Severed ties and living in a dilapidated house? No worries, the poor thing has a space.

Fang Yu believed that after this incident, Fang Youcai would definitely not dare to make trouble over this matter again.

"Of course I'm satisfied. I wonder how Lord Xiao would like me to repay you?"

Her shimmering eyes looked at him with a faint light. For some reason, Xiao Jingqi suddenly recalled the day they ventured deep into Black Wind Mountain Stronghold, when she called him "my lover" with tender affection.

Fang Yu noticed that he seemed lost in thought, so she stared into his eyes and slowly moved closer.

When he came to his senses, a pretty face was right in front of him, and the slight movement of his Adam's apple revealed his nervousness.

"Lord Xiao, have you thought about how you want me to repay you?"

A warm breath wafted over him, and he looked away slightly, his gaze darting away. He stammered, "It's nothing, nothing to mention. Miss Fang, you don't need to be so polite."

Seeing his blushing profile, Fang Yu felt a mischievous urge and leaned closer, deliberately breathing into his ear: "How about you repay me with your body?"

Xiao Jingqi's gaze, which had been flashing like a shooting star, suddenly froze, as if struck by a spell. Clearly, he was deeply shocked by her words, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond.

“Miss Fang, you…” He opened his mouth, but found that something seemed to be stuck in his throat, and he could only utter such short and somewhat stuttering words.

Just then, Fang Yu's slender fingertips, like a light feather, landed unexpectedly on the corner of his lips and gently pressed it. Then, she whispered, "Shh! There's something there."

However, this brief and slight touch felt like a powerful electric current slicing through Xiao Jingqi's heart. In an instant, he felt his heart race, like a wild horse that had broken free of its reins, completely out of control.

Although Fang Yu quickly withdrew her hand and took a few steps back, the sound of Xiao Jingqi's violently beating heart still reached her ears clearly.

He didn't know whether his rapid heartbeat stemmed from nervousness or from some other reason he couldn't explain.

At this moment, Fang Yu suddenly chuckled softly, a clear and melodious sound like a silver bell. But to Xiao Jingqi, it made his heart tighten.

Fang Yu said leisurely, "I was just joking. Lord Xiao is of noble status and comes from a distinguished family. How could a country girl like me possibly be worthy of his name?"

Upon hearing these words, Xiao Jingqi felt an indescribable sense of urgency. Even his eyes, which were originally full of surprise, now showed a hint of disappointment.

He quickly said, "Miss Fang, please don't belittle yourself like that. In this vast world, people should be equal. So-called status and family background don't really matter."

Fang Yu sat back down, toying with the warm teacup between his fingers. "It's getting late, so I'll head home now. I'll remember Lord Xiao's kindness today."

"I'll have Mo Jiu take you back."

"No need, thank you for your kindness, Lord Xiao," Fang Yu declined.

By the time they returned to Xishan Village, the sun had already set. Li Shi and Fang Xin were already waiting anxiously at the village entrance.

Because Fang Youcai had only been back for a short time, the whole village was already buzzing with the news that he was covered in wounds and blood, and that he was barely alive.

Li and Fang Xin then ran to the village entrance to wait for the others, while a few onlookers, eager for a good show, made sarcastic remarks.

Especially Bai's mother, who laughed gleefully and deliberately said, "Fang Youcai almost died before coming back. With Yu'er's small frame, she probably won't make it back. I think we should start making preparations sooner rather than later..."

What Bai's mother was referring to was preparing for her funeral, but she wouldn't be foolish enough to say it directly. Instead, she deliberately left it half-said to annoy Li and Fang Xin.

Li was filled with worry, staring longingly at the path bathed in the glow of the sunset, and had no time to argue with Bai's mother.

But Fang Xin spoke up, pointing at Bai's mother with her hands on her hips and scolding, "My sister will be fine. But you, if I remember correctly, your husband is still working at my house. I'll settle his wages when we get back. Don't come tomorrow. My family doesn't need another worker."

"You!" Bai's mother had completely forgotten about this matter. She was so happy that she thought Fang Yu was in big trouble that she forgot for a moment.

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean,' it's no use begging me now!" Fang Xin's tone was even fiercer than hers.

Bai's mother instinctively hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said angrily, "Fine, I won't go then. I don't care about your few dozen coins, ptooey!"

Bai's mother was just being stubborn, but she was actually heartbroken. She had already offended the person, so she decided to just give up and do whatever she wanted.

"Xin'er," Madam Li called softly, signaling her to stop arguing with Mother Bai.

Fang Xin stepped back and took Li's arm to comfort her: "Mother, don't worry, my sister will be fine. Lord Xiao is a good official. He won't slander a good person, but he will definitely not let a bad person go."

When talking about bad people, Fang Xin glanced at Bai's mother.

"Tch!" Instead of leaving, Bai's mother crossed her arms, looking like she was waiting to see a good show, and deliberately made sarcastic remarks in an attempt to provoke Li and Fang Xin.

"Your Excellency is certainly a good official, but I fear that some people are ignorant of their place and think they can get away with it by relying on their less-than-respectable looks."

Fang Xin took a deep breath and turned around to start cursing, but was pulled back by Li Shi.

Fang Xin struggled for a moment: "Mother, don't stop me, they're going too far."

Bai's mother even made a face on purpose, which made Fang Xin grit her teeth in anger.

"Xin'er, look."

Li suddenly spoke up, pointing to the intersection of the small road ahead, and a smile suddenly appeared on her lips.

Fang Xin looked over and saw Fang Yu walking leisurely this way. Fang Xin's grinning expression instantly turned into a smile: "Mother, it's my sister who's back."

Her shout drew the attention of people in the distance.

A group of people gathered around to look, clearly not believing that it was Fang Yu, after all, she had been arrested and taken to the yamen with Fang Youcai.

When Fang Youcai returned, he was barely clinging to life. How could Fang Yu have returned unharmed and so leisurely?

Li and Fang Xin eagerly went to greet them.

"Yu'er!"

"elder sister!"

Fang Yu spat out the foxtail grass in her mouth and quickened her pace, running past: "Mother, Xin'er."

Tears welled up in their eyes without warning, and Fang Yu quickly comforted them, "Oh, I'm fine, you can see for yourselves."

She turned around specifically to show that "not a single hair on my body is missing."

Li still didn't believe it, and thoroughly checked her from head to toe: "It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright."

The onlookers all had complex expressions, and when they looked at Fang Yu again, they felt even more fear.

Bai's mother was even trembling a little. She didn't dare to stay any longer and turned back to run home.

The official condescended to help Fang Yu with her work and even stayed for a meal. Now, she has emerged from prison unscathed. It's hard not to make outsiders suspicious.

They had already considered the matter in their hearts, knowing that Fang Yu's relationship with the official was unusual, but no one dared to speak out.

Fang Xin glanced back at the people behind her and immediately spotted Bai's mother fleeing in panic. She deliberately raised her voice and shouted, "Why are you running? Weren't you very arrogant just now?"

The white mother's speed increased at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Fang Xin smiled and glanced at the others, then said leisurely, "Have you all seen enough?"

Those people didn't dare to delay any longer and all turned around and went home.

Fang Xin then took Li's arm and said, "Mother, look what I told you, my sister will be alright. Lord Xiao is a good official."

Madam Li finally breathed a sigh of relief, taking Fang Yu's hand, but her brows were still slightly furrowed: "Yu'er, what's the deal with Fang Youcai?"