Chapter 112: Uncle

Xue Jiaoyue was well aware of Xiao Jian’s origins. Yet, no matter how humble his mother’s background might have been, he was still a prince—a status inherently more noble than her own. It must be said that Xue Jiaoyue set great store by such hierarchies and was more than willing to debase herself before those of higher standing.

Seeing Xiao Jian looking so distressed, she felt a pang of sympathy and said softly, "It is my fault for bringing up such painful memories for Your Highness!"

The onlookers thought to themselves, *Are you really trying to comfort His Highness? You fool, His Highness didn't even write down the answer you gave him.*

Xiao Jian was, in fact, quite embarrassed. Had he known it would come to this, he would have kept his deception hidden from others. However, the charade had to continue. He gave a slight shake of his head, wearing a look of deep, sorrowful affection: "It is no matter. I am used to it."

This only made Xue Jiaoyue feel even more heartbroken. Driven by this sympathy, she declared, "I am going to find that patron! By what right does he let Xue Bazhi on board and not us? This is unfair; I must go and find him!"

If she did that, his ruse would be exposed.

Xiao Jian smiled, "Seventh Sister, you are too impatient. Since someone is manipulating things behind the scenes, what good will come of you looking for them? Let it be!"

Xue Jiaoyue pouted, thinking for a moment before saying, "Actually, I don't mind, but aren't you looking for that patron, Your Highness? Don't you have something important to discuss with them?"

Xiao Jian: "..."

At that moment, he desperately wished Xue Jiaoyue would succumb to seasickness—wasn't she prone to it? He wished she would stop standing there asking question after question.

Xiao Jian was indeed anxious. "Let us think of another way," he said.

"What way?" Xue Jiaoyue asked with concern.

Xiao Jian: "..." *Perhaps I should just knock her out and let her go get seasick.* "I haven't thought of one yet!"

"You haven't thought of one, and you aren't going to look for them?" Xue Jiaoyue was puzzled. Suddenly, as if a lightbulb had gone off, she asked, "Your Highness, did you perhaps not write down the answer I gave you?"

Xiao Jian: "..." His face darkened. "What kind of person do you take me for, Seventh Sister? Since I said I wrote it, I wrote it. Why would I not?"

It certainly looked like he was someone who couldn't be trusted. Seeing Xiao Jian displeased, Xue Jiaoyue became nervous. Desperate to make amends, she urged, "Then let us think of another way, let's think!" She racked her brain, trying to figure out how to get on the ship.

At this moment, Wang Weiwei had a sudden realization. She glanced at Xue Jiaoyue and then at Xiao Jian, saying, "Your Highness, could it be that this patron has some connection to Xue Qiniang? Otherwise, why would they choose her birthday as the significant date?"

The crowd had an epiphany and nodded in succession: "That is highly likely!"

Xiao Jian also felt the whole affair was inexplicably strange. He asked again, "Seventh Sister, do you really not know this patron? Think carefully!"

Xue Jiaoyue shook her head. "I really don't know them!" Where would she have met someone capable of building such a three-story grand vessel? If she knew such a person, would she have been living so frugally?

Seeing that Xue Jiaoyue did not appear to be lying, Xiao Jian felt deeply disappointed. He could no longer maintain his composure, staring into the distance with a slight frown. His intentions were clear: he was wondering how on earth he could get onto that ship.

Xue Jiaoyue suddenly interjected, "Perhaps the answer is just a scam. What kind of person would consider an ordinary day a 'significant' one? Why would Xue Fanzhi and the others get it right? I don't believe it. I want to see who this patron is and by what right they set such a question!"

With that, she shouted toward the grand ship, "What kind of answer is that? Bring the patron out! They must give me an explanation that convinces me!"

In truth, many people were dissatisfied with the answer. The prize was a thousand gold pieces—who wouldn't want that? Who could be satisfied with such a lame answer? With this sentiment brewing, as soon as Xue Jiaoyue finished shouting, the surrounding pleasure boats began to cry out, demanding to see the patron.

