Scourge Messenger

Chapter 125 The Merchant's Adopted Daughter
"Miss, ma'am!"

Shang Xinlei impatiently pulled the blanket over herself, but it was immediately pulled off: "Miss, wake up! You can't sleep anymore!"

"Ok?"

Shang Xinlei rubbed her eyes and got out of bed. She stared at her maid for a while, then suddenly realized something and instantly came to her senses: "What time is it now?"

"It's already past 9 AM!" the maid said anxiously. "Master is calling you over. Hurry up and wash up; we can't keep him waiting!"

Shang Xinlei hurriedly changed her clothes and washed up, secretly complaining about how she had fallen asleep.

Yes, after returning from the Thieves' House last night, Shang Xinlei sat on the bed while changing her clothes. Then, as she changed, she was left with only her underwear and crawled into the quilt to take a nap.

So many things had happened—her father was injured, the palace was robbed, and the entire city of Jiangnan was in chaos. No one who knew the inside story could sleep, yet she was able to sleep soundly, carefree and without a worry in the world.

Perhaps because they knew the path ahead, they felt no worry even if the world outside collapsed.

When Shang Xinlei arrived at the study, she found that not only was her third brother Shang Qia there, but also a tiger-faced girl named Qian Gongyu sitting next to her, yawning and looking tired.

Upon seeing her, Qian Gongyu stood up excitedly, her round animal ears growing larger, making her look like a cat that hadn't seen its owner in a long time. She wanted to hug Shang Xinlei and meow, but luckily she knew there were other people there. Suppressing her restless feelings, she sat back down and waved her paws vigorously at Shang Xinlei, her face full of joy.

"Xinlei, you got up a little late today."

After a turbulent night, the first thing Shang Xuanwen said to his daughter was to criticize her for her irregular sleep schedule. But considering Shang Xuanwen's character, no one was surprised.

Shang Xinlei noticed that although her father looked unwell, he was full of energy and had no obvious injuries. She breathed a sigh of relief – she had overestimated Black Wolf and White Fox. Sure enough, her father was capable of handling both of them.

"Where did you go last night? Do you know that the young master of the Qian family secretly ran away from Shuiyue Pavilion and searched for you all night in Jiangnan City? You came back without saying a word, making everyone look for you for a long time."

Shang Xinlei was startled and turned to glance at Qian Gongyu, who was dozing off. Upon hearing that she was being talked about, Qian Gongyu immediately broke into a big smile, as if she were very proud. This made Shang Xinlei wonder for the first time whether it was a mistake to be friends with such an idiot.

Shang Xinlei originally didn't want to reveal her whereabouts, planning to complete the mission quietly and return home without anyone noticing.

Now things are even worse. Not only did her father discover that she went out late at night, but Qian Gongyu also committed the crime of escaping from prison because she ran away to look for her. Her crime is compounded, and she doesn't know how her father will punish her.

She couldn't help but recall the interactions between Jiang Shi and Qian Gongyu, both of whom issued orders using phrases like "Young Miss, move." Before, she had thought Jiang Shi was being impolite, but now she felt that this might be the correct way to use Qian Gongyu. Don't bother with social etiquette when dealing with idiots; they wouldn't understand.

Although this fool meant well but caused more trouble, he was still, after all, her fool, Shang Xinlei.

"Please don't punish Xiaoyu, Father," Shang Xinlei said calmly. "If you want to punish her, punish me first. If you punish me, you can't punish her."

Qian Gongyu and Shang Qia were taken aback and opened their mouths to say something, but Shang Xuanwen asked first, "Why?"

“Because she is my friend, I feel sorry for her when she is humiliated, I will take care of her when she is injured, and she escaped from Shuiyuexuan for my sake, so I can’t let her be punished again, otherwise I will not only feel guilty, but I may even lose this friend.” After saying this, Shang Xinlei felt much more at ease. She gazed at her father and said seriously, “I have very few friends... I don’t want to lose Xiaoyu.”

“If Father insists on punishing her, I cannot stop him, but I will rebel in my own way, such as living with her in Shuiyuexuan and sharing joys and sorrows. I will not stand by and watch my friend suffer.”

The father and daughter stared at each other, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Shang Qia wanted to say something, but after being glanced at by Shang Xuanwen, he could only sigh and shut his mouth.

"No reward without merit; that's the rule of merchants." Shang Xuanwen asked, "What are you prepared to give in return—"

“I am not making this request to you, Prime Minister, as your subordinate,” Shang Xinlei interrupted him, “I am making this request to you, Father, as your daughter.”

“Father, I have made my stance clear, but if you still disregard my thoughts and insist on going your own way... I will hate you.”

Shang Qia sensed something was wrong and quickly tried to smooth things over: "Xin Lei, how could you talk to your father like that? Quickly apologize."

"I don't admit I'm wrong, it's Father who's wrong!" Shang Xinlei said stubbornly.

Although both she and Yan Qing believed that their father loved his children, Shang Xinlei still felt uncertain when the time came for them to confront each other. What if her father couldn't tolerate his daughter's rebellion? What if he couldn't swallow his pride and refused to admit his mistakes? He was, after all, the Prime Minister of Liang and the head of the Shang family. People only flattered him; no one dared to show him any respect. He had held power for too long, and perhaps he had been tamed by it into a political creature.

Despite the thorns in her path, Shang Xinlei was determined to go all out. She didn't want to be a child forever; she had grown up. Even if the road ahead was fraught with difficulties, even if there were storms and tempests, she had to face them. That's what growing up is all about.

However, what awaited her was not wind and rain, but an embrace that was about to ride on her face.

"Waaaaah—" Qian Gongyu, sobbing uncontrollably, rushed over and hugged Shang Xinlei like a spider. Her face was covered in snot and tears, and her voice was trembling with sobs: "Xinlei, I, I, you are the best person to me in this life besides my father! You are my best friend!"

Upon seeing Qian Gongyu like this, Shang Xinlei's first reaction was to let Yan Qing see it too, and then ask him if she looked even more beautiful when she cried.

She shook her head to dismiss the pointless thought, pushed the tiger-faced girl aside, and asked with a smile, "What about Jiang Shi?"

"Jiang Shi... Jiang Shi is my best friend, just like you!"

"So easily fooled! I only said some things that weren't worth the money, while Jiang Shi brought you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. How can I be ranked alongside her?" Shang Xinlei ruffled Qian Gongyu's hair, thinking that without her protection, this silly tiger might even be swindled out of the legendary token. She turned to Shang Xuanwen: "Father, what's your answer?"

“Heart Tears,” Qian Gongyu offered to explain, “Actually, my uncle told me last night that he wouldn’t pursue the matter of me escaping from Shuiyuexuan. You’ve misunderstood him.”

Shang Xinlei was taken aback and looked at her father with some surprise.

“Last night I first encountered the rebels of Taihu Lake, and almost all of my guards were killed. Then I encountered bandits. Fortunately, the young master of the Qian family passed by and helped me, which allowed me to hold out until Qia’er brought people over. If it weren’t for the young master of the Qian family, I would probably already be in the underworld.” Shang Xuanwen said calmly, “Although merits and demerits cannot offset each other… last night’s situation was unusual and can be understood.”

Last night, the situation was so dangerous that I almost died without Xiaoyu's help.
Shang Xinlei felt a wave of fear wash over her, followed by deep remorse. Without the intelligence she provided, Black Wolf and White Fox would never have been able to ambush Shang Xuanwen, let alone plan their tactics in advance regarding Shang Xuanwen's keepsake... She thought her father would at most escape unscathed, but things don't always go as planned.

Just as the emperor would have a Foundation Establishment Messenger by his side, just as the father was ambushed twice in one night, just as the secret vault is easy to enter but difficult to leave.

She should pay the price for her arrogance.

After a moment of silence, Shang Xinlei took out a pair of orange-glowing flying rings from her storage ring and placed them on the desk amidst everyone's surprised gazes. "I hope to clear Xiaoyu's name and spare her imprisonment. These are legendary flying rings I obtained from the Mansu Forest, and I am willing to offer them to the family." After saying this, Shang Xinlei immediately reached out and covered Qian Gongyu's mouth, taking away her right to speak.

"You want to use this token to exchange for the freedom of the young master of the Qian family?" Shang Xuanwen asked.

"No, whether Father agrees or not, the Legendary Flying Ring will be donated to the family as compensation for my failure to rescue Father in time last night and for causing everyone to seek my help," Shang Xinlei said. "The family has nurtured me for many years, and I should repay them."

At this point, even Shang Qia couldn't say much more. But he vaguely sensed that his sister seemed to have changed a lot, almost like a different person. It was as if she had resolved her inner conflicts, dared to talk back to her father, dared to express her thoughts loudly, and had become much more cheerful. What could have happened to cause such a big change?

The answer came almost instantly after the discussion: love!
But my sister doesn't know any young talents, and she went to the thieves' house last night... could it be...?

“Since you are so kind, Xinlei, I will accept it.” Shang Xuanwen paused, then said, “The Left Cavalry Guard has already tracked down Lin Yuan, a suspect in the Luo Weijin case. Regardless of whether he is alive or dead, as long as the murderer is found and there is no evidence that the young master of the Qian family instigated him, the young master of the Qian family will be released without charge and will receive a certain amount of spirit jade as compensation based on the length of her detention. The young master of the Qian family can be exonerated in as little as a week.”

What, you agreed to that?
Shang Xinlei and Qian Gongyu perked up, exchanged a glance, and bowed to Shang Xuanwen together. Although freedom alone was not enough, since Qian Gongyu possessed a powerful treasure that would inevitably attract the covetous eyes of various forces, Shang Xinlei planned to handle this herself; she couldn't rely on her family for everything.

"In addition, I have a suggestion."

