CHAPTER 115: CHAPTER 115 STUNNING MISS CHAI (2)

Mu Yuanxiu was holding a torch, carrying nothing else.

The clothes he wore were no longer the patched ones, but a half-new, half-old gray robe.

The outfit seemed strange. Li Yuzhu called out to him, "Hey, neighbor, where are you going?"

Mu Yuanxiu saw them and nodded, "To the market." His gaze paused briefly on Li Yuzhu’s new clothes, then quickly moved away.

"Today isn’t even market day. What are you going to the market for?" Li Xing’an raised his eyebrows lightly, dressed quite properly.

"To the Chai family."

Li Xing’an was surprised, "What are you going to the Chai family for?"

"To collect money. The Chai family took mountain goods from me last month and hasn’t paid yet, I’m going to collect money."

Li Xing’an laughed, "Wow, I didn’t expect you to be quite capable. How much do they owe you?"

"Over a hundred taels."

Li Xing’an, "!!!"

Showing off wealth, is it? So what if you have money?

Just wait, when the day comes and he regains his princely identity, I’ll drown you in money, you brat!

Li Yuzhu asked him, "The Chai family is having a celebration today. Can you collect money?"

"I’ll try my luck," Mu Yuanxiu replied.

As he spoke, Mu Yuanxiu walked from the small path to the main road, "You are also going to the Chai family, let me walk with you."

Such thick-skinned! Li Xing’an thought to refuse.

Li Yuzhu didn’t object, "Alright, it’s still dark, safer to walk together."

"He doesn’t even fear wild beasts, why fear walking in the dark? Third Sister, you’re overthinking!" Li Xing’an was unimpressed.

"In the darkness, it’s not the beasts that are frightening, it’s the bad people, Third Brother!" Li Yuzhu countered.

"Could... could this be true?" Li Xing’an was surprised. The little sister said something so profound.

Mu Yuanxiu was also surprised, he said, "Third Brother Li, she is right, the ferocity of beasts is clear, but humans are skilled in disguise; there’s no telling who is cunning."

Li Xing’an squinted his eyes, staring at Mu Yuanxiu, "So, Mr. Mu, are you cunning?"

"...", Mu Yuanxiu was taken aback, he shook his head, "Of course not."

"If you dare play tricks, beware of my fist!" Li Xing’an made a fist, showing it to Mu Yuanxiu.

"Rest assured."

"Heh heh heh!"

The three walked, chatting along the way, and soon arrived at the Chai Family Village House in Taohua River Village.

The courtyard gate was half-open, a horse was parked outside.

Inside the courtyard, there was a fierce argument.

Li Yuzhu recognized one of the voices as that of Miss Chai.

Li Xing’an frowned, "Miss Chai seems to be in trouble, are we coming here in vain?"

Li Yuzhu thought of the five taels of silver and immediately got off the cart, "Go take a look, for five taels of silver, we can’t give up halfway."

Five taels of silver, how many herbs would one have to gather to earn that?

Mentioning money, Li Xing’an instantly gained enthusiasm, "Let’s go, take a look."

He parked the cart beside the courtyard door and walked inside briskly.

Li Yuzhu hung her lantern on the cart, following him into the courtyard.

Mu Yuanxiu extinguished his torch and went in as well.

Arguing were Miss Chai and a fat-faced middle-aged man.

Miss Chai had taken medicine for two days, her complexion was visibly better, and the new pomegranate dress covered much of her sickly look.

The old servant and an old lady couldn’t help but helplessly stomp their feet aside.

Li Yuzhu recognized the fat-faced man; he was the one chasing Miss Chai on horseback that day.

Is he trying to take Miss Chai away again?

The fat servant said, "Miss Chai, it’s the eldest master’s order! For your health, you must go to the City God Temple in Qingshui River Village, where Daoist Mu Zi can treat you."

"I’m almost recovered, what illness do I need treated? I’m not going! Don’t think I don’t know, it’s my brother who sent you to capture me, I’m not a criminal, he can’t imprison me!"

"You have to go whether you want to or not!" The fat-faced servant forcefully dragged Miss Chai towards the door.

When Miss Chai turned her head, she saw Li Yuzhu and the others. Delighted, she cried out, "Quick, save me, and I will reward you well!"

"Third Brother, shall we save her?" Li Yuzhu said.

She had already been treating Miss Chai; if she were taken away, delaying the illness, even if cured, would leave her half-disabled.

"Alright." Li Xing’an stepped forward, "Hey, tugging and pulling, bullying a girl, what kind of a hero is that?"

The fat-faced man looked up and saw acquaintances.

Li Yuzhu was just passing by, but Mu Yuanxiu had beaten him before.

The fat man’s face was still swollen and bruised. Recalling the beating, he shuddered with fear.

"You, you... it’s you?" The fat-faced man pointed at Mu Yuanxiu, full of fear, "What are you doing here?"

"These three are my friends, why can’t they come? Chai Liang, you’re just my family’s servant, dare you intervene in my private matters?" Miss Chai noticed her brother’s men were somewhat afraid of Li Yuzhu and her group, and she became smug.

"After another little girl?" Mu Yuanxiu’s voice was chilly, his gaze grimly fixed on the fat servant.

The servant touched his face and quickly skittered past Miss Chai, running off.

Miss Chai let out a sigh of relief, "Luckily you came, otherwise..."

She exhaled, sinking into a nearby chair, unable to speak for a while.

"Miss Chai?" The old lady was so frightened, she quickly went to support her.

Seeing she was about to faint again, Li Yuzhu hurriedly took out silver needles from her space and pierced her acupoints.

"Did you take today’s medicine?" she asked.

Miss Chai shook her head, "I just got up, my brother’s men arrived before I had the chance to take it."

"Old man, go fetch the medicine." The old lady urged the old servant.

The elderly servant ran into the house.

"Take the medicine on time. You’ll need to take it long-term, can’t miss a single day until fully recovered," Li Yuzhu advised.

Miss Chai nodded, "Thank you for the reminder."

The medicine, consisting of both Chinese patent medicine and decoction, was brought, and Miss Chai took it immediately.

Supported by the old lady, she stood up, "It’s getting late, we must go to the town now, let’s hurry."

Upon learning Li Yuzhu arrived by cart, she insisted they not walk.

She found it too slow.

Respectfully obeying is better than insubordination, Li Yuzhu persuaded Li Xing’an and Mu Yuanxiu to agree.

Whatever she says, the two of them would listen.

The servant put Li Yuzhu’s cart in the yard, and they all rode in the mule cart to the town.

Although not as fast as a horse-drawn carriage, the mule cart was definitely quicker than walking.

By the time the sun climbed to the treetops, the mule cart arrived in front of the Chai family’s large house.

Since a wedding banquet was to be held, the house door was already open early.

Four large red lanterns were hanging under the eaves.

The old servant parked the cart, and with Li Yuzhu’s assistance, Miss Chai disembarked from the mule cart.

The servant sweeping at the house’s entrance was so surprised to see Miss Chai that he dropped his broom.