Chapter 51
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The Cheng family was also Yuan Ran’s maternal family. They were supposed to be his biggest supporting force. Even though they now supported the new crown prince, they shouldn’t have treated Yuan Ran like this.
Compared to Mr. Cao’s excitement, Chu Lishu seemed not to be angered by the discovery, as if everything was within his expectations.
“Because they don’t want me to reappear. After all, once I ascend to the throne, the power of the maternal family will be greatly weakened, so they are not willing, which is normal.”
Chu Lishu’s original philosophy of employing people was to let the capable ones take charge. He could be impartial in facing anything. This was very disadvantageous for the Cheng family, which had a vague trend of the maternal family intervening in politics.
Now, Yuan Ran has been officially declared dead, but no one has seen his body. Everyone is still worried that the arrogant son of heaven is still alive somewhere. Yuan Ran’s excellence has left traces in everyone’s hearts. They fear him, so any slight disturbance makes them panic.
“Could Your Highness’s past events be related to them as well?” Mr. Cao immediately asked, “What exactly did Your Highness experience back then?”
Chu Lishu’s eyes darkened, and in the depths of his eyes, it seemed like a sea of blood was churning. Those hellish days still frequently appeared in his dreams, tormenting him, instilling hatred, urging him to move forward. The eyes of those hundreds of thousands of lost souls stared at him in the darkness, questioning why he had not yet sought revenge for them. The souls of millions of innocent people could not rest in peace because they did not understand why they had suffered such a calamity.
“You don’t need to know exactly what happened. I only ask if teacher is willing to lend me a hand.” Chu Lishu looked directly at Mr. Cao.
Now that Crown Prince Yuan Ran has returned, it is evident what he wants to do. Mr. Cao has always considered himself Yuan Ran’s servant and naturally intends to follow him. “This old servant will surely devote himself to the utmost, even unto death. However, this old servant is still under surveillance, so please be cautious Your Highness.”
Chu Lishu nodded. Of course, he knew. Otherwise, there would be no need to go to such lengths to test Mr. Cao.
The emperor was unwilling to let Mr. Cao leave, claiming it was to help choose a tutor. In reality, the main reason was the emperor’s concern that Yuan Ran had not truly died. The emperor believed that if Yuan Ran were to return to life, one of the most likely individuals he would contact would be Mr. Cao. Hence, the emperor kept Mr. Cao in the capital under close surveillance.
“There is something this old servant must report. In the Imperial Academy’s library, there is actually…” After expressing his loyalty, Mr. Cao immediately became anxious, eager to have Chu Lishu find evidence to prove his innocence from years ago.
“I have already found it, and the evidence is in my hands.”
Mr. Cao’s face lit up with joy. “Your Highness is truly brilliant, having deciphered the secret code of the hidden chamber so quickly. This old servant was of no help at all.”
Mr. Cao’s voluntary disclosure made Chu Lishu confirm his loyalty.
“There is something I need your help with now,” Chu Lishu said directly. “I want to enter the palace as a prince’s study companion.”
Mr. Cao had already guessed and stated frankly, “This old servant cannot appear too obvious to attract attention from Your Highness, but I will certainly support Your Highness during the assessment. However, the result of this assessment is likely not determined solely by academic knowledge. The influence behind the princes…”
“In this aspect, Xu Wenze will help.” Chu Lishu’s plan was naturally designed for a hundred percent success. With the support of Xu Wenze and Mr. Cao, there should be no problem with him entering the palace.
Mr. Cao looked at Chu Lishu with relief. Although he was now a stranger, the smooth cooperation with the Crown Prince brought back a familiar feeling, the same feeling of pride and admiration he had for Crown Prince Yuan Ran.
“By the way, Your Highness, do you still remember the Shadow Wolves?”
Chu Lishu was momentarily stunned. It had been a long time since he had heard that term. If they were still around, his actions wouldn’t be as difficult as they were now.
The Shadow Wolves were elite warriors specially trained by the royal family. After each emperor selected their heir, they would cultivate ten individuals from a young age. These ten exceptional individuals were responsible for personally protecting the heir, carrying out tasks for them, and, like shadows, would never betray their master. As long as the master lived, so did they.
