Chapter 97: Generation and Addressing

When I ran out at dawn, Xiaochan had already returned to her room, rustling as she packed her belongings. Juan'er and Xing'er were also up, helping out.

For the past few days, my exercise route had stopped in front of Nie Yunzhu's small building. Following the breathing rhythms and exercise methods Lu Hongti taught me, I essentially wouldn't sweat. When I arrived, Nie Yunzhu was already waiting in front of the building, with a faint yellow light emanating from the windows behind her.

"Xiaochan's father has passed away, so I'll probably accompany her back to her hometown for the next few days. She won't be able to return until after the first seven days of mourning and the burial. I probably won't be coming here these next few days."

"I, I wasn't waiting for you here..." Nie Yunzhu blurted out, then became slightly embarrassed and lowered her head. "Um, I was also waiting for you, Li Heng, to come and chat. But, it's actually quite interesting to drink tea here and wait for dawn. I've gotten used to it." She smiled slightly, then paused: "However, if you're leaving the city now, what if more refugees arrive in a few days and the city gates are sealed?"

"It shouldn't be that soon. The floods in nearby prefectures and counties aren't severe yet. It will take some time for people from further afield, like Jiangzhou, to reach here. If they really close the city gates, it would likely be after half a month or by the end of July. Xiaochan and I, including today, will return in five days. Even in the worst-case scenario, initially, troops will escort people out of the city daily to distribute porridge and meals. Given the Su family's connections, we can follow them in; there won't be any problems."

"Mm-hmm," Nie Yunzhu nodded. "But after all, they are disaster victims, and I'm worried someone might cause trouble or rob people on the way. You still need to be careful."

Hearing her say this, Ning Yi chuckled. "No worries, no worries. I'm a martial arts expert now. People in the martial arts world call me 'Blood-Handed Butcher.' You'll see. Besides, we have Guard Geng and his Golden Silk Broadsword with us. It's not a big problem."

He waved his bandaged left hand, which looked quite impressive, a few times in the air. A strip of cloth flew off into the air. Nie Yunzhu, who was nearby, instinctively caught it. She paused for a moment, then blinked, silently took Ning Yi's left hand, re-wrapped the bandage for him, and then released it. Then she turned and sat a little further away. It seemed natural and smoothly done, but her face was burning hot, and her heart was pounding. Fortunately, the light was dim at the moment, so Ning Yi probably couldn't see much. He only heard her soft murmur: "Still talking about it..." She still felt a bit of resentment regarding his injured left hand.

"Heh," Ning Yi smiled, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. After a moment, he asked, "Yunzhu... what was your family situation like before?"

"Hm?" Nie Yunzhu widened her eyes and looked at him.

"Heh, I know it's a bit presumptuous, but... I'd like to understand."

Nie Yunzhu's face flushed again. In the past, she would never have been willing to talk about such things in front of others. However, now that Li Heng said he wanted to understand, the situation seemed a bit complicated. She thought for a moment.

"My family's ancestral home was originally in Xuanzhou. We were also an official's family. Father was very fond of me; he hired people to teach me poetry and prose when I was little... When I was young, people called me a talented girl. But when I was ten, Father committed a crime... and I entered the Jiaofang Division. And then... what do you want to know, Li Heng...?"

Although her feelings were complex, and she didn't mind being frank with Li Heng, only a few simple sentences came out. She asked Ning Yi what exactly he wanted to know. Ning Yi thought for a moment and gently asked, "Do you... have any relatives you can find now?"

Nie Yunzhu shook her head. "I can't find them... Father and Mother, I heard they both passed away on the way to exile. An aunt, I heard, remarried. Maybe there are other relatives... Actually, I could have gone back to Xuanzhou to look for them these past few years, but... but Father and Mother are dead anyway..."

As she spoke the last part in a low voice, she was on the verge of tears. Ning Yi waited for her to calm down a little before speaking: "Before... the old man who used to push a cart and now walks around with the chess stall, Yunzhu, you should know him, right? The other is the imperial son-in-law, Kang Xian. You delivered preserved eggs to him and even helped as a 'backer' during the Dragon Boat Festival."

Nie Yunzhu sniffled, her nose slightly red. At this point, she nodded, smiling softly: "Mm-hmm, I still greet them when I see them now. Old Master Qin is very amiable, and the imperial son-in-law has also come to the shop a few times for porridge and food."

"Old Master Qin comes from a scholarly family; he's a good person and refined. I've been thinking recently, if he's willing to adopt you as a goddaughter, what do you think, Yunzhu?"

"Me... me?" Nie Yunzhu was stunned, widening her eyes. After a moment, she became a little flustered. "This... how is that possible..."

"If I say it's possible, then it is."

"But... of course you'd say that, Li Heng," Nie Yunzhu said anxiously, furrowing her brow. "I, after all, used to be at the Golden Wind Pavilion... Li Heng, aren't you putting him in a difficult position by saying that...?"

Ning Yi smiled: "They also have this idea."

"How, how could that be..."

"Heh, a few days ago, everyone was chatting, and we happened to talk about you, Yunzhu. I told the two elders about you learning to butcher chickens and sell pancakes. And then... the conversation turned to this. Imperial Son-in-Law Kang also said he'd like to adopt you as a goddaughter. But frankly, getting a princess title is indeed troublesome. Old Master Qin's side is simpler. The old man has a good temperament too. He has two sons, one a civil official and one a military official, both serving outside the capital. With these two elder brothers, no one will dare bully you ever again."

