Chapter 679: Retreat to Advance (3)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Shen Yijia was speechless.
Song Jingchen shook his head. “No need. Just make sure he leaves on his own.” He meant that there was no need to reveal it to the Luo family.
Since he left voluntarily, there was a possibility that he was retreating in order to advance.
Regardless, it was a different story.
It seemed that no one could hide in the capital anymore.
Song Jingchen looked up from the letter and suddenly asked, “One Dot and the others are coming back soon, right?”
One Dot and the others had been investigating the princess of the previous dynasty of the Wu Kingdom for almost a month, and Qingyang City’s Yangshu Village was only five to six days away from the capital. If everything went smoothly, they should have returned long ago.
While the family was having dinner that day, the five of them entered the Song family home.
Bruiser returned with them.
After not seeing him for a few months, Bruiser had grown much taller and looked much more mature.
That made sense. Now that he could manage so many shops on his own, he was no longer the brat from Xiagou Village who only knew how to bring the children up the mountain to fish in the river. He was no longer the brat who was chased around the village by Widow Wang with a broom.
She still remembered that the first time they met, this brat secretly followed her up the mountain and said that he wanted to acknowledge her as his boss.
Looking at the person in front of her, Shen Yijia felt as though her son had just grown up.
Bruiser greeted Madam Li first, then knelt in front of Song Jingchen and Shen Yijia with a thud. He kowtowed three times, causing his forehead to turn red.
It really shocked everyone present.
Bruiser rubbed his forehead indifferently and grinned. “I know. The murderer who killed my mother has already been executed. Please accept my gratitude.”
Shen Yijia had written to him and told him what Liu Piaopiao had done. He did not mention Liu Piaopiao at all. It seemed that he did not intend to pursue the matter.
Madam Li had alwavs felt guiltv about Widow Wang’s death. At this moment.
her eyes could not help but turn red. She pressed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and pulled her up to rebuke, “Child, why are you speaking so politely to your family? You haven’t eaten yet, right? Sit down and eat first.”
MO Yuan had already added another set of cutlery.
Bruiser sat down obediently.
Thinking of something, Madam Li said, “Wait a moment. I’ll add a few of your favorite dishes.”
Seeing that they had just started eating, Bruiser quickly stopped her. “Auntie, there’s no need. I’ll stay at home for a few days before leaving. Make more for me tomorrow, I want to eat a lot. Please don’t think I’m a glutton when the time comes.”
He did not stand on ceremony and refuse her kindness. He really treated her as a family, making Madam Li feel much better.
“Alright, tell me what you want to eat. I’ll make it for you tomorrow.” As Madam Li spoke, she picked up a lot of food for him.
Bruiser didn’t refuse and ate it. He didn’t forget to praise her cooking. “Auntie’s cooking is still the best.”
Madam Li smiled and said, “If you like it, eat more.”
One Dot and the others stood awkwardly at the side. Song Jingchen said, ‘You guys should eat first. We’ll talk later.”
“Yes.”
After dinner, Madam Li called Bruiser over to try on some new clothes. While making clothes for her family these days, she didn’t forget to make clothes for Bruiser. Now that he had tried them on, if they didn’t fit, she could alter them again.
Brother Hao and the others had a lot to say to Bruiser, so they followed. Including Fan Mingyuan, the remaining people followed Song Jingchen to the study.
Looking at the expressions of One Dot and the others, Song Jingchen guessed that they had gained a lot from this trip. He Imocked on the table and said, “Tell me, what did you find?”
The few of them looked at each other. In the end, One Dot stood up and reported, “I found out in Yangshu Village that a girl from another country had indeed fled to their village 21 years ago and was taken in by a family with the surname Sun. However, that family moved out of Yangshu Village back then. No one knows where they moved to.”
One Dot paused for a moment and continued, “I also learned that during the ascension that year, there was a palace maid selection. The Sun family happened to have an eligible daughter.”
Every time the throne changed hands, the palace would release some palace maids of age and choose a new batch.
Generally speaking, the number of spots each place would give was arranged by the local county magistrate.
A woman’s best years were only a few short years. Not to mention that she might lose her life if she went to the palace, even if she came out alive, she would be old. Many people would not be willing, but this was mandatory. It did not mean that one could not participate if they were unwilling.
Song Jingchen frowned.
“Although everyone in the village guessed that the Sun family couldn’t take the blow and moved because Miss Sun had entered the palace, they left some traces behind.” One Dot took out a stack of portraits.” This is a portrait I found from a famous local painter. According to the description of the person who saw the fleeing woman in the village, he drew this.”
Because it was too long ago, everyone’s memories were a little off, so they drew a little too much.
He took out another one. “This is a portrait of that girl from the Sun family..”
