Chapter 48: Would You Hit a Girl?

What she wanted to ask was how he had been during this period. Jiang Mohe replied, “I just had some chicken soup.” Then he added, “You didn’t have any.” Xian Yuqing was silent. “Are you feeling upset?” “No,” she answered after a pause. Suddenly discussing personal feelings with him felt unfamiliar, and instinctively, she touched the burn on her thigh.

“Did someone bully you?” Jiang Mohe’s gaze darkened. “Aside from murder, how would you like to deal with them?”

Xian Yuqing looked up at him and suddenly smiled, “Would you hit a girl?”

“...No,” Jiang Mohe replied.

“But the one who bullied me is a girl.” Her tone carried an unconscious, delicate complaint.

Jiang Mohe frowned and pondered for a moment before offering a solution, “Su Cha could do it.”

Girls fighting girls—it would be easier for her to take action.

Xian Yuqing’s smile deepened. In this aspect, he wasn’t as clever as his older brother; he hadn’t realized she was teasing him! Though, she couldn’t recall ever teasing anyone before.

She put away her playful mood and asked seriously, “Did you come to see me for something?”

Jiang Mohe nodded, “My current assignment is to ensure your safety.”

Ah, that explained his offer to help her deal with someone!

“Isn’t Su Cha here too?”

“We don’t overlap.”

Xian Yuqing understood—Su Cha was responsible for her safety openly, while Jiang Mohe protected her in secret.

“So, I’m being watched, aren’t I?” She didn’t think the young master Ao Nangong was someone to make random decisions. Assigning Jiang Mohe to protect her at this time certainly meant something had changed.

Jiang Mohe didn’t intend to keep anything from her. “Recently, someone wants to use you to threaten the Nangong family.”

“What should I do?”

“You just carry on as usual. With me here, you’re safe.”

Warmth softened her heart. The gloom that had settled over her in the daylight vanished in an instant.

“Thank you for your trouble.”

Jiang Mohe remained unwavering in his response, “It’s my job.”

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The next day was the weekend.

Madam Nangong called again, not mentioning anything about her school, but informed her that tonight they would attend a family banquet at the Xi household.

Xian Yuqing knew the Nangong and Xi families were close and used to gather often. In recent years, since Ao Nangong took over as head of the family, such gatherings had become rare.

Occasionally, Madam Nangong would attend tea parties hosted by Madam Xi. The old lady Xi had been bedridden for a long time due to poor health.

The purpose of this banquet was clear: Madam Xi wanted to thank Xian Yuqing for saving her life, so Madam Nangong would naturally bring her along.

Additionally, Ao Nangong would discuss the matter of the formal dress with Old Master Xi and the others, so he too would be present.

The Xi family was different from the Nangong family. They didn’t live in the wealthy district in the west of the city or the commercial area in the east, but in the central circle of Imperial City.

To reside in the city center was no small feat. This was due to Old Master Xi’s grandfather, who had once been a mentor to an important figure in the country.

That honor had lasted to the present day. The Xi family had always devoted themselves to education, earning even greater respect!

Yet, even so, they had caught the attention of the Qisu Pavilion. Old Master Xi, left with no other choice, had decided to auction off that formal dress.

Luckily, disaster was avoided; moreover, Ao Nangong had pointed them toward a safer path.

So this banquet was not only to thank Xian Yuqing but also Ao Nangong.

Since Cui Hao drove Ao Nangong and Xian Yuqing to the Xi home, Su Cha didn’t accompany them.

When they arrived, Madam Nangong had already come early.

Bedridden, Old Lady Xi chatted with her for a long time, and when Xian Yuqing arrived, she claimed to be tired and wanted to rest early.

Madam Xi knew her mother-in-law’s temperament well. Though from a fallen noble family, she always held herself above others. Even if Xian Yuqing belonged to the Nangong family, she didn’t bear their surname, so Old Lady Xi would never condescend to meet her.

Madam Nangong didn’t find this odd. She actually worried that Old Lady Xi might say something inappropriate in front of Xian Yuqing; after all, Old Lady Xi knew about certain matters concerning the Nangong family.

Because property in the city center was so valuable, the Xi family’s estate was sizable, with architecture modeled after ancient mansions—five courtyards deep, five gates, and a separate rear garden.

Old Lady Xi was a western aristocrat and loved gardening. The garden was filled with sprawling lavender and tulips, and at its center stood a large pavilion, built with trellises for tea parties.

Tonight’s banquet was to be held in the evening, but since it was still early, Madam Xi instructed the butler to entertain the guests in the pavilion.

Ao Nangong went to Old Master Xi’s study for business, accompanied by Principal Xi; Xi Junle was out for a performance and hadn’t returned yet. Thus, only Madam Xi was there to host Madam Nangong and the little mermaid.

After several days of recovery, Madam Xi’s foot was nearly healed, though she still couldn’t walk much.

She apologized to Madam Nangong, “We should have come to your home to thank you, but because of my injury, I had to ask you to come for dinner.”

Madam Nangong smiled gently, “It’s nothing. Since Yuqing returned to the Nangong family, we haven’t yet visited the Xi home—this is a good opportunity to broaden her horizons.”

Her words were sincere.

The Xi family possessed profound cultural heritage, unmatched even by the Nangong family!

Just looking at their blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles made this clear. Exploring the estate revealed that every corner, from the layout to the intricate details, was imbued with rich cultural atmosphere.

For instance, Madam Xi herself favored traditional cheongsams, and her servants dressed in vintage attire, adhering to old customs, speaking in soft, gentle tones.

Xian Yuqing felt this place was more restrictive and stifling than the Nangong family’s villa.

Madam Xi noticed and said kindly, “Yuqing, treat this place like your own home—no need to be so reserved.”

Xian Yuqing nodded politely, though she thought inwardly: How could that be possible!

Madam Nangong sat beside her. Even if Madam Xi was unconcerned, Madam Nangong would never allow her to act freely in another’s home.

Xian Yuqing understood this.

Though she hadn’t completed her etiquette classes, she practiced what she had learned with reasonable decorum. Madam Nangong was quite satisfied.

Now, whenever Madam Xi looked at Xian Yuqing, her fondness only grew.

“Yuqing, how is your time at Liyang Academy? If you need any help, feel free to ask Junle. He’s graduated, but he still knows the school well.”

Madam Xi didn’t mention Principal Xi, but her own son instead. Madam Nangong easily understood her intentions.

“With Zi Yu taking care of her, and Yuqing being such a bright child, what trouble could she not resolve? Besides, Junle is in the music world now—he mingles freely, and if he’s not careful, he’ll end up on the entertainment headlines in no time!”

Madam Nangong’s words left Madam Xi momentarily at a loss for reply.