Nie Yunzhu sat there, looking at him, listening to him finish. She lowered her head, her expression unseen. "Li Heng... why would you go to such lengths...?"

"Tsk, they brought it up themselves while we were talking. What does it have to do with me?" Ning Yi spread his hands, then smiled. "But they actually admire your character and integrity. My motives are a bit more pragmatic. As for Old Master Qin, he was a high-ranking official before, who was dismissed after committing a minor offense. He plays chess there every day. But he has extensive connections, and his influence... perhaps not many people in Jiangning know about it, but it's certainly not weak. And you'll have two more elder brothers. From now on, if you do business or sell preserved eggs or anything, no one will dare to cause trouble. Since we're friends, I'll also benefit a little. Honestly... I also wish they would adopt me as a godson or something. In this world, no matter how well you do anything, it's not as good as having a formidable father. But we've been playing chess for so long, this isn't very reliable, there's no chance for that now..."

Nie Yunzhu burst into laughter. She seemed unable to control herself once she started laughing, tilting her head back, then lowering it. Honestly, the way she burst out laughing was beautiful. After lowering her head, she rested her hands on her knees and sat with her forehead against her arm, laughing. But as she kept laughing, something seemed off. Ning Yi waited for a moment and then saw her sitting there, resting her forehead and beginning to cry. The light from the oil lamp behind her illuminated the side of her face, where tears glistened.

Ning Yi exhaled, waiting for her to cry for a while. Then he finally spoke: "Hey, that's not a good reaction."

"I... I... with my background... I'd cause trouble for the old master..."

"There's no trouble. For others, especially those striving in officialdom, there might be trouble, but for him, and for you, there isn't. If I say there isn't, there isn't." Even if someone gossiped, Ning Yi could invent stories and use publicity tactics to steer the reputation in the desired direction.

"I'll be out of the city these next few days; you can think about it. Don't think of it as marrying above your station or anything. Once you acknowledge him as a godfather, you'll be family. From now on, he will treat you as a daughter, and you must serve him as a father. When he's old or ill, you'll need to look after him often. Old Master Qin has a good character; he's a kind person, which is why you should choose him as your godfather. If he weren't, you wouldn't even need to bother with him. It's not about... having a powerful godfather to prove something to others. It's simply... about having a family from now on."

Nie Yunzhu continued to sob quietly. Ning Yi raised a hand, wanting to pat her back, but thought better of it and withdrew it. He sat there, waiting for her to vent her emotions. Soon after, the first light of dawn appeared. Nie Yunzhu finally wiped her eyes, sat up, and offered a smile. Her crying was not due to sadness, so her smile was natural; only her eyelids were red.

Before long, Ning Yi prepared to get up and go home. After they said their goodbyes and took two steps away, Nie Yunzhu called out from behind him: "Um... um... I just thought of something..."

"Hm?" Ning Yi turned his head. The woman stood there, smiling shyly, her eyes still a little red.

"Um... you, Li Heng, are on equal terms with Old Master Qin and Imperial Son-in-Law Kang, right...?"

"Yes, when we play chess and chat, we don't really bother with seniority."

"Then... if I really acknowledge Old Master Qin as my godfather, won't I have to call you Uncle Li Heng?" She tilted her head, thinking playfully. "If the three of you are chatting there and I come to pay my respects, won't I have to say: 'Greetings, Godfather; greetings, Uncle Kang; greetings, Uncle Li Heng'? And then will you have to reply, 'Good girl, Niece Yunzhu'? But... I'm older than you..."

She was suppressing a laugh, looking distressed. Ning Yi's mouth slightly agape, he stood there stunned for a long moment. Then his mouth twitched a few times, and he pointed at her helplessly: "You're asking for trouble." He turned and walked away.

A muffled laugh came from behind. In the morning light, her happy laughter sounded like a silver bell. Although he didn't look back, he could vaguely "see" Nie Yunzhu's playful and joyful expression as she covered her mouth in his mind. Ning Yi smiled and continued straight ahead.

"Be careful these next few days; don't get hurt again."

The shout carried over. Ning Yi raised his right hand and waved it backward: "Got it!"

Two families becoming one was no small matter. He had explained Nie Yunzhu's situation well and given her a few days to consider. Next was accompanying Xiaochan out of the city for the funeral.

Back at the Su Residence, all necessary preparations had been made. A carriage was loaded with many items. Accompanying them was Guard Geng, who carried a large saber and was accustomed to the martial arts world. The driver was a young man named Dongzhu, who had joined the residence last year. Xiaochan wore a plain white dress and had a black ribbon ready. She looked like a pitiful maid. However, she had probably only cried last night and likely hadn't slept well, as she had somewhat tired dark circles under her eyes. Ning Yi patted her head, and she sniffled, then smiled at him.

"Master, I'm fine."

The four people were ready. After bidding farewell to Su Tan'er, who gave them instructions on what to do if the city gates closed and urged Ning Yi to take good care of Xiaochan, the carriage left the Su Residence, departed Jiangning, and headed towards Xiaochan's hometown, a small mountain village called Nanting Village.