Chapter 113: The Truth Comes Out

Chapter 113: The Truth Comes to Light

A meticulously plotted chain of intricate cases quietly unfolded, only to be skillfully resolved by all.

Later that day, Xie Xuanran and Lin Wen returned with the Mengqin delegation.

At the very end of the grand hunting procession, the Shadow Guard brought along a robust, injured wild leopard—one that Xie Xuanran had hunted.

Because of this leopard, the faces of the Mengqin delegation were very sour during the evening bonfire feast. Wu Fei, however, kept a smile on his face, but the woman named Wuna, like Consort Dowager Ying, feigned illness and did not attend.

During the feast, Wu Fei even asked about Consort Dowager Ying and Xie Chengyi, but Xie Xuanran deflected the question smoothly.

-

Late at night in the dense forest of the northern suburbs, the prey had returned to their lairs, and the surroundings were completely silent, save for a few bold birds perched on branches, curiously watching a man and a woman below.

The woman had her hair in many small braids and wore a black cloak, her petite figure almost blending into the night.

"The Sovereign said you did well this time. There will be a reward upon your return," she said in a low voice.

"Thank you for the Sovereign’s praise. But this time, it was thanks to the Sovereign’s thorough planning—this strategy of 'sacrificing a pawn to save the king' was brilliantly executed!" The man speaking was of medium build, also draped in a gray-black crow-feather cloak.

"The Sovereign’s strategy is, of course, unmatched," the woman said, lifting her chin with an arrogant expression.

The man chimed in, "Indeed, you’re right. All of this must have been part of the Sovereign's plan." He seemed somewhat afraid of her, speaking cautiously. "So, what are the Sovereign’s further orders?"

The woman fiddled with the long whip in her hand, paused, then replied, "Now that Xie Chengyi has been removed as a pawn, the Sovereign wants you to rest for a while and wait for further commands."

"Understood," the man replied, bowing his head. "I will obey the Sovereign's orders."

"Alright, you can go back now. Don't let anyone see you." The woman waved her hand dismissively without turning around.

"Yes," he acknowledged quickly before departing. The birds on the branches seemed to sense the excitement was over, flapped their wings, and soared into the pitch-black sky.

The lively bonfire feast continued until the early hours. Wu Fei was in high spirits and had a few too many drinks. Passing by Qin Jiao, he bumped into him by accident.

Wu Fei’s bump didn’t faze Qin Jiao, but Xie Nai’s expression shifted instantly.

However, Wu Fei was shrewd and diplomatic. Seeing Xie Nai’s displeasure, he immediately apologized to Qin Jiao and downed three cups as atonement before being ushered away by the crowd.

Having spent the day scheming and maneuvering, Qin Jiao was exhausted and didn’t take the incident to heart. After exchanging a few more words with Xie Nai, he returned to his temporary quarters to rest.

Perhaps because the burden had been lifted, Qin Jiao slept exceptionally soundly. When he opened his eyes again, it was already broad daylight, and the guards at the temporary office were bustling about, packing up to return to the capital.

On the way back, Qin Jiao did not travel with Xie Nai. Instead, he shared a carriage with Qin Ji, Qin Han, and Qin Chaole. Jiang Qingrong had wanted to join in, but Qin Ji’s biting words drove him away.

During the journey home, the four siblings in the carriage didn’t talk much, but the atmosphere was mostly calm. However, when the carriage arrived at the Qin residence and Qin Ji and the others stepped out to see Qin Yuanshan, that calm was shattered.

Qin Jiao: "I think we should go through everything from start to finish, so I asked Lord Shen of the Dali Temple for a favor. Father will be sent to the imperial prison for trial later."

Although Qin Jiao had secured this favor, Dali Temple officials and the Shadow Guard kept close watch, leaving Qin Yuanshan no chance to escape.

Compared to Qin Ji and Qin Han’s dazed looks, Qin Chaole was the most composed. He cast a flat glance at the dejected Qin Yuanshan and was the first to step into the residence.

"Chaole, you’re back! Did you get hurt anywhere? I heard you fell into the water…"

As soon as they entered, Concubine Yin and Yu Shuhan rushed over, followed by Cong Shuang, who strode over quickly.

Qin Jiao had already asked Xie Nai the day before to send a message to the Qin residence about what had happened at the northern hunting ground, so Yu Shuhan’s expression was serious.

