The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 47: Grave Crimes

“Yunse, do you think this matter is true or false?”

Du Yunse shook his head slightly. “I do not know either.”

Naturally, what Qiu Huanian was asking about was not whether Bai Yuchuan’s father was truly highly valued by the Prince of the Central Capital. Just as he had analyzed for Jiujiu earlier, if Bai Yuchuan’s father were truly so powerful, why would Widow Zhuang, his mother-in-law, still be living her current life in Du Family Village?

However, Bai Yuchuan would not speak of the “Prince of the Central Capital” without reason. She must have heard about it from her father and was now using it to boast and intimidate others.

Widow Zhuang had said that her son-in-law had come to Zhang County for business and had taken the opportunity to send his family back to visit relatives. But what kind of business in Zhang County required a special trip?

It was not unreasonable for Qiu Huanian to overthink things. Ever since the prince’s personal shadow guard, Shiliu, had suddenly come to stay in Du Family Village for several days, he had realized that although his family was still in the countryside, they had never truly been beyond the reach of the treacherous political storms of the capital.

Du Yunse pondered for a moment. “If the forces from the capital are intervening in Liaozhou, it must be because of the Tartar situation on the border.”

“Did Wu Shen say that the Tartar army has been equipped with many new weapons of unknown origin, and their provisions are far more abundant than in previous years?” Qiu Huanian recalled.

“The Tartars launched a surprise attack on the Jing Mountain Garrison, intending to break through and plunder the cities beyond. Who would have thought that Wu Shen would hold them off by sheer force? This also exposed the changes in their military to the Yu Dynasty court.”

Du Yunse gazed at the murky sky outside the window. “The court has always controlled the flow of grain and iron to the plains. Now that Wu Shen’s battle report has reached the capital, it will surely cause a great stir, and the court will send people to the border to investigate. Such a major event will not be ignored by those in the capital.”

“Even the Crown Prince, despite being under house arrest… Shiliu’s previous trip to the Jing Mountain Garrison was definitely not just to deliver medicine to his ‘cousin’ on behalf of the Crown Prince.”

“The forces behind the scenes want to erase the evidence in secret. Those vying for power want to use this as an opportunity to bring down their enemies.”

Qiu Huanian shook his head, got up, and closed the doors to the main room. The wind had picked up in the courtyard, swirling dust and leaves into the air in a frenzied dance.

“Liaozhou, Xiangping Prefecture… they are about to fall into chaos.”

Originally, with the Zhao family and others having been driven away, the troubles in their lives had mostly disappeared. In less than a month, the first crop of cotton would be ready for harvest. Qiu Huanian had gradually grown accustomed to a peaceful life, devoting all his thoughts to daily necessities and the cotton fields.

But now, he suddenly realized that the ominous storm from the power center of the Yu Dynasty was inexorably approaching. Even the mere aftershocks would cause irreparable damage to the happiness he cherished so dearly.

Although Du Yunse was not yet conspicuous in the eyes of the powerful figures in the capital, a single misstep could still draw attention to him and prematurely entangle him in a web of intrigue from which he could not extricate himself.

Moreover, behind Du Yunse, there was always a thread held in the emperor’s grasp. If the border situation escalated to a certain degree, should the need arise, Emperor Yuanhua would not hesitate to pull that thread.

Du Yunse wrapped Qiu Huanian in his embrace, gently stroking his slender, elegant back. “Hua ge’er, I will protect you all.”

Through the thin summer clothing, the scorching heat of Du Yunse’s palm, along with his trembling, poured unreservedly onto Qiu Huanian’s skin. Qiu Huanian lifted his hands and tightly embraced the man before him.

“…Du Yunse, you don’t have to be afraid either. I will always stand by your side.”

The unusual wind battered the paper windows. The sun had already set, and darkness was slowly swallowing the last remnants of light between heaven and earth. In this countryside residence on the brink of a storm, they held each other close.

…

There was little fresh news in the village, and the return of Widow Zhuang’s married daughter with her two children soon spread throughout Du Family Village.

