Chapter 69 Treasures Mu Hanshi clutched his chest, feeling a mixture of pain and itchiness...
*
Not far from the Shenwu Camp, the Shen family's carriage was approached by a horseman who rode out of a side alley and casually followed beside it.
Hearing the exclamations of passersby, Shen Linlang happily lifted the carriage curtain. Just then, the person on horseback also looked down and the two smiled at each other.
Armored in silver and adorned with red feathers, she was none other than Mu Miaohua, a woman of striking beauty and grace.
Mu Miaohua followed them all the way until the carriage entered Chongde Lane before leaving. Such an obvious act of protection was naturally clear to anyone with discerning eyes.
There were people waiting outside the gates of the Shen residence.
That slender figure, that refined demeanor, and that obviously haggard face—who else could it be but Yu Zhiheng?
Yu Zhiheng looked at Shen Linlang, his worry evident in his eyes. He didn't look at anyone else, but after scrutinizing her, he murmured, "It's good that you're alright."
They had been married for many years, and there was still affection between them. Even though they were divorced, their feelings for each other remained.
Shen Linlang's heart was filled with a mix of sweetness, sourness, and bitterness, all sorts of feelings surging up at once.
Yu Zhiheng hesitated, then said nothing more. Instead, he turned his gaze to Yu Jingxian, the eldest son he had raised since childhood, whom he valued and loved the most.
All of Yu Jingxian's fear and anxiety turned into grievance when she saw him. "Father, I thought I would never see you again..."
He patted Yu Jingxian on the back and comforted him softly.
The closeness between the father and son was obvious to everyone.
As a fellow son, he didn't even glance at Yu Jingliang. Yu Jingliang didn't want to compete for anything and had long been used to it, but he still felt very uncomfortable.
"Big brother must be scared out of his wits. No wonder he kept saying in prison that his surname was Yu, not Shen, and that the Shen family's affairs had nothing to do with him."
Upon hearing this, Shen Linlang's expression immediately changed.
Gu Ruxu shook her head slightly, sighing inwardly.
She knew the boundaries between what could and couldn't be said. She, as Shen Linlang's sister-in-law, shouldn't be telling her about Yu Jingxian's affairs, so even though she knew, she didn't say anything.
She knows when to advance and when to retreat, for example, when others want to educate her child.
When Shen Linlang heard that she was leaving, she knew perfectly well that she was saving face for her. Touched, she did not try to stop her.
Only after she and Shen Changting and his son left did she ask Yu Jingxian.
"Big Brother, did you really say such a thing?"
Yu Jingxian dared not deny it, and mumbled in a low voice, repeating his previous explanation.
"At the time, all I could think about was getting out of here first, and then figuring out how to save you all..."
This explanation sounds reasonable, but it doesn't hold up to scrutiny at all.
He's still studying, has no official position, and no connections. In the end, he'll still have to ask Shen Kunyao for help. Since that's the case, what difference does it make whether he's there or not?
"Brother, that's really laughable. Even if you get out, what use will you be?"
"I didn't think too much, my mind was a mess... Dad, Mom, believe me, I'm not trying to run away, I'm really trying to find a way."
"I think you are..."
"Stop talking!" Shen Linlang interrupted the two brothers' argument, her eyes filled with heartache.
When brothers drift apart, the one who suffers the most is none other than their own mother. As their own flesh and blood, she hopes more than anyone that they will be loving and supportive of each other.
"Eldest brother, second brother, come with me!"
Granny Yu immediately directed the servants to bring out the items meant to ward off bad luck. As the mugwort burned, everyone stepped over the brazier one by one.
Knowing that his mother was going to scold him, Yu Jingxian held onto Yu Zhiheng and said, "Father, you're back now, so come inside."
Upon hearing this, Yu Zhiheng subconsciously looked at Shen Linlang.
There was a clear hint of struggle in Shen Linlang's expression. After experiencing changes, people will more or less change their state of mind, either to understand, to let go, or to get more stuck in a rut.
After a long pause, she turned her back and said, "You can go now."
Yu Zhiheng's expression darkened, and after giving Yu Jingxian a few instructions, he left dejectedly.
Chongde Lane is neither long nor short.
Before he even left the alley, he heard someone chasing after him. He was overjoyed and quickly turned around to look. But when he saw it was Shen Qinglu, the joy in his eyes immediately faded.
