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Yin Hanyu looked at him with disdain and said, “It’s just a little scratch, and you’re making such a fuss. Are you a crybaby or what?”
Hearing this, Yin Yixuan, who was originally seated, shot up like a firecracker being lit.
However, he completely forgot that he was inside a car.
The moment he stood up— BANG! —his head slammed hard against the car roof.
The sudden impact sent a sharp pain through his skull, but he clenched his teeth, determined not to give Yin Hanyu a chance to mock him as a crybaby. Though his face twisted in pain, and he bared his teeth in agony, he stubbornly refused to make a sound.
His pained yet forcibly restrained expression was so comical that even the usually serious and stern Xiao family guards, along with the normally reserved Yin Hanyu and Ming Yu, couldn’t hold back their laughter.
Lin Qingyou, on the other hand, burst into unrestrained laughter.
Her crisp, melodious laughter echoed inside the car, lightening the somber mood everyone had been carrying.
Besides, the Xiao family’s residence was truly a paradise—picturesque and unique, like something out of a fairy tale.
As they got closer to their destination, the medicinal herbs growing on the mountain became rarer and more precious.
Even from inside the car, they could see a vibrant array of flowers blooming among the herbs, each competing in beauty while emitting their own distinctive fragrances. The mingling scents filled the air, making everyone feel refreshed and at ease.
Though the Xiao family’s residence seemed surrounded by flowers, every gate and every wall radiated an aura of authority and inviolability.
Indeed, the Xiao family lived up to its reputation as the most mysterious among the four great clans.
As they ascended the mountain, Yin Yixuan couldn’t help but sigh, turning to Lin Qingyou, “No wonder your grandfather looked down on your father back then.”
Lin Qingyou had no rebuttal.
Indeed, looking at the Xiao family’s vast estate—one so large that its end was nowhere in sight—it was clear that their wealth and status were far beyond what an ordinary family could compare to.
And the closer they got to the main estate, the more breathtaking it became.
Especially at night, when the lights illuminated the grand mansions, the sight was nothing short of magnificent.
What was even more astonishing was that those luxurious, beautifully designed mansions weren’t for people to live in—they were for flowers and plants.
Lin Qingyou couldn’t help but marvel at the extravagance of the Xiao family.
Forget anything else—just the electricity bill for lighting up this entire mountain every night was beyond what an ordinary family could afford.
However, when they finally arrived, they didn’t get to meet the Xiao family patriarch, Xiao Yutian, right away.
Lin Qingyou pouted, “So full of himself, huh?”
Yin Hanyu patted her head. “It’s already late. Resting first is fine.”
Yin Yixuan added, “The old master of the Xiao family has always been arrogant, even more so than our grandfather.”
The four great clans had always seemed to work together on the surface, but behind the scenes, they each had their own hidden agendas.
Xiao Yutian, however, was different.
He was genuinely devoted to studying medicine.
That’s why he looked down on all the scheming and political maneuvering.
This was also why the Xiao family was considered the most mysterious among the four great clans.
Because their patriarch was truly above worldly competition.
“Hmph, whatever. If he doesn’t want to see us, we won’t see him either!” Lin Qingyou huffed, taking Yin Hanyu’s arm and preparing to leave.
“Qingyou… Qingyou!”
Just as she turned around, a male voice suddenly called out.
Lin Qingyou turned back to see an elderly man with graying hair smiling warmly at her. His expression was friendly and kind.
“You are…?” Lin Qingyou genuinely didn’t recognize him.
“This is Xiao Yan,” Yin Yixuan introduced. “The famous miracle doctor. These years, he’s even held an official position by our uncle’s side, basically the head physician of the imperial medical institute.”
Lin Qingyou twitched at the introduction. What kind of weird way is that to introduce someone?
“To put it simply, he’s your—”
Before Yin Yixuan could finish, Xiao Yan enthusiastically grabbed Lin Qingyou’s hands. “Little Qingyou, it really is you!”
Lin Qingyou smiled awkwardly. “And you are…?”
“I’m your uncle! Where’s Xue Jie?” Xiao Yan looked behind her expectantly but didn’t see Xiao Xue, his face showing disappointment.
“Xue Jie?” Lin Qingyou frowned.
Wasn’t she told that her grandfather only had two daughters—her mother and her aunt?
Also, this Xiao Yan looked at least ten years older than her mother and aunt, so why was he calling her aunt ‘Jie’ (older sister)?
“Oh, right! I forgot to introduce myself,” Xiao Yan patted his head. “I’m your mother and aunt’s younger brother—their cousin.”
“Are you really younger?” Lin Qingyou muttered under her breath.
“You think I look old, don’t you?” Xiao Yan burst out laughing but then pitifully sighed, “It’s all your grandfather’s fault.”
As Xiao Yan led Lin Qingyou inside, he began venting his grievances.
“He forced me to study this and that every day. I was driven nearly insane.”
“Luckily, seeing you now makes me feel a bit better…”
“You have no idea how much I wanted to visit you and Xue Jie.”
“But the old man wouldn’t allow it. I tried escaping twice, and he nearly broke my legs.”
“Fortunately, I know how to treat myself. I set my own bones back in place.”
Lin Qingyou’s lips twitched.
Was her grandfather really that ruthless?
“Qingyou, I’ve seen your photos. You’re even prettier in person!”
“By the way, where’s your aunt?” Xiao Yan glanced around. “I don’t see her.”
“My aunt was injured. She’s still unconscious…” Lin Qingyou decided to be honest.
Xiao Yan immediately jumped up in anger. “Who had the audacity to lay a hand on a Xiao family member?”
“Uncle, calm down…” Lin Qingyou looked at him curiously. “You and my aunt are close? She never mentioned you.”
“Of course not! Because of your grandfather!” Xiao Yan huffed. “Xue Jie and Ya Jie are his biological daughters, but he refused to teach them medicine, insisting on passing it only to me.”
“I never wanted to learn!” Xiao Yan sighed heavily. “Most people would think I’m ungrateful. After all, being trained in Xiao family medicine is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“But…” Xiao Yan pointed to his graying hair and wrinkles. “Look at me. People call me a miracle doctor, yet I’m not even forty and I look like I’m sixty.”
“The endless studying drained me completely. I suffered terribly…”
“He refused to teach his own daughters but forced me to learn instead. Your mother was furious—she probably resented me for it.”
“It sounds ungrateful, doesn’t it? But being the ‘favored’ one isn’t always a blessing…”
Lin Qingyou couldn’t help but sigh as she listened.
Her mother had wanted to learn, but her grandfather refused to teach her.
Her uncle didn’t want to learn, yet he was forced to.
And this uncle… he seemed like someone who loved freedom and adventure.
Yet now… he was—
Sigh… The harm of favoring males over females truly ruins lives!