Jiapingguan Chronicle

Chapter 2606 Atonement for Crimes 69.0
"Can you please stop being so short-tempered? Stop losing your temper so easily. What did I tell you before? Getting angry is very bad for your condition, both the current illness and your original illness. If you want to recover faster and live longer, stop getting angry so often, be more peaceful, understand?"

Jin Miaomiao took Boss Luan's pulse and, after confirming that there was nothing wrong, breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down in her seat.

"I know, but I just can't help it." Boss Luan sighed, trying to calm himself down, and said, "Although I'm not a good person, and the Forget-Me-Not Powder has indeed ruined many families, but..."

"You can't stand seeing others abuse children, right?"

"It may sound shameless to say this, but it's true. I really like children, because I don't have any, so I really like them."

"Is that why you helped the city lord's youngest daughter?"

“Yes, at least in a normal family, with both a father and a mother, it’s very good for a child’s growth. At least it can prevent her from being gossiped about. Of course, I also have my own selfish reasons. I can’t have children, so this child is my greatest concern and comfort.” Boss Luan looked at Xue Ruitian. “My lord, your friend is really pitiful. I hope he can be free from the influence of his parents and have a very good life. I don’t expect him to be rich and powerful or to achieve anything particularly remarkable. I just hope he can enjoy the life that belongs only to him.”

“Okay, I will pass on your blessings to him.” Xue Ruitian nodded, looked at Shen Cha, and saw a faint smile on her face. He breathed a sigh of relief and continued, “I’m not saying this for any other reason than to tell you that what Master Falian encountered is not an isolated case. There are many similar situations.”

“Yes!” Boss Luan nodded. “He said that because he was abandoned by his parents when he was very young—or rather, not completely abandoned, as they would see him once or twice every now and then—his mother still loved him very much, but couldn't resist his father's insistence. He also noticed that his father's attitude towards him changed drastically after he moved to a temple instead of home. He said that although he knew this change was because he was no longer taking up his mother's time and energy, he was still somewhat happy. Of course, that was his childhood perspective. Later, he learned that his father's change in attitude was because he wanted to use him for things beneficial to the family. And this use, he heard, would cost him his life.” As he spoke, he spread his hands towards everyone. “When my father heard this, he seemed quite understanding. I just don't understand—what could possibly cost a child's life? Even the royal family of the previous dynasty, such a useless family, wouldn't do something so heinous, would they?”

Shen Cha, Shen Haolin, Xue Ruitian, and Jin Miaomiao exchanged glances, all thinking at the same time that Boss Luan's guess was indeed accurate. It was that utterly useless royal family of the previous dynasty that came up with such a heinous scheme, sacrificing the twelve-year-old Master Falian in exchange for the clan's protection, making the clan believe that they would not have any disloyalty to the clan.

Unfortunately, the Empress learned of this plan and revealed it to Master Falian's teacher, the abbot of Xiangguo Temple at the time, who told him to take Master Falian as far away as possible and never return. Thinking of this, Shen Cha sighed softly. Master Falian had become like this, distrustful of everyone and hostile to everyone, all because of the sins committed by his father, the Emperor.

"That's hard to say," Merlin sneered. "Those people from the previous dynasty's royal family weren't exactly bright. What wouldn't they do to curry favor with the major clans?"

"That's true. I remember my father saying before that the reason the Wang and Xie families are so assertive and confident is because of the previous dynasty's royal family. Several emperors of the previous dynasty did some truly disgraceful things. When the heads of those clans fell ill, they rushed out to see them and even stayed up all night." Boss Luan shook his head helplessly and sighed, "I wonder if it's true. If it is..."

"Who can say for sure?" Merlin shrugged. "And then? Master Falian's father wanted to push his own son to his death, and then what?"

"His mother found out the news and secretly sent it to Xiangguo Temple to tell Master Falian's master. His master took him and ran away that very night. I heard that his father was furious when he found out he had run away and sent people to chase after him. But the old man and the young boy were very good at hiding, so they didn't catch them at all. From that time on, he often stayed in Jiangnan. As for how he got involved with the Qinglian Sect and even brought it under his control, I don't know. The reason Master Falian told my father all this was because after he left Xijing City, in order to gain a foothold in Jiangnan, he once did the same thing as the Empress Dowager, performing rituals for people everywhere. After gaining fame, his life gradually improved. He said that he saw the Empress Dowager at that time, in order to fight for her voice in the family and to make sure that her words were not ignored, just like he had done back then, both of them were desperately trying to prove themselves. So, he felt a special connection with her."

"That's why you said you saw your younger self, right?"

"Hmm!" Boss Luan nodded at Xue Ruitian. "Although I don't know if he meant when he said 'young' at the age of twelve, it's safe to say he's lived a very long life. His so-called secret to eternal youth is very likely true." He took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and continued, "Later, he became familiar with the Empress Dowager, and the two gradually opened up to each other. They discovered that they shared unexpectedly similar views on certain matters, and these matters were very important to them. From that time on, they appreciated each other. Although there was no romantic love between them, they truly considered each other confidants. Later, something happened at the Empress Dowager's house, and Master Falian helped her a great deal, essentially saving her life, which led her to completely side with Master Falian."

"what's up?"

"That was when the Empress Dowager was fourteen years old. Because of her outstanding business talent, she had already surpassed all the elders in her family, which aroused the dissatisfaction of some people. These people colluded with outsiders and kidnapped her when she was inspecting the shops."