Chapter 67 All Settled

Chapter 67: The Dust Settles

As autumn drew near, dusk descended swiftly, as if evening had arrived in the blink of an eye.

A knock at the door. Yin Rou rose and opened it to find Song Zean standing outside.

She regarded him through the half-open door, not uttering "Brother" nor a sound. Her cold indifference unsettled Song Zean.

After a moment of silence, he spoke, "It's time to go."

Song Zean had expected her reluctance, but to his surprise, she merely nodded, re-entered the room to gather her belongings, and asked no questions about traveling at night.

Yin Rou emerged with a small bundle and glanced at Song Zean, who remained motionless. "Aren't we leaving?"

Song Zean reached for the bundle in her hand, but she deftly avoided him.

His hand hung empty as he said, "Let's go."

A carriage awaited them outside the inn. They boarded, and with a shout from the driver, the wheels began to roll.

The carriage journeyed through the night for what felt like an eternity. Yin Rou pushed open the window, but only impenetrable darkness met her gaze.

The only certainty was that this was not the road to Bu'ao Gorge; it was far too smooth.

Suppressing her suspicions, she closed the window.

"Stop here," Song Zean suddenly commanded.

The driver reined in the horses. Yin Rou looked at him, puzzled.

Song Zean explained, "I'll go ahead and check the road. We might not reach town tonight. Wait for me here."

Yin Rou, trusting him, nodded slightly. Just before he dismounted, she couldn't help but say, "Be careful."

Song Zean turned back, smiled, and nodded.

*

Meanwhile, Madam Chen and Liu Zhiyi were still in their carriage.

They should have arrived much earlier, but Liu Zhiyi repeatedly complained of heart palpitations and abdominal discomfort. Fearing for the baby's safety, Madam Chen had ordered frequent stops, delaying them until late into the night.

As the carriage moved through the woods, the heavy thud of hooves approached, and a large horse pulled to a halt before them.

Madam Chen frowned. Who could be pursuing them at this hour?

Fortunately, the rider spoke quickly, "Greetings, Fifth Young Master."

Madam Chen lifted the curtain and saw Chen Yanlin on horseback, blocking their path. "Why are you here?" she asked.

Silhouetted against the moonlight, Chen Yanlin's figure was indistinct. He dismounted and approached step by step. "I received some news and came to inform you, Grandmother."

"What matter is so urgent?"

Madam Chen was perplexed.

Chen Yanlin had reached the carriage and, smiling, offered his hand to help Madam Chen. "You'll understand once you hear it."

"Speak," Madam Chen said, bending to step out of the carriage.

"Third Brother is dead."

His casual words struck like a thunderbolt.

Madam Chen froze for a long moment, then abruptly looked up. "What nonsense are you spouting!"

Only then did she notice Chen Yanlin was still smiling—a cruel, chilling smile. Her heart plummeted.

"I knew this would be devastating news for you," Chen Yanlin said, shaking his head with a sigh.

"It's always been like this. You saw Third Brother as the Chen family's successor, while you despised me. Even letting me manage the merchant association was just to provoke him."

Madam Chen's pupils constricted, a chill spreading through her body. Trembling uncontrollably, she flung his hand away, her voice breaking with fury. "What have you done?!"

Chen Yanlin glanced at his rejected hand, a murderous intent gradually surfacing in his eyes. "No need to rush, Grandmother."

"Since you care so much about Third Brother, I'll send you to meet him."

"Honestly, I didn't want it to come to this. But even in death, Third Brother had to set a trap for me." Chen Yanlin spread his hands. "Well, no choice now."

Madam Chen's eyes widened in disbelief. "You monster! You fiend!"

Her voice shook as she cried, "Guards!"

But none of the accompanying guards moved.

The truth hit her like a blow—Chen Yanlin had arranged their departure, and these men were loyal to him!

Chen Yanlin tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "The carriage loses control, and Grandmother accidentally falls to her death. That story should work."

He stepped forward to seize her, but Nanny Sang lunged from the side. "Madam, be careful!"

Chen Yanlin scowled and effortlessly flung Nanny Sang to the ground.

Madam Chen, horrified, tried to reach for Nanny Sang, but Chen Yanlin was already closing in on her.

In that critical moment, Chen Yanlin suddenly froze, as if impaled.

Madam Chen staggered back, her terrified gaze fixed on the arrow embedded in Chen Yanlin's leg!

Then came another "whoosh"—a second arrow struck his shoulder, forcing his tall frame back several steps.

Excruciating pain lanced through him. Gasping, Chen Yanlin hunched to one side, squinting as he scanned his surroundings.

Wu Fu, sensing the shift, immediately rallied the guards. "Protect the Young Master!"

