Even after returning to her room that evening, Zhan Xinjia was still pondering the meaning behind what Master Shen had said to her during the day.
What does it mean to say, "If we might become bitter enemies in the future, to the point of no return, or even if I might hurt you, would you still be willing to believe me now?"
It's inexplicable; how could she suddenly become enemies with Lord Shen?
It's even more impossible for me to hurt her.
Holding the ointment in her hand, Zhan Xinjia sat under the lamp, lost in thought.
Let alone hurting her, even when her eyes were slightly swollen from crying, Lord Shen was very concerned and distressed. Moreover, Lord Shen is the kind of person who is incredibly easy to talk to and very gentle, although sometimes he can seem rather sinister…
However, there must be a reason why he suddenly said such a thing.
Vague fragments of memory emerge, and Zhan Xinjia seems to recall the conversation she overheard while half-asleep on the ship.
When Yan returned, he said that the last person Wang, the magistrate who died in the dungeon, saw was Lord Shen. And right after Lord Shen left, Wang died. After that, Lord Shen started acting strangely.
So it's very likely that Lord Shen met someone and learned something in the dungeon.
But Master Shen only said he had no comment, it seems he didn't want others to know what happened.
Zhan Xinjia had intended to ask for clarification, but unfortunately, before she could pursue the matter further, she was interrupted by the two eavesdroppers at the door, who had been listening for who knows how long.
well.
With a sigh, Zhan Xinjia lay back on the bed and stared blankly at the ceiling.
In short, I'm heading back to Beijing tomorrow.
She'd been away from home for so long, she missed it terribly—she missed her glamorous mother, her devoted father, and her incredible home…
Touching the butterfly hairpin in her hair, Zhan Xinjia took it off and held it tightly in her palm.
She closed her eyes in peace.
The journey back to Beijing from Jiangyuan County didn't take long, and it's worth mentioning that Meng Qiao also came along.
Zhan Xinjia originally thought that Meng Qiao would choose to go back to Qin County with Uncle Meng, since Sister Cui could take care of things there, and the Meng family's old house had been empty and uninhabited anyway.
But Meng Qiao seemed determined to follow her.
“Miss Azhi, I just want to follow you and learn some martial arts. Maybe I can even protect you in the future.”
Meng Qiao looked pleading, carefully tugging at Zhan Xinjia's sleeve, afraid of being rejected.
Zhan Xinjia was somewhat surprised.
"You've just reunited with your father, and now you're going to be separated again. Are you willing to let that happen?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Qiao lowered her head and stared at the tips of her shoes, her voice muffled, clearly indicating some hesitation and struggle.
“Dad said he would be relieved as long as he knew I was doing well. He also said he wanted to live at Hongfu Temple for a long time to keep my mother’s eternal lamp company, so I didn’t have to worry about him and that I only needed to visit him twice a year.”
“But Qiaoqiao, if you don’t want to stay here, I can ask Sister Cui to find you a job in Qin County. You don’t need to travel so far with me. I never thought about asking you to repay me.”
"No... Miss Azhi, I just want to follow you."
Meng Qiao didn't know how to explain.
Azhi Girl held a special place in her heart. It was Azhi Girl who saved her, gave her the opportunity to avenge her enemies, and even kindly helped her find her lost family.
She couldn't accept this kind offer of help with a clear conscience. Although she was useless at the moment, she still wanted to do something for Azhi Girl, even if it was just a trivial matter.
Seeing the other party's persistence, Zhan Xinjia didn't ask any more questions and helplessly shrugged.
She didn't trick her into giving it to them; Qiaoqiao herself wanted to suffer with her, a beggar whose home was constantly being ransacked.
"Alright then, welcome to the Beggars' Sect."
"???"
——
Zhan Xinjia anxiously imagined a thousand scenarios for seeing her parents again, though she herself wasn't sure what would happen. But right now, it was clear that someone else urgently needed comforting...
Inside the carriage, the young man stared out the window with a stern face, saying nothing, while Zhan Xinjia chattered away, trying her best to comfort him.
"Don't be so nervous, Lord Shen! When you're nervous, you become expressionless, which makes you look like you're angry, which is quite scary."
"...Is there?"
Shen Suqing looked slightly flustered and touched his face with a hint of unease.
Zhan Xinjia thought that Lord Shen was the kind of reliable person who could handle everything properly, but she didn't expect that he had a little problem where he would turn into a blank expression when he was nervous...
Zhan Xinjia, charmed by Xiao Shen, curled her lips and couldn't help but reach out and rub his tense face, her eyes crinkling.
"Okay, okay, relax~ My dad is an incredibly easy person to get along with, and my mom can't resist a handsome guy. Don't worry, Mr. Shen, you're very popular with the elders."
