Promise!

Chapter 127, Human Heart

Dongqiaowu, the residence of the ward.

Chen Honggan looked at Chen Yun with heartache, seeing her listless and unable to eat or sleep since learning of the attack yesterday. He comforted her, "Sister Shu, your husband is a lucky man, he'll be alright. Sister Shu, you must take care of yourself, otherwise your husband will be heartbroken to see you like this when he gets back..."

"Yes, my husband will be alright... I need to take care of myself and wait for my husband to come back..." Chen Yun managed to eat a little after hearing this.

Just then, Yu Xiaoxiao rushed in: "Sister Yun, something terrible has happened! Min Shang disappeared this morning. I think he packed up his things and ran away..."

When Chen Yun arrived at the scene, she found that Min Shang's belongings, such as the clothes he had given her, had all been taken away. Not only that, but some of his personal valuables and belongings were also stolen. Looking at the messy scene, she stood there stunned.

This incident was a significant blow to her.

Yu Xiaoxiao and Min Shang, though called maids and servants, were treated by Chen Yun like her own younger siblings. Because of their young age, she couldn't bear to let them do any heavy work and treated them very well on a daily basis, never beating or scolding them. Although they weren't served at the table, they ate the same food as everyone else; and in just a few months, she had given them several sets of clothes...

Unexpectedly, now that news has come that Zhuang Jin might be in trouble, the other party has absconded with the money.

Looking at Chen Yun's pale face, Chen Honggan comforted her, "Sister Shu, why be sad for that heartless little servant? We should just report this kind of thief to the authorities."

"No, we've been master and servant for so long, it's better to..." Chen Yun said, when suddenly there was a commotion outside, as if something had happened.

It turned out that government officials came to the door, saying that Old Man Min had reported to the authorities that his child was missing, and asked Chen Yun to go to the government office to cooperate with the investigation.

Min Shang, a lowly servant, was paid for by the Shen family and a contract was signed. It was more like an employment contract than a purchase of a life-or-death power. If he were lost, he would be held accountable.

Clearly, the other party absconded with the money and then deliberately hid, intending to turn around and extort money from the victim.

“My husband said I was too kind, and that’s true. Now I’m getting my comeuppance…”

Chen Yun smiled sadly. At this moment, her face was extremely pale, and blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. She felt dizzy and fell to one side.

—Her mother died of a blood disease, which had a genetic component. She also damaged her health due to overwork when she was eleven or twelve years old. Now, she is overwhelmed with grief and has suffered a series of blows, which has triggered the disease.

"Sister Shu!"

"Sister Yun!"

……

Min family.

After looking around and seeing that no one was there, Madam Min closed the front door, went to the kitchen to get a bowl or something, and sneaked into the cellar. Who else could be in there but Min Shang, who had absconded with the valuables?

The other party was hiding here, and the Min family, like thieves crying "stop thief," reported the matter to the authorities to extort money.

"My son, are you starving? Come and eat something."

Watching her son wolf down his food, Mother Min kept saying, "Slow down," and "There's more," before praising him, "My son is clever and capable. He brought back a lot of things. If your father goes and squeezes out another sum, plus the benefits that official gave you... it would be enough to marry you ten or eight wives!"

As she spoke, her face lit up with a wide smile, looking utterly ecstatic.

"Mother, I don't need ten or eight wives, one is enough for me," Min Shang said excitedly, swallowing what was in his mouth.

"Alright, I'll take you a wife first, and then I'll give you two concubines later. But after this matter is accomplished... Shang'er, you must hide well and not go out. I'll bring you food every day."

"Mother, I understand!"

Min Shang hesitated for a moment, a look of fear appearing on his face: "The master's lord, Lord Zhuang, is a formidable figure. What if he returns..."

He wasn't afraid of Chen Yun's kindness, but he was intimidated by Zhuang Jin's aloofness and businesslike approach.

—It can only be said that some people are inherently despicable. Showing them kindness will only lead to them taking advantage of you. Keeping your distance will make them realize their place.

