Xie Jiang merely hummed in response, her expression unreadable.
Any weapon, once brought out, had its value. Since she dared to use it, she wasn't afraid of others discovering it.
Xu Hengyan did ask if she had a powerful crossbow, and upon receiving an affirmative answer, he asked no further questions.
"Cao Mian was so excited he was practically beside himself, insisting on seeing you, Young Master Xie, to look at the weapon. I stopped him, and managed to trick him into returning to Jingping first."
His trip here, besides wanting to see Young Master Xie and ease his longing, was primarily to claim credit.
Xie Jiang curiously asked, "What do you mean, 'practically beside himself'? Did he almost die on the spot?"
Recalling Cao Mian's frenzied state at the time, Ruan Zijí nodded, "Something like that. His mind was completely unclear, and he was muttering incoherently..."
"However, even though I sent Cao Mian back to Jingping, he'll definitely tell my second uncle about this. Once my second uncle knows, he might have to personally travel to Ninghe to find you, Young Master Xie. I'm here to give you a heads-up, so you can prepare yourself."
Xie Jiang replied nonchalantly, "What preparation do I need? Will your second uncle eat people? The last one who tried was reduced to ashes."
Ruan Zijí said, "My second uncle doesn't eat people, but he's interested in the weapon you have. He'll definitely want to see it."
Indeed, a few days later, news spread that the Ruan family's second master, Ruan Lizhi, had arrived. The reason for "news spreading" was that Ruan Lizhi hadn't come directly to Ninghe.
Ruan Lizhi went straight to the site where the Yellow Orchid Mountain bandits were annihilated to observe.
Xie Jiang's subordinates had left after eliminating the bandits, not even taking any of the spoils.
The people of Yongfeng Stockade happily packed up all the bandits' belongings and returned to Yongfeng Stockade.
The remains of nearly ten thousand bandits, their limbs scattered, were left unattended. Who among these beasts would care if they were properly buried?
The birds and beasts that used to frequent the mountains dared not approach the bandit camp. These past few days, they had feasted to their hearts' content.
It was just a pity that too many corpses were scorched and burnt, the smell too strong to be palatable.
The next morning, as Xie Jiang woke up, she heard that the Ruan family's second master had arrived.
"If it weren't for Young Master Ruan holding him back, that Second Master Ruan would have barged in and dragged you out of bed, Young Master..."
Aunt He was extremely displeased with the Second Master Ruan. How could he be so ill-mannered on his first visit!
Having slept soundly, Xie Jiang was accommodating, "He hasn't seen a weapon with such devastating power before, so his eagerness is understandable."
Aunt He said disdainfully, "In the vast Da Yu Dynasty, there's nothing here and nothing there..."
However, Lan Yong also had nothing originally. It was only after the Young Master appeared that Lan Yong began to undergo earth-shattering changes.
It was still her Young Master who was the most remarkable.
The more Aunt He thought about it, the prouter she became, her eyes growing higher and higher, almost exceeding her hairline.
Xie Jiang calmly finished her morning ablutions, contemplating whether to eat breakfast first, when she saw Nie Tong running in from outside.
Nie Tong frowned, "Young Master, Second Master Ruan is using the excuse of being restless to ask to tour the garden. Isn't it obvious he wants to search?"
Xie Jiang took a turn and walked towards the dining hall next door, "Since Second Master Ruan is so busy, I'll eat breakfast first. Let him wander as he pleases."
Nie Tong said, "Steward Tian is already leading Second Master Ruan on a tour."
Let's see what Second Master Ruan could find. There was nothing in this mansion.
The mansion wasn't large. After Xie Jiang finished breakfast and arrived at the front reception hall, Ruan Lizhi had already toured the entire Xie residence, finding not a single hair out of place.
Hearing Nie Tong's reminder, Xie Jiang glanced back outside. She saw Tian Kangtai accompanying several people, walking towards the reception hall.