Zhan Xinjia wasn't lying to him.
A young and promising civil official, with a carriage and a house (within the second ring road), handsome, a government-appointed official, and an advisor to the crown prince… With all these qualities combined, he's practically a chosen and highly sought-after son-in-law!
Even so, Shen Suqing still felt uneasy.
Slightly troubled, Shen Suqing pulled the little girl's hand away from his face and tried to take a deep breath, but no matter how he tried to relieve the discomfort, he still felt uneasy and restless.
To be honest, he hadn't been this reserved even during the imperial examination that year...
With a slight frown, Chen Suqing took the little girl's hand from his palm and brought it to his lips, gently biting the edge of her hand with his teeth.
Yes, it's much better now.
He's much better now, but Zhan Xinjia is about to explode.
"Brother Er Gou! Even though you're Er Gou, you can't just bite people randomly."
She angrily withdrew her hand and put it in her sleeve, about to argue a bit more, when the carriage creaked to a stop.
At the city gate not far away, a beautiful woman in a red dress and black hair held a feather duster in one hand and a broom in the other. Beside her stood a burly, strong man with broad shoulders and a thick waist, looking timid and submissive.
Zhan Xinjia: "..."
Zhan Xinjia: "Hey, Master Shen, how about we stay a few more days and come back?"
She had barely finished speaking when she was hit on the head.
The young man lowered his voice and reprimanded him seriously, "Don't use foul language again."
Okay, okay, Zhan Xinjia covered her head in grievance.
Even though she didn't want to face it, she was still betrayed by Yan Xiyue, who got off the train first.
"Aunt Yan!!"
Yan Xiyue, like a fledgling bird returning to the forest, joyfully opened her arms and ran towards Liu Ruyan.
Liu Ruyan quickly responded with a "yes," as both her hands were full of things and she could only look at the adorable little girl who was clinging to her side like a sparrow with loving eyes.
"Oh, Yue is so good~~ Call your brother and aunt to come back for dinner later, okay? By the way, where's my little Zhi? Didn't he come back with us?"
As soon as Liu Ruyan finished speaking, a faint voice rang out.
"mother……"
After getting off the car, Zhan Xinjia walked up to me timidly, like a quail with her neck tucked in.
As soon as she shouted this, Liu Ruyan immediately raised the feather duster high.
Shen Suqing panicked and instinctively pulled the little girl behind him, already raising his hand to block. Unexpectedly, the blow landed squarely on Zhan Yue, who looked completely innocent, causing the unsuspecting Zhan Yue to howl in pain.
Starting with a family-inherited technique of zero frames per second, Liu Ruyan immediately began to commit some horrific domestic violence...
"My little one~~~ Are you cold or hungry outside? Have you been bullied? I miss you so much it breaks my heart..."
"It's all your dad's fault, Zhan Yue!! You're lucky if I don't beat you to death today! You explain to me why this little girl ran away from home?! Did you scold her, yell at her, or treat her badly in private?!"
"I'm innocent, Ah Yan!"
As the lowest rung of the family food chain, Zhan Yue dared not be angry or speak out. He couldn't even protect his dignity as an old father. All he could do was hug himself in grievance and helplessness.
The letter was torn open.
She tugged at the sleeve of the young man who stood frozen in place, trying to explain in a low voice.
"Young Master Shen, my parents aren't usually like this... Don't be afraid..."
While being beaten, the old father glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw a pale-faced young man next to his beloved daughter whom he hadn't seen in a long time. He immediately straightened his chest and became alert.
His eyebrows furrowed, and his eyes were sharp as knives.
Zhan Yue's entire aura was different.
"Who are you?"
Shen Suqing had no doubt that the legendary General of the Cavalry in front of him, who was more impressive in person than in person, wanted to crush his skull. It might be hard to believe, but he could definitely sense the killing intent.
He remained silent for a while, and because of his nervousness, his face looked even colder and more sour, as if someone owed him five hundred taels of silver.
He looked incredibly arrogant.
Shen Suqing tried his best to organize his thoughts and say something nice to leave a good impression so that he could make a good visit later to propose marriage. However, he had no experience in pleasing his elders in the past twenty-two years, and he was also too nervous.
After holding his tongue for a long time, he finally managed to utter a cold, forced sentence—
"father."
Liu Ruyan: "..."
Zhan Yue: "..."
Zhan Yue: "Who the hell is this?! Ah Yan, do we have any illegitimate children out there?" (scratching his head)
Zhan Xinjia has really broken down this time.
Dude, you're way too familiar with people! Did you learn that from me?! Help!!!
She covered Master Shen's mouth in alarm.
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