In that year on the battlefield, even with their exceptional abilities, the Shadow Wolves couldn’t protect Chu Lishu. When he woke up amidst a sea of corpses, he couldn’t even distinguish whose body belonged to whom.
Chu Lishu didn’t understand why Mr. Cao suddenly brought this up. “Even if they didn’t die in battle, they should have followed their master in death,” that was their code.
However, Mr. Cao shook his head. “No, they once came to me, so I learned that two of them are still alive.”
Given Chu Lishu’s current suspicious nature, his first reaction was to wonder if the Shadow Wolves had also betrayed him.
But soon, Mr. Cao’s explanation dispelled his suspicions.
“They are the ones who believed Your Highness’s death the least. Because they trust this old servant, they wanted to search for Your Highness’s traces together with me. They insisted on not burying their master without seeing the body. They have been looking for you all this time.”
Only two members of the ten Shadow Wolves remained, and they were still waiting for their master’s return.
This was probably the best news Chu Lishu had heard today. As long as he could reunite with them, it would be a tremendous boost for him.
However, they were elusive, making it challenging to locate them. Otherwise, the emperor wouldn’t have hesitated to eliminate them by now. It seemed that finding and reconnecting with them wouldn’t be an easy task.
Meanwhile, in Marquis An Nan’s residence, Lin Qingyang, who was diligently studying, suddenly heard a notification in his mind.
【Main Mission 1, Mission 4: Help the male lead regain the Shadow Wolves’ influence.】
Lin Qingyang jolted, feeling the arrival of a mission. Indeed, when the male lead went out to handle official business today, it triggered a new mission.
Lin Qingyang quickly focused his thoughts on this mission, realizing that it was something crucial, potentially a matter of life and death for him. It had to be completed.
However, as he contemplated, Lin Qingyang’s expression turned somewhat grim. It seemed that he might have missed the starting point of this mission.
He took in a sharp breath, telling himself not to panic.
The Shadow Wolves could be considered the second assistant that returned to the male lead’s side in the original story. The first was Mr. Cao, and the information about the Shadow Wolves also came from Mr. Cao. Therefore, it was likely that Mr. Cao had already successfully reunited with the male lead.
However, in the original story, finding the remaining two members of the Shadow Wolves was not an easy task.
They didn’t recognize the current Chu Lishu and wouldn’t voluntarily reveal themselves. Moreover, they had been busy searching for the male lead and seeking revenge for him. Even Chu Lishu, who knew of their existence, had been helpless in finding them for a while.
Until the Winter Solstice ceremony, Chu Lishu was selected to assist in the work related to the imperial tomb by Ying Wenlong from the Ministry of Rites. They needed several scholars to help with writing, and Chu Lishu was chosen due to his connections with Ying Wenlong. This was how he managed to enter the imperial tomb.
Coincidentally, the two members of the Shadow Wolves returned empty-handed, feeling dejected. Although they didn’t believe their master was dead, the imperial tomb served as a symbolic burial site for their master. Therefore, they secretly went to the imperial tomb. It was there that the master and servants finally recognized each other.
Lin Qingyang found himself in a tough spot. Ying Wenlong had gone through a lot with the incident involving the divorce, and considering the current circumstances, it was highly unlikely that the Ministry of Rites would assign him such a task.
Lin Qingyang felt a sense of despair. It seemed that he had been terribly unlucky. He swore that in the original story, it only briefly mentioned Chu Lishu being brought into the imperial tomb due to his connections with Ying Wenlong. The focus was on Chu Lishu’s complex emotions inside the imperial tomb and how he cleverly discovered the two members of the Shadow Wolves nearby. Ying Wenlong’s name wasn’t even mentioned; Lin Qingyang only made the connection now by piecing together the events.
This….was truly a face full of bad luck.
However frustrating the situation might be, regret wasn’t an option. Lin Qingyang needed to find a way to ensure that Chu Lishu would visit the imperial tomb during the Winter Solstice.
Since Mr. Cao and Chu Lishu had a good relationship now, Lin Qingyang thought Mr. Cao might be able to help.
With this plan in mind, Lin Qingyang felt a bit more at ease. There was still some time before the Winter Solstice, so the urgency of the mission had diminished.
