Chapter 26: Treason Beyond Redemption

Although Bai Xi was inside the treehouse, she secretly glanced a few times out the window below. She saw that, though the little spirit tiger bared its teeth at Xiao Shanzi and the others, it didn’t do anything outrageous, so she left them alone. This little creature was far more formidable than any wild beast, but she could trust it precisely because it understood human nature, recognized her intentions, and wouldn’t harm people recklessly.

Xiao Shunzi and his companions guarded the steps of the treehouse, huddled together, their eyes fixed intently on the little spirit tiger, brimming with greedy longing.

Zhang Xiu saw her daughter return with pigweed and, holding some clothes, intended to send her to wash them by the stream. But hearing Chen Rui was going to bathe the newly found kitten for Bai Xi, she waved her off to go ahead.

When Zhang Xiu was nearly finished with her chores, a sudden thought struck her: cats dislike water—would bathing it kill the kitten? If it died, well, it was just a cat; several households in the village had cats. But this was the young lady’s cat—if it died, how heartbroken would she be? Anxious, Zhang Xiu slapped her thigh and hurried toward the treehouse, fretting that the foolish child might accidentally kill the young lady’s cat. That would be a grave offense; the young lady might not understand, but surely her daughter should!

By now, the little spirit tiger, half-dried from its bath, was delivered to Bai Xi. It shook its dizzy head and crawled from the edge of the wooden couch toward her. The spirit tiger knew well it had travelled from deep in the mountains, hiding all the way, and was filthy. So, when taken for a bath, it did not resist. Its master had ordered it bathed—how could it refuse? Besides, it needed to be clean and groomed, so the master would like it even more.

Thus, during the bath, the spirit tiger obediently let Chen Rui scrub it thoroughly, until its head felt woozy—though that was partly due to its long hunger, leaving it lightheaded. Chen Rui worried this wild cat might carry filth; the young lady loved cleanliness, so Chen Rui washed the spirit tiger even more meticulously than herself. Several times, she rubbed its wounds, causing pain, but it merely protested with a couple of cries before letting her continue.

“You can cry all you want; you’ll have to bear it. If I don’t get you clean, I won’t bring you before the young lady.” Hearing this, the spirit tiger was angry, but the words were true.

While Chen Rui bathed the spirit tiger, Xiao Shunzi and the others watched eagerly. Xiao Shanzi, holding a leftover soapberry, stood aside, feeling aggrieved. Clearly, the young lady had just asked him to bring the wild kitten, but when it came to the bath, the kitten wouldn’t let him touch it.

Bai Xi watched as the spirit tiger crawled step by step toward her, round eyes flashing with satisfaction. “It looks much better than before,” she remarked, sweeping the little tiger onto the couch with her lotus-root-like feet, ignoring its whimpering and playful head-shaking. She rummaged in her pouch and pulled out several pieces of milk candy.

“Here, share the milk candy. Head home if you’re going, or go play if you wish.” Bai Xi was always clear in rewards and punishments: work deserved reward, unless she had nothing to give.

Chen Rui shook her head, her twin braids swinging: “Young lady, I won’t eat it. If you’re fine, I’ll go home now.” Though milk candy was delicious and the young lady had barely half a pack left, it was a rare treat. She couldn’t bring herself to eat it.

Xiao Shunzi and his friends swallowed hard, as if they could already taste the sweet flavor melting in their mouths. Yet despite their craving, they hurriedly shook their heads: “Young lady, we won’t eat it.” Last time, they’d had one piece; they couldn’t shamelessly ask for more, no matter how much they wanted.

“Don’t waste words, I’m giving it to you,” Bai Xi said, stuffing the candies into Chen Rui’s hands for her to distribute. To cheer her up, these children had chased butterflies and picked flowers all day—they deserved a treat. She herself ate meat, but who knew what they’d get at home for dinner.

“I’m done here. You can go home now.”

Chen Rui wanted to protest, but seeing Bai Xi’s serious face, she quietly distributed the candies. “Thank you, young lady!” “Thank you for your reward!” piped the clever Xiao Shunzi. “Yes, yes, thank you for the reward,” echoed the others.

Bai Xi’s mouth twitched as she glanced at Chen Rui, thinking to herself that Chen Rui must have started this phrase, and now everyone had learned it.

Unlike the others who popped their candies into their mouths immediately, Chen Rui put hers away to save.

Zhang Xiu arrived at the treehouse, climbed upstairs, and stood at the doorway just in time to witness this scene, immediately furious.

“Well, well! You lot—who gave you the nerve to trick the young lady’s treats out of her? Such boldness!” Zhang Xiu showed no favoritism despite her own daughter being among them. In fact, since her daughter was the oldest, she glared at her even more fiercely. These naughty children were too unruly; taking advantage of the adults’ distraction, they conned treats from the young lady, clearly bullying her because she was young—such outrageous behavior!

“No, no, no!” Xiao Shunzi and the others clamped their hands over their mouths, afraid the candy would fall out if they spoke, and shook their heads vigorously. Chen Rui, though puzzled by her mother’s arrival, quickly shook her head as well: “Mama, it’s not like that. The young lady gave it to us.”

Zhang Xiu didn’t believe it. Even if the young lady had given it, she must have been coaxed into it. Milk candy was precious; if these kids tricked the young lady out of hers and she had none left, what then?

Xiao Shunzi and Chen Rui, seeing the situation, looked at Bai Xi, wanting to explain, but Zhang Xiu scolded them into silence.

“…Still daring to look at the young lady? Just wait—I’ll tell the village chief to make sure you’re properly disciplined.” Their parents needed to give them a good thrashing!

Bai Xi didn’t recognize everyone in the village yet; sometimes, only after someone spoke could she match their face to her memory. Seeing Zhang Xiu scolding Chen Rui and the others, she couldn’t help but rub her forehead.

“That’s enough, stop scolding them,” Bai Xi spoke.

Her voice was soft, but it was enough to halt Zhang Xiu, whose anger was just about to turn physical.

“Young lady?” Zhang Xiu hesitated. “Did you really give them the candy yourself?”

Her tone, sharp when addressing the children, turned gentle and cautious with Bai Xi, as if afraid to startle her.

“I gave it to them,” Bai Xi answered in her sweet, childish voice, but her words were clear and orderly. “They chased butterflies for me all afternoon and picked many flowers; they worked hard. The milk candy is my reward for them.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiu, though still uneasy, chose to believe her.