The clue that was finally found was broken again. Shen Qingchen felt heavy in his chest and indescribably depressed.
Neither the county magistrate nor the chief clerk dared to offend him. They thought it was a joke. The imperial officials could chop people off at will. Their official positions were not even as high as the county magistrate's.
Shen Qingchen went to Fengjia Village alone. Seeing that the place was becoming more and more remote, surrounded by dilapidated low huts, his brows furrowed more and more.
In front of me, a short old man with a slightly hunched back was walking slowly, carrying a worn hoe on his shoulder, and seemed to be going to work in the fields.
Shen Qingchen quickened his pace to catch up.
When he got closer, Shen Qingchen found that the old man was even older than he had imagined. The years had carved deep marks on his face, his vicissitudes of life eyes were dull and lifeless, and his body was pitifully thin, as if a gust of wind could blow him down.
Shen Qingchen felt a little uncomfortable as he had to work in the fields at an age when he should be enjoying his retirement. In places where the emperor's grace could not reach, the people at the bottom of society still lived a hard and poor life.
He felt the burden on his shoulders become heavier.
"Old man, do you know where Feng Mian's house is?"
The old man stared blankly at the young man in white in front of him, thought for a moment, and pointed to the distance with trembling skinny fingers.
"Go straight ahead, through the grove, then around a small hill. That's Feng Mian's residence. But young man, what do you want from him?"
"I heard his wife was pregnant, so I came here to congratulate her."
The old man shook his head: "That's really unfortunate. He hasn't been home recently and may never come back."
"Why?"
"He committed a crime," the old man said bluntly. "His wife was so beautiful that the county magistrate's son coveted her. We Fengjia Villagers may be poor, but we are brave. He killed the thief who broke into our house in the middle of the night and escaped."
Just as I thought.
"Thank you for telling me, old man." Shen Qingchen stuffed a silver ingot into his hand and strode in the direction the old man pointed.
The old man looked at the silver in his hand, wiped his eyes twice in disbelief, and shed turbid tears in excitement.
Now I have the money to buy medicine for my husband, and I can spend more time with him.
Shen Qingchen looked at the house in front of him. The brick and tile house was built in an ordinary way, and many details were not exquisite enough, but it was unique in Fengjia Village.
The gate was tightly closed and had a conspicuous seal on the outside, but this could not stop him. He flashed and nimbly climbed over the wall.
The yard was filled with a disgusting stench, a mixture of death and decay. Swarms of flies were flying around, and the ground was covered with black marks.
Looking around, the entire courtyard was in a mess. It was obvious that a serious bloody incident had occurred here.
There were two rooms inside, one in the east and one in the west. He opened the west room and found it empty with only a lame table and a wooden bed, nothing else.
Shen Qingchen's mood became heavy. Is this the kind of life she lives with Feng Mian?
He pushed open the east room again and froze.
There are rosewood carved bunk beds, lotus-shaped incense burners...candlesticks, bead curtains, screens, and ornaments.
The flowers in the vase have withered, but there is still some unused rouge on the yellow pear wood dressing table, and there is a dressing box next to it.
Shen Qingchen stepped forward and opened the dressing box. Inside was an ivory comb and black ink, but no jewelry. However, judging by the importance the owner attached to the room, they should have been taken away.
Shen Qingchen didn't know whether to be happy or worried. He was happy that Yue Lingyin did not suffer, but he was worried that he did not find any useful clues. It was obvious that Feng Mian treated her very well. Would she be moved?
Yue Lingyin didn’t know whether she was moved or not, but Feng Mian was the only one she could rely on now.
At this time, the two were standing on a hillside.
Feng Mian gazed into the distance, his eyes determined as he said, "As long as we climb over this mountain, we will reach Dongchuan Prefecture."
Yue Lingyin was wearing a veil and holding her stomach with her hand: "Feng Mian, let's take a break, I'm so tired." Her words revealed fatigue and weakness.
Feng Mian spread a blanket on the stone and carefully checked if there were any uneven spots. Then he carefully helped her sit down. Seeing that she looked uncomfortable, a struggle flashed through his mind.
He pursed his lips and said, "We will be safe for the time being when we get to Dongchuan Prefecture. We will first find a place to wait for you to give birth to the baby."
Yue Lingyin nodded. At this moment, her belly looked several times bigger than that of a normal pregnant woman. Walking on this rugged mountain road was like torture for her.
At this moment, she felt her lower abdomen becoming increasingly tighter, and waves of unbearable pain came from her pubic bone, making it a little unbearable for her.
"I'm sorry." Feng Mian felt a pang of pain in his heart, his voice was low and hoarse, filled with endless sadness and self-blame.
Yue Lingyin was startled, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment. She frowned slightly, "Why do you suddenly say that?"
Feng Mian took a deep breath, trying to calm the waves in his heart, and said slowly: "If you hadn't followed me, you would definitely be living a better life now. It's my inability to protect you that has left you homeless."
His words revealed his deep guilt towards Yue Lingyin.
"Don't say that." Yue Lingyin held his hand. "This has nothing to do with you. It's my beauty that caused this. You're the one who got into this trouble. I'm the one who should be sorry."
Feng Mian didn’t think so. Yue Lingyin would have better choices if she didn’t follow him.
General Fuguo was famous and powerful.
The emperor controls the world and has the power of life and death.
Compared to them, I pale in comparison.
Whether in status, position, strength or background, they are far superior to herself. Perhaps it is safest for Lingyin to follow them.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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