Calamity Messenger

Chapter 156 - 124: Shang Family Adopted Daughter (Part 2)

"Waaah—" Qian Gongyu, crying profusely, rushed over and clung to Shang Xinlei like a spider, her face a mess of tears and snot, sobbing, "Xinlei, you are the best person to me in my life, apart from my father! You are my best friend!"

Seeing Qian Gongyu like this, Shang Xinlei’s first reaction was to let Yan Qing see and ask if she cried more beautifully than she did.

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

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

So easy to deceive, I only said some harmless words, while Jiang Shi brought you a rare opportunity. How could I deserve to be compared with her... Shang Xinlei rubbed Qian Gongyu’s head, thinking that without her protection, this silly tiger would probably be tricked out of even a Legendary Token. She turned to look at Shang Xuanwen, "Father, what is your response?"

"Xinlei," Qian Gongyu took the initiative to explain: "Actually, Uncle told me last night that he wouldn’t pursue the matter of me escaping from Shuiyue Pavilion, you misunderstood him."

Shang Xinlei was stunned and looked at her father, somewhat surprised.

"Last night, I first encountered the Taihu Rebel Bandits, and almost all the guards perished. Later, I encountered thieves. Fortunately, the Young Master Qian passed by and helped, allowing me to hold on until Qia’Er brought reinforcements. Without the Young Master Qian, I might have already passed to the Underworld," Shang Xuanwen said calmly. "Although merits and mistakes can’t cancel each other out... last night’s situation was exceptional and can be forgiven."

The situation last night was so dangerous that my father nearly died without Xiaoyu’s help?

Shang Xinlei felt a wave of horror in her heart, immediately followed by deep guilt. If not for the intelligence she provided, the Black Wolf and White Fox would have never been able to ambush Shang Xuanwen, and certainly wouldn’t have been able to plan tactics in advance against Shang Xuanwen’s token... She thought her father would at most be surprised but unharmed, but life often does not go as one wishes.

Just like the Emperor who has the Foundation Establishment Messenger beside him, like how her father encountered two ambushes in one night, like how the Secret Vault is easy to enter but hard to leave.

She should pay for her self-importance.

After a moment of silence, Shang Xinlei took out a pair of Legendary Flying Rings glowing orange from the Storage Ring and placed them on the desk in front of everyone’s astonished eyes.

"I hope to clear Xiaoyu’s name and relieve her of her imprisonment sentence. These are the Legendary Flying Rings I obtained from Mansu Forest Land, and I am willing to offer them to the family," Shang Xinlei said, then directly 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 Qian?" Shang Xuanwen asked.

"No, regardless of whether you agree, Father, the Legendary Flying Rings will be offered to the family, as compensation for my night out last night. Not only did I fail to arrive in time to rescue Father, but I also troubled everyone to search for me." Shang Xinlei said, "The family has cultivated me for many years, and I should repay it."

Saying this, even Shang Qia could hardly say more. But he had a vague feeling that his sister seemed to have undergone many changes, almost like a different person, as if she had let go of something in her heart, dared to defy Father, dared to loudly express her opinions, and her whole being became cheerful. What happened that caused such a change?

Shang Qia almost instantly came to a conclusion: love!

But his sister doesn’t know any young talents, and she went to the Thief’s House last night...

"Since you have such a heart, Xinlei, as your father, I accept it." Shang Xuanwen paused and then said, "The Left Cavalry Guard has already tracked down suspect Lin Yuan of the Luo Weijin case. Regardless of life or death, as long as the culprit is found and there is no evidence of the Young Master Qian’s involvement, she can be released without charge and receive a certain compensation of Spiritual Jade for her imprisonment. In the fastest one week’s time, the Young Master Qian can be cleared of suspicion."

What, it’s agreed just like that?

Shang Xinlei and Qian Gongyu felt invigorated, exchanged glances, and bowed to Shang Xuanwen together. Although mere freedom is not enough—as Qian Gongyu carries great treasures and will surely be coveted by various forces—this is something Shang Xinlei plans to deal with herself; she can’t rely on the family for everything.

"Besides, I have a proposal."

Shang Xuanwen looked at the tiger-faced girl and seriously asked, "Considering the youth of the Young Master Qian and the lack of elder care, along with the indebtedness for saving lives..."

Qian Gongyu wiped her face with her sleeve and quickly said, "Actually, I didn’t do much, Uncle, you’re over-praising me."

