The Crybaby Always Wants to Redeem the Villainess - Chapter 3

“Um, hey, do you want to try some?”

Gu Zhirou blinked and nodded, taking a bite.

The soft, crumbly texture against Xiao Yi’s fingertips made her feel awkward, and she quickly withdrew her hand.

Gu Zhirou, however, didn’t notice her discomfort, devouring the pastry with relish.

After finishing, she looked at Xiao Yi again, leaving Xiao Yi utterly bewildered.

Why is she staring at me? I’m not a pastry!

Seeing Xiao Yi’s hesitation, Gu Zhirou was incredulous. Ayi wouldn’t be this stingy, would she? Only giving me one piece?!

She blinked, about to speak, when a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

Xiao Yi… No! What did I do? She’s crying again?!

This girl must be the reincarnation of a weeping goddess!

Seeing Gu Zhirou about to burst into tears, Xiao Yi grabbed another pastry and quickly stuffed it into Gu Zhirou’s mouth, just as her lips were about to tremble with sobs.

Gu Zhirou, who was about to speak, bit down on the pastry Xiao Yi shoved at her, choking on it. Tears immediately began streaming uncontrollably down her face.

Xiao Yi swore she had never encountered a more troublesome situation in her entire life. This was a first!

“Stop crying! If you don’t stop, I’ll throw you out to the rats!”

Ugh, this is so annoying! Xiao Yi, completely out of options, resorted to threats.

Gu Zhirou… What? What did she just hear?

Waaah! My Ayi has changed! She’s being mean to me, threatening me, and even saying she’ll feed me to the rats!

I’m terrified of rats! Ayi’s definitely doing this on purpose!

And so, she truly, truly began to cry. Waaah! Ayi has turned bad!

Meanwhile, at the gates of the General’s Estate, Grand Tutor Gu and the General’s Wife stood facing each other. Grand Tutor Gu declared, “Madam, there’s no point in denying it. The entire city witnessed your rebellious daughter abducting my precious daughter! Everyone can testify!”

“Grand Tutor Gu, you jest. At least provide a witness. My daughter only just returned—why would she kidnap your daughter for no reason?”

The General’s Wife remained unfazed, convinced her daughter would never do such a thing.

Just then, the crowd behind them began to speak up. “Madam, stop protecting her! That little brat Xiao Yi is the one who kidnapped Miss Gu from Grand Tutor Gu’s family!”

The burly man had initially wanted to call her a “little bastard,” but quickly reconsidered. Calling her that at the General’s Estate would surely lead to a miserable end, earning the estate’s lasting enmity. He hastily corrected himself.

“Hmph! If I say she’s not here, then she’s not! With our General away, do you dare disregard us women and barge into the General’s Estate?”

The General’s Wife stood her ground, her voice ringing with authority.

Grand Tutor Gu was furious. “Whether she’s here or not, we’ll know once we search the estate. Why are you obstructing us, Madam? At least everyone here claims to have seen her!”

The General’s Wife narrowed her eyes, her voice sharp and deliberate. “And what if we find nothing?”

The Grand Tutor scoffed. “Hmph! If we find nothing, I will apologize to the General’s Estate. But if we find her, your estate must provide me with an explanation!”

“Then Grand Tutor Gu, please enter!”

The General’s Wife stepped aside, allowing Grand Tutor Gu and his entourage to enter. She followed closely behind him as they proceeded into the courtyard.

The group went to Xiao Yi’s courtyard but discovered she hadn’t returned. They asked a guard, who said Xiao Yi was at a nearby pavilion. The entourage then marched toward the small pavilion.

As they approached, they saw Xiao Yi standing to one side with a fierce expression, while Gu Zhirou sobbed uncontrollably beside her.

Grand Tutor Gu’s heart ached at the sight. He rushed over, taking three steps at a time, and embraced Gu Zhirou, crying, “Oh, my precious little darling! My darling Rou’er! Don’t cry, Daddy’s here!” He gently patted her back, trying to soothe her.

The General’s Wife quietly approached Xiao Yi and asked, “Yi’er, what happened here?”

Xiao Yi looked utterly bewildered by the question. Facing her mother’s interrogation, she shook her head, “How would I know what happened?”

The General’s Wife sighed, “We’ll settle this later, after everyone leaves!”

Xiao Yi… What did she even do? And they’re coming to settle scores with her? She didn’t do anything wrong! This is a complete injustice! She’s so wronged!