Shen Qinglu remained calm, but her face showed sadness and distress. "Father, my mother has been maliciously framed this time, and I am truly terrified."
"With your uncle here, she'll be fine."
“No matter how powerful my uncle is, he can’t protect her in everything. Otherwise, how could her child have been switched back then?” After saying that, she stared at Yu Zhiheng, her black jade-like pupils brimming with tears, looking incredibly pitiful.
Upon hearing this, Yu Zhiheng's already haggard face showed even greater weariness.
If the incident of the child being switched hadn't caused such a stir, none of these things would have happened. Therefore, he has very complicated feelings about his biological daughter.
"You've been recognized and brought back, so let's not talk about the past anymore."
Has it passed?
Sixteen years of living in a daze, being treated like dirt, can it all be wiped away with just a simple "don't mention it again"?
"Does Father really think it's all over?" She lowered her eyelids, concealing the coldness and sarcasm in her eyes.
"Then what else do you want!"
The recent changes in his life have left Yu Zhiheng somewhat agitated. He is now separated from his wife and children, and has been the subject of much gossip and open discussion among his colleagues; no one can know the torment he is enduring.
Sometimes he thought that if the matter of switching children never became known, perhaps it wouldn't be a bad thing. Once this thought arose, it grew like weeds that couldn't be suppressed, and his gaze towards Shen Qinglu became increasingly complicated.
Shen Qinglu was aware of his dislike for her, but she was not saddened by it.
Is my father blaming me?
She slowly raised her eyelids, and large tears slid down her cheeks, falling silently without a sound, not even a sob. Those dark eyes, like a deep pool at the bottom of a pool, were indistinct yet mysterious and eerie.
“I thought my father would feel sorry for me. I’ve suffered for so many years, and it was so hard to finally reunite with you and my mother. My mother loves me, and I thought my father would love me too…”
"I..." Yu Zhiheng was even more agitated, and at the same time, he felt a little guilty.
Of his three children, he only paid attention to his eldest son. He barely cared about his son, who disliked books, and his youngest daughter was only loved because of his wife's excessive favoritism.
As for his biological daughter whom he had recently reunited with, he had little affection for her and didn't care much about her.
"Now that you're back with your mother, listen to her and don't think about anything else."
"Don't overthink it!" is a great saying.
If you don't want to do more, you won't even know how you died.
“I don’t want to think too much about it, but I heard a jailer say in prison that the Chiwang Rebellion happened so long ago, and people are still bringing it up, which is obviously targeting my mother.”
Did they say who was targeting your mother?
"They didn't say, but they said that even if such a thing is false, it's bound to make people think. If there's any further trouble, it will inevitably arouse the suspicion of the higher-ups, and then we might be in big trouble, with relatives and friends being implicated. If we want to clear our names, the best thing to do is to stand up and testify, to put the greater good before family, so that we can escape this disaster."
Upon hearing these words, Yu Zhiheng's heart skipped a beat.
When he went to ask for leave this morning, he ran into a colleague he was close to. While the colleague was comforting him, he casually mentioned that if something really happened to the Shen family, it would be of no use even if he and Shen Linlang had divorced, because he still had three children with Shen family blood. He could only save himself if he completely broke with the Shen family.
Wealth and privilege are everywhere under the emperor's nose, but dangers are also rampant.
It is common for skyscrapers to rise from the ground in one day and turn to dust overnight.
His heart pounded, and for a moment he dared not look Shen Qinglu in the eye. His ugly expression shifted, and in the end, whether out of guilt or because he didn't want to face the topic, he said evasively, "Don't exaggerate, such a thing is impossible."
Shen Qinglu wouldn't let him escape. She stared intently into his eyes, her gaze icy cold, but her words were tinged with sobs and pleading, "Father, you and Mother were husband and wife, and you are still the biological father of us three siblings. No matter what happens afterward, I hope you can stand by our side, okay?"
"What nonsense are you spouting, child?" He frowned, looking extremely annoyed that his character had been questioned. "Go back now, don't let your mother worry."
Having said that, he flicked his sleeve, turned around, and left.
Everyone else had already left the alley, but Shen Qinglu was still there.
The sky was a clear, deep blue, with wisps of white clouds like smoke or gauze. Just looking down, one's heart felt open and expansive, as if the world were vast and one could roam freely.
