"Is that what Grandma said?"
Xiaosuisui blinked.
She rubbed her eyes with her little hand, then asserted confidently, "Suisui didn’t see it wrong. There really is a big golden snake following this big brother."
Hearing this, Old Mrs. Ji panicked and tried to cover Xiaosuisui’s mouth, but it was too late.
Xiaosuisui’s puzzled voice reached her ears again, "How strange. Why does this big golden snake wrapped around big brother have two horns on its head?"
At this...
Old Mrs. Ji was so stunned she forgot to cover the girl’s mouth; her own calves had gone soft with fear.
She quickly looked at the young man in front of her and saw him standing there, completely dumbstruck.
Fearing that the little girl would utter something even more astonishing, Old Mrs. Ji quickly scooped up Xiaosuisui and rushed to the Lotus Hall.
When they arrived, Ji Youyuan and the others were already there. Old Mrs. Ji couldn’t remain standing; her legs gave way, and she slumped onto a chair.
"What’s wrong, Mother? You look like you’ve had a terrible fright."
Upon noticing Old Mrs. Ji’s condition, Ji Youyuan’s usually half-closed eyes sharpened. Who dared to bully his mother?
Old Mrs. Ji put Xiaosuisui down, picked up her teacup, and drank several large gulps of tea. Only then did she regain enough composure to look at Ji Youzhi.
"Youzhi, tell me the truth. Besides the National Master, is there any other distinguished person in this inn?"
Old Mrs. Ji’s expression was stern, her gaze like a torch, making Ji Youzhi’s heart tremble. Before he could think, he pointed upwards. "That... He’s here too!"
Old Mrs. Ji: "..."
All the Ji family members: "..."
Ji Youyuan quickly understood. He swiftly glanced at Xiaosuisui, who was being taught to read the menu by Wang Dongxue, before asking, "Why is he here? Did he come with the National Master?"
Please, don’t let them meet my niece!
Ji Youzhi was helpless. He glanced at his sixth elder brother, who was still dressed as shabbily as a beggar.
"Indeed, he’s with the National Master, but it’s partly my fault. Before I came back, I went to bid him farewell. I accidentally let slip that Mother wanted all of us to come home for a visit, so he followed me here."
Upon hearing this explanation, everyone’s gaze fell on Ji Youzhi.
"I... I know I was wrong, but... but you can’t blame me entirely. If you must blame someone, blame Sixth Brother."
Ji Youlin, who had just been named, was startled. He pointed at his own nose in disbelief and asked, "What does this have to do with me?"
Ji Youzhi scoffed. "He came here for you. All these years, you’ve been as elusive as a phantom. Yet, you constantly come up with new inventions. If someone else obtains the manufacturing blueprints for those inventions and mass-produces them for use on the battlefield, you should know the consequences!"
Hearing Ji Youzhi’s words, Ji Youlin silently closed his mouth.
"Considering how well you run, Sixth Brother, I think Mother should break your legs. Then we’ll let Eldest Brother lock you away on their sect’s Boundless Cliff so you can’t cause trouble for the rest of your life!"
Seeing Ji Youlin remain silent, Ji Youzhi pressed his advantage.
Old Mrs. Ji’s face darkened when she heard this. She reprimanded Ji Youzhi angrily, "What nonsense are you spouting? My heart aches every single day that your eldest brother is confined to a wheelchair. Are you suggesting I break your sixth brother’s legs because my heart isn’t aching enough?"
Ji Youzhi’s face stiffened. He quickly apologized, "Sorry, Mother, I didn’t mean it."
Then he turned to apologize to Ji Youyuan. "Sorry, Eldest Brother. My words were ill-chosen. I definitely wasn’t implying anything about your legs."
Ji Youzhi truly hadn’t considered Ji Youyuan’s inability to stand. He simply wanted their mother to teach Ji Youlin a lesson. For years, the young Emperor had been pestering Ji Youzhi, summoning him to the Palace periodically, all in an effort to find Ji Youlin! Yet, Ji Youlin’s skill at concealing his tracks was so masterful it was maddening.
"It’s alright," Ji Youyuan said. "We’re brothers; there’s no need to be so cautious. I’m afraid my legs will never heal, so you don’t need to worry about my feelings. I don’t mind."
Hearing Ji Youyuan’s words, Old Mrs. Ji felt a pang of distress. She had still held onto some hope! Unfortunately, the King Ginseng was destroyed.
Wang Dongxue also felt a wave of remorse. If she had taken better care of Xiaosuisui that morning, maybe there would still be a glimmer of hope for Ji Youyuan. Now, thanks to Xiaosuisui’s interference, the elixir had become a rare treasure. Her Second Uncle had said that her husband probably wouldn’t be able to use it.
The entire family had quietly discussed this outcome, keeping it a secret from Xiaosuisui!
Just as Wang Dongxue was thinking this, she saw Xiaosuisui, who had been looking at the menu, suddenly run PITTER-PATTER towards Ji Youyuan.
Xiaosuisui reached into her little sleeve pocket, took out a shining golden elixir, and handed it to Ji Youyuan.
"Big Uncle, take your medicine!"