Cong Shuang looked even worse. Qin Jiao had no doubt that if there weren’t so many people around, Cong Shuang would have stormed over and angrily slapped him.

Seeing the barely contained fury in Cong Shuang’s eyes, Qin Jiao guiltily turned his face away. At that moment, he suddenly understood why Jiang Qingrong was so afraid of Cong Shuang.

One mistake, a lasting fear; the deeper the concern, the harder the blow.

It must be something like that.

"Come inside, all of you."

Yu Shuhan said as she looked at Qin Jiao. Her lips parted as if to say more, but in the end, she stopped herself.

Although Qin Jiao was lazy and disliked handling affairs, he had a plan. All the way back from the northern hunting grounds, he had already figured out how to resolve the current "identity crisis."

In the Qin residence’s flower hall, since family matters were to be discussed, Qin Jiao first had the Shadow Guard and Dali Temple officials rest in the side hall.

Maybe because he was back in a familiar environment without constant surveillance, Qin Yuanshan gradually perked up and no longer looked as lifeless as before.

"Since Father has recovered, let’s talk about my origins."

Qin Jiao looked at Qin Yuanshan with a serious expression. "Father, what Second Prince said yesterday at the northern hunting grounds—that I am not your biological child—is it true?"

The moment Qin Jiao’s words fell, the flower hall fell utterly silent, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Except for Yu Shuhan and Qin Chaole, everyone in the hall stared in shock.

Yu Shuhan had known all along, and Qin Chaole had been tied up with Xie Chengyi and Qin Yuanshan earlier, so their private conversations were not hidden from him. Over time, he naturally learned the truth.

At first, he too was shocked, but later, thinking about how Qin Yuanshan had always treated Qin Jiao, he understood.

While Cong Shuang was full of reservations, Qin Ji bluntly voiced his confusion: "Qin Jiao, what are you talking about? What biological child? Mother, what’s going on?"

But Yu Shuhan didn’t answer him. So he turned urgently to Qin Yuanshan. "Why is everyone silent? Father, say something!"

When called, Qin Yuanshan first seemed dazed, then looked at Qin Jiao and replied coldly, "Yes, Qin Jiao… you are indeed not my son."

Oddly enough, hearing Qin Yuanshan admit with his own ears that he was not a child of the Qin family gave Qin Jiao a sense of relief, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

In truth, putting together everything that had happened since returning to the capital, Qin Jiao had long suspected his origins, but he had never spoken of it to anyone.

Now that everything was settled, Qin Jiao even felt somewhat grateful that Qin Yuanshan was not his biological father. Otherwise, the thought of being coldly betrayed by his own father would be pitiable.

But then he reconsidered—the word "pitiable" perfectly described Qin Chaole.

Besides, Qin Yuanshan had raised him all these years. As Qin Chaole had angrily said earlier, "Even if you raised a cat or a dog for over ten years, there would be some attachment." Yet Qin Yuanshan hadn’t hesitated to trade him for the position of Minister…

Thinking this, a flood of emotions surged in Qin Jiao’s heart—sorrow, grief, and a sense of lament.

"Oh my god!" Concubine Yin gasped, covering her mouth, and whispered to Qin Chaole, "I never expected the eldest young master to be Lady Ning’s illegitimate…" She clearly intended to say "illegitimate child" but changed her wording:

"I never expected the eldest young master to be the child Lady Ning had with another man." Concubine Yin sighed. "Given the master’s temperament, how did he endure all these years?"

What Concubine Yin found puzzling was exactly what Qin Jiao wanted to ask. However, Yu Shuhan soon clarified: "It was obviously for money that he tolerated it all these years."

"You're talking nonsense!" The moment Yu Shuhan finished speaking, Qin Yuanshan sprang up as if someone had stepped on his tail.

"Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, you know it very well in your heart, sir." Yu Shuhan said with a cold smile. "To be honest, though I'm not a good person, when it comes to cruelty, I'm still nowhere near as vicious as you."

Qin Jiao's mood was both heavy and confused. He looked at Yu Shuhan with a conflicted expression. "Madam, you know the inside story? Could you tell me?"

"Alright." Yu Shuhan sighed. "It's time you knew."

Everyone's eyes fell on Yu Shuhan, but she looked at no one. Her gaze drifted across the hall and settled on the red plum tree in the courtyard. "I remember it was about twenty years ago. Your mother met a man during a hunt..."

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