespass into a private residence! Guards, arrest this wicked woman and throw her in jail!" Out of nowhere, officers appeared, seizing Old Madam Xu on the spot.
Terrified, Old Madam Xu dropped the basket. "Why are you arresting me? This is my son's house, which means it's my house. I didn't trespass!"
The officers, however, held her firmly. "Nonsense! This is Yun Tinglu's home, legally registered with the village head. You've trespassed and attempted theft. Take her away!"
Panic-stricken, Old Madam Xu struggled fiercely, shouting, "What do you mean it's Yun Tinglu's house? This is my son Xu Dahai's home! Let me speak to him!"
Just then, Xu Dahai and Yun Tinglu returned on a donkey cart.
"Xu Dahai, you coward! Tell the officers whose house this really is!" Old Madam Xu shrieked, pointing at him.
Xu Dahai, still unaware of what was happening, listened as a kind neighbor recounted the entire incident, explaining how Old Madam Xu had broken in and tried to steal from the house.
"How dare you, thief!" Yun Tinglu stepped forward, her voice sharp. "This is my home, and you've committed theft. To jail with her! Isn't that right, husband?" She turned to Xu Dahai.