Investigation III

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

Mu Chi Prefecture was as usual.

Zhang Rongyu got up to tidy the child's clothes and arrange for food. Her brother-in-law Suda Heqi, tidied himself up, Shangguan, and went to the Prefectural Office to report for duty as usual.

Zhang Rongfang, Li Zhen, Zhang Rongyu, and Little Huan Qing sat down in the dining room for breakfast.

In the early morning, a thin mist hung in the air, and the occasional calls of passing vendors could be heard outside.

Juice, milk, Baozi buns, and mantou—there was everything; it was quite lively.

"Thinking back, since the last Riot, many people who fled to the city have stayed behind, and now all walks of life seem to be more prosperous than before." Zhang Rongyu listened to the hawking and suddenly felt a little emotional.

"That's right. Only after experiencing it do you understand what kind of cities, and which cities, can withstand such threats and dangers," Li Zhen nodded in agreement.

"But the prices of houses in the city are getting higher and higher every day. There are too many people. When I went out yesterday, I saw a lot of newly built wooden sheds in the south of the city. They should all be for these newcomers to live in." Zhang Rongyu unconsciously thought of himself and his younger brother back then.

"These are all people living in chaotic times; it's not easy to Chang Ying for long. Take a few people and set up some porridge stalls at the city gate later," she instructed, turning her head.

"Yes." The steward waiting to the side, named Chang Ying, bowed his head and replied immediately upon hearing this.

"Sister is a kind-hearted person; she can't bear to see ordinary people suffer." Li Zhen reached out and gently grasped Zhang Rongyu's hand.

While the two chatted about the changes in the city, Zhang Rongfang and Zhang Huanqing looked at each other.

Zhang Rongfang smiled warmly at his nephew.

Zhang Huanqing opened his mouth; in fact, he had just wanted to complain, but just as he was about to speak, he saw his uncle smile.

That smile... was exactly the same as the one he had dreamt of yesterday. No, he couldn't tell whether he had seen it in a dream or when he was awake. "Eat more, you'll have the energy to study when you're full." Zhang Rongfang looked at his well-behaved nephew and felt that the child still needed more discipline.

"Okay, Uncle," Little Huan Qing replied obediently.

Zhang Rongfang devoured a meat-filled Baozi in a few bites, along with Mare Milk Wine, quickly finishing three baskets. After finishing a dozen or so fist-sized Baozi, he had something to eat before turning to look at his sister.

"Sister, I have something to discuss with you about Little Huan Qing in a little while. Do you have some free time?"

Zhang Rongyu gently put down the Crab Dumplings in her hand and looked up at her younger brother. She noticed that Zhang Rongfang's expression was solemn, clearly indicating that he had something important to say.

He hesitated for a moment.

"It should be fine in a bit. I can probably guess what you're going to say, but it's okay, it'll be good for us to have a good chat."

"Good."

Li Zhen, who was standing to the side, glanced at him with some curiosity, but still didn't say anything.

Regarding Little Huan Qing's question, it wasn't just one person who saw him in the mansion; everyone has eyes.

In fact, she had discussed this matter with Zhang Rongyu privately. Therefore, she could understand what Zhang Rongfang wanted to say at this moment.

Zhang Huanqing, who was eating breakfast, stayed silent with his head covered, as if what had just happened had nothing to do with him.

Half an hour later, breakfast was over, and Little Huan Qing was taken to morning class.

Zhang Rongfang and his sister Zhang Rongyu were strolling in Lin Li in the Backyard, with guards appearing in the surrounding corners to protect them.

It's clear that security at the manor has been much tighter since the last night raid.

As spring buds begin to sprout, the branches and twigs of the trees in the yard are slowly turning green and full of life.

Zhang Rongyu wore a light blue long dress with a matching blue floral and leaf pattern embroidered on the chest, and loose lambskin wooden-soled slippers. As she walked ahead, each step she took made a crisp tapping sound.

"Rong Fang, I know what you want to ask. As for Little Huan Qing, I've also noticed it. He's just a bit mischievous, but he's actually a good person at heart."

"Is he inherently good? Does that mean his current behavior isn't his true nature, but rather influenced by external factors?" Zhang Rongfang understood the hidden meaning.

He couldn't believe that his cunning sister would be fooled by a mere child like Little Huan Qing.

So it seems that the older sister must have known all along.

As expected, Zhang Rongyu fell silent for a moment.

"He has the Human Blood of a spirit. There are some things that he is destined to be unable to break free from or eliminate."

"People with spiritual Human Blood can also have good people like my brother-in-law," Zhang Rongfang retorted.

"Yes, so Little Huan Qing is only like this temporarily. He will soon get rid of the effects and return to normal. You don't need to worry." Zhang Rongyu seemed to know something.

"..." Zhang Rongfang breathed a sigh of relief. "Is it Confucian Sect?"

Silence.

Zhang Rongyu paused, stopping completely in his tracks.

Her beautiful eyes darted around, but she never turned to look at her younger brother.

For a long time, I don't know if it was ten minutes or longer.

She then spoke slowly.

"It seems you've heard rumors too."

"After all, we've lived together for so long, you should know a thing or two," Zhang Rongfang replied. "Sister, you should give me a heads-up. Otherwise, if something happens, I won't know how to help you."

"Help me?" Zhang Rongyu smiled slightly. It was a smile of relief, tinged with a certain hope.