"Who's there?!" Chen Yanlin roared into the dark woods. "Show yourself!"

"Whoosh—"

Another arrow flew.

Wu Fu's blade flashed, slicing it from the air.

At the same time, he pinpointed the archer's hiding spot and signaled several guards to apprehend them. The clash of steel instantly echoed through the forest.

Madam Chen, amidst the sudden chaos, turned to Liu Zhiyi. "Quick, come with me!"

Liu Zhiyi's face was ashen, but she jolted back to awareness. Supporting Nanny Sang between them, the three women fled the carriage and sought cover.

In the darkness, several guards lay sprawled on the ground as Song Zean and Qing Feng emerged from the shadows.

"It's you!" Chen Yanlin exclaimed in shock, his voice a venomous snarl. "Do you no longer want that medicine?!"

Song Zean's face was grim. "I want you dead!"

He drew his longbow, its sharp arrowhead aimed directly at Chen Yanlin. After learning what Chen Yanlin had done to Xiao Rou, his sole thought was to kill him.

His fingers tightened on the arrow, the bowstring taut.

"Lower your bow!" Liu Zhiyi's shrill, terrified scream pierced the air.

Song Zean glanced sideways. Liu Zhiyi held a dagger pressed against Madam Chen's neck, while Nanny Sang lay bleeding on the ground.

"Let the Fifth Young Master go! Let us leave!" Liu Zhiyi's hands trembled, her eyes wild with desperation.

Madam Chen turned to stare at her, finally understanding. "You... you two!"

Liu Zhiyi pressed the dagger deeper. "Make them release him now!"

At this point, there was no turning back.

Blood seeped from Madam Chen's throat. Song Zean's solemn gaze abruptly darkened as a petite figure dashed out from the woods.

Yin Rou rushed forward and shoved Liu Zhiyi hard from behind. Liu Zhiyi fell to the ground with a heart-rending scream that echoed through the night.

Clutching her stomach, Liu Zhiyi wailed in agony, reaching desperately for Chen Yanlin. "Save me, Fifth Young Master... the baby..."

Yin Rou stared at the blood pooling beneath Liu Zhiyi's legs, her hands trembling uncontrollably, her stomach churning.

Jolted back to awareness, she pulled Madam Chen away. "Are you alright, Madam?"

Madam Chen never expected Song Yinrou to be the one who rushed to her rescue. Gazing at her wide, frightened eyes, she was speechless for a long moment, overwhelmed by a flood of conflicting emotions.

"Xiao Rou!"

Song Zean's sudden shout made Yin Rou turn. She saw Chen Yanlin snap the arrow jutting from his flesh, his face a mask of fury as he advanced toward her.

Supporting Madam Chen, she stumbled backward, her back meeting a solid wall of muscle as an arm wrapped tightly around her waist.

In that instant, all her fear vanished.

While embracing Yin Rou, Chen Yanqing lifted his foot and kicked Chen Yanlin viciously in the chest. Blood gushed from his lips.

"Third Young Master!"

Madam Chen, overjoyed at the sight of Chen Yanqing, stammered incoherently, "This is wonderful... truly wonderful..."

Chen Yanlin was sent flying, landing hard on the ground. Blood filled his mouth as his bloody sneer fixed on Chen Yanqing. "As expected of Third Brother. In the end, I still fell into your trap."

The moment Song Zean appeared, he had guessed it was all a setup. But one thing puzzled him. "I clearly saw your opium addiction relapse."

"After making one mistake, I wouldn't repeat it."

He had immediately sensed something off about the physician, and the opium mixed into the medicine—its stench was branded into his memory. How could he not notice? He had held the medicine in his throat without swallowing, spitting it out as soon as the physician left.

"But I watched you take it that day!"

Chen Yanqing cut him off. "If you could bribe the physician with a hundred taels, I could pay a thousand to have someone give you fake opium."

"So that's it... so that's it." Chen Yanlin nodded, his laughter a guttural croak.

He had been completely played for a fool!

Song Zean had long lost his patience. He drew his bowstring taut, aiming at Chen Yanlin's heart.

"Fourth Brother," Chen Yanqing softly interjected. "Even in death, he must first confess his crimes."

Suppressing his murderous impulse, Song Zean lowered his bow.

"Bring him forward," Chen Yanqing commanded.

Shu Yan emerged from the shadows, hauling Quan Zhong forward, who had gone missing. Quan Zhong paled at the scene in the woods and fell to his knees before Madam Chen.

"Spare me, Madam! Have mercy!"

He kowtowed repeatedly, his brow quickly bleeding from the force.

Madam Chen, sensing what was coming, clenched her teeth. "Explain clearly."

