Chapter 270: Liking Second Brother

Suisui turned her head in confusion, meeting Second Brother’s aggrieved expression. For a moment, she didn’t know what to do.

To be honest... 

Suisui was still a little scared of Second Brother.

Second Brother was built so robustly, and when he wasn’t smiling, he looked quite fierce.

Even though his eyes were similar to her elder brother’s, and even though he spoke in a raspy voice,

instinctively, Suisui was afraid.

She knew Second Brother meant no harm, but it was just... hard to control himself.

Especially when Second Brother’s loud voice rang out, Suisui’s body instinctively shrank back. She suddenly turned around and threw herself into her elder brother’s arms.

Feng Xuanze gently held Suisui, softly comforting the little one, while helplessly reminding Feng Xuanyu, “Little sister is still young. You need to lower your voice, or she’ll get scared.”

Feng Xuanyu, who was used to his booming voice, had spent most of his time at Qingyun Academy focusing on martial arts training. 

His companions were all large, burly men with immense strength. They didn’t pay attention to the little details when speaking, and sometimes when they argued, they would shout even louder.

Now that his elder brother had reminded him, Feng Xuanyu scratched his head in confusion, thinking: *But I’ve already been speaking with my voice lowered!*

Could it be... still not enough?

Feng Xuanyu didn’t understand, but seeing Suisui curled up in her elder brother’s arms, he quickly smiled again, saying, “Okay, okay... I’ll... speak lower.”

The last word was forced out, his voice dropping an octave, sounding almost as if his throat was being squeezed, like a chicken caught by the neck.

Feng Xuanze: *Really?*

He suddenly felt that maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing to speak without squeezing his voice.

Concubine Ren, on the other hand, had no desire to speak. 

She had dealt with Second son’s antics before, and it was nothing new to her.

Therefore, when it came to her son’s ridiculousness, she had long since stopped expecting anything.

After all, as long as they were in the royal residence, and with elder brother Feng Xuanze being gentle and kind, it was unlikely that the younger brothers would go hungry.

So as long as they were fed, that was good enough.

Concubine Ren had no further desires.

With Feng Xuanyu’s behavior, what else could she ask for?

Feng Xuanze didn’t blame Feng Xuanyu too much. He quickly turned his attention back to comforting Suisui. “Second Brother just has a loud voice. He practices martial arts and has a lot of strength. Sometimes he can’t control himself. But Suisui, don’t be afraid, okay? Second Brother is a very, very good person. He’s really good at horseback riding. When we have time, we can go watch Second Brother ride a horse, alright?”

The gentle tone of her elder brother’s voice seemed to enchant Suisui. She lifted her head and met the sight of Second Brother, who was grinning with his big white teeth showing.

To be honest...

Suisui didn’t feel any malice from Second Brother. In fact, she had a child’s instinct about these things.

She felt that Second Brother’s soul was purer than anyone else’s.

His nature was simple, like that of a younger sibling.

Second Brother was a good person.

Suisui thought that she, too, was a good person, and they should play together.

With that thought, she gently reached out her hand. “Sorry, Second Brother. I shouldn’t have been afraid of you.”

Suisui extended her small hand in a friendly gesture.

Feng Xuanyu was still a little flustered, unsure of what to do.

He wanted to reach out, but his large hand, clearly shaped by years of martial arts training, looked like an iron palm. Moreover, his hands were much darker than those of the other young masters in the manor, due to his constant outdoor training.

Now, as his large hand stretched out, it looked even more out of place compared to Suisui’s soft, fair hand.

The contrast between the black and white, the large and small hands, was striking.

Feng Xuanyu felt a little embarrassed but still cautiously extended his hand.

When Suisui saw Second Brother extend his hand, she also gently stretched out her small hand.

The black and white, the large and small hands, slowly reached out towards each other, finally touching lightly in midair.

Feng Xuanyu held his breath, his face flushed with embarrassment. He used as little force as possible, his hand frozen in the air, afraid of scaring Suisui.

The moment his finger touched Suisui’s, Feng Xuanyu felt a strange sense of fulfillment.

He thought, *So this is what a younger sister feels like!* She was soft and delicate, really quite adorable!

He couldn’t help but wonder why his father had given him brothers instead of a sister. Why wasn’t a sister born instead?

Feng Xuanyu didn’t understand, but for now, there was no time to ask. He’d ask his mother later, why didn’t she give him a sister? Wasn’t a sister cute enough?

After Suisui’s hand touched Second Brother’s large hand, she felt a strange sense of reassurance.

Her intuition was indeed correct.

Second Brother was simple, kind, and gave a sense of security.

Just by looking at his large hand, Suisui felt that with Second Brother protecting her, everything would be calm and safe!

Suisui gently poked Second Brother’s fingertip and then quickly pulled her hand back, smiling like a mischievous raccoon that had successfully stolen a treat.

Fearing Second Brother might misunderstand, Suisui quickly extended her hand again and poked him once more.

And then, she poked him again.

Feng Xuanyu, delighted by Suisui’s closeness, dared not move, standing still, letting Suisui poke as she pleased.

Feng Xuanze, worried they might get too tired, soon advised Suisui to pull her hand back.

When she did, Suisui softly said, “I like Second Brother.”

Suisui, feeling a little embarrassed after speaking, snuggled back into her elder brother’s arms.

Feng Xuanze gently patted her back. “Second Brother likes Suisui too.”

Feng Xuanyu couldn’t help himself and loudly responded, “Yes!!!”

The loud exclamation startled Feng Xuanbin, who was sipping sweet soup. He jumped up, spilling his bowl.

Realizing he had caused trouble, the young boy seemed on the verge of crying but was quickly comforted by the princess, who calmed him down and had him changed into new clothes.

When Feng Xuanbin returned, his brothers and sisters were still waiting for him, not in a hurry to play, as they didn’t want the younger child to feel left out.

Seeing him return, Feng Xuanze waved and called, “Xiao Qi, come here! Suisui wants to ride the rocking horse.”

Although Suisui had grown tired of the rocking horse these past few days, since her elder brother hadn’t played with it yet, she decided to let him have a turn!

Feng Xuanze was more than happy to play with his younger siblings.

However, when Feng Xuanyu saw that some strength was required, he immediately slapped his chest and said loudly, “Leave it to me!”

This kind of task, he could handle with just one hand.

Moreover, a single rocking horse was too few. If they had ten or eight of them, he could handle them all without a problem.

Feng Xuanze didn’t compete with him. The goal was for everyone to have fun together, so he stepped aside.

Feng Xuanyu was straightforward and didn’t think much. Since his elder brother had given way, he obediently went over. After preparing the rocking horse, he didn’t forget to reassure Suisui, “Don’t worry, little sister. Second Brother has great strength, and I’ll make sure it’s fun!”

Even though there was a safety strap, Feng Xuanze still wasn’t entirely reassured and stood behind the rocking horse, ready to catch Suisui in case she fell.

After all, if Second Brother truly used all his strength, the rocking horse might end up flying out of the manor in no time!  