“My son, don’t worry. Rumors are circulating that the fleets of those wealthy families in the county were attacked, and that guy surnamed Zhuang was the main target. He must be dead. Can the dead come back to life? Even if that guy surnamed Zhuang is alive, we’re not afraid of him coming back. We have powerful figures backing us up!”

"That's good." Min Shang breathed a sigh of relief. He felt a little guilty towards Chen Yun, but when he thought of the benefits, he immediately put that aside.

……

When Chen Yun woke up, Chen Honggan and Yu Xiaoxiao were in the room, and the courtyard outside was packed with people. It could be said that almost all the martial artists under Dongqiaowu had come – not only the six street guards under Zhuang Jin: Xue Yandao, Duan Tao, Du Shiyuan, Wei Xun, Qu Zhe, and Lin Hong, but also the two personal guard squads: Bi Kai, Wu Hao, Qian Wende, Pan Zimo, and Du Yunqi, as well as other ordinary martial artists.

Normally, Zhuang Jin is fair in his dealings and treats his subordinates well. He has led his men to achieve many military merits with few casualties. Now that something has happened, almost all the warriors in the ward have come to help.

When Chen Yun woke up, she asked about the current situation, drank the herbal medicine in one gulp, and then asked Yu Xiaoxiao to help her out.

"Sister Shu..." Chen Hong wanted to persuade her to get some rest.

“It’s alright, I feel much better now… With so many people coming from outside, I can’t keep them waiting. My husband isn’t here, so I need to go out and take charge… Before, my husband sheltered me from the wind and rain, but now that he’s gone, I have to protect this home for him.”

Perhaps it was right to be sad, since she had already been sad before. At this moment, Chen Yun's face was very calm, and she even resembled Zhuang Jin somewhat.

It can only be said that the two are truly a perfect couple. Zhuang Jin has become more and more peaceful because of Chen Yun, and Chen Yun has also been influenced by Zhuang Jin. After what happened before, she has come to understand things and has grown up extremely quickly.

Chen Honggan knew that although Sister Shu appeared kind and gentle, once she made a decision and became convinced of something, she possessed a determination that was unimaginable to outsiders, so he could only follow her out. Once outside, Chen Yun learned more details: after she vomited blood and fainted, a group of martial artists from Dongqiaowu arrived, and the government officials, not daring to press her too hard, temporarily left.

"Sister-in-law, this matter is quite strange! It was originally a small matter; with so many martial artists like us, the government should have given us some face. But the government is insisting on an investigation, which is illogical. There must be something behind this..."

Chen Yun was quick-witted. She realized that even with Xue Yandao and Duan Tao, two scholars of the Six Classics, the government was still fixated on such a trivial matter. There must be a higher-level force behind it, and the only people they had offended were Miao Shao and Zhao Bin.

At this thought, she keenly realized that since these two had made their move, they wouldn't give her much time, and she had to deal with the situation as soon as possible.

"This matter..." Chen Yun looked at everyone and explained the history between her family and Miao Shao and Zhao Bin.

"Hiss, so behind this is the two wardens of the southern city?!"

"That's not surprising."

"Yes, now that Zhuang is in charge... this matter is difficult to handle."

……

Seeing that many people were avoiding eye contact and having second thoughts after she finished speaking, Chen Yun took the initiative to say, "This matter has nothing to do with you. Helping is a favor, and not getting involved is your duty... If you are busy or unable to get away, you may leave first."

She knew that you can't force a cow to drink water if it doesn't want to, otherwise it won't be interested in doing anything and won't work. It's better to give it a way out and save face.

Upon hearing this, Du Shiyuan, Wei Xun, and Qu Zhe, whose relationship with them was merely casual and who had only come for a courtesy visit, took the opportunity to leave under the pretext of having other business to attend to. Many other ordinary martial artists who dared not get involved also followed suit, and soon most of the martial artists present had left.

Finally, only Xue Yandao, Duan Tao, and Lin Hong remained at the town's garrison level. Lin Hong was self-evident, and Xue Yandao, being a proud man, wouldn't allow himself to leave because Zhuang Jin had sold the high-grade yellow-level beