Chapter 464: Chapter 464

The answer was, of course she wanted to!

Watching as the two Daoist masters personally came over, even specifically sending gifts, yet didn't even take a single step into the old Xiao family's door. Coupled with all the previous events, the surrounding onlookers felt increasingly certain in their hearts.

Well then, this trip, they really hadn't come in vain!

Tsk, this old Xiao family, they have no fortune!

A farming family produced a golden immortal, and they actually managed to let it fly away. Just how bizarre is that!

While secretly sighing with emotion, after paying their respects at the Yang family, the visitors left with remarkable swiftness, not lingering in the slightest.

The true person has already transcended the mortal world, what do blood ties count for?

Those who leave the secular world must also sever blood relations!

Watching as one after another of the village's ornately decorated carriages swiftly left without stopping, followed by another wave of carriages arriving, though the destination from beginning to end was one and only one.

Inside the main hall, the entire family was gathered together again, but compared to the smug delight of the previous period, this time, the atmosphere was terrifyingly silent.

Including the Old Master at the head of the table, everyone's faces bore an indescribable dark, gloomy expression.

Even the eldest grandson, Xiao Dalang, couldn't be bothered to show off his official uniform anymore.

Back when An Ning first attained the Dao, after eagerly waiting for two days and seeing that Second Sister still had no intention of acknowledging them, Second Brother and Third Brother, shocked, hurriedly rushed home to report the news.

Became an immortal? And it was their own daughter?

At first, everyone was incredulous. It was only after the two brothers repeatedly explained, and several men specially went to the county town to inquire, that they truly confirmed it.

However, after the initial immense joy, during that time, An Ning's birth mother, Madam Lin, and even the usually honest and silent Xiao Lao Er had thought about going to seek her out. Unfortunately, before they could even set off, they were stunned senseless by the commotion from the neighboring Yang family.

"Grandfather, what do you think Second Sister means by this? Has she attained the Dao and now doesn't plan to acknowledge us, her family?"

Staring at the carriages passing by outside, the people laden with fine silks and satins, precious jewelry, and those redwood chests loaded one cart after another, Xiao Dalang's eyes practically turned red with envy.

Unfortunately, as soon as his words fell, he was harshly reprimanded by the Old Master. Not only that, the teapot in the Old Master's hand was thrown with a *smack*, hitting Xiao Dalang squarely and heavily.

Accompanied by a crisp whistling sound, as if unable to believe it, Xiao Dalang instantly froze in place.

Due to being the eldest grandson of the eldest branch, Xiao Dalang had been doted on since childhood. This was the first time:

Just a little bit, only that tiny bit more, and this cup would have nearly cracked his skull open.

At this moment, inside the room, who was shocked was not just Xiao Dalang alone.

Unfortunately, not giving him any chance to react, they heard the Old Master at the head of the table, seemingly furious, say:

"Shut your mouth! That person is a true person, a proper attained master. Is that someone you can speak of casually?"

She is an attained master. Do you truly think anyone would trouble such a master for the sake of us old fools?

Despite his advanced age, Old Master Xiao had always held considerable authority at home. Hearing that the Old Master was truly angry now, the main hall instantly fell completely silent.

Not far away, Xiao Lao Si even subconsciously shrank his body tightly, not daring to make the slightest sound.

Others might not see it, but how could he not?

The Old Master resents this!

If it weren't for Dalang secretly stealing Second Sister's paintings to sell back then, it wouldn't have attracted those people from the Marquis's Household. Without the concubine-taking incident, they wouldn't have completely offended Second Niece.

Ah no, bah, it's 'true person' now.

If it weren't for that...

Sigh, as the saying goes, when one person attains the Dao, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

Now look at this. Thinking of the silver they got back earlier, and remembering that he also had a hand in it, Xiao Lao Si shrank his head even tighter.

The whole family had a bland, tasteless dinner.

Returning to their room at night, looking at his youngest daughter, Siya, who was clearly in a good mood beside him, Xiao Lao San couldn't help but sigh. He let out a long sigh to his wife beside him:

"Our father, his heart is truly ruthless!"

