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

Chapter 211: Chapter 211: Second Master Xie’s Attack

Shen Ningning dazedly lifted her dark eyes. "Brother..."

Her eyes were red-rimmed and brimming with tears.

Xie Mingxu held her small hand. "Ningning, I don’t blame you for not telling me. It’s because you suffered so much when you were little."

"You must not be used to the feeling of having a family to protect you. It’s okay. Take your time."

"I want to tell you that no matter what happens in the future, come stand behind me. I will always protect you."

To make up for his absence as an older brother these past few years.

Shen Ningning couldn’t hold it in any longer. She threw herself into Xie Mingxu’s arms and burst into tears.

In that moment, she was happy to have such a wonderful brother.

But she was also sad.

How she wished that Xie Mingxu was her real brother.

The matter with Chen Ye was finally settled.

It seemed he had also found a life that interested him.

During the day, he’d haul stones and sand to build the city walls. At night, he would go home to walk with Granny Chen, cook for his mother, and raise chickens, ducks, and geese.

Quite a few matchmakers also wanted to arrange a marriage for Chen Ye.

Chen Ye paid them no mind. Instead, while hauling stones and sand, he met many other soldiers who had also returned from the border.

They were like-minded and got along well.

Chen Ye was no longer like before, hiding away without a single close friend.

Therefore, he was even more grateful to Shen Ningning and Grandma Qin.

Whenever he was free, he would go up the mountain to help move protruding rocks.

Winter was coming. Grandma Qin’s legs were weak, and if it snowed on the mountain, the paths would surely freeze over.

He helped patrol twice a day, and if he saw any frozen water, he would be sure to break the ice.

Meanwhile, the fact that Shen Ningning had bought a granary and filled a warehouse with wet wood became known to everyone.

During one of the Xie family’s evening meals,

Second Madam Xie held her bowl and said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, "One has to admit, Eldest Brother certainly knows how to dote on a child. Ningning says she wants to buy wood, and just like that, two thousand taels are spent without him batting an eye."

Xie Suzhi ignored her, wiped Shen Ningning’s mouth, and then smiled as he prompted her to drink some chicken soup.

"Let Godfather blow on it for you. Be careful, it’s hot." His attentive care made Second Madam Xie sneer inwardly.

Xie Yuanjiu ate with her head down, silent and withdrawn, growing even more quiet.

However, Second Master Xie spoke up with some annoyance, "It’s perfectly right for Eldest Brother to spoil Ningning however he wishes."

Second Madam Xie glanced at her husband. "That may be so, but the child is still young. She needs to be taught properly."

"I remember when Jiu Jiu was little, she spent an extra one hundred taels on silk flowers, and I had to scold her for a long time. Our family may be prestigious, but we can’t spend money like that."

"Besides, it was all for a pile of wet wood. I don’t even know what it’s for. *Sigh*, I’m just worried about Ningning. What will become of her when she grows up?"

Only then did Xie Suzhi look up, his expression stern. "I work on official duties day and night, rising early and sleeping late, for the sole purpose of letting Ningning squander money however she pleases."

At the side, Xie Mingxu placed a chicken drumstick in Shen Ningning’s bowl.

He followed up nonchalantly, "Second Aunt, you needn’t worry about these things. Ningning is a Commandery Princess herself. In the future, she will only lead an even more privileged life."

"On the other hand, my father has never questioned you when you’ve bought Brocade and Silk Robes, attended gatherings with other noble ladies, spent hundreds or thousands of taels, or supported your maiden family. We’re one family; there’s no need to keep such a clear account. Besides, it’s not your silver, is it?"

Second Madam Xie was taken aback. "You... you... How... how did this get turned on me? Mingxu, you’re not blaming your Second Aunt, are you? I was just making a casual comment."

"You child, your words are truly hurtful. Husband, don’t you agree?" She nudged Second Master Xie.

Second Master Xie lowered his head to drink his soup, his expression cold as he remained silent.

Second Madam Xie was so angry she wanted to jump up and down.

’Every time something like this happens, my husband only sides with his older brother!’

Xie Yuanjiu looked up and said in a mild tone, "Brother is right. Since Father fell ill all these years, our branch of the family has been entirely supported by Eldest Uncle. Mother, you really shouldn’t be criticizing Ningning."

Her words, like a soft thorn, pricked at Second Master Xie’s painful memories.

He had once been a promising Young General, galloping across the battlefields of the border.

But after he was paralyzed, he became like a cripple, able only to rely on his older brother’s charity.

On her deathbed, Mrs. Xie Sr. had desperately clutched Xie Suzhi’s hand, making him promise that for the rest of his life, he would never abandon Xie Dizhi and would always take good care of him.

