Chapter 377 The Misty Ice Mountain is in Chaos
Ye Shenge was truly exhausted, she hugged Zi Yisheng's waist and closed her eyes.
Zi Yisheng rode the bicycle slowly, partly to avoid jarring the young girl and partly to savor this moment of warmth.
"Zi Yisheng, you were too much today."
"Mm, if I weren't, you wouldn't remember."
"It's not easy being a chivalrous thief. Now I realize how much effort Qi Xuan must have put in to be so capable at his age."
Zi Yisheng didn't deny Qi Xuan's abilities in this regard, which were often quite useful. However, doing these things wasn't honorable, and a mistake could lead to serious trouble.
"I've had people investigate the Misty Ice Mountain that Qi Luquan mentioned. It was fine when Qi Luquan was in charge, but now the people on the Misty Ice Mountain are running rampant in Mi Province, starting fires everywhere with their abilities."
"Is Mi Province ungoverned?"
"How could it be? They're arresting people from the Misty Ice Mountain everywhere. Once they find the stronghold, it'll be wiped out."
Ye Shenge sighed, wondering about the true nature of the Misty Ice Mountain.
"Uncle Qi must be heartbroken to hear this."
"The Misty Ice Mountain was originally a family that specialized in setting up mechanisms. After being framed, they fled to the mountain and lived in seclusion. Over time, their craft declined, and they instead became thieves relying on their combat skills."
"Should I tell Uncle Qi what you know?"
"He'll find out eventually. Do you think Qi Luquan is a patient person? If he was ambushed, he'll surely seek revenge. He fled because he thought he was dying, but now he's perfectly healthy, and no one can stop him."
Ye Shenge sighed, these families were truly troublesome.
As they arrived at the Ye family's gate, it was flung wide open. Ye Mu'en smiled upon seeing his sister's appearance and gave Zi Yisheng a thumbs-up.
Ye Shenge rolled her eyes, these two were birds of a feather, colluding to torment her.
"You two carry on, I'm going to sleep. Discuss what scheme you'll cook up next."
Zi Yisheng watched the young girl's huffing and puffing back and then turned to leave. He had to go up the mountain tomorrow, and the day had been quite tiring.
"Is Qi Xuan still out?"
"Yes, Ah Long is watching him."
"Don't push it too far. If something happens, it'll upset the old man at home again."
Zi Yisheng remained silent. Since they had the ability and the enthusiasm, it wouldn't hurt to clean up the county while they were at it.
Meanwhile, Qi Xuan was gleefully stealing, finding the act of taking from the rich to help the poor quite exhilarating.
Ah Long was essentially a laborer, helping to carry things, push carts, and stay up late.
"Let's go, this family is done. We'll continue tomorrow."
Ah Long asked, looking at their haul for the day.
"Are you really going to exchange all of this for food?"
"Of course. The people here are so pitiful and can't get enough to eat. I'll use this money to help them."
"I didn't realize you were quite so kind."
Ah Long's words made Qi Xuan feel uncomfortable no matter how she heard them, so she kicked him.
"Wasn't I kind before?"
Ah Long always spoke his mind.
"You were quite annoying before, and you're only slightly better now."
Qi Xuan stopped in her tracks. So everyone disliked her.
"Was I really that bad? Everyone on Misty Ice Mountain liked me before, I..."
"Heh, right. The people on Misty Ice Mountain liking me must have been fake too."
Ah Long was sharp-tongued. Not only did he fail to notice Qi Xuan's sadness, but he continued to twist the knife in her heart.
"It's not too late to understand now. Think before you act in the future. Because of you, I haven't achieved anything lately and have just been busy dealing with your antics."
Qi Xuan's voice was low, and she looked utterly dejected.
"Do you have a lot of work to do every day?"
"Of course, how else would I make money?"
"Then I'll pay you for these few days. It will definitely be more than what your uncle-in-law gives you."
Ah Long scoffed. He never accepted money from anyone other than Young Master Zi.
"No need. Just don't cause trouble every day."
"Oh, I see."
Ah Long looked at Qi Xuan, who had lost her spirit, and suddenly felt he might have been too harsh, but he didn't know what else to say.
Ye Shenge was pulled awake by her mother around noon.
"My little Ge'er, if you keep sleeping like this, your health will only deteriorate."
"Mmm~~~, Mom, I'm still sleepy. Just let me sleep a little longer."
Ye Shenge burrowed her head into her mother's embrace, utterly exhausted.
"I heard you went out being a thief last night. Was it fun?"
Ye Shenge knew her eldest brother must have let the cat out of the bag, and she sat up with annoyance.
"Mom, I'm hungry."
Her mother smiled, watching her daughter change the subject, and didn't expose her.
"Then hurry up and wash up. Everything's ready. Tangtang is out herding the sheep today, so you can't be lazy this afternoon."
Ye Shenge smacked her forehead. Tangtang must have been very busy this morning, having to cut grass, herd sheep, and supervise Chen Tonghua in the fields.
"Alright, I'll go find Tangtang after I eat."
As it turned out, Chen Tangtang came over after finishing her work. She burst in with a shout.
"Shenge, the Qingyuan courtyard is causing trouble again. You won't believe it, but the other educated youths are trying to force Wen Mei to move out."
Chen Tangtang sat smugly beside Ye Shenge, swallowing hard as she saw the food on the table.
"Aunt Zhen, quickly ladle a bowl of rice for Tangtang, she's about to drool."
"I am not! But I am really hungry."
Chen Tangtang was used to being teased about eating and had long since shed her inhibitions.
"Aunt Xia is frying rice cakes today, with brown sugar. She'll surely send some over later."
Ye Shenge smiled, seeing how Chen Tangtang had already integrated herself into the Ouyang family, adapting very quickly.
"Aunt Xia really spoils you. She makes whatever you like to eat."
Chen Tangtang proudly shook her head. She felt like she was a blessed person.
"Oh, right, you mentioned Wen Mei earlier. What happened? You just beat her up, how could she be forced to move out?"
Chen Tangtang quickly put down her chopsticks and said excitedly.
"The reputation of Qingyuan courtyard has worsened. I heard that several educated youths who were planning to marry into the village had their suitors' families look down on them because of Wen Mei, so Wen Mei has incurred public wrath."
Ye Shenge knew very little about the Qingyuan courtyard, and even her mother hadn't mentioned it at home, so she genuinely didn't know that some educated youths were planning to get involved with villagers.
"Can't they stand the hardship of the fields anymore?"
"Mm, or perhaps it's because I set the precedent. They feel my life is much easier now, so their previous perseverance is insignificant."
"It's actually quite good. If you can't go back, why not make yourself comfortable? Even if you wait until you can return to the city, how much better would it be?"
Chen Tangtang was the most qualified to speak. If she hadn't had Shenge's help and the love of her family, how long could she have persevered?
"My mother wrote in her last letter that finding work in the city is extremely difficult now, with salaries soaring to six or seven hundred yuan. Think about how many families can afford that, and even if they can, who would they give it to without causing resentment?"