Chapter 79: An Unexpected Incident

On the way to the hot spring villa, General Xiao envisioned numerous scenarios of meeting his granddaughters. What if they acted spoiled? What if they cried and fussed?

At the entrance to the villa’s main hall, two pink-cheeked little girls were already waiting. When they saw General Xiao, they rushed forward with joy, calling out, “Grandfather, Grandfather!”

This was completely opposite to what he had imagined on the way, leaving General Xiao momentarily unsure of how to respond.

“We’ve packed up already, Grandfather. Let’s go home now,” Xiao Yuan said, grabbing her grandfather’s large hand and leading him out. After taking a few steps, she turned back to wink at Xiao Yao.

Like an obedient child, General Xiao slowed his pace to match his granddaughter’s. Xiao Yao looked down and stifled a giggle. Thankfully, the butler Feng had sent someone ahead to inform them. And fortunately, Ruyi acted quickly; otherwise, Grandfather might have asked about that letter.

“Did you two get into trouble?” Xiao Jun cautiously asked. Usually, these two could do whatever they wanted without worrying about anyone’s reactions. Today, their good behavior seemed suspicious.

“Let’s go home. I miss Grandmother and Father and Mother,” Xiao Yao deflected the question.

“Oh.” Xiao Jun could only drop the matter.

General Xiao didn’t ride his horse but instead shared a spacious carriage with his grandchildren.

Madam Ruan and Mr. Zhao rode in another carriage, followed by several carts carrying maids, servants, and a load of goods.

“Grandfather, what’s in all those carts?” Xiao Yuan poked her little head out the window, curiously eyeing the long procession.

“This villa has fresh vegetables, fruits, and…” General Xiao paused. He had been about to mention the spring water but decided against it. Since his granddaughter loved the water so much, he thought he’d bring some back as a surprise.

The journey was filled with laughter and chatter. General Xiao had long set aside any unpleasant thoughts. Xiao Yuan silently thought to herself how easy it was to cheer up her grandfather. Xiao Yao, on the other hand, resolved to care more for her indulgent grandfather in the future.

Even within a family, no one’s efforts should be taken for granted. Mutual care and sincere affection are what sustain strong and lasting relationships.

It felt like hardly any time had passed before the carriage stopped at the Xiao family’s grand entrance.

Tong Mingyu and Li Jiaoying had been waiting outside for a while. It had been twenty days since the children had left home, and Tong Mingyu, of course, worried for her daughter. However, to ensure the treatment continued smoothly and to look after the family’s elders and young ones, she hadn’t visited even once.

Now, seeing her daughter glowing with health and a bright smile, Tong Mingyu felt a mixture of emotions, her guilt growing heavier.

“Mother, Second Aunt, I’m home,” Xiao Yao said warmly, rushing into her mother’s arms.

Although it was a pity to cut short her treatment at the hot spring villa, if choosing between continuing her treatment and protecting Fifth Brother and Aqi from punishment, Xiao Yao would unhesitatingly choose the latter.

Whether it was the years of treatment showing results or Madam Ruan’s herbal baths being highly effective, Xiao Yao could clearly feel that her body was warmer this winter. Standing outside, she no longer trembled from the cold.

If her grandfather weren’t present, Xiao Yao would have loved to share this good news with her mother and second aunt immediately.

The first thing to do upon returning home was, of course, to pay respects to Grandmother in Ninghetang. Xiao Yao and Xiao Yuan dutifully knelt to kowtow, then stood and sat on either side of Madam Qin, behaving as sweetly as possible.

Seeing her granddaughters’ radiant faces, Madam Qin felt genuine happiness. With Ping’an’s health improving, her grandson might avoid punishment after all.

News of the girls’ return filled the house with joy, though some family members couldn’t help but sigh at poor Ping’an’s misfortune of being unable to rest properly even while ill.

At dinner, the only person absent was Xiao Jingyan. Since he often dined outside, no one paid much attention to his absence. The family chatted and laughed, enjoying a lively and joyful meal.

The next morning, Xiao Jingyan, who had returned home late the previous night, was the first to leave, leading his horse out the gate. He had heard an exciting piece of news he couldn’t wait to share with his niece. Without even mentioning where he was going, he rode off toward the hot spring villa at full speed.

At a gathering the day before, Xiao Jingyan overheard that the Yu family was arranging a marriage for Miss Yu, and the matter seemed close to being settled. If it succeeded, wouldn’t that mean he would soon be free of this major headache?

Such great news had to be shared with Ping’an. After all, she had once predicted that enduring until Miss Yu got married would make his troubles disappear.

When he reached the villa, he learned that his niece had been taken home the previous day. Frustrated, Xiao Jingyan turned back toward the capital, grumbling about Ping’an leaving without telling him.

To save time, he chose a shortcut through the woods. Suddenly, a group of masked men emerged, blocking his path. As the son of a general, Xiao Jingyan was confident he could handle a few thugs with ease.

But after just a few rounds of fighting, one of the masked men threw powder at him. Xiao Jingyan quickly covered his nose and mouth, but he still inhaled some of it.

That morning, he had left with only two attendants. Now, one was captured, and the other lay unconscious.

“If it’s money you want, release us,” Xiao Jingyan said, assuming they were mere robbers.

“Haha, today we want both money and the man,” one of the masked men said with a sinister laugh.

“What kind of drug did you use on me?” Xiao Jingyan demanded as dizziness set in, and his vision blurred.

“Get on that carriage behind us, and you’ll get the antidote immediately.”

“What do you mean by this?”

“Nothing much. Just a little jealousy,” the man sneered. Handsome men like you attract trouble.

Unable to resist the encroaching darkness, Xiao Jingyan thought bitterly as he collapsed, Does this count as joy turning into sorrow?

When Xiao Jingyan regained consciousness, he found himself lying on a bed. He instinctively glanced around but saw no one. His clothes were intact, and he wondered if everything had been a dream.

“Fourth Master Xiao, waking up without a beauty by your side—does that feel like a missed opportunity?” A voice rang out as Jing Wang Yun Ao Xuan entered the room.

“So, it wasn’t a dream. Someone really drugged me. How did you end up there?” Xiao Jingyan asked, firing off several questions.

“I was handling some business outside the city when I overheard a fight. My men apprehended the masked men and delivered them to the authorities. You were drugged with Mongolian powder, but you’re fine now. Rest a bit more, and you’ll fully recover.”

“Good thing you were there. Thank you,” Xiao Jingyan said sincerely.

“There’s no need for thanks between us.” Since General Xiao had been teaching Yun Ao Xuan’s son martial arts for over three years, he wouldn’t have ignored the situation regardless of their friendship.

“I don’t usually have enemies. Why would someone target me?” Xiao Jingyan mused aloud.

Yun Ao Xuan wanted to say, Do you not realize that your good looks alone are enough to provoke others? They make men angry and women jealous. But out of consideration for Xiao Jingyan’s ordeal, he kept the thought to himself.