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墨書 Inktalez
"Mother, it's nothing. It was all his father's doing."
"What?"
"????"
Upon hearing Xia Muxin's words, everyone froze in place. His father was too cruel, even beating his own son like this, and he didn't spare his subordinates either.
"Muxin, what happened? Are the injuries serious? Should we see a doctor?" The Summer Old Man stepped forward, leaning in to take a closer look, worry etched on his face.
"Uh, Grandpa, it's fine. Let's just go home for now," Xia Muxin said awkwardly as he walked over to support Shen Muhan and led him toward his house.
Xia Jihua had already brewed tea and greeted them to sit down as they entered.
"Muxin, we still have some ointment for external injuries at home. I'll go get it," Aunt Xia said as she placed Xue Er into Ermiao's arms. She started to head toward her room but was stopped by Xia Muxin.
"Mother, it's really not necessary. Don't fuss over it. A grown man like him can handle this little injury. Besides, his father was surprisingly gentle; if it were me, I would have hit him so hard that even his mother wouldn't recognize him."
Shen Muhan furrowed her brows. This girl really made him uncomfortable.
“Muxin, why did his father hit him?”
Xia Tieshu, who usually didn’t speak up, couldn’t help but ask. Although his family was poor, his parents had never been willing to hit them. It seemed that being a young master from a Noble Family was indeed not easy.
“His father wanted him to marry a beautiful and well-matched young lady, but he refused. He insisted on resisting with me against his father and even said he would only marry me. Can you believe how foolish he is? Such a stunning person, and he rejected her like that. She cried and caused a scene, threatening to hang herself. His father, in a fit of anger, grabbed something and swung it at him. Fortunately, Ming Yi blocked that blow for him; otherwise, he would be the one looking like a pig’s head right now…”
Xia Muxin, were you gloating or feeling pleased? You spoke without a hint of embarrassment or breathlessness, even going so far as to place such blame on him as if refusing to marry that young lady was a sign of poor judgment on his part.
At this moment, Shen Muhan’s brows could truly kill a fly.
“By the way, brother, has the Workshop started working yet?”
Xia Muxin scanned the house and felt that something was missing. Moreover, it seemed that all the furniture had been replaced. Just now, while supporting Shen Muhan, she had blocked her view and hadn’t seen whether the Workshop was rushing to finish its work. Now she couldn’t wait to ask.
“Well… um… Muxin…”
Xia Muxin’s sudden question left Xia Tieshu and the others stammering and exchanging glances without being able to say anything coherent. The family dared not meet Xia Muxin’s gaze and all lowered their heads.
Xia Muxin felt a surge of anxiety and dashed outside. Upon seeing the scene before her, a wave of anger surged to her head as she shouted into the interior:
“Who the hell did this?”
The Workshop was built next to the yard, so she had to run outside to see it. Inside the yard was a small Workshop that had completely collapsed. Debris was scattered everywhere, still uncleaned. The larger Workshop outside was now nothing but ruins; bricks were strewn about haphazardly on the ground, where several new bricks had already been laid down—clearly in the midst of repairs.
“Muxin, we don’t even know who we offended. Three days ago, a group of over twenty people suddenly showed up, all big and fierce-looking. They barged in and started smashing things. After they were done, they destroyed two Workshops. It was only when Python Brother intervened that they finally stopped. I heard there’s a new County Magistrate who seems decent. He’s willing to clear the names of the wronged and punish the wicked. Yesterday, Iron Tree went to the county office, and it seems the magistrate is handling it. We just need to wait for news at home.”
Summer Forest came out, feeling quite guilty as he advised Xia Muxin. After all, this was all her hard work; it was their own fault for being useless. Just like that, two Workshops were gone. Rebuilding would take at least half a month and cost a lot of money—what a loss.
“Dad, it’s not your fault. Hurry up and find someone to rebuild it. We’ll get back to work soon.”
After a moment, Xia Muxin swallowed her anger. There was no rush to settle accounts; she would take her time. Once she caught those culprits, she would definitely crush their heads.
“Yeah, we’re already working on it.”
*
“Uncle, why do you have to destroy the Workshop that I worked so hard to build? What grudge do you have against my family?”