Next Chapter▶▶

  Chapter 464: Crisis at Hand (4)

Finally finding a moment of leisure, Mo Yan sat in the courtyard, brewed herself a pot of tea, and immersed herself in a travelogue, thoroughly enjoying the read.

"Chirp, chirp—"

Just as she reached an exciting part, a series of chirps echoed faintly from above, interrupting her thoughts. Without needing to look up, Mo Yan guessed who it was from the sound alone.

Mao Mao flapped its powerful wings, circling persistently above Mo Yan's head, unsure whether it was looking for a perch or trying to catch her attention.

Pretending not to notice, Mo Yan took a sip of tea and continued to focus on her book.

Although Mao Mao had gained intelligence, it was still not human. Seeing Mo Yan ignoring it, it reluctantly landed on the small table, raising its claw which held a sealed letter.

Mo Yan was momentarily stunned. She set aside her travelogue and slowly opened the letter. Like clockwork, she received a letter every seven days, each varying in length and content. Despite months apart and thousands of miles between them, through these pages, she felt as if she were witnessing the battles at the frontlines, seeing him on horseback, sword in hand, facing enemies...

Mo Yan knew it was dangerous to receive these letters. She could resist not replying, but she couldn't stop her thoughts from wandering.

Looking at Mao Mao's round eyes, she sighed softly, lowered her gaze, and read through the ink-scented letter meticulously. When she saw the words "Mid-April, Must Return," her heart pounded violently, and her mind went momentarily blank!

He was coming back?

Mo Yan calmed her mind and read through the entire letter again, word for word, making sure she hadn't misunderstood. He was indeed coming back!

A strong surge of joy spread through her heart. She stood up excitedly, accidentally knocking over the tea cup. Ignoring the mess, she rushed to the study desk, spread out a blank sheet of paper, prepared the ink, and was about to start writing a reply when she suddenly froze!

The snow-white paper remained blank, the ink forming only a faint blot.

...

In the city of Shanhai, the first city conquered by the Ba Ren tribe from the Kingdom of Da Chu was also the last city recovered by the Da Chu army of over ten thousand soldiers.

Just three days ago, the Ba Ren tribe fell into the ambush meticulously laid out by Xiao Ruiyuan, with more than half of their troops killed or injured, leaving them unable to contend further against the Da Chu army. They had no choice but to retreat in defeat, leaving behind a ground littered with corpses. Thus ended a battle that had lasted for over five months.

In the temporary command post that night,

The empty letter box gradually dimmed the hope in Xiao Ruiyuan's eyes, transforming him once again into an icy figure. However, what happened next forced him to temporarily set aside personal emotions.

"How are the preparations for the return journey?"

After reading the confidential letter from the capital, a sharp glint flashed in Xiao Ruiyuan's eyes. His voice echoed deeply in the quiet room, filled with a sense of solemnity.

A shadow suddenly appeared, and Xiao Jiu knelt down on one knee, respectfully responding, "Everything is ready, Master. You can act according to plan at any time."

Xiao Ruiyuan nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "The journey back to the capital won't be smooth. The fewer people who know the exact return date, the better."

Xiao Jiu's expression turned serious. "Understood."

Those who coveted the position of heir apparent had long wanted to trap their master into a corner, ensuring the Crown Prince could never rise again. This time, after Xiao Ruiyuan's major victory over the Ba Ren tribe, the Crown Prince's prestige in the court would undoubtedly soar. Those people probably wished nothing more than to see him utterly defeated. The existence of the secret guards was to protect the safety of their master. In any case, he had to ensure Xiao Ruiyuan's safe return.

After Xiao Jiu withdrew, Xiao Ruiyuan pressed his forehead wearily.

Compared to the intricate and unpredictable politics in the capital, he preferred to stay on the border, riding on the frontier. However, ever since he was marked as a threat to the Princes faction, he could no longer choose the path he wanted. He used to think that if the Crown Prince could safely pass his twenty-fifth year and ascend to the throne smoothly, he might secure a lifetime guarding the border. If he couldn't... the worst-case scenario would be losing his life!

However, ever since meeting that woman, his heart carried a burden. In the past, faced with these hidden dangers, he wouldn't have taken them to heart and would have faced them head-on, eliminating all threats. But now, he didn't want to take risks anymore. He wanted to return alive to see her...

Since receiving the letter informing of Xiao Ruiyuan's imminent return, Mo Yan couldn't muster the enthusiasm for anything. Whenever she went into town, she would sit in the teahouse, listening to the rumors circulating among the people, trying to determine the exact date of the army's return.

However, the rumors were abundant and difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood. It was the storyteller in the teahouse who used his vivid imagination to narrate Xiao Ruiyuan's brave deeds, attracting a full house almost every time and gaining widespread popularity among the common folk. Mo Yan listened attentively several times and could almost recite them by heart.

One afternoon, Mo Yan, Wu shi, and others sat around the table, counting the money earned from the stall over the past month. They planned to string together the copper coins and exchange them for silver at the bank.

"Sister, sister, you've been counting this string of copper coins for almost an hour. The characters on them are almost worn off from your touch!"

Xin'er looked at her sister, who seemed to be daydreaming again, feeling extremely helpless. She couldn't even remember how many times it had been today.

Wu shi, counting coins on the other side, looked up with a puzzled expression. "Yan, you've been like this recently. Do... do you have something on your mind?"

Mo Yan was startled, sweating nervously, afraid of being discovered. She quickly found an excuse to cover up, "Aunt Tang, maybe I've been too busy recently and haven't rested well. I feel my mind isn't as agile as before, sometimes I can't think straight!"

Wu shi glanced at her complexion, seeing that she didn't look fatigued at all, her suspicions deepened. However, since Mo Yan didn't want to talk about it, she didn't press further, just reminded her to rest more and not overwork herself.

Mo Yan breathed a sigh of relief, but just as she was about to relax, Mao Mao, who had been missing for several days, suddenly burst in like a cannonball, emitting a series of sharp, plaintive screams...

  **Chapter 269: Gentle Elder Brother**

Suisui was quite curious about her elder brother.

Feng Xuanze was equally curious about this younger sister of his.

He hadn’t returned to the mansion this month, but he was still aware of the news from the outside world.

They were just going to study, not to be exiled, so they didn’t know anything.

Therefore, news from outside often reached him.

Feng Xuanze knew that Xiao Liu had safely returned to the mansion and had brought back a sister.

Soon after, this sister became their Prince Residence's legitimate little princess.

When his classmates teased him, Feng Xuanze had also wondered to himself what his new sister would be like.

At first, Feng Xuanze’s expectations weren’t high; as long as she didn’t have the surname Che, that would be enough.

After all, the annoyance of Concubine Che…

Feng Xuanze didn’t want to say more about it.

Later, he found out that the girl had no relation to the Che family, and that the members of the Che family had been sent to the Ministry of Justice prison, likely because they had committed a crime. Feng Xuanze felt relieved.

Knowing that this sister had nothing to do with the Che family, his expectations soared again.

He hoped that this child…

Would be a likable one.

