Chapter 76: Mirror Siblings

“……”

Liu Shen was not surprised to see Feng Jun and Ning Hongwu enter the room, but their words struck a chord in his heart.

“Don’t be in such a hurry to thank us,” Feng Jun said with a smile, seeing Liu Shen’s demeanor. “Now that our second-in-command has entered the Fifth Realm, he’s considered a formidable figure even in an entire prefecture, and with Heyang County now unified under our Green Sand Gang, it’s time we set our sights further afield.”

“Xiyang County borders Heyang,” Ning Hongwu added with a grin. “The Thousand Leaf Gang was once on good terms with the Redwater Gang and has always had some friction with us. Now, with your personal grudge involved, it’s the perfect chance to settle old scores and new!”

“Excellent, excellent, excellent!” Liu Shen could barely contain his joy, repeating himself three times before composing his expression. “Once I’ve recovered, I’m willing to serve as the vanguard for the Green Sand Gang!”

“We’ll discuss it after you’ve healed,” Ning Hongwu replied, waving a hand to show there was no rush. Then, raising his brows, he exchanged a meaningful look with Ning Sanniang and asked with a sly smile, “Well, what do you think?”

“What do I think about what?” Ning Sanniang turned away, pretending not to understand, her expression innocent.

She thought of Liu Shen’s Pure Yang physique, then recalled the widowed Mrs. Song who had barged in last night, and gave her elder brother a significant look. “There’s still some residual poison in Liu Shen’s body. I can’t stay here every day. Brother, arrange for Liu Shen to be brought back to the main hall to recover.”

Ning Hongwu just grinned and nodded in response. He said nothing, but his meaning was clear.

The siblings had depended on each other since childhood; as her elder brother, how could he not see through his sister’s little schemes?

Liu Shen, the subject of their exchange, looked on in confusion. He could sense that the Ning siblings’ secret communication concerned him, but it was awkward to ask directly what it was about.

It was a strange feeling—he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.

After a few whispered words with Feng Jun, Ning Hongwu saw Feng Jun nod and leave to prepare a carriage. He called in a few gang members and explained the situation to old Dr. Zhang, requesting a stretcher to carry the patient.

They lifted Liu Shen onto the stretcher and headed out.

“Please wait, sirs, please wait!” Before they even left the rear courtyard of Tongda Hall, Yuan Xiaofei came running up, breathless, blocking the Green Sand Gang’s path.

Noticing all eyes on him, a sheen of nervous sweat broke out on his forehead.

Liu Shen frowned in puzzlement. “Xiaofei, what’s the matter?”

Yuan Xiaofei’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he stammered, “Brother Shen, Young Madam—Young Madam is coming soon.”

“She hasn’t rested yet?”

“No…”

At that moment, Pei Xueyan was making her way slowly over, supported by Xiao Yuhong.

Seeing Liu Shen awake, Pei Xueyan gazed at him, her eyes full of unspoken emotion; even the pain in her feet seemed to lessen.

Noticing Liu Shen’s confusion, a faint smile appeared on her delicate, pale face. She asked softly, “Are you feeling better?”

“I’m all right,” Liu Shen nodded lightly, flexing his fingers. “Other than feeling a bit weak, I’m fine.”

“That’s good, that’s good,” Pei Xueyan replied with a gentle smile, then turned to Ning Sanniang and the others. “Now that Liu Shen is awake, may I ask where you intend to take him?”

“Back to the main hall, of course,” Ning Hongwu replied cheerfully. “Liu Shen is one of us now. He’s badly injured and still has some residual poison in his body. My sister can’t stay here every day, so we’ve decided to bring him back to the main hall to recuperate. Old Dr. Zhang has agreed as well.”

“So, there’s still poison left…” Pei Xueyan bit her lip, glancing at Ning Sanniang. “Miss Ning, is Liu Shen’s condition serious?”

“Not particularly,” Ning Sanniang replied after some thought. “If I’m at his side to help regulate his internal energy and supplement with tonics, he should recover fully within half a month.”

Having heard Liu Shen’s account, she knew this widowed Mrs. Song was a pitiable woman, so she spoke without her usual sharpness.

Pei Xueyan sensed a subtle change in Ning Sanniang’s attitude and asked softly, “Then… may I visit him?”

“Young Madam, you—” Xiao Yuhong, supporting her, tugged at her sleeve, clearly wanting to protest but unable to speak out.

“Miss Pei, why trouble yourself further?” Ning Hongwu frowned slightly, advising, “Yesterday, I overheard the doctor say you’re completely exhausted and the skin on your feet is worn off. You need to rest for ten to fifteen days and shouldn’t be walking around.”

He paused, half amused and half exasperated. “I’m the leader of the Green Sand Gang, and Liu Shen is now a key member. We’re just taking him back to recover, not to harm him. There’s no need for you to be wary of us.”

Liu Shen’s face darkened when he heard that Pei Xueyan had overexerted herself and the skin on her feet had been worn away. Seeing her supported by Xiao Yuhong, he shot a glare at Yuan Xiaofei and Xiao Yuhong. “Did you two forget what I told you?”

Xiao Yuhong kept her head down, not daring to meet his eyes.

Yuan Xiaofei’s scalp tingled, his gaze flickering between Liu Shen and Pei Xueyan, looking utterly miserable.

“Don’t blame them, it was my choice,” Pei Xueyan interjected. Seeing the concern and reproach in Liu Shen’s eyes, her own grievances melted away.

“I’ll go back now, then…”

As she spoke, Pei Xueyan bit her lip and turned to Ning Sanniang, giving her a formal bow. “Allow me to thank you on Liu Shen’s behalf, Miss Ning. Once I’ve recovered, I’ll be sure to pay my respects in person.”

“Young Madam, let’s get you back to rest,” Xiao Yuhong urged, pulling her gently away and whispering, “Otherwise Brother Shen will really be angry…”

Pei Xueyan cast one last reluctant glance at Liu Shen, saw his darkened face, and nodded silently. Supported by Xiao Yuhong, she left.

Just as Yuan Xiaofei was about to sneak away, a voice laced with suppressed anger called from behind, “Yuan Xiaofei!”

He froze like a rabbit caught in a snare and turned around with a wry smile. “Brother Shen, you called?”

Liu Shen glared at him. “Hongmei is still a child. It’s understandable she can’t persuade Young Madam. But you—are you twelve years old too?”

“If I hear that Young Madam got out of bed before she’s healed, I’ll break your legs myself!”

“I understand, Brother Shen,” Yuan Xiaofei nearly burst into tears. “Don’t worry, even if I have to drop dead on the spot, I won’t let Young Madam set foot on the ground before she’s fully recovered!”

Liu Shen found his promise both exasperating and amusing. “Get out of here, then.”

“Right away!” Yuan Xiaofei bolted in relief.

Watching the two children’s fearful respect for Liu Shen, Ning Sanniang couldn’t help but laugh. “Why are they so afraid of you?”

“They’re my younger siblings.”

“By blood?”

“Sworn siblings,” Liu Shen explained, waving for his bearers to proceed. He muttered, “A big brother is like a father—of course little ones should be afraid of their elder brother.”

“Really?” Ning Hongwu looked around, feeling somewhat offended. “Is that how it’s supposed to be?”

“……”