"Let me finish." Shang Xuanwen’s tone slightly intensified, making everyone in the study room instantly stand upright like students listening to a teacher’s guidance, "Once you are exonerated, Young Master Qian, I wish to take you as a goddaughter."

Shang Qia and Shang Xinlei’s eyes widened, and Qian Gongyu foolishly asked, "Goddaughter?"

"It will be officially announced within the family, although your surname will not change, you will still receive all the main lineage’s benefits of the Shang Family, and outside, you will be treated as a Shang Clan Member." Shang Xuanwen took a sip of tea and said, "As for your Legendary Token, I represent the Shang Family in temporarily borrowing it for one year. Of course, this respects your personal will, and even if you are unwilling, as my goddaughter, no one will dare to snatch your token."

Shang Xinlei looked at Qian Gongyu, pursed her lips, and said nothing. This is a significant matter, even she isn’t qualified to represent the silly tiger in making the decision. Joining the Shang Family is to share both honors and losses, this type of thing must be consensual, or else it becomes unpleasant.

Qian Gongyu pondered for a moment and asked, "Then shall I wear a blue belt or a red belt in the future?"

"Either is fine, you are entitled to wear the Shang Family red belt."

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

The Shang family siblings’ mouths twitched. They never expected that the key factor influencing Qian Gongyu’s decision was the ability to wear a red belt.

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

"Godfather!" Qian Gongyu said heartily, without a qualm.

"Gongyu, as a meeting gift, you may choose one thing from it." Shang Xuanwen also changed the address, handing her a note. Qian Gongyu glanced at it and said, "I want the second one!"

"Good."

Shang Xuanwen stood up, "I have other matters to attend to; you all chat with Gongyu slowly. As for this..." He glanced at the Legendary Flying Ring on the desk, "There is only you in the family who is the Flying Circle Messenger. Just regard it as a loan from the family. If you make another mistake, punishment won’t be so light."

With that, Shang Xuanwen left the study with big strides, leaving them inside.

Shang Xinlei remained lost in thought for a long time, feeling like she was in a dream.

She really prepared herself mentally to hand over the Legendary Flying Ring, never expecting her father to accept it and then return it to her. Although officially it was just the family temporarily borrowing it, her father could completely communicate with other families to exchange the Legendary Token for more useful resources... He accepted Shang Xinlei’s apology and didn’t make her pay any price.

If there was still some traceable reasoning in the arrangement for Shang Xinlei, Qian Gongyu thoroughly confused everyone.

Her father not only did not hold Qian Gongyu accountable for her autonomy but also made every effort to clear her name, even willing to take her in as his goddaughter to protect her?

Isn’t it said that accomplishing merits is less valuable than correcting mistakes?

Before giving people benefits, doesn’t he usually hit them with a stick first?

Why suddenly so human today? He has never been this kind to his children.

Shang Xinlei’s heart stirred, she turned to look at the jubilant Qian Gongyu, and a bold thought popped up in her mind: Could it be that Father really has an illegitimate daughter...

"Xinlei!" Qian Gongyu shook her arm back and forth, "We’re family from now on!"

"Xiaoyu, what meeting gift did you choose?" Shang Xinlei said, unable to help but complain, "You should at least discuss it with me."

"Don’t worry, you’ll definitely be satisfied!" Qian Gongyu smiled joyfully, "Because I chose the textbook of Secret Technique Circulation, we can learn together!"

Shang Xinlei blinked and then reached out with her finger, poking hard at the ’king’ character on Qian Gongyu’s forehead.

"You were supposed to choose a meeting gift for yourself, why consider me? Isn’t there a direct Secret Technique Book?"

"There is, but didn’t you say I was getting fatter, Xinlei? With a textbook, I can exercise along with it, and we can learn together, it’s much better than a Secret Technique Book..."

"Ahhh, you’re so stupid!"

Originally, Shang Qia wanted to discuss Father’s actions with them, but seeing his sister and foster sister happily together, he smiled and felt it unnecessary.

"I’m going with Father to check on the wounded, Xinlei you take Gongyu around the house." He smiled, "Gongyu, from now on, this is your home."

"Mm!" Qian Gongyu nodded heavily.

"The wounded?" Shang Xinlei asked, "Who got hurt?"

"It’s the Mouse Monk." Shang Qia sighed, "He was severely injured protecting Father. When I arrived, I thought he was already dead; unexpectedly, there was still breath left, and after resuscitating all night, we finally brought him back."