Chapter 26: When it rains, it pours

Rejected in love—a human tragedy. Xin Nian silently mocked this so-called Princess Jun.

She couldn't understand why someone with such status and position would fall for a man. Wasn't this just asking for abuse? It even hindered the speed of drawing a sword.

The two guards beside the Princess drew their blades simultaneously, startling everyone present.

Many of the more timid souls were already muttering pleas for mercy, prostrating themselves on the ground, not daring to lift their heads even half an inch.

Xin Nian pulled her spectating parents along, lowering her head slightly, while secretly stretching her neck to peek ahead—it was a bit of an eye strain.

Xiao Jiuni drew her hand to stop the guards from drawing their swords and gave a cold, imposing smile. "No matter. Young Master Si likely hasn't suffered enough yet; it is understandable that he cannot wrap his head around it for the moment."

"Si-lang, you are a smart man. I know that one day you will wake up. I will be staying at the Yunlin Villa recently; you know the place. I will wait for you!" The last three words were spoken with a languid, swaying grace. Xiao Jiuni curled her red lips and gave Si Nanfeng an interested glance.

Xin Nian secretly let out an "Ooh, ooh, ooh," her mouth curling upward in a grimace.

*You don't actually think this "overbearing CEO" act is cool, do you? You lunatic!*

Whether male or female, the act of forceful obsession and coercion was utterly despicable; it had absolutely nothing to do with being "cool."

Then she looked at the son of the former Prefect of Jingzhou. Wow, wow, wow, the little handsome man was practically falling apart. Poor thing, he's so squeezeable.

"Let's go." Princess Jiuni didn't seek further trouble. She uttered a single word and stepped into her carriage.

The maid, Xuan Cao, held her head high, surveying the surroundings like a fighting cock.

Seeing everyone prostrating themselves obediently to look at her, Xuan Cao seemed to have found some sense of special honor, turning her neck with a face full of pride.

The Princess was right; these commoners and ants were no different from dust—unlucky things that weren't even worth a second glance.

"The Princess departs!" With a high-pitched command, the Princess's carriage began to move slowly, leaving the crowd behind.

Xiao Jiuni slightly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, her gaze falling on Si Nanfeng, who was kneeling to one side with his head lowered. She called out softly, "Si-lang, I am at Yunlin Villa, waiting for you!"

Yunlin Villa—since Xiao Jiuni could go there for a vacation, it was likely not far from here.

Xin Nian calculated this in her mind and felt a surge of excitement. Wow, whatever that villa was, it was bound to be a good place, and the supplies were probably quite abundant.

Talk about a pillow being delivered just as one is getting sleepy! If she could gather a stash of food and supplies before reaching Heng County, life would definitely get easier as they moved forward.

"Alright, alright, everyone get up and keep moving." Liang Guang wiped the sweat from his brow and shot a look at the bailiff, Old Zhang.

The latter nodded, rubbed his hands together, and walked toward Si Nanfeng's family with a smile that hid a knife. He cupped his hands and said, "Lord Si, Young Master Si. Please, keep walking and think about this carefully."

"This is a windfall of immense wealth and glory. If Young Master Si can just cling to Princess Jiuni, your family will never have to worry about your livelihood again. Not only that, but you could even leave the criminal registry. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"Get lost!" If not for years of accumulated scholarly cultivation, Young Master Si would have likely spat in Old Zhang's face.

Finding himself rebuffed, Old Zhang rubbed his nose and pouted. "Young Master, we are only considering your family's well-being, aren't we?"

Everyone in the capital knew what kind of temperament Princess Jiuni had. She was the type who wouldn't stop until she achieved her goal!

If Si Nanfeng's family dared to oppose the Princess, they wouldn't have a peaceful day for the rest of their lives.

"Get lost, get lost, all of you get lost!" Si Zhaotang stood in front of his eldest son, roaring fiercely at Old Zhang.

When they were prosperous and bright, they had never bowed to evil forces. Now that they had reached such a miserable state, what else was there to lose or fear?

"Ungrateful." Old Zhang grew angry as well, speaking without restraint. "I call you 'Lord Si,' but don't think you're still a Lord."

"Look at the situation you're in, and you're still trying to put on airs with me?"

"If I had a handsome and lovely son like you, I'd be overjoyed. I'd be dying to send him to the Princess's manor to secure glory for the whole family. But no, you're unwilling and even rejected such a good marriage proposal from Her Highness."

"Now that misfortune has struck, it's your own fault. A family of people who can't see what's good for them. Trying to let the arm twist the thigh? Pfft—"

Xin Nian: *I've seen it all now. To be able to describe shameless social climbing as something so "refined and elegant"—this Old Zhang is truly a talent (ˉ▽￣～).*

Xie Ninglan also couldn't listen to it anymore. Hiding in the crowd, she changed her tone and retorted in a mocking, strange voice, "What a pity. With your unsightly looks, it's impossible for you to have such a lovely little darling."

Muffled laughter broke out from the crowd.

Old Zhang's face turned red with embarrassment. He turned toward the crowd and barked, "Who? Who's being sarcastic over there?"

As the crowd rustled, the youngest son held in Mrs. Si's arms suddenly opened his eyes halfway. He took a sharp, gasping breath, his chest vibrating violently.

"Nanli, Nanli!" Mrs. Si cried out in terror.

Xin Nian glanced over and raised an eyebrow. Poor kid, an asthma attack.

The Si family was already facing one disaster after another; they were now in a state of utter panic.

Si Zhaotang repeatedly bowed toward Imperial Physician Cheng. "Physician Cheng, please, help my son!"

Physician Cheng smiled bitterly. "Sigh, Brother Zhaotang, I have seen this condition before. His asthma is something he was born with; it cannot be cured. Usually, one can only manage it by resting well and avoiding overexertion."

"But in our current environment, this... sigh, it's not that I won't help you, Brother Zhaotang. It's just that I have neither needles nor medicine right now. Even if I wanted to treat him, I have no way to start."

Mrs. Si wailed, clutching her gasping son.

Physician Cheng suddenly raised his voice. "Miss Xin, please, you all must ask Miss Xin! Miss Xin has medicinal herbs on hand; perhaps she could provide some emergency aid for the young master."

Everyone turned their heads in unison, their gazes converging on Miss Xin.

The Xin mother and daughter were currently standing with their hands folded, watching the drama in unison. Suddenly targeted by everyone's stares, they awkwardly lowered their hands.

Clutching her son, Mrs. Si cried and pleaded, "Miss Xin, I beg you, save my son."

Xin Wenyuan hurriedly said, "Uh, Mrs. Si, please don't misunderstand. My daughter... she only knows a tiny, tiny bit of medicine. It's fine for taking care of our own family, but if she treats you and makes things worse..."

"Brother Wenyuan." Si Zhaotang rushed forward with his yoke, his hands moving frantically in constant bows. "Please, let your daughter provide some herbs to see if she can treat my son even a little bit."

"Yes, yes, yes." Physician Cheng chimed in from the side. "Brother Xin, see if there are any suitable herbs near your daughter that could be used for the second Young Master Si, just to stabilize him for now."

Xin Wenyuan was about to roll his eyes and snap at them. *Look at the time, and they're still trying to pull a fast one and morally kidnap outsiders? Precious things like medicinal herbs should obviously be reserved for one's own family.*

If they gave them away and something else went wrong, who would help their poor, pitiful family then?

Xiao Jia suddenly spoke up with a laugh, "I tell you, you people are something else."

(End of Chapter)