Chapter 109: The Astonishing Hanhan

Watching Manager Wan leave, Miao Rengui collapsed heavily into the worn-out grandmaster’s chair, his entire demeanor instantly aged by years.

Miao Xiaolian entered, her heart aching at the sight of her father’s frailty. Yet the thought of marrying an old man was unbearable to her.

Miao Rengui looked at his daughter and said, “Xiaolian, your father has failed you. I lacked the strength to keep your mother by our side, leaving you motherless since childhood. Now, I am powerless even to protect you.”

Tears streaming down her face, Miao Xiaolian cried out, “Father, I refuse to marry an old man. I won’t.”

Her father, heartbroken by her sorrow, gently said, “Foolish child, your father would never force you to marry an old man. Here—take this last hundred gold coins from the family. Pack your things and leave tonight. Go find your mother and live a good life.”

Shuddering at her father’s aged face, Xiaolian threw herself into his embrace, sobbing, “Father, I won’t leave. Mother has already left you. I won’t abandon you. I will stay by your side.”

At that moment, the only gatekeeper, a young servant, hurried in with excitement, calling out loudly, “Master!”

Why was the servant so elated? For years, all visitors to the Miao household had been debt collectors, and even relatives and friends had abandoned them, leaving no one to visit. But now, several people had come—claiming to be relatives—and they even brought with them a cow as a gift, enough to feed the family for a month.

The servant burst into the hall, stunned by the scene before him, then quickly composed himself and said, “Master, Miss, my apologies.”

Miao Rengui, initially irritated, steadied his daughter and sighed, “Xiao An, calm down. What is happening?”

Xiao An was a poor boy with an elderly mother. Miao Rengui had taken pity on him and hired him at a low wage. Despite everyone else leaving, Xiao An stayed, even though he was owed six months’ salary. Understanding the family’s plight, he refused payment, saying they could pay later if they had money.

Miao Rengui braced himself for the worst, as whenever Xiao An came running like this, it meant debt collectors had arrived.

But Xiao An’s news surprised them all: “Master, relatives have come to visit!”

Miao Rengui shouted, “Relatives? What relatives?”

Since the Miao family’s decline, there were no relatives left; even daughters-in-law had returned to their natal homes.

“Master, it’s true. They’re right outside, and they brought an old cow as a gift. Maybe they came to offer presents,” Xiao An said.

Miao Rengui’s expression darkened. Relatives who brought a cow as a gift were likely poor themselves and could offer little help.

Yet, having relatives come at this moment—whether rich or poor—Miao Rengui composed himself and resolved to receive them properly.

Turning to the tear-streaked Xiaolian, he said, “Xiaolian, come with me. Let’s see what kind of relatives would still come to visit the Miao family in these times.”

Outside, Gu Feng and his companions waited.

Uncle Zhu, blunt as ever, remarked, “Wife, the courtyard is quite large, but why isn’t there even a single gatekeeper?”

Miao Yun shot him a look; her heart was uneasy. The Miao family’s condition seemed dire.

“Mom! How soon can Hanhan see Grandma and Grandpa?” a child asked eagerly.

“Soon, Hanhan. Very soon,” came the gentle reply.

At that moment, three people hurried out from inside.

They approached the gate, eyes locking with those waiting.

Miao Yun glanced inside, puzzled as to why her parents hadn’t come out.

Miao Rengui didn’t recognize Miao Yun and looked at the group with suspicion. “Who are you?”

Miao Yun snapped back to reality and looked at Miao Rengui for a long moment, then smiled. “Cousin, don’t you recognize me?”

“Call yourself my cousin?” Miao Rengui scrutinized her carefully. A large scar on his face obscured recognition.

Aware of her changed appearance, Miao Yun explained, “I’m Miao Yun.”

“Miao Yun!” Miao Rengui exclaimed.

As he looked more closely, she indeed resembled her former self. His body trembled. “Miao Yun, you’re not dead?”

Tears welled in his eyes.

Xiaolian, watching her father’s tears, whispered, “Father, who is Miao Yun?”

Quickly wiping his tears, Miao Rengui pulled Xiaolian close and introduced, “Cousin, this is my youngest daughter, Miao Xiaolian. Xiaolian, this is your second aunt, the daughter of the former family head, Grandfather Miao Long.”

Hanhan, feeling left out, complained, “Mom, you haven’t introduced me, or Dad, or Master, or the ‘bad uncle’ yet!”

Hearing this, Miao Rengui and Xiaolian both looked toward Zhu Han.

Miao Yun patted Zhu Han’s head affectionately. “Cousin, this is my daughter.”

Zhu Han, clever and polite, greeted, “Elder Uncle, Sister, nice to meet you.”

Miao Yun then called to Uncle Zhu, “Zhu Bao, come here.”

Uncle Zhu smiled and walked over with honest simplicity.

Gu Feng, hearing Uncle Zhu’s name for the first time, muttered, “Zhu Bao—a good name.”

Long Xue’er couldn’t resist pinching Gu Feng’s waist, making him gasp in pain.

“My cousin’s name is Zhu Bao,” she explained. “Years ago, when I was gravely injured, he saved me. I was disfigured and lost my cultivation. To repay his life-saving kindness, I married him. He’s honest and kind and treats me well.”

Fearing her cousin might take offense, she shared this much.

Zhu Bao called out warmly, “Cousin,” then added, “Cousin, this is my old cow. It has been with me for decades. Could you help arrange a place for it to stay?”

His deep bond with the old cow was clear; it was always on his mind.

Miao Yun glanced at her cousin, feeling slightly awkward.

Then she introduced Gu Feng and the others. After they became acquainted, Miao Yun invited everyone inside. The old cow was taken away by the young servant.

Miao Rengui sent Xiaolian to buy some fine wine and good food to properly entertain the guests.

Entering the Miao residence, Miao Yun looked around the empty halls and asked, “Cousin, what happened to the Miao family? Where are my parents?”

Zhu Han chimed in, “Uncle, I want to see Grandma and Grandpa.”

Miao Rengui answered gravely, “The Miao family has fallen because of me. The clan has deteriorated day by day; those who could leave have left. As for your parents, believing you dead, they passed the family headship to me, and then the two elders left the Miao household. Where they are now, I do not know.”

Miao Yun’s heart ached. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I want to understand how the Miao family ended up like this, and what really happened.”

Miao Rengui forced a bitter smile. “Sister, it’s better not to speak of it. It will only bring more sorrow.”

...

Outside, as Miao Xiaolian headed to the market, she was suddenly blocked by a young nobleman.

“Ah, isn’t this the Miao family’s precious young lady, Miao Xiaolian? Where are you off to?” he asked slyly.

Terrified, Xiaolian replied, “Liu Cheng, what do you want?”

Liu Cheng’s eyes gleamed lasciviously. “What do I want? You tell me. We’re all adults here.”