Chapter 374 157: Revenge and Taking a Wife

However, his revenge was not yet complete.

The so-called "bandits" had yet to be found.

According to his mother, their home had been robbed by a gang of vicious bandits led by a man called Brother Dao.

That was how his father, younger brother, and younger sister had died.

This gang roamed everywhere, and no one knew what they looked like.

All that was known was that their leader was called Brother Dao.

They had robbed many wealthy people.

They would always break in, take everything, and leave after killing everyone inside.

His mother and Di Xixi had escaped this fate only because they weren't home at the time.

As for the officials, merchants, and military men he had killed before—after only his mother and Di Xixi were left, his mother had a stroke. Those people then bullied the two helpless women, using their power and all sorts of dirty tricks to seize the Xu Family's fortune.

"Keep investigating."

「This day.」

Xu Lei said to the newly appointed local County Captain, "No matter what, I need to know the whereabouts of Brother Dao and his gang! I'm counting on you, brother!"

This man owed his position to Xu Lei.

"Rest assured, General."

The County Captain replied, "I will put all my effort into the investigation!"

Xu Lei didn't press him further.

After all, unlike the people he had dealt with before, these weren't obvious targets he could just go and kill.

This gang of Brother Dao's...

After committing their crimes, they would melt back into the crowd and return to their ordinary lives.

Sometimes, it was truly difficult to track them down.

Then, Xu Lei went home.

"Greetings, General Xu."

"General Xu, we are Xixi's family!"

As soon as he returned home, he found many guests waiting for him, all beaming with smiles upon seeing him.

"Ah, the elders of the Di Family. Please, have a seat!"

Xu Lei naturally showed them due respect. "Before I returned, my mother was fortunate to have Xixi's care! You raised a fine daughter!"

"We are ashamed, truly ashamed."

The members of the Di family said repeatedly, "We even disapproved of Xixi's actions back then!"

Xu Lei just smiled and said nothing.

After all, under those circumstances, it was understandable that the Di family didn't dare get too close, fearing they would be dragged down.

But they were Di Xixi's family, so of course Xu Lei wouldn't give them the cold shoulder.

Afterward, these people went to fawn all over Di Xixi.

Xu Lei had the servants prepare a meal and went to take a bath.

When he returned, he saw the meal was nearly ready.

To show his sincerity, Xu Lei went to personally call them for dinner.

Unexpectedly, just as he arrived outside the courtyard where Di Xixi was staying...

Di Xixi was living in the courtyard that had once belonged to his third brother.

The estate was still quite large.

It had several courtyards—east, west, north, and south—with multiple layers of residences.

"Father, Mother!"

He hadn't expected to hear Di Xixi saying, "What are you talking about? How could I marry Big Brother? Wouldn't that be improper? Besides, I've been married before. How could Big Brother possibly be interested in me!"

"Why not? Your husband is gone now!"

Di Xixi's family members persisted in their persuasion. "You were so good to Madam Xu. Do you think the Xu Family would divorce you? Kick you out? Impossible, right? So are they going to let you stay in the Xu Family and live as a widow? That's impossible too, right? Then the only option is to marry General Xu!

"However, General Xu is young, accomplished, and quite handsome. It seems he's also highly regarded by the Emperor—he even has an Imperial Sword!

"For such an exceptional man, it's true our daughter, who is no longer a virgin, would have a hard time becoming his main wife!

"But being a Concubine Ping isn't bad either!

"Daughter, you need to think carefully. With your current status, a woman on her second marriage… even if you are beautiful with a good figure, you're not a virgin. Plus, you're already twenty. If you leave the Xu Family now, what kind of husband could you find? Could any of them hold a candle to General Xu?"

Hearing this, Di Xixi fell silent.

Xu Lei didn't make a sound, simply turning and leaving.

After all, speaking up at that moment would have been rather awkward.

Later, Xu Lei sent a servant to call them for dinner.

Before they came over, Xu Lei spoke with his mother, mainly about what to do with Di Xixi. Xu Lei didn't beat around the bush; he came right out and said he wanted to marry Di Xixi.

After all, Xu Lei was now the sole heir of the family, and it was essential for him to continue the family line.

'In this world, it doesn't matter if I don't have children; I'm guaranteed to be reborn as a man in my next life anyway.'

But under the current circumstances, his mother definitely hoped for the Xu Family to have an heir.

Of course, Xu Lei's mother immediately agreed.

Another ten-plus minutes passed in a flash.

Xu Lei, his mother, and the Di family were eating at the same table.

At the dinner table, the moment Di Xixi saw Xu Lei, her face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head to eat.

At that moment, Xu Lei's mother directly proposed that Di Xixi marry Xu Lei.

She then asked the Di family and Di Xixi for their opinion.

The Di family was, of course, ecstatic.

"Xixi, what about you? What do you think?" Madam Xu then looked at Di Xixi.

"For Xixi to become General Xu's Concubine Ping would be a blessing earned over eight lifetimes."

But Di Xixi's mother added, "After this, the Xu Family should first divorce Xixi in the name of the Third Young Master. When Xixi has returned to our home, General Xu can then propose marriage. That way, there should be no problem!

"After all, at that point, Xixi will no longer be a daughter-in-law of the Xu Family, but just an ordinary, twice-married woman waiting to be wed!

"From an ethical standpoint, it will be completely sound!"

"I will abide by Mother's and my parents' decision."

At this, Di Xixi glanced at Xu Lei, her pretty face flushing crimson as she lowered her head and spoke.

"Then it's settled."

Xu Lei also spoke up. "Later, Sister Xixi, you will first be divorced from the Xu Family!

"Then, I will come to your door to propose marriage!

"At that time, you will be my wife!

"However, let me correct one thing: not a Concubine Ping, but the main wife!"

Hearing those last two words from Xu Lei…

Di Xixi's parents, and Di Xixi herself, were all stunned, their heads snapping up to stare at Xu Lei in astonishment.