When you look away, you see high walls on both sides of the alley like cliffs, with a stone path below that has weathered the storms of time, trapping you inside and forcing you to follow the path laid out by those who came before you.
Shen Qinglu looked at the empty alleyway entrance and curled her lips in a mocking smile.
*
In just one day and one night, the atmosphere in the entire household became even more oppressive, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
The servants bustled about, all with utmost caution, even fear. The servants guarding the main courtyard and main house wore increasingly solemn expressions.
The door to the main room was tightly closed, and no sound could be heard from inside.
Shen Qinglu glanced at it and then walked towards the right wing where she was staying.
Everything in the room was as it had been; it would be hard to notice anything amiss unless one looked closely. She seemed to casually fiddle with the peacock feathers, and finally said, "One is missing."
Xia Chan was shocked. "We have been guarding the place day and night, but we have not seen anyone come."
“The person you haven’t seen must be quite skilled and doesn’t want you to discover him.”
Whether it's baseless or not, they've implicated the Demon King, and those with ulterior motives wouldn't just take them away; they'd definitely conduct a covert search behind the scenes.
It is likely that someone broke off a peacock feather during the search and took it away to avoid arousing suspicion.
"How's the matter I asked you to investigate going?"
"That man's surname is Mei, and his name is Mei Wu. He has a younger sister named Mei Xiaomei, who was born with a weak constitution and is kept alive by medicine. All the money he has earned over the years from begging and running errands to gather information has been spent on his sister."
The "plum blossom without" that Xia Chan mentioned is actually the "plum blossom five".
Mei Wu's abilities truly impressed Shen Qinglu.
She wanted to recruit this person to her service, but she had many doubts.
First, Mei Wu is too capable. The news he spread was so powerful that even Gu Ruxu, who came from the Duke's mansion and was the wife of a general, couldn't suppress it. Could such a capable person really be without a master behind him?
Secondly, if Mei Wu is truly an ownerless person, he must have earned quite a bit of money over the years. Why then does he continue to beg instead of living a normal life?
In these turbulent times, even if you need it urgently, you should first find out what's going on. So last night on the way to the General's Mansion, she gave Xia Chan some instructions.
Just as Xia Chan found out, Mei Wu did indeed have a younger sister.
The brother and sister lived not far from the horse market; it was a corner room partitioned off from an ordinary family home.
The corner room was low and cramped, containing nothing but the necessities, but it was very clean. Upon entering, one could smell a strong medicinal odor as well as the scent of sunshine, suggesting that someone often took out bedding and other items to air them out.
Mei Xiaomei was about eleven or twelve years old. She was very fair-skinned and thin, with a sickly look on her face. Her eyes were big, and when she looked at people timidly, Shen Qinglu couldn't help but think of herself many years ago.
After washing her face and combing her hair, Mei Wu looked quite presentable. Although her appearance was ordinary, she had bright eyes and a good physique, but she was rather shy.
"Young lady, you're so generous! Thanks to your silver, my sister's medicine money for next month is secured." He rubbed his hands, not daring to look at Shen Qinglu any longer, and whispered to Mei Xiaomei, "Xiaomei, hurry up and thank the young lady! She's our great benefactor!"
Mei Xiaomei hid behind him, her voice barely audible, "Thank you, young lady."
Shen Qinglu smiled at her, "That's the money your brother deserves, no need to thank me."
Then ask her how old she is and what she does on a daily basis.
She answered them all in a low voice.
When Shen Qinglu heard that she was fifteen years old, she was somewhat surprised. When she heard that she also studied to read, she was even more surprised.
Mei Wu quickly explained, "She is too weak. The doctor said she will have difficulty growing and will not be able to do anything else. I thought it would be good if she could learn to read."
"You're a good older brother."
When Shen Qinglu mentioned the word "brother," her heart was filled with warmth.
This Mei Xiaomei was born with an illness just like me, and she also has a good brother just like me. I really hope that the two of them can be siblings for life.
Unlike her and her brother.
Not only are they separated by life and death, but they are also separated by different times and spaces.
“Girl, my brother is very capable. He can do everything. If you need anything, just ask him to help you…” Mei Xiaomei said, looking at her expectantly with her big eyes.
She felt dazed, as if she were seeing her former self.
