How to Deal with Having the Villainous Tyrant’s Child Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Before entering Xinglin Slope, Yuwen Min had already arranged for a manor to be prepared.

At first, he had intended to rent one, but as they traveled, he discovered that the scenery in Dongshan County was surprisingly beautiful.

Although it was located in the northern region, it was lush and green.

The warmth here was especially noticeable compared to other places, so he decided to buy a manor here. They could occasionally come to stay.

Everyone was busy tidying up, while Lu Hanzhi and Yuwen Min went outside.

Lu Hanzhi removed his cloak and said in surprise, “It’s really warm here! Haven’t we even reached the south yet?”

Yuwen Min shook his head. “It’s still early. We haven’t been traveling for long.”

Lu Hanzhi nodded. “It must have something to do with the geography. Areas at a lower altitude are warmer.”

Yuwen Min looked puzzled. “Altitude?”

Lu Hanzhi explained, “It’s the vertical distance from the sea level to the ground.”

Yuwen Min asked, “Vertical?”

Lu Hanzhi picked up a stick, drew a straight line on the ground, and then drew a perpendicular line on top of it.

After finishing, he explained, “Vertical means the distance directly up and down, from the ground to the sea level.”

Yuwen Min was intrigued. This theory was new to him.

He gestured for Lu Hanzhi to continue.

Lu Hanzhi went on, “Your Highness, look over there.” He pointed to a distant mountain peak.

Yuwen Min looked over and saw that the base of the mountain was lush and green, but the top was covered with snow.

Lu Hanzhi said, “It’s warm like spring here, but only that spot has snow. Why? Because of geothermal warmth. The lower the altitude, the more affected it is by geothermal heat, so it’s warmer. The higher up, further from the heat, the cooler it gets, and that’s why the top is so cold.”

After hearing Lu Hanzhi’s explanation, Yuwen Min understood.

He nodded slowly and asked, “How does Wang Fei know so much?”

Lu Hanzhi thought to himself: I received mandatory education since childhood, managed to get into high school through my own efforts, and then attended a top university.

Though ancient knowledge is limited, even someone who’s learned a lot might not have as much knowledge as an average high school student today.

Of course, that can’t be compared. After all, in his era, people stood on the shoulders of giants to see the world.

Lu Hanzhi smiled and said, “The more you read, the more you learn.”

Yuwen Min thought: I don’t believe you, you crafty Wang Fei!

Don’t think I don’t know, you have many secrets from me.

You, a Xiao Langjun who never leaves home, not only possess secret medical knowledge, but you also understand how to resist witchcraft and have knowledge I’ve never even heard of.

But you don’t tell me.

Since you won’t speak, I won’t force you.

Just like how you never tell me why you didn’t marry into the Crown Prince’s residence, I’ll just wait until you decide to tell me.

In this life, I want nothing else.

Everything I’ve regained is a luxury; I dare not ask for more.

They talked a lot on their way, mostly with Lu Hanzhi speaking and Yuwen Min listening.

But Lu Hanzhi’s heart was in turmoil. Why had this deep conversation still not been completed?

Lu Hanzhi had a headache. He hoped they wouldn’t force him to sacrifice his body for the mission.

Soon, they arrived at Xinglin Slope. From a distance, it seemed to be hidden within a sea of red plum blossoms.

It really looked like an otherworldly paradise, no wonder that aunt of his had abandoned all her wealth to marry here.

Lu Hanzhi asked Yuwen Min, “Doesn’t this look like a Peach Blossom Spring?”

Yuwen Min replied, “Why is it a Peach Blossom Spring and not a Plum Blossom Spring?” After all, the area was full of plum flowers in the distance.

Lu Hanzhi didn’t know how to explain. His world, though a different time, had some things and lacked others.

But it seemed that Yuwen Min wasn’t very interested in his description of a Peach Blossom Spring, as they encountered a herbalist going up the mountain, and Yuwen Min stepped forward to ask for directions.

Lu Hanzhi waited for a moment. When Yuwen Min returned, he took his hand and led him toward a nearby hill.

The Su family was considered an influential household at Xinglin Slope. Many still remembered the events from years ago.

A fire broke out suddenly, and it had started in the middle of the night.

The Su family lived in a secluded manor halfway up the mountain, so no one discovered the fire in time.

By the time someone noticed the next day, the entire manor had already burned to ashes.

It was said that the scene had been utterly tragic, and it was only while clearing the remains that people realized Wan’er was not among the dead.

The next day, Su Wan’ning was seen stumbling down the mountain, looking disheveled and battered. It was only then that people learned she had been trapped while gathering herbs in the mountains. When she returned, she found her home had been destroyed by disaster.

Yuwen Min shared what he had learned from a local herbalist with Lu Hanzhi as they made their way up the slope.

The scenery along the way was breathtaking, shrouded in mist like an ethereal paradise.

Unfortunately, after the Su family’s tragedy, few people came here anymore. Rumors spread that the place was haunted.

Lu Hanzhi pondered the story Yuwen Min had just recounted. Before long, they arrived at the ruins.

Judging by the sheer size of the wreckage, the Su family had once been a grand household.

The reason the fire had consumed everything so completely was that most of the buildings on Xinglin Slope were made of wood.

The Su family patriarch, Su Siyin, had been a refined man with a love for elegance, and he had built several wooden pavilions on the estate.

Once the fire started, it had devoured everything without mercy.

Lu Hanzhi gazed at the desolate ruins, which stood in stark contrast to the vibrant red plum blossoms blooming nearby.

