TNIBFT -Chapter 309 What Father’s Murderous Grudge?

“Yes!”

His subordinate saluted and went about arranging the important matters. Only now did a faint smile appear on Xiao Tianchen’s usually stern face.

It had been many years since they last met. He wondered what his little sister had become.

Would she still remember him?

Xiao Tianchen felt his eyes sting, his heart restless with anticipation.

Over there,

Xiao Xun’er looked at the young general in armor. That face slowly overlapped with the memory of her elder brother’s face. Her heart was torn between grievance and excitement. She shouted, “Big Brother!”

“Big Brother, it’s Xun’er!”

“I…”

Xiao Xun’er swung herself off her horse. Xiao Tianchen watched the graceful young girl with the black veil, emotions tangled inside him.

He dismounted, and as he steadied himself, Xiao Xun’er rushed forward, leaping into his arms.

Caught off guard, Xiao Tianchen’s hands froze midair for a moment before he gently patted her back. “Big Brother is back!”

“Everything is over now. No one will ever bully Xun’er again.”

Tears streamed down Xiao Xun’er’s face as she nodded.

Choking back sobs, she knew no one could understand what she had endured all this time.

“Let’s go!”

“Let’s head to the camp first—it’s cold outside.”

Xiao Tianchen said, taking her right hand in his. The moment he did, his heart clenched. Beneath the black glove, her ring and pinky fingers were hollow. Shocked and pained, he cupped her hand with both hands, his voice low and fierce: “Shennu Palace, and the people behind them… I will make them pay, sooner or later!”

“It doesn’t hurt. It’s all past now.”

Xiao Xun’er, fearing to upset her brother, pulled her hand back cautiously.

Seeing this only made Xiao Tianchen’s heart ache more.

Xun’er was his full sister, unlike Xiao Tianyi. Before their mother passed, she had told him that the two siblings were each other’s closest people in the world, and he must protect her.

Six years older than Xun’er, he had carried her on his back, braided her hair, and played with her as a child.

Xiao Haoyang had many women and children. After their mother died, they were neglected, left to fend for themselves in the backyard—until the princess noticed him. Eager to curry favor, Xiao Haoyang sent him to the capital without hesitation, though he had never left home before.

From then on, Xiao Haoyang gained a powerful backing. That was why, for so many years, despite having no political achievements and oppressing the people, he could still remain the city lord.

Xiao Tianchen endured humiliation and hardship, wanting only for Xun’er to live well.

Over the years, because of him, his sister had indeed enjoyed a few good years.

“Brother, are you still planning to enter Sifang City?”

Xiao Xun’er spoke.

Her gaze was cautious; Xiao Tianchen did not know what she was thinking.

He nodded. “Yes. We’ll take Ye Tian and occupy Sifang City. Once we block the city gates and expand north, the emperor won’t be able to stop us.”

“Such a barren land… no one wants it.”

Xiao Xun’er lowered her head, her emotions hidden.

After a long pause, she said, “If you intend to be enemies with Ye Tian, Brother, then you should send me back!”

Xiao Tianchen was taken aback.

Frowning, he looked down at his sister. Xiao Xun’er continued, “This ‘avenging father’s death’ is just your excuse. You only feel hatred for Xiao Haoyang, no love. How can you speak of revenge?”

“Besides, Ye Tian killed Xiao Haoyang because that man, blinded by ambition and greed, kidnapped me and tried to kill me—just to lure Ye Tian into a trap.”

Xiao Tianchen was astonished.

He had assumed Xiao Haoyang had only one daughter, and that out of respect for him, he had treated Xun’er with some sincerity. He never expected that the old man would use his own daughter as bait.

“Do you… like Ye Tian?”

“Who is he to you?”

Xiao Tianchen demanded, his eyes serious, fixed on Xiao Xun’er.

Xiao Xun’er looked away. “It’s nothing romantic. He simply appeals to me. He’s straightforward, never hides his heart, honest and righteous. Everyone’s attention naturally falls on him.”

“He’s a good person!”

Xiao Tianchen nodded, unsure of what to say.

If his younger sister held Ye Tian in such high regard, it must mean her heart was secretly won over. He would have to meet this Ye Tian when he had the chance.

The siblings returned to the camp after about half an incense stick’s time.

Meanwhile, Qiu Feibai had already prepared the tools and medicines, waiting for the younger general’s sister.

…

At this moment, inside the hotpot restaurant:

“Master hasn’t returned yet?”

“Wasn’t he supposed to arrive early this morning?”

Xiao Jiang’s face fell as he looked at the disciple from the Medicine King Valley delivering the message. He didn’t know what to say.

The disciple said, “The valley master was delayed because of something. He happened to encounter a patient on the way, so he sent me ahead to report to Junior Uncle. The Apothecary Hall is ready to open, but the valley master probably won’t make the auspicious hour. He said Junior Uncle should handle it himself.”

“Me?”

Xiao Jiang was surprised, pointing at his own tiny nose with his small fingers. “I’m only five! Does Master think that because I’m a child, I don’t need pay for the work?”

“Ah…”

The little guy sighed, looking a bit forlorn.

The disciple could only shake his head helplessly, bow, and withdraw.

Ye Tian reclined in his rocking chair, glancing at his youngest son, speaking calmly: “The auspicious hour for opening the Apothecary Hall is almost here. If I were you, I’d already be on my way.”

“That way, Doctor Qiu won’t get mad at you when he returns.”

Xiao Jiang pursed his lips and looked toward the back door.

He wanted to wait for Qin Fengyi to go with him.

In the backyard:

Qin Fengyi stood beneath the bare locust tree, hands clasped behind her back. Lin Xianzhong shrank his neck, standing before her like a 1.5-meter-tall schoolboy who had made a mistake, head lowered.

No one knew exactly what was said between them.

Lin Xianzhong nodded repeatedly, trembling with fear.

After Qin Fengyi left, Lin Xianzhong’s legs felt like they were filled with lead—he could hardly move. Wiping the cold sweat from his face, he bared his teeth in agony.

Finally, he could escape Ye Tian’s trap!

“Mom…”

Seeing Qin Fengyi enter from the backyard, Xiao Jiang shouted happily and continued: “Mom, are you bored?”

“Do you want me to take you out for a walk?”

When Qin Fengyi didn’t answer, Xiao Jiang went on: “My master can’t come back, the Apothecary Hall is about to open, and he asked me to oversee things. I’m only five…” He held up his five little fingers, sighing: “I’m afraid I won’t do it right. Mom, can you go with me?”

His eyes were pitiful.

This was a guaranteed winning move.

Qin Fengyi immediately nodded: “Mom will go with you.”

“Yay!”

Xiao Jiang cheered, his big eyes bright as he looked at Ye Tian. “Dad, you come with us too.”

“With you here, I won’t be scared. Is that okay?”

Me?

Ye Tian’s rocking chair halted. He was about to refuse, but seeing Qin Fengyi’s icy glare, filled with killing intent, he instinctively straightened up: “I… I still need to help your second sister. Your second sister…”

Before he could finish, Ye Shuangxue, wearing her little tiger hat and carrying a small bag, followed by Ye Yunting, two children staring at him with wide-eyed innocence, appeared.

“We’re all going!”

“Dad, do you still have other things to do?”

“No… no more!”

Ye Tian, feeling guilty, got up: “I’ll go get the carriage ready.”

Watching Ye Tian’s back, the three children exchanged glances, all sharing a secret in their eyes.