In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 221 The Fu Family of Yanzhou

"I'd rather be an official!"

A crisp sound came from behind her. Ning Xiaoxi turned her head and saw a girl of about sixteen or seventeen years old wearing a light purple robe smiling at her.

"you are?"

"I am Fu Wenyao, and Di Fei is my uncle's second brother." The young woman had a faint sadness on her face.

Ning Xiaoxi realized that the Fu family was quite quick to act. "Hello, Miss Fu."

Fu Wenyao took a few steps closer. "When my second cousin's message came back, my uncle was heartbroken, but he still remembered the kindness of Officer Ning in saving him. Today, Officer Ning has come to Yandu, and my uncle would like to invite him for a chat."

Ning Xiaoxi quickly stepped forward, "Has Lord Difei returned to his residence?"

Fu Wenyao couldn't hide the sadness on her face. "My second cousin is staying in Yingcheng. The information he gave us is that he will decide when we can return home after the Left Vice Pavilion Master arrives."

Ning Xiaoxi suddenly realized, "The Left Vice Pavilion Master is the most fair person, I believe he will definitely seek justice for Lord Difei." As she spoke, she took Fu Wenyao's hand. Oh my, this little hand is so soft. "Miss Fu, please take care of yourself. Lord Difei is aloof and peerless, he certainly wouldn't want to see his sister upset over him."

Fu Wenyao thought to herself that her eldest cousin was right; this magistrate Ning preferred to deal with women. "Thank you for your concern, Magistrate Ning." She took Ning Xiaoxi's hand in return. "If Magistrate Ning doesn't mind, you can call me Wenyao or Xiaoyao."

Ning Xiaoxi warmly pulled Fu Wenyao along, "Since Xiaoyao says so, then I won't stand on ceremony. Xiaoyao, you don't need to be so formal, just call me Xiaoxi."

Fu Wenyao's expression relaxed as well. "Xiaoxi is right. Xiaoxi and I hit it off immediately, so there's no need for formalities. Come on, let's go to my house!"

Ning Xiaoxi and Fu Wenyao walked hand in hand down the street. Fu Wenyao didn't bring up the sad things again, and introduced Ning Xiaoxi to the customs and food of Yandu City as they walked.

The two walked to the square in the center of the city, where there was a huge reservoir with shimmering water.

"This pool is the lifeblood of Yandu. As long as the water level in the pool doesn't drop, the people in the city will have no worries," Fu Wenyao explained.

The pond is surrounded by shady trees, and many Taoist masters gather around the pond to enjoy the scenery. Local people set up various food stalls nearby, doing business with the visiting Taoist masters.

Fu Wenyao pulled Ning Xiaoxi around half of the pond. The street directly opposite this location was the City Lord's Mansion, with its gate a hundred feet away.

“Look, that’s the City Lord’s Mansion, and to the east is the Prince of Yanzhou’s Mansion.” Fu Wenyao pointed to the unassuming mansion next to the City Lord’s Mansion. It looked spacious, but there weren’t many people coming and going.

White lanterns hung at the entrance of the courtyard on the west side of the city lord's mansion.

Fu Wenyao pulled Ning Xiaoxi in through a side door. "My second cousin hasn't come back yet. We've set up a mourning hall at home for now, but we haven't arranged any memorial services yet. We'll open the mourning hall when my second cousin comes back."

Ning Xiaoxi followed behind Fu Wenyao. Similar to the low-key style of the City Lord's Mansion, it had typical yellow rammed earth walls, stone-paved paths in the courtyard, and some tall trees planted with lush green shade.

There were few servants coming and going, and everyone looked sad.

Along the way, we did not see where the mourning hall that Fu Wenyao mentioned was located.

Fu Wenyao led Ning Xiaoxi directly into the main hall, where a handsome middle-aged man dressed in a Di Sha robe was sitting.

Ning Xiaoxi glanced at him and felt that Uncle Na Mei and Di Fei were very similar. It wasn't that they looked alike, but rather that they had the same aura, that almost identical cool and indifferent temperament.

