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Xia Muxin studied her for a moment. The girl had delicate and pleasing features, with a pair of eyes that shone with a pure and innocent light. When she noticed Xia Muxin staring at her, she immediately lowered her head, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her clothes, clearly at a loss.
At the same time, Xia Muxin realized that there was no trace of affection or admiration for Shen Muhan in her eyes; instead, there was a calmness mixed with expectation and fear.
After a pause, Xia Muxin softened her voice to ask, "Yes, where did you see him go?"
Upon hearing this, the girl's eyes brightened as if she hadn't expected Xia Muxin to ask her so earnestly. She pointed toward the back of the house. Xia Muxin nodded slightly and walked in that direction.
"Uncle, are you in there?"
After circling around the back hall, Xia Muxin finally stopped at the bathing room. She could hear the sound of water splashing inside and frowned with concern.
Moments later, the water stopped, and at that moment, the door opened. Shen Muhan emerged wearing a black robe, his hair still damp and cascading down his back. Seeing his ethereal appearance after bathing left Xia Muxin momentarily stunned, unable to move her feet. It wasn't until Shen Muhan let out a low chuckle that she shook her head to regain her senses. However, her gaze caught an unusual redness on his neck, resembling hives. She tiptoed and reached out to lift his collar, her eyes widening in shock as she exclaimed:
"Uncle, you're allergic to Chicklings and Duckling!"
His neck was covered in a dense rash that looked alarming. Xia Muxin had a fear of clusters; at that moment, her face turned pale from distress. But what pained her more was knowing that Shen Muhan was aware of his allergy yet still insisted on carrying two cages for her while pretending nothing was wrong. How could she not love him? How could she not be attached to him?
"Foolish Girl, it's nothing. It'll be fine in one or two hours," Shen Muhan said as he ruffled her hair gently before taking her hand and leading her outside.
As they reached the Main Hall, they saw the girl standing neatly dressed to one side, seemingly waiting for their arrival.
Upon seeing Shen Muhan and Xia Muxin, her eyes flickered slightly. Finally, she raised her head and said boldly,
"Miss, can I go with you to Town next time?"
Xia Muxin glanced at the indifferent Shen Muhan and raised an eyebrow,
"Are you familiar with Town? Or are you from Zhushan County?"
The girl had been awake for several days, yet she remained tight-lipped about their questions and was extremely guarded, as if afraid they would sell her out. This was the first time she had taken the initiative to speak to them.
At Xia Muxin's words, the girl's pupils constricted, revealing a hint of deep anguish. She closed her eyes for a moment before summoning her courage to say,
"I want to find He Cong."
When she mentioned He Cong, there was a fleeting glimmer of bloodthirsty intent in her gaze.
Xia Muxin scrutinized her for a while before finally stating the truth,
"He Cong has been brought to justice for corruption."
There was no need for her to elaborate further; after all, a court official suddenly being taken away could only be due to a few reasons.
As soon as Xia Muxin finished speaking, the girl covered her mouth and began to sob quietly, only to break into laughter moments later. After laughing, she cried again.
This left Xia Muxin confused, glancing toward Shen Muhan for clarity. However, Shen Muhan merely shrugged innocently. Despite the many questions swirling in her mind, she still couldn't guess the girl's identity.
For a moment, the woman had cried enough and then knelt down, heavily knocking her head three times on the ground, before pleading:
"Thank you for saving my life, Miss. Could you please take me to the county office?"
Xia Muxin was startled by her actions and was about to bend down to help her when she heard Shen Muhan's particularly cold voice:
"Who are you to Yan Zhiqing?"
He hesitated when he asked this question, but at that moment, seeing the woman's tears streaming down her face again, he was certain he had not asked in vain.
"I am his youngest daughter, Yan Zhouwan."
County Magistrate Yan, as the official of Zhushan County, was known for his integrity and had earned the people's praise. His second son had once fought alongside Shen Muhan in battle; he was a passionate young man with great ideals and far-reaching ambitions. When they parted ways, Shen Muhan had told him to find him in three years, but before doing so, he must first become the new Top Scholar...
