Chu Ruoyan waited in the dilapidated temple for about fifteen minutes.
Little Man, Grandma, and the others were indeed brought back, each bearing minor injuries, though fortunately, nothing too serious.
"Kind sister, was it you who saved us?" Little Man asked with sparkling eyes. Chu Ruoyan patted his head gently. "There’s no need to worry. The ruffians who harmed you have been dealt with. It was these officers from the capital’s county office who rescued you."
At her words, the officers looked even more ashamed.
Grandma and the others chimed in, "Thank you, officers. Without you, we wouldn’t be alive..."
"That’s right! Those thugs tried to take liberties with Cui'er. Thankfully, the officers arrived in time..."
Each word was filled with heartfelt gratitude.
One officer couldn’t help but slap himself. "Damn it, I’m such a disgrace!"
Another knelt before Chu Ruoyan. "The Yan family’s kindness will never be forgotten!"
Chu Ruoyan smiled faintly but said nothing.
Once a person’s conscience awakens, they gain the courage to stand against anything.
After today, she believed Little Man and the others would never suffer harm again...
Her gaze shifted to Constable Zhao, who now looked at her as if she were a demon. "Y-you... what do you want?"
She gave a faint smile. "Uncle Liu, let him go."
Uncle Liu released his grip.
Constable Zhao could hardly believe it. "Y-you’re really letting me go?"
"Why not? You’ve already failed your assignment from the Ministry of Revenue, and the county office won’t take you back. You’re at a dead end. Why should I keep you?"
Constable Zhao’s face paled. Finally, he dropped to his knees. "Madam! Please, save me!"
The capital’s county office was the least of his worries—failing the Ministry of Revenue’s task meant his superiors would never let him off.
Yet Chu Ruoyan ignored him, turning instead to Little Man and Grandma. "Fubao is at the general’s residence now. Would you like to see him?"
Little Man nodded eagerly, while Grandma hesitated. "Noble lady, this... this isn’t proper..."
Chu Ruoyan spoke warmly. "Meeting you was fate. Let’s go."
With that, she led Uncle Liu and the grandmother-grandson pair away.
Once outside, Uncle Liu asked, "Miss, if you spared those officers, why not save Constable Zhao?"
Chu Ruoyan replied, "Those officers were just following orders—mere pawns. But Constable Zhao? He was willing to trample three hundred lives underfoot for his ambition. Why should I save him?"
No sooner had she spoken than a dull thud sounded behind them.
Uncle Liu glanced back. "Miss, Constable Zhao is dead."
It was no surprise.
Cao Yang would never let him live to testify.
The four boarded a carriage. Little Man, seeing such a spacious compartment for the first time, looked around in wonder. "Kind sister, do you ride in this every day? It’s way bigger than the dog hole I sleep in!"
"Don’t speak nonsense in front of the noble lady!" Grandma scolded before nervously adding, "Please forgive him. This child talks too much..."
Chu Ruoyan shook her head reassuringly, though her heart ached.
These were descendants of loyal martyrs, yet they had to beg for food and sleep in dog holes—and even then, those in power wouldn’t leave them alone...
"Uncle Liu, what if I—"
Before she could finish, Uncle Liu’s expression darkened.
"Miss, you mustn’t! The Cao family is deeply rooted. Cao Yang clawed his way up to become Minister of Revenue, and his brother Cao Dong is Princess Ansheng’s consort. One misstep, and not only the Yan family but even the Duke would face repercussions in court."
Chu Ruoyan remained unfazed. "Every noble family in the capital is interconnected. Should we endure injustice just because of that? Don’t worry, Uncle Liu. I’ll take it step by step... Isn’t the Cao family matriarch’s birthday coming up?"
Starting with the Cao matriarch—was that really "taking it step by step"?
Uncle Liu’s lips twitched, but he knew once his lady set her mind to something, there was no changing it.
He could only say, "Yes, but given the Yan family’s mourning period, they’ll likely hold the celebration after the general’s funeral."
Chu Ruoyan nodded.
Upon returning to the general’s residence, the main gate was blocked by grateful commoners, forcing them to enter through a side door.
In the courtyard, Fubao dashed over at the sound of her footsteps, only to freeze in surprise upon seeing Little Man.
"It’s me, Fubao! Are you okay?"
Little Man rubbed the dog’s head. Fubao yipped and leaped into his arms, the two playing joyfully.
Chu Ruoyan watched with a smile before arranging their accommodations and heading to Madam Li’s quarters—only to find her absent.
"After the earthquake, the second young madam was summoned by the Old Dowager and hasn’t returned."
The mention of the old woman gave Chu Ruoyan a headache.
The Old Dowager despised Third Yan, and by extension, her. Every time Chu Ruoyan requested an audience, the old woman claimed she was resting.
Even after days in the residence, they had yet to meet privately!
Outside Shou’an Hall, she hesitated—until Lady Xue’s shrill voice pierced through.
"Your branch has always looked down on ours! Even with something as grave as an earthquake, you didn’t warn us! Fine, I’ll ask in front of Mother—do you even consider us family?"
Before Madam Li could respond, the third branch chimed in. "Exactly! Other matters aside, how could you keep Uncle’s prophetic dream about the earthquake to yourselves? Our estate in Mangshan suffered heavy losses!"
Madam Li sighed helplessly. "Aunties, the truth is..."
Before she could finish, a clear voice rang out from the doorway. "This really isn’t our fault."
Madam Li turned, relieved. "Third sister-in-law, you’re here!"
Chu Ruoyan nodded, scanning the room. The second and third branches shifted uncomfortably, while Grandma Yan sneered and closed her eyes.
Chu Ruoyan pretended not to notice. "Aunties, the earthquake struck suddenly. We truly had no time to warn you. But the Imperial Observatory’s notices were plastered all over the capital—did no one in your households see them?"
The third branch stammered, "W-well, we did..."
"Then why didn’t you prepare? It seems Uncle and Auntie are so wealthy, a few estates mean nothing."
They fell silent. Lady Xue snapped, "Since when do brides interrupt their elders?"
Chu Ruoyan arched a brow. "You questioned our branch, but apart from Second Sister-in-law, I’m the only one here. Unless... Auntie would prefer to discuss this with Mother’s memorial tablet?"
Lady Xue’s face flushed with rage. "Mother, look at this daughter-in-law! She has no respect for propriety!"
Grandma Yan, who had kept her eyes shut since Chu Ruoyan entered, let out a cold laugh. "Propriety? What propriety could she have, marrying that disgrace?"
The room turned icy.
Madam Li bit her tongue, while Lady Xue pressed, "Mother, which 'disgrace' do you mean?"
"Who else? That wretch caused his father and brother’s deaths, changed the funeral date without permission, and now even Heaven punishes him! The earthquake today—isn’t that his retribution?"
The Old Dowager spoke through gritted teeth, as if all her resentment were directed at Yan Zheng.
Chu Ruoyan’s expression grew colder by the moment. "Grandmother, the earthquake was a natural disaster. Do not speak nonsense."
"How dare you address your grandmother in such a manner!" Lady Xue seized the opportunity with delight. "It must be because you and your husband have mistreated her so terribly that she would say such things. Mother, come—let us take our grievance to the imperial court!"
As she moved to help the Old Dowager out, Madam Li hurriedly tried to stop them, but Chu Ruoyan said, "Let them go."
Madam Li stared at her in disbelief. "Sister-in-law?"
Chu Ruoyan’s voice was icy. "But let me make one thing clear: whoever escorts the Old Dowager out that door will be responsible for her care until her dying day."
