Chapter 347: Chapter 347, Inquiry
Chu Yu nodded.
Nanjiang was just a small tribe, depending on Tianchu Country, Great Zhou Kingdom, and Lisang Nation, and just happened to be between the three countries, which has always been a highly contested area for strategists. However, none of the countries dared to swallow it whole, so Nanjiang became a zone managed by all three and yet by none, where various forces intermingled.
In Nanjiang, the highest authority was the Moonwatching Sect, with the leader known as the Saintess, who held supreme power, and could marry and have children. Then came the five elders of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth under the Saintess, followed by the four Hall Masters of Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and the four Divine Envoys of East, South, West, North, one management level after another.
But it was said that the Saintess of Nanjiang had been missing for many years, and the Sacred Relic of Nanjiang had disappeared along with her.
Without the Sacred Relic, without the Saintess, there emerged two factions—the reclusive sect and the worldly sect.
The worldly sect sought the descendants of the Saintess and the Sacred Relic, insisting on making Nanjiang flourish. Most importantly, without the Saintess and the Sacred Relic, it was impossible to cultivate the Poisonous Insect King. Sometimes, the poisonous insects they reared would backfire, and without the blood of the Saintess or the Sacred Relic, there was only a dead end.
So it was paramount in Nanjiang not to stir trouble, as no one knew when they might encounter a member of the Moonwatching Sect.
And one feared even more that the other party would use poison or cast poisonous insects.
Hearing Hu Lao San say all this, the expressions of Chu Yu and his companions changed slightly.
They were even more careful to instruct their people not to go out unless necessary.
Hu Lao San quickly brought the men to Yun Jinnian, allowing Yun Jinnian to check and question them one by one.
A thousand people were reduced to eight hundred sixty-three.
These men also knew they would be entering the snowy mountains. Relatively speaking, it wasn’t very dangerous, so they were content to wait to complete the task and bring the twenty taels of silver home to live on.
The weather in Nanjiang was warm and spring-like all year round, which Yun Jinnian particularly enjoyed.
In the bustle, August arrived.
Capital City, Yun Residence
The third day of August was Yun Qi’s birthday.
Yun Qi had thought Mrs. Han would show some recognition, but there was nothing. Instead, it was his concubine Rou who was more than eight months pregnant and her belly was unusually large. They called for a doctor to come, who said she might be carrying twin sons.
Yun Qi didn’t show it on his face, but deep down, he felt joy.
Even his concubine Lian was five months pregnant and had become considerably plumper.
On August eleventh, Yun Zihan turned fourteen, but there was no progress regarding her marriage. Mrs. Han also received a letter sent by Yun Jinnian through carrier pigeon.
"Bai Que!"
"Madam?"
"Make arrangements quietly to invite Concubine Cui and the second young lady over. I have some things to ask them!"
Marriage was a serious affair, and Mrs. Han felt it was necessary to consult Concubine Cui and Yun Zihan’s wishes.
After all, the suitor was just a minor son from the Marquis Residence, brought up by his legitimate mother, a scholar no less, but still without any official rank. If Yun Zihan disapproved, it wouldn’t be good for Mrs. Han to be the only one eagerly pursuing the match.
Soon, Concubine Cui and Yun Zihan were brought to Qiyue Academy.
"This servant pays respects to the second wife!"
"Zihan pays respects to Aunt!"
Mrs. Han had the mother and daughter sit down before handing Yun Jinnian’s letter to Concubine Cui, "Take a look!"
Concubine Cui burst into tears as soon as she read the letter and knelt before Mrs. Han, "Second wife!"
"Don’t cry; whether you’re willing or not, just give me a word, and I will handle the rest and make sure things are arranged properly for you!"
Such trivial matters wouldn’t usually concern Mrs. Han.
But since Yun Jinnian had been sick in the past, Concubine Cui had taken care of him day and night, and Yun Zihan had shown genuine concern for Yun Jinnian, Mrs. Han was moved to help make arrangements for Yun Zihan.
Seeing how Mrs. He was acting, she was afraid that she had intended to sell Yun Zihan to obtain silver for Yun Muyou’s dowry.
The Marquess Yuanshen Residence had long fallen into decline; no amount of dowry would fill the gaps, and Mrs. He was foolish indeed, pushing Yun Muyou into a pit of fire.