The scene felt all the more tragic.

For a moment, he wondered if he was imagining things, but he suddenly felt an eerie chill seep into his bones.

He shivered involuntarily and instinctively reached for his cloak, only to remember that he had discarded it earlier at their lodging because he had felt too warm.

Without a word, Yuwen Min removed his own cloak and draped it over Lu Hanzhi’s shoulders.

Lu Hanzhi was a little surprised but smiled at him. “Thank you.”

Yuwen Min said nothing and stepped forward to examine the charred remains.

Lu Hanzhi quickened his pace to follow, remarking, “So much time has passed. The scene must have been disturbed countless times. Back then, this incident was officially ruled an accident. The county office should have records.”

But if Su Wan’ning had been able to empty the Lu family’s medicinal warehouse without leaving a trace, then she surely had the means to ensure that the county magistrate documented the fire however she wanted.

Yuwen Min looked up at the scorched ruins and said, “It would be difficult to investigate now. This happened over three years ago, didn’t it?”

Lu Hanzhi nodded. Suddenly, his foot caught on something, and he stumbled.

Yuwen Min reacted swiftly, steadying him. At the same time, both of them looked down at what had tripped him.

It was the skeletal remains of a small wild animal, already decayed to the point where only white bones remained.

Lu Hanzhi frowned. He wasn’t particularly bothered by such things, but stepping on a corpse—any corpse—was still unsettling.

They continued walking through the ruins, but after just a few more steps, they encountered yet another animal skeleton.

Not just wild beasts—there were bird carcasses as well.

Lu Hanzhi found this odd and murmured, “Why are there so many dead animals?”

Yuwen Min examined the bones and said, “Judging by their color, they weren’t burned to death. The whiteness suggests they didn’t die from poisoning either.”

Hearing this, Lu Hanzhi’s expression suddenly tightened. He stopped in his tracks and said, “Wait… I think I know of a scenario that could cause mass animal deaths.”

Yuwen Min turned to him. “Oh?”

Lu Hanzhi said, “Your Highness, are you aware that when sulfur burns, it releases large amounts of SO₂?”

Yuwen Min: …

Lu Hanzhi had been so caught up in his realization that he had blurted out a chemical formula.

Clearing his throat, he realized that even if he had said “sulfur dioxide,” Yuwen Min likely wouldn’t have understood.

So, he rephrased it in simpler terms: “When sulfur burns, it produces a thick, toxic smoke. If a person or animal inhales too much, they can suffer from respiratory poisoning. In high concentrations, the fumes can cause a reflexive spasm of the vocal cords, leading to suffocation.”

Lu Hanzhi kicked at the debris and found some broken pottery shards along with dried food remnants.

He picked up what looked like a dried-out radish and said, “If I’m not mistaken, this part of the ruins was the Su family’s kitchen. Some items were burned, but wild animals aren’t picky eaters. When they came here looking for food, they must have inhaled the toxic smoke and died.”

Yuwen Min might not have understood every technical term, but he grasped the overall meaning.

He asked, “So, you’re saying that this fire was caused by someone deliberately spreading sulfur?”

Lu Hanzhi nodded. “That’s highly likely. Otherwise, there’s no way the fire could have burned so completely.”

Yuwen Min agreed. If that was the case, then this fire had not been an accident—it had been arson.

Just as they were about to move forward, a hoarse, deranged laugh echoed from deep within the ruins.

Both of them turned in that direction and saw a ragged, filthy figure rummaging through the wreckage.

Nearby, someone was trying to shoo her away. “Go on, get out of here! Go home, go home!”

Lu Hanzhi now realized that the person was a young woman. Her face—whether due to birth defects or some terrible affliction—was half-covered in rotting sores, deep and gnarled, making for a horrifying sight.

The person shooing her away took a steamed bun from his pocket and tossed it to her, saying, “It’s getting dark. This place is haunted! Go home now!”

Lu Hanzhi couldn’t suppress his curiosity and called out, “Sir, whose daughter is she?”

The elderly herbalist looked over and, seeing that Lu Hanzhi seemed like a decent person, answered, “No one knows. She appeared here last year, lame in one leg, half-blind, and with sores on her head. She’s completely mad, only ever giggling to herself. Grandma Si took pity on her and let her stay in the back courtyard of her home. But that girl has an eerie air about her—she always sneaks off to this haunted place for no reason.”

Lu Hanzhi stepped closer and finally heard what the girl was muttering: “The Master releases the bound and frees the suffering, guiding the vital breath of the true path, saving the people with benevolence and ensuring the weak find peace…”

Lu Hanzhi frowned. Why did these words sound so familiar?

He lifted his head to look at the girl, but by then, she had already grabbed the steamed bun and was wobbling her way down the mountain.

Lu Hanzhi suddenly realized why those words sounded so familiar. He immediately stepped forward and called out, “Miss! Please wait!”

Yuwen Min, puzzled, grabbed Lu Hanzhi’s arm and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Lu Hanzhi explained, “Did you hear what that foolish girl was reciting just now? That was the preface from The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon – Suwen. How could a simple-minded girl flawlessly recite such an obscure and difficult text?”

Note: it’s a medical book.

Your favorite BL chaos wouldn’t be possible without coffee… lots of coffee….
Support Ciacia’s translation temple on Kofi—and if the cliffhanger demons are haunting you, join the Han’er Tier to purge them with advanced chapter access (up to 5!) before the masses even blink.