Chapter 415: Chapter 415: Guiyi Hall

Thinking about being seventeen or eighteen years old and still not knowing who her parents are.

What she doesn’t know is that the Ding Family has been searching for her for seventeen years.

After Ke’er returned to her parents, the Ding Family found Jing Xian not long after. Thanks to Xia Wenjin giving her a shop to make a living, Jing Xian had no staff, and with Ke’er not around, she ran the shop herself.

When the Ding Family members saw her, they were almost certain without a doubt that she was the one they had been looking for.

When Mrs. Ding heard about it, she personally came to Jinzhou, and seeing the resemblance to herself and her husband, she couldn’t help but burst into tears.

Learning about her background, Jing Xian was unexpectedly relieved and let go of her mental burden.

However, when Mrs. Ding expressed the desire to take her back, she refused.

Her thoughts were simple. Over the years, she hadn’t lived with the Ding Family. Now, going back to that home, she wasn’t mentally prepared. Moreover, she owed a great debt to Xia Wenjin. Here, she had food, shelter, and a shop. Although Xia Wenjin helped her without expecting anything in return, she didn’t want to dismiss the things Xia Wenjin had given her by simply passing them on.

Mrs. Ding had no choice but to stay with her here.

Because by the time the Ding Family found Jing Xian, Ke’er had already returned to her own parents, so they were unaware of Ke’er’s existence. Xia Wenjin asked the owner of the house whether they were mother and daughter, no wonder they spoke harshly to each other.

Mrs. Ding was also a chivalrous woman from a prominent family. Back in the day, she helped her husband restore order. Now staying with her daughter, seeing her daughter keen on doing business and running the shop well, she provided many pointers.

Although Jing Xian’s experiences were somewhat pale, she was very smart and learned quickly, managing the shop with great flair.

Mrs. Ding stayed here for half a year, earnestly pleading with Jing Xian to go back to acknowledge her ancestors and repeatedly promised that if she still wished to return, they would not stop her. Mr. Ding even sent a letter every three to five days, trusting his wife and missing his daughter. If his daughter insisted on not returning home, he would come personally to bring her back.

Delivering letters wasn’t convenient; they all entrusted them to be delivered by someone, and the Ding Family used Jifeng Tower for this purpose.

Only then did Jing Xian change her mind and agree to visit the Ding Family.

But when she left, she was still uneasy, so Mrs. Ding left a steward she had brought with her to look after the house and the shop.

Jing Xian also repeatedly instructed that if Miss Xia Wenjin came, they must keep her well entertained.

Sure enough, as soon as she acknowledged her ancestry with the Ding Family, she immediately wanted to return to Jinzhou.

Her Ding Family parents had no choice but to send someone to escort her back. The seventeen or eighteen household servants accompanying her were not ordinary. They were top talents within the family, and even the lowest among them were of the second-class middle tier.

Most importantly, they were all capable of forming an array with their companions. Although there seemed to be only seventeen or eighteen of them, even fifty equally skilled individuals might not be able to defeat them in a fight.

Ding Jingxian pulled Xia Wenjin into the room, genuinely happy.

Back then, although Xia Wenjin was penniless and pursued by others, upon seeing her and Ke’er without food or clothing, he set up a house and shop for them.

She knew the origins of that Silver might not have been entirely legitimate.

So she had always been worried, afraid that someone would seek revenge on Xia Wenjin.

Now seeing Xia Wenjin safe, she was overjoyed.

She immediately found her jewelry box, took out a stack of silver notes, and handed them to Xia Wenjin.

Xia Wenjin was puzzled, “What for?”

Ding Jingxian held her hand, sincerely saying, “Wenjin, I know you’re a capable person, but your Silver didn’t just fall from the sky. This house and shop cost you a lot. You should take it back!”

Xia Wenjin laughed, “Where did you come up with so much money?” This looked to be about ten thousand taels.

Ding Jingxian promptly replied, “This isn’t from the Ding Family. This is from the shop you bought for me; I earned it myself!”

Xia Wenjin was truly surprised, “You earned so much?”

Ding Jingxian smiled shyly. With her mother’s guidance, she found doing business enjoyable. Not only did she earn from the shop Xia Wenjin left for her, but she also bought the shop next door, which also made a big profit.

She agreed to go back to the Ding Family after accruing this money.

Estimating the house and shop would cost this much, she eagerly awaited Xia Wenjin’s arrival to repay her so she could pay off others and avoid trouble.

Seeing Ding Jingxian sincerely wanting to repay the Silver, Xia Wenjin asked, “When will you return to the Ding Family?”

“I’m not going back to the Ding Family!”

Xia Wenjin raised an eyebrow, “Why?”

Ding Jingxian sighed, “Anyway, I’ve already acknowledged my parents. They have other children at their side, so whether I go back or not doesn’t affect them. But I still have my own matters to attend to!”

Seeing the inquiry in Xia Wenjin’s eyes, she continued, “It was the old abbess who took me in back then. Before passing, she expressed a wish for me to help others. So, I’ve decided to stay here and do what I can to help some people. It’s a way of fulfilling the old abbess’s wish!”

Xia Wenjin was moved, “If that’s the case, why don’t you help me?”

Ding Jingxian cheerfully replied, “Of course I can!” But then she remembered something, looked at Xia Wenjin, and asked, “What do you need my help with?”

Xia Wenjin, with a serious expression, said, “I planned to establish a Guiyi Hall a year from now, west of Jinzhou, to specifically take in orphans. I’ll teach them skills to make a living, so when they grow up, they have a craft to rely on. Additionally, some with strong abilities or special talents will be given extra training.”

“Sure!” Ding Jingxian agreed without hesitation.

This was indeed a great endeavor, and the old abbess would surely be delighted. She had always known Xia Wenjin was a good person, but she hadn’t expected Xia Wenjin to think so far ahead and act with such courage.

Helping was her privilege. Even if she couldn’t, she could ask her mother to send someone to lend a hand.

Xia Wenjin smiled, “Alright, let’s get Guiyi Hall up and running. Don’t worry; it won’t be too tiring. People will come to collaborate with you on this.”

Ding Jingxian shook her head, unconcerned with fatigue. Previously, at the abbey, she chopped wood, cooked, cleaned the courtyard, and even planted vegetables and carried water. Having done all those tasks, what could tire her now?

With that, the two set to work, heading out the next morning.

In the western outskirts of the city, they bought a house in a secluded area for a low price. They also purchased the land surrounding the house, a place that might not serve much purpose now, but if the scale expanded in the future, it could be used for expansion.

Since the aim was to provide a haven for those homeless orphans, there were naturally many trivial tasks to manage.

The people Ding Jingxian brought from the Ding Family showed her great respect. Whenever she gave orders, they were carried out thoroughly and satisfactorily, ensuring no harm would come to her with them by her side.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep