Chapter 89: Blocking the Way (Part 1)

There is no banquet in the world that lasts forever. After bustling for most of the day, the Yuan family gradually bid farewell to one group of guests after another. Naturally, as close family, Yin Qianhua and the Xiao family, who were related as in-laws, were the last to leave.

After seeing her granddaughter eat her fill and become drowsy, Madam Yin said to her daughter Yuan Yutong, “Look at the child—she’s so sleepy. Why not let her stay here for the night?”

Yuan Yutong didn’t mind at all. After all, her daughter wouldn’t express any reluctance to part with her as a mother regardless of where she stayed. There was no need to overthink it.

“Ah, I’d better go home,” Xiao Yuan replied, still thinking about the delicious cake waiting for her at home. Besides, her grandmother’s house had just entertained guests all day and must be exhausted. They needed some peace to rest and tidy up; she didn’t want to cause trouble.

Madam Yuan personally escorted the guests to their carriages.

Qin Shi, known for her love of luxury, ensured her carriage was the most comfortable and lavish in the family.

“Let Ping’an and Ruyi ride with me,” she said. The children could nap on the way home.

Qin Shi took her two granddaughters into the first carriage, while her three daughters-in-law got into their respective carriages behind. Xiao Jingyan, Xiao Lang, and Xiao Yi rode alongside them on horseback to accompany the ladies.

The carriages had only traveled a short distance when Xiao Jingyan suddenly climbed into the carriage occupied by Qin Shi and her granddaughters without any warning. Pretending to be composed, he said, “I’ll keep you company and chat.”

Qin Shi never questioned or opposed Xiao Jingyan. She trusted him so blindly that she didn’t even ask a single question.

Xiao Yao and Xiao Yuan, however, were the opposite. From the moment Xiao Jingyan entered the carriage, the two sisters couldn’t stop scrutinizing him. One gave him an investigative gaze, unabashedly skeptical, while the other looked wholly distrustful, seemingly on the verge of asking, “Who are you trying to fool?”

“How can you doubt your Fourth Uncle? As juniors, how can you treat an elder like this?” Xiao Jingyan assumed an air of seniority.

Xiao Yuan yawned, bored. It didn’t matter if her uncle wasn’t telling the truth; she was confident the truth would reveal itself to her and her sister soon enough.

“Xiao Jingyan, come out and see me. I have something to say to you!” A woman’s urgent voice called out from a distance and drew closer.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan’s drowsiness instantly vanished. The truth is here, and it’s come so quickly. She smirked inwardly. Let’s see how you wriggle out of this one, Fourth Uncle.

“Ha!” Xiao Yao already suspected something was up. Her sharp-eyed uncle must have spotted the anomaly from afar, ditched his horse, and hopped into the carriage. It’s said that human potential is unleashed in moments of crisis, after all.

Xiao Yao’s grin was radiant, while Xiao Yuan, though not as bold, couldn’t hide her amusement. Her quivering shoulders and shaking little belly made her glee unmistakable.

“Laugh all you want, you two little troublemakers,” muttered Xiao Jingyan. How many uncles in the world end up like me? But lamenting wasn’t the priority. The real issue was figuring out how to deal with the person blocking their path.

The earlier shout had attracted quite a few onlookers, including some noblewomen who hadn’t gone far and were now staying back to watch.

“Sister, who do you think it is?”

“Do we even need to guess?”

Xiao Yuan shook her head cooperatively. In all of Jingdu, only Lady Yu could chase their Fourth Uncle relentlessly like this.

Dressed in a vivid green gown, Yu Xianrong stood defiantly in the middle of the road. She made it clear that the Xiao family’s carriages wouldn’t pass unless they handed over Xiao Jingyan. Her face was full of stubbornness and unwillingness. To the uninformed, they might mistake the man in the carriage for the world’s greatest heartbreaker.

Xiao Yao pitied her unrequited love but couldn’t condone her actions. No one, man or woman, likes to be forced into something. Being overly pushy often backfires. Even if one gets what they want in such a manner, would it truly bring happiness?

Lady Yu’s behavior, ignoring consequences and putting her family in an awkward position, would surely lead to regret. Didn’t she realize her parents and relatives would face endless gossip, mockery, and ridicule? Was this how she intended to repay her parents’ love and care?

Xiao Yao silently vowed to guard her heart in a time when marriage wasn’t a personal choice. Falling too easily or disregarding her family’s honor would only lead to heartbreak.

“Xiao Jingyan, I know you can hear me. Why won’t you come out and face me?” Yu Xianrong’s voice was full of reproach.

Qin Shi trembled with anger. How dare someone bully my precious son so brazenly?

Xiao Jingyan looked at Xiao Yao pleadingly. Among the people in the carriage, it seemed his niece was the most suitable candidate to help. Somehow, he was certain she could handle the situation.

Xiao Yao sighed heavily. What kind of irresponsible elder shifts responsibility like this? Asking a six-year-old to be his scapegoat—only her Fourth Uncle could pull such a stunt.

Before lifting the curtain, Xiao Yao silently mouthed to Xiao Jingyan, “Remember, you owe me one.” Xiao Jingyan, either understanding her or simply eager for her help, nodded fervently. Whatever it is, I’ll agree! Just get me through this mess.

“Auntie, why are you blocking our carriage?” The soft, crisp voice of a little girl accompanied the curtain’s opening.

“Auntie?” Yu Xianrong was stunned. Laughter erupted around her. Even the noblewoman Tong Ming, who was about to intervene, paused mid-step. Of course Xiao Yao wouldn’t sit idly by—this isn’t her style.

“Who are you calling ‘Auntie’? Haven’t you been taught manners?” Yu Xianrong snapped. She vividly remembered how this little girl ruined her plans at the Xiao household, leading to failure.

The street fell silent as everyone waited to see how the charming little girl would face the famously difficult Yu family’s eldest daughter.

Xiao Yao turned to Xiao Yuan, who had climbed beside her to watch the commotion, and said loudly, “She says I’m rude.”

“Sister, what right does she have to call you rude?”

“I was wondering the same thing. Did I block someone’s carriage? Did I stand in the middle of the street yelling a man’s name?”

“No, you didn’t!”

The two girls, in perfect harmony, earned admiration from the onlookers. Smart and sharp, their words left no room for rebuttal. If Yu Xianrong wanted to save face, she should stop now. That way, everyone could move on without further embarrassment.

Unfortunately, Lady Yu wasn’t willing to give up. She would rather argue endlessly with two children than back down, proving that the saying, pitiful people often have detestable qualities, holds some truth.

“Enough nonsense! I’m here for Xiao Jingyan. Make him come out!”

Xiao Yao sighed. Why won’t she let go? I was trying to help her save some dignity, but if she doesn’t cooperate, what more can I do?

“Auntie, if you’re looking for Xiao Jingyan, shouldn’t you send a message and visit him at home? Shouting on the street isn’t behavior befitting a noble lady.” Xiao Yao couldn’t help but doubt if the Yu family had ever hired a proper governess for Yu Xianrong. At the very least, they should have read her “Lessons for Women” or “Women’s Analects.” If only Zhi Hua weren’t about to marry; she could have recited a few passages for her.

“You… Your Xiao family has such good manners, sending an ignorant child to handle this!”

“That’s because the two of us children are enough. When you have reason, it doesn’t matter how young you are. And when you’re in the wrong, shouting louder won’t help.” Xiao Yao remained calm.

“Exactly! Blocking someone’s carriage is no skill. Making others come to you willingly—that’s the real talent,” Xiao Yuan chimed in.

The bystanders and noblewomen nodded in agreement. Though young, the two girls spoke nothing but truth.