At the very least, someone who could make his mother happy.

Now, seeing her and those round, curious eyes, Feng Xuanze thought to himself…

Just by seeing how much father and mother favored Suisui, it was clear that this sister was indeed very charming.

Not only did father and mother like her, but Feng Xuanze, who considered himself a small adult with mature thoughts, still couldn’t help but turn his gaze toward Suisui when he saw her.

After checking on his brothers' homework, he subconsciously turned to look at Suisui and was met with her round, curious eyes.

They were beautiful.

These eyes resembled those of Xiao Liu when he was young.

Looking into those familiar and beautiful eyes, Feng Xuanze’s heart softened.

He moved a little closer and gently asked, “Suisui, is there anything else you’d like to eat? Big brother can get it for you.”

Suisui had been well-fed by her father.

The dish today was exceptionally fresh, and the ingredients had been stewed to perfection.

Back in the village, she might never have seen abalone or sea cucumbers, but now, whenever Suisui wished, they could be served in her bowl.

She had already been fed half a sea cucumber, a few pieces of abalone, some scallops and pig's stomach, and a few sips of soup by her father.

Children don’t have big appetites, and her mother had also given her a small piece of rib and a little lamb chop.

Suisui felt full, but not wanting to disappoint her elder brother, she thought for a moment and quietly said, “I want to eat fruit.”

There were fresh cherries, peaches, and melons on the table.

When Suisui said she wanted fruit, Feng Xuanze smiled and responded. He picked a little of each, placing them into a clean bowl. Then, holding the bowl in one hand and new chopsticks in the other, he carefully picked up a cherry.

The round, plump cherry was difficult to pick up, but Feng Xuanze’s hands were steady. Once he had it, he gently brought it to Suisui’s mouth.

Just as Prince Qi turned his head to speak to Qi Wangfei, he felt Suisui move in his arms. Instinctively, he turned to look and saw his eldest son feeding Suisui fruit.

Seeing this, Prince Qi couldn’t help but squint and smile.

Feng Xuanze noticed his father’s gaze and lifted his head, offering a smile. However, he quickly averted his gaze and returned his attention to Suisui.

Suisui was quite fond of her gentle elder brother, so she obediently opened her mouth. As the cherry reached her lips, she didn’t forget to softly say, “Thank you, big brother, you’re the best.”

Feng Xuanrui, who had been focusing on his food, heard her voice and quickly looked up. He pouted and asked pitifully, “Sister, isn’t your brother good?”

Suisui, caught in the act by her older brother, wasn’t flustered at all. She nodded furiously and mumbled, “Yes, brother is the best!”

Seeing how Suisui tried so hard to please him, Prince Qi couldn’t help but smile.

However, he did his best to control himself, not wanting to startle the child.

Feng Xuanyu, sitting opposite Feng Xuanrui, saw his sixth brother pouting and couldn’t hold back a laugh. But before he could laugh, he was sharply pinched by Consort Ren.

Feng Xuanyu, confused, tilted his head and asked with a puzzled, pitiful expression, “Mother, why did you pinch me?”

Consort Ren: “You’re asking for trouble, do you understand?”

Consort Ren wanted to scold him with a look but feared her silly son wouldn’t get it, so she softly said, “Just eat your food.”

Feng Xuanyu, interrupted, quickly forgot what he had been thinking about. 

Moreover, today’s lamb chops were quite good—perfectly cooked, fragrant, and tender. He could easily have another bowl of rice!

Feng Xuanyu soon bent his head and continued eating.

Feng Xuanze leisurely fed Suisui some fruit.

Suisui had already eaten enough, so she couldn’t eat much more fruit.

After feeding her a piece of each type of fruit, Feng Xuanze didn’t continue, afraid of overfeeding her.

Not wanting her to greedily eat too much, Feng Xuanze gently asked, “Have you started your lessons, little sister? Have you made any new friends recently?”

When he was checking on his younger brothers' homework earlier, Feng Xuanze had already gathered some key information from their conversation.

Suisui had recently started attending their little classroom and had made two good friends.

Suisui didn’t realize that her elder brother had already more or less figured out her situation in the mansion.

Hearing her elder brother’s question, she obediently nodded, “Yes, big brother, I’ve started attending a lesson. But some of it is hard to understand. I’ve also made friends with Sister Meng Meng and Sister Tang Tang.”

Feng Xuanze just wanted to chat casually to distract her from thinking too much about food. So he quickly followed up, “Which family is Sister Meng Meng from? And who is Sister Tang Tang?”

...

Feng Xuanze had a gentle demeanor and a soft voice. When speaking with Suisui, he would lower his head as much as possible to match her height.

Suisui loved talking with her elder brother. She didn’t have to worry about him not understanding or her words sounding too childish or unclear.

She could just speak freely, knowing her brother would always respond.

This made Suisui even more eager to express herself.

When it was time to leave the table, Feng Xuanze had already, with ease, picked Suisui up in his arms, speaking softly to her.

After finishing his meal, Feng Xuanyu, wanting to pay attention to his sister, noticed…

Wait?

Big brother already took her in his arms?

But he hadn’t yet.

Seeing this, Feng Xuanyu felt a little aggrieved. He strode over without needing to squeeze past anyone—his brothers automatically made way for him.

What a joke, with second brother’s build, anyone would be crazy to try and squeeze past him!

So, step aside, everyone!

Feng Xuanyu smoothly made his way over, looking like a giant puppy with round eyes and a very aggrieved expression. “Sister, I want a hug.”

Suisui had been listening to her elder brother talk about the food at the village and how it wasn’t very tasty. Sometimes, they even forgot to add salt when stir-frying, so they had to make do with it.

Suisui’s standards for food had risen, so when she learned that the dishes didn’t have salt, she was equally surprised, widening her mouth in amazement: “It can be like that?”

Just as she was listening, she suddenly heard the loud voice of second brother right by her ear.

In that instant, Suisui felt like her ears were ringing.

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 1280: Settled

Xiang Weinan heaved a sigh of relief after receiving the news. Both Master Guo and master Miao had asked several times earlier, and though he resisted the pressure, their imposing aura was truly strong.

Returning to his desk, the official began the routine inquiry process.

master Miao appeared visibly impatient, while Master Guo, was mentally prepared for this situation.

Knowing the relationship between Xiang Weinan and Meng Yunzheng, master Gou speculated that Xiang Weinan was well aware of Meng Yunzheng's intention to purchase the black market. Thus, some hesitation during the property transfer was expected.

Despite the slight delay, the transaction was eventually completed.

After leaving the county government office, both master Miao and master Guo, let out a long sigh of relief.

Master Miao turned to master Guo, and laughed heartily, "The matter is settled. It's too late to return to the capital now, so I'll stay in this county for the night. Master Guo, would you accompany me to a restaurant for a celebratory drink?"

Master Guo, just smiled and replied, "I'm afraid not. I have to return and pack my things. Tomorrow morning, I'll leave the estate. It's good to vacate the place early so that you can start the repair work as soon as possible."

"That works too."

