The Benefactor

The burly man was thoroughly annoyed and roared at them to shut up.

At long last, things fell quiet, only for a cold laugh to ring out.

"Though you used to abduct people in the north, you never dared do it at the Son of Heaven's feet in Yan Capital. This time, you took these girls along because of me, didn't you?"

The burly man glared viciously at her.

Zhao Huiluan heard that when Rong An, Wen Yan, and the others found Shen Zhiyao, a villain had his hands around her throat, and she was nearly dead.

Fortunately, they arrived in time and saved her.

Before Shen Zhiyao fainted, she used every last ounce of strength to tell Rong An about the burly man's parents.

Zhao Huiluan took the pendant Zhang Yunchi handed her and examined it carefully from every angle for damage. As she did, she instructed Xichun, "Send people to find his parents!"

Zhang Yunchi drew a breath and looked at the radiant young girl across from him. Hesitantly, he asked, "You... didn't know this was going to happen all along, did you?"

Zhao Huiluan gave him a reassuring look.

"Shen Zhiyao wanted to investigate the missing girls case. I merely helped her."

"All right. Since you don't want to say more, I won't ask."

Zhang Yunchi waved a hand and went to lie down and sleep beneath the flower trellis.

Though his mind was not as meticulous as Zhao Huiluan's, even he could tell that this was as much as she could tell him.

The entire gang of criminals in the ruined temple was thrown into prison, and statements were taken from all the abducted girls. The Shuntian Prefecture magistrate and the Court of Judicial Review minister followed the clues up the chain and soon found the gang's superiors.

But they dared investigate no further. They also ordered their subordinates to stop investigating, wanting only to close the case as quickly as possible.

Zhao Huiluan could not help sneering as she listened.

"What about Rong An?"

Lianqiu replied, "Vice director Rong, the Shuntian Prefecture assistant magistrate, and the Court of Judicial Review assistant minister haven't given up yet."

"Very good!"

"His parents still haven't been found?"

Lianqiu was just about to answer when Xichun came in and said, "Your Highness, we found them!"

"His parents were killed on the very day he was imprisoned. But he doesn't know that. Every day, someone sends him one of their fingers, frightening him so badly that he doesn't dare say anything."

Zhao Huiluan's smile grew colder.

Cloud Dream Pavilion, the Wen residence.

Wang Quan, Wen Hong's trusted aide, and his son Wang Wenhua were both present.

Wang Quan's face was full of worry, and he could neither sit nor stand at ease.

He cursed the Shuntian Prefecture magistrate and the Court of Judicial Review minister. "Useless things! They can't even keep a few of their own men under control! If this investigation goes on, they'll punch a hole right through the heavens!"

"And that Rong An! He's just a lowly vice director at the Imperial College. What's he butting in for?"

Wang Wenhua sat silently to one side with his hands clasped. Hearing his father's words, he suddenly smiled.

"You brat, what's so funny? At a time like this, you're still smiling?"

Wang Quan glared at his beloved son and scolded him, giving him a meaningful look to remind him that Wen Hong was still sitting above them.

"Don't be anxious, Father."

Wang Wenhua rose unhurriedly and cupped his hands to Wen Hong, who sat in the seat of honor. "Grandfather, in this youngster's humble opinion, it would be best if they punched a hole through the heavens! It all depends on whether they have the nerve!"

Wen Hong frowned in thought and nodded inwardly, finding Wang Wenhua's words reasonable.

"Grandfather, your grandson requests an audience."

Wen Yan had been stopped outside Cloud Dream Pavilion by a group of household guards and servants, leaving him no choice but to call out loudly.

Cloud Dream Pavilion was an important place in the Wen household. Aside from his grandfather and his trusted aides, no one could enter it without good reason.

Hearing the commotion, Wen Hong felt a terrible headache coming on and motioned for the Wang father and son to open the door.

He went out and stood on the steps, looking at his precious grandson affectionately, the picture of good temper.

"Yu'er, what do you want with this old man?"

The servants blocking the way stepped aside, and Wen Yan came forward and bowed with cupped hands.

"Grandfather, your grandson has always lived at leisure and never taken part in your affairs. Whether they're good or bad, I have no wish to interfere, nor do I want to know about them."

"But this time, Grandfather, you really should not have brought your affairs down on my head!"

Wen Yan spoke neither quickly nor slowly. He sounded calm and gentle, but on closer consideration, his words were firm and brooked no objection.

Wang Wenhua studied Wen Hong's expression, then stepped forward and said to Wen Yan, "Qingyu, you shouldn't speak to Grandfather like that. Grandfather dotes on you most. He-"

"Brother Wenhua, I address you as elder brother out of courtesy, but you are not my own elder brother. I hope you will not interfere in my family affairs."

His words remained gentle, but both Wang Quan and his son felt insulted. They withdrew to one side, their faces dark, and said no more.

Wen Hong's kindly expression disappeared. He had held a high position for many years, and the mere way he looked at Wen Yan was full of pressure.

Wen Yan, however, was unafraid and calmly met his grandfather's intimidating gaze.

In the end, Wen Hong gave way.

"Then what does Yu'er want?"

"I want to marry the Shen family's daughter, Shen Zhiyao."

"That's impossible."

"Grandfather, I have two choices for you. First, I bring you a granddaughter-in-law. Second..."

Wen Yan glanced at the silent Wang Wenhua. "As long as Grandfather is willing, you can have more than one grandson besides Qingyu."

"Yu'er, are you threatening this old man?"

Wen Yan merely smiled without answering. He cupped his hands, turned, and left.

"You want to marry her, but shouldn't you first see whether the young lady is willing to marry you?"

Wen Yan's steps paused for a moment, then he walked on with even greater resolve.

Chapter 32: The Benefactor

As the ten-day holiday drew to a close, the investigation into the missing girls case had reached officials at court.

In excellent spirits, Zhao Huiluan went to Tianji Hall to take her leave of the Yongzhao Emperor. She arrived early and saw an elderly man in Daoist robes approaching from a distance.

"Who is that?"

Xichun beckoned to a young eunuch outside Tianji Hall. After asking him, he returned to report to Zhao Huiluan.

"Your Highness, that is Daoist Xuanyi, the deputy director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. He was just promoted for his recent service in presenting pills, and he's nearly eclipsing Director Tao."

As Zhao Huiluan listened, a faint unease rose in her heart.

Daoist Xuanyi came closer and saw a radiant young girl standing on the palace path, dignified and dressed in splendid robes. He frowned in thought for a moment and guessed that the person before him was Princess Zhenning.

With a pill box in one hand and a fly whisk in the other, he merely bent at the waist to Zhao Huiluan.