Chapter 265 Having Some Self-Awareness
The cold wind whipped up dust from the official road, making it impossible for people to open their eyes.
Meng Shilan stood there, feeling the icy wind seeping into her bones through her collar.
The whole family fled to avoid disaster.
These four words, like four heavy mountains, pressed down on her heart.
Just then, a tall and imposing figure strode quickly from the back of the convoy.
Travel-worn, he bore a striking resemblance to He Ran in his features, yet possessed an added sharpness and ruthlessness honed by his military career.
It was He Zhuo, the third son of the He family.
"Ran'er!"
He Zhuo's voice was hoarse with excitement at their long-awaited reunion. He rushed to He Ran in a few quick steps, put his large, fan-like hand around her shoulder, and shook her vigorously.
"You silly girl, you've been gone for so long, I've missed you so much!"
He Ran's face turned pale instantly.
He Zhuo's hand landed precisely on the wound on her back.
Although the wound had healed, the pain deep within the muscles and bones was instantly awakened by this sudden press.
Her body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
"Third Brother..."
He Ran's voice was a little unsteady, but he still managed to force a smile.
"I miss you as well."
Fortunately, the injury has healed for some time, and as long as it's not a violent or large-scale movement, I can bear it.
The fleeting pain on his sister's face and the instantaneous tension in her body did not escape his notice.
His gaze darkened, and he subtly withdrew his arm from his sister's shoulder, leaving it only lightly resting on her.
He glanced at He Ran's feignedly relaxed smile, then at Meng Shilan beside him with a serious expression. He had already made up his mind, but he didn't say anything on the spot.
At this moment, Mother He had already taken Meng Shilan's hand and was looking her up and down.
"You must be Shi Lan?"
Mother He's eyes were filled with love and gratitude.
“I’ve met Xingjiang, and you two siblings do look somewhat alike.”
"Thank you for taking care of Ran'er these past few days."
Mother He patted Meng Shilan's hand and sighed, "We've spoiled this child since she was little. She's wild and has caused you a lot of trouble."
Upon hearing this, Meng Shilan felt a surge of burning shame and bitterness welling up in her heart.
trouble?
He Ran suffered such serious injuries and almost lost his life because of her and her child!
She wasn't causing trouble at all; she was clearly a savior who saved her whole family!
"Auntie, you're too kind. Actually..."
Meng Shilan choked up, about to reveal the truth, when He Ran suddenly grabbed her wrist.
He Ran shook his head at her almost imperceptibly.
Those bright eyes were full of reassurance and pleading.
She didn't want her mother and sisters-in-law to worry about her as soon as they arrived in the capital.
"Oh dear, Mom, please don't stand in the wind!"
He Ran interrupted their conversation, took his mother's hand with one hand and his sister-in-law's hand with the other, and walked affectionately into the mansion.
"The capital is different from the border states. It's already late autumn, and the wind is quite chilly."
"Look, Shi Lan has already prepared everything. The house is warm with the underfloor heating! Everything is provided, from clothing and food to shelter and transportation. It's much more comfortable than we were in the border region!"
While chatting about everyday things, she subtly shifted the family's attention to the new house, cleverly turning the page on that topic.
As expected, He's mother and two sisters-in-law were drawn in and followed He Ran inside, praising Meng Shilan for her thoughtfulness.
As the crowd surged into the mansion gate, Meng Shilan and He Zhuo were left behind at the very end.
The surroundings fell silent instantly, with only the howling of the wind remaining.
"Miss Meng."
He Zhu blocked Meng Shilan's path, his hawk-like eyes fixed on her.
"What exactly happened?"
"He Ran is injured."
His tone was no longer that of a caring older brother, but rather an interrogation-like question.
Meng Shilan met He Zhuo's gaze, her face filled with undisguised guilt and sorrow.
She took a deep breath and then told him everything, without reservation.
The wind grew colder.
He Zhuo listened quietly, the color draining from his face little by little, until it turned ashen.
His aura shifted from sharp and fierce to chilling killing intent.
"That woman named Song Jiyun."
He spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice sounding as if it were being squeezed out from between his teeth.
Where?
“It’s in my Meng family ancestral hall,” Meng Shilan replied in a low voice. “No one knows about this except for a few of my trusted confidants.”
A hint of ferocity flashed in He Zhuo's eyes.
"take me."
The Meng Family Ancestral Hall is quiet and serene. In the center is a semi-sunken house that is spacious, bright, and spotlessly clean.
He Zhuo followed behind her, looking around at the surroundings with a furrowed brow.
"here……"
He spoke coldly, his tone carrying a hint of disdain.
"With bright and clean windows, three meals a day, and plenty of sunlight, it feels more like a place for recuperation than a prison."
Meng Shilan paused, but did not refute.
"It's quiet here, and because it's partially submerged, almost no sound can get out. It's better than a cage."
He Zhuo's gaze fell on her, then on the half-open window of the room.
“Miss Meng is kind-hearted and doesn’t know how to interrogate.”
He spoke slowly, his voice devoid of any warmth.
"Leave this dirty work to me."
Meng Shi... Lan felt a chill run down her spine. She knew that the "interrogation" He Zhuo mentioned was definitely not a simple questioning.
The border region is a melting pot of all sorts of people, with spies from enemy countries as numerous as hairs on a cow.
It is said that half of the enemy spies captured by the He family over the years were obtained by prying their mouths open.
She couldn't even imagine the methods those people used.
"Thank you for your trouble, Third Young Master." Meng Shilan finally nodded.
He Zhuo took the key and opened the heavy brass lock himself.
"Squeak—"
The heavy wooden door was pushed open, and He Zhuo stepped inside without hesitation.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Meng Shilan stood outside the door, her clothes fluttering in the wind.
She had no idea what would happen inside.
But she knew that Song Jiyun's comfortable days were coming to an end.
But in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the tightly closed door creaked open once again.
Meng Shilan thought it would take at least an hour for He Zhuo to come out.
His expression was exactly the same as when he went in; it was still that cold and indifferent look, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
It was as if he had just gone in to have a cup of tea.
Meng Shilan went to greet her, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
So fast?
Is that all... done with the trial?
He Zhuo tossed the key back to her, glanced at Meng Shilan's surprised face, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"This woman."
He spoke casually, as if evaluating an insignificant object.
"Has some self-awareness."
He paused, his eyes revealing a deeper mockery.
"But not many."
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