The middle-aged man walking at the front, with his imposing and sturdy physique, was impossible to ignore. This person was most likely Ruan Lizhi.
Xie Jiang had no intention of going out to greet him. She walked in and sat down in the main seat.
When Ruan Lizhi saw Xie Jiang turn and sit down, his eyes widened, and he let out a "hiss."
This brat was so arrogant. He clearly saw him approaching, yet he turned and went inside to sit down.
He expected Ruan Lizhi to come and pay his respects?
The rumors were indeed true.
However, Ruan Lizhi was not someone who dwelled on such minor details. This brat didn't even look as old as his nephew Ruan Zijí. How could he bicker with a child?
"Young Master Xie."
Ruan Zijí rushed into the reception hall a few steps ahead, introducing his uncle and Xie Jiang to each other.
"Young Master Xie, this is my second uncle."
"Second uncle, this is Young Master Xie."
He also introduced the person following Ruan Lizhi, "This is Cao Mian."
"I can see that. You're just as the rumors say."
Ruan Lizhi entered the reception hall and took a seat himself. After all, he couldn't stand while the young master surnamed Xie was seated.
"You're quite something, brat. So impolite. Hahahaha..."
Ruan Lizhi was extremely burly and tall, his build comparable to Big Hammer's. He looked at Xie Jiang seated in the main seat and chuckled, appearing honest and magnanimous.
Xie Jiang did not return his smile, maintaining her unapproachable demeanor, "How could I compare to Second Master Ruan? Not only did you arrive uninvited early in the morning, but you also ransacked my entire Xie residence. Is Second Master Ruan here to confiscate my property under imperial decree?"
"There's no confiscation, but it is true that I have an imperial decree. I just didn't get here in time. You小子 were too fast. How many good things do you have, brat? Hurry up and show them to me."
Ruan Lizhi stated his purpose directly, showing no intention of beating around the bush.
Ruan Zijí quickly explained to Xie Jiang, "Young Master Xie, please don't misunderstand. My second uncle is just impatient. I guarantee he has absolutely no ill intentions."
Ruan Zijí also felt his second uncle was being a bit excessive. When visiting, one should have the decorum of a visitor. How could one search through someone's entire residence? It was thanks to him that Young Master Xie didn't shut the door and beat his uncle to death, showing affection for his sake.
Xie Jiang sneered, "If my second uncle had ill intentions, would he still be sitting here so peacefully?"
Ruan Lizhi had just picked up the cooled tea cup to his lips. Before it even touched his mouth, upon hearing this, he immediately put down the tea cup in his hand.
Ruan Lizhi's pair of bell-like eyes suddenly shone with a brilliant light as he gazed at Xie Jiang.
"If I had ill intentions, what would you do, brat? Would you try to fight me with your weapons?"
Ruan Lizhi slapped his thigh, "Then I do have ill intentions, very strong ill intentions. Hurry up and bring out all your weapons..."
Ruan Zijí looked at his second uncle, utterly speechless...
Xie Jiang looked at Ruan Zijí, "Are you sure this is your second uncle?"
Ruan Zijí nodded awkwardly, "Yes, yes, I think so..."
Xie Jiang asked again, "Your biological one?"
"Biological."
Seeing Xie Jiang's gaze shifting between the two of them and not hiding her expression, Ruan Zijí immediately understood what Xie Jiang was thinking.
"I take after my mother in appearance, and my cousin takes after my second aunt."
Xie Jiang hummed and nodded, "Changing genes relies entirely on marrying a wife."
Ruan Lizhi's naturally honest and simple-minded demeanor, the more Xie Jiang looked at him, the more familiar he seemed. Xie Jiang suspected Ruan Lizhi was a long-lost relative of Big Hammer.
In contrast, Ruan Zijí was refined in features, his appearance impeccable. If they hadn't said anything themselves, who would have guessed they were uncle and nephew?
Ruan Lizhi couldn't wait any longer, "What are you two mumbling about? Xie Jiang, brat, are you going to fight or not? Don't just talk big!"