Know the Mistake, Admit the Mistake, Still Don't Correct the Mistake

Inside the guest hall of the Xiao Clan.

"Xiao Yuan, do you know your mistake?"

Patriarch Xiao Zhan and the three elders sat in the main seats, looking down at Xiao Yuan, who was kneeling in the hall, with stern expressions.

Outside the hall, the gathered Xiao Clan disciples shivered at the sound of this imposing interrogation.

It was the first time they had ever seen the elders so furious.

Xiao Yuan immediately bowed piously toward the front, his face expressionless as he recited in a loud, clear voice:

"Yuan'er knows his mistake. I should not have broken into Cousin Xun'er's room at night. I ask the elders and the Patriarch to punish me."

His voice was so loud that it could be heard clearly even outside the hall.

The group of Xiao Clan disciples gasped in unison.

What had they just heard?

Xiao Yuan had actually snuck into Xiao Xun'er's room at night?!

Among the crowd, there were naturally many admirers of Xiao Xun'er, and everyone knew just how beautiful this cousin who had recently come to the Xiao Clan was.

They just hadn't expected that this dog, Xiao Yuan, would be the one to get there first!

No, that wasn't right—they hadn't expected him to do something so base!

A portion of the Xiao Clan disciples beat their chests and stomped their feet in regret, while Xiao Ning, standing at the very front, was filled with jealousy and hatred, wishing that he were the one in that position!

However, the young girls of the Xiao Clan began to harbor jealousy toward Xun'er.

Why hadn't such a cute cousin like Xiao Yuan come to find them instead of that frail little brat!

The whispering outside the hall was incessant, but Xiao Yuan didn't care at all; he only felt incredibly fortunate.

Thank goodness, thank goodness. I wasn't slapped to death by that old thing Ling Ying. It is truly the greatest of fortunes amidst misfortune.

Regarding Ling Ying, Xiao Yuan could only say that the old geezer was truly a hypocrite!

When Xiao Yan, who possessed the protagonist's halo, snuck into Xun'er's room, nothing happened, but when it was him, he ran straight into that old geezer!

Not only was he caught on the spot, but he was also dragged before the Patriarch and the elders!

In reality, he only had himself to blame for this.

He had been too meddlesome, staying behind to tuck in Xun'er's blanket, which delayed him just long enough to run into Ling Ying the moment he turned around.

But it's fine. This is the Dou Qi Continent, not some pseudo-human literature. Otherwise, with this current "trial by three courts" nightmare, I'd be lucky to get away with just losing a layer of skin.

Ding, congratulations on obtaining one Qi Gathering Powder, a fourth-tier medicinal pill.

Xiao Yuan: ???

Are you kidding me? This works too?

"Silence!"

With a sharp reprimand, the noise outside the hall instantly died down.

Seeing Xiao Yuan kneeling on the ground with his head buried and motionless, the old fellows felt both helpless and awkward.

This little brat...

What made it awkward was that they hadn't expected Xiao Yuan to admit his fault so sincerely, causing the prepared interrogation speech to get stuck in their throats.

What made it helpless was that they didn't know how to handle this matter.

Because, in truth, this wasn't really a big deal.

After all, they were still young; it was impossible for anything scandalous to have happened.

But the problem was that the incident involved Xiao Xun'er!

She was the little ancestor sent by a great clan to stay with them!

Even a small matter had turned into a major one!

The elders had been troubled by this for quite a while.

But when their gazes involuntarily fell upon Xiao Zhan, who served as the Patriarch, they suddenly had an idea.

"Ahem."

The First Elder coughed lightly and spoke first:

"Xiao Zhan, regarding today's matter, I believe that while the boy Xiao Yuan is certainly at fault, the responsibility lies more with you as the Patriarch, does it not?"

As these words fell, even the other two elders understood, picking up their teacups to blow on them before chiming in:

"I think the First Elder is right. Two years ago, when the old Patriarch Xiao Lin passed away from his severe injuries, the Jialie Clan and the Aoba Clan suddenly launched an attack, leading to the untimely deaths of Yuan'er's parents. Yuan'er's parents entrusted him to you, asking you to look after him, but what is the result?"

"Yuan'er has shown decent talent for cultivation, yet you, Xiao Zhan, have failed to fulfill your duty of guidance."

"Of course, the Second Elder doesn't mean to blame you with these words; after all, we elders all share responsibility in this matter."

Having reached this point, anyone could understand.

These three old things were passing the buck!

They shifted the responsibility onto Xiao Zhan, his guardian.

Xiao Zhan's expression shifted slightly as he said in a deep, calm voice, "Then, according to the three elders, how should this matter be handled?"