Hu Qiuyan came to Qiu Huanian’s home for a chat while mending clothes. “When I first married into Du Family Village, Zirong was still here. At that time, Widow Zhuang’s husband had already passed away, and she was raising a daughter alone. Life was tough, and my mother-in-law often sent me to help them out.”

“Widow Zhuang is a good person, but that girl Zirong…”

Hu Qiuyan fell silent and shook her head, choosing not to gossip about old trivial grievances. She only recounted the well-known facts in the village.

“Around eleven or twelve years ago, Zirong went to town to sell eggs and came back with a man dressed in silk. She insisted on marrying him. Widow Zhuang only had one daughter and was unwilling to let her marry a stranger of unknown background. Zirong, seeing her refusal, cried and made a huge scene.”

“I was still a new bride back then and wasn’t familiar with the villagers, so I don’t know what happened. But suddenly, Widow Zhuang changed her mind. That man hosted a few tables of wedding feasts in the village and took Zirong away. She never returned after that, only sending letters through others each year. Widow Zhuang couldn’t read, so she had to ask the clan head’s family to read them for her.”

“Some said that Zirong was living a life of luxury and had long forgotten her old mother. Others speculated that something might have happened to her, which was why she never came back. Her sudden return this time with two children is truly unexpected.”

Since Jiujiu had relayed Bai Yuchuan’s words, Qiu Huanian had been keeping Widow Zhuang’s new visitors in mind. He casually inquired with Hu Qiuyan, “What was that man’s background back then? No one in the village recognized him?”

Hu Qiuyan replied uncertainly, “I think he was a businessman from near the capital. I only saw him from a distance and didn’t know much about him.”

In the study, Yun Kang was reading with Qiu Huanian’s two children and Chi Qinghe. Du Yunse had them recite the passages they had learned. Listening to her son’s clear, bright voice, Hu Qiuyan smiled.

“Hua ge’er, my relatives have sent a reply. They said the border situation is tense this year. As autumn harvest approaches, the government has already conscripted labor twice to reinforce the city walls and transport provisions. He will try his best to find ginseng seeds for you, but there won’t be many this year.”

Qiu Huanian still had the medicine that Shiliu had brought him, so he wasn’t in urgent need of ginseng seeds. He nodded but was more concerned about another matter. “The government has started conscripting labor for the border?”

“Yes. The letter said that several counties have already been conscripted, affecting nearly every household. Aside from those with official ranks or families with only one male, no one was spared.”

The Yu Dynasty emphasized allowing the people to farm and rest. In past years, aside from essential summer flood-control work, the government typically waited until after the autumn harvest to conscript labor, and even then, only a few villagers at a time.

A conscription on this scale, covering multiple counties, had not happened since nearly twenty years ago—right before the emperor personally led a campaign when the border enemy was still strong.

Hu Qiuyan sighed, “Zhang County isn’t far from the border. If manpower still isn’t enough, will they start conscripting from Du Family Village?”

“Regular conscription is one thing, but this time, they’re sending people to the border…”

At that moment, a loud noise came from outside, interrupting the study’s reading session.

Qiu Huanian got up to check, followed by Du Yunse. They found a deflated leather ball lying quietly near the western wall. The sound earlier must have come from it.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

The front gate was knocked on urgently. Du Yunse frowned slightly and stopped Qiu Huanian from opening it himself.

From behind Du Yunse, Qiu Huanian saw, through the half-opened door, a chubby eight or nine-year-old boy standing outside with his chin raised high.

“My ball fell into your yard, hurry up and give it back to me!”

Hu Qiuyan tugged at Qiu Huaniansleeve and mouthed, “Zirong’s son, this is just too…”

She didn’t finish her sentence, but the implication was obvious: Zirong had clearly married into a wealthy family, moving away with her merchant husband to live a good life, so how could the child she raised be even worse than her own Yunkang, who had grown up in the village all along?

He had carelessly thrown his ball into someone else’s yard, and now he was here to retrieve it. Not only did he fail to apologize, but he didn’t even say a single polite word!

Qiu Huanian picked up the ball and walked to the door. “Is this the one you’re looking for?”

The boy’s lips immediately curled down when he saw the ball. “Why is my ball deflated? It was perfectly fine just now! My dad gave me this ball—you have to compensate me for it!”