At noon, everyone had eaten early. Aunt Xia and her husband let Xia Muxin help Shen Muhan upstairs to rest. At that moment, Xia Muxin was peeling peanuts while gritting her teeth in frustration.
The village chief's family had just come by to discuss buying more land. However, this time the land was for planting purposes, not for setting up any special events. The peanuts she was peeling were meant for planting.
The seedlings had just been transplanted, and now it was time for planting peanuts and soybeans. She needed to buy more land and plant more of these crops because once the Workshop opened again, they would be very useful. Earlier, she had sent Ming Qi with her brother to Town to find a storefront where she could sell her own products.
Since there were plenty of people at home now, they could keep an eye on the storefront themselves. Perhaps Sister Swallow could even work as a salesperson.
Shen Muhan sat on the bed, watching Xia Muxin’s vigorous movements with a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. He had already guessed what was going on but hadn’t confirmed it yet. He had sent Ming Peng to Town to ask Xiao Yan to expedite the investigation.
“Uncle...”
Seeing Shen Muhan remain silent for a long time, Xia Muxin stepped forward, waving her small hand in front of his eyes and gently calling out to him.
"Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough. Don't be too hard on yourself; it’s you who will suffer if you get upset."
However, Shen Muhan reached out and pulled her into his embrace, leaning close to her ear and speaking softly.
"Alright, you stay home and rest well. Python Brother hasn’t been into the mountains for a long time; I’ll take him out for a stroll."
Xia Muxin shifted in his arms and tossed two peeled peanuts into his mouth, saying playfully, "This man’s possessiveness is truly unprecedented. Python Brother is just an animal, but because he’s male, Shen Muhan won’t let us be alone together. Thinking about this makes me want to knock him out and have some fun with Python Brother for a few days."
"It’s not safe outside; I’m going with you."
"......"
As expected, what she worried about came true.
A moment later, in the Xia family courtyard, Xia Muxin had already called Python Brother out, followed closely by the injured Shen Muhan.
"Muxin, is Young Master Shen alright? Maybe we shouldn’t go after all," one of her family members suggested anxiously upon seeing Shen Muhan was also coming along.
"Mom, I was thinking the same thing, but it all depends on whether Young Master Shen is willing."
Xia Muxin lifted her head from Python Brother's back and glanced at the visibly annoyed Shen Muhan, saying helplessly, "You really need to lighten up."
Seeing that he was still unable to let go of the past, Python Brother realized that the once cheerful and lively demeanor of Xia Muxin was no longer there. It was clear that she had been bullied in the past, and now that she was his pet, he couldn't allow Shen Muhan to mistreat her little python.
Upon hearing Xia Muxin's words, Golden Python immediately wagged its tail in agreement. It had been a long time since it had gone out with its goddess. With Shen Muhan around, it felt a bit scared. Besides, after the New Year, the air on the mountain was fresh and there were plenty of game animals; it would surely catch a few wild chickens and rabbits.
"Aunt, it's fine. She hasn't been back for so long, and with everything going on at home, I'm worried about her safety if she goes out alone. It's better for me to stay close," Shen Muhan said, fully aware of the girl's concerns.
Moreover, just looking at that snake's mischievous gaze made him uneasy. Was he really being overshadowed by a mere snake?
Seeing Shen Muhan's determination, everyone else stopped trying to dissuade him. After all, he had a point; with him around, they would feel more at ease.
Xia Muxin knew that saying more would be pointless, so she urged Python Brother to move ahead while Shen Muhan followed behind. If he walked too fast and revealed his injuries, it would be interesting to see how he handled it.
Following the goddess's command, Python Brother wasted no time and swiftly slithered away, leaving Shen Muhan trailing behind for quite a distance.
The villagers had finally accepted Python Brother as a massive pet snake.
"Python Brother, have you not been eating well while I was away? You seem to have lost so much weight!" Xia Muxin said as she hugged Golden Python's neck, feeling that it had shrunk significantly. Her heart ached; she realized she couldn't leave home for too long. Trouble always seemed to find them whenever she did. It had only been a little over two months since they faced this situation at home.
Golden Python instantly felt teary-eyed. "Goddess, you're too perceptive! You even noticed my poor appetite. Boohoo..."
"Last time I heard, it was you who drove the bad guys away. You're getting better and better."
