SPMT : Chapter 70: Matters of the Second Family

“Mother, how are things going with the second family?” Xiao Muhong asked eagerly as he saw Liu Xian return.

“Xiao Jingting and Xiao Qingyan are at odds. Xiao Jinfeng completely stands with Xiao Jingting’s side. However, Xiao Jinfeng isn’t taken seriously, and whichever side he’s on doesn’t have much influence on Xiao Linfeng and Wang Lu,” Liu Xian reported.

“I see.”

“Today’s performance revealed some sparks. That idiot Xiao Jingting probably knows I schemed against him before. He intentionally gave him problematic land, exposing it in front of Xiao Linfeng and Wang Lu. Wang Lu’s look was as if she wanted to skin me alive.” That brat even took advantage of the situation to extort her, two thousand taels of silver. Liu Xian didn’t think much of the money; the problem was losing face.

Liu Xian gripped her handkerchief, thinking about how Wang Lu might hold a grudge now. That woman was ruthless. Who knows how she might trouble her in the future? It’s a pity that the rogue didn’t die after falling off the cliff. Such a disaster will haunt them for a thousand years.

“If only, back then, I had completely eliminated Xiao Jingting,” Xiao Muhong said gloomily.

Recently, Xiao Muhong had seen Xiao Jingting a few times and felt like he had transformed completely. Xiao Muhong felt that the person who posed the greatest threat to him now wasn’t Xiao Qingyan but Xiao Jingting.

Liu Xian nodded and said, “Yes! It’s a pity. If I hadn’t underestimated that kid back then and kept a closer eye on him…”

That guy Xiao Jingting was even willing to sell the spiritual treasures. If she had kept a closer eye on him and intercepted the items, her son might have already reached the sixth level of Qi cultivation… It’s too late to regret now, but thankfully, the items didn’t end up in Xiao Qingyan’s hands.

“Mother, today Xiao Jingting spent over ten thousand buying a spiritual tool. They say its main function is to protect the owner. If he encounters trouble, he can hide in the spiritual tower, and everything will be fine,” Xiao Muhong said with some jealousy and disdain.

Liu Xian ground her teeth and said, “That brat used to be the biggest fan of reveling in the brothels. I don’t know how, but he’s actually making progress now.”

Xiao Muhong nodded and said, “Yes! After Xiao Jingting made progress, it seems like he’s become more cunning.”

“What about your wife?” Liu Xian asked.

“She’s cultivating,” Xiao Muhong said. Ever since Xiao Jingting came back, he felt that the relationship between him and his wife, Sun Miaomiao, had become much more distant.

…

Xiao Jingting looked at the land deeds and the spiritual tower in front of him and said, “My parents are incredibly biased.” Fortunately, the original host wasn’t the least favored one.

Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “Yes!” Xiao Jingting got ten acres of top-grade land, twenty acres of medium-grade, and thirty acres of low-grade land, totaling sixty acres. Xiao Jinfeng got half of Xiao Jingting’s land, and Xiao Qingyan got twice as much as Xiao Jingting.

Xiao Linfeng and Wang Lu were both spiritual plant cultivators. With their skills, they would likely have a good harvest after a year, but at their level, the resources they needed weren’t something they could simply buy with money.

In this world, people could cultivate, and their physical quality was much better than that of Earth’s people. However, their lifespan was similar to Earth’s people. A cultivator at the ninth level of Qi cultivation could live to over a hundred years old at most, and those who reached the Foundation Building stage could live up to two hundred years.

In order to live longer, some talented cultivators wouldn’t be content with mediocrity. Xiao Linfeng and Wang Lu were no exceptions. Many times, they were out seeking opportunities.

“It’s good that Second Brother doesn’t mind,” Xiao Jingting said.

Xu Mu’an lowered his head, thinking: Does Xiao Jinfeng really not mind, or is he just disheartened? It’s hard to say.

“How is Xiaofan?”

“The little firebird got injured, and Xiaofan is feeling a bit unwell. He’s taking care of her,” Xu Mu’an replied.

Xiao Jingting shook his head and said, “Xiaofan and Yue Rong aren’t compatible. If they stay together, they’ll definitely cause trouble sooner or later.”

Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “We’ve got the land, let’s move out quickly.”

“I’m thinking the same thing. Once we start working, earning ten thousand taels a month is no joke.” Leaving those two brats at the Xiao family is like leaving two ticking time bombs at home.

Xiao Jingting toyed with the spiritual tower in his hand and looked at Xu Mu’an. “Mu’an, do you think it was right or wrong for me to buy this spiritual tower?”

Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “Of course it was right.”

“Why do you say that?” Xiao Jingting asked.

“It can divert attention. A high-grade spiritual tool can have many undeveloped functions. If you farm better than others, it won’t seem strange,” Xu Mu’an explained.

Xiao Jingting looked at Xu Mu’an, thinking: Xu Mu’an is indeed sharp-minded. His jade pendant’s space must not be exposed. Xiao Jingting estimated that he could survive the crisis largely because of that jade pendant. It surely has other uses, but he doesn’t know yet.

“The wife, you’re really clever,” Xiao Jingting said.

Xu Mu’an smiled faintly and said, “By the way, I’ve sorted through some of the books in your room. Some were rare editions, and I managed to sell them for six hundred taels of silver in total. It’s not as much as ten thousand, but it’s better than nothing.”

“Thank you for your hard work and attention…” Xiao Jingting knew very well that the books Xu Mu’an had dealt with were the original owner’s erotic collections. Damn it, erotic books are actually worth so much in this damn world.

“I’ve organized some useful books for you. You can take a look when you have time,” Xu Mu’an said.

Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “Okay.”

…

In Xiao Qingyan’s separate courtyard, Xiao Yuerong was angrily making a scene.

“I won’t accept it! I won’t accept it! You said you’d teach that damn kid a lesson, but he’s still causing no trouble!” Xiao Yuerong was rolling on the ground in frustration.

Zheng Peier looked at the stubborn Xiao Yuerong, feeling gloomy. Thinking of how Xiao Jingting mercilessly insulted her, Zheng Peier felt furious. Xiao Qingyan only cared about spiritual treasures and didn’t even speak up when she was humiliated.

“Mother, buy me a flying bird. Even the dumb kids have one. They look so majestic riding it, and I can’t even compare!” Xiao Yuerong stood up and said.

Zheng Peier nodded and said, “Okay, I’ll buy one for you.”

“I really don’t understand what Third Uncle sees in that dumb kid. Mother, do you know? The dumb kid likes to eat garlic and stinky tofu. He smells so bad, and he even bit me when he jumped on me.” Xiao Yuerong rubbed her chubby arms with disdain.

Zheng Peier squinted. Xiao Jingting is indeed strange. He used to not care about that stupid son at all! Now, he’s protecting him like a treasure. As for that Xiao Xiaofan, he seems precocious. He entered the second level of Qi cultivation earlier than their eldest son, Xiao Yuefeng. He might pose a threat to their son in the future.

After sending Xiao Yuerong away, Zheng Peier walked into the house and looked at Xiao Qingyan.

Xiao Qingyan was drinking heavily, full of frustration.

“What’s wrong? Your complexion is so terrible. Your parents are still the most supportive of you. They didn’t give your brothers much more land than they gave you,” Zheng Peier said.

“They gave me more, but they gave quite a bit to Second Brother too!”

In the past, the pocket money father gave to the second brother was just a fraction of his own. Xiao Jingting could accept that, but Xiao Jinfeng also got quite a bit of land. Although it wasn’t much compared to his own share, Xiao Jinfeng was nothing special. Now he’s constantly opposing him. Thinking about how he missed a chance with an advanced spiritual plant that might have propelled him to success, Xiao Qingyan felt particularly uncomfortable.

…

Wang Lu sat in front of the dressing table, letting out a sigh.

Seeing Wang Lu like this, Xiao Linfeng asked, “What’s wrong? Feeling down?”

“I didn’t expect the second and third sons to also reach the fifth level,” Wang Lu said.

Xiao Linfeng smiled and said, “Isn’t it good that our sons are successful? Are you hoping they won’t amount to anything?”

Wang Lu forced a smile and replied, “Of course, I hope our sons succeed. It’s just that the three brothers don’t seem to unite against external threats. They can’t even stand each other, and it might cause trouble internally.”

Xiao Linfeng sighed, “Before, the relationship between the eldest and second sons was okay, but the relationship with the third son was very strained. Now that they’re back, the relationship between the second and third sons is surprisingly solid, but with the eldest son…”

Wang Lu nodded in agreement. She had thoroughly investigated what happened at home after returning.

“The second son was expelled from the mercenary group and was unfairly treated. The eldest son didn’t intervene, so the second son probably holds a grudge against him,” Wang Lu said.

Xiao Linfeng sighed helplessly. “Although the eldest son’s actions were inappropriate, the second son also holds a grudge. Let’s not even mention other matters. He even sold off the precious resources, unwilling to share with his own brothers.”

“They’re already sold off. We probably can’t get them back. The situation with the third son wasn’t great at that time either. If we didn’t sell, we might offend the Hou Mansion. It’s all because of that despicable person, Liu Xian. She acted submissive in front of me, but as soon as I got into trouble, she revealed her true colors. The land she gave to the third son was biased and remote. There might even be demonic beasts there. If it weren’t for the third son’s luck, he might have lost his life,” Wang Lu said through gritted teeth.

Xiao Linfeng’s expression also turned grave. Although he hadn’t been on the best terms with his eldest brother, Xiao Chengfeng, he always felt they could get along on the surface. This time, upon learning about Xiao Chengfeng’s actions, Xiao Linfeng felt a chill in his heart.

“Third brother was kicked out with nothing, second brother’s reputation was tarnished and he was expelled from the family. It’s all because of your so-called good eldest brother and sister-in-law. Even when the eldest brother was ostracized in the academy, it’s likely because of your two elder brothers and sister-in-law’s actions,” Wang Lu said indignantly.

Xiao Linfeng nodded and said, “Elder brother, sister-in-law, indeed, went too far.”

…

Xiao Fan was rolling around excitedly on the bed, and Xiao Dong, watching him, pursed his lips. “What’s got you so excited?”

“Brother, we’re going to move out soon!” Xiao Fan exclaimed with excitement.

Xiao Dong nodded and said, “Yes, indeed.” If they moved out, Xiao Fan wouldn’t be able to eat a bunch of garlic every day due to lack of security.

Xiao Dong scratched his head in distress. Why was there only one bed in the room, and why did he have to sleep with Xiao Fan? Xiao Fan, this jerk, loved to steal the blanket, stick his stinky feet near his face, and grind his teeth. What’s worse, he loved to eat smelly things, making the whole bed smell. It was really frustrating.

“Brother, aren’t you going to sleep next to me?” Xiao Fan asked.

Xiao Dong shook his head and said, “I’ll sleep on the other side.”

Xiao Fan didn’t insist and soon started snoring softly.

Xiao Dong, feeling annoyed, moved Xiao Fan’s foot away from his face. He thought to himself, “This little brat has a big heart. He’s already snoring peacefully.”