Chapter 52 Retribution at Last for the Wicked

Xianyu Jing had not yet figured it out when Nangong Ao got straight to the point, asking, “Do you like the young master of the Xi family?”

Her clear eyes reflected confusion.

Nangong Ao secretly let out a sigh of relief. It seemed she hadn’t fallen for him yet.

“Do you remember I once told you that the old madam of the Xi family had suppressed your mother?”

“Why?” Xianyu Jing inquired.

With slender fingers, Nangong Ao traced lightly across the table, and a three-dimensional image appeared before her.

In the image were a young man in a black suit and a woman in a pristine wedding dress, beside them stood a beautiful, elegantly dressed foreign lady.

The foreign woman bore a slight resemblance to Xi Junle.

As for the newlyweds, Xianyu Jing found them familiar yet unrecognizable.

“Are they my great-grandparents?” she asked uncertainly.

Her mother had inherited much of her great-grandmother’s features and even a similar temperament. The blue eyes of the Nangong family were a conspicuous mark.

“Your great-grandfather’s intended fiancée was the old madam of the Xi family,” Nangong Ao explained.

Xianyu Jing instantly understood. Clearly, the old madam had harbored resentment toward her grandmother for love, and naturally did not treat the younger generations kindly.

Young master Ao’s question was meant to remind her not to fall for Xi Junle. Because of ancestral grudges, nothing good would come of it.

But he was overthinking. Regardless of past grievances, Xianyu Jing had never considered such things.

To be a wealthy family’s young mistress? It wasn’t in her nature!

“I’ll keep my distance from Young Master Xi,” she replied.

Nangong Ao cautioned, “Now that you’re part of the Nangong family, some people with ulterior motives will try to get close to you. Just be wary.”

“Alright,” she answered obediently.

Nangong Ao was satisfied. Xianyu Jing was smarter than his own sister; with a hint, she understood.

He continued, “Regarding what happened at school, I’ve already asked Bai Luomei to handle it. In the future, don’t endure things silently. Didn’t I tell you the Nangong family stands behind you?”

She nodded again. Perhaps young master Ao was a bit domineering and verbose, but he cared about her affairs.

---

“Besides,” Nangong Ao’s expression suddenly turned serious, “I hear you’re close to Zhai Yan’er?”

She replied truthfully, “Not very close. We just eat and rest together.”

The Zhai family was a business rival of the Nangong family, which she had known for some time. But Zhai Yan’er followed Bai Liyao around, which explained their proximity.

“Zhai Yan’er may be naïve, but her brother is not,” Nangong Ao warned.

The implication was clear—she should be wary.

Xianyu Jing nodded knowingly.

Finally, Nangong Ao placed a black gold card on the table and gestured, “Take this.”

She lacked nothing in the Nangong household, but sometimes needs arose, and she disliked asking for help. So Nangong Ao had Bai Luomei arrange a card just for her.

This time, Xianyu Jing didn’t nod. “It’s not necessary…”

Financially, she was not in want. Her brother sent enough money yearly for her and Ning Wenyin, and she herself received some royalties.

Besides, the Nangong family had already helped her plenty. More than that, she could not repay.

But Nangong Ao insisted, “Now that you’re part of the Nangong family, you’ll have many places to manage and socialize. Keep the Xianyu family’s funds for your foster mother.”

She still hesitated, head bowed.

Nangong Ao stood up, holding the card between his slender fingers, walked to her, and handed it to her.

“These days I’m busy, and Bai Luomei has things to attend to as well. We can’t always be there for you. Even if you think you won’t need it, keep it in case of emergencies.”

She knew his temperament—if she refused, he’d probably buy her a pile of things. It was easier to accept it and simply not use it.

“Thank you, big brother.”

She took the card, accidentally touching his fingertip, sensing an unusual coldness.

He quickly withdrew his hand, returned to his desk, and gave final instructions, “From now on, Jiang Mohe and Su Cha will handle your security. If anything seems off at school, contact Jiang Mohe immediately.”

“Alright.”

---

A new week began, and all posts about Xianyu Jing on the Liyang Academy’s intranet were removed.

In their place, the school issued clarifications and the outcome of their handling.

There was a certificate from Angel Hospital attesting to Xianyu Jing’s mental health, commendations from her previous school in the southern city, and all her academic transcripts over the years, silencing those who had once doubted her.

The female student who had acted rudely toward Xianyu Jing recorded an apology video and received disciplinary action from the school.

As for the rumor monger who caused trouble, the school did not reveal their name but confirmed expulsion.

At lunch, Zhai Yan’er excitedly shared with Xianyu Jing, “Jing, I heard Zuo Jingjing really left the academy! Not only did she slander you, but they found she cheated in her exam scores.”

With Nangong Ao’s intervention, Xianyu Jing was not surprised at the outcome.

Cheating on grades? Zuo Jingjing was audacious! That was more serious than the rumors.

Even though Zuo Jingjing claimed in the high school group chat that she was expelled because of Xianyu Jing’s backing, no one sympathized with her over the exam fraud, no matter what excuses she made.

Soon after, she was kicked out of the group, and even the group owner was forced to leave.

Maowan Dou, upon rejoining the group, learned of this and messaged Xianyu Jing: [hiahiahia, finally, the villain gets their due!]

Xianyu Jing didn’t exactly hate Zuo Jingjing, but resentment was certainly present.

Having suffered from Zuo Jingjing’s abuse of power and internet influence, now all was returned upon her.

“She’s simply tasting the bitter fruit of her own actions,” Xianyu Jing replied to Zhai Yan’er.

Bai Liyao also vented, “That’s how it should be!”

“But the school acted swiftly! Is it…” Zhai Yan’er smiled ambiguously.

“Hm?” Bai Liyao looked at her in confusion. What was that expression?

Zhai Yan’er chuckled, “I heard Lady Nangong took you to the Xi family’s banquet last weekend?”

“How did you know?” Xianyu Jing asked calmly.

“My brother told me!” Zhai Yan’er replied promptly. “They say you also attended the Xi family’s charity ball. Could it be that you and the talented Xi young master…”

She winked at Xianyu Jing, clearly fishing for gossip.

Xianyu Jing smiled wryly, “I was just there to gain some experience, nothing more.”