47. Chapter 47 The Jealous King

Xiaoxiao was so angry that she was shaking all over, and she didn't even know when she secretly took her hairpin away.

Xiaoxiao rushed directly towards Wang Jinju.

Seeing this, Zhang Jun picked up the watermelon on the ground and threw it at Xiaoxiao. Luzhu kicked the watermelon away. When she turned around, Xiaoxiao had already pounced in front of Wang Jinju. She reached out to grab the golden hairpin on her head. When the hairpin was pulled out, it also grabbed Wang Jinju's hair.

Wang Jinju screamed in pain and reached out to scratch Xiaoxiao's face. Xiaoxiao dodged, and Wang Jinju scratched her neck.

When Luzhu came to Xiaoxiao, there were already three blood marks on the girl's neck. Luzhu's eyes were cold and creepy, and she kicked Wang Jinju in the stomach.

Wang Jinju fell directly to the ground after being kicked by her. Her head hit the brick, making her dizzy and her abdomen hurt. She even felt that all her organs were damaged by her kick.

When she wanted to curse, she coughed up blood. Zhang Cheng was so scared that his legs went limp and he stood there not daring to move. Zhang Jun was also scared and burst into tears.

Luzhu went out for an hour at night when everyone was asleep. She had no idea that Wang Jinju would steal Xiaoxiao's gold hairpin while she was away.

It would have been bad enough if he had just stolen the gold hairpin, but he actually scratched her.

The aura around Luzhu was terrifying. Xiaoxing also ran out when she heard the noise. Fearing that her next action would offend Xiaoxiao, Luzhu said to Xiaoxing, "Take her back. The two of you stay away."

Xiaoxing was very obedient and immediately pulled Xiaoxiao away. Xiaoxiao refused to go. Xiaoxing looked short but very strong, so he managed to bring Xiaoxiao back to the house.

After the door was closed, Luzhu picked up the axe beside her and walked towards Wang Jinju step by step. The axe left deep scratches on the mud ground.

She walked over and stepped on Wang Jinju's chest, "Which hand stole the hairpin?"

The posture was as if she would chop off the hand she mentioned. Wang Jinju was so scared that her whole body went limp and her pupils shrank.

Luzhu picked up the axe and chopped it down, and the axe stuck deep into the ground.

When Zhang Cheng saw the axe, he trembled like a sieve. When the axe hit the ground, his eyes rolled back and he fainted from fright.

Zhang Jun was almost scared to death. The child's nose was running and his pants were wet.

Wang Jinju was also scared, and her body was trembling slightly. Every time she trembled, her abdomen hurt, and she couldn't help but spit out blood again.

Wang Jinju wiped the blood from the corner of her lips with shaking hands, crying with tears and snot, "Lady, spare me, lady, spare me, I won't dare to do it again, I won't dare to do it again, please forgive me this time."

Lu Zhu was unmoved. She picked up the axe and said coldly, "Then cut off her right hand. It was this hand that scratched her."

As she spoke, she raised the axe, and it was unclear whether she was really going to chop or just to scare her.

Wang Jinju was really scared. She actually urinated, and her pants were wet and smelled of urine.

Luzhu took a step back in disgust. She was so disgusted that she didn't want to get close to her at all, so she just blew the whistle.

A moment later, a man in black appeared in the courtyard. Lu Zhu said, "Drag him away and send him to the government."

The "Law of the Great Zhou Dynasty: Thieves" stipulates that thieves can be punished with corporal punishment, and in serious cases, they can be sentenced to death by hanging. What she stole was the gold hairpin bought by Pei Xiuhan. No matter what the sentence is, Wang Jinju will not have an easy time.

Zhang Jun was still crying, and Lu Zhu was annoyed. She chopped him unconscious with a knife. Zhang Lan stood at the door the whole time. She didn't cry, and there was even no expression on her face. When Lu Zhu was about to go into the house, she pointed to the package in the kitchen and said, "There should be more in the package."

Although she didn't see it, she was aware of Wang Jinju's greed. Last night, she stayed in Xiaoxiao's house. She remembered that Xiaoxiao had several pieces of jewelry, and her mother couldn't have taken only one.

