Chapter 1013 - 990: Honor Amidst Chaos 58

Chapter 1013: Chapter 990: Honor Amidst Chaos 58

Anning reached out to knock on the table, and only then did Madam Hui stop complaining.

She looked at Anning and asked, "Third Sister-in-law, what do you plan to do? We can’t just let them handle us like this, can we? Third Brother is meant for great things, but if Old Master causes any issues and holds us back, the loss will be significant."

Anning thought the same, she could tolerate Old Master and Old Madam wanting some good food and drink, wanting to live well wasn’t something she minded. What she feared was those two growing more muddle-headed with age, doing anything out of spite, and who knows when they might seize a chance to defect to the enemy. That would greatly impact Xiao Yuan.

Imagine, if such a situation occurred, just as Xiao Yuan leads troops into battle, his own father denounces him for being disloyal and dishonorable, cursing him in the enemy camp—his reputation would be ruined.

"Tomorrow, I’m making a trip to West Street, do you want to join me?"

Anning asked Madam Hui.

Madam Hui thought for a moment, "Let’s go together, I shouldn’t let Third Sister-in-law handle everything alone."

She and Anning chatted a while longer until lunchtime arrived, then Anning ordered the meal to be set and invited Yuan Family to join them for lunch.

After lunch, Madam Hui and Yuan Family left.

Not long after Madam Hui and Yuan Family left, Xiao Yuan returned.

"Has something happened again at West Street?"

Xiao Yuan understood Anning well. Whether it was matters of the residence or significant and trivial matters of the Prefecture City, Anning would never frown unless it involved Old Master and those people.

Anning nodded and told Xiao Yuan everything Qingping had said.

Xiao Yuan furrowed his brows in thought and then suddenly smiled, "They can cause trouble even if we break ties, then we won’t acknowledge this kinship. What’s blood-related or not, I say it is, it is, I say it isn’t, then they aren’t my parents."

Anning also laughed, "I just feared you wouldn’t be able to make up your mind."

Xiao Yuan held Anning’s hand, "Over and over again, even the original owner couldn’t bear it, let alone us. I originally thought if they calmed down a bit, I wouldn’t mind supporting a few idle people. But they’re causing quite a disgusting scene, still thinking they’re an influential figure somewhere? Want to act tyrannically there, intending to drive people to death?"

Anning squeezed Xiao Yuan’s hand, "You should inform Lao Si, let him be prepared."

Xiao Yuan nodded, "Understood, this time get Lao Si out too, spare Lao Si the dismay. As for Lao Liu, it’s fine, he’s a bastard son, and the youngest under the separated clan won’t be involved in such matters."

Xiao Yuan sat for a while, grabbed a small bite and headed to see Xiao Jin.

Currently, Xiao Jin is at the military camp outside the city, training soldiers. When Xiao Yuan arrived, Xiao Jin was watching the new recruits’ drills.

Seeing Xiao Yuan coming over, he quickly called his deputy to oversee things and hurriedly entered the tent with Xiao Yuan.

"Third Brother, has something happened?"

Xiao Jin asked as soon as he entered the tent.

Xiao Yuan sat down, "It’s nothing major, just matters concerning our parents."

He explained the situation, "I’m here to discuss with you how to resolve this."

Xiao Jin also felt extremely disgusted.

The people at West Street could do anything for benefits—brothers fighting over a girl, even teaming up with their father to vie for a girl, completely disgraceful. Fortunately, those people can’t go out now, and outsiders don’t know about their issues, otherwise, Xiao Family would become the laughing stock of the entire Prefecture City.

He now felt nauseous and wanted to vomit, "I’ll follow Third Brother’s lead; whatever Third Brother says, that’s what we’ll do."

Xiao Yuan looked at Xiao Jin, seeing his expression was serious.

"Well, the people from the third branch are fine, but Old Master and Old Madam are still our parents..."

Xiao Yuan sighed, "If only they weren’t our parents."

"How could that be?"

Xiao Jin sighed too, "Since childhood, our parents haven’t favored us, Father likes Second Brother, Mother values Big Brother, even Fifth’s life is better than ours. I once speculated multiple times whether we’re not their biological children, but then thought, we’re legitimate sons..."

Xiao Yuan knocked on the table, "I thought too, how could biological parents treat legitimate sons like this? Not mentioning Big Brother, you’re Mother’s youngest son, they say the youngest son and grandson are Old Madam’s cherished ones, but Old Madam never treated you well, and even avoided you whenever possible. Tell me..."

Xiao Yuan shook his head, "Forget it, you continue training the new recruits, I’ll handle this matter with your third sister-in-law."

Xiao Jin stood up, "Third Brother, if necessary, give Big Brother and them some medicine, let them lack the strength to stir trouble. We don’t need to take their lives, but they need to be subdued. If Big Brother and the others are down, our parents wouldn’t dare cause a ruckus."

"I understand,"

Xiao Yuan forced a bitter smile, "We’ll see if it has to come to that. For now, we’ll try to come up with some solutions."

"Third Brother, kindness would be a hindrance," Xiao Jin advised again, "If Third Brother can’t bring himself to act, I’ll do it."

Xiao Yuan held him by the shoulder, "Alright, leave this matter to me. I’m your brother; how can I let you dirty your hands on this?"

He left the tent looking troubled as Xiao Jin followed behind him seeing him off.

After sending Xiao Yuan off, Xiao Jin took a knife and vented for a long time by cutting in the surrounding woods, cursing as he chopped, "What a load of damned nonsense, truly shameless."

Meanwhile, Xiao Hui and Xiao Yin went to the inn where Lin Lianshuang was staying.

When they arrived, Lin Lianshuang wasn’t at the inn. Xiao Hui inquired from the waiter and learned she had gone out and had been away for quite some time, expected to return soon.

The two sisters found a place to sit on the first floor of the inn, ordered a plate of dried fruits, and ate while waiting for Lin Lianshuang.

After waiting for about half a time slot, Lin Lianshuang returned.

Lin Lianshuang wore a plain blue cotton dress, appearing very unassuming.

Her hair was long, jet black as ink, some secured with a silver hairpin, and some hanging down her back.

Though Lin Lianshuang’s age was also significant, nearing her late twenties to early thirties, she still looked like a youthful eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl.

A smile adorned her face as she entered the inn unhurriedly.

Xiao Hui quickly led Xiao Yin over, "Miss Lin."

Lin Lianshuang was visibly pleased to see Xiao Hui, "Miss Xiao."

Xiao Hui pointed to a nearby tavern, "My sister and I specifically came to visit Miss Lin, wondering if Miss Lin would grace us with her presence at the tavern for a chat."

Lin Lianshuang glanced at Xiao Yin, "Alright."

The three proceeded to the tavern, with Xiao Yin finding a private room upstairs. Once inside, she began observing Lin Lianshuang.

Lin Lianshuang found it amusing, "What? Are you verifying my authenticity?"

Xiao Yin blushed, "It’s not that I’m suspicious, but..."

"Wondering how a delicate young lady like me came from Jiangnan to Southern Yi?" Lin Lianshuang seemed to have read Xiao Yin’s mind. She maintained a smiling demeanor, appearing very good-natured.

Xiao Yin nodded, "Yes, from the Capital to Southern Yi, our family encountered many things. I know the journey is tough, so I was indeed curious."

Xiao Hui called the waiter and ordered some dishes, while getting a few snacks to eat first.

Once the snacks arrived, Lin Lianshuang grabbed some lotus seeds to eat, "I was forced by circumstances to flee to Southern Yi."

Hmm?

Xiao Yin became more intrigued.

Lin Lianshuang did not conceal it, openly speaking about everything.