"Just now, that throw, that force... if Dalang hadn't dodged in time, his head would probably have been split open on the spot!"

Thinking of how much the Old Master had valued this eldest grandson before, Xiao Lao San couldn't help but shudder. His wife, Lao San's wife, also nodded beside him, not having the mind to work on clothes now:

She also turned her head, glanced at Siya who was still staying up late practicing calligraphy not far away, and then let out another long sigh:

"But who could have imagined earlier that Second... no, that the true person would have such fortune today!"

But what was even more unimaginable was:

"It seems the true person wasn't ignorant before, she just didn't want to bother with us lot.

That's right, someone that clever, how could she not understand!"

Thinking of the past, Li Shi couldn't help but feel complex inside.

Actually, back when Second Ya's copied books were sold and they got quite a bit of silver, the family had also pampered this niece.

Not only was she exempt from work, but also the precious things like daily eggs and white flour at home were, under the Old Master's indication, given priority to Second Niece.

Including her birth mother, Second Sister-in-law, all of them, the aunts, helped wash clothes and clean her room every day.

When exactly did it change?

Lao San's wife couldn't help but think back. Was it when Dalang once secretly took the eggs reserved for Second Ya? When Daya pocketed some fabric? Or when Second Sister-in-law, pitying the frail Third Brother, secretly gave half of the fish meant for her daughter to him?

Originally, the Old Master was also angry about these things. But later, probably because Dalang was too good at flattering, or because Second Ya seemed not to care about these material things.

Just as Second Sister-in-law said, apart from writing and painting, she basically paid no attention to anything else.

Anyway, probably after a year or so, Second Ya's preferential treatment was gradually distributed to others. Room cleaning also wasn't as prompt as before.

Even the Old Master didn't say anything more.

"Before, we always thought Second Ya didn't mind. Who could have thought she actually had a scale in her heart all along!"

"That last incident was just the final straw that completely severed her thoughts..."

Sigh, Lao San's wife heaved another heavy sigh.

Even as a country woman who hadn't read many books, Lao San's wife knew.

Clothes don't wear out in a single day.

A rope isn't snapped in a single pull.

"Husband, this time Second Ya could even bear to part with her own birth parents. It seems she really has no affection left for the old Xiao family?"

She won't acknowledge them anymore!

Beside her, Xiao Lao San smacked his lips:

"Originally, she wasn't deeply attached to the family. With this incident happening earlier, isn't it natural her heart was completely severed!"

Lying sprawled on the bed like a starfish, did he regret it?

Actually, it's hard to say. After all, they, the third branch, really didn't do any of those unscrupulous things back then.

Even the two official positions obtained through the Marquis's Household benefited the eldest branch's Dalang and the second branch's Third Brother.

As for standing by and doing nothing before, even her own birth parents acted that way, what could a paternal uncle from a separate branch do?

It's just thinking about the present, it's somewhat distressing!

An immortal! Who knows when this niece might truly ascend to the immortal ranks! If only... sigh!

The couple exchanged a glance, then sighed in unison again. It was Siya beside them who suddenly turned her head and said cheerfully:

"What are you sighing for, Father, Mother? Isn't the way things are now good?"

"Second Sister attained the Dao, she can fly away from here, and from now on, no one will bully our family either."

Also, that silver from the Marquis's Household before, with this turn of events, it definitely won't be taken back. The family can live well...

As for Second Sister probably not seeing them again in the future, although there's a small regret, Siya quickly came to terms with it.

Just like the books say, whether people or things, it's good to be with their own kind.

As for Second Sister's relationship with this family before, how to put it... an image suddenly appeared in Siya's mind.

A beautiful white swan trapped among a flock of ordinary, unremarkable chickens and ducks.

It must have been quite painful, right? Siya couldn't help but think.

Meanwhile, in the capital, after great effort and traveling post-haste, the items were finally delivered.

However, before the imperial desk, after reading the memorial in front of him several times, the Emperor at the head couldn't help but sneer coldly:

"Lacking ambition, all they do all day are these deceptive tricks!"

But after a moment, he still spoke:

"Zhou Si, you go. Investigate for me this Sifang County, just what kind of 'master' is pretending to be a god or ghost there!"