Qu Manying came to Huang Jun’s side. Holding the roasted pear Huang Jun had made in one hand, she stroked Huang Jun’s head with the other.

“Don’t be afraid,” she said softly. “Since Aunt has come, I won’t leave you uncared for.”

Hearing such words, Huang Jun didn’t show overwhelming gratitude. She only nodded lightly.

Huang Rang held up the roasted pear, preparing to go coax He Xijin.

The town head and others were surrounding He Xijin, beseeching him to take charge for everyone and catch this villain.

Huang Rang couldn’t force her way in, so she held up the roasted pear and waited to the side.

Suddenly, the surroundings became abruptly quiet.

A figure in white robes, soft and gentle as snow, entered the courtyard. The entire farmhouse of dirt walls and gray tiles seemed to brighten because of him.

“It’s Chief Disciple Xie.” The others made way one after another. “Chief Disciple Xie, we’ve been hoping for your arrival.”

Huang Rang turned her head and saw that person walking toward them like the wind through a faint, clear light.

Xie Hongchen.

At this time, he had not yet succeeded to the position of sect master.

But seeing everyone’s respect for him, they must already know his future status well.

Seeing him again, Huang Rang no longer even felt any emotion.

She turned around and ran to Qu Manying’s side. Xie Hongchen’s gaze didn’t look at her. After all, she was only an eight-year-old child—how would he pay attention to her?

“Immortal Master Xie, please look at this wound.” The town head hurriedly ushered Xie Hongchen to He Xijin’s side.

In terms of seniority, Xie Hongchen was junior to He Xijin. In terms of status, He Xijin was the Sect Leader of the Ruyi Sword Sect, while he was the head disciple of the Yuhu Immortal Sect’s master. Although everyone respectfully called him Chief Disciple, his status was still half a step lower.

Fortunately, Xie Hongchen didn’t care about this. He saluted He Xijin: “Sect Leader He.”

“G-g-good, good good.” He Xijin said simply.

Of course, no one would take issue with him over his brevity.

After the two had exchanged courtesies, Xie Hongchen walked to Huang Shu’s bedside.

Sect Leader He immediately enthusiastically invited Xie Hongchen to examine together. He said: “P-p-please, Ch-ch-Chief D-d-disciple Xie, ex-ex-examine the in-in-injury.”

Huang Shu was already collapsed on the bed, and upon hearing this, his eyes immediately widened.

Meanwhile, the town head and family heads, in front of He Xijin and Xie Hongchen—wouldn’t they compete to show themselves?

They wanted to seek help from these people. Could they really expect the immortal sect’s leader and immortal master to personally remove Huang Shu’s filthy pants?

Naturally, someone had already stepped forward and pulled down Huang Shu’s pants in one motion.

No matter how Huang Shu struggled in agony, finally this wound was exposed before everyone.

There were plenty of onlookers around. Everyone discussed in low voices. Sect Leader He’s expression was stern, Chief Disciple Xie’s look was grave.

“This bandit is proficient in the sword path,” he concluded. Sect Leader He made a sound of acknowledgment, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Xie Hongchen could only be led by other servants to check whether the bandits had left any traces around the Huang family residence.

But people like He Xijin and Qu Manying—if they were breaking into the Yuhu Immortal Sect, that would be another matter. The formations were formidable, and they would inevitably have to reveal some real skill. But this mere Huang family residence, they could come and go freely. How would they leave any clues that could be traced?

Therefore, while Xie Hongchen examined things on the side, Qu Manying came to her husband’s side, saying: “Don’t forget about Xiyin’s matter.”

He Xijin nodded. Only after Xie Hongchen finished his examination did he say: “H-h-how is it?”

Xie Hongchen shook his head, pondering silently.

Only then did He Xijin say: “The b-b-bandits d-d-did not l-l-leave any c-c-clues…”

When everyone heard him speak, they immediately felt uncomfortable all over and could only look to Xie Hongchen for rescue.

Xie Hongchen was very tactful and seamlessly supplemented: “That’s right. Based on the current situation, the bandits are unknown. We can only secretly investigate later.”