However, after that, he never saw him again. The next news he heard was that County Magistrate Yan had been accused of corruption and abuse of power and was exiled along with his entire family by the Ministry of Personnel.
But what was going on with Yan Zhouwan?
Xia Muxin was surprised but quickly helped Yan Zhouwan up and led her to a nearby chair, pressing her down to sit before slowly saying:
"Miss Yan, feel free to share your grievances. The current county magistrate has a terrifying background, but most importantly, he loves to uphold justice for others and restore fairness for good people."
Xia Muxin did not know much about County Magistrate Yan, but she spoke delicately. Good people were one thing; if they were bad people, it would be another matter entirely.
"That night, after half a month of heavy snow had just stopped, everything outside was blanketed in white and looked beautiful. My mother hummed a little tune to lull us to sleep. Unexpectedly, a decree was suddenly issued. My father had been writing something in his study until he was taken out; he still held a brush in his hand while the memorial he had filled with writing was torn into shreds. The entire Yamen was filled with cries of despair—nursemaids, maidservants, guards—all were killed. The blood flowed from the Main Hall all the way out into the courtyard. Only the five of us were spared. However, the next day, my brother was taken to Zhao Manor to be used as target practice for the two young masters there. They even tried to insult my sister, but my brother fought desperately to protect her. In the end, he was beheaded by Zhao Family Young Master. Miss Zhao Qiushui then inexplicably found a dog and made it carry away my brother's head. After that day, we never found it again. My sister and I were tattooed on our faces and sold into a brothel. I watched my sister die beneath four men; before she died, she set fire to everything. I lost my beauty in that fire and ended up with a wretched life..."
Years later, recalling that night, Yan Zhouwan still trembled uncontrollably. She had survived all these years in hopes of one day clearing her family's name and restoring the honor of the Yan Family.
"Miss Muxin, Young Master Shen, please forgive me for pretending to be mad these past few days, but I had no choice. There is no one left in this world I can trust. I live only out of resentment. I want to clear my father's name; he was such a good man, honest and devoted to the people. Why did the emperor issue such a decree..."
Xia Muxin gritted her teeth at the mention of the Zhao Family—again, the Zhao Family...
But at that moment, she could do nothing for her; she could only pat Yan Zhouwan's trembling shoulders to comfort her.
"Miss Yan, you can stay here for now. Consider this place your home."
After a long silence, she sighed.
"I am an old acquaintance of the New County Magistrate, Xiao Yan. You can rest easy here; we will handle everything."
Xia Muxin knew exactly what Shen Muhan was thinking. He was eager to find out what Yan Zhiqing's final memorial had written. Moreover, if anyone discovered that Yan Zhouwan was still alive, they would surely try to silence her. Thus, this place was currently the safest.
"No, if Zhao Qiushui knows I'm alive, I can't drag you into this."
Upon hearing this, Yan Zhouwan stood up excitedly and said firmly.
That day, although Zhao Qiushui had poisoned the water in the entire brothel, she happened to have an upset stomach and did not drink any. However, when she emerged from the restroom, she found that the entire establishment was on fire, and the flames spread quickly as if someone had doused it in oil. The other girls lay motionless on the ground. Just as she was about to run away, Zhao Qiushui tackled her down, and they ended up grappling with each other, both suffering serious injuries. Unexpectedly, Zhao Qiushui had a knife on her, which was also poisoned. After stabbing herself, she fainted while Yan Zhouwan managed to crawl out. Since it was nighttime and she dared not walk where there were people, she took a small path instead and randomly consumed some herbs along the way. Thus began her journey of walking and stopping until she unknowingly arrived at Daimiao Mountain.
In the end, exhausted from her efforts, she rolled down a slope...
"Don't worry; we'll face whatever comes our way. For now, stay here. This matter concerns your father's reputation; we cannot act recklessly. We must ensure that traitors like Zhao Weiran are brought to justice before the law."
