Chapter 114 Lover

Chapter 114 - Sweetheart

Behind them were the Dongxing Mountains, and before them flowed the Beicang River. The feng shui of Dongxing County was quite good.

The county town wasn't large, and Zhu Qing easily found out where Lady Ji's family lived after making some inquiries.

Since they were already so close, Yan Sanhe was even more unwilling to waste any time.

"Master Zhitong, are there any temples in this county?"

"There is one called Guandi Temple."

"You all go rest at Guandi Temple first. We'll come join you later."

Yan Sanhe: "Please reserve three vegetarian rooms for us."

Master Zhitong nodded. "Don't worry, Miss. I'll arrange the vegetarian rooms and meals properly."

"Thank you!"

Yan Sanhe looked at Zhu Qing and Huang Qi. "You two scout ahead."

"Yes!"

After a few days, neither of them needed to look at their master's face for approval. Whatever Miss Yan said was law.

In less than half an hour, Lady Ji's family home came into view—a square residence with a plaque above the main gate that read "Hu Residence."

Zhu Qing knocked on the door.

After a short wait, it creaked open, and a woman emerged, holding a baby in her arms.

"Who are you looking for?"

Yan Sanhe glanced at Pei Xiao, who promptly spoke up. "We've come from the Imperial City."

The woman was puzzled. "The Imperial City?"

"The Imperial City, the Ji Family, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Households."

The woman froze for a moment before suddenly turning to run away, shrieking as she went.

"Head of the household, something terrible has happened! The Ji Family from the Imperial City has come... Ah, it's our old auntie..."

That voice...

Pei Xiao was about to rub his ears when he heard Yan Sanhe say to him, "Once we go in, find someone from the older generation first, then someone younger who might have seen the lady."

Did she really need to tell him that?

What did she take him, Pei Xiao, for?

Pei Xiao rolled his eyes silently.

...

They were led into the inner residence, into the main hall, where tea was served... Before they could even take a sip, over a dozen middle-aged men crowded into the room.

The leader was a man in his early fifties, thin and wiry, his gaze flicking between Pei Xiao and Xie Zhifei.

"Noble sirs, you're truly from the Imperial City's Ji Family?"

Pei Xiao took the initiative. "Who are you to the lady?"

The man hurriedly replied, "I'm her eldest nephew."

Put the eldest nephew aside for now.

Pei Xiao cleared his throat. "Call your elders here. This matter doesn't concern you."

The eldest nephew made a face. "Noble sir, my father, mother, second uncle, third uncle, fourth uncle—they're all gone. Now I'm the head of the household."

Pei Xiao waved his hand. "Those who saw Hu Shi when they were young, stay. The rest, leave."

No one dared defy the noble sir's command.

With a rustle, the crowded main hall emptied, leaving only the eldest nephew.

Pei Xiao glanced at Yan Sanhe, relieved. At least there was still one survivor.

Yan Sanhe pointed to a nearby seat. "Sit."

The eldest nephew was stunned.

How could a woman suddenly speak up like that? That wasn't proper.

"Sit when I tell you to sit!" Pei Xiao slammed the table, putting on a show of authority. "Answer whatever she asks, don't leave out a single word."

The eldest nephew's legs gave way, and he fell to the ground, even more confused.

He had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Ji Family, but why were they being so fierce all of a sudden? Weren't they here to bring money for the lady?

Yan Sanhe: "What's your name?"

The nephew stuttered, "Hu Yong."

Yan Sanhe asked, "What rank was your grandmother in her family?"

Hu Yong replied, "My aunt was the third child, with two elder brothers and two younger ones."

Yan Sanhe asked, "Was she the only daughter of the Hu family?"

Hu Yong confirmed, "She was the only daughter."

Yan Sanhe continued, "How old were you when she left Dongxing County?"

Hu Yong answered, "Four years old."

Upon hearing he was four, Yan Sanhe felt disheartened. "Did you have any memories at that age?"

Hu Yong was confused. "Memories of what?"

Pei Xiao slammed the table again. "About your aunt."

Hu Yong was startled like a frightened bird.

Yan Sanhe did not stop Pei Xiao from exerting his authority.

After over a month of rough travel, it wasn't just Pei Xiao who had lost patience; even she could no longer bear to slowly chat and waste time with the younger generation of the Hu family.

"Did your aunt used to keep a black dog?"

"Yes, yes, I played with that dog as a child. What was its name? Oh right, it was called Heidan."

Yan Sanhe asked, "Did she like that dog very much?"

Hu Yong didn't hesitate. "She cherished it dearly, taking it everywhere with her. The dog was also close to her. According to my father, when my aunt slept, the dog would guard by her bed."

Yan Sanhe asked, "What happened to the dog later?"

"It died. After my aunt left, it refused to eat or drink for ten days and starved itself to death."

Hu Yong cautiously glanced at Yan Sanhe. "Even though I was young then, I remember Heidan's death very clearly. I even cried about it."

Yan Sanhe's eyes met Xie Zhifei's, both seeing shock in each other's gaze.

While dogs were loyal to their masters, it was unlikely they would starve themselves to death upon their master's departure.

This showed how deep the bond between the dog and the matriarch must have been!

Yan Sanhe frowned. "Where did Heidan come from, being so loyal?"

Hu Yong scratched his chin, recalling for a while before saying, "According to my father, it seemed my aunt picked it up from somewhere."

Yan Sanhe asked, "How did she pick it up? Where did she find it?"

Hu Yong blinked his eyes, thinking hard but still couldn't recall anything.

"I really don't know. As far as I can remember, the dog has always been there."

Yan Sanhe hummed in acknowledgment. "Was your aunt's decision to become a concubine in the Imperial City voluntary, or was she forced into it?"

Hu Yong hesitated.

"Don't tell me you don't know about this."

Yan Sanhe said coldly, "Even though you were only four, the elders in the family would have talked about such an extraordinary person."

Hu Yong secretly glanced at Yan Sanhe, wondering why someone from the Ji family would travel all the way to the Hu family and ask these strange questions...

Suddenly, a shiny long sword was thrown towards him.

The one who threw the sword was Xie Zhifei, who was sitting with his legs crossed and a cold expression on his face.

Li Buyan looked at the sword and thought: Third Master, why did you take my job?

Hu Yong's lips trembled in fear.

"My aunt didn't want to go at first, but our family was so poor. If she didn't become a concubine, how could my second uncle, third uncle, and fourth uncle afford to marry wives."

Yan Sanhe asked, "Why didn't she want to go? It's the Imperial City, and the Ji family is a noble family. Even if she was just a servant girl, it would be better than being a fisherwoman!"

Hu Yong said, "According to my father, my aunt had a lover back then."

It was as if a bolt of lightning struck Yan Sanhe and the others, causing their blood to race.

Before Yan Sanhe could speak, Pei Xiao slammed the table. "Who was her lover?"

Hu Yong rubbed his head in distress, thinking hard. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.

"I remember, my mother mentioned once that he was from across the river."

It was as if another bolt of lightning struck them.

This time, everyone was struck speechless.