As Nian Jiaojiao and her family bid farewell to the Tong siblings, a voice called out from behind, "Excuse me, is this Young Master Xuan Yi's residence?"
Turning around, they saw an unfamiliar young boy. Nian Jiaojiao glanced at Xuan Yi in confusion. Xuan Yi shook his head. Nian Jiaojiao asked, "What are you looking for him for?"
The boy smiled shyly. "My family sent me out to look for game. I heard from people in the village that Brother Xuan Yi is a skilled hunter, so I wanted to ask if Xuan Yi could bring back some prey. The price is negotiable."
Nian Jiaojiao pondered his words, finding something odd about them. Xingyun, however, replied without hesitation, "My elder brother..."
"He is no longer with us."
Two voices spoke at once, interrupting Xingyun. He looked towards the source of the voice and saw his second brother emerge, stating definitively to the newcomer, "He is no longer with us."
Xingyun noticed Nan Qing's unusually serious expression. Having grown up together, even someone as simple as him knew it was best to remain silent at such a moment.
Xuan Yi was utterly bewildered. He was no longer with them? He was standing right there. Had his second brother's eyesight deteriorated so severely?
Nian Jiaojiao, though unsure of what was happening, decided to follow the lead of the "big shots." She adopted a sorrowful expression. "He has passed on. Why must you bring him up again?" she said, then pulled out a handkerchief from her embrace, dabbing at nonexistent tears. She continued, "You wouldn't know, but my second beloved husband was the one I cherished most. Now that he is gone, I cannot sleep at night..."
Xiao Lu looked at Nian Jiaojiao, who seemed genuinely heartbroken, and then suspiciously glanced at Xuan Yi himself. Since Xuan Yi was a hunter, he should be tall and strong; one of the men present fit that description. However, this young lady didn't seem to be lying. It was rare to find such a devoted woman who grieved so deeply for her husband. Thinking this, Xiao Lu apologized, "I am truly sorry. I didn't know Hunter Xuan Yi had already... In any case, I am truly sorry."
Nian Jiaojiao buried her face in Xuan Yi's embrace, seemingly in unbearable pain, unable to speak further. Seeing this, Xiao Lu uttered a final "apology" and was about to leave when an unexpected visitor arrived, shouting, "Xiao Lu!?"
The simple, unadorned name "Xiao Lu" resonated like thunder in Nian Jiaojiao's ears. In "Nine Husbands Arriving: All Husbands Are Stunning," although "Xiao Lu" was not among the "Nine Husbands," his status was no less than that of the male lead. He was both the female lead's unattainable love and a thorn in her side, one who schemed for her and laid a solid foundation for her. She recalled the description of him in the book: when Nian Zhenzhen was framed and imprisoned in the county yamen, Xiao Lu begged his master for help to rescue her. Unforeseen, Nian Zhenzhen was indeed rescued, but her master also fell in love with the person he desired. What followed was a drama of a young master and his servant vying for the same woman. Unfortunately, Xiao Lu ultimately succumbed to power. The young master hired bandits to impersonate mountain robbers and abducted him on his way to a temple fair. In the end, Xiao Lu was brutally tortured to death. The story did not end there. Upon learning of Xiao Lu's death, Nian Zhenzhen's first suspect was the young master. She initially placated him, promising to marry him after passing the imperial examinations. After passing, Nian Zhenzhen immediately married a man from a powerful family, and with her husband's family's assistance, secured a good official post. Once Nian Zhenzhen became an official, she promptly had the young master arrested and severely interrogated. Before long, the young master confessed, and his fate was, predictably, sealed.
Recalling this, Nian Jiaojiao tilted her head. Hmm... who was that young master again? A thought flashed through Nian Jiaojiao's mind. It was the fifth young master of the Tong family! That was Tong Xiao Ye, who had a feud with her family! So, the "big shot" had discovered this and wanted to conceal the fact that Xuan Yi was alive! While thinking this, Nian Jiaojiao cast an admiring glance at Nan Qing. How could he be so perceptive yet outwardly appear unobservant?
However, as Nian Jiaojiao's thoughts raced, the newcomer quickly approached her and asked accusingly, "Nian Dabao, what are you doing? Are you giving Xiao Lu a hard time?" Well, this was the female lead, Nian Zhenzhen! Nian Jiaojiao scrutinized her and said indifferently, "What's it to you?"
Nian Zhenzhen, huffing, shielded Xiao Lu behind her and then whispered to him, "Don't worry, with me here, no one can bully you!" Protected, Xiao Lu didn't feel particularly moved. He merely found the other's behavior somewhat rash. He frowned and explained, "You misunderstand. She is not bullying me. We were just having a normal conversation." Nian Zhenzhen, already frustrated with Nian Jiaojiao, had her composure completely shattered by this remark. Everyone favored this wicked woman! With a displeased expression, Nian Zhenzhen looked at Xiao Lu and said, "Have you been deceived by this Nian Dabao? I'm telling you, she is not a good person!" Xiao Lu strongly disapproved of such blatant slander. He felt a sense of disappointment. How could a grown woman behave so petty? Xiao Lu replied directly, "I can judge her character myself, and I don't need your input."
Upon hearing this, Nian Zhenzhen's usually spirited face contorted. "Are you attracted to her because she looks good now? Hmph, I never knew you were such a superficial person! You don't know, she used to be as fat as a pig and incredibly ugly. Perhaps one day, she'll revert back to that!"
Seeing Nian Zhenzhen's words growing increasingly outrageous, Xiao Lu no longer wished to engage with her. He directly bid farewell to Nian Jiaojiao, "I'll be going now." With that, he turned to leave. Nian Zhenzhen quickly grabbed him, insisting, "You haven't explained clearly why you're leaving so soon?"
Xiao Lu's initial good impression of her had completely dissipated. His face displayed a hint of disgust as he forcefully shook off Nian Zhenzhen's hand. "What are you doing? Are you trying to molest me!" "No, no! You've misunderstood!" Nian Zhenzhen quickly released her grip, holding her hands up in a semi-defensive posture. Just as she was about to continue her explanation, he left without looking back.
At this point, Nian Jiaojiao was dumbfounded. What happened to the promised gentleness and patient tutelage? Why was the female lead clashing with her male confidant? If she were framed later, who would save her?
As a series of questions swirled in Nian Jiaojiao's mind, Nian Zhenzhen, unnoticed by everyone, rushed forward and shoved Nian Jiaojiao. Nian Jiaojiao stumbled backward, but thankfully, Nan Qing caught her by the waist. "Nian Dabao! You troublemaker! If it weren't for you, how could my family be in disarray? How could I argue with my mother? How could Xiao Lu be angry with me? I'm telling you! I, Nian Zhenzhen, will never forgive you! As long as I am alive, you will never set foot in the Nian family's door again!"
Nian Jiaojiao felt dizzy from the barrage of accusations. You argue with someone else and then blame me? All along, she hadn't said a word; it was all the female lead's own imagination and performance...