Hearing this, the three elders immediately exchanged glances.

The corners of their eyes flickered toward Xiao Yuan, who remained kneeling in the hall without rising.

Their objective was clear.

Although Xiao Yuan had made a mistake, his talent was immense and his future promising; like Xiao Yan, he was a genius worth cultivating!

Therefore, they had only one goal: to adopt the orphaned Xiao Yuan into their own respective branches.

Thinking of this, the First Elder straightened his posture and cleared his throat.

Just as he was about to speak, a cold, clear voice drifted in from outside the hall.

"No handling is necessary."

As the words fell, everyone in the hall turned their gazes toward the entrance in unison.

Gu Xun'er appeared outside, draped in a long purple dress, her lotus steps light as she walked gracefully into the hall.

The expressions of the elders stiffened instantly.

Why had this little ancestor come?

Could she be here to hold them accountable?

The elders' hearts skipped a beat, a sense of impending doom washing over them.

Gu Xun'er's gaze swept slowly across the people in the hall, a faint smile playing on her lips as she greeted them softly, "First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, and Uncle Xiao, I hope I am not intruding on your important business."

"No, not at all. To what do we owe the pleasure of your sudden visit, Xun'er?"

Seeing the gentle attitude Gu Xun'er displayed, the elders nearly wrinkled their old faces into chrysanthemums. Their previous air of authority vanished, and they all began to speak in hushed, gentle tones.

It was as if they were afraid of startling the young girl before them.

Yet, remembering the foolish act that brat Xiao Yuan had committed, they put on a facade of impartial justice and said, "If you have come for that brat Xiao Yuan, rest assured, we will handle this with strict impartiality. Even if he is a genius of the Xiao clan, we will certainly not show leniency!"

This was a declaration of their stance, but also a disguised attempt to protect Xiao Yuan.

After all, if he fell into their hands, it would be nothing more than a bit of physical suffering.

Hearing the elders' words, Gu Xun'er smiled gently. "I have indeed come regarding Xiao Yuan's matter, but not to demand punishment—I am here to plead for him."

As soon as these words were spoken, the elders were stunned.

Even Xiao Yuan lifted his head, looking at the girl standing beside him in astonishment.

Meow meow meow? What is going on here?

Then, they heard Gu Xun'er continue, "Today's incident was merely a misunderstanding. Xiao Yuan did not act lewdly toward me; he broke into my room last night to save me."

Gu Xun'er did not reveal what had actually happened last night.

There was no need to.

As long as she gave her word, the three elders and the clan head would not pursue the matter further.

Of course, she knew this would inevitably lead to unsavory rumors spreading throughout the Xiao clan.

But she was Gu Xun'er!

She cared nothing for such idle gossip!

Before long, the crowd outside the hall dispersed at the elders' signal.

Having been pardoned, Xiao Yuan was led out of the Xiao clan hall by Gu Xun'er.

One walked in front, the other behind.

Staring at the slender back of the girl ahead, Xiao Yuan still could not fathom what was going on in her mind.

Ling Ying grabbed me and dragged me before the elders, and now this girl has specifically come to plead for me... Could it be that she has thought of an even more cruel way to torture me?

Given this little girl's petty, vengeful nature, that is not entirely impossible.

Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining one Rejuvenation Powder, a Tier 1 medicinal pill.

Behind her, as Xiao Yuan muttered to himself, Gu Xun'er, who was eavesdropping on his inner thoughts, puffed up her cheeks in anger.

However, she suppressed her inner resentment and said softly, "Ling Ying capturing you was just a misunderstanding; that was not my intention."

Xiao Yuan was slightly taken aback.

What is going on? I didn't say anything just now, did I?

Why does it feel like this girl can hear my inner thoughts?

As the thought faded, Xun'er's breathing hitched, and a flicker of panic crossed her expression.

Fortunately, she was facing away from Xiao Yuan, so he didn't notice.

At the same time, Xiao Yuan spoke up:

"But this concerns your reputation. You didn't have to get involved; the elders would have just given me a beating at most."

"Reputation is certainly important, but you saved Xun'er. Naturally, it is Xun'er's responsibility to step forward and clear your name."

As she finished speaking, the young girl suddenly stopped.

With her hands behind her back, she turned around and offered a bright smile.

"You wouldn't want Xun'er to be the kind of person who repays kindness with ingratitude, would you? Brother Xiao Yuan."

One smile could topple a city; another could topple a kingdom.

Sunlight filtered through the lush bamboo, casting dappled shadows that highlighted the young girl's playfulness and charm.

It had to be said, Xun'er was truly beautiful, like someone stepping out of a painting.

But why do I have this inexplicable feeling of being gaslit?