Shang Xuanwen looked at the tiger-faced girl and asked earnestly, "Given that the young master of the Qian family is still young and has no elders to take care of him, and considering that the life-saving grace cannot be left unreturned..."

Qian Gongyu wiped her face with her sleeve and quickly said, "Actually, I wasn't much of a help. Uncle, you're too kind."

"Let me finish." Shang Xuanwen raised his voice slightly, causing everyone in the study to stand up straight instantly, listening attentively to their teacher's instruction like students. "Once you, young master of the Qian family, are exonerated, I hope to take you as my goddaughter."

Shang Qia and Shang Xinlei stared wide-eyed, while Qian Gongyu asked blankly, "Adopted daughter?"

"It will be officially announced within the family. Although you will not change your surname, you will still enjoy all the benefits of the Shang family's main lineage, and you will be treated with respect as a member of the Shang family when you are outside." Shang Xuanwen took a sip of tea and said, "As for your legendary token, I, on behalf of the Shang family, would like to borrow it from you for a year. Of course, this matter is subject to your personal wishes. Even if you are unwilling, as my adopted daughter, no one will dare to take your token away."

Shang Xinlei looked at Qian Gongyu, pursing her lips without saying a word. This was a matter of great importance, and even she wasn't qualified to make a decision on behalf of Benlaohu. Joining the Shang family meant shared prosperity and shared ruin; such matters required mutual consent, otherwise, things wouldn't be as good.

Qian Gongyu pondered for a moment and asked, "Should I wear a blue belt or a vermilion belt from now on?"

"Either is fine; you are qualified to wear the merchant's red belt."

"Then I agree!" Qian Gongyu said excitedly, "I can wear the red belt and be family with Xinlei, Uncle, I agree!"

The merchant siblings' lips twitched; they never expected that the key factor influencing Qian Gongyu's decision would be being able to wear the vermilion belt.

Shang Xuanwen tapped the table: "In that case, you should now call me godfather."

"Godfather!" Qian Gongyu felt no psychological pressure.

"Gong Yu, as a gift, you can choose one of these." Shang Xuanwen changed his form of address and handed her a slip of paper. Qian Gong Yu glanced at it and said, "I want the second one!"

"it is good."

Shang Xuanwen stood up. "I have other things to do. You can talk to Gong Yu slowly. As for this..." He glanced at the legendary flying ring on the desk: "You are the only flying ring messenger in the family. Consider it a loan from the family to you for temporary use. If you make another mistake, you will not be forgiven lightly."

After saying that, Shang Xuanwen strode out of the study, leaving them inside.

Shang Xinlei remained in a daze for a long time, feeling as if she were dreaming.

She was truly prepared to hand over the legendary flying ring, but she never expected that her father would accept it and then return it to her. Although it was ostensibly just a temporary loan from the family, her father could have easily negotiated with other families to exchange the legendary token for more useful resources... He accepted Shang Xinlei's apology, but at the same time, he didn't make his daughter pay any price.

If there were still clues to Shang Xinlei's arrangements, then Qian Gongyu's situation completely baffled everyone.

Not only did her father not pursue the matter of Qian Gongyu acting on her own initiative, but he also tried his best to clear her name and even offered to take her in as his goddaughter to protect her.

Isn't it said that making mistakes is worse than making merits?
Doesn't he always give someone a good kick first?

Why is he suddenly being so anthropomorphic today? He's never been this good to his own children.

Shang Xinlei's heart skipped a beat. She turned to look at the beaming Qian Gongyu, and a bold guess popped into her mind: Could it be that her father really has an illegitimate daughter...?

"Heartache!" Qian Gongyu hugged her arm and shook it back and forth: "We're family from now on!"

"Xiaoyu, what gift did you choose?" Shang Xinlei couldn't help but complain, "You should at least have discussed it with me first."

"Don't worry, you'll definitely be satisfied!" Qian Gongyu smiled. "Because I chose the manual on the circulation of secret techniques, we can learn together!"

Shang Xinlei blinked, then stretched out her finger and poked the character "王" (king) hard on Qian Gongyu's forehead.

"You're choosing a gift for yourself, why are you considering me? Don't you have any secret manuals to learn directly?"

"Yes, but Xinlei, didn't you say I'm getting fatter? With the study book, I can exercise along with you, and we can learn together, which is much better than the secret manual..."

"Ugh, you're so stupid!"

He had originally intended to discuss his father's actions with them, but seeing his sister and stepsister enjoying each other's company, he smiled and felt it was unnecessary.

“I’m going with my father to see the wounded. Xinlei, why don’t you show Gongyu around the house?” He smiled and said, “Gongyu, from now on, this is your home.”

“Yes!” Qian Gongyu nodded emphatically.

"Wounded?" Shang Xinlei asked, "Who's injured?"

“It’s the Rat Monk,” Shang Qia exclaimed. “He was seriously injured while protecting my father. When I arrived, I thought he was dead. I didn’t expect him to still be breathing. After a night of intensive care, he was finally brought back to life.”

(End of this chapter)