Wolf-Raised Cub with a Space: Surviving the Disaster Years

Chapter 202: Chapter 202: Decisively Protecting His Daughter

Xie Mingxu finished his painting quickly.

When he looked up, he saw that Shen Ningning had somehow gotten a few smears of paint on her little face.

Even so, the little one was still completely engrossed in her painting.

He walked around behind her to take a look and was stunned by what he saw.

A shade of distant-mountain green outlined a range of rolling peaks.

Beneath them were several little black figures holding hands.

A quick count revealed there were over ten of them.

They stood at the foot of the mountain, holding hands like one big family.

Shen Ningning had never learned to paint, so she could only use different heights to represent the people she wanted to draw.

Xie Mingxu crouched down and asked curiously, "Ningning, who are these?"

"It’s me, Grandma, Langlang, Brother, big brother, Godfather, Godmother, Second Brother, Brother Zuchang, Wuer, and Jiang Zhi..." she reeled off a string of names.

The little one added, looking quite troubled, "Sigh, I didn’t draw everyone. Otherwise, I would have had to add Wolf Three and Wolf Four too!"

As she spoke, Shen Ningning lifted her glistening dark eyes and said with a beaming smile, "It symbolizes that my family is all here with me, and we’ll never be separated."

Xie Mingxu was deeply moved, and a flash of sadness flickered in the depths of his eyes.

Afraid the little one might notice something, he quickly smiled and said, "You did a wonderful job."

"Brother, what did you draw? Let me see!" The little one pattered over to the other side.

She looked down and was instantly stunned by Xie Mingxu’s artistic skill.

On a peak among rolling mountains, a brother and sister stood with their backs to the viewer, facing a rising crimson sun.

The brother’s figure was tall, and he held a longsword, protectively shielding the smaller sister behind him.

"Brother, your painting is so beautiful. Is that us?" Shen Ningning’s dewy eyes widened.

Xie Mingxu nodded and smiled faintly. "My mother was an expert in painting and calligraphy. I learned a little from her when she was alive."

Perhaps not wanting to dwell on sad memories, he quickly changed the subject. "I drew this because I want you to know that no matter where you are, I will always protect you so that no one can ever bully you."

But when Shen Ningning heard this, she didn’t immediately look happy.

She reached out and pinched her own little cheek twice, each pinch harder than the last.

Xie Mingxu’s expression changed, and he immediately grabbed her little hand.

"What are you doing?"

"Brother, I’m not dreaming, am I? I’ve been so happy lately, it almost doesn’t feel real..." the little one said, full of worry.

’Becoming a Commandery Princess, getting into the National Academy, having a family that loves me.’

’Godfather personally came to take me home, and Brother built a pushcart for me and is painting with me.’

She was terrified it was all a dream and that she would wake up back in the Qin Family’s little courtyard, covered in injuries.

Shen Ningning’s words made Xie Mingxu’s heart ache, and his brow furrowed in distress.

He squeezed the little one’s hands tightly. "This isn’t a dream, Ningning. You’ve suffered far too much."

"From now on, my life’s single purpose is to protect you."

Shen Ningning finally broke into a cheerful smile.

Xie Mingxu took her small hand. "Alright, these ink paintings need to stay here to dry. I’ll take you to wash your little hands and your painted face."

That evening at dinner, Shen Ningning sat in the seat of honor, doted on by those around her.

Xie Suzhi and Xie Mingxu flanked her, with Second Master Xie sitting opposite them.

Even though Second Master Xie was paralyzed and only had the use of one trembling hand, he still painstakingly served the little one some food.

The atmosphere was warm and cheerful, but Xie Yuanjiu’s smile was distracted, and Second Madam Xie’s was even more forced.

’How could she possibly be happy? This foster daughter who appeared out of nowhere is about to steal all the family’s affection and take what belongs to her own child!’

After the meal, Xie Suzhi told Shen Ningning to go back to her chambers for a look.

"I’ve picked out two diligent maids for you. Go and see if you like them."

Xie Yuanjiu, who hadn’t yet left, went stiff at his words.

Shen Ningning happily followed Xie Mingxu back to her own courtyard.

After she left, Xie Suzhi took it upon himself to push Second Master Xie’s wheelchair, his tone low and icy. "I’ll go with you to the second branch’s courtyard."

Xie Yuanjiu’s heart sank. She had a terrible premonition.

And sure enough, once they arrived at the second branch’s courtyard,

Xie Suzhi immediately ordered in a cold voice, "Bring Cai Ying out."

At his command, the Protectors behind him complied at once.

A moment later, a terrified Cai Ying was dragged before him and forced harshly to her knees.

"F-First Master?" Cai Ying’s lips trembled, and her pleading gaze shot toward Xie Yuanjiu.

’Didn’t Young Miss say it would be alright?’

Second Master Xie and Second Madam Xie still had no idea what was happening.

It was Xie Yuanjiu who took the initiative. "Uncle, I was just planning to have Cai Ying apologize to the Commandery Princess tomorrow."

"This girl is usually with me and has grown lazy and unruly. It’s my fault for not being more thoughtful that she ended up offending the Commandery Princess."