Just as he was contemplating, there was a commotion outside the door. It was Nanny Ding, returning with someone.
Seeing Nanny Ding’s rosy and joyful face, it seemed that everything had gone smoothly.
Lin Qingyang immediately set aside his books and went to welcome them.
Knowing that the six people were sent by the Liu family, this time, County Princess Yawen insisted on changing clothes and personally meeting them, wanting to inquire about the situation.
Lin Qinglan assisted County Princess Yawen, and Nanny Ding stepped forward to report the situation at the Ying residence.
Although the report was formal and proper, Lin Qingyang could discern the suppressed sarcasm and satisfaction in Nanny Ding’s demeanor.
When they arrived at the Ying residence, they were naturally treated with disdain, even taking their time to open the door. However, Nanny Ding, an experienced elderly woman, had seen all kinds of situations. She began loudly declaring at the entrance, making it clear to the neighbors that they were here to retrieve the dowry. She hinted that not opening the door might be an attempt to embezzle the dowry. Faced with such a loss of face, the Ying family quickly opened the door and let them in.
Nanny Ding meticulously checked each item against the dowry list. Initially, Old Madam Ying tried various cunning arguments, displaying all sorts of ugly behavior, desperately hoping to keep at least half of the dowry. However, when Nanny Ding’s six companions stepped forward and started searching, their rough actions inevitably caused some destruction. In the blink of an eye, the Ying family was in chaos, and Old Madam Ying ended up sitting in a chair, crying. Nanny Ding, with a stern expression, stood at the entrance of the hall. While counting the dowry, she casually mentioned that they would compensate for any damages without the need for tears.
The ten miles of red bridal attire was not a joke. It filled the entire courtyard of the Ying family.
Now, not only Old Madam Ying but even Ying Xiaodie, witnessing this scene, had tears in her eyes.
Subconsciously, Ying Xiaodie had long forgotten that all the impressive items she could proudly display were, in fact, part of the dowry brought by others. When they were still a family, she could use and flaunt them at will. Now that they were no longer a family, these items were unrelated to her.
What was amusing was that, when Ying Xiaodie was sourly retorting, Nanny Ding keenly plucked a golden hairpin directly from Ying Xiaodie’s head, saying with a cold face, “This also belongs to our Young Lady.”
As they searched further, it turned out that most of Ying Xiaodie’s gold and silver jewelry were taken from Lin Qinglan’s private stash. Ying Xiaodie was so furious on the spot, claiming that Lin Qinglan had given them to her and how could she take them back. She threw a tantrum, rolling and wailing, almost wanting to make a scene right there.
The men of the Ying family remained absent from the scene, letting the women cause a commotion. However, they also considered who their opponents were.
Seeing the situation escalate, Nanny Ding directly let Ying Xiaodie to report to the local authorities. They would handle it according to the regulations, and the Ying family, realizing they couldn’t afford a scandal, dared not cause further trouble.
In the end, even down to the last penny, Nanny Ding demanded and took back every bit of the dowry.
Old Madam Ying continued to rant, claiming that they had raised the person for three years, they also need the living expenses back. Nanny Ding calmly retorted, suggesting that maybe they might as well calculate the cost of the medicine given to the young lady. Old Madam Ying was so infuriated that she fainted on the spot.
With their departure, the Ying family seemed emptied, revealing its barren state. While Lin Qinglan used to manage the family affairs, Old Madam Ying, taking back control, only now realized that their lifestyle in the capital, enjoying the privileges of the powerful, was entirely dependent on the scenes created by the eldest daughter-in-law.
With the eldest daughter-in-law gone, the Ying family couldn’t afford to maintain such a large household of servants, let alone maintain their previous extravagant lifestyle.
After settling the accounts, Old Madam Ying grabbed Ying Wenlong and burst into tears. However, Ying Wenlong reassured his mother not to worry. After all, he was about to marry the daughter of Duke Wei Guo’s residence catching up with the footsteps of Prime Minister Li. The days ahead would undoubtedly be better than before. For now, they needed to maintain appearances to avoid becoming a laughingstock.
