Chapter 66: The Fear of Unexpected Concern

Chapter 66: The Fear of Unexpected Concern

Second Young Master Sun widened his eyes in disbelief. "You’re really not going to get me out of here?"

"I’m practically on the verge of losing my family line, and you’re just going to leave me rotting in jail?"

"What else do you expect?" Sun Zhiye retorted in a deep voice.

"Get out! I demand to see my parents!" Second Young Master Sun grabbed the jade pendant at his waist and hurled it at Sun Zhiye.

The jade pendant hit the ground and exploded into pieces, sharp fragments flying everywhere. One of them grazed the back of Sun Zhiye's hand, leaving a thin trail of blood.

Sun Zhiye didn’t even flinch, letting the bloodline thicken and overflow, covering the back of his hand. "For now, I’ll handle the business elsewhere and stay in Changhe."

"Seeing our parents won’t change a thing."

"They might yell at me, and I’ll take it."

"But if it comes down to it, they won’t go against my will."

"You’re so smug and clueless, you have no idea the mess you’ve made."

"She’s just some fake noble girl from the Yongning Marquis family!" Second Young Master Sun shouted defiantly.

Hearing this, Sun Zhiye felt a wave of dizziness, a buzzing sound echoing in his head.

Just some fake noble girl?

"You fool!"

Unable to bear it any longer, Sun Zhiye slapped the unrepentant and smug face of Second Young Master Sun.

"Think about what you’ve done and get your act together!"

Ignoring Second Young Master Sun’s impotent fury, Sun Zhiye turned and left the county office without a second glance.

Her noble status might be fake, but the sophistication she gained growing up in the marquis family is real, and her network of connections is real.

Even if her true identity is revealed and people abandon her, her connections might dwindle to almost nothing, but they’re still not to be trifled with.

The county magistrate’s obvious fear and reluctance to speak must have been warned by someone powerful.

Someone like her is like a priceless, fragile vase, avoided by others like the plague, yet his idiot brother keeps pushing and insulting her.

Truly seeking death.

On one side, Sun Zhiye ordered his capable subordinates to split into two groups: one to collect information on Second Young Master Sun’s actions in Changhe County over the past two years, and the other to secretly go to Changxi Village to inquire about Lu Mingchao’s recent situation after returning home to recognize her relatives.

After much thought, he also instructed his long-time business partner to personally go to the capital.

On the other side, Xie Yan carried a basket full of eggs, radishes, and late cabbage, with scattered cabbage leaves hanging from his shoulders and lapels. From a distance, an uninformed person might think he had been pelted with rotten vegetables in anger.

Lu Mingchao covered her mouth, chuckling beside him, her eyes narrowing into thin crescent moons.

"The dread of sudden warmth in the air, the unease of unexpected kindness."

She and Xie Yan had just left the county office, with many commoners chasing after them to give things.

An egg, a radish, a late cabbage, a small fist-sized bag of rice—simple yet sincere.

Xie Yan sighed softly, "Mingchao."

They didn't really need these things, but they valued the thought behind them.

Lu Mingchao cleared her throat, steadied her breath, held back a laugh, her eyes still smiling like crescent moons. She stepped forward, gently tiptoed, and carefully picked the scattered leaves of late cabbage from Xie Yan's hair and collar. Then, she methodically placed them into the already full basket.

"If our stomachs can stretch, why can't a bamboo basket?"

"A Yan, these little leaves in your hair look like jade hairpins—so elegant and handsome. Who does this gentleman belong to?"

Lu Mingchao spoke slowly, her voice lingering and rising.

Playful and lively, yet deeply affectionate.

"Mingchao's gentleman," Xie Yan replied with a gentle smile, his voice clear and smooth.

Lu Mingchao held the last tiny leaf between her fingers, unashamed, and met Xie Yan's gaze. "Correct answer."

"Mr. Xie, is the people's enthusiasm getting to you?"

Lu Mingchao teased.

Xie Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, "A bit, but not too much."

Xie Yan watched the thin leaf twirling around Lu Mingchao's finger, imagining a jade hairpin tucked into a bun.

Her hair, dark as ink, framed a fair, slender neck.

A jade hairpin would surely make her look elegant and refined.

Not just a jade hairpin, but also pearl necklaces, earrings, and bracelets—everything complete.

"You're not exactly modest," Lu Mingchao said, oblivious to Xie Yan's thoughts about jewelry.

Xie Yan's thoughts returned, his expression nostalgic. "Mingchao, I grew up mostly in the northern frontier. The people there are simple, straightforward, and warmly informal. My father and brother were adored by the northern folks, always bringing home all sorts of things from the streets."

Lu Mingchao blinked. A general's son.

"Now the people of Changhe County like you too."

Xie Yan chuckled, "That's all thanks to Mingchao."

"In my youth, I basked in my father and brother's glory; now, I bask in my wife's. When I think about it, I'm truly lucky."

Xie Yan said, half-joking, half-serious.

Lu Mingchao patted Xie Yan's shoulder like a buddy. "Then I'll shine even brighter, so you can bask more."

"Can we go secure that shop now?"

Xie Yan shook his head, a hint of mystery in his voice. "No rush. Let me take you somewhere first."

In an alley just a block from Qingyun Academy, Xie Yan came to a stop.

Xie Yan stepped up and knocked gently. After a moment, an old man with a limp opened the door, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Xie Yan. "Young master."

Xie Yan nodded and entered the courtyard.

After the courtyard door closed, Xie Yan spoke, "Uncle Chen."

"This is my wife."

"Good day, young mistress," the old man greeted promptly.

"Mingchao, this is Uncle Chen, who used to be a personal guard under my father."

Xie Yan was open and honest, introducing Lu Mingchao without hesitation.

Uncle Chen was a bit surprised but knew the young master wasn't the type to act rashly.

His openness showed his trust.

All he needed to know was that the young master trusted her.

Lu Mingchao smiled warmly. "Hello, Uncle Chen."

Uncle Chen gave Lu Mingchao a kind, respectful look, feeling more and more pleased.

The young master had married, and it was a good start.

"Uncle Chen, I'll show Mingchao around."

It was a two-courtyard home, with the front yard full of green bamboo.

In the bleak winter, the bamboo grove, though not as lush as in spring or summer, swayed in the cold wind, showing a hidden vitality that spoke of life's resilience and strength.

In front of the courtyard, tall bamboo stood like jade, undaunted by the winter chill.

Its jade-like leaves and golden stems held the rain and dew, standing tall and green, almost touching the clouds.

Beyond the hanging flower gate, the backyard had a small pond, now frozen, with the withered lotus stems from late autumn trapped in ice, looking like delicate jade carvings made by a master.

It was quiet and peaceful.

"Mingchao, this little yard doesn't have red plum blossoms in winter or pear blossoms in spring, but we can plant two trees. In a few years, we'll have fiery petals and rosy stamens in winter, and in spring, the pear tree will be tall and full."

"It's just a street away from the best academy in Changhe County, only a fifteen-minute walk."

"With Second Brother and Huaiqian nearby, it's safe and convenient."

"There's nothing to fear."