"Master Miao, farewell." Master Guo, bowed and then boarded the carriage with his entourage.

Miao Lao stood there, watching the carriage grow distant before he turned with his hands behind his back and spoke softly, "Shall we find a place to talk?"

Meng Yunzheng, who was behind him, answered, "There's a restaurant not far ahead. Ah Yu should be waiting for us there."

"Let's go."

The group headed to the restaurant, and as soon as they entered, they saw Shu Yu's figure fleeting past the staircase.

She was waiting in a private room on the second floor and had already ordered the food.

Master Miao only brought Meng Yunzheng and one servant inside, leaving the other two to guard the door.

Once seated, Master Miao placed the title deed and property contract on the table. "The matter is settled, but Guo, the manager, requested that we sell the estate to you after a year. What are your thoughts?"

Shu Yu looked puzzled, "After a year?"

Meng Yunzheng explained, "I guess master Guo, is afraid that we might buy the estate directly from you, so he added this condition at the last moment."

Master Miao glanced at both of them and suggested, "How about selling the estate to you after a year? In the meantime, I'll use it for something."

"No!!" Meng Yunzheng firmly rejected the idea. He could already imagine what "something" Miao Lao had in mind.

Master Guo, probably thought the same, which is why he added this condition.

Master Miao frowned, looking a little displeased.

Shu Yu smiled, "Master Miao, we're buying the estate to set up a school."

Master Miao was taken aback and suddenly understood, "I see."

He shrugged, "In that case, what do you suggest we do now?"

"The matter of opening the school doesn't have to be rushed. A year should be enough time. However, it's not a good idea to leave the estate unused during this period."

At least, in the short term, someone might keep an eye on the black market.

Especially since Master Miao had said before he left that he needed to find someone to repair and make use of the estate.

Shu Yu suggested, "During this year, let's use the time to repair the estate. I will draw up the layout according to the school's design, and you can proceed with the repairs accordingly."

Master Miao didn't care about the specifics; after all, he was just a middleman. As long as he ensured that the black market would not face any trouble during this year, it would be enough.

"But do we need a whole year to complete the repairs?"

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 1279: Delaying Time with Xiang Weinan

After signing the documents, they still needed to go to the government office to handle the property transfer. Although the place was a bit far from the county town, it still fell within the jurisdiction of Jiangyuan County.

Upon entering the city, they arrived at the county government office.

Handling the property transfer had its own dedicated paperwork and management, so it wouldn't alarm Xiang Weinan.

However, Xiang Weinan was very concerned about the situation in the black market and had specially instructed the officials to inform him immediately if anything related to it came up.

Therefore, when Master Miao and master Guo, the manager, came to handle the property transfer, the official in charge immediately made up an excuse for them to wait in the main hall while he went to retrieve their household registration information.

Once he left, the official went directly to find Xiang Weinan.

As soon as Xiang Weinan heard the matter, his brows furrowed tightly. He had already mentioned before that the place in question not only involved Shu Yu's estate but also influenced the reputation of Jiangyuan County. Turning a perfectly good mountain manor into an underground, how could Xiang Weinan, as the county magistrate, be happy about it?

However, he had no reason to block the transaction if the other party was willing to buy and sell freely.

"Sir, what should we do now?" asked the official as Xiang Weinan paced back and forth in the study, making him dizzy.

After a moment, Xiang Weinan said to the official, "Find an excuse to delay for a while. I will think of a solution and give you a definite answer later."

"Yes," the official replied and left the room.

Xiang Weinan also stepped out of the study. He called Hu Li and said, "Go find Lu Xiangjun and see if there's any progress on her side."

Wasn't that girl always anxious about the black market? Why has there been no movement these past few days? Surely she and Meng Yunzheng haven't been fooling around and neglecting their duties since he returned, right?

Hu Li hurriedly left to find Shu Yu.

Little did he know that as soon as he turned a corner, he saw the person he was looking for sitting in a corner.

"Lu Xiangjun? What are you doing here? Perfect timing, the magistrate asked me to find you," Hu Li said.

Shu Yu lowered her voice, "Is it about the estate in the black market?"

She followed Meng Yunzheng and his group back to the county seat after they descended the mountain. Meng Yunzheng knew she had been waiting for news, so after everything went smoothly, he left a mark to let her know.

As soon as Shu Yu saw the mark, she immediately returned.

She had just arrived at the entrance of the county government office, and now she hadn't even caught her breath.

Hu Li nodded, "Yes, you knew?"

"Mm, tell the magistrate to handle the property transfer quickly to avoid unnecessary complications. Also, let him know that Meng Yunzheng disguised himself as Master Miao follower inside."

Hu Li's eyes lit up, "So, Shu Yu and Young Master Meng had planned it from the beginning."

Lu Xiangjun waved her hand, "The situation is urgent, everything happened too fast, and I didn't have time to communicate with the magistrate."

"As long as the matter is resolved, it's fine. I'll go back and inform the magistrate now."

"Okay."

Hu Li turned around and returned to the county government office, but this time, his expression was completely different from before.

Xiang Weinan was still pondering the situation when Hu Li returned, and he was taken aback, "Why did you come back so quickly?"

Hu Li quickly explained what he had seen Shu Yu doing outside.

Xiang Weinan...

Next Chapter▶▶

  Chapter 463: Crisis at Hand (3)

Wu shi smiled and said, "How could that be? Everyone in the village knows our family's situation. It's inevitable to build a separate house for him when he gets married. We can't have him marrying and then squeezing into our room!"

Upon hearing this, Mo Yan's eyes lit up, unable to hold back her excitement. She said, "Since that's the case, you could easily build a spacious house elsewhere and have the whole family move out. You could even give them a bit more monthly for their retirement, ensuring peace and quiet."

Wu shi was momentarily stunned, smiling bitterly as she shook her head. "Tie Tou is different from us. He's from the younger generation. As long as we, as parents, don't blame him, no one will say anything if he moves out. But if our whole family moves out, it will definitely be criticized as unfilial. Unless we expand the house to accommodate both elderly couples and us."

Mo Yan furrowed her brows. It seemed her idea was too naive after all! This path wouldn't work. Did Aunt Tang have to continue quietly earning money, even feeling too insecure to keep it herself, only trusting it with her?

Seeing her struggle with family matters, Wu shi was deeply moved and comforted her, "Yan, it's not a big deal. We've gotten through these many years, and things will get better in the future."

Mo Yan looked at her optimistic smile and sighed inwardly, realizing that for now, this was the best they could do...

Perhaps embarrassed by being publicly rebuked and aware that Mo Yan wasn't easy to provoke, Hong shi and Niu shi, this pair of despicable mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, didn't dare to cause trouble at the small stall again. After observing them for a few days and seeing that they seemed to have genuinely quieted down, Mo Yan relaxed her guard and began to arrange for the construction of the house and mill.

There were many vacant houses in the Mo family. Simply tidying up a few could serve as a mill, but because she had to hire help, Mo Yan didn't like outsiders coming and going in her home. Therefore, she decided to build another house on the unused ten-acre plot.