After the family discussed together, they had to patch things up to save face. They sold properties and land, inflated their wealth, and put on a facade. Little did they know that the misfortune for this family had just begun.
In the end, more than ten carriages carried away the ten miles of red bridal attire, attracting a crowd of onlookers. Some even commented that even if the Lin family couldn’t bear children, with these ten miles of red bridal attire, who wouldn’t treat the women of the Lin family well?
After Nanny Ding spoke, she seemed to release a pent-up frustration. It was clear that the family had thrived thanks to Lin Qinglan’s efforts, yet they failed to appreciate it. Now, the family was clinging onto Lin Qinglan like parasites, not satisfied with just taking advantage but wanting to strip her bare. They would see how they would manage their empty residence in the days to come.
Both Lin Qingyang and County Princess Yawen found Nanny Ding’s words quite satisfying. Lin Qingyang also grasped something from this situation – Ying Wenlong’s reluctance to divorce and desire for widowhood was not solely due to reputation; there was undoubtedly an intention to covet this dowry.
Lin Qinglan’s expression became distant for a moment. “I never thought I would marry into such a family,” she said, a sense of repulsion evident in her words.
“Consider it a bite from a dog,” Lin Qingyang patted Lin Qinglan’s shoulder. “The future will be better.”
Lin Qinglan secretly touched her abdomen, her eyes dim.
County Princess Yawen then began questioning the six individuals about the situation in Jiangnan. The only woman among them was their leader, appearing young, with a delicate face, efficient in her actions, and skilled in martial arts. After visiting the Ying family together, Nanny Ding was quite satisfied with her.
No matter what County Princess Yawen asked, the woman answered each question.
Nanny Ding quietly pulled Lin Qingyang aside to inquire whether these people would stay permanently.
In reality, Lin Qingyang had only borrowed them temporarily. After all, they were members of a courier agency, engaged in legitimate business, not seeking employment or selling their services. If they were to stay, Lin Qingyang would have to consult with his eldest cousin, make formal arrangements, and inquire about their intentions.
However, Lin Qingyang felt that the chances were slim. It wasn’t that his eldest cousin was unwilling, but these six people had no reason to stay far away from their hometown, lingering here.
Nanny Ding understood Lin Qingyang’s sentiment and said, “If nothing else works, we can at least try to keep that girl. Marquis An Nan’s residence always feels unsafe, and you, young master, are not often here. I’m getting older, and there’s no capable person by my side. In the future, who will take care of the County Princess and the young lady?”
Lin Qingyang understood that Nanny Ding valued the abilities of that girl.
Since Nanny Ding brought it up, after Lin Qingyang finished the conversation with his mother, he took the opportunity to express his intentions to the six individuals. Although they were not servants, they had never encountered a young master being so polite. They were somewhat anxious but had to politely refuse Lin Qingyang’s kindness. Most of them were not willing to leave their hometowns.
The girl seemed indifferent and promised to contact her master before making a decision, with the master referring to his eldest cousin.
After handling this matter, Lin Qingyang, watching the sun gradually set, became increasingly uneasy. Until now, the male lead had not returned. Wasn’t he supposed to only be gone for a few hours? Even if he were really meeting with Mr. Cao, it shouldn’t take this long. It had already been a whole day. Lin Qingyang wondered if something else had delayed him.
With only three points remaining, Lin Qingyang didn’t dare to use points to locate someone. Perhaps the male lead was at Mr. Cao’s place, but he didn’t dare to casually go there and risk arousing suspicion. The safest approach was to wait for the return. If he didn’t come back by night, one-third of his life would be gone.
In the anxious wait as the sky darkened, someone from the Flower Hall came to invite Lin Qingyang to have a meal.
Meanwhile, not long after Chu Lishu had left the gate of Mr. Cao’s residence, he ran into Yue Chen and Huo Luo, who were visiting Mr. Cao.
Given that the investigation into the addictive substance was still ongoing, Chu Lishu found it suspicious that they had time to come here. He initially thought they would just pass by, but upon seeing Chu Lishu, Yue Chen immediately abandoned the visit to Mr. Cao and insisted on inviting Chu Lishu to dinner.
As a result, the three of them found themselves in a private room at one of the famous restaurants in the capital.
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