Chapter 148 Severing Ties
Yes, my parents are somewhat biased in some things, but that's not because she just came back and the family hasn't gotten used to her presence yet. There's still a long way to go, so why can't the family live in harmony?
"Yu Xuan, you must come back with me today..."
Xiao Jin looked at her with a complicated expression.
"What if I told you that I definitely wouldn't go back with you today?"
Xiao Yuxuan was not afraid at all, meeting Xiao Jin's gaze with her back straight.
"Mother has already spoken, saying that if you don't go back, they will..." Xiao Jin was interrupted by Xiao Yuxuan before she could finish speaking.
"So what? You're cutting ties with me?"
Xiao Yuxuan's lips curled into a mocking smile, which made Xiao Jin tremble with fear.
She actually said that word so casually? Does she really not care about the Xiao family anymore?
"Does Third Brother think so too?"
"Third Brother also feels that if I don't go back with you today, because I have to take care of the people suffering from the epidemic in the capital and look after the Princess, I would be extremely unfilial and deserve to be cut off by my family whom I just recently reunited with?"
She pressed closer, as if she wanted to know what Xiao Jin was really thinking, staring intently into his eyes.
Xiao Jin looked away guiltily: "I didn't..."
Xiao Yuxuan looked away in disappointment.
"Young Master Xiao has been out for too long. I'm afraid your father and mother must be worried. Please go home as soon as possible. I won't see you out."
"Yu Xuan!"
Seeing that she was leaving so resolutely, Xiao Jin quickly called out to her.
He looked around and lowered his voice:
"Yu Xuan, must you be so stubborn? After all, you haven't known the Princess for very long. People's hearts are unpredictable. What if she no longer wants to protect you in the future, or what if she doesn't survive this epidemic? Wouldn't you..."
"shut up!"
Xiao Yuxuan suddenly turned around, her eyes wide open, filled with a scarlet light, which startled Xiao Jin.
The little girl wasn't even as tall as him, but when she looked up at him, she inexplicably exuded a chilling and intimidating anger that made it impossible for anyone to look her in the eye.
“I didn’t mean to curse the princess, I was just worried about you.”
"Enough! Guards, escort Young Master Xiao out!"
The guards were already waiting outside. Upon hearing Xiao Yuxuan call out, they quickly entered, raising their arms towards Xiao Jin, who was about to say something—the meaning was very clear.
Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.
"Yu Xuan, this is your own choice, so don't regret it later!"
Xiao Jin looked at Xiao Yuxuan with a disheartened expression, swallowing all her words of comfort.
It seems that her father and mother were right. She has become too ambitious and thinks she can gain a place in the capital by relying on the Princess. She is eyeing fame and fortune that do not belong to her. Her Xiao family is not a top-notch family, so how could they be worthy of her attention?
Xiao Jin left the Princess's residence listlessly.
In the guest room, Xiao Yuxuan lost her balance and almost fell, but fortunately Bi Sui reacted quickly and caught her.
"Young lady, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Bihui hurriedly helped her sit down. She had just poured water when she realized that the girl's face was terribly pale, with no color in her small face.
"Bihui, you've seen the situation now. The Xiao family is no longer a safe haven for me. Do you want to go back to the Xiao family, or come with me?"
"If you want to return to the Xiao family, I will immediately give you silver. I won't make you rich, but at least I'll ensure you have enough to eat and wear; if you wish..."
Bi Sui was so shocked when she heard the first few sentences that she knelt down, resting her head on Xiao Yuxuan's lap, her expression urgent:
"My lady! I would rather die than leave your side!"
"Why are you talking about death and life for no reason? Have you thought this through? I'm only asking you this once today. After this, you won't be able to go back even if you want to."
"This servant understands. This servant knows that I am not as well-trained and as capable as Qin Yuan and Cheng Yan, but this servant is loyal to you. As long as you don't send this servant away, this servant is willing to give my life for you, even unto death."
Xiao Yuxuan pulled her up, "To be honest, you haven't had many good days with me. In fact, you were even implicated and tortured before. But don't worry, I will never let such a thing happen again."
"However, your indenture is still with the Xiao family. I will go and get it for you later."
"girl……"
Bihui was so moved that she didn't know what to say.
When she was first assigned to Lanting Pavilion, she thought it was just a change of place to work. When she heard that she was to serve the newly arrived Fifth Miss, she was also uneasy. She was afraid that the Fifth Miss would be like the Fourth Miss, a perfectionist. She was also afraid that the Fifth Miss would become more vulgar, arrogant and difficult to serve after transforming from an ordinary person into the daughter of a high-ranking official.
However, she had only spent a few months with the girl. At first, she felt sorry for the girl because she was being careful in every way when she was going back to her own home and was always being wronged. Later, she saw that the girl's tolerance was in vain and she could only fight back without missing anything. Now, she admires and loves the girl from the bottom of her heart.
As a servant, since she couldn't decide her own future, how could she be so foolish as to abandon the light and turn to darkness after finally meeting a wise master?
A few days later.
"Young lady! You must go and see! Doctor Pei says he has prescribed a medicine, which has already been tested on poultry, and has also been given to two volunteer patients..."
Lanxin rushed in.
"What did you say?!"
Xiao Yuxuan snapped out of her daze and looked towards the door.
Bi Sui followed closely behind.
Lan Xin then suppressed her excitement, first curtsied, and then finished speaking:
"Young lady! Doctor Pei and Miss Pei have finally come up with a prescription that is very likely to be effective. They have already given it to two patients who volunteered to try the medicine. Half an hour has passed and there have been no problems. It seems that we can verify the efficacy of the medicine in a little while."
A genuine smile finally appeared on Xiao Yuxuan's face.
"Let's go check quickly, and prepare more of the herbs needed for the prescription so we can brew the medicine for the people together... Oh, and ask the Zhao family for the medicine payment. They're quite shrewd; they even branded the Zhao family's business name on the large pot used to boil water for the people overnight. Put that debt on their end too..."
As she walked, she made arrangements for the follow-up matters, and her expression, which had been quiet for several days, finally became more lively.
"Yes, this servant will go right away—"
Lan Xin was also very happy. Doctor Pei had prescribed a medicine, which was a great joy. So many patients in the city were suffering from the lack of a cure and could only drink common tonics to prolong their lives, praying to live a few more days.
But every day, whether it's tonics or boiling water, it's all burning through silver. If this continues, the Zhao family will eventually be unwilling to fill this hole.
Fortunately, the prescription was finally completed.
As she passed by the Princess's palace, Aunt Meng, with red-rimmed eyes, stopped in front of Xiao Yuxuan:
"Miss, His Highness went to sleep last night and has remained unconscious ever since. I'm afraid..."
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