Qiu Huanian was so amused by his words that he laughed out loud. Though he knew that as an adult, he shouldn’t argue too much with a child, some spoiled brats were just too annoying.

“So, you admit that this is your ball?”

Seeing the boy nod, Qiu Huanian shook the ball in his hand. “Then that’s perfect. Your ball just smashed into our house and disturbed my child while he was studying. Go and call your parents to come and apologize. Otherwise, I won’t return this ball to you.”

“You—you—” The boy opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say. He turned around and ran off. “I won’t! Just wait, I’m going to get my sister to scold you!”

The commotion at the door was so loud that the children inside the study room came out to see what was going on. From behind, Chunsheng shouted at the boy, “Come if you dare! Who’s afraid of you? My sister is way better than yours!”

“…”

Qiu Huanian couldn’t hold back a chuckle. Du Yunses face darkened as he said, “Chunsheng, it’s study time. Did I give you permission to leave the study room?”

Chunsheng, who had been full of fighting spirit just a moment ago, immediately deflated. He slunk back into the study room, crestfallen. Jiujiu also wanted to laugh, but she pinched her hands together and struggled for a long time before managing to hold it in.

Of course, Qiu Huanian wouldn’t be so childish as to wait for Yuchuan to come and argue. He simply shut the main door, casually tossed the ball into the yard, and went back inside to continue chatting.

By the time evening arrived, Chi Qinghe was about to leave. The coachman drove the carriage to the entrance, and Jiujiu escorted her to the door.

“Tomorrow is our day for music lessons. I’ll be waiting for you at my house.”

“Are we learning a new piece tomorrow? I’ll review the sheet music again tonight.” Jiujiu’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.

Chi Qinghe smiled gently. “You’re already learning fast enough. Studying, practicing music, embroidery, and helping out with household chores—you should give yourself a break once in a while.”

Jiujiu simply smiled without responding. Many people worried that she was exhausting herself, but in truth, it was this constant learning that brought her real happiness and a sense of security.

She watched as Chi Qinghe’s carriage disappeared down the road. When she turned her head, she suddenly noticed that the door of Widow Zhang’s house was half-open. Yuchuan stood inside, her gaze dark and sinister as she stared at Jiujiu.

Their eyes met, and Yuchuan’s expression unconsciously twisted into a vicious sneer. Jiujiu inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment, her own eyes cold as frost.

Watching Jiujiu’s figure disappear behind the beautiful and newly built Ruyi Gate, Yuchuan stomped her foot and cursed angrily, “She’s just a scholar’s village girl, what is she so smug about? If this were back when I was in the capital, she wouldn’t even be worthy of carrying my shoes!”

Thinking about the fine jade bracelet on Jiujiu’s wrist, Yuchuan looked down at her own bare and delicate hands, feeling both resentful and aggrieved.

The bracelet she originally owned was far better than that of this little village girl. But when she left the capital, all of her jewelry had been taken away by the maidservants sent by her stepmother and stepsister. Not a single fine piece of clothing was left in her bundle either, and now, she was reduced to wearing these shabby cloth garments.

“Yuchuan, come help your grandmother scoop a bowl of water.” Widow Zhuang’s voice called from the courtyard.

Yuchuan rolled her eyes and barely held back from cursing in return. Just a stupid village woman who couldn’t even read a single character, and yet she had the nerve to act like a matriarch and order her around.

Back in her own home, she had been a proper young lady with servants at her beck and call. And now, she had actually fallen to the point of doing lowly and filthy work in this countryside.

Her father had only been temporarily misled by her stepmother’s provocations. As long as her younger brother was still around, the three of them—mother, son, and daughter—would eventually return to the capital. When that time came, she would make sure all those who had kicked them while they were down would pay!

But for now, she had to first deal with that scholar’s family next door, making sure they learned their place. Otherwise, her already miserable days would become even more unbearable…

Yuchuan narrowed her eyes, her faded, half-red fingernails digging into her palm.

…

The next morning, before the sun had fully warmed the earth, Chi Qinghe’s head maid, Qiaoyin, arrived in a carriage to fetch Jiujiu. By now, the people of Du Village had grown accustomed to seeing the Song Scholar’s carriage. Watching Jiujiu, dressed in silk and adorned with gold, they all marveled at how the little girl from their village was already beginning to look like a proper young lady.

