Chapter Twenty-Two: Retribution Never Fails

“All right, let’s all say a little less,” Ning Bowen quickly intervened.

As the eldest brother, Ning Bowen was nearly a full decade older than his twin younger brothers. When Master Yu had sworn brotherhood with his father, Ning Jiu, Ning Bowen had already been older than Master Yu. The greatest benefit of cultivating immortality was eternal life, with the added advantage of perpetual youth; he looked to be no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight. Generally, his brothers respected him, but at this moment, the third brother was clearly enraged, roaring, “Big brother, didn’t you hear what she said?”

Ning Mofei finally spoke up, “What did Young Wei say to make you so angry, third brother?”

“It’s none of your business.” Ning Baixia, his temper flaring, refused to spare his beloved fourth brother even a kind word. His shout brought tears streaming from his brother’s eyes, and seeing this, Ning Baixia’s anger dissipated instantly. He softened his tone, “I wasn’t trying to yell at you, third brother. Don’t cry, all right?”

“You did yell at me! Yelling at Young Wei is yelling at me!”

“Fine, I apologize to you. How about I get you a jar of Uncle Chi Feng’s Spirit Monkey Brew to drink next time?”

“Three jars!” Ning Mofei’s tear-stained face was a picture of sorrow, and the way he offered four fingers while saying “three” was almost comical.

“No problem. Now wipe away those tears, or it’ll be embarrassing if others see.” As he spoke, Ning Baixia glanced—almost unconsciously—at Yu Young Wei.

Yu Young Wei appeared calm as she watched this scene, but inwardly she was struck dumb. She had expected her husband to cry like a child, but never imagined the icy-faced third brother would indulge his younger sibling to such a degree. It was simply unbelievable.

Clearing his throat, Ning Bowen said, “Sister-in-law, the bridal ship sent by the Yu family sank in the river, and there were heavy casualties among the wedding party. I’ve brought the wounded here for treatment. Your eldest uncle sent your eighth uncle to care for them, while your third uncle is delivering the dowry by land. Go meet with Master Yu Eight, and we’ll set off soon.”

If the sole purpose had been to treat the injured members of the wedding party, she should have met her family last night. Clearly, the Ning family initially suspected the attack on the bridal boat was a Yu family scheme. Only after confirming Yu had no involvement did they allow her to meet her kin. Yu Young Wei understood all this, but her face betrayed nothing, and she nodded indifferently.

“Young Wei, I’ll go with you,” Ning Mofei said, his tear marks still visible but his smile now as radiant as the sun. He was immediately stopped by his two older brothers, and his face fell.

Knowing the suspicions of Ning Bowen and Ning Baixia toward the Yu family were not yet dispelled, and fearing Ning Mofei might encounter trouble if he went, Yu Young Wei sneered inwardly, but outwardly she spoke gently, “Big brother says we must hurry, Mofei. Could you help me check if I’ve forgotten anything in the rooms?”

“All right.” Ning Mofei’s mood shifted as quickly as a summer storm, and his brothers both breathed a sigh of relief. Even Ning Baixia’s gaze toward Yu Young Wei softened.

The neighboring courtyard was also owned by the Treasure Pill Pavilion, a two-wing, five-room house with a central courtyard, meant for Ning clan members to rest. It connected to the main pavilion by a side door. When Yu Young Wei arrived, she saw soldiers guarding the gate, and each room she passed housed seven or eight people—none of whom she recognized, but from their complaints she gathered they were all members of the Yu wedding party.

“Are we prisoners here?”

“Calm down.”

“We’re just here to deliver the bride, why restrict us?”

“Master Eight said we should bear it for now.”

“That’s enough, everyone shut up!”

From a rear room, Yu Shiyu’s voice exploded with fury, silencing all complaints. Following the sound, Yu Young Wei nearly failed to recognize him: his once prominent nose was flattened, his eyes swollen like rotten peaches, lips swollen like sausages, and his face mottled with bruises and discoloration. Staring in disbelief for a moment, she burst out laughing, “Crazy second brother, karma has finally caught up with you! Who would have thought you’d end up like this!”

Yu Shiyu’s lips twitched twice, and he snapped, “You dare laugh!”

“When you threw me into the river back then, I swore I’d one day beat you into a pig’s head. But before I even got the chance, you’ve been beaten