Second Madam Xie grabbed her hand. "What are you saying, Jiu Jiu? Do you even know what this is about? Don’t just take the blame for everything."

Xie Yuanjiu shot her mother a covert glance, warning her not to speak.

’Otherwise, things will only get more serious!’

Xie Suzhi had no patience for pleasantries. He said coldly, "I sent someone to the National Academy to get the full story. Mr. Han told them himself, so there can be no mistake."

"This maid’s offense is not mere laziness. She deliberately led Ningning astray, bullied her for being young and ignorant, instigated conflict between her and her classmates, and lied to the teacher!"

The moment he said this, Second Master Xie was the first to glare at Cai Ying in fury. "You have some nerve."

Second Madam Xie was shocked. "That’s impossible!"

"Cai Ying is our Jiu Jiu’s maid. How did she end up with the Commandery Princess? Surely you don’t think our Jiu Jiu deliberately sent Cai Ying to harm the Commandery Princess, do you? First Brother, you must investigate this thoroughly."

Xie Yuanjiu was about to die of frustration.

She was desperately trying to shirk responsibility, but her mother just had to make it worse.

It was as if she was afraid Xie Suzhi wouldn’t make the connection between Cai Ying and her.

"Mother!" she cried out. "I arranged for Cai Ying to look after the Commandery Princess because I saw she didn’t have a maid... I was just trying to be helpful."

Xie Suzhi said calmly, "Rest assured, Yuan Jiu, I am not blaming you. However, a maid like Cai Ying can no longer be kept in this household."

Second Madam Xie’s heart skipped a beat. "First Brother, are you going to sell her off?"

Xie Suzhi glanced at her and said coldly, "She has a venomous heart. Beating her to death on the spot would not be an overreaction."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and ordered the club-wielding Protectors behind him.

"Begin."

Cai Ying instantly erupted into desperate, wailing pleas for mercy.

Second Master Xie frowned. "Gag her. For daring to sow discord and lead a child not yet five years old astray, she deserves to have her tongue torn out."

Second Madam Xie was scared out of her wits. Xie Suzhi was even more ruthless than Xie Mingxu.

’Tan Xiang was merely driven out for misspeaking, but Cai Ying is being beaten to death!’

She watched as Cai Ying was gagged. Every blow from the clubs landed with a sickening thud, forcing muffled, agonizing groans from the maid, whose eyes were wide with terror.

Xie Yuanjiu saw Cai Ying’s pleading eyes fixed on her, never wavering.

"Uncle is right. With a maid like this, it’s cleaner to just beat her to death. Otherwise, if she stayed by my side, she’d only be a menace. Who knows when she might decide to turn on me."

With the situation decided, Xie Yuanjiu hardened her heart and finally uttered the words.

Cai Ying’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Xie Yuanjiu.

Xie Suzhi remained silent. When Second Madam Xie tried to leave, he refused to allow it, forcing both her and Xie Yuanjiu to watch Cai Ying’s punishment with their own eyes.

They watched until Cai Ying breathed her last, her eyes wide open even in death.

Only then did Xie Suzhi’s indifferent voice break the silence. "Ningning is now part of our family. It would be best if this sort of thing never happens again."

Xie Yuanjiu knew her uncle was warning her.

She lowered her head and hastily agreed.

After Xie Suzhi left, Second Madam Xie stared at the pool of thick blood on the ground and immediately called for servants to clean the courtyard.

Then, her voice trembling, she said, "This is bad luck. Such terrible luck!"

"First Brother killed someone right here, in our own courtyard."

Second Master Xie shot her a disgusted look. "Then why don’t you just move to another villa?"

With that, he had a servant wheel him away.

Second Madam Xie panicked. "No, I must find a Divine Woman and ask her how to resolve this."

Xie Yuanjiu’s thoughts were in a turmoil, and she was in no mood to manage her mother, so she let her be.

「Elsewhere.」

Shen Ningning was still unaware of what had transpired in the second branch’s courtyard.

When she returned to her own courtyard, she found two maids standing respectfully beneath the covered walkway.

A single glance revealed they were quiet and graceful, with a slight resemblance to each other. Both looked to be about fifteen years old.

Seeing Shen Ningning approach, led by the hand by Xie Mingxu, the two maids immediately stepped forward.

"Greetings to the Commandery Princess. This servant is Muchun."

"This servant is Wanchun."

"By the master’s order, we are to be the Commandery Princess’s companion maids."

Muchun had barely finished speaking when Xie Suzhi returned from the second courtyard.

"Ningning, these two are servants born into our family. They are diligent and clever, and also knowledgeable in poetry and literature. From now on, whenever you go to the academy, have them accompany you."

Shen Ningning thanked him in her soft, sweet voice. "Muchun, Wanchun... your names are so pretty."

Xie Suzhi laughed. "I just bestowed those new names on them. Muchun and Wanchun are both poetic terms for the third month, which coincides with your birth month."

Shen Ningning was completely astonished and looked at Xie Suzhi.

"Uncle, how did you know my exact birth date?"

’Even Grandma doesn’t know!’