Cunlan clutched a handful of wildflowers in her hand, hiding in the shadows until the Song family’s carriage had disappeared into the distance. Only then did she sluggishly step out.

She carried a bamboo basket on her back, filled with pigweed she had cut from the back mountain early that morning, hurrying home to feed the livestock.

Cunlan walked a few steps with her head lowered when suddenly, a pair of brand-new cloth shoes appeared in her field of vision, blocking her way forward.

She looked up and saw the girl from Widow Zhuang’s house—the one the village folks had been whispering about lately.

Cunlan had heard that this girl had a bad temper and didn’t want to get involved with her, but before she could step aside, the other girl spoke first.

“Weren’t you quite close with Du Jiujiu before?”

“I heard that her family used to be dirt poor, completely relying on you to bring her along to play. But now that her brother has passed the scholar exams, their family has built a grand house and befriended the daughter of an imperial scholar, so she doesn’t need you anymore.”

“Look at her, wearing ornaments in her hair and silk clothes on her body. Has she ever thought to share anything with you? People who know might say you two are from the same clan, but those who don’t might think you’re her servant instead!”

“If I were you, I wouldn’t let Du Jiujiu be so pleased with herself all the time! Sure, her brother is a scholar, but your grandfather is still the clan leader. If you ever need help, come find me anytime—I can give you some ideas on how to teach her family a lesson.”

“…”

After saying all that, Yuchuan walked away without looking back.

Cunlan stood still, staring at the ground as tears suddenly fell, splashing onto the soil and quickly disappearing without a trace.

She let go of the crumpled wildflowers in her hand, wiped her tears, and ran straight home.

Ye Taohong was busy working when she saw Cunlan come running in, crying, and was immediately startled. “What’s wrong with our Lan-jie? You left just fine, how did you end up crying while gathering grass?”

Cunlan bit her lip and shook her head, refusing to speak.

Ye Taohong stepped forward, removed the basket from her daughter’s shoulders, and led her along to feed the livestock.

“If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine. But when Jiujiu comes over to play later, she’ll get it out of you eventually.”

As she added food to the mule and pigs’ troughs, Ye Taohong continued speaking.

“Speaking of Jiujiu, the embroidery pattern she lent you last time is still in the cabinet. You’d better return it to her soon. That thing isn’t cheap—I’d say it’s worth at least a silver coin. Even if Jiujiu didn’t ask for it back, it wouldn’t feel right for us to keep it for too long.”

“Also, Jiujiu is always so busy these days. Don’t just wait for her to come find you—go visit her too! Hua-ge’er even mentioned last time that he wanted to invite you to play ma diao cards with them!”

“…”

Cunlan sniffled, let a few more tears fall, then crouched down beside her mother to help feed the livestock, remaining silent the entire time.

…

A thousand miles away, in the majestic imperial city, the Spring Harmony Palace remained as heavily guarded as ever. Under the scorching sun, the grand and magnificent palace exuded an eerie sense of coldness.

In a side hall, Shiliu knelt quietly, waiting for the figure before him to finish examining the things he had brought back.

After a long while, Crown Prince Jia Hongyuan finally set down the letters in his hand and held them over the candle flame, burning them to ashes. The blackened remnants drifted gently to the ground, crumbling into dust.

“How is Wu Shen’s injury?”

“Young General Wu hurt his forearm, but I have seen it myself. It’s not a serious wound in the long run.”

Shiliu replied with perfect composure. “Young General Wu also asked me to convey his message to Your Highness: Please take care of your health and do not worry too much.”

Jia Hongyuan chuckled. He remembered the first time Wu Shen had returned to the capital to see him, his older cousin. It had just so happened that he was having a bout of illness at the time, scaring the usually reckless young warrior pale. Ever since then, the first thing Wu Shen always asked whenever they met was, “How is Your Highness feeling today?”

“Did you sense any resentment from Wu Shen?”

Shiliu answered calmly, “The young general does not care about rewards or titles—he only wishes to return to the battlefield as soon as possible.”