Luzhu went to the kitchen and opened the package inside. Sure enough, she saw other jewelry. All of Xiaoxiao's jewelry was packed up by her.

Wang Jinju didn't think she was stealing at all. She believed that these things must have been bought by her son. Even if they were given by someone else, Xiaoxiao should give them to her as a filial gift. The Zhang family raised her to this age, and it was time for her to repay them.

It was because of this mentality that she put on the gold hairpin that Xiaoxiao wore yesterday. As for the others, she planned to sell them all. These dozen pieces of jewelry, both jewels and gold hairpins, could be sold for at least a few hundred taels of silver. She felt that this trip was really worth it, even if Zhang Li didn't give her a single penny.

She never expected that this vicious woman would take her to the government office. She cried and howled desperately, but no one paid any attention to her. The man in black picked her up like a chick.

Luzhu then went into the house to check on Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao had just wanted to go out to see what was happening outside, but Xiaoxing stopped her and wouldn't let her go. He found a bottle of ointment from somewhere and forced Xiaoxiao to sit on the bench.

When Luzhu came in, Xiaoxing was applying medicine to Xiaoxiao.

The young man's eyes were filled with heartache. Seeing his expression, Luzhu paused for a moment. The next moment, she knelt on the ground and said, "It is my fault for not protecting the master properly. Please punish me, Master."

Luzhu blamed herself very much. It was indeed her negligence this time. In her eyes, Wang Jinju was just an ordinary woman with no fighting ability at all. Luzhu did not take her seriously at all. Who would have thought that such a person would hurt Xiaoxiao.

Xiaoxiao quickly reached out to help her, "Sister Luzhu, what are you doing? In that situation, how can I blame you?"

Xiaoxiao grabbed Wang Jinju's hair and pulled out a strand of it. Although she was scratched, Xiaoxiao felt relieved. "Besides, it's not a serious injury. Just think of it as a scratch from a wild cat."

She didn't take it to heart, but Luzhu felt very guilty.

Xiaoxiao went out to check her watermelons. The one she wanted to give to Brother Pei was smashed to pieces and was inedible. Although Wang Jinju didn't eat the other one, she picked it in advance.

Xiaoxiao became more and more angry as she watched. Seeing Zhang Cheng and Zhang Jun lying on the ground, she wanted to kick them. Luzhu also saw them and whistled again, wanting someone to drag them away.

Zhang Lan bravely pleaded for her father, "My father is very timid. He doesn't dare to steal anything. It must be my mother who stole it. Sister, please don't send my father to jail, okay?"

她娘爱打她，他爹虽然不敢拦，却会在她挨揍后，偷偷塞她点吃的，张兰对张成自然有几分感情。

Luzhu glanced at Xiaoxiao, and Xiaoxiao nodded. Although Zhang Cheng was cowardly, he was indeed not as bad as Wang Jinju. Although grandma didn't say it, she was actually always worried about her son in her heart.

Lu Zhu ignored them and let the father and son lie on the ground.

Zhang Lan came to Xiaoxiao and helped her clean up the watermelon on the ground. Xiaoxiao said, "Don't work anymore. Go and have a rest."

She was still running a fever yesterday and was so weak that a gust of wind could have blown her away. Zhang Lan didn't listen and only stopped after cleaning up the yard.

Xiaoxiao then took out the gold hairpin. She soaked it in water and washed it many times. Her hands were soaked white, but she still felt that the hairpin was not clean.

This gold hairpin was given to her by Pei Xiuhan. It meant a lot to her. She usually didn't want to wear it and only wore it once every few days. When Xiaoxiao thought that Wang Jinju had worn it on her head, she was very angry. If Wang Jinju was still here, she would have wanted to rush up and kick her a few times.

After Pei Xiuhan learned about this, his face was so gloomy that it looked like water could drip from it. He immediately went to Guxing Street. When he came over, Xiaoxiao was still washing her hairpin. Xiaoxiao was already angry, and when she saw him, she felt even more aggrieved. Tears fell down her face, "Brother, your watermelon is gone, and your hairpin is dirty."

