Beat Him
These people discussed it for a while before leaving.
Zhou Wanwan clicked her tongue twice and said, "It seems the Xie Family is really powerful. Let's go take a look around the Xie Family first."
The Xie Family truly lives up to its reputation as a long-established family with a history spanning hundreds of years; their household is clearly different from that of ordinary families.
The vermilion gate was more than two people tall, with a gilded plaque hanging above it, and a pair of imposing stone lions guarding the entrance.
Stepping across the threshold, the seemingly endless courtyard is intimidating.
The front yard alone is bigger than the entire house of other people, with several pebbled paths branching out in all directions; you'd definitely get lost the first time you went there.
The courtyard is dotted with pavilions and towers, and a winding corridor spans the lotus pond. In the birdcages hanging under the corridor, all kinds of rare and precious birds chirp incessantly.
What's even more eye-catching is the abundance of plants in the courtyard, including hundreds of Old Scholar Tree and ginkgo trees that are over a hundred years old, their lush foliage providing ample Shrouding the Heavens.
Zhou Wanwan coughed and said, "I'm lost. This place is really big."
Lingbao said with a grin:
"Wow! The Xie Family is indeed extraordinary. Xie Cheng'en told us a lot about the Xie Family back then."
We didn't believe they said the Xie Family was very large, but it turns out they really are.
Sister Huang Jing rolled her eyes in anger:
Don't mention that little bastard, just thinking about him makes me want to vomit.
He was only eight years old when we rescued him. He said something quite nice, "I consider you my saviors, and I will never forget you for the rest of my life."
It was truly unforgettable; we saved his life, but he wanted ours dead.
Can you forget it?
Brother Lingzhi shook his head and said:
"Why don't we go and take a look first? I always felt that Xie Cheng'en wasn't that kind of person."
Perhaps he's young and naive, and accidentally revealed our secret.
Grandpa Purple Lingzhi nodded and said:
"Yes, what we want is the truth. If Xie Cheng'en isn't that kind of person, then we don't need revenge."
But if he did these things, then he will surely bear our wrath.
Zhou Wanwan went straight to a tree, and the tree spat and said:
"You brat, who do you think you are?"
How dare you ask me such a question? I am a tree of the Xie family, and the water I drink every day is the dew collected in the morning.
You dare ask about the Xie Family's affairs? Just because you ask doesn't mean I have to tell you!"
Dozens of large trees behind the Old Scholar Tree slowly approached. The willow tree, barely a hundred years old, had never seen so many elders before.
The branches swayed wildly in fright. "Gentlemen, how come you can all walk? Aren't trees supposed to be sentient beings that can walk?"
The Old Scholar Tree snorted coldly and said, "Beat them!"
Zhou Wanwan had seen dozens of people gang up on one person before.
Zhou Wanwan had never seen anything like it before, where dozens of trees were used to attack a single tree.
The tree was beaten black and blue, and all its branches were broken off.
It cried and begged for mercy:
"Grandpa, I was wrong. If you have any questions, please ask them now."
I will speak frankly and without reservation.
I can tell you everything that has happened in the Xie Family over the past 100 years.
The Old Scholar Tree then smiled and said:
"You silly child, it would have been so much better if you had said that earlier!"
"If you insist that we do it ourselves, we're all old and frail; how can we withstand such a commotion?"
The willow tree's lips twitched. It was still old and frail; when it was hit, the force was immense!
Willow Tree quickly said:
"That Xie Cheng'en such a mischievous brat! He's the only son of the eldest son of the Xie Family, and he's spoiled rotten at home. He's a real troublemaker."
Who could blame him when Old Master Xie Family doted on him the most? But a couple of years ago, something happened that almost cost him his life.
He's like a completely different person since he came back; now he's always spouting classical Chinese phrases.
Zhou Wanwan looked at it and asked, "Where is he now?"
The willow tree shook its head and said:
"This is the outer courtyard; you'll have to go to the inner courtyard to ask! Look, it's over there. I've told you everything I know."
There's nothing much to ask about the outer courtyard; it's all where the servants live.
I don't have legs like you guys, so why don't you take me with you? You guys are so cool!
The Old Scholar Tree led the people away without even glancing at him.
Upon entering the inner courtyard, the pavilions and towers became even more exquisite.
It's absolutely gorgeous! Zhou Wanwan looked around and said, "If we ever have money, we'll buy a house like this someday. It would be so comfortable to live in."
The Old Scholar Tree looked at her and said, "Why don't we move all these things back?"
Zhou Wanwan quickly waved her hand and said:
"This Xie Family is different from the previous county magistrate's family. If they really do this, the entire Liao Prefecture will be turned upside down."
Moreover, we don't even know if the Xie Family was behind those things yet; what we're doing is going too far."
Zhou Wanwan has principles: I won't offend others unless they offend me.
She would never take anything from people unless they offended her.
Grandpa Purple Lingzhi looked at her and said, "You have a very good character."
A group of people entered the inner courtyard, and the trees there immediately erupted in exclamation. "My god! Am I seeing things? I'm seeing so many trees walking!"
"Did we not sleep well? How can these trees walk? Look, their roots are constantly moving."
"Look, look! There's a little girl in that tree! What's going on?"
The Old Scholar Tree looked at them with a smile and said, "We just came to ask where Xie Cheng'en is now. Does anyone know?"
A tree looked at him and said:
"You guys are amazing! Can you take us with you too?"
If you can take us with you, we'll be yours from now on!
The Old Scholar Tree looked at them and said, "Those who have rendered meritorious service can naturally come with me."
These trees chattered amongst themselves:
"I know where that brat Xie Cheng'en is. He's in the ancestral hall right now. Can you pull me out too?"
I'll take you to the ancestral hall now. I heard that this guy was put in solitary confinement, but I don't know what happened."
They followed the pine tree directly to the ancestral hall in the backyard.
Then they heard Xie Cheng'en getting angry:
"Those Brocade Guard are just a bunch of good-for-nothings; the medicinal herbs are right there."
Moreover, I lived there for several months and told them about the thousand-year-old Purple Lingzhi and the thousand-year-old He Shou Wu.
They couldn't even catch them, and now they're blaming me, saying the location I provided was fake.
I want my aunt, the Imperial Concubine, to punish them.
Old Master Xie took a sip of tea and said:
"You little rascal, after going through all that, how come you still have such a temper?"
If those things are real, what's there to be afraid of?
Besides, your aunt only said a few words to you; is it really necessary to get so angry?
Your aunt said that since the second son of the family got the top score in the exam this time, it'll be your turn next time.
Xie Cheng'en snorted coldly and said, "What's so great about them? I will definitely suppress them."
Old Master Xie stroked his beard and said:
"I've already sent people to continue searching; your aunt needs these medicinal herbs right now."
Once we find these medicinal herbs and create the elixir of immortality, I will surely reward you handsomely.