Otherwise, she would not be able to rest in peace.

Xie Suzhi knelt before the old woman’s bed and made a solemn vow.

As long as he, Xie Suzhi, was alive, Xie Dizhi would live a good life.

Second Master Xie’s eyes reddened. "Eldest Brother, all these years, I’ve been a burden to you."

"If I hadn’t suddenly become paralyzed that night, you wouldn’t have come to see me, and Sister-in-law wouldn’t have..."

Xie Suzhi immediately cut him off. "Second Brother! Enough. We are brothers, united in heart. Don’t speak of these things again."

But Second Master Xie was filled with self-reproach. His paralysis had been caused by a sudden, intense fit of anger in the first place.

The doctor had told him that he must recuperate properly from then on and avoid major emotional fluctuations.

Now, however, overwhelmed by sorrow, he began to struggle for breath. His face flushed red, and he gasped for air, his hands starting to tremble.

Second Madam Xie was so frightened she dropped her chopsticks. "Husband, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me!"

Xie Mingxu shot to his feet. "Quick, summon the Divine Doctor Sima Han!"

Second Master Xie tumbled right out of his wheelchair, trembling and convulsing on the floor.

Xie Suzhi immediately rushed forward, cradling his head and shouting, "Second Brother, Second Brother!"

Suddenly.

A small, soft white hand holding a silver needle reached out. "I can treat this. Let me."

Seeing Shen Ningning about to use the needle on Second Master Xie, Second Madam Xie’s face went pale as she said fiercely, "Commandery Princess! This is no time for you to be playing around. A man’s life is at stake!"

Shen Ningning’s voice was soft. "Grandma was paralyzed before. The Shopkeeper at the pharmacy and Grandpa Sima Han both taught me how to alleviate the symptoms of paralysis."

"If you don’t move, *you’ll* be the one costing Second Uncle his life!"

Xie Mingxu yanked the meddlesome Second Madam Xie out of the way.

Shen Ningning began applying the needles with practiced, nimble movements.

After sixteen needles were inserted, Second Master Xie finally stopped trembling, and his purplish-red face slowly returned to a normal color.

He lay with his eyes half-open, his breathing slowly steadying.

"Second Uncle, don’t worry. Breathe slowly. You can’t get agitated, or you’ll have another episode!" The little one advised him caringly, propping herself up on her small hands beside him.

Second Master Xie turned his head slightly and saw the little one’s fair, tender face.

A gratified smile appeared on his face. "Ningning... thank you."

Sima Han was finally brought over by the servants. Without even pausing to rest, he hurriedly checked Second Master Xie’s pulse and then breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon learning that it was Shen Ningning’s work, the little old man stroked his beard and laughed. "Excellent, truly excellent. This old man has a little apprentice now."

He gave Shen Ningning a thumbs-up and praised her, "The Commandery Princess is truly brilliant. I only taught you once, and you remembered it all. Once I’ve taught you everything, your older brother won’t have to keep having people drag me over here at a moment’s notice."

Xie Mingxu stood protectively in front of Shen Ningning, his tone mild. "We’ll still need you. The art of medicine is too arduous. It’s enough for Ningning to just learn the basics."

Xie Yuanjiu, with tears in her eyes, helped Second Master Xie up. "Father, it’s all my fault. I said the wrong thing. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have caused your attack."

Second Master Xie glanced at his daughter. She was his own flesh and blood, after all. He sighed.

"Help me back." Xie Yuanjiu respectfully bid farewell to Xie Suzhi, Xie Mingxu, and Shen Ningning, then pushed Second Master Xie away.

Shen Ningning watched their departing backs, then turned to Xie Suzhi. "Godfather, I’ll pay you back for the silver you lent me!"

Xie Suzhi paused, taken aback. "Ningning, why? What Godfather spends on you is yours. Don’t feel burdened just because of a few words from someone else."

Shen Ningning shook her head, then gave a sweet smile. "If it were for clothes or jewelry, I wouldn’t pay it back! But I have a use for this wood, so that’s why I want to."

Seeing her persistence, Xie Suzhi changed his approach and said to the little one, "In that case, how about you just keep the silver safe for Godfather for now? When I want to use it someday, I’ll ask you for it. How does that sound?"

Only then did Shen Ningning nod obediently.

The little one was led back to her room to rest by Muchun and Wanchun.

Xie Mingxu, however, followed Xie Suzhi to the study.

"Father, I’ve obtained the letter that anonymously reported Ningning’s granary last time. Take a look. Does the handwriting seem a little familiar?"

Xie Mingxu handed over the letter.

Xie Suzhi took it and looked it over, his expression suddenly turning dark and cold.