Once Xia Muxin started talking, she couldn't stop. Python Brother remained as quiet as ever, faithfully listening to her.
After a couple of incense sticks' worth of time, they arrived at Daimiao Mountain. Xia Muxin jumped off the back of the Golden Python and immediately spotted a slope covered with Pipi Vegetables. Her eyes lit up, and she gave a thumbs-up to the Golden Python. Then, she took out a small curved knife and cut off a small pile of grass, rolling it into Grass Ropes. Fortunately, she had prepared in advance and brought several Sacks. At that moment, she tied one end of the Grass Rope to a sturdy tree trunk and the other around her waist before heading down the slope with one Sack in hand.
With each few steps, she bent down to collect the nearby Pipi Vegetables into her Sack.
When Shen Muhan arrived, this was the scene he encountered: the girl dressed in simple clothes, bending down at times, standing up at others, and occasionally bouncing around as she picked up every last Pipi Vegetable within reach.
He couldn't help but smile slightly; it seemed that this kind of life truly suited her. Then he took a deep breath and leaped forward, reaching Xia Muxin in an instant.
"Here, give me the Sack."
He reached out to her, speaking softly.
The Pipi Vegetables had only grown after the rain and were indeed wet and heavy. Although Xia Muxin hadn't collected much, it was already somewhat strenuous for her. Seeing Shen Muhan reaching out, she smiled and handed him the Sack.
Then, they worked in perfect harmony—Xia Muxin picking while Shen Muhan carried the bag. As Xia Muxin moved forward bit by bit, they cleared all the Pipi Vegetables from the slope until they exchanged smiles.
"Wait here; I'll come back to get you."
Shen Muhan wiped the fine sweat from her forehead and some dirt from her clothes before gently saying this. He then lifted the Sack and flew toward level ground. In an instant, he returned, just as he was about to untie the Grass Rope from her waist when he heard Xia Muxin's surprised voice:
"Uncle, look! Is that a person down there?"
Shen Muhan raised an eyebrow and followed Xia Muxin's pointing finger. After a moment, Zhaoxia Muxin nodded.
"Uncle, hurry up and go check it out. It might just be someone from the neighboring village."
Because they were a bit far away, they couldn't see the person's face clearly, nor could they tell if it was a man or a woman. However, it was likely not someone from their own village; otherwise, her father and the others would have mentioned it.
Without saying a word, Shen Muhan picked up Xia Muxin and flew down to the ground. Seeing that the Golden Python had brought over several pieces of game meat, he ruffled Xia Muxin's hair and said softly, "Stay here and wait patiently."
As he spoke, he gave the Golden Python a knowing glance before leaping down.
In an instant, Shen Muhan's figure disappeared from Xia Muxin's sight. She immediately felt anxious and stretched her neck to look down, but after searching for a long time, she still couldn't see any sign of him.
"Python Brother, do you think... this could be a trap? What if something happened to Uncle?"
Seeing Xia Muxin so worried, the Golden Python leaned forward as well, poking its head into the grass. However, the underbrush was thick and high, making it impossible for it to see anything. Zhaoxia Muxin showed a helpless expression.
Xia Muxin couldn't go down herself, so she could only sit on the spot and toss pebbles down absentmindedly. But after what felt like an eternity had passed without Shen Muhan returning and with no sound coming from below, she grew increasingly anxious and shouted down.
"Uncle, are you okay?"
But after calling out for a long time, there was still no response.
Seeing this situation, Xia Muxin pulled the grass rope that had just bound her over and tied it around her waist. Just as she was about to descend, she heard Shen Muhan's teasing voice:
"You throw a few more stones, and who knows, I might just get killed by them down there."
As soon as those words fell, a deep blue figure floated past, and Xia Muxin found herself enveloped in a warm and familiar embrace.
"Uncle, this..."
Before Xia Muxin could exclaim in surprise, her feet were already on the ground. Upon catching sight of the figure that Shen Muhan had just set down, she gasped in shock.
To be precise, Shen Muhan had rescued a girl who appeared to be slightly older than Xia Muxin. Her face was marred with scratches, and the edges of her clothing looked as if they had been burned, blackened and wrinkled. Fortunately, the fire hadn't harmed her skin, but she bore numerous small injuries—whip marks and abrasions. The most serious wound was a blade still embedded in her chest, which looked like a small dagger from the outside.