The millhouse needed to be sturdy and durable, without unnecessary extravagance. Mo Yan had a heap of green bricks brought back from the brick kiln and found twenty skilled bricklayers. It took them a month to build the millhouse, and gradually, tools such as millstones and rice pounders were purchased and added to it.

The mill wouldn't be operational for now, so Mo Yan didn't rush to find employees and instead focused on preparing for the construction of the winery.

Time flew by, and before they knew it, mid-March arrived. There were sporadic rain and snow showers during this period, but after the weather cleared, it gradually warmed up day by day. The grass, having endured the harsh winter, began to sprout green shoots, and the trees in the mountains started to regain their greenery. In the Mo family orchard, peach, pear, and plum trees had bloomed with pink or white flowers, quietly awaiting their flowering season.

The plot in the mountain hollow had also been completely cleared. The three sturdy and healthy Mo family oxen were put to work, taking nearly half a month to complete the first deep plowing of 120 mu of land.

After the deep plowing was done and with the ground still moist from recent rains, the villagers carrying iron shovels smoothed out the ridges of the fields. They also planted grass roots brought from elsewhere or transplanted wild tree seedlings from the mountains with good soil conservation properties. This way, even if there were heavy rains in the summer, they wouldn't have to worry about the field ridges being washed away.

Building the mill, selecting the site for the winery, planning, designing drawings, and nurturing seedlings... Mo Yan was as busy as a mule, but once the recently sprouted grain seeds were sown in the seedling field with the help of others, she finally caught her breath.

As the saying goes, good seedlings mean half the yield. With the grains from the spatial production and the diluted spirit spring water soaking, Mo Yan wasn't worried about the quality of the seedlings. Even if the newly opened paddy fields had unfamiliar soil and were not fertile enough, achieving a yield of 1500 jin per mu from the previous life was unrealistic, but 1000 jin was possible, with Yan Junyu as her backer, she was not afraid of causing some bad reactions.

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  **Chapter 187: He's Already Lost His Mind**

Chang Suining hurried towards the front courtyard, intending to leave the residence and head for the Ministry of Justice. Just as she was about to leave, she encountered Steward Bai, who was rushing towards her, holding a letter.

"Miss!"  

Steward Bai, clearly already aware of the situation, looked anxious and worried. He handed her the letter. "Please take a look at this, it was delivered by a young man who didn’t reveal his identity."

Chang Suining took the letter without hesitation and quickly opened it.

The envelope was blank, but as soon as she unfurled the letter, she immediately knew who had written it.

It was from Yao Yi.

Yao Yi was the Chief of the Ministry of Justice, and he had been assigned to investigate the case of Changsun Xuan's murder. In the letter, he detailed the progress of the investigation.

The reason the Ministry of Justice had arrested Chang Sui'an for questioning was that a jade pendant belonging to a man had been found at the burial site of Changsun Xuan.

Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the rare jade pendant had originally been a tribute from Dongluo, given by Holy Emperor several years ago along with other gifts to a particular official. That official was none other than Chang Kuo.

Since Chang Kuo was not in the capital, the pendant naturally ended up with his son, Chang Sui'an.

The Ministry of Justice secretly brought in several officials' children who were close to Chang Sui'an to identify the pendant, and they all recognized it as belonging to him.

The discovery of such a personal item at the crime scene could not be brushed off as a mere coincidence. While it wasn’t enough evidence to convict immediately, it made Chang Sui'an the prime suspect.

Additionally, none of the people the Ministry of Justice had questioned could account for their whereabouts at the time of the incident, while many others recalled that they hadn’t seen Chang Sui'an when they were picking chrysanthemums on the back mountain. For a long time, no one knew where he had gone.

Given these circumstances, the Ministry of Justice had no choice but to arrest him.

This was the “evidence” that the Ministry of Justice had gathered, and Yao Yi, anticipating that Chang Suining, unaware of the situation, would worry about her brother’s safety and head to the Ministry of Justice, had arranged for the letter to be delivered to her.

In the letter, he assured Chang Suining that as long as Chang Sui'an was in the Ministry of Justice, he would ensure that no harm would come to him outside of the law.

In other words, Yao Yi was considering the possibility that Chang Sui'an might have been framed, and he would be vigilant to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation to silence him or fabricate evidence.

At the end of the letter, Yao Yi repeatedly advised Chang Suining not to act impulsively or rush to the Ministry of Justice, as it would only cause more trouble, potentially making things worse for Chang Sui'an and dragging her into the situation.

He knew that Chang Suining wasn’t afraid of being “implicated,” but with Chang Kuo not in the capital, the only people left in the Chang family were she and her brother. If she were also caught up in this, it would make things even more difficult for Chang Sui'an.

Chang Suining understood this well without needing to be reminded by Yao Yi. The reason she had been rushing to the Ministry of Justice earlier wasn’t out of impulse, but out of concern for her brother’s safety.

Now that she had Yao Yi’s letter clarifying the situation, she was able to temporarily calm down and abandon her plan to go to the Ministry of Justice. Instead, she began to think more carefully about how to handle the situation.

Soon after, the Qiao siblings, who had just left, returned, clearly having heard the news along the way.

Cui Lang, who had been escorting Physician Sun back, also arrived shortly thereafter.

That evening, the Qiao family’s couple hurried to the Chang residence, and Yu Zeng also made his move.

Meanwhile, the news of Chang Sui'an, the son of General Chang Kuo, being implicated in the murder of seventh miss Changsun had quickly spread. It was said that he had been captured by the Ministry of Justice.

After just one day and night of rumors spreading, a "reasonable" motive for the murder had already formed in the public's mind.

There were widespread whispers that the Chang family was dissatisfied with their daughter’s inability to become the crown princess, holding a grudge about it. Chang Sui'an, young and impulsive, had always put his younger sister first. It was said that when he saw seventh miss Changsun on the back mountain, a few words were exchanged, leading to a heated argument, which ultimately sparked his murderous intent.

Others claimed that Chang Sui'an’s sister, proud and determined to become the crown princess, had refused both Prince Rong’s son and General Cui. As her dreams were shattered, she developed a deep resentment towards Changsun Qi Niangzi.

There were even rumors that Chang Sui'an had been incited, or even directly manipulated by his sister, to commit the murder.

Countless versions of this narrative circulated, all similar in nature.

Xi’er, having gathered the various rumors, truthfully reported them to Chang Suining.

The maidservants, like Xi’er, understood the gravity of the situation — the life or death of their young master was at stake, and they could not afford to sugarcoat anything. They were expected to relay all the information as it came to them.

Hearing these “plausible” rumors, Chang Suining sneered, “It seems someone is putting a lot of effort into using the gossip of the masses to frame my brother.”

The fabricated stories were made to sound logical and reasonable, casting her brother as an impulsive and reckless murderer. These rumors would undoubtedly have flaws if carefully examined, but most people didn’t have access to the full facts. Everything they knew was based on hearsay.

This, in turn, would be enough to sway public opinion, establishing her brother’s supposed motive for murder in the eyes of the masses.

"Ren Shu—"

"At your command."