This Mei Xiaomei must also want to live, just like her.
"I do have something to ask your brother."
Mei Xiaomei became happy and kept thanking them.
Mei Wu was also very happy and told Shen Qinglu to just give him any instructions.
Shen Qinglu gave Xia Chan a wink, and Xia Chan then called Mei Wu aside to talk.
He then sat down and asked Mei Xiaomei some questions, such as how many characters she knew and what books she liked to read.
Perhaps due to years of taking medication, Mei Xiaomei carried a medicinal scent, but it smelled somewhat different from the medicinal odor that filled the room. Especially when you got closer, you could also detect a faint fragrance within that medicinal scent.
Mei Xiaomei seemed very reserved, keeping her head down and speaking softer and softer.
"Please don't be offended, young lady. My sister rarely sees strangers," Mei Wu said, quickly explaining on behalf of his sister.
He and Xia Chan had reached an agreement and he had even received a deposit.
"If you need anything else in the future, young lady, you can come to me. I will do my best to help."
Shen Qinglu smiled slightly, which could be considered as acquiescence.
Before leaving, she turned back twice, both times looking at Mei Xiaomei.
The first time Mei Xiaomei looked at her, she was probably a little scared and quickly lowered her head. The second time she looked at her, Mei Xiaomei had completely hidden behind Mei Wu, completely concealed.
This corner room is completely isolated from the main house, with its own door for entry and exit. The door opens into a corner of what is described as a narrow alley, but is actually a dead end.
After exiting the narrow alley, walk in the opposite direction from where you came in. After turning a corner, you'll find yourself at a coffin shop.
The paper effigies displayed outside the coffin shop looked very familiar.
Shen Qinglu looked further ahead and the words "Seeking Treasures" came into view.
She couldn't help but chuckle, thinking to herself that this was also fate.
The doors of Xunzhen Pavilion were wide open, but the interior remained empty. The small iron window in the center of the partition was tightly shut, with only the rules on the walls silently welcoming any guests who entered.
She rang the bell, and the window slowly opened.
A black curtain blocked her view, and an old man's voice came from behind it, asking her why she had come.
She gestured for Xia Chan to take out the painting and pass it in through the window.
"Does the guest want any more paintings?" the old man asked her.
“No,” she said. “I want to ask you to help me find her.”
"The customer should have read our shop's rules: we only draw pictures and search for treasures, not people."
"Old man, to my friend, her sister is her treasure. Since she's a treasure, then we shouldn't break your rules here, right?"
There was silence behind the curtain for a moment, but she heard sobbing. When she turned around, she saw Xia Chan wiping away tears.
She patted Xia Chan on the shoulder and said to the old man inside, "Old man, if you're not the boss and can't make the decision yourself, could you please ask your boss for me?"
The old man said, "Please wait a moment, guest," and then fell silent.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the old man spoke again, “Our boss said that what the guest said makes sense. Since it is a treasure, if the guest can afford the price, we will take the business.”
"What price are you asking?"
"One thousand taels, half to be paid upfront according to the rules, and the other half to be paid upon successful completion. If the item is not found, the deposit will not be refunded."
A thousand taels of silver is no small sum.
Shen Qinglu couldn't say whether she felt the pinch or not; in fact, she had little concept of money.
Her adoptive parents in her previous life were very wealthy, so she had no financial worries. All she had to do was take care of her health and cooperate with the treatment.
Although this life has been difficult, and I almost lost my life, I don't seem to be troubled by money.
Just as she was about to hand over the silver notes, Xia Chan, whose eyes were red-rimmed, stopped her. "Miss, this is too much... You've already posted a picture for people to look for, we can search slowly..."
Some things in this world cannot be delayed.
For example, life and death.
"Xia Chan, do you know that many things can't be taken slowly? Perhaps we'll live today but not tomorrow, or perhaps the blink of an eye will be our eternal separation." She murmured, "I also have family members I cherish like treasures, and if money could buy them..."
Every word she spoke was like a knife, piercing through the black curtain and stabbing into the heart of the person behind the window, drawing blood instantly. But the word "treasure" was like the finest wound medicine, healing the wound while also offering comfort.
Mu Hanshi clutched his chest, the pain and itching sensation driving him wild. The light in his eyes spread like wildfire, making him appear mad and insane.
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