Chai Yang Xinghe recounted everything that had happened during this period, including the events in Chongzhou after Shen Wei disappeared, the children's experiences over the past year, and the actions of Li Yue Shu.
Hearing this, Shen Wei frowned.
Was the poison woman they spoke of truly the Li Yue Shu he knew?
Sensing his doubt, Chai Yang presented four bullet casings. "Master, your subordinate investigated discreetly but could not trace the origin of these items, nor did we find any connection between Li Yue Shu and those people in Chongzhou."
Shen Wei examined the bullet casings in his hand, his gaze deep.
Strange weapons, superb medical skills, and miraculous pharmaceutical methods—how many secrets did this Li Yue Shu hide?
After a long silence, he finally spoke, "Spend more money to have Chi Yun Lou continue the investigation. In Chongzhou, let slip a little that I am still alive."
Xinghe's eyes lit up. "Master, are you returning to Chongzhou?"
Shen Wei pursed his lips, then shook his head. "Not yet. I still have some matters to attend to."
Upon hearing this, Xinghe looked bewildered. "What matters are there here that require Master's attention?"
Shen Wei glanced at him. Though his gaze was indifferent, Xinghe immediately lowered his head.
He felt he hadn't said anything to anger his master.
Chai Yang looked at the dejected Xinghe and approached. "Master, your presence in Tong Mu County was erased by Grand Tutor Xu. Does he have a plan?"
As everyone knew, Grand Tutor Xu was loyal to the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince had a hand in what happened to Master previously. Chai Yang couldn't help but suspect Grand Tutor Xu was brewing some conspiracy.
However, Shen Wei's gaze flickered. He said, "It's fine. After scattering the news, prevent them from investigating Tong Mu County."
Although Chai Yang was puzzled, he did not hesitate in obeying the order.
After they left, Shen Wei turned his attention to Shen Yi Min beside him. He hesitated for a moment and said, "When I left Chongzhou, I went to the cold palace to see your mother."
Shen Yi Min involuntarily tightened his grip. "How is she?"
Shen Wei frowned and shook his head slightly. "Her condition is not good. She still has residual poison in her body, and in a place like the cold palace, even though I arranged for people, it's still not a complete solution."
Shen Yi Min bit his lower lip, his expression filled with worry and anxiety, along with the helplessness of being unable to do anything.
Shen Wei looked at him. Though his expression was placid, his aura lent a sense of pressure to his ordinary face.
"You are attending the academy, intending to return to Chongzhou?" he asked, though his tone was one of inquiry, the affirmation in his eyes was clear.
Shen Yi Min pursed his lips tightly, tacitly acknowledging his words.
Seeing this, Shen Wei ruthlessly shattered his hopes. "By the time you manage to return to Chongzhou, everything will likely have been decided. Do you wish to bear the infamy of rebellion?"
"I never intended to contend for that position!" Shen Yi Min suddenly looked up.
Shen Wei merely looked at his angry eyes and completed his unspoken thought: "But they don't believe it. Not only did they force your maternal grandfather's entire family to be executed, but they also made your mother publicly take poison, nearly costing her life."
Shen Yi Min clenched his fists, his gentle face turning cold.
Shen Wei remained unmoved, his expression even a little indifferent. "A year ago, I left Tong Mu County because I found a new witness who could prove the innocence of your maternal grandfather's family."
"Really?" Shen Yi Min's eyes widened, a flicker of joy appearing.
Shen Wei nodded calmly. "If you wish to return to Chongzhou, I can allow you to appear there openly."
Shen Yi Min's heart pounded, his emotions surging. But then, as if remembering something, he frowned. "What about my second brother and third sister? In the eyes of the world, they are both considered dead."
Shen Wei had clearly anticipated this. "I have never concealed their identities or the truth. The choice of how to proceed is up to them. If they wish to return, I can also make arrangements."
Hearing this, Shen Yi Min understood the general situation. He looked up at Shen Wei and suddenly asked, "Father, why are you continuing to stay here? What matters are you dealing with?"
Shen Wei's eyes flickered. Without changing his expression, he said, "Li Yue Shu's true identity is yet to be confirmed, and you currently need this identity as a cover."
Shen Yi Min, not noticing his subtle shift in expression, asked again, "Then will Father continue to pretend to be foolish?"
Shen Wei: "..."
Clearly, he still remembered the period when he had amnesia and acted foolishly. It was truly...
"Cough cough!" Shen Wei covered his mouth and coughed twice. "We've been out for too long. Let's head back!"
Shen Yi Min was puzzled but didn't overthink it.
...
At this moment, Li Yue Shu was completely unaware of what had transpired here. She headed directly to the county yamen with Mo Lian. After a brief conversation with the magistrate, they arrived at Zhang Lao San's cell.
Zhang Lao San had grown accustomed to her visits over the past few days. He couldn't help but glance at the man beside her, who was now a child.
Mo Lian had already been briefed by Li Yue Shu on the way. Facing Zhang Lao San, he directly cupped his fists and bowed deeply.
Zhang Lao San was startled by his scholarly gesture and looked at Li Yue Shu. "What new trick are you playing?"
Li Yue Shu remained calm and, as usual, produced wine, meat, and rice. "The person I want to save with your lungs is this child's mother."
Zhang Lao San looked at Mo Lian in surprise, then turned back. "What is your relationship with this child?"
Before Li Yue Shu could speak, Mo Lian said, "Madam is our savior. When my mother and I were at our most desperate, Madam gave us hope and is willing to save my mother's life."
Zhang Lao San was surprised. "You are not related by blood?"
Mo Lian shook his head and brought the conversation to the main point. "As long as you can save my mother, I will agree to any request you have."
Zhang Lao San chuckled. "As I said, I will never agree. If you truly want my lungs, wait until I'm beheaded and pick them up from the mass grave."
As he spoke, he moved to the table and began to eat heartily. Although he refused the transaction, it did not affect his enjoyment of the food they brought.
Li Yue Shu was used to this. She calmly sat opposite him. "I inquired about your situation from the magistrate."
Zhang Lao San's hand, holding chopsticks, paused, but he quickly resumed his normal demeanor, as if nothing had happened.
Li Yue Shu continued calmly, "You caught your wife having an affair, and in a fit of rage, you killed her and her lover. A neighbor, drawn by the commotion, witnessed it and reported it to the authorities."
"In court, you confessed to your crime without hesitation, seemingly having made up your mind to seek death."
Li Yue Shu's voice was calm, but as she spoke, Zhang Lao San's movements in picking up food became slower and slower. This was the first reaction he had shown to Li Yue Shu's words in many days.
Seeing this, Li Yue Shu continued, "You have no parents, no children. Your only wife betrayed you, which is why you lost the will to live, isn't it?"
Zhang Lao San's face stiffened. He put down his chopsticks and looked up at Li Yue Shu.