"Go and investigate the source of these rumors. See if you can find any useful clues."

Chang Ren responded solemnly and immediately left to begin the investigation.

Chang Suining then instructed Ah Che, "In the next few days, take Xiao Duan and Xiao Wu with you. Blend in with the beggars and homeless people around the city to gather more information."

The beggars and homeless, scattered around the city's alleyways, were often overlooked by those carrying out shady deeds.

Additionally…

"Steward Bai, have someone secretly send a letter to Minister Yu, asking him to help investigate the origins of these rumors."

If they were to clear Chang Sui'an’s name, the source of these malicious rumors might be the key to cracking the case wide open. They had to dig as deeply as possible.

Regardless of what past betrayals or entanglements existed between Minister Li and Minister Yu, Chang Suining could not afford to disregard any potentially helpful opportunity. 

Minister Yu had watched over Chang Sui'an as he grew up. She believed his promise made when he sent someone to the residence the previous day was genuine, at least partially.

As the young daughter of a general’s household, with no power or influence of her own, her only chance of saving Chang Sui'an was to leverage every possible avenue, without involving others.

Chang Suining also thought of Yao Yi.

The investigator's instincts had indeed been sharp. Yao Yi had warned her in his letter the previous day to be cautious with her words and actions, lest she be caught up in the turmoil. Now, in the rumors, she herself was implicated — it was suggested that Chang Sui'an's crime was driven by her encouragement.

"Miss."

At that moment, Ah Zhi returned. "I’ve already asked the people who served close to Young Master in his courtyard. According to their recollections, the last time they saw him wearing the imperial jade pendant was about a month ago."

"A month ago…" Chang Suining’s expression became thoughtful.

A month ago, around the time of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Had the jade pendant “disappeared” around that time? Now that the pendant was being used as evidence of her brother's crime, if they could trace its whereabouts over the past month, they might uncover who was behind framing Chang Sui'an.

Under Chang Suining’s direction, the people of the Chang household, while still worried about their young master’s fate, were not aimlessly rushing around like headless chickens. Each person had their tasks, and though anxious, they were clear on what needed to be done.

"Miss," a servant quickly entered. "Here is the list of people who were picking chrysanthemums at the back mountain of Dayun Temple that day, as you requested!"

Chang Suining took the list.

While the Chang residence was overshadowed by crisis, the Changsun residence was engulfed in grief and anger over Seventh Miss Changsun’s death. Meanwhile, at Marquis Ying’s residence, where the heir, Ming Jin, resided, the sound of a guqin (a traditional string instrument) could be heard.

Ming Jin, though still unmarried, had long had a collection of concubines and lesser-status women. At that moment, it was one of his most favored concubines playing the guqin.

Ming Jin lay lazily on a couch, having just received news from a servant outside. He closed his eyes and said, "It seems the Chang family’s little wench has lucked out."

"She’s fortunate. If she had been at the back mountain that day, there would be no way to avoid the charge of being an accomplice. Right now, she’d probably be in the same cell as her useless brother, awaiting death."

He spoke in a wistful tone, but as he opened his eyes, a smile appeared on his face. "But perhaps it’s for the best. Let her first witness her brother’s fate. A tough girl like her is more interesting when you can toy with her slowly."

The quick death of someone like Changsun Xuan had robbed him of the fun.

Ming Jin closed his eyes again, his smile lingering as he imagined the girl’s dying face.

Every time Ming Jin recalled that scene, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The proud Changsun girl, who had rejected his marriage proposal, sneered at him, and carried herself so arrogantly, had ended up dying in the same messy and fearful state as those ordinary maidservants.

He admitted that, under the influence of the drug, he had lost his rationality at that moment. Furthermore, her sudden appearance had stirred him, making him act impulsively.

Normally, he wouldn't have directly resorted to murder, especially not against someone from the prestigious Changsun family.

But now, looking back, he didn’t feel regret. Instead, he felt an indescribable thrill and relief.

What was even more satisfying was that not only did he face no consequences, but he had also framed Chang Sui'an with the crime of murder!

Was there anything more pleasurable in the world?

As Ming Jin thought about this, he couldn't help but let out a few soft laughs.

His laughter wasn’t loud, but it had an eerie quality that made the maidservant playing the guqin even more nervous and uneasy.

Since the Mid-Autumn banquet in Furong Garden, the heir’s temperament had become even more violent, with a hint of malevolence. He would strike and kick the servants as if it were nothing, and no longer spoke gently to her. Lately, she felt as if the once tender gaze he had for her had been replaced with a cold, inexplicable hatred.

But what had she done wrong? She hadn’t made any mistakes.

Lost in her thoughts, the maidservant accidentally played the wrong note on the guqin.

Feeling the icy gaze upon her, she quickly kneeled and begged for mercy: “…Please forgive me, Young Master!”

Ming Jin clicked his tongue, gazing with interest at the trembling maidservant.

“Qin Shuang, why are you so afraid of me now?”

Ming Jin slowly stood up, barefoot, smiling as he spoke: “You used to be the boldest, even splashed water on me and bit my ear.”

He had always liked this little concubine for her boldness and coquettishness.

“I was ignorant before, Young Master. I know my mistake now…” The maidservant trembled as she begged. “Please, don’t be angry with me.”

Just two days ago, the concubine who had competed for his favor with her, after “serving” the heir, was found covered in blood and had hanged herself the next day.

Though she no longer had a competitor, the maidservant didn’t feel any joy, only fear.

“How could I be angry with you? You’re my favorite.”

Ming Jin bent down and extended his hand to her.

The maidservant hesitated, trembling, before cautiously placing her hand in his.

Ming Jin pulled her up and dragged her toward the couch.

The other servants in the room understood the situation and lowered their heads, retreating while pulling the bamboo curtain closed.

“It’s been a while since you’ve been in close attendance. Do you miss me, Qin Shuang?” Ming Jin asked with a smile.

The maidservant dared not refuse and nodded.

Ming Jin opened his arms. “Come, help me remove my clothes.”

The maidservant, suppressing her fear, forced a stiff smile and responded, “Yes, Young Master,” just like before, starting by removing his outer robe, then his inner garments, and finally his trousers.

But when she kneeled before him and removed his trousers, what she saw was no longer the same as before.

Her eyes changed, and she recoiled in shock.

Wasn’t he supposed to have healed already?

She bit back her scream, but her reaction still provoked him.

Ming Jin kicked her with force.

As she began to rise, she saw Ming Jin pick up a nearby guqin and smash it toward her face.

“Why? Are you scared? Disgusted?”

“You think I’m useless now, don’t you?!”

“Speak! I’m giving you a chance to speak!”

“…”

The noises coming from the inner room made the servants outside blanch with fear.

Half an hour later, Qin Shuang was carried out.

Her body was covered in blood, and her face had deep, gruesome cuts from the guqin strings.

But her expression was numb.

She had understood in that instant.

She had understood why the heir had always looked at her with hatred.

The more beautiful something was, the more he hated it if he could no longer use it.

He wanted her to see this, to have a reason to torment her.