He Xijin nodded. Several town heads and clan elders, afraid he would speak again, hurriedly asked Xie Hongchen: “But Chief Disciple Xie, these bandits injured people and stole wealth. This can’t just be let go like this.”

Xie Hongchen naturally understood these people’s concerns. He said: “The Yuhu Immortal Sect will establish an Eye of the Cave World in Immortal Tea Town to protect Immortal Tea Town from being disturbed by villains.”

When he said this, everyone breathed a long sigh of relief.

If the Yuhu Immortal Sect’s Eye of the Cave World was established in Immortal Tea Town, presumably that evil thief wouldn’t dare come again.

Huang Rang ate her roasted pear while listening to them talk.

In Immortal Tea Town outside the dream, an Eye of the Cave World had also been established. As for why it was established, she had long forgotten.

She hadn’t expected that entering the dream, it was actually because of this incident at the Huang family.

The Xie Hongchen before her still shone brilliantly in the crowd.

But Huang Rang only glanced at him once before looking away.

She tugged at Qu Manying’s sleeve, saying: “Aunt, Sister is also good at needlework. Let her embroider pouches for you later.”

“Good.” Bringing these two sisters with her, Qu Manying had long made up her mind that no matter what, she must take the two of them away from the Huang family.

Meanwhile, Huang Shu lay on the bed. Last night he had been castrated by the villain in front of everyone.

Today, everyone had gathered around to observe his injury. The pain in his heart was beyond words.

Now, he even heard that the culprit couldn’t be found either.

He could only whimper. He Xijin listened for a while, then said: “F-f-family H-h-head Huang, are you w-w-worried about your f-f-family d-d-dependents?”

Qu Manying, hearing this, hurriedly stepped forward, saying: “Such a thing happening to Family Head Huang is truly heartbreaking. My younger sister Xiyin is also in poor health. I went to see her just now, and she’s so ill she can’t get out of bed.”

She swept her gaze over everyone, saying: “The Huang family has had such an incident, and there are two sick people. It’s truly chaotic. Speaking of which, my younger sister Xiyin and I are close friends. Why don’t I take her back with me to recuperate? It would also help share the burden for the family head.”

As soon as she said this, He Xijin immediately added: “The Xi f-f-family and the Qu f-f-family are in-in-indeed old f-f-friends.”

Hearing Sect Leader He’s follow-up statement, everyone actually already understood what this meant.

Xiyin was the legitimate daughter of a prestigious family. Only because she married Huang Shu did she sever contact with her family.

Could it be that the Xi family had received news and specifically entrusted Qu Manying to come fetch her?

This was very possible.

After all, Huang Shu’s injury was now known to everyone.

Could the Xi family’s daughter really be expected to remain with him as a living widow?

If it truly was at the Xi family’s instigation, then they could be said to be entirely justified.

Even if Huang Shu had a hundred mouths, he couldn’t speak a single word of reason.

“No… no. You… you’re all bullying with your power…” Huang Shu lay on the bed. Because of severe pain, his speech was disconnected, making him sound exactly like Sect Leader He.

Sect Leader He actually leaned over to advise: “F-f-family H-h-head, this st-st-statement is wr-wr-wrong. My w-w-wife… and M-m-madam Huang have d-d-deep sisterly f-f-feelings.”

Huang Shu was so frustrated by his persuasion that he nearly fainted from anger.

Qu Manying secretly laughed inside, but still said: “Family Head’s urgent priority is still to recover your health. As for younger sister Xiyin’s side, you needn’t worry about it.”

Huang Shu struggled, trying to sit up. However, He Xijin had struck without mercy, and his swordsmanship was precise. His injury was much more serious than it appeared.

He struggled several times before falling back down. Blood then flowed from his wound like water.

“Why must the family head be so agitated?” By this time, the town head and other family heads and clan elders all knew—the person, Qu Manying would definitely be taking away.

Because this matter might be at the Xi family’s instigation, others really couldn’t say much about it.

The town head walked to Qu Manying’s side and could only treat her as Xiyin’s natal family member, saying some proper words: “When A’yin married here, it was a great joyous occasion for all of Immortal Tea Town. We were also honored. Now that Madam Huang is seriously ill, going to your residence to stay for some days to recuperate is indeed a good thing.”

