#148: Mysteries

“No harm done. I have other matters to attend to. Please inform Second Madam on my behalf. Also, in the coming days, I’ll need Meixue to leave the mansion frequently. Kindly relay this to Nurse Yang.”

Lin nodded repeatedly. “Rest assured, Second Young Master—I’ll handle everything.”

“Thank you, Steward Lin.” With that, Li Shimin gave Yunyi a reassuring glance. “You look pale and tired. Go rest.”

Grateful, Yunyi nodded. With Li Shimin’s intervention, even if Lin was displeased, he dared not make things difficult for her. After Li Shimin walked away, Lin frowned and said, “Fine, go.”

Too exhausted to engage in pleasantries, Yunyi curtseyed and headed to her room. Inside, Jiang Caiping wasn’t there—likely practicing dance.

Only after sitting down did Yunyi realize how utterly drained she felt. One thing after another had happened since yesterday, leaving her overwhelmed.

At least there was some progress regarding Wu Laosan’s situation. But the matter with Feng Li remained unresolved. Why had Li Jiancheng specifically ordered Feng Li to kill her? If he suspected her identity, shouldn’t he have informed Li Yuan or Li Shimin? Moreover, based on Feng Li’s reaction, Li Jiancheng likely didn’t know. What else could justify such an assassination attempt?

Furthermore, though Feng Li was dead, there was no guarantee Li Jiancheng wouldn’t send someone else. If that happened, her situation would remain perilous.

No matter how much Yunyi racked her brain, she couldn’t decipher Li Jiancheng’s intentions. At that moment, Jiang Caiping returned from practice. Seeing Yunyi, she exclaimed, “Sister, you’re back?” After Yunyi nodded, she asked cautiously, “Why are you returning so late? Early this morning, Steward Lin came looking for you. He seemed very displeased. I was worried he’d report this to Second Madam—that would be trouble.”

Yunyi forced a smile. “Don’t worry. I’ve already spoken with Steward Lin. With Second Young Master vouching for me, he won’t make things difficult.”

“Second Young Master?” Jiang Caiping hesitated before carefully probing, “Did you spend last night with Second Young Master again?”

“What are you thinking?” Yunyi recounted yesterday’s events, omitting the details about Feng Li and simply stating that she had stayed home with Wu Laosan.

Jiang Caiping was shocked by the news. “Then… is Uncle Wu really going to be conscripted for war?”

Yunyi replied gravely, “I don’t know. I hope Guard Duan can find the hidden household registry Lu Sheng stashed away. That would prove Father’s true age.”

Jiang Caiping fumed. “That Feng family is rotten to the core! We already said Feng Chunxiu’s death was an accident, yet they refuse to let you be. Now they’ve caused this mess—it’s infuriating!”

Yunyi harbored deep hatred for the Feng family and had secretly vowed that if the authorities didn’t punish them, she would take matters into her own hands. She wouldn’t let them harm anyone else.

After a brief silence, Yunyi asked, “How is your family?”

At this, Jiang Caiping’s eyes reddened. “They’re fine. Originally, my father was among those to be conscripted. Later, my uncle feared losing his only son forever. He wanted to take my cousin’s place, but the officials refused. In the end, he decided to take my father’s place so they could look after each other. Thanks to this, my mother won’t be left alone to care for my two younger brothers. But poor Uncle and Cousin… their house will be empty.” Overcome with emotion, she began to sob.

Yunyi gently patted her back. “What about your aunt? Is she not around?”

Jiang Caiping shook her head. “Aunt passed away long ago. Uncle raised his only son alone through hardships, hoping he’d marry and start a family. But before that could happen, this tragedy struck.” After a pause, she added, “When I went home, I saw many families crying. Some tried to flee but were captured and executed. It’s terrifying.”

Yunyi sighed. “Don’t dwell on this. Things will get better.”

“Better?” Jiang Caiping wiped her tears bitterly. “Last year there was war, next year there will be war, and who knows what the year after will bring. How can things improve? I don’t understand why the Emperor insists on fighting. Why can’t he let us live in peace for a few years? If he loves war so much, why doesn’t he fight himself? Does he value life more than others? Or does he think our lives are worthless?”

Yunyi remained silent, unable to defend further. All she could do was plan to inform her father—the Emperor—of everything she had witnessed upon returning to the capital, urging him to empathize with the people’s suffering and treat them kindly.

That night, Yunyi slept restlessly, dreaming of Wu Laosan enduring endless labor or being whipped by overseers. She woke drenched in cold sweat. Fearing more nightmares, she stayed awake until dawn. After asking Jiang Caiping to inform Nurse Yang, she hurried to Jingji Pavilion. Likely due to Li Shimin’s orders, she was admitted without announcement.

Upon seeing Li Shimin, she immediately asked, “Second Young Master, has Guard Duan found anything?”

“Nothing yet.” Li Shimin reassured her. “Though Uncle Wu must register at the county office tomorrow, there are still ten days until conscription ends. As long as we can prove someone tampered with his age before then, even if his name is recorded, it can be removed. Don’t worry too much. I’ve already instructed Zhiming to prioritize this investigation.”

His words eased Yunyi’s worries slightly. She managed a faint smile. “I’m truly sorry for troubling Second Young Master with my affairs.”

Li Shimin smiled. “Uncle Wu is a good man. I hope he can live out his days peacefully at home. By the way, if you wish to visit home, I’ll have someone inform Steward Lin.”

Yunyi was indeed concerned about Wu Laosan, so she didn’t refuse. After thanking Li Shimin, she followed a servant to Steward Lin, who didn’t object and quickly handed over the pass.

Back at Wu Laosan’s house, Yunyi summarized Li Shimin’s investigation into Lu Sheng and reassured Wu Laosan not to worry. After he agreed, she cautiously asked, “Father, has anything unusual happened in town these past two days?” Though Feng Li’s injuries made his death in the river almost certain, without a body, she couldn’t completely set her mind at ease.