Inside the Xiao Clan's reception hall.
"Xiao Yuan, do you know what you did wrong?"
The clan leader, Xiao Zhan, and the three elders sat in the seats of honor. Their expressions stern, they looked down at Xiao Yuan, who was kneeling below.
Outside the hall, the gathered Xiao Clan disciples shuddered at the imposing reprimand.
It was the first time they had ever seen the elders so angry.
Xiao Yuan immediately bowed reverently toward them. Without changing his expression, he loudly recited:
"Your son knows he was wrong. He shouldn't have snuck into his cousin Xun'er's room at night. I ask the elders and clan leader to punish me."
His voice rang so loudly that everyone outside the hall heard him clearly.
The gathered Xiao Clan disciples sucked in a collective breath.
What had they just heard?
Xiao Yuan had actually sneaked into Xiao Xun'er's room at night?!
Naturally, quite a few among them admired Xiao Xun'er. They all knew just how beautiful this cousin who had recently joined the Xiao Clan was.
They just hadn't expected that Xiao Yuan, that bastard, would get there first?!
No, wait—he had actually done something so despicable!
Some of the Xiao Clan disciples beat their chests and stamped their feet, crying out in regret. Xiao Ning, who stood at the very front, looked especially jealous, hating that it hadn't been him!
But the Xiao Clan girls had grown jealous of Xun'er.
Why hadn't their adorable cousin Xiao Yuan come to visit them instead of that frail little girl?!
Whispers filled the space outside the hall, but Xiao Yuan didn't care in the slightest. He only felt incredibly fortunate.
Thank goodness, thank goodness. That old geezer Ling Ying didn't slap me to death. This is a blessing in disguise if ever there was one.
When it came to Ling Ying, Xiao Yuan could only say that the old coot was outrageously hypocritical!
Xiao Yan had broken into Xun'er's room at night, and his protagonist's halo meant he got away with it. But when Xiao Yuan did it, he just had to run into that old coot!
Not only had he been caught red-handed, he'd even been hauled before the clan leader and elders!
Actually, he had only himself to blame.
Who told him to get handsy and help Xun'er pull up her blanket, wasting precious time? The moment he turned around, he ran into that old coot Ling Ying, who had just returned.
But thank goodness this is the Dou Qi Continent, not some pseudo-human fiction. With this three-court interrogation scene playing out, I'd be skinned alive even if I didn't die.
[ Ding! Congratulations, you have obtained one fourth-grade Qi Gathering Powder. ]
Xiao Yuan: ???
No way, seriously? That works too?
"Quiet!"
A shout rang out, and the noise outside the hall immediately fell silent.
Seeing Xiao Yuan kneeling with his head bowed, motionless, the old men felt both helpless and awkward.
That little brat...
What was awkward was that they hadn't expected Xiao Yuan to admit his fault so sincerely. He'd even choked off the reprimand they had prepared in advance.
What left them helpless was that they didn't know how to deal with this.
The matter itself wasn't particularly serious.
After all, he was still young. It wasn't as if he could have done anything truly outrageous.
But the problem was that it had happened to Xiao Xun'er!
She was the precious young lady from a great clan, sent to stay with them!
Even a trivial matter became serious when it involved her!
The elders had been troubled over this for quite some time.
But when their gazes inevitably fell on Xiao Zhan, the clan leader, they suddenly came up with a plan.
"Ahem."
The First Elder cleared his throat and spoke first:
"Xiao Zhan, I think that while Xiao Yuan was certainly in the wrong today, the greater fault lies with you, the clan leader, doesn't it?"
At that, the other two elders understood as well. They lifted their teacups, blew on them, and chimed in:
"I think the First Elder is right. Two years ago, the former clan leader Xiao Lin died of his injuries. The Jialie Clan joined forces with the Aoba Clan and suddenly attacked, causing Yuan'er's parents to die young. His parents entrusted him to you and asked you to look after him. But what happened?"
"Yuan'er showed good talent for cultivation, but you, Xiao Zhan, failed to fulfill your responsibility to educate him."
"Of course, Second Elder isn't saying this to blame you. After all, we elders are all responsible for what happened."
By now, anyone could see what was going on.
Those three old coots were passing the buck!
They were putting the blame on Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yuan's guardian.
Xiao Zhan's expression shifted slightly. He steadied himself and asked in a low voice:
"Then, according to the three elders, how should we handle this?"
At once, the three elders exchanged glances.
