The scene caught all the exiles completely off guard; seeing everyone on their side, the tension shifted.
Yunqi stepped forward to help Nangong Ping up. “Second Uncle, get up!”
“My son, your mother does not blame you. Niyue has taken such good care of us. You just take care of your own little family; don’t worry about me!” The matriarch understood the situation clearly. She didn’t want to add any burden to Su Niyue or disrupt the fragile balance. Besides, this life they had now was entirely created by Su Niyue, and she had no right to pull her son back into it.
Even with Nangong Ping’s skill, despite his injuries, hunting and raising children wouldn’t be a problem. But having been suppressed by Lady Xu for so long, it was right for everyone to return to their own affairs now that he was free.
Nangong Ping understood his mother’s intention. He didn’t try to interfere but felt guilty—toward his mother and toward his elder brother.
Hearing the matriarch’s words, Su Niyue secretly admired her wisdom. Raising this family wouldn’t be an issue anyway. The space has more than enough provisions. But since grandmother worries about me, I’ll endure it! Hehe!
Nangong Yunteng’s curiosity grew: Space again? So it can store lots of food?
Lady Xu, holding the divorce papers and hearing the exiles’ low mocking, grabbed a nearby stone and lunged at Nangong Ping.
At that moment, Nangong Ping, supported by his nephew, didn’t notice her approaching. When Lady Xu raised the stone, he sensed danger—but it was too late.
In the blink of an eye, Su Niyue sprang forward, hands touching the ground, and delivered a powerful kick to Lady Xu’s chest. The stone slipped from her hand and hit her head as she fell unconscious. Su Niyue used the force of her kick to flip back, landed on her feet, and brushed the dirt from her hands.
The exiles’ eyes widened. Those who had been about to warn Nangong Ping forgot in awe. After a moment of silence, Sanhu was the first to react: “Awesome!” He cheered loudly. Their “Su Sister” was incredible! Applause echoed through the cave.
No matter how fierce Lady Xu was, she was still a normal woman. Su Niyue, however, was a top-class agent; her skills were among the best in her squad.
Su Niyue’s heart sank a little. Oops, I got too excited and forgot to use my Earth ability. I could have avoided direct confrontation and just dug a hole under her feet to trap a rock. Now everyone knows my true strength! Ah, what a disaster! She patted her head in regret.
Nangong Yunteng was stunned. Earth ability? So it was her who made Lady Xu fall earlier! Could she really be a fairy? Did I just wake up too late? I missed seeing her skills firsthand! Earth ability… could it be the legendary magic? Or a power to control the earth itself?
“Hehe, my apologies for startling everyone in the heat of the moment!” Su Niyue tried to laugh it off, embarrassed.
“Uh… Sister-in-law, maybe we should put rice in the pot now?” Yunqi asked hesitantly. She knew her sister-in-law was clever but had no idea she was this skilled.
“Ah! We’re making egg soup, right? Why rice?” Yundian tried to cover for Su Niyue, but being inexperienced, she stumbled over her words.
“Yes, yes! Egg soup! Hehe, egg soup!” Su Niyue’s face flushed red as an apple.
Only Nangong Ping, staring at Lady Xu lying there, remained silent. He hadn’t expected her to try to kill him. Seeing the stone, he felt a pang of fear—if not for Su Niyue’s quick reflexes, things could have ended badly.
Nangong Shuang, seeing her mother motionless, wanted to check on her but dared not. Lady Xu might be evil, but she was still their mother. Tears streamed down her face. Nangong Ling held his father’s hand and looked up: “Father, is mother dead?”
“No, she’s just fainted. You can go look if you want!” Nangong Ping understood the children’s feelings. He refused to let his feud with Lady Xu burden them or to let them develop the same resentment. Even though Lady Xu occasionally scolded them, that was within the bounds of their relationship. Since the children forgave, he wouldn’t stop them.
Hearing their mother was alive, Nangong Shuang, though still displeased with her actions, wanted to check on her.
“Mother!” she called timidly.
Nangong Ling crouched beside his sister silently. He didn’t understand why their mother was so harsh to their father but knew he pitied him.
Lady Xu slowly regained consciousness, saw her children, and showed no tenderness. She snarled: “Get out, ungrateful brats! I raised you in vain. Go with your useless father, forget me!”
The children were shocked by her sudden outburst. Nangong Shuang, relieved their mother was alive, pulled her brother back to their father, crying. Lady Xu scrambled up, holding a stone. In full view of everyone, she attempted to throw it at Nangong Ping again. Most saw the malice in her eyes, though the stone fell at her feet due to weakness, making her intent obvious.
Nangong Ping closed his eyes, remaining silent.
“Someone, lock her up! Two attempts at murder—do you take me for blind?” Liu Quan, the escort officer, ordered. Inmate conflicts resulting in injury or death could cost a position—or worse, imprisonment.
Finally, Lady Xu was locked away, and the commotion ended.
“Everyone, quickly start the cooking! The rain’s getting heavier!”
Yunqi remembered the half-prepared chickens. Nangong Ping, after paying respects with Wu and the children to the matriarch, returned to their previous spot, where Lady Xu’s bundle containing yesterday’s dried food and meat from the Xujia village remained. He didn’t want to eat, but the children had to. Wu, seeing his furrowed brow, handed him a piece of dried food: “Master, eat a bit!”
“Go ahead, you eat. I’m not hungry.” Nangong Ping patted his youngest son’s head. Because of Lady Xu’s control, he hadn’t held the child for a long time. To protect Wu from Lady Xu’s abuse, he hadn’t even dared to speak to her.
“Father!” The little boy was overjoyed that his father finally acknowledged him.
“Xuan’er, let father hold you!” Nangong Ping embraced his son, tears brimming. Wu finally released the burden in her heart—this man had been silently bearing everything all along.