"On the day of the banquet, Master Chen went to the Fifth Young Master's chambers and caught him with the Sixth Concubine. Overcome by rage, his heart gave out!"

Madam Chen staggered back, nearly fainting from shock. Yin Rou quickly steadied her.

Chen Yanqing then commanded Shu Yan, "Summon Doctor Lin."

Doctor Lin stepped forward, head bowed. "This old man once diagnosed Master Chen. His body was spent—he could no longer perform marital duties. Judging by the Sixth Concubine's pregnancy, the child was never his."

Madam Chen's head spun, her steps unsteady as she swayed backward. Yin Rou hurriedly supported her.

Regaining her footing, Madam Chen took a deep breath, her heartbroken gaze fixed on Chen Yanlin. "The carriage lost control and overturned. You and Liu Zhiyi died trying to save me. That is the last mercy I can give."

"Grandmother!" Chen Yanlin screamed hoarsely.

Madam Chen closed her eyes tightly. "Return to the manor."

*

The tragic news sent the Chen estate into uproar. Wu Shi collapsed from grief and woke up raving.

Chen Yanlin's funeral was rushed through. On the day of his burial, Madam Chen did not even attend.

After the burial rites, Chen Yanqing returned to the manor, where a maid approached him.

"Third Young Master, Madam summons you."

Chen Yanqing nodded and went to Ruifu Courtyard.

Madam Chen reclined on the daybed, her face aged years in a single night, her temples silvered with grief.

"Grandmother."

Chen Yanqing called softly.

Madam Chen opened her weary eyes. "You still call me Grandmother."

Chen Yanqing replied, "You will always be my grandmother."

Madam Chen's eyes brimmed with tears. She knew the chasm between them yawned wide. "I've decided to leave for the temple tomorrow to devote myself to quiet reflection. I trust you with the Chen family."

"If Grandmother's mind is made up, I will not stand in your way."

Madam Chen nodded, "When you and Miss Song are wed, come and tell me."

Chen Yanqing smiled, a rare sight, "I will."

*

On the day of Madam Chen's departure, Yin Rou also went. She stood at a slight distance but saw Madam Chen wave off her attendants and walk toward her.

"Madam Chen."

Yin Rou called softly.

Madam Chen studied her for a long moment before sighing regretfully, "I've wronged you and caused you pain."

Yin Rou lifted her eyes. Madam Chen's gaze was slightly moist, filled with deep remorse, "You are an excellent girl. We were the ones at fault."

Looking at Madam Chen's much older face, Yin Rou felt her heart ache, "Safe travels, Madam Chen."

Madam Chen nodded slowly, boarded the carriage, and gave the order to depart.

As the crowd dispersed, Chen Yanqing approached Yin Rou and noticed her eyes were red, "What did Grandmother say to you?"

Yin Rou shook her head, "Madam Chen said I was a good girl."

She realized she had harbored grievances and resentment, but hearing Madam Chen's words, her long-held insecurities seemed to vanish.

Chen Yanqing looked at her tenderly, his affection barely restrained, "You've always been the best."

Yin Rou gazed at the departing carriage, her heart softening further, "Madam Chen is so old now. The journey must be taxing for her."

Chen Yanqing didn't respond. He didn't want the young girl to feel wronged or uncomfortable in the household again. Since his grandmother wished to retire to the temple, he wouldn't stop her.

However, the girl was even kinder and more forgiving than he had imagined.

"Grandmother said that once we set our engagement, we should send word to her."

Hearing his words, Yin Rou's cheeks flushed slightly before she turned to him with an innocent look, "What engagement?"

Chen Yanqing simply watched her. Yin Rou counted on her fingers in front of him, "You deliberately hid things from me, deceived me, and made me anxious. I still remember that."

Chen Yanqing met her wide, accusing eyes, "It was urgent. Fourth Brother and I had little choice. Besides, didn't you piece it together?"

"What if I hadn't? I would have been heartbroken."

The more she spoke, the angrier she became, glaring at Chen Yanqing like a huffy kitten.

Both men had left her out, but fortunately, she had followed her intuition—her brother, no matter how furious, would never disregard her feelings entirely. And Chen Yanqing? He was never one to surrender after just a few words.

"It's all my fault," Chen Yanqing said with a smile, coaxing her gently.

Yin Rou sniffed and turned her back.

Chen Yanqing stepped closer behind her, "What will it take for you to forgive me?"

Since he had conspired with her brother, Yin Rou tilted her head playfully, "If you can convince my brother, then I'll forgive you."

A soft, resigned sigh escaped into the air.

Yin Rou bit her lip coyly, her lashes fluttering in the light, her dark eyes dancing with mirth.

—The End—