"We want to see the patron!"
"Why is that birth date a significant day?"
"Let the patron come out and give everyone an account!"

In reality, it was the patron’s own money to play with; who was to say the answer couldn't be the birthday of someone important to them?

Xue Fanzhi and Xiao Yi were led to the gangway by the ship's steward. Before they could step inside, they heard the commotion from below. Xue Fanzhi rolled her eyes hard.

Seeing her capricious and spirited expression—the very picture of a young maiden—Xiao Yi felt an itch in his heart and a surge of delight. A smile pulled at the corners of his mouth, gradually widening.

Xue Fanzhi noticed his smile and asked, "What are you laughing at?" *He looks like a village simpleton,* she thought, *if not for his handsome face.*

Xiao Yi replied, "Why did you roll your eyes? Don't you want to meet this patron?"

Of course she did; she hadn't forgotten about the prize money.

Just as they were speaking, the sound of wooden clogs tapping against the floor drifted down from the third-story grand staircase.

*Clack, clack...*

The sound was crisp and leisurely, tapping right into the hearts of the listeners. Everyone's anticipation seemed to heighten, and all eyes turned toward the staircase.

*Clack!*
*Clack!*

Finally, a tall, handsome man appeared before them. He was dressed in a deep red *quju* robe, wearing a high cap, with a belt embroidered with golden, twisting flowers. With his wide sleeves swept back, he carried the air of a sophisticated and elegant gentleman.

Xue Fanzhi couldn't help but cry out, "Uncle! Uncle! Why are you here?!"

It really was her uncle! The only son of her grandfather Jin Jiujin—none other than Jin Buhuan.

Xue Fanzhi was more moved to see Jin Buhuan than anyone else. In her past life, her own incompetence had broken her uncle’s heart. Of course, he had forgiven her later, but she could never forgive herself. After her death, her grandparents' health had failed, and Xue Yang had used the guise of supporting her to extort vast sums from them, money that eventually ended up in the pockets of Xue Jiaoyue and Xiao Jian.

Then, they had conspired to harm her uncle, causing him to fall into the hands of river pirates while transporting goods, leaving his fate unknown. Her uncle and mother had been her grandparents' only two children; with her mother dead and her uncle missing... the Jin family had collapsed.

Seeing him again—her dear uncle—she vowed that in this life, she would ensure he remained safe and sound.

"Uncle!" Xue Fanzhi's eyes welled up with tears of joy.

Jin Buhuan glanced at his niece. When he saw her fair, delicate face, his eyes lit up, and he said with a beaming smile, "A-Zhi! Haha! You ask why your uncle is here? Why, it’s all to celebrate your birthday!"

"Celebrate my birthday?!"

Jin Buhuan took Xue Fanzhi by the sleeve and led her onto the deck, then introduced her to the crowd: "This is my niece. The question I set was precisely the day of her birth—a significant day to me. Well? Is that not allowed?!"

Xiao Yi, who had been ignored the entire time: "..."

*This Uncle Jin is still as obsessed with his niece as ever. Isn't he being a bit much? Did he not even see his niece's husband-to-be standing right here?*

However, Xiao Yi wasn't the least bit surprised by Jin Buhuan's dramatic entrance and personality. Although no one had answered the question in their past life and Jin Buhuan had never shown his face, who else but Jin Buhuan could have the wealth to put on such a grand display to elevate someone?

Jin Jiujin was wealthy enough to rival a nation, but since he was a merchant and his roots were not in Jiankang, many had overlooked this capable man.

Therefore, Xiao Yi had brought Xue Fanzhi here today not truly to break into Jin Buhuan’s inner circle, but because he knew that in their past life, A-Zhi’s absence must have broken her uncle’s heart. In this life, fulfilling her uncle's wish could be considered an act of filial piety on his part.