Chapter 636

Chapter 636: This Blessing, Will You Take It?

Shan Shan returned home, his eyes swollen and barely able to open.

His wet nurse sobbed uncontrollably, gasping for breath as she rushed forward to embrace him. “It’s all my fault! I should have been more careful with the young master!”

Upon seeing Shan Shan covered in blood, the wet nurse’s legs weakened, and she nearly collapsed.

She had taken care of him since birth—how could she not feel heartache at such a sight?

“It’s not his blood,” Windchaser quickly reassured her.

Lu Chao Chao took a deep breath, casting a glance at Shan Shan. “Wet nurse, don’t blame yourself. This has nothing to do with you. My parents and I know how well you care for him.” Some people just deserved a beating.

Without hesitation, she doubled the wet nurse’s monthly allowance.

With red-rimmed eyes, the wet nurse carefully cleaned Shan Shan, finding only a few scrapes but no serious injuries. She finally let out a breath of relief.

“Mai… Mai Feng…” Shan Shan pointed toward the door.

The wet nurse carried him outside. The Great Priest had personally come to check on them, and at that moment, Mai Feng was just regaining consciousness.

Mai Feng was a farmer’s son and had never seen so many nobles before. He trembled with fear.

Then Shan Shan entered the room.

“Little Gourd, where is this…?” Mai Feng’s voice quivered as he took in the finely dressed figures and the imposing guards stationed around the estate.

Shan Shan wriggled out of the wet nurse’s arms, stumbling toward Mai Feng. “This… is home. My home. You stay…”

Then he turned to Lu Chao Chao. “Stay. Stay.” He pointed at Mai Feng.

Shan Shan knew Mai Feng had nowhere to go. If he were cast out, he would become just another wandering beggar. He might as well stay here…

Mai Feng dropped to his knees with a heavy thud. “I am of humble birth—how could I stay in such a place?”

He was filled with unease. His own father had cast him out, and even his stepmother wouldn’t take him in. Why would strangers offer him shelter?

Lu Chao Chao stepped forward, personally helping him up.

“Shan Shan was alone out there. I am grateful to you for aiding him,” she said—not just for saving him, but for the sincerity of his heart.

“If you do not mind, then stay here with us.”

“Our clan has great scholars and cultivators. If you wish to study or practice martial arts, you will have the chance to do so.” Seeing his strong character, Lu Chao Chao felt the urge to help him further.

Mai Feng’s face lit up with hope. “Study? Cultivation? I… I can? Truly?”

Overcome with emotion, he immediately kowtowed, his forehead knocking against the ground.

“I am willing to follow Young Master Shan Shan, to serve him, to care for him! I am willing to be a servant to repay your kindness!”

His cheeks flushed with excitement, but as he moved, the wound on his chest reopened, bleeding once more.

Lu Chao Chao quickly intervened. “Why is your first instinct to kneel?!”

“You saved Shan Shan—that is a great debt. How could we let a benefactor be our servant? If word got out, would I still have any face?”

“That makes no sense!”

“If you do not mind, then Shan Shan will call you ‘Brother,’ and you shall be his sworn sibling.”

“Shan Shan, do you agree?”

Shan Shan blinked, hesitating only for a moment. Though he felt a mortal was not truly worthy of standing beside him, Mai Feng had risked his life to save him. With a slight delay, he nodded.

“Do not refuse. This is what you deserve. Stay here in peace…”

Mai Feng hesitated. In truth, he had already realized Shan Shan’s extraordinary status. Perhaps, in the end, his help had not even been necessary.

Had he simply acted on impulse?

Claiming to have saved Shan Shan felt almost shameful.

Lu Chao Chao seemed to read his thoughts and chuckled lightly. “But when you saved him, you knew none of this. You risked your life—that is all that matters.”

“Would you have him live burdened with guilt for a lifetime?”

Mai Feng shook his head. Seeing no deception in their eyes, he finally nodded in agreement.

But in his heart, he never truly saw himself as an elder brother. Being allowed to study and cultivate here was already the greatest fortune of his life.

Even if Shan Shan called him “Brother Mai Feng,” he would never think himself a master of any sort.

“Would you like to send word to your family?” Lu Chao Chao asked.

Mai Feng’s head shot up. “No!!”

“But… I do want to move my mother’s grave. Would that be possible?”

“That man wants to be buried alongside my stepmother. I will not allow it. I do not want my mother left alone in that village. I want to cremate her and bring her with me. She was trapped there her whole life. At least this way, she can see more of the world.”

He had wanted to do this for a long time.

Lu Chao Chao nodded. “We will be staying in Lotus City for a few more days. I’ll have someone accompany you to move the grave.”

She then gestured to Windchaser. “Bring the urn.”

Xie Yu Zhou sauntered over, carrying a beautifully crafted wooden box—the scent of sandalwood faintly perfuming the air.

“This cost a small fortune. Take it. It was the shop’s most treasured piece…” Lu Chao Chao muttered, a bit reluctant. She had used her own savings to buy it.

Shan Shan peeked out from behind Mai Feng, confused. “Buy… buy for what?”

Lu Chao Chao scratched her head, silent.

Windchaser smirked. “Your sister bought it before leaving the city. She cried while handing over her money.”

She had strutted into the shop, demanded the most expensive urn, and paid without hesitation. When she tried to return it, the shopkeeper shut the door in her face.

Apparently, that “treasured piece” had sat unsold for six years.

Now, it would feed the shopkeeper for three more.

Shan Shan tilted his head. “Before leaving the city?”

Why would she buy it before leaving?

“Jiji, why?” He tugged at her sleeve, refusing to let go.

Lu Chao Chao avoided his gaze, looking everywhere but at him. “Why does a child ask so many questions?!”

“This isn’t your concern!” she snapped.

“Jiji, angry? Why?” he asked, confused, pointing at his flustered sister.

Xie Yu Zhou said dryly, “Because that urn was meant for you.”

Shan Shan: ???

“Your sister cares for you deeply. She even bought you the finest urn,” Xie Yu Zhou added with a smirk.

“You’re truly blessed to have such a thoughtful sister!”

Shan Shan’s face turned red with fury. I knew it!!!

If he had chosen wrong, if he had caused irreversible harm, Lu Chao Chao would have personally ended him! She had even prepared the urn beforehand!!

A chill ran down his spine.

“This… blessing, do you want it?!”

“Monk!” He turned and pointed directly at the laughing Xie Yu Zhou.

Xie Yu Zhou’s laughter abruptly stopped. “Who are you calling a monk?! I still plan to marry and have children!”

Shan Shan couldn’t defy Lu Chao Chao, but he could at least get back at Xie Yu Zhou.

“Monk! Monk!” he shouted, jabbing a finger at him.

“Shan Shan, you little brat! Next time your sister wants to punish you, I’ll personally sharpen the knife for her!”

Their squabbling continued, growing more and more chaotic until Shan Shan was too flustered to even speak clearly.

His eyes burned red with frustration.

So unfair! So unfair!

He couldn’t outfight Lu Chao Chao or outargue Xie Yu Zhou!