Just then, Grand Tutor Gu’s furious roar echoed through the courtyard: “Xiao Yi, you little bastard! What have you done to my daughter? What did you do to my Rou’er? I’ll beat you to death, you little bastard!” Grand Tutor Gu grabbed a nearby sword and chased Xiao Yi around the courtyard, swinging wildly.

Xiao Yi, having trained in martial arts, easily outmaneuvered the elderly scholar. Grand Tutor Gu, panting heavily, soon collapsed from exhaustion.

Perched on a nearby tree branch, Xiao Yi sneered, “Hmph, old man Gu, I advise you to stop chasing me. You’ll never catch me at your age.”

Her words sent Grand Tutor Gu into a frenzy, stomping his feet in rage. “Xiao Yi, don’t be so arrogant! Just wait, I’ll report you to the Emperor and have you punished!”

Xiao Yi shrugged indifferently. If she feared the Emperor, would she have returned to the capital and acted so recklessly? “Go ahead! As if this Miss is scared!”

Fuming, Grand Tutor Gu stormed out of the General’s Estate, taking his precious daughter and a retinue of guards with him.

As Gu Zhirou left, she grinned at Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi seethed with anger. That little brat is doing this on purpose!

After Grand Tutor Gu’s entourage departed, Xiao Yi was subjected to a triple trial by the family. She stood in the hall, facing her mother, the General’s Wife, who sat in the main seat.

Beside her stood Xiao Yun, her second younger brother, followed by the estate’s two consorts, the two young ladies of the house, and her eldest brother and youngest brother.

The General’s Wife had borne three children: Xiao Yi, the eldest daughter and second-born overall; Xiao Mo, her fifteen-year-old brother currently serving on the battlefield; and Xiao Yun, her nine-year-old brother.

The General’s Estate also included Xiao Han, the seventeen-year-old eldest son born to Consort Liu, and the thirteen-year-old twin daughters, Xiao Yu and Xiao Ran, born to Consort Bai.

“Xiao Yi!!!”

“Yes, Mother?”

“What exactly happened? Don’t tell me you don’t know.”

“Mother, I truly don’t know! I didn’t do anything to her. Do I seem like that kind of person?” Why won’t they believe me?

At this, Xiao Yu, the fourth daughter standing nearby, rolled her eyes and retorted, “Elder Sister, you speak as if you’re not that kind of person. Haven’t you heard the rumors circulating in the capital?”

Xiao Yi was left speechless and embarrassed, unable to offer any explanation. Fine, fine, she thought, I’ll swallow this bitter pill.

“If you claim you did nothing, how did this girl end up at the General’s Estate?” General’s Wife Su氏 demanded. “And if you insist you didn’t do anything to her, why is she crying so hysterically? Do you think I’m blind?” Seeing Xiao Yi’s stubborn denial, Su氏 erupted into vulgarity.

“Mother, am I still your own daughter?” Xiao Yi retorted, her eyes wide with disbelief. “How can you not believe me?”

“Hmph, shut your mouth! I trust what I see with my own eyes!”

“Now, tell me why you kidnapped that girl and brought her to the General’s Estate.”

“I already told you, I didn’t kidnap her! She climbed onto my horse and refused to get off. What else could I do but bring her back? We couldn’t just stand there in the capital like monkeys in a zoo!”

“Oh~ she climbed onto your horse and refused to get off? How did such a delicate little girl manage to mount your horse? I’m all ears for your excuses.”

“Xiao Yi, I see you’ve grown bold enough to lie to my face!”

“Mother, please let me explain! I didn’t—I was riding my horse when someone pushed that young lady. I reached out to save her and pulled her onto my horse, like a hero saving a damsel.

But then she refused to get off! It’s not my fault! I told her to dismount, or I’d abduct her.

I even threatened her, but it didn’t work. So I just brought her back here.”

Xiao Yi’s explanations sounded so weak and feeble. She’d already abducted the girl—what good were these excuses now?

“You think you’re justified? This is abduction, plain and simple! A blatant act of abduction!” The General’s Wife slammed her hand on the table in fury.

“Mother, calm down! You can’t just accuse me like that!”

“Accuse you? You even made the girl cry! I saw it with my own eyes! What more do you have to say for yourself?”

“Her crying has nothing to do with me! She cries whenever she sees me! Every single time! What am I supposed to do?”

The young lady might feel wronged, but Xiao Yi felt even more wronged!