64: Haven't you ever been moved?

“Both of them mentioned that recently, Wu Qinghe has been absent-minded and often says that in a while, he will take people and leave the Zhuang family.

He also likes to take some tonics…”

Listening to Xiang Jie’s report, Jiang Hanwen carefully read the transcripts. The two transcripts had different question orders and directions, but both contained the same information.

Wu Qinghe wants to leave. Who will he take? His adopted son, Wu Linsheng?

“Alright, that’s it.

You don’t need to monitor the Medicine Field. Go monitor Wu Linsheng, specifically who he was close with before leaving the Medicine Field, especially the maidservants.

Wu Linsheng is different from Wu Qinghe. He isn’t even a steward, has no power, and hasn’t left the Zhuang family. He can only spend money on women.”

Overawed by his strength, Xiang Jie looked at Jiang Hanwen with completely different eyes, respectfully nodding: “Yes!”

“Copy a set of the books in the room for the Zhuang family head.

Take one hundred taels from those silver coins and distribute them to the guards who worked today.

Move the rest to the Council Hall and entrust them to Wu Shen for safekeeping.”

When money was mentioned, a strange look appeared in Xiang Jie’s eyes, and he whispered:

“Chief Steward Jiang, is this money not going to be accounted for?”

“What, you want it?” Jiang Hanwen retorted.

“I… I don’t!” Xiang Jie’s face turned pale with fright, and he quickly shook his head.

“A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it through the Dao. It will all be accounted for. If you are short on money, take one hundred taels for yourself. That’s it.”

Having made the arrangements, Jiang Hanwen turned and left. Since he had found a clue, he would let things unfold.

Xiang Jie’s lips parted, but he still said nothing, looking at Jiang Hanwen’s retreating figure as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.

Finally, when he made up his mind to speak, he looked up again, but Jiang Hanwen’s back was no longer in sight.

“Alas.” Xiang Jie sighed heavily.

In the mourning hall, perhaps because of him, it was much livelier today than yesterday.

People sitting and chatting were lined up from the main door of the mourning hall to both sides, like a bride getting married, with countless people looking at the groom.

“Have you eaten?” Seeing him, Su Xin’s stiff face broke into a joyful smile, like a gardenia in the gloom, pure white and elegant, emitting a faint silver glow.

Several men in the distance smacked their lips. So beautiful, like a ripe peach. Forget eating it, just looking at it made their hearts sweet, their desires burning like a kitten’s playful claws.

“I ate at home.” Jiang Hanwen’s tone was calm, his reply polite, maintaining distance without any impropriety.

“You definitely haven’t eaten, Xiaoqiang, quickly accompany Uncle Jiang to eat.” Su Xin called out naturally, like the unspoken understanding between a wife and husband who have been together for a long time, knowing without being told.

Hearing his mother’s call, Zhuang Qiang, who was standing aside, scurried over.

“Uncle Jiang, I’m here!”

Zhuang Qiang’s small mouth split open, revealing two adorable little canine teeth.

Seeing her brother leave, the little copycat Zhuang Yue also ran to Jiang Hanwen.

“I want to eat too!”

“Uncle Jiang, I’ll take you there.” Zhuang Qiang reached out and grabbed Jiang Hanwen’s pant leg.

“Yes, yes, yes, we’ll take you.” Zhuang Yue nodded like a pecking chick, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Alright then.” Seeing Zhuang Yue almost drooling, Jiang Hanwen followed the two little ones.

The scene of calling for food was seen by everyone. They exchanged glances, and though they didn’t speak, the meaning was the same—Chief Steward Jiang, is he going to live with the pretty widow in the future?

This Chief Steward Su is both pretty and capable, a rare beauty. Marrying her would be no loss. Several men, their hearts itching, lowered their heads. If it were colleagues, they might compete, but Chief Steward Jiang, that was out of the question.

Dinner wasn’t much, a pot of cabbage, and chicken soup slow-cooked in an earthenware pot.

“Slurp~”

Zhuang Yue finished a bowl, still wanting more, and mumbled:

“Uncle Jiang, luckily we have you, otherwise mommy definitely wouldn’t make us chicken soup.”

“Does your mother usually not cook?” Jiang Hanwen asked casually.

“Mommy used to cook, but she hasn’t lately, which makes my brother and me crave it. We haven’t eaten mommy’s meat in a long time.

Hehe~”

The little one happily lifted her head, her porcelain-like cheeks flushed with a cute blush, her face full of innocent charm.

“Your mother is busy earning money so she can buy you pretty little dresses in the future.”

Jiang Hanwen lightly flicked the girl’s nose, which was smooth and tender like tofu, very amusing.

“Uncle Jiang, mommy told me to tell you that there are too many people in the mourning hall, and some are gossiping, so she wants you to come back later after you’ve eaten.”

After delivering the message like an adult, Zhuang Qiang looked left and right, confirming no one was around, then lowered his voice and cautiously asked:

“Uncle Jiang, do you know what gossip is?”

“Want to know?”

“Mhm mhm!” The two little ones nodded repeatedly, their eyes shining as they looked over.

“If you want to know what gossip is, then you have to trade a secret for it. Who wants to go first?” Jiang Hanwen looked out the door through a crack.

Gossip?

Was he afraid of such a thing?

“I know!

Last year, mommy asked me to wish grandpa a happy birthday, and I secretly hid grandpa’s pipe. Grandpa still hasn’t found it…”

“I know too!” Seeing her brother had done something “big,” Zhuang Yue, unwilling to be outdone, joined the secret-sharing camp, making Jiang Hanwen, who was nearby, smile wryly.