He had gone mad, and he would only grow crazier.

She now understood why the other concubine had been tortured so badly before choosing to hang herself... because the torment would never stop, not until they died.

What should she do? Should she end her life and escape from this suffering?

Carried back to her room, Qin Shuang lay in bed, allowing the maidservants to treat her wounds, her eyes blank with despair as large tears rolled down her cheeks.

After venting his rage, Ming Jin sat on the couch, panting, watching as his servants quickly cleaned the bloodstains and mess from the room.

At that moment, his personal servant entered, nervously handing him a letter.

“Young Master, this is a letter for you.”

Ming Jin took the letter, opened it impatiently, and read its contents. A mocking smile appeared on his face.

(End of this chapter)

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  Chapter 186: Another Bad News (Seeking Monthly Votes)

“These days, I had someone in Shu find a skilled physician for eye ailments. Today, the physician will examine Sister Mianmian.” Chang Suining explained casually, as if discussing ordinary matters.

“A physician from Shu?” Qiao Yumian asked in surprise. “Ning Ning, when did this happen? Why haven’t you mentioned it before?”    

She had long given up hope for her eye condition, and Ning Ning had never spoken of this matter to her. She hadn’t expected that Ning Ning had secretly found a physician for her. Moreover, this physician had been sought all the way from distant Shu, indicating it must have taken considerable time and effort.

“When the physician hadn’t been found, what was there to mention?” Chang Suining laughed. “And it’s just a consultation. We don’t even know if the physician is truly skilled, so how could I boast about it to you too early?”

“I understand, Ning Ning…” Qiao Yumian said, clinging to Chang Suining’s arm, her voice choked with emotion. “You’re afraid I’ll get my hopes up, only to be disappointed. But don’t worry, I won’t.”

She added, “But Ning Ning, you’ve been so good to me, thinking of me like this… As an older sister, I really feel useless, not knowing how to repay your kindness.”

Cui Lang, who had been eavesdropping from behind, couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of nervousness and excitement.

If Qiao Yumian knew that he had also been looking for a physician for her, would she treat him in the same way?

“What nonsense are you talking about, sister?” Chang Suining said. “This is just a small thing. There’s no need to think too much about it.”

Cui Lang hesitated, thinking it wasn’t really such a trivial matter—maybe it was worth paying a bit more attention to. He hoped his teacher might leave him some opportunities.

Unexpectedly, his opportunity came sooner than expected.

“By the way,” Chang Suining said, turning to Cui Lang. “The person I sent said they encountered others looking for a physician skilled in eye ailments while in Shu. And these people were also from the capital—turns out it was someone from the family of the Sixth Master of Cui.”

Cui Lang froze for a moment.

His people had bumped into his teacher’s people?

At the look in his teacher’s eyes, Cui Lang awkwardly nodded. “Ah, yes, yes... there was such a thing.”

“Why is the Sixth Master of Cui also looking for an eye physician?” Qiao Yubai asked. “Is there someone in your family with eye problems?”

When he noticed that Qiao Yumian was also looking at him, Cui Lang jumped, panicking as he blurted, “It’s my father!”

“Qiao Yubai: ?”

Qiao Yubai was taken aback. “Your father...?”

The master of the Cui family—was he blind?

“...” Cui Lang mentally slapped himself twice, quickly trying to explain. “My father is getting older, and his eyesight isn’t very good. He has trouble seeing things clearly…”

This wasn’t entirely untrue, as his father did have some serious eye issues when he looked at his older son.

But why had he answered like that just now? Was he possessed?

He wasn’t usually the type to shy away from things, and he hadn’t done anything shameful. Why had he been too scared to admit it when facing that gaze?

Cui Lang sighed inwardly for his own lack of courage.

At that moment, a soft, pleasant voice broke the awkward silence: “Has the Sixth Master of Cui found a good physician for your father yet?”

Cui Lang gave a dry laugh. “Not yet…”

Qiao Yumian turned to Chang Suining, looking at her with a questioning expression.

Chang Suining understood and nodded, then turned to Cui Lang. “After the physician from Shu examines Sister Mianmian, I’ll speak with him and have him go with the Sixth Master of Cui to check on your father.”

Cui Lang felt his scalp tingle, forcing a smile. “...Sure! Thank you, teacher!”

Cui Lang: “...”

What was he going to do now?

Chang Suining’s earlier remark, “We don’t know if the physician has real skills,” was mostly for Qiao Yumian’s benefit, as she didn’t want her to get her hopes up too high.

But a physician who had been specifically brought from Shu, at her request, certainly couldn’t be without skill.

This physician, surnamed Sun, she had met once during a military campaign through Shu. On that occasion, she had seen him successfully treat a child who had been injured in the eyes by gunpowder.

She had always been keen to recruit talented people and, seeing how skilled he was at such a young age, she tried to persuade him to join the Xuanzhe Army as a military physician. However, he had politely declined.

He didn’t speak much, but after a few days of persistence, she managed to learn that he wasn’t a conventional physician, but rather someone who only specialized in eye diseases. He was extremely introverted, not good at dealing with people, and preferred to live alone.

She had suggested he might be able to help at the Xuanzhe Army, but he had refused. She had left him with her contact information in case he needed help. Despite not seeking help himself, it was she who ended up in a dire situation, nearly dying twice, with fate turning the tables.

Though she hadn’t seen him again since that time, Chang Suining had a strong impression of physician Sun, who was excessively introverted and terrified of interacting with others. 

When she first heard about Qiao Yumian’s eye condition, she immediately thought of this physician. However, years had passed, and she wasn’t sure if he was still around. With a bit of hope, she decided to try searching for him.

This search had lasted more than half a year, but fortunately, the outcome was fortunate. The physician had stayed in Shu and hadn’t moved away. After extensive inquiries, Chang Ren’s people had found him not long ago, and he had just arrived in the capital yesterday, staying at the Chang residence.

Chang Suining met with him yesterday. After half an hour of conversation in which he spoke barely ten words, she confirmed that this was indeed the same physician Sun she had met years ago.

Thus, although she mentioned to Qiao Yumian that this was just a trial, she held some hope in her heart.

Physician Sun, who was just over forty but appeared younger, examined Qiao Yumian and, without giving a definitive statement, wrote two prescriptions—one for a decoction and one for a medicinal bath. He suggested they try these treatments for a period and see how things went.

He neither claimed to have cured the condition nor suggested it was beyond help.

Qiao Yumian, who already had her own thoughts on the matter, didn’t press further, simply bowing in gratitude. “Thank you, Physician.”

Afterward, Chang Suining and Physician Sun went to speak in the corridor.

“…Having waited so long, I’m not fully confident, but it’s worth trying,” Physician Sun murmured.

Chang Suining nodded.

“Then I’ll trouble Physician Sun to stay in the capital a bit longer!” Cui Lang grinned widely and walked over, his enthusiasm radiating. He saluted Physician Sun and said, “Young master Cui Lang. I know all the best places for food and entertainment in the capital, so please, Physician Sun, don’t worry about a thing. Leave everything to me!”

