Chapter 479: Qingyao’s Decision 4

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Zhu Shen dropped Madam Wu off four miles from Linquan village then hurried back quickly on horseback. As soon as he returned to the dilapidated temple, he noticed that His Excellency had not left yet. Instead, he was standing under the eaves outside the temple, looking up at the sky in silence.

Zhu Shen got off his horse, went up to Li Ruoxuan, and gave a report on Madam Wu’s movements.

Li Ruoxuan did not appear to care about Madam Wu. Instead, he muttered, “She isn’t their real daughter, I already knew this. Now I have proof but I’m confused.”

“Your Excellency, this servant doesn’t understand.” He was confused? Why was he confused?

Li Ruoxuan said, “Think about it. Based on what Madam Wu shared, Qi QIngyao had received the keepsakes ages ago, but why did she only start baiting with the fake ones after so long? What was she doing earlier?”

Zhu Shen was stunned. He scratched his head and pondered for a bit, then suggested, “Could it be…that the forgery took time?”

“That’s a good point.” As expected, the onlookers had a clearer perspective of the situation. The more complicated he thought it was, the less complicated the matter was in reality. “With the sheer number of forgeries made, Lu Yan must have helped. But when you think about it, she must have been reluctant to let Lu Yan know what the real keepsakes looked like too. The forgeries are as much for trying to fish in troubled waters as they are for Lu Yan to see.”

After a pause, Li Ruoxuan asked again, “People must have gotten hold of these fake jade amulets with the pattern on them, but no one has taken any action these few days, and it’s still quiet in Qingzhou City. It appears that someone is waiting for her to show herself. ”

Zhu Shen was thinking and remained silent.

Li Ruoxuan ordered, “Before I leave Qingzhou City, find out who has gotten hold of these jade amulets with this particular pattern.”

“Understood.” Zhu Shen quickly cupped his fist.

Suddenly, a horse galloped over outside the dilapidated temple. A man in black with the “Li” character embroidered on his armband got off the horse. Zhu Shen hurried outside to welcome him. The man in black first bowed and cupped his fist in greeting. He then leaned into Zhu Shen’s ear and whispered a few words.

After hearing what he had to say, Zhu Shen’s expression turned a little strange.

He signaled for the man in black to leave first and then rushed in.

He reported to Li Ruoxuan.

“Your Excellency…our spy at Qingyang Lake claims that he saw an acquaintance by the lake four hours ago.”

“Who was it?” asked Li Ruoxuan.

Zhu Shen frowned and said, “Old Sir Gongsun.”

Li Ruoxuan raised his eyebrows. “Interesting.” The old man had not gone back yet and was still waiting in Qingzhou City. What was he waiting for?

…

Madam Wu’s entire body had been restless ever since she was let down from the horse by the expressionless man in black. However, now that she was almost home, she wiped the sweat on her forehead. Seeing that the man had already ridden away, Madam Wu abruptly ran in the direction of the village like a wild dog despite her old age.

It had rained in the morning, so the ground was rather muddy. Qi Yuanxiu was sitting in the main room eating dinner. His wife had made hot and sour noodle soup in the afternoon. Suddenly, he saw someone push open the door and enter. Qi Yuanxiu turned to look over. Was that his mother?

Qi Yuanxiu hurriedly put down his bowl and exited the hall. He asked with confusion, “Mother, didn’t you go to Uncle’s place? Why did you come back?”

Madam Wu dragged her muddy trouser legs into the hall. First, she took a look at her grandchildren and then at the old lady. Then she wiped the sweat on her forehead and asked tremblingly, “I-is everything alright at home?”

“Everything is fine.” They were all eating right now. Qi Yuanxiu did not understand what could happen.

Then, he noticed that the bundle in Madam Wu’s hand was gone.. While he was curious about it, he did not ask.