A quarter of an hour later, the scene changed completely.

“Mommy dressed me, she said I’m the most obedient!” Zhuang Qiang said indignantly.

Zhuang Yue yelled in a childish voice: “Mommy also dressed me, and mommy put on my shoes, and sewed me little hats!”

“Mom… Mommy used to sew for you, but she doesn’t anymore.”

“Hmph! That’s all because the bad uncle had a fight with grandpa. When I grow up, I’m definitely going to beat the bad uncle.”

“Who is the bad uncle?” Jiang Hanwen asked, puzzled.

“The bad uncle is just the bad uncle!

Uncle Jiang, you don’t know, the bad uncle is so annoying!

After he came, mommy wouldn’t take us to see grandpa, she just stayed in the house boiling dark, murky medicine to drink, and wouldn’t even let us play with embroidery.

My brother and I haven’t eaten mommy’s chicken soup in so long, Uncle Jiang, you must come often in the future.”

Jiang Hanwen’s heart skipped a beat. Controlling his tone to be light, he continued to ask:

“So when did that bad uncle come?”

“I don’t remember.” Zhuang Yue shook her head, her cascading black hair swaying.

“I don’t remember either, but it was this year. The wind was so strong for those few days, and it rained heavily. I didn’t even have to go to grandpa’s to learn characters.”

Zhuang Qiang’s mouth curved into a proud smile, feeling proud of the favorable weather.

Gale?

Heavy rain?

His relaxed back straightened, and Jiang Hanwen’s eyes instantly became serious.

If he remembered correctly, three months ago, there was a strong wind that lasted for two days, followed by a heavy downpour, and almost all the Spiritual Plants in the field were wiped out by the rain.

Another three months!

“And after that, did you ever see the bad uncle again?” he pressed on.

“No, mommy just made my brother and me read at home, it’s no fun at all. Uncle Jiang, can you get mommy to agree to let me go outside and fly a kite?”

Zhuang Yue looked at Jiang Hanwen with longing, her exquisitely carved little face embedded with a pair of bright,paint-like eyes, black and shiny like pearls, reflecting the light and shadow in the room.

Just like a child’s plea, pure and innocent.

“I’ll talk to your mommy about it in a bit.”

“Hehe, okay!” The little girl clapped excitedly, her small face flushed.

“Oh, right, Uncle Jiang, you still haven’t told us what gossip is?” Zhuang Qiang suddenly remembered their purpose, looking at Jiang Hanwen with a face full of curiosity.

Zhuang Yue also looked over curiously, following her copycat behavior.

Jiang Hanwen lowered his voice and pretended to be serious, saying:

“Gossip is, these secrets we just talked about, you can’t tell your mommy, otherwise she’ll be unhappy.

Understand?”

“Then these are our secrets? Yue’er must keep them well!” Zhuang Yue looked excited.

“…”

Jiang Hanwen sat for a while, chatting with the two children about toys and food, completely pushing the previous topic out of his mind, before returning to the mourning hall.

Su Xin listened to his advice this time, leaving the mourning hall at midnight, leaving everything to Jiang Hanwen’s care.

Candlelight flickered, casting swaying shadows on the ground.

Jiang Hanwen sat directly in front of the coffin, staring blankly at the dark, shiny coffin.

The night passed without a word. At dawn, Jiang Hanwen left as soon as he saw Su Xin get up.

The sun peeked out from below the horizon. At this point, there were only two days left until the seventh day!

After leaving the mourning hall, Jiang Hanwen took a team of guards and, according to the roster Su Xin had left him, began to investigate the people of the Wu Qinghe lineage, house by house.

From day to night, he investigated a total of twenty-six courtyards, searching every nook and cranny, leaving no stone unturned.

These courtyards had neither secret rooms nor money; they were merely minor figures dependent on Wu Qinghe, not worth mentioning.

In the evening, Jiang Hanwen continued to return to the mourning hall to relieve Su Xin.

Tonight, the fewest people came to the mourning hall. Everyone was busy with tomorrow’s Spiritual Plant submission. Those who didn’t have enough were pulling strings, borrowing from friends to deal with the task, absolutely not wanting to be punished.

The two little ones were already asleep, leaving only the two of them chatting in the mourning hall.

“I heard you killed Wu Qinghe’s five disciples. I thank you on behalf of my father!”

“It’s what I should do. Old Du was half my master. He died inexplicably. If I didn’t do something, I wouldn’t be worthy of his spirit in heaven.”

“After tomorrow, it will be the seventh day. I was thinking, would you be willing to carry the coffin?” Su Xin looked at Jiang Hanwen expectantly.

“I can.” Jiang Hanwen nodded, adding:

“I’ve investigated everyone else, and there are no problems. Now, only Wu Linsheng’s head hasn’t been found.”

“You’ve done your best, don’t push yourself too hard.

Are you hungry? I stewed spare ribs tonight.” Su Xin’s tone was extremely gentle, with a hint of feminine shyness amidst her resoluteness.

Her gaze towards Jiang Hanwen was also unusual, openly revealing the longing in her eyes.

“Not hungry. You should go back and rest.” Jiang Hanwen waved his hand, his eyes looking towards the mourning hall.

“I know, you think I’m dirty. Don’t worry, I won’t bother you.” Su Xin’s tone was mournful. She slowly stood up and walked out of the mourning hall, sobbing.

“Miss Su, all these years, I’ve always treated you as a friend.” Jiang Hanwen sighed.

“Jiang Hanwen, do you dare to say, in front of my father’s mourning hall, that you have never been moved!” Her voice rose by three points, Su Xin turned her head, her swollen red eyes filled with tears.