Chapter 39
Shen Yu finally got a good night's sleep.
Ever since the Hundred Gates Sacrifice began, she either spent the night at the table or bedside, or lay in bed with her mind racing with thoughts.
When I woke up, the sky outside the window was bright, and the autumn wind was blowing withered leaves, gently patting the window paper, creating a long-lost sense of tranquility.
Despite this, Gong Er and his team still couldn't find anyone willing to step forward.
However, Grandma Chen became even more determined.
No one knows what the people from the Water Mirror Sect said to her, but Grandma made up her mind to sue Chen Laoliu, even if it meant being imprisoned.
She was also informed of many legal rules and regulations. She was to undergo a medical examination because she had been severely beaten in the past, leaving many marks on her body.
If she still can't find a witness, she will become her own witness.
When asked what her plans were after filing for office, she said she could still do laundry and sweep, and go to other places to support herself.
For this, Shen Yu was extremely grateful to Zhao Wenlan.
No one would just say a few words of loyalty and then abandon their responsibilities. Zhao Wenlan patted his chest and guaranteed that the Water Mirror Sect was far away, and no one would bother Grandma again.
Reality was not as good as expected, but Shen Yu's spirits were still up.
Humming a little tune, she ran upstairs to change Qiu Chiyan's dressing.
The people from the Six Doors were quite carefree; although Tang Huazhi was worried about Qiu Chiyan, he still left him there alone without worry.
These past few days, the Hundred Gates Sacrifice to the Blade has been at its peak. Xiao Wuhen and he were both tied to the scene, and even Qin Lie only came to see Qiu Chiyan occasionally, spending the rest of his time outside drinking and socializing.
Shen Yu felt that Qiu Chiyan was a pitiful person who had been forgotten, so she didn't mind that he slept in her room.
As soon as she entered, Qiu Chiyan stared at her with a serious expression.
Shen Yu was busy stirring the ointment when, after sitting down by the bed, she suddenly noticed—
"Didn't you sleep well? Why are your eyes so dark?"
"...You slept very well?"
"Of course, I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow last night, and I didn't get up until very late this morning."
The air fell silent for a moment after he said that.
Qiu Chiyan's Adam's apple bobbed, as if he wanted to say something, but then stopped himself. Shen Yu didn't notice and continued to lower her head to get the ointment, reaching out to lift his shirt for him.
“Chen Yu”.
"Um?"
When Qiu Chiyan met her clear eyes, the knot in his heart tightened even more.
Could it be that he was just having a dream last night?
He clearly remembered the temperature of that moment, their lips touching, their breaths mingling.
How could this person be so calm?
In that instant, reason in my mind exploded into a jumbled mess.
This is impolite, this is illogical.
There was no follow-up, not even the slightest hint of ambiguity.
His gaze involuntarily fell on her lips.
"At the latest, the day after tomorrow, after the Hundred Gates Knife Ceremony ends, Grandma will have to go to the yamen." Shen Yu said while applying medicine, ignoring Qiu Chiyan's repeated attempts to speak. "I was also thinking of selling the inn to get some money so that if Grandma is really imprisoned according to the law, I can get her out as soon as possible."
"It shouldn't cost that much money, and I'll take care of the money."
Shen Yu shook his head: "Forget it, you are an official after all. I'll figure out a way to handle this myself."
"...Then go find my maternal grandfather, he's got money to burn, anyway..."
"Is it okay for you to talk about Grandpa behind his back like this?" Shen Yu looked up and said quietly, her eyes filled with a smile and a teasing expression.
The two were very close, the scent of medicine mingling with her fragrance as it enveloped him. For a moment, Qiu Chiyan forgot what to say.
However, Shen Yu seemed to have a lot to say: "On the day of the court hearing, I also have to testify. I've thought it over. Grandma's stay was short, so it doesn't count as hiring her. As long as I can win the argument and prove I didn't abduct her, that's fine. The rest depends on whether the evidence is sufficient. If I lose..."
She thought about it for a moment, seemingly not having considered this possibility, or perhaps not wanting to think about it.
"I'll sue somewhere else!"
Qiu Chiyan listened and suddenly sighed softly.
"Can we start writing the complaint?"
"...Not yet, it's so hard to start..."
"Then leave it to me."
"Does this count as cheating?"
"If you are truly suing for justice, I will write it for you, which can be considered upholding justice. If you insist on calling it cheating, then consider me a corrupt official."
Shen Yu chuckled: "Has Officer Qiu also given up on everything?"
"I have no choice, Manager Shen." Qiu Chiyan's tense rationality suddenly vanished. Since he said that was the case, then he would do it. "I am always timid and overthink things, while you are straightforward but superficial and irresponsible."
"Me?" Shen Yu picked up the medicine cup, stirred it casually, her tone nonchalant but her eyes bright. "Is Officer Qiu still holding a grudge about that little thing that happened last night?"
“…”
Qiu Chiyan's Adam's apple bobbed, and he almost choked on the hot air surging in his chest. Before he could say anything, the bitter medicine gagged him again.
“My mind is completely focused on Grandma right now. Everything is uncertain before the trial,” Shen Yu said, her tone calm and less joking. “I should think about the future first and consider all possibilities.”
“…Okay,” Qiu Chiyan replied in a low voice.
He had intended to strike while the iron was hot and make his point clear, but now…
However, Shen Yu turned back and casually said, "If you're free these next few days, could you write down a menu for me? Write down whatever you want to eat. Once things calm down in a couple of days, I'm going to cook a big meal!"
