Chapter 108 Zhao Yu is Jealous, Waiting for Xu Chuming to Return Home

The atmosphere inside the Imperial Study was solemn.

The eunuchs and palace maids waiting inside didn't dare to breathe, their heads bowed low.

Zhao Yu was merely there to report on the King of Qin's escape, and in doing so, he learned from the King of Qin about the New Year's Eve banquet that year.

Emperor Mingde's gaze was cold and angry: "Zhao Yu, say that again!"

Zhao Yu lowered his eyes and spoke slowly: "The King of Qin said he would exchange a secret for my life. He said that during the New Year's Eve banquet, Consort Ning had made a move against my aunt, but the plan failed. I am not aware of the specifics of the matter."

Emperor Mingde was furious and immediately raised his hand, causing the memorials to fall to the ground.

"Consort Ning!"

Emperor Mingde shouted sternly: "Anything else?"

Zhao Yu said calmly, "As for the others, the King of Qin hasn't said anything. The person is currently being held in the Dali Temple prison."

Emperor Mingde closed his eyes; this matter was related to the Zhao family.

Emperor Mingde did not allow Zhao Yu to interfere. He raised his hand and said, "Go and summon Chen Feng. Keep this matter a secret and do not let a word of it leak out."

...

Zhao Yu revealed some clues, and Emperor Mingde would investigate the rest himself.

Judging by the time, it should be around March.

After leaving the palace, Zhao Yu went straight back to the Duke's mansion.

Since Zhao Yu gave Zhang Shi the definite answer before the New Year, Zhang Shi has been able to relax a little during the New Year period.

Now that Zhao Yu has returned to the manor, Madam Zhang came directly to Songchi Courtyard.

"Hey, busy man, you're finally back home."

Zhao Yu sighed softly, "Mother."

Looking at Zhao Yu's thin figure, Madam Zhang couldn't bring herself to say anything to blame him. She couldn't help but say, "How have the people below been taking care of him? He's gotten so thin."

Zhao Yu concealed his injuries well.

The Zhao family is still unaware of Zhao Yu's recent injuries.

Zhao Yu pursed his lips: "I've just been busy lately, things will get better after this period."

Madam Zhang: "Go see your grandmother later."

Zhao Yu responded with a "hmm".

Madam Zhang paused for a moment, then said, "By the way, what about the two Xu sisters? I sent someone to check with the shop, and they said the sisters moved away, and we don't know where they live."

Zhao Yu said calmly, "Why is Mother concerned about this matter?"

Madam Zhang: "I was just asking casually. I was worried that the two sisters would be bullied in the capital. Chu Mian is so beautiful. What if someone targets her? Your father isn't in the capital. I am, after all, your maternal aunt."

After not seeing each other for several days, Madam Zhang told her some things about the household.

Just a few days ago, Qin Zhitong came to see Madam Zhang, hoping that she would keep an eye out for suitable young men in the capital.

Zhao Yu was single and had no intention of marrying, so Zhang Shi couldn't force him. Thus, she became enthusiastic about finding a husband for Qin Ruoyu.

After a pause, Madam Zhang continued, "He'an, what about your second uncle..."

Zhao Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, "Mother, please speak freely."

Madam Zhang sighed, "The one your second uncle brought back... sigh, at his age, he still manages to cause such a mess."

The second master of the Zhao family and his eldest son from the second branch returned the night before New Year's Eve, and temporarily settled the concubine and her child in a small house outside the mansion.

Because it was the New Year and she hadn't seen her son for a long time, Madam Zhao refrained from getting angry at Master Zhao.

But on the ninth day, the mistress and her son openly came to the door.

It was said that the child was seriously ill, and the doctors they found were all ineffective, so they needed to ask the second master of the Zhao family, the child's biological father, to find a doctor himself.

The old lady of the Zhao family did not want to be laughed at by outsiders, so she temporarily allowed the mother and son to enter the mansion under the guise of being distant relatives.

As soon as they entered the mansion, an old woman and a young mother and son arrived.

It was the concubine's mother-in-law and husband back in her hometown.

The Zhao family made a scene, causing a huge commotion and becoming a laughing stock.

The second master of the Zhao family felt ashamed and kicked the concubine out. The old man and the young man took several dozen taels of silver and dragged the mother and son back to their hometown.

Madam Zhao was so angry that she almost fell ill.

The second wife and Zhao Lingyao felt both relieved and saddened. The second branch of the Zhao family had been shrouded in gloom these past few days. Zhao Erye wanted to see his wife and daughters, but none of them were willing to see him.

Even her son was scolded by his sister Zhao Lingyao. Despite spending so much time with his father, he didn't notice anything unusual about the mother and son.

After this incident, Zhao Lingyao lost all interest in romantic relationships with men.

He sees everyone as a heartless man.

I've been staying indoors writing storybooks these past few days, and I've killed off all the male characters.

After Zhang finished speaking, she sighed and said, "What kind of mess is this? If your father dared to do such a thing, I would chop him up."

Zhao Yu looked helpless and said in a deep voice, "The news that came yesterday is that Father has arrived in the North and won the first battle."

Zhang felt somewhat relieved. "That's good then."

Before leaving the mansion, Zhao Yu went to see Old Madam Zhao and chatted with his grandmother for a while before getting up to leave.

As they approached the front yard, Zhao Lingyao called out to him.

"Big brother!"

Zhao Yu paused slightly, "Ling Yao?"

Qin Ruoyu was also with Zhao Lingyao.

Qin Ruoyu glanced at Zhao Yu, then quickly lowered her head again.

Zhao Lingyao stepped forward and muttered, "Big brother, why have you been so busy these past few months? You weren't even home for the New Year. You have no idea how angry I was about my brother! Go and teach him a lesson for me!"

During the time my father was away on his post, my brother witnessed that woman stirring up trouble and even coming to the capital to bully her and my mother.

Zhao Yu patted his sister's head. "Your brother is straightforward and honest, and he hasn't paid attention to many details."

Zhao Lingyao shook Zhao Yu's arm and whispered, "Big brother, my mother won't let me leave the manor. I want to go find Sister Chumian. I haven't seen her in so long, and I miss her terribly."

Qin Ruoyu's eyes flickered slightly, then she clenched her fists.

Zhao Yu asked calmly, "Have you finished your homework?"

Zhao Lingyao immediately wore a bitter expression.

After leaving the Duke's mansion, Zhao Yu went straight back to Wenju.

As darkness fell, upon hearing that Xu Chumian had not yet returned to the manor, Zhao Yu's expression visibly darkened.

Winter wine and autumn brew are handled with utmost care, not daring to utter a word.

Guan Yan glanced at Zhao Yu's expression and whispered, "Master, Miss Xu is thoughtful and considerate; she should be back soon."

Zhao Yu remained expressionless and went to Muheng Pavilion to take a look at Mu Mu.

The little girl was practicing archery when she saw Zhao Yu arrive, and she was overjoyed.

Zhao Yu's expression softened slightly. After watching Mu Mu practice her skills for a while, Xu Chu Mian still hadn't returned to the mansion.

Zhao Yu's face darkened again.

Master Jiang and Zhao Yu were old acquaintances. Upon seeing this, Master Jiang couldn't help but ask, "Who owes you money?"

Zhao Yu glanced over.

Master Jiang snorted, "I won't stoop to your level."

When Zhao Yu is in a bad mood, he fights and spars like he's out of his mind. For safety's sake, it's best to stay away from Zhao Yu.

After a while, he couldn't help but ask again, "Could it be that Miss Xu is not here?"