As soon as the Shen family grandfather and grandson left at night, Xiao Yanyue opened his eyes, but he didn't make a sound. After watching the two disappear, he went back to sleep.

He's still young and needs to sleep more to grow.

Now, with his powerless body, he is very restricted in doing many things, and he is very annoyed by this feeling of powerlessness.

He told himself to be patient. Since Xiao Yanyue was still alive, those people had to pay the price.

Ideally, they should be made to suddenly live in great fear one day after they have settled into their high positions.

He kept his hatred hidden, knowing that showing it would only lead to further trampling and suppression, and would do nothing of value.

Before he has the ability to take revenge, any excessive emotions will only be a hindrance; he must remain calm.

Shen Xingmian had no idea about the surrounding terrain and felt that she would easily get lost if she went too far. Fortunately, her grandfather, who was like a living map, was with her.

She asked excitedly, "Grandpa, where are we going tonight?"

Grandpa seems to have a very clear goal; he must have already decided who he wants to rob. Hehe, then all she needs to do is follow him.

"About ten miles south is the Lin family's hot spring estate. The reason I remember it so well is because there was an incident one year when his son kidnapped the daughter of a minor official and raised her there."

When Shen Zhiheng mentioned this, his tone was full of undisguised disdain, which made Shen Xingmian even more curious about what happened next.

"That girl was clever. Instead of resisting to the death, she gradually gained Lin Sheng's trust and slowly had the opportunity to act. In the end, she successfully escaped. Despite her father's advice, she insisted on filing a complaint with the emperor."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingmian felt immense admiration.

This was an extremely harsh era for women. Doing such a thing would not only subject them to the scorn of outsiders, but even their own families might despise them for being shameful.

Moreover, as far as she knew, filing a complaint with the emperor had a very high threshold; it seemed one had to roll on a bed of nails...

Good heavens, just thinking about it makes me feel sick. That woman actually did it. I don't just admire her, I practically worship her.

"If I have the chance in the future, I'd like to get to know this older sister. She's truly a heroine with both courage and wisdom! Grandpa, what happened next?"

Shen Xingmian was eager to know what happened next.

"Later, when the truth came out, in order to cover up his crimes and vent his anger, Lin Sheng, that scoundrel, killed all the women he kept in the manor and buried them in the back mountain."

When the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review arrived with his men, they found only a few servants left cleaning and sweeping; the master and woman were nowhere to be seen.

Shen Xingmian was absolutely furious. This bastard was just as despicable as the emperor. When she returned to the capital, she would definitely use Lin Sheng as a sacrifice!

"The Dali Temple had long been infiltrated by Lin Xiang's men. The arrests were just for show. When the truth finally came out, it was actually some江湖 (jianghu) lads who did it."

Unable to tolerate the corrupt collusion among officials, they secretly infiltrated the village, investigated the matter, and exposed it, ultimately saving the woman who had appealed to the emperor and her father from imprisonment. However, what happened to them afterward remains unknown.

Hearing this, Shen Xingmian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the process was difficult, the final result was good. We really have to thank those kind-hearted heroes who stepped in to help.

"Grandpa, is this the manor we're going to now? Wasn't it said to be abandoned and only some servants left?"

Shen Xingmian was somewhat puzzled.

Shen Zhiheng shook his head: "That's all just appearances. Lin Xiang, that cunning old fox, suffered such a big setback here. How could he just leave this place empty?"

Shen Xingmian realized: "Grandpa, are you saying that he might be using this place as a special location to secretly store important things here?"

Shen Zhiheng nodded with a smile and praised, "Our Mian'er is so smart."

"If Lin Xiang is in this mood, does it mean that Lin Sheng is not really dead? If his only son were dead, wouldn't a man like him go crazy?"

Shen Xingmian guessed.

“I also have that suspicion. His grief at the time seemed more like an act for people to see than something from the heart. It’s just that at that time our family was being feared by the new emperor, and I couldn’t return to the capital at all. Your father told me all these things in his letters.”

So that's what Dad told me. It seems Grandpa is quite good at storytelling; it's as if he witnessed the whole thing himself.

sharp.

"I wonder how that woman is doing. Given the Lin family's vengeful nature, I wonder if she and her father are already in grave danger?"

A somewhat complicated smile suddenly appeared on Shen Zhiheng's face, a mixture of helplessness and smugness.

The moment Shen Xingmian saw it, she suddenly had a flash of inspiration and asked, "Did Father secretly help them? Grandfather, please tell me!"

She was extremely anxious. Seeing her grandfather's silent smile, she was basically certain that someone in the family had helped them escape.

This is wonderful!

She still has a chance to meet that incredibly cool young lady!

"Giddy up!" Shen Xingmian happily rushed out, galloping away on horseback, wanting to remember this incredibly exhilarating moment.

Shen Zhiheng immediately followed, and seeing the unrestrained smile on his granddaughter's face, he felt very happy.

It had been so long since he had felt this relaxed and carefree.

The border conflicts never subsided. No matter how many people praised his brilliant military strategy, the harsh realities kept holding him back, leaving him helpless.

Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice, and the same goes for him, the "peerless military genius" in the eyes of the world.

His soldiers were not even fed enough, and the horses did not have enough fodder. Even if they won a battle, they could not pursue the enemy too far. They were constantly hampered by others.

Now he can finally catch his breath and stop thinking about those things.

The burden on his shoulders has never been truly lifted, but it's not good for someone who has already died once to be so stubborn.

His most cherished treasure is right before him, intelligent, lively, healthy, and beautiful; this is already an immense blessing from heaven.

He is content.

As for the border matters, he is currently exiled as a prisoner and has no power to manage them.

The grandfather and grandson rode their horses at full speed for a long time, enjoying themselves immensely, until Shen Xingmian felt his legs getting a little sore, at which point they gradually slowed down.

Not far away, the silhouette of a mansion could already be vaguely seen.

That must be it, the place where the sins of many young girls were buried, I wonder what's hidden there now.

"By the way, Grandpa, before leaving the capital, were there any places that my mother and I visited, like the residence of a treacherous minister?"

Shen Xingmian felt that given her mother's strong sense of justice, she would definitely not let that fat sheep go, but she didn't know if she had made it in time.

She trusted her mother too much and didn't even ask whose family she had visited. We can only find out now.