Shen Yu left with the medicine in a carefree manner, not caring much about the rest.
The person on the bed, however, was not so carefree. His thoughts were a jumbled mess, and he didn't know where to begin, so he could only burrow into the covers and try to escape for a moment by sleeping soundly.
When that day finally came, only Yao Liuliu and Xu Dahe remained at the inn.
Shen Yu, as the person involved, goes without saying, while Gong Er went to the door to make a scene and also to keep an eye out for any other people causing trouble.
Xu Dahe also wanted to go, but Qiu Chiyan advised him to reduce his public appearances.
There are always people who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. If Chen Laoliu and his family saw Xu Dahe, this half-grown boy, who knows what absurd accusations they would throw at him.
Qiu Chiyan also went downstairs for a walk after a long absence.
Feeling dizzy and lightheaded, he slumped back into his chair and closed his eyes to rest after only a few steps.
"I'm telling you, aren't you worried?" Yao Liuliu asked, shaking a rag as she stood on the stairs.
I wanted to distract myself by doing some work, but I just couldn't help thinking about it.
Qiu Chiyan, his eyes still closed, spoke slowly: "This case isn't actually complicated. Grandma Chen has old injuries, so her strength should be enough to match Chen Laoliu's, plus Zhou Siyao's testimony. And that Chen Laoliu isn't exactly clever..."
“But what if they don’t admit it? What if they try to make trouble?” Yao Liuliu didn’t wait for him to finish speaking before she flipped down the stairs and poked his head. “That’s not right. You didn’t say that before. You always said in front of Shen Yu that we should prepare for the worst.”
“I’ve never been worried about the case itself, but whether Grandma can bear the gossip.”
Yao Liuliu's force was too strong, and when she poked Qiu Chiyan, his shoulder ached from sitting up straight. He had no choice but to sit up more upright: "It's not a big deal if anyone in this inn runs into trouble, but it's different for Grandma. In the end, everyone has to be responsible for themselves. Others can help her and protect her for a while, but no one can stand up straight for her and move forward. And those who advise her to break free from the past often take on too much of a burden for themselves. That's not saving someone."
"...Actually...we can be more optimistic. Grandma is also very capable. It's already remarkable that she dared to take this step."
Yao Liuliu couldn't deny that she had also considered the idea that even an upright official couldn't settle family disputes, and she was even more afraid of endless troubles in the future.
For Grandma, staying here might not be the best option. Who can endure gossip day after day?
"As this brother said, people should be responsible for themselves, but if they don't have that ability, then they can only be stuck in the status quo?"
Before the person outside arrived, the voice preceded them. A man strode in, dressed simply and modestly, yet his sharp features were undeniable.
He was followed by a beautiful woman, who was also radiant.
Qiu Chiyan calmly stood up and replied, "Not everyone has the ability, but everyone has the opportunity."
"You say you want to give the powerless a chance, but you almost assert that the result will be even greater harm. By putting such unpleasant words out in advance, do you want people to endure it or make a choice? To me, an outsider, this is a good excuse to have your cake and eat it too."
Yao Liuliu didn't recognize this person, and for some reason, he was aggressive from the start.
Fortunately, Qiu Chiyan remained calm and composed throughout, showing no signs of impatience.
"Patience may be her choice, but she must also understand that 'patience' and 'obedience' are not the same thing. If others make decisions for her, she will forever live under the power of others."
"So, do you want people to live with clarity, or to live an easy life?"
“Only by being clear-headed can one choose to take it easy. If she really can’t bear it anymore, she can naturally stop for a while. People don’t necessarily have to win, but they must have the will to stand up. That one thought is the opportunity. I just hope that when she first made the decision, she was clear-headed and free.”
The man's gaze softened, and he suddenly smiled: "If that's the case, then those young people in the courtroom weren't just charging in blindly after all, which is not bad."
Seeing that the atmosphere had suddenly eased, Yao Liuliu jumped out and asked the two men, "Are you two from out of town?"
"Yes, we were traveling around and heard that Sanhe Town was bustling today, so we came to take a look. As soon as we entered the town, we heard that the yamen was holding a court session today, and there was a rare case, so we went to the gate to take a look."
"Can you see the results?" she asked impatiently.
"I haven't finished reading it yet, but it should be alright. The man in the hall got angry and wanted to hit someone on the spot, but we won't let him have his way."
"Then...then you can win! Isn't that an admission of victory?" Yao Liuliu looked at Qiu Chiyan excitedly.
Qiu Chiyan felt this was within his expectations. Although pleased, he still remembered to treat his guests with courtesy. He asked the two strangers, "Are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"
"A room, any kind will do. When can we eat?"
Yao Liuliu: "If you two are hungry, there are wontons in the kitchen. They cook quickly, so you can have them to tide you over."
"Thank you very much!"
The man found a table, pulled out a chair, and let the woman sit down first, while he strolled around the table.
A short while later, he peeked out from the backyard, his face beaming with excitement: "Linzhou, there's a little monkey!"
"Don't mess with them, I'm hungry, come and eat."
Yao Liuliu brought over the plate, put down two bowls, and looked at the couple.
Qiu Chiyan, who was standing to the side, was also observing.
He shouldn't have seen these two people before, but they looked strangely familiar.
Look at those eyebrows and eyes...
He hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and asked, "Are you two... here to see Manager Shen?"
"Ah, come see my daughter."
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