Chapter 65: The Pillar of Strength

Three pheasants and two wild rabbits—that was Little Black’s haul from this ‘walk.’ Bai Xi had come out today mainly to practice, and feeling that her spiritual power was nearly spent, she decided not to have Little Black hunt further and turned for home.

With the bamboo basket on her back, Chen Rui was still dazed.

“Take one of the pheasants home with you,” Bai Xi said casually as she walked ahead.

With their harvest in hand, Bai Xi’s pre-departure gloom had mostly dissipated; her mind was busy with how to cook the pheasant, whether to braise or stew the rabbit. Now that Little Black could bring in pheasants and rabbits, meat was no longer a concern, so Bai Xi generously offered one to Chen Rui—after all, she’d eaten plenty of eggs from Chen Rui’s house.

In the countryside, eggs were a small bank; every drop of oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar was bought with eggs laid by the hens.

Little Black paused, turned to look at Chen Rui, thought for a moment, and relented. Since Mistress wanted to reward her, so be it. Without Chen Rui’s cover, it would have been much harder for Mistress to bring Little Black up the mountain.

Having decided, Little Black swaggered along at the front.

The two women and the tiger had not yet reached the treehouse when they were startled by the excited faces of Little Six’s parents, who had come looking for them.

“Thank goodness, you’re here, Aunt,” they cried.

Chen Rui’s heart skipped a beat. Oh no, did they know she’d taken Aunt up the mountain? Even if it was only at the foot, it was close enough.

Chen Rui took two big strides, placing herself in front of Bai Xi, ready to shoulder the blame. But Bai Xi clearly knew what she intended, and with a gentle push set her aside, turning to the couple.

“Is something wrong?” Bai Xi asked.

Pushed aside, Chen Rui’s words stuck in her throat.

Little Six’s parents nodded vigorously.

“Aunt, when we got home just now, my mother absolutely refused to open the door. We heard Little Six and the others crying in the courtyard, but my mother told us to stay far away and not to interfere with anything…”

At this point, Little Six’s father was clearly anxious and at a loss.

Bai Xi understood at once what this was about. Her lips twitched. “You’ve come looking for me—want me to go over and take a look?”

Little Six’s father hesitated, then nodded, while his wife shook her head, tugging worriedly at his sleeve and whispering, “Have you forgotten what your mother said? If there’s trouble in the house, she forbade anyone to approach. If Aunt goes over and something happens, how could we bear the blame…”

“What else can we do? Mother won’t open the door, and asking others is useless. Only Aunt can make her open it. Besides, you heard, there are not only Little Six but also Little Shun and the others inside.”

One’s own children, if injured, could be cared for—but if someone else’s child was harmed, it would be a disaster.

“But…”

“Uncle Li, Aunt, please, Aunt is already going,” Chen Rui reminded, quickly catching up to Bai Xi’s stride.

“Who knows what trouble they’re stirring up now!” Bai Xi muttered, her tone full of exasperation.

From afar, several villagers were already gathered near Little Six’s house, listening for any sounds. Seeing Bai Xi approach, they greeted her respectfully.

With Bai Xi present, those curious about Little Six’s family became bolder and followed.

The cries of Little Six and the pleas for mercy from Little Shun and the others echoed within. Bai Xi took a deep breath, resisting the urge to turn and leave.

The door was barred. Bai Xi looked back at Little Six’s father. “Open it.”

“Aunt, my mother barred the door.”

“Of course!” Bai Xi snapped, impatient. “Climb the wall, then.”

Little Six’s father waved his hands frantically. “That’s not right, Aunt, how could I let you climb the wall?”

Aunt’s visits should always be through the main gate, never over the wall.

Bai Xi: …

She realized it—not only were the flower spirits dim-witted, but the villagers weren’t much brighter.

Just as Bai Xi was about to lose her temper, Chen Rui explained and reminded, “Uncle Li, Aunt meant you should climb the wall, go in, and open the door.”

She looked to Bai Xi for confirmation—Aunt, is that correct?

Bai Xi nodded, satisfied. Her little admirer was indeed clever.

Little Six’s father, flustered and panicked, hadn’t thought of it. Hearing Chen Rui’s words and seeing Bai Xi’s disdainful gaze, his face flushed. He apologized and hurried to the wall.

A man used to hard labor, he scaled the courtyard wall with ease.

Soon, a clamor arose from within, mingled with Little Six’s father’s cries of pain, but the main door was finally opened.

As Little Six’s grandmother and Mrs. Chen hurled curses at Little Six’s father, Bai Xi stepped over the threshold.

“What’s all the noise?” Bai Xi’s childish voice rang out.

It was not loud, but her presence quieted the courtyard at once.

Aunt?

The next moment, Mrs. Chen and Little Six’s grandmother turned their curses on Little Six’s father with renewed fury, then rushed forward.

Initially, others cried out in alarm, some even shouting to stop them. Even Little Black watched closely, ready to leap if either woman threatened Bai Xi.

But Mrs. Chen and Little Six’s grandmother merely ran up and stood firmly in front of Bai Xi, glaring at Little Shun and the others.

Chen Rui: ?

Everyone else: ?

Bai Xi: …

“Aunt, why are you here? It’s dangerous!”

“Yes, Aunt, please leave, don’t stay here. It’s my Li family’s misfortune…”

“You wretched child, I told you two to stay far away and not meddle in family matters. Yet you dared to bring Aunt here! Are you trying to kill me? Are you going to be the eternal sinner of Niuluo Village?” Little Six’s grandmother scolded, pinching her son’s arm as she spoke.

“Enough.” Bai Xi’s face turned cold, her childish voice sharp with impatience. It was enough to silence Little Six’s grandmother.

“What’s going on?”

Seeing Bai Xi, the several children immediately felt they’d found their pillar.

No matter how they explained before, Mrs. Chen and Grandma Li refused to listen, insisting the children were possessed.

Thinking that they might be buried alive, burned, or drowned, the children were terrified. Thankfully, Little Six’s father had jumped over the wall, opened the door, and brought Aunt.

“Waa, Aunt, thank goodness you’re here…” Little Shan burst into tears.

Little Shun followed suit. “Aunt, please stand up for us…”

Little Stone sniffled, “Aunt, please explain to Grandma Li and Mrs. Chen—we aren’t monsters, we don’t mean anyone harm…”

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