Chapter 90: Blocking the Road (Part 2)

Yin Qianhua’s carriage stopped not far from the Xiao family’s residence. What piqued her interest wasn’t the entanglement between Xiao Jingyan and Yu Xianrong, but the little girl stepping up to handle the situation on behalf of her elders. She was puzzled—there were many Xiao family members present, so why was a five- or six-year-old girl placed at the forefront?

Standing beside her, Yun Yichen was equally frustrated, likely sharing the same level of exasperation as Yu Xianrong. There was no longer any need for inquiry—the little girl’s identity was now glaringly obvious.

If you were to ask Yun Yichen which family he most disliked dealing with, the Han family would be the first, followed closely by the Xiao family.

After years of interaction, Yun Yichen understood the old master Xiao all too well. If he disliked you, no matter how well you performed, it wouldn’t matter. But if he approved of you, even your flaws would be seen as virtues.

Would you dare to offend someone from his family?

Clearly, the thought of taking revenge on the little girl would have to be abandoned. Yun Yichen felt bitter—this was the first time he’d suffered such a major setback in his life. But he couldn’t let it go entirely. If he couldn’t get even, he’d at least have to settle for some interest.

That sharp-tongued little girl couldn’t be allowed to interact too much with his mother and sister. His father had always praised the younger generation of the Xiao family for their excellence. Let’s see if he still held that opinion after witnessing the little girl’s behavior!

Before Yun Yichen could vent all his dissatisfaction, Yu Xianrong’s voice rang out on the street, filled with anger and frustration.

“You two ignorant little girls, shut up! Who taught you to speak to your elders in such a tone? Step aside!”

“And who are you to call yourself an elder? If you want to act high and mighty, go back to the Yu family. My sister can say whatever she likes—none of the Xiao family has a problem with it, so why should you?” Xiao Yi retorted loudly. Since the day Xiao Ping’an was born, no one in their family had ever spoken to her in such a harsh tone. She was their precious treasure, cherished and protected. Xiao Yi was the first to step up and confront the outsider scolding her.

Xiao Anzi cast a sympathetic glance at Yun Yichen. Seeking revenge on the Xiao family’s young mistress was no easy task. It was said that she had five doting older brothers. If each one of them was as protective as this, anyone daring to stir trouble was in for a tough time.

“You all are bullying a helpless woman. If you have the guts, let Xiao Jingyan come out and face me himself!”

“My sister has already made it very clear. If you want to meet my fourth uncle, submit a formal request first,” Xiao Lang declared, tightening his grip on his horse’s reins as he moved to shield Xiao Yao and Xiao Yuan from Yu Xianrong, preventing the hysterical woman from scaring the two younger sisters.

“Auntie, I suggest you head home. When it gets dark, the roads will be slippery, and your family might be waiting for you to join them for dinner,” Xiao Yao said from behind Xiao Lang.

“What a thoughtful child!” Yin Qianhua, sitting inside the carriage, sincerely praised.

Yun Yichen nearly fell off his horse. Was his mother bewitched by the little girl? She was siding with her at every turn. Even an obviously sarcastic remark was interpreted by his mother as considerate. What an unlucky day—unable to avenge himself and forced to listen to his mother showering their enemy with compliments!

“I won’t leave until I see Xiao Jingyan,” Yu Xianrong declared resolutely. This was her chance, and she’d already lost too much face to back down now. She was determined to get a resolution, no matter what.

Xiao Yao glanced skyward in exasperation. Miss Yu, after all that’s happened, do you still think there’s any chance of meeting him today?

Still, standing in the middle of the street wasn’t solving anything. Surely, Yu Xianrong’s family wouldn’t remain absent. They were likely already here, hiding among the crowd.

“Master Yu, Madam Yu, I know you’re here. If you don’t come out, I’ll keep shouting. The crowd on the street is growing. Do you want the entire capital to come watch the spectacle?” Xiao Yao cupped her hands around her mouth, her voice ringing out.