Her face was also smeared with dirt, making it impossible to discern her features.
"Uncle, saving her is our priority. Let's head back first."
Looking at the girl, Xia Muxin felt something strange but couldn't bring herself to dislike her. She urged Shen Muhan to hurry.
Shen Muhan narrowed his sharp eyes slightly and then complied with Xia Muxin's wishes, lifting the girl into his arms and heading home.
An hour later.
"Uncle, how is she?"
The girl had been brought back to their home by Xia Muxin and Shen Muhan. At that moment, Shen Muhan emerged from the house after tending to the girl's wounds. To prevent Xia Muxin from seeing the blood, he had kept her outside. As he stepped out, Xia Muxin took a towel and wiped the sweat from his forehead, anxiously asking.
"This blade is poisoned. I've already treated it; whether she wakes up or not depends on her fate."
Shen Muhan took out the short knife and said calmly.
Xia Muxin stared at the knife for a moment before turning to her parents and asking, "Father, Mother, have you ever seen this girl?"
Aunt Xia and her husband exchanged glances, then shook their heads with certainty.
The girl was quite good-looking, but her hands were notably rough, clearly accustomed to hard labor. However, her clothing did not resemble that of an ordinary villager. They speculated that she might be a girl who had escaped from some noble family.
At that moment, Xia Jihua came out carrying a basin of blood, walking to the door with a sigh.
"Aunt, what's wrong?"
Having taken care of several children in the Liu Family, Xia Jihua was no stranger to blood. She had washed those children right after birth when they were covered in it. Having endured domestic violence herself, she had long since become immune to the sight of blood. It didn't frighten her at all; in fact, she often stepped forward to help immediately. Most importantly, she knew a lot about herbs and had plenty on hand at home, all cleaned thoroughly. If there was a small injury, a cold, or diarrhea, they would work wonders almost instantly.
Hearing Xia Muxin's question, she spoke with compassion, "She's a poor child, covered in wounds—large and small—countless in number. Some have already scabbed over, but new ones keep appearing. Aside from her face, there isn't a single intact spot on her body."
For some reason, Xia Muxin felt a pang of sympathy for this unfamiliar girl.
"Uncle, about the scars on her body..."
She paused for a moment before turning to Shen Muhan with another question.
After all, with his current medical skills, there were hardly a few like him left in the entire Tianli Kingdom, so he was their only hope.
Shen Muhan looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze for a moment. Seeing Xia Muxin's eyes filled with pleading, his heart softened. Unable to bear her pitiful expression, he said lightly, "I will do my best."
Only then did Xia Muxin smile.
Three days later!
Xia Muxin was outside the courtyard watching the construction of the Workshop. Reflecting on previous discussions, she offered some valuable suggestions. At that moment, Songzi rushed over, panting and shouting, "Sister, sister, that big sister has woken up!"
Upon hearing this, Xia Muxin paused mid-sentence and immediately ran into the house without looking back.
Her swift speed startled Er Dan and the others. Muxin's fiery personality had not changed at all. However, everyone had heard about her saving a woman, and several unmarried men had some thoughts on their minds.
"Miss, you’re awake! Are you thirsty? Would you like to have some water first?"
When Xia Muxin entered the room, the girl had already been helped to sit up by Xia Jihua and others. She was propped up with a large pillow behind her, but her eyes were unfocused as she looked around the room in terror, her whole body trembling. Xia Jihua brought a cup of water to her lips, but she stared blankly and did not drink.
"Miss, we are not bad people. Do you know your name? Once you recover from your injuries, we can send you home," said Summer Old Man gently as he stepped forward.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the mention of home came up, the woman burst into tears, clutching herself tightly.
"Home... I have no home, they are all dead, all dead..."
Her words were slurred and fragmented, making it difficult to understand. Xia Muxin furrowed her brow, piecing together what she could: the woman had lost her family; they were all gone.
"Don't be afraid, miss. First, have some water. We are doctors and mean you no harm. Let's get you treated first. If you have no home, you can stay here, alright?"
The woman's lips were cracked and bleeding with every movement. Seeing this, Xia Jihua quickly comforted her.
Upon hearing this, the woman stopped trembling and slowly began to drink the water.
- End of Chapter -
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