Pei Xiuhan had come here once a few days ago, so he naturally knew which melon she was talking about. Seeing the little girl so sad, his expression became even colder.

He patted Xiaoxiao's head and coaxed her, "You can buy a new hairpin. As for the watermelon, you can eat something else."

Although there were others, this wasn't the first one. Xiaoxiao was still very sad. She had waited so long, and finally when he was about to mature, he was ruined by Wang Jinju.

Pei Xiuhan had already seen the red marks on her slender neck, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

Xiaoxiao's skin was snow-white, and her neck was also white, with three bloodstains on it that were particularly glaring. Pei Xiuhan's voice was as cold as if wrapped in ice, "Where is Wang Jinju?"

Lu Zhu replied, "I had her taken to the government office. She stole eighteen pieces of jewelry, worth a thousand pieces of gold. She is guilty of hanging."

The coldness around Pei Xiuhan still did not subside. Now it was Xiaoxiao who coaxed him. The little girl pulled his sleeve and said, "Brother, I'm fine, don't be angry."

How could Pei Xiuhan not be angry? It was the first time he saw her injured, and the color of his eyes deepened a lot. He raised his fingertips and gently touched the little girl's neck, "Does it still hurt?"

Xiaoxiao shook her head, "It's okay now."

It was indeed painful and burning at the beginning, but now I feel much better. Xiaoxiao is telling the truth.

Pei Xiuhan was still very angry. He stayed with the little girl for a while before coming out to ask Luzhu, "What exactly is going on? Why did a pair of parents suddenly appear?"

He did not ask anyone to investigate Xiaoxiao, and all his understanding of Xiaoxiao came from Xiaoxiao's stories.

Xiaoxiao never mentioned her parents. Pei Xiuhan always thought that her parents had passed away long ago. He was afraid of mentioning her sad story, so he didn't even take the initiative to ask about it.

Luzhu still remembered what Wang Jinju had said about Xiaoxiao, and she replied, "They seem to be Zhang Li's biological parents, not Miss Xiaoxiao's."

Upon hearing this, Pei Xiuhan frowned, and a hint of shock flashed in his eyes. Luzhu repeated Wang Jinju's words.

After hearing this, Pei Xiuhan's eyes seemed to be brewing a storm, and they were so cold that they were almost frozen. He had Zhang Cheng taken away, and after waking Zhang Cheng up with water, he asked him in detail about Xiaoxiao's life experience. Only then did he learn that she was actually the child picked up by Grandma Zhang.

No wonder Zhang Li and Xiaoxiao look nothing alike. They are not actually related by blood. Pei Xiuhan closed his eyes deeply. When he thought of her sad look today, he wanted to tear Wang Jinju into pieces.

He even blamed Zhang Li, the parents who abandoned him, and brought him back to the courtyard.

He took a deep breath and suppressed the anger in his heart. Luzhu knew that he must be very angry and had already accepted the punishment.

Pei Xiuhan went to Guxing Street again. This time he came to pick up Xiaoxiao. Zhang Li was not his biological brother and could not handle the family affairs. In his opinion, there was no need for Xiaoxiao to stay in Guxing Street.

After he came over, he took the little girl's snow-white wrist and said, "Go back to the palace with your brother."

Xiaoxiao was stunned for a moment, and when she looked up, she met Pei Xiuhan's dark and deep eyes. He looked very serious and strong, and he did not want to be refused.

Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat, "Brother, I'm fine."

Pei Xiuhan's expression was somewhat cold, with a hint of irritation between his brows. "How come you're okay? After leaving and returning home, you first nearly fell into the water, and now you're injured again. You're so aggrieved that you're crying, and you still say you're okay?"

Xiaoxiao was indeed very angry today, but after being comforted by Brother Pei, she was fine.

If she moved to the palace, wouldn't that cause him more trouble? Her brother had already returned, so what would it mean to move to the palace? She was no longer a little girl.

Although she wanted to see him every day, Xiaoxiao shook her head and said, "I can't go."

