Rebirth: The Courtyard Bride Is Cool and Radiant

Chapter 221: Chapter 221 How can you be so vicious?

Along the way, she gathered everything she came across: herbs, mountain produce, wild game, and even wild vegetables—she refused nothing.

As she neared the outer edge of the forest, she heard cries for help.

She followed the sound, running swiftly, and when she was still some distance away, she heard a familiar voice, ”Old Master Zhang, you’d better think carefully. Do you want your grandson’s life, or to continue holding onto those recipes?”

”Qiao Yuxiang, are you even human? Your grandfather and I came from the same sect, after all. How can you be so malicious?”

”I’ve tried reasoning with you politely, but you won’t listen, so I have no choice but to resort to extreme measures. I don’t want to suffer in this countryside forever. You brought this upon yourself.”

Looking at the people standing not far away, she thought, So that’s how it is.

No wonder Qiao Yuxiang kept sneaking off to the south. So this was her game. It seems she’s truly desperate.

Just then, the child hanging from the tree reacted, probably because he opened his eyes and saw his grandfather nearby. He was so frightened that he started crying, ”Grandpa, save me!”

But no sooner had he finished speaking than the boy changed his plea, ”No, Grandpa, I remember now! It was Auntie Qiao who tricked me into coming here. You have to leave, quickly!”

Standing to one side, Qiao Yuxiang let out a cold laugh. ”You’re quite clever, but it’s too late.”

Old Master Zhang, leaning on a tree trunk for support and barely able to stand steady, gasped, ”Dongli is just a child, don’t harm him.”

”You shouldn’t be saying that to me. Whether or not he gets hurt is up to you, not me.

”I don’t have the patience to waste any more time with you in this backwater. Either you hand over the recipes, or you and your grandson will find your eternal rest in these deep mountains and old forests.”

Yunyi couldn’t stand by any longer, nor did she want to waste any more time with them. She casually picked up a pebble and threw it.

Qiao Yuxiang collapsed to the ground without warning.

This sudden turn of events startled both the old man, who was struggling to stay upright against the tree, and the boy hanging from it.

I didn’t want to show myself, Yunyi considered. But the old man is so frail; I’m afraid that even if Qiao Yuxiang wakes up, he won’t be able to get his grandson down from the tree.

Might as well see this good deed through to the end, she decided.

She emerged from behind a tree. Not wanting to reveal her martial skills, she decided to simply climb the tree to rescue him.

As she climbed, she called out, ”Old Master, I’m going to untie the rope. Please catch the child below.”

Old Master Zhang, who had nearly lost all hope, was astonished that someone would step in to help. He responded hastily, flustered, ”Yes, yes, yes!”

The old man stumbled several times over just six or seven meters. I really can’t count on him, Yunyi concluded. Good thing I’m strong.

After untying the rope, she carefully held the child, avoiding the pit Qiao Yuxiang had dug directly beneath him, and placed him on the ground a short distance from it.

Then she slid down from the tree.

As she landed, Old Master Zhang finally reached his grandson and pulled him into a tight hug. ”Dongli, were you scared? It’s all Grandfather’s fault for getting you into this.”

The child, despite any maturity he might have possessed for his young age, was clearly terrified. He clung to his grandfather and cried, ”Grandpa, I’m scared!”

Tears streamed down the old man’s face. ”Don’t be scared, don’t be scared. Grandpa is here.”

Yunyi didn’t want to get involved in their affairs. She picked up her basket, ready to leave, but still offered a reminder, ”She’ll wake up soon. You’d better leave this place quickly.”

Upon hearing Yunyi’s words, the old man hastily pulled the child from his embrace. ”Dongli, quick, thank your savior!”

The child, though still sniffling and crying intermittently, obediently rose, preparing to bow to Yunyi in gratitude.

Yunyi quickly stopped him. ”There’s no need. This place isn’t safe. You should both leave quickly.”

Saying this, she started to walk away.

Seeing Yunyi about to leave, the old man called out, ”Comrade, may I ask your name? The boy should at least know who saved him.”

Yunyi glanced back. ”It was nothing, really. Don’t take it to heart. You should hurry down the mountain.”

Noticing the little boy still watching her, she kindly added one last reminder, ”Hurry and take your grandpa down the mountain. And be careful not to be deceived again.”