Hearing these words, Qu Manying felt pained inside but still wore a smile on her face. She said: “I thank the town head on behalf of younger sister Xiyin.”

Hearing this statement, Huang Shu knew the matter was settled. He could only pant urgently, too angry to say a single word.

Huang Rang hid to the side. Having just finished eating her roasted pear, a handkerchief suddenly appeared and wiped both her mouth and hands completely clean.

Qu Manying held her hand with her left and Huang Jun’s with her right, saying: “Come, let’s go receive your mother.”

Xie Hongchen’s gaze turned back, and only then did he see the tiny Huang Rang.

His gaze paused slightly on Huang Rang, but Huang Rang didn’t look at him and ran off following Qu Manying.

In the small courtyard, Xiyin had her long hair loose and wore a gray dress. She was like weeds in this courtyard, her entire body carrying an air of illness.

Qu Manying instructed Huang Jun to pack things. Huang Rang volunteered to help.

Huang Jun still hesitated somewhat. She organized clothing, and after a long while said to Huang Rang: “I don’t want to leave.”

“What?” Huang Rang almost couldn’t believe her ears. “Don’t you want to leave here?”

Huang Jun kept her head down and said haltingly: “But going to someone else’s home, we’ll also be living under another’s roof.”

Huang Rang understood her meaning and said: “They’re different. You have to trust me.”

She was short in stature. Huang Jun had to lower her head to talk to her, which really made it hard to be convincing. So naturally, Huang Jun was half-believing, half-doubting.

Huang Rang pulled her hand, saying: “Then do you want me to continue getting beaten? I can’t beat Huang Zeng.” Huang Jun shook her head, so Huang Rang said: “Then we’ll leave.”

Huang Jun didn’t speak further. Huang Rang had much more patience with her.

At this time, she was, after all, just an eighteen-year-old young lady.

Even under her biological parents she was treated this way. Of course she feared there might be even worse encounters after leaving.

“Aunt and Uncle are good people, Sister. Not everyone is like them,” she said softly.

After listening, Huang Jun didn’t object further and only buried her head in packing luggage.

Outside the courtyard, Qu Manying said to Xiyin: “I’ve already mentioned to the town head and the others that now that such a thing has happened to Huang Shu, and you’re also ill. Come back home with me and stay for some days, all right?”

“Come back home with you?” Xiyin was like a cat with its fur standing on end, angrily saying: “Why should I go back home with you? I know now—you married a good husband yourself, so you can’t wait to show off to me, is that it?”

Here we go again.

Huang Rang sighed inwardly.

Qu Manying was extremely patient, saying: “Xiyin, how can you think this way? Back then by Golden Sand Lake, when I first met you. At that time, you had a splendid carriage and beautiful maids, bright eyes and charming glances, like you’d pinned stars in your hair.”

Xiyin froze. Qu Manying said: “Do you still remember? Back then I was playfully picking flowers and was pushed by someone, stepping into filth. It was you who let me onto your carriage and found your shoes for me to change into.”

Speaking of the past, her eyes were full of warm light: “Someone like me, naturally carefree and careless. If you hadn’t reminded me, I wouldn’t have even known my shoes were dirty. When I got onto your carriage, I saw that even the carriage walls were inlaid with bright pearls. I was so shocked I truly looked like a country bumpkin.”

She spoke while smiling, slowly grasping Xiyin’s hand: “A’yin, I never thought of mocking you. Look, you’ve only stepped into mud and soiled your shoes and stockings. Come to my carriage and change, all right?”

All of Xiyin’s frenzy calmed in an instant.

She stared at Qu Manying before her, speechless in a daze. Qu Manying said: “I’ll help you change clothes and fix your hair. Then we’ll leave.”

Before long, outside the door, Sect Leader He prepared the carriage.

Qu Manying then helped Xiyin come out. Xiyin had changed into a plain-colored dress, with a simple jade hairpin on her head. She was so thin she was unrecognizable, her bones prominent and form wasted. Naturally, her former beauty couldn’t be seen.

The sunlight shone brightly. Supported by Qu Manying, she slowly stepped onto the carriage.