“I’ll say it again: Master Yu, Madam Yu, even if you aren’t hungry, we’re just kids—we need to eat! If you don’t want to take Miss Yu home, fine, but could you at least order some food from Wanfu Restaurant for us? By the time you return, it’ll be just in time for dinner,” Xiao Yuan chimed in, her melodious voice and innocent expression quickly winning over the crowd’s sympathy.

Poor children, driven to hunger by all this fuss. And Miss Yu—arguing with kids? Even if you win, is that something to be proud of?

Murmurs began spreading through the crowd.

“Miss Yu, just leave already. Bullying kids—what does that say about you?”

“Look how scared those little girls are. Doesn’t the Yu family have children too?”

…

Yin Qianhua finally understood why the Xiao family had sent the two children to handle the matter. In such a situation, if adults had stepped forward, it would have been an endless exchange of arguments, leaving both families’ reputations tarnished. Having the children take the lead was a brilliant move. These clever and resourceful kids were the perfect solution.

As the criticism grew louder, two reluctant figures finally emerged from the crowd. Yu Xianrong’s brothers, filled with shame, wished they could vanish into the ground. Their sister, less sensible than children, had utterly embarrassed their family. After this incident, she’d either have to leave the capital or become a recluse.

“I won’t go back!” Yu Xianrong grew even more agitated at the sight of her brothers, sensing impending doom.

“Take her home,” one of the brothers ordered, shouting at the servants while casting a menacing glare toward the Xiao family. The Xiao family would be their enemy from now on. Daring to tarnish the Yu family’s reputation—revenge was inevitable!

The nearly hysterical Yu Xianrong was finally taken away by her family, and the street gradually returned to calm. Naturally, the onlookers directed their disdain toward Yu Xianrong and the Yu family. No one cared whether the children’s actions were appropriate—they had spoken truthfully and faultlessly. On the contrary, it was the Yu family that had erred at every turn.

The Xiao family’s convoy finally resumed its journey.

“Xiao Jingyan, come here!” As soon as they stepped into the Xiao family compound, General Xiao’s thunderous voice rang out.

“Father,” Xiao Jingyan called out anxiously.

“Don’t be angry, husband. Jingyan can’t be entirely blamed for today’s events,” Qin Shi hurriedly interjected, stepping between her son and her husband.

“Overindulgence ruins children!” Seeing his wife’s protective stance, General Xiao grew even angrier. Was she planning to fight him over their son if he took any action?

“You, to the ancestral hall. Kneel there until I say otherwise!”

“Yes.” Xiao Jingyan felt utterly wronged. He hadn’t done anything, yet he was being punished. What bad luck!

“Don’t be too harsh, husband. The ancestral hall is cold and damp. Can’t you…”

“Do you both think this is unfair? Let me ask you, what did Ping’an and Ruyi do to deserve this? Fourth Son, I don’t care how you handle the matter with Miss Yu—that’s your business.

But involving the children? That’s your failure as an uncle. What kind of family lets its children clean up the mess made by adults? You’ve outdone yourself this time.

Today’s punishment isn’t about anything else—it’s because you made Ping’an and Ruyi face such a situation. Are you telling me there was no one else in the Xiao family who could step up? Has it come to relying on children? Do you want the whole capital, the Yuan family, and the Tong family to ridicule Xiao Hu’s household?” General Xiao grew increasingly incensed as he spoke. Normally shrewd and capable, how could they act so foolishly today?

“Grandfather, please don’t be angry. Ruyi and I weren’t upset at all. Given the situation, it wasn’t appropriate for the men to step in. Grandmother, being the eldest, couldn’t argue with the younger generation. Do you think my mother or my aunts could reason with Miss Yu?”

“Even so, the children shouldn’t have been involved! It makes the Xiao family look incompetent!”

“Grandfather, I found it rather amusing. The only regret is missing out on Wanfu Restaurant’s food. But my sister calling her ‘Auntie’ was priceless—Miss Yu’s expression completely changed,” Xiao Yuan remarked, her face filled with excitement.

Everyone in the Xiao family turned to look at Xiao Yao. How had she thought to call her that?

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