She refused without hesitation, which made Pei Xiuhan unhappy for a moment. He frowned and said, "Why not? Zhang Li is not your brother. Can you treat him as a family member? I can only be an outsider? Zhang Xiaoxiao, is the depth of feelings only measured by the length of time? Just because he has been with you for a longer time, does that mean he is more important than me?"

Pei Xiuhan didn't know why she was angry. Logically, it was normal for her to value Zhang Li. After all, Zhang Li had been her brother for fourteen years, and they had only known each other for two years.

However, when he saw her refuse without hesitation, he still couldn't control the anger in his heart. This was the first time he got angry at Xiaoxiao.

Xiaoxiao couldn't help but be stunned, looking a little bewildered, "Brother, I don't think you are unimportant, and I don't treat you as an outsider."

Xiaoxiao's eyes were red with anxiety, and her slender white hands unconsciously grabbed his sleeves. She hurriedly explained, "Really, in my heart, you are as important as my brother."

When he met her red eyes, most of the anger in Pei Xiuhan's heart dissipated. He reached out and touched the corners of the little girl's eyes, bent down slightly, looked directly into her eyes and said, "Since you think Brother Pei is not an outsider, then follow me."

Xiaoxiao was still a little confused.

Reason told her that she couldn't go with him. After all, she was no longer a little girl. If she moved into the palace again, it would not be good for both of their reputations. Everyone had suspected that he wanted to send her to the palace. If she went back, everyone might think that she went back to the palace to receive secret training.

While she was struggling, she saw Brother Pei taking off the purse from his waist. His slender fingers opened the purse and took out the letter with her signature on his birthday.

Pei Xiuhan said calmly: "I will use the first request now, to return home with me, or do you want to break the contract?"

Xiaoxiao was a little amused and saw that he looked very serious. She couldn't help but wrinkled her nose and said, "Okay, I'll go back home with you."

Pei Xiuhan's displeasure faded with her words. Fearing that the little girl might be upset, he added, "Wait until Zhang Li has dealt with this mess at home. If you want to come back, then come back."

Wow! Doesn't that mean I'm just staying at the palace for a few days?

Xiaoxiao was now completely relieved, her eyes brightening up, "I'll go pack my things."

"No need to clean up. Someone has already prepared a new one for you. You can stay at the palace anytime in the future."

It was only a few months away from her coming of age, and Pei Xiuhan even planned to expand Wuya Hall so that when she got married, she wouldn't have to live in Suyuexuan and could just live with him.

Just as he was about to take Xiaoxiao away, Zhang Li finally returned from the military camp. He didn't know what happened today. When he saw Pei Xiuhan, he quickly saluted and greeted him.

Pei Xiuhan was particularly cold this time. Zhang Li was stunned for a moment, and immediately noticed the wound on Xiaoxiao's neck. He ignored Pei Xiuhan's attitude and quickly held Xiaoxiao's shoulders, "How did you get hurt?"

Before, when people thought that he was Xiaoxiao's biological brother, Pei Xiuhan couldn't stand seeing him hug Xiaoxiao. But now, after learning that he and Xiaoxiao had no blood relationship, he couldn't stand seeing this scene even more.

He reached out and pulled Xiaoxiao's arm, pulling her forward and avoiding Zhang Li's hand. Pei Xiu said coldly, "You should ask your good parents."

He held Xiaoxiao's hand tightly and didn't let go. He said coldly, "I'm taking Xiaoxiao away. When you finish solving this matter, you can pick her up. If you can't solve it, don't pick her up."

Seeing Zhang Li's self-blaming expression, Xiao Xiao quickly comforted him, "Brother, I'm fine. I'm only staying at the palace for two days. Don't worry."

After she finished speaking, she met Pei Xiu Han's cold eyes. Xiao Xiao instantly became intimidated and swallowed the rest of her words. She wrinkled her nose and made a face at Pei Xiu Han.

Seeing her mischievous expression, Zhang Li was stunned for a moment. What shocked him even more was that Pei Xiuhan was not angry at all. He raised his hand and scratched Xiaoxiao's nose affectionately, with an indescribably gentle expression.

Their behavior was so incredibly intimate that Zhang Li couldn't help but freeze in shock, his gaze darting between them. He'd encountered Pei Xiuhan several times on the battlefield, so he knew him well. He was always aloof, a coldness that came naturally to him. It seemed as if no one could possibly be treated differently.

