245, Realization (4 more)
After the water was heated, Xie Zhinuan asked the little girl to go wash up.
She nodded, carried her clothes out from a room, and entered the bathhouse.
When she finished washing and came out.
The clothes were obviously a bit long and had become somewhat faded from washing.
On the ground nearby lay a girl taller than she.
“…”
Xie Zhinuan turned her head away, her eyes reddening slightly.
Poor girl, murdered and her entire family wiped out, not one spared.
“…”
These people, truly heartless and ruthless.
When those men in black outside died, she felt somewhat scared but did not sympathize or feel sad; yet, for this entire family, she felt heartache and sympathy. The only thing she could do for them was to find a good place to lay them to rest.
Li Hengyi would have to take care of the rest.
Li Hengyi gently patted Xie Zhinuan’s shoulder, “Don’t be sad!”
“I…” Xie Zhinuan shook her head slightly.
“I’ll go sit in the carriage outside for a while!” She felt uncomfortable staying in the courtyard.
“I’ll accompany you!”
Xie Zhinuan nodded.
Once she boarded the carriage, she lay down on the soft couch where Li Hengyi sat, faced the inside wall, and left behind a solitary and delicate silhouette.
She didn’t speak much, but her sorrow was apparent.
The gray wolf and Routuan lay beside her, silently keeping her company, while Dahuang kept looking into the carriage from outside.
Li Hengyi stood outside the carriage, glanced inside, and let out a deep breath.
Xie Zhinuan was very intelligent, so she noticed something was amiss right away, but she didn’t say anything-not because she didn’t want to, but because she couldn’t.
This family’s death was too wrongful, especially the young child, so small.
“…”
Yuanbao came over and glanced into the carriage, “Master, they’re almost here!”
Duobao and the rest really did arrive quickly.
Startled by the sight of the bodies on the ground, Duobao and the others exclaimed, “Master…”
“It’s fine!” Li Hengyi said sternly and signaled to one of the men, “Li Mu, you understand geomancy; look around to see if there’s a suitable place nearby for a burial. Li Xi, go buy coffins, purchase several, then head to the Charitable Estate to bring a couple of Coroners here, and buy some shrouds as well!”
Li Mu and Li Xi were surprised but, after acknowledging the orders, asked Yuanbao for details.
Yuanbao led them into the courtyard for a look.
The stench was overwhelming, and a girl knelt there.
“Well, all her family died, leaving only her. When you think about it, she is quite pitiable!” Yuanbao murmured softly.
Li Mu and Li Xi instantly grasped the situation.
“We’ll get on it right away!”
Yuanbao nodded, then added, “If you come across anyone selling sugar or fruit, buy some to bring back. Miss Xie is in low spirits!”
“…”
Li Xi and Li Mu nodded.
They assumed Xie Zhinuan might have been frightened.
The two left quickly and returned just as fast, having bought for Xie Zhinuan some candies, pastries, and oranges as well.
Li Hengyi had Yuanbao harness the carriage and drove to the edge of a small stream.
“Zhinuan?”
“Hmm!” Zhinuan responded softly.
“Get up and have something to eat. Li Xi and the others specifically bought it for you!”
On hearing this, Xie Zhinuan turned over to look at Li Hengyi.
She then saw the package in his hand, exhaled softly, sat up, and tried to smile, “I’m alright, it’s just that, all of a sudden, I realize how fragile life is, and it’s impractical to always depend on others. I want to learn Martial Arts, the kind that allows you to fly and escape, although it’s not very realistic, but I still want it. When facing trouble, I can protect myself, instead of being powerless to fight back!”
Her eyes reddened again, “Li Hengyi, thank you!”
Xie Zhinuan spoke with sincerity.
“Really, I know I have always been somewhat arrogant, and I am aware that this world is not that friendly to women, especially beautiful women. If not for you, I might have ended up in the hands of some powerful person, reduced to a mere plaything. Thank you for protecting me!”
Chapter 246