"Young master, please accept my condolences." A guard beside him offered comfort.
Chu Chen fell silent for a moment, then suddenly remembered something. He took out a brocade box and handed it to Qin Ziyan, saying, "Go and give this medicinal herb to the Ye family.
Make sure to deliver it personally to the head of the Ye family, and tell him this is my sincerity, and I hope he will agree to my terms."
"Mmm," Qin Ziyan nodded, took the brocade box, and asked Chu Chen with her beautiful eyes, "Can I leave now?"
Chu Chen nodded.
"Thank you," Qin Ziyan cupped her fists towards Chu Chen, then turned and left the hall.
Watching Qin Ziyan's retreating back, Chu Chen sighed, thinking to himself, "Although I don't know you, since you've helped me, it's considered even."
"Young master, why are you so determined to cooperate with the Ye family?" a guard beside him asked in confusion.
"Because I want revenge!" Chu Chen's voice was icy, his gaze filled with endless coldness, and his eyes gradually turned scarlet.
A monstrous killing intent surged out, and the temperature in the entire hall plummeted. The air seemed to freeze, making everyone feel a chill.
"Young master, please speak with caution!" The guard's face suddenly changed, and he quickly stopped Chu Chen from continuing.
"I know what you're worried about. Don't worry, I won't act recklessly. Moreover, the Ye family is no longer what it used to be.
I don't need to rely on them for revenge, after all, I am no longer the good-for-nothing I once was."
Chu Chen spoke slowly, his tone calm, as if he had completely composed himself.
"Hoo... hoo..." Panting heavily, Chu Chen leaned against the wall and slowly squatted down, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Sir, are you alright?" Zhang Zhiyuan helped Chu Chen up.
"I'm fine," Chu Chen shook his head and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Go and investigate if anything unusual has happened in Canglong City in the last three months, and have the things I asked for been prepared?"
"Don't worry, sir, everything is ready," Zhang Zhiyuan replied in a low voice, then turned and left the hall.
"Knock, knock, knock!" Suddenly, there was a rapid knocking at the door.
"Come in," Chu Chen looked up at the door and said faintly.
The door opened, and a guard in armor walked in, cupping his fists respectfully. "Reporting to you, sir, the guards at the city gate have sent word that a woman in green is seeking an audience."
"A woman in green?" Chu Chen was taken aback, then waved his hand. "Go and tell her to come in."
The guard took his leave and exited the hall. Not long after, a woman in a green dress walked into the hall.
"Greetings, Young General," the woman in the green dress knelt on one knee and bowed, her voice sweet and pleasant.
"So it's you." Chu Chen recognized the woman's appearance and showed a hint of surprise. He really hadn't expected to meet her again.
"Young General, you know me?" Hearing Chu Chen's words, a look of surprise appeared on the woman's pretty face.
She quickly regained her composure, pursed her cherry lips, and smiled, "I haven't had a chance to repay your life-saving grace that day, Young General."
"It was just a small matter," Chu Chen waved his hand, signaling the woman in green to stand up. "What brings you here?"
The woman in green smiled faintly. "Young General, I have come to implore you to take me in. I am willing to be your servant!"
"Be your servant?" Chu Chen's eyes flickered, and he said faintly, "You mean we've met before?"
"Mmm," the woman in green nodded, then took out a jade pendant from her embrace. "Young General, do you remember this jade pendant?"
"How did this jade pendant end up in your hands?" Chu Chen took the jade pendant and examined it carefully. His eyelids suddenly twitched.
This jade pendant was his mother's遗物 (relic).
"I found it by chance. I originally intended to take it back to my hometown, but I encountered a great disaster. Fortunately, I met you, Young General, and saved my life.
Now I am alone and have no one to rely on. I hope you will take me in," the woman in green looked at Chu Chen with hopeful eyes, full of longing.
Looking at the young lady from the Chu mansion before him, Chu Chen felt a pang of pity.
"What is your name?" Chu Chen asked the woman in green.
"My name is Liu Piaoxue," Liu Piaoxue replied obediently. "If Young General is willing to take me in, I am willing to do your laundry and cooking, and serve you."
"Piaoxue, that name suits you well," Chu Chen gently patted Liu Piaoxue's soft shoulder and said, "Don't call me Young General. My surname is Chu, and my name is Chu Chen. You can call me Chu Chen from now on."
"Yes, Young Master Chu," Liu Piaoxue's pretty face broke into a radiant smile. Chu Chen's words pleased her greatly.
"Young Master Chu, besides repaying your kindness, I have another more important matter for coming here," Liu Piaoxue hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage and said.
"Oh?" Chu Chen raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is it?"
"Does Young Master Chu know my parents?" Liu Piaoxue asked, biting her lip.
"Your parents?" Chu Chen was slightly stunned. Liu Piaoxue was about the same age as him, so they should have been twins.
"When I was ten years old, my family sold me to a human trafficker. I don't know the exact location.
I can only try to find them based on the portrait provided by the human trafficker at the time," Liu Piaoxue explained.
After a pause, Liu Piaoxue added, "My parents are ordinary people. According to the clues provided by the human trafficker, they should be near Canglong City."
"Near Canglong City?" After hearing Liu Piaoxue's explanation, Chu Chen fell silent for a moment, then said, "I understand. You go and rest first. I'll take you to find your parents tomorrow."
"Thank you, Young Master!" Liu Piaoxue's pretty face was filled with joy. She bowed to Chu Chen again and then ran out of the hall cheerfully.
The next morning, as Chu Chen was emerging from his cultivation, a guard rushed in to report.
"What? Are you sure you're not mistaken? That maid is the second daughter of the Liu family?" Chu Chen asked with a frown.
Last night, Liu Piaoxue had asked Chu Chen to take her in, and he had agreed.
Chu Chen had thought Liu Piaoxue was a beggar, but he never expected her to be a young lady of the Liu family. This news was too unexpected.
The guard said, "It's absolutely true! I verified it myself, there's no mistake."
"Alright, I know," Chu Chen rubbed his forehead and then said, "By the way, who among you saw that maid come in last night?"
"Young General, are you referring to the woman in the green dress last night?" the guard asked in return.
"Mmm," Chu Chen nodded, looking around, but found nothing.