Uncle Na Mei didn't wait for Fu Wenyao to speak, and stood up and took a few steps closer, saying, "Ning Shuguan."

Ning Xiaoxi was taken aback for a moment, then quickly bowed and said, "Ning Xiaoxi greets Your Excellency."

The handsome man seemed to only then realize that he was wearing the robes of a Celestial Master. "Your Excellency Ning, there's no need for such formalities. I am Wenyi's father, Di Hui Fu Yuanbo. Please forgive me for inviting you here in this manner."

Fu Wenyao bowed and withdrew.

Ning Xiaoxi lowered her head slightly, "You're too kind, sir. I've only met Lord Di Fei a few times. Now that I'm in Yandu, it's only natural that I should pay him a visit."

Upon hearing Ning Xiaoxi mention Di Fei, Fu Yuanbo's sorrowful expression deepened. "Wenyi is the pillar of the next generation of my Fu family. I don't want to be an old man who dies before his young son."

"My lord, please accept my condolences!" Ning Xiaoxi knew nothing about the Celestial Master families, let alone the background of these aristocratic families. All she saw were two Earthly Fiends. Such a family could be killed so easily. She was too insignificant to bear it.

"The message from Wenyi is that the Fu family is grateful for the three times that you, Ning, have helped them. If you ever need anything from the Fu family in the future, please don't hesitate to ask," Fu Yuanbo said sincerely, his sadness slightly diminished.

Before Ning Xiaoxi could reply, Fu Wenyao returned, carrying a small tray, and stood beside Ning Xiaoxi.

"Minister Ning, this is a jade token from my Fu family. Please accept it. As long as you are a member of the Fu family, you will unconditionally support me upon seeing this token."

Ning Xiaoxi dared not accept it. "My lord, this is not right. I only provided some help within my ability. I am not worthy of such a generous gift from you, and I dare not take credit for it. Please take it back, my lord."

"Within one's ability!" Fu Yuanbo murmured, "One must be willing to lend a hand even within one's ability!"

“Xiao Xi, this is our Fu family’s way of expressing our gratitude, all because of your generosity in helping us.” Fu Wenyao’s eyes were filled with tears. “You and my second cousin didn’t even know each other, but you were willing to risk your life to help me just out of friendship. If our Fu family doesn’t remember this kindness, we will not be able to stand firm in Yanzhou.”

Ning Xiaoxi felt heavy-hearted. Fu Wenyao's words were harsh, and Ning Xiaoxi was merely a daughter of the second branch of the Fu family. She shouldn't have said such things, or rather, she had no right to say them. Yet she did, and in front of the head of the Fu family, which meant it was the Fu family's will.

Don't they want to know if Difei gave her anything? Did Difei's last message only mention her help?

Fu Wenyao looked up at her uncle and handed the tray forward, "Xiaoxi, do you think this gift from the Fu family is too meager?"

"No, no, that's not it!" Ning Xiaoxi quickly waved her hand, looked up and saw the tear stains on Fu Wenyao's cheeks, sighed helplessly, picked up the jade pendant, "Xiaoxi would be impolite to refuse."

Fu Wenyao stopped crying and started laughing.

Fu Yuanbo seemed relieved. "Yao'er, take Ning, the subordinate official, out to play. The mansion is in a mess right now, so we won't keep the subordinate official here any longer."

Ning Xiaoxi quickly bowed and said goodbye, then left the Fu residence with Fu Wenyao.

“Xiao Yao.” Ning Xiaoxi looked at Fu Wenyao’s face and had a bad feeling.

"Bang bang bang!"

"Bang bang bang!"

The sound of orderly footsteps came from afar, and the noisy street suddenly fell silent as everyone quietly retreated to both sides of the street. The Celestial Masters looked puzzled, while the people of Yandu were filled with fear.

"The Imperial Guards are on duty; unauthorized personnel must give way!"