He always thought that Pei Xiuhan treated Xiaoxiao well just to repay a favor. Until this moment, after seeing the two of them getting along with each other, Zhang Li realized that his treatment of Xiaoxiao was far more than just repaying a favor.

Not only him, but Xiaoxiao was the same. The little girl looked at Pei Xiuhan with eyes clearly full of joy. Zhang Li watched Xiaoxiao grow up, so he naturally knew what she was like.

Zhang Li was so shocked that his heart was in a mess.

Xiaoxiao winked at Zhang Li again, signaling him not to worry.

Zhang Li just nodded. He knew that he couldn't stop them, so he didn't stop them. Xiaoxiao's expression said it all. She was obviously willing to stay in the palace for a while.

Pei Xiuhan didn't have that much patience and directly pulled Xiaoxiao away.

As their backs gradually disappeared at the door, Zhang Li heard Xiaoxiao softly say to Pei Xiuhan, "Brother, there's a ripe watermelon in the yard! I've made an appointment with Sister Xi and Sister Wen. We agreed to have them come here to eat watermelon the day after tomorrow. Can I come back the day after tomorrow?"

"Why are you going back? Isn't there room in the palace?" His voice was a little impatient, but he said, "Wait here."

After he finished speaking, he returned to the courtyard and took the watermelon away himself. His temperament did not match the watermelon in his hand at all. He took the watermelon away without even looking at Zhang Li.

Xiaoxiao said, "I want to leave half for my brother and Xiaoxing. I can't take it all!"

Pei Xiuhan's heart skipped a beat. He was carrying a watermelon, but he didn't know whether to put it down or take it away. After a while, he said, "Little Ancestor, can I have someone send them a cart tomorrow?"

When Xiaoxiao heard the call of "little ancestor", her face turned red for some reason. She stammered, "No need to pour it out. Let's go, let's go. Let's wait for more to be ripe and then let them eat it."

Zhang Li didn't listen anymore and turned into the house.

Xiaoxiao and Pei Xiuhan left Guxing Street just like that. He did not take a carriage when he came. Now he was walking back to the palace, holding a watermelon in one hand and holding Xiaoxiao in the other.

Xiaoxiao took a look at the wrist that he was holding, and her heart felt sweet. She felt that she had not been so close to Brother Pei for a long time.

After walking for a while, Pei Xiuhan lowered his eyes to glance at the little girl, "Are you tired?"

Xiaoxiao shook her head and smiled, "I'm not tired. I'm very strong. When I was in Zhangjia Village, I could climb two mountains."

Pei Xiuhan felt a little distressed, "With my brother here, I don't need to be so physically fit in the future."

Xiaoxiao cried out "Ah!", but before she could react, she heard Brother Pei say, "Come out."

Then Shi Yu, who had not been seen for a long time, walked out from the dark. Pei Xiu Han threw the watermelon to him. Before Xiao Xiao had time to greet him, Shi Yu disappeared from sight with a watermelon in his arms.

Pei Xiuhan bent down in front of Xiaoxiao and said, "Come on, I'll carry you on my back."

Xiaoxiao's heartbeat was a little fast, and she managed to calm herself down, "Brother, I can walk by myself."

Pei Xiuhan glanced at her from bottom to top. Even though he was bent over, he still had a strong sense of oppression. "Little girl, be obedient. I gave you my first time carrying someone on my back. What are you still complaining about?"

Xiaoxiao didn't dislike it. Her cheeks felt a little hot, and she couldn't resist the temptation and lay on his back obediently.

The next moment, Pei Xiuhan lifted her up by the bend of her legs. He raised his lips unconsciously, and teased her, "Hold tight, little girl. If you fall, I won't be responsible."

Xiaoxiao was extremely nervous and didn't know where to put her hands. Upon hearing this, she hugged his neck with blushing cheeks.

Pei Xiuhan then realized that they were too close. He could even feel the girl's soft body and warm breath.

Pei Xiuhan's body stiffened for a moment, and his heart beat uncontrollably.