"Rong Fang, you've grown up now and know how to be considerate of your older sister. But, this matter concerning Little Huan Qing is none of your concern. I know what I'm doing."

"Sister, you..." Zhang Rongfang frowned slightly.

"I love Little Huan Qing very much, but there's nothing I can do. That's just how the world is. What I want, and what my husband wants, always comes at a price." A hint of helplessness flashed in Zhang Rongyu's eyes.

She turned her back to him again, refusing to look at Zhang Rongfang.

"Rong Fang, do you still remember what I said to you when I found you the Daoist Registry?"

Zhang Rongfang was stunned. His memories from that time were vague and belonged to his predecessor, Zhang Rongfang, but he could still recall them.

"I remember," he said. His predecessor had slapped Zhang Rongyu hard across the face.

Zhang Rongyu nodded and smiled.

"This world is so cruel; if you want more, you have to give more. To climb higher, you have to pay a higher price to surpass more people."

"But Little Huan Qing." Zhang Rongfang vaguely understood what her sister meant.

"My sister loves him very much, but there's nothing she can do. Besides, Confucian Sect has assured me that this is just the beginning, and they will gradually guide him back on the right track," Zhang Rongyu said earnestly.

"I've put in a lot of effort and energy to make this happen, so there's no need to say more," Zhang Rongyu said earnestly.

Zhang Rongfang "sister," never expected this answer.

At this moment, it was as if he were getting to know his original sister, who had always cared for him, for the first time.

Previously, his impression of his sister Zhang Rongyu was that she was a beautiful woman who cared for her younger brother, was sincere to her husband, and was a little shrewd.

But now, he suddenly doesn't understand her anymore.

In this cannibalistic world, my sister has managed to climb up from the bottom to where she is now.

What exactly is the source of this reliance? At first, the older sister did love her younger brother very much, but she still cruelly let him wander alone, and only in the end did the younger brother join Qinghe Temple.

Over the years, Zhang Rongyu did continue to support him, but she never acted on emotion. She never neglected her own work from beginning to end.

Such words and actions will not be swayed by anyone!

In that instant, he seemed to understand a lot.

"Rong Fang, don't be like this." Zhang Rongyu sighed softly at this moment. "In life, many things are like rowing against the current. If you don't move forward, you will fall behind. And if you fall behind, you may capsize and die."

"Is your sister worried about a situation like the last night raid?" Zhang Rongfang asked after a moment of silence.

"Not only that. People always look forward. So look, how much better off are we now than before?" Zhang Rongyu opened his arms, a sincere smile on his face.

"This is the result of our efforts. But it's not enough."

She turned around.

"There are some things we are not strong enough for. I myself am not qualified enough, but my son still has a chance."

A small price to pay is nothing.

She reached out and gently grasped Zhang Rongfang's arm.

"Rong Fang, I really don't want to go back to how we were back then, being looked down upon and having to beg people everywhere for money to pay for medical treatment."

"I have the power you need! So things are different now. I can protect you," Zhang Rongfang said earnestly.

"Don't you understand? I don't need anyone to protect me."

Why is it that in this life, others can stand at a high place, looking down on everything? Why are they born into luxury, while we have to struggle and give everything just to live like human beings?

Zhang Rongyu spoke earnestly, a strange something flowing in her clear, beautiful eyes.

"Rong Fang, you've always been very opinionated, even when we argued. I know you have your own insights and ideas. But so do I. And now it seems that you and I are both doing well."

It's clear you're hiding many secrets, perhaps even more than I imagined.

That's good, really.

This shows that our ideas are useful and that we can all live a decent life in this world. Therefore...

She paused.

"So, I know how to handle many things. You go your way, and I have my own. We can support each other, but let's not interfere with each other. Okay?"

Zhang Rongfang was speechless.

Only today did he realize that his sister, Zhang Rongyu, was not just the simple, kind-hearted person who cared about family ties that he had in mind.

She also had another side that he didn't know about—ruthlessness! "Sister, you really don't have to do this," he sighed. "I'm much stronger now than everyone here, in this entire Mansion! You don't need to do this anymore. You can live a better life without paying so much."

So, just say the word, and I'll solve everything for you. I'll bring Little Huan Qing back!

"Rong Fang, that's not enough. That's your path." Zhang Rongyu shook his head.

"How much is enough?" Zhang Rongfang.

"I don't know. But it'll be soon... soon," Zhang Rongyu replied softly, her eyes glazed over.

Often, she herself could hardly tell whether she was using revenge as a pretext to climb the social ladder and enjoy everything she had gained, or whether she was simply willing to sacrifice everything for revenge.

Zhang Rongfang was incredibly perceptive and could vaguely discern his sister's current state.

He remained silent for a long time, realizing that Little Huan Qing's matter was not the source; the real source was actually his sister herself.

Does she really love her child? She says she's doing it for Little Huan Qing's own good, but she just watches helplessly as her child falls into this predicament.

"It will be alright soon, Rong Fang." Zhang Rongyu smiled gently, her face still as bright and beautiful as before, but at this moment, it inexplicably carried something else.

Zhang Rongfang stopped speaking; he suddenly lost the desire to talk.

He thought his sister had always been kind and innocent, only occasionally a little cunning.

But now, perhaps due to the illusion of being too close to the forest for the trees, he has overlooked many details about his sister.

People often overlook many details about the people and things they are most familiar with, just like the darkest place under the lamp.

He let out a sigh of relief.

"I see."