The corners of their eyes kept drifting toward Xiao Yuan, who remained kneeling before them without getting up.
Their intentions were clear.
Although Xiao Yuan had made a mistake, he had tremendous talent and a bright future. Like Xiao Yan, he was a genius worth cultivating!
So they had only one goal: to bring Xiao Yuan, who had lost his parents, into their own branch of the clan.
With that in mind, the First Elder sat up straight and cleared his throat.
He was just about to speak when a cool voice came from outside the hall.
"There's no need to handle it."
At those words, everyone seated in the hall turned to look outside in unison.
Xun'er appeared at the entrance, dressed in a purple gown. She walked gracefully into the hall with light, measured steps.
The elders' expressions stiffened at once.
Why had this precious young lady come?
Was she here to demand an explanation?
The elders' hearts lurched. They sensed trouble.
Xun'er's gaze swept slowly over those seated in the hall. With a faint smile, she greeted them softly:
"First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, and Uncle Xiao, I hope I'm not interrupting anything important by coming here."
"Not at all, not at all. We didn't know you were coming, Xun'er. What brings you here?"
Seeing how amiable Xun'er was, the elders nearly stretched their old faces into chrysanthemums. Their former dignity vanished, and they all began speaking in soft, gentle voices.
They seemed afraid of startling the young girl before them.
But remembering the foolish thing Xiao Yuan had done, they put on stern, impartial expressions and said:
"If you're here because of Xiao Yuan, that brat, then rest assured. We'll handle this fairly. Even if he's a genius of the Xiao Clan, we won't let him off lightly!"
They were making their position clear, while also indirectly protecting Xiao Yuan.
After all, if he fell into their hands, he'd only have to endure a little physical punishment.
Hearing the elders' words, Xun'er smiled sweetly.
"I did come because of Xiao Yuan, but not to ask you to punish him. I'm here to ask you to show him mercy."
At this, the elders were dumbfounded.
Even Xiao Yuan lifted his head, staring in disbelief at the girl standing nearby.
Meow meow meow? What's going on here?
Then Xun'er continued:
"What happened today was just a misunderstanding. Xiao Yuan didn't take liberties with me. He broke into my room last night to save me."
Xun'er didn't explain what had happened the night before.
She didn't need to.
As soon as she spoke up, the three elders and the clan leader would stop pursuing the matter.
Of course, doing this would inevitably spread unsavory rumors about her around the Xiao Clan.
But she was Gu Xun'er!
She couldn't care less about gossip!
Before long, at the elders' signal, the crowd outside the hall dispersed.
Xiao Yuan, now forgiven, was led out of the Xiao Clan's reception hall by Xun'er.
One walked ahead, the other followed.
Watching the girl's slender back, Xiao Yuan still couldn't understand what she was thinking.
Ling Ying just caught me and dragged me in front of the elders, and now this girl came all the way over to plead for me... Could she have thought up an even more horrible way to torture me?
Knowing how petty this little girl is, and how she never lets a grudge go, it's certainly possible.
[ Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained one first-grade Rejuvenation Powder. ]
Behind her, Xiao Yuan was muttering to himself. Ahead of him, Xun'er, who had been listening to his thoughts, had puffed up her cheeks in anger.
But she still suppressed her resentment and spoke softly:
"Ling Ying arresting you was just a misunderstanding. It wasn't my intention."
Xiao Yuan gave a slight start.
What's this about? I didn't say anything just now, did I?
Why do I feel like this girl can hear my thoughts?
His thoughts faded.
Xun'er's breath hitched slightly, and for an instant, a flustered look crossed her face.
Fortunately, she had her back to Xiao Yuan, so he didn't notice.
At the same time, Xiao Yuan spoke:
"But this concerns your reputation. You didn't have to get involved. At most, the elders would've beaten me up."
"Your reputation matters, of course, but you saved Xun'er. Naturally, Xun'er had a responsibility to step forward and clear things up for you."
With that, the girl suddenly stopped.
She clasped her hands behind her back, turned around, and smiled brightly.
"You wouldn't want Xun'er to be someone who repaid kindness with ingratitude, would you?
"Brother Xiao Yuan."
At her first smile, cities fell; at her second, empires crumbled.
Sunlight filtered through the lush green bamboo, scattering dappled shade over the young girl and accentuating her playful charm.
There was no denying it: Xun'er was beautiful, like a figure in a painting.
But what's with this inexplicable sense that she's manipulating me?