Xia Muxin pondered for a moment, realizing that although Shen Muhan held a high position, the Ministry of Revenue was not alone; there were also the Ministry of Personnel and the Grand Tutor supporting it. It would be unwise to act rashly and uproot everything without careful consideration. Having thought this through, she turned to Yan Zhouwan and, at the same time, pressed down on Shen Muhan's arm to signal him not to act impulsively.
Three days later.
Xia Muxin arrived at the coffin shop with silver coins, only to find it completely empty inside. She paid the remaining five taels of silver, and Li Tairang informed her of the remittance address. He also mentioned that an old woman would come by in the evening, but he did not know what her purpose would be.
After giving his instructions, Li Tairang bowed repeatedly to Xia Muxin before leaving.
Just moments after Li Tairang departed, Er Dan and others arrived with tools. Xia Muxin began directing them on how to renovate the door, while Shen Muhan went upstairs on his own.
Perhaps due to rumors of hauntings, the second floor had remained vacant, covered in cobwebs and thick dust. Shen Muhan drew out his soft sword from his waist and brushed aside the cobwebs while covering his mouth and nose, surveying his surroundings.
A chilling breeze swept in through a small window on the east side, causing Shen Muhan to furrow his brow as he glanced toward it.
He saw that the entire wall on the east side was covered with paintings. Approaching them, he waved his hand, sending thick dust flying throughout the room. Upon closer inspection, despite their age, the paintings showed no signs of damage; instead, they appeared quite new. The artistry was impressive, yet all the paintings depicted ordinary landscapes.
After examining them for a long time and circling the room several times without finding anything suspicious, he finally descended the stairs.
As Shen Muhan reached the bottom step, Xia Muxin pulled him aside and whispered urgently:
"Uncle, Yan girl has been wanted."
She had just happened to notice a crowd outside discussing something and had curiously gone out to check. To her surprise, she saw several officials posting wanted notices everywhere, and the portrait on those notices unmistakably depicted Yan Zhouwan.
Shen Muhan's lips curled slightly; that was quick indeed. He grasped Xia Muxin's hand firmly and said softly:
"Don't worry, I've got everything covered."
In the evening, an elderly woman indeed arrived. She was over seventy, dressed appropriately, and leaning on a cane, slowly making her way with the guidance of a middle-aged woman who resembled a grandmother.
"My dear, we truly have a connection."
Xia Muxin looked at the old woman, a flicker of familiarity crossing her eyes, but before she could recall anything, the old woman spoke first.
Xia Muxin turned her gaze, pondering for a long moment before suddenly realizing and exclaiming, "It's you, Grandma!"
This was the same grandmother who had bought Orchid Beans and wild chickens that day; due to her age, she had asked Ming Yi to help carry her things home.
"Yes, it's me," the old woman said, looking at Xia Muxin with a hint of excitement.
At this point, not only was Xia Muxin puzzled, but Shen Muhan also narrowed his Cold Eyes in curiosity.
"Grandma, is this shop yours?"
After a pause, Xia Muxin felt she was losing control of her emotions. She composed herself and gently asked.
The old woman simply shook her head with a faint smile.
"A friend from long ago."
A friend from long ago? Was that a deceased friend?
"Child, do you know who is across from us?"
Suddenly, the old woman stepped forward, grasping Xia Muxin's hand tightly. She stared at her for a long moment before pointing to the shop across the street and asking.
That was the shop that Xia Muxin had been rejected from three days ago. It had already opened, and the ground was covered with a layer of firecracker scraps, bright red and vibrant. In Xia Muxin's eyes, it inexplicably transformed into a torrent of fresh blood, and this blood kept surging more and more, becoming uncontrollable...
She instinctively shook her head, trying to clear her mind. Looking at the people coming in and out, she said blankly, "I don't know."
"That is the Ouyang Shengyu family, the largest merchant in Tianli Kingdom, and also the richest businessman in the world."
- End of Chapter -
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