Old Madam Su’s face contorted viciously, as if she were about to transform into an Evil Ghost and devour Si He whole.
Qing Bao observed the malevolent energy on her face and shook her head slightly. “How many sins have you committed?”
Once this malevolent energy completely eroded her features, her earthly life would come to an end.
“If Mother believes her, you could go pull Father up,” Qing Bao lifted her small face to speak to her mother.
She hadn’t been able to find her maternal grandparents’ lifespans or even their souls in the Book of Life and Death.
If there was any information about them, they definitely shouldn’t let it slip away.
Anyway, her scoundrel father wasn’t destined to die yet—even if he fell, he wouldn’t perish.
Otherwise, the grievances of these wandering spirits would remain unresolved.
After a moment’s hesitation, Si He walked to the cliff edge and reached out her hand toward Su Xiao.
Instantly, black energy shot toward Si He, accompanied by terrifying howls.
Qing Bao merely glanced at the black energy with her large eyes, and it immediately dissipated.
Su Xiao tightly grasped Si He’s hand and climbed up.
His eyes still held clear dissatisfaction.
“You’re something else, only willing to save me after my mother begged you.”
Si He didn’t have any affection left for him.
Good thing he had fallen in love with Yao’er long ago, otherwise he would have wasted his feelings on Si He.
“Old Madam Su, will you tell me their whereabouts now?” Si He struggled to contain her heart-wrenching pain as she coldly questioned Old Madam Su.
Old Madam Su’s eyes shifted cunningly. “First put Mengmeng and me down safely. This matter is too long to explain quickly.”
Si He clenched her fists tightly, suppressing her rage.
Suddenly, a soft little hand enveloped her fist. Looking down, she saw Qing Bao gazing up at her with pleading eyes.
Qing Bao took a step forward.
The black energy instantly vanished.
Old Madam Su and Su Mengmeng fell to the ground with a thud.
Even the numerous soldiers who had come with them all tumbled down.
“Ouch! That hurts so much! Couldn’t you have caught me?” The old madam rubbed her lower back, grimacing and shouting.
“Come help me up! What are you standing around for!”
The moment Old Madam Su’s words fell, black energy floated before her in circles. She dodged backward, clasping her hands and muttering:
“Not calling you, not calling you.”
Black energy: Then why shout so loudly? So annoying!
When we really come to help you, you’re unhappy.
Can’t take a joke!
Qing Bao silently raised her hand, and the black energy swirled away.
“Old Madam, it’s time you got to the main matter!” Si He’s eyes were already red-rimmed as she demanded in a low voice.
“Hah.” Old Madam Su sneered coldly, struggling to get up from the ground. “The main matter? I’ll tell you—after your adoptive parents returned you to the Si Family back then, they extorted a large sum of money from the Si Family and ran away!”
“Impossible!” Si He rushed to Old Madam Su and grabbed her collar. “They weren’t that kind of people!”
Her parents never coveted others’ belongings. Once they found someone’s money pouch and waited in the freezing snow for the owner to return.
They eventually caught a cold, and it was Si He who busily cared for them until they recovered. Yet they were happy, saying it was good the owner came back—it was life-saving money for them.
How could people like that possibly extort money from others!
Old Madam Su lowered her gaze to look at Si He’s hand, disdainfully saying,
“What, are you going to murder your mother-in-law? If you don’t let go, I’ll have Xiao’er divorce you. Then all the wealth and luxury of the General’s Residence will have nothing to do with you. Can you handle that?”
A girl raised in a village simply can’t compare to a daughter from a prominent family like Si Yao.
She is cheerful and generous, highly skilled in martial arts yet would never raise a hand against her mother-in-law.
Someone like Si He clearly lacks proper upbringing.
Si He’s mind cleared for a moment. “So, the information you wanted to share is just this?”
This was something everyone in both the Si and Su families knew.
Could Old Madam Su be trying to gloss over things with this?
Old Madam Su clearly realized the problem too. Her eyes shifted craftily. “Of course there’s more.”
“As for where they went, I’ve heard some rumors. How about this – you and Qing Bao come back to the manor with us, and I’ll tell you everything in detail after we return.”
This place was dangerous, and only she and Qing Bao were safe.
Old Madam Su was doing this to protect herself, her son, and her granddaughter.
“It seems you know nothing at all.” Si He lowered her eyelids and coldly abandoned her.
“Qing Bao, let’s go. Mother acted too impulsively.” She apologized sincerely to the little one.
Qing Bao stood at the center of the light circle, tilting her chubby face. “It’s only human nature, Mother. You needn’t feel guilty.”
After speaking, she softly took Si He’s hand and turned to leave.
Su Xiao’s eyes sharpened. “Don’t go!”
Stumbling, he helped Old Madam Su and Su Mengmeng up, then hurried toward Qing Bao.
“Mother, we must catch up with them quickly! The area around them is safe!”
“Mother, hurry!”
The grandmother and granddaughter were so frightened their legs went weak, but upon hearing Su Xiao’s words, they immediately ran to chase Qing Bao.
Then.
Qing Bao suddenly turned her head, smiling innocently at them. “Want to come to me?”
Behind her, what seemed like a black storm began to swirl.
“Yes, Qing Bao, Father will never scold you again. Can you please stay where you are?” Su Xiao coaxed Qing Bao gently while slowly inching closer to her.
Qing Bao took a slight step back, black mist instantly swirling at her toes. “What are you talking about, Father?”
“Father is begging you, Qing Bao. I’ll take you back to live well, buy you lots of new clothes. Didn’t you love Sugar Crisp the most? I’ll buy you Sugar Crisp every day from now on… Please stop moving, be good!”
Su Xiao’s tone grew increasingly urgent, his steps unconsciously trying to approach Qing Bao.
Upon hearing “Sugar Crisp,” the light in Qing Bao’s bright eyes suddenly dimmed. “I don’t like it anymore.”
“Father, I don’t want you.”
Blood ties are typically the strongest bonds in one’s life, yet Qing Bao ruthlessly severed them now.
She had no need for such kinship.
As these words fell.
Su Xiao immediately felt a sharp pain in his heart, his face turning pale.
“Qing Bao, why are you treating Father like this! I’ve promised not to scold you and to be good to you, why are you still like this!”
“Why waste words on her? The fortune-teller said she’s a Star of Calamity. How could a Star of Calamity possess filial piety?” Old Madam Su spat venomously from the side.
“I told you back then that Mengmeng’s head was injured by her, but you refused to believe me!”
Su Xiao’s lips trembled. “I believe it now.”
“Father, let’s rush over when she’s not expecting it. There’s no way she can outrun adults!”
“Father, once you charge over, just grab hold of her. Then we can all return safely.”
Su Mengmeng gritted her teeth as she spoke to her father.
In just a moment, when Father pounces over and Qing Bao is grabbed, she will seize the chance to snatch that brush, letting Qing Bao and her mother be torn apart by these evil spirits before their eyes!