“That’s true. Having grown up in the Grand General’s household, he’s seen all the best treasures. Naturally, he wouldn’t care for these things.”

Jia Hongyuan’s lips remained curved upward, but his eyes grew cold. Wu Shen might not care, but as his older cousin, Jia Hongyuan could not afford not to. There were far too few people left in this world who truly cared about Jia Hongyuan as a person.

He turned his gaze to the figure standing in the shadows. Shiliu’s form blended seamlessly into the dim light, his outline almost indistinguishable from the darkness itself.

“Shiliu, step forward.” Jia Hongyuan moved the candle closer.

Shiliu did not understand, but before the Crown Prince, he only knew how to obey. Even if Jia Hongyuan were to smile and say, “Shiliu, go die,” his instincts would compel him to slit his own throat without hesitation.

Jia Hongyuan carefully examined him under the flickering light, taking in every detail from his brows to his fingertips. Shiliu stood motionless, eyes blank, expression unreadable.

“You’ve lost quite a bit of weight after this trip. Rest well for the next few days, and come dine with me,” Jia Hongyuan said.

Shiliu nodded. Jia Hongyuan covered his mouth and coughed a few times, then looked toward Shiliu’s left arm. “Where is your sword?”

Shiliu was puzzled. “Your Highness, I never carry a weapon when I come to see you. That is the rule.”

Jia Hongyuan shook his head. “If you had only removed your concealed sword outside the hall, there would be marks on your sleeve. But now, there are none.”

For a dignified Crown Prince to remember such fine details about a mere shadow guard—if it were anyone else standing before Jia Hongyuan at this moment, they would either be moved to the depths of their soul or trembling in sheer terror.

But Shiliu simply replied calmly, “I gave it away.”

“Gave it away?” Jia Hongyuan raised an eyebrow slightly but did not pursue the matter further.

Looking at Shiliu, who stood with his head lowered and his expression subdued, Jia Hongyuan suddenly asked, “Shiliu, no matter what I say or ask of you, will you always agree?”

Without the slightest movement, Shiliu replied, “My loyalty to Your Highness is as clear as heaven and earth.”

“Loyalty… yes, loyalty.” After another bout of coughing, Jia Hongyuan waved his hand. “Go rest now.”

Shiliu obeyed, silently rising to his feet. Just as he was about to leave the side hall, Jia Hongyuan suddenly spoke again. “Shiliu, are you still looking for your family?”

Shiliu froze for a moment. “I… am not looking anymore.”

Jia Hongyuan gave a slight nod. “Nineteen years ago, the Gu Zhu Mei clan was convicted of a grave crime for failing to defend the city. All adult males within five degrees of kinship were exiled to Lingnan, and the remaining family members were taken into the palace as servants. But the direct bloodline of the Mei clan had already perished within the city walls—except for a single little boy, whose body was shielded beneath the layers of his deceased relatives.”

“…”

Standing in the place where light and shadow met, Shiliu’s back stiffened into a rigid line.

Of course, His Highness knew his past. Just as one must know the weight and length of a weapon to wield it properly, Jia Hongyuan naturally had knowledge of him. But why speak of it out loud? He was already nothing more than a shadow called Shiliu.

From the cold harshness in Shiliu’s face, Jia Hongyuan detected a rare trace of uncertainty. His heart softened for a moment, and he sighed. “Even if you find them, do not reunite with them. As long as the Mei clan’s crimes remain unpardoned, if anyone discovers your identity, the only outcomes awaiting you are exile to the borderlands or being taken into the palace as a servant.”

Shiliu’s lips moved, but for the first time, no sound came out. “I understand.”

He understood everything His Highness had said, of course. But to hear it spoken so plainly—so directly—was like having an old, bloodied wound ripped open once more, making him tremble from the pain.

And yet, he had long since been trained to almost completely lose his perception of pain.

Jia Hongyuan’s fingers twitched slightly. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing at all. A Crown Prince who was half-discarded and kept under house arrest—he could not even speak freely.

“Shiliu, you are the one my mother chose for me.”

“Shiliu… go now, go rest. When you are well, return to my side as soon as you can.”