Physician Sun, who wasn’t good at socializing, flinched at the fiery enthusiasm of this young man. His pupils briefly widened in fear, and his palms began to sweat.

Cui Lang, not noticing the warning look from his teacher, continued with his bright grin. “What sort of leisure activities do you enjoy? Do you have any favorite cuisines? Or—”

Physician Sun finally couldn’t take it anymore and waved his hand. “No need, I only like peace and quiet…”

Cui Lang’s eyes widened in realization, and he quickly closed his mouth. 

This request might be a bit challenging for him, but he would try his best.

Chang Suining instructed Xi'er to take Physician Sun to the back hall to sit and drink tea in solitude.

Physician Sun left with a look of relief.

After he had gone, Cui Lang couldn’t help but ask, “Teacher, this physician seems really scared of talking to people… How did you convince him to come to the capital?”

Chang Suining smiled. “I had people visit him every day.”

Cui Lang was stunned. “…Clever.”

Chang Suining had only mentioned half the story—besides visiting, she had also offered him a large sum of money.

Physician Sun had lived a simple life, tending to a small plot of land. Because he was afraid of interacting with others, he would sneak out to work the land when no one was around. When he encountered trouble, he was too shy to ask for help, and over time, his meager land became even more barren, and his finances became tight.

He wanted to make a living but couldn’t bear to expose himself, and because everyone knew his reclusive nature, few sought him out for treatment.

Chang Suining had promised him that if he could cure Qiao Yumian’s eyes, she would pay him an extraordinary sum, enough that he would never have to worry about money again.

Faced with this tempting offer, Physician Sun reluctantly agreed.

Soon after, Qiao Yumian, accompanied by her brother, came out.

Cui Lang hurried to greet her.

Seeing this scene, Chang Suining seemed to be deep in thought.

“Has the Sixth Master of Cui not left yet?” Qiao Yumian asked. “If he’s going to treat your father, it’s best to do it sooner rather than later.”

Cui Lang’s smile faltered for a moment, his expression tinged with bittersweetness.

He was moved that Qiao Yumian was so concerned about his family’s affairs, but the bitterness came from the fact that his father’s eyes were perfectly healthy.

However, he had no choice but to continue with the plan.

Before long, Cui Lang, accompanied by Physician Sun, was on the carriage heading to the Cui family.

In such a confined space, the two sat across from each other, and Physician Sun kept his gaze averted, his body tense.

Cui Lang also felt uncomfortable, wanting to speak but unsure what to say.

On the side, Yihu wiped his forehead, equally tense.

In this awkward atmosphere, the carriage soon arrived at the Cui family residence.

Physician Sun wordlessly followed Cui Lang into Cui Xian’s courtyard.

When Cui Lang learned that his father was in the study, he decided to be cautious and said, “Physician Sun, please wait here. Let me go inside and inform him first…”

He entered to test the waters.

Physician Sun nodded and waited by the stone steps outside the study.

Before long, the sound of a cup shattering came from the study, startling Physician Sun.

“…You brat, get out of here!”

Cui Lang was promptly scolded and driven out.

The study was spacious, divided into an inner and outer room. Outside, Cui Lang quietly asked Lu Shi, who had come with him, “Mother, what’s going on with Father now?”

Why would he break things just because he doesn’t want to have his eyes looked at?

“You always pick the wrong time…” Lu Shi glanced towards the inner room and lowered her voice. “I heard your eldest brother is leaving for the northern frontier tomorrow. He won’t be back for several years… Father’s been in a bad mood.”

Cui Lang frowned, “Father’s been upset since Eldest Brother has been in the capital. Now that he’s leaving, why does Father still have to cause trouble?”

Lu Shi sighed. “You don’t understand. The fault lies with your eldest brother.”

She continued, “The mistake your eldest brother made was not returning to the family from Xuanzhe Manor to kneel in front of Father and beg for his permission to go to the northern frontier. He should have kneeled for three days and nights in front of all the relatives. On the third day, when Father came out of the study and said ‘no,’ your eldest brother should have accepted it and never mentioned the northern frontier again. Then the matter would have been resolved.”

Cui Lang couldn’t help but nod in agreement. “...That makes sense.”

Then he said, “But Father must still be angry.”

Lu Shi added, “He’ll stay angry for at least forty-nine days.”

She then looked at her son. “And you… what kind of madness are you following now? Why are you bringing in a physician for eye treatment?”

If she didn’t know her son didn’t have the courage, she might think he was subtly mocking his father for being blind to the truth—though it was a fact.

Cui Lang scratched his head in confusion. “Didn’t Father say his eyes weren’t feeling well last time?”

“When did he ever say that?”

“Maybe I remember it wrong… I just wanted to show some filial piety,” Cui Lang sighed. “Since Father doesn’t need it, I’ll go explain things to the physician.”

Not waiting for any more questions, Cui Lang quickly slipped away.

Lu Shi watched her son’s back suspiciously as he hurried off.

Cui Lang approached Physician Sun and smiled. “Physician Sun, let’s go. We won’t be seeing him after all.”

Physician Sun blinked. “Ah?”

Cui Lang sheepishly smiled. “Turns out Father’s eyes are perfectly fine. I must’ve mixed things up!”

Physician Sun blinked again. 

How could a young man forget something so simple as whether his father’s eyes were good or not?

Cui Lang apologized. “I’m really sorry… I made you come all this way for nothing.”

Physician Sun quickly waved his hand.

The examination for Qiao Yumian had already drained most of his words for the year, but since he had accepted the hefty fee, he had no choice but to run this errand.

At least he didn’t have to make the trip back for nothing.

But the bad news was that this enthusiastic young man insisted on personally escorting him back to the Chang residence.

However, on the way back, another piece of bad news soon arrived.

This news had already reached Xingning lane.

“Miss… there’s been trouble!”

The female servant who had just sent the Qiao siblings away rushed in, panicked. “The young master was intercepted by the officials from the Ministry of Justice while on his way to Xuanzhe Manor and was taken away!”

Chang Suining, who had been reviewing some grain accounts from Shen Sanmao’s people, abruptly closed the ledger and looked up sharply. “Do you know why?”

If it had just been a routine questioning, the servant wouldn’t have been so frantic.

“They say the young master is involved in the case of the assassination of Eldest Daughter of the Chang family… They’ve been ordered to arrest him and bring him to the Ministry of Justice for questioning!”

Chang Suining’s face changed instantly. 

She had suspected that the Ministry of Justice had been quietly targeting suspicious individuals, but she never imagined her brother would be one of them!

Without hesitation, she stood up and quickly made her way out.

Xi'er hurried to follow, anxiously asking, “Where are you going, Miss?”

“To the Ministry of Justice.”

This matter was highly suspicious, like a sudden blow to the head. Neither her brother nor she knew anything about it. The most pressing concern was to find out what had happened, so they could respond accordingly.

Moreover, with everything so sudden and unknown, she feared her brother might be in danger. In the worst case, evasion would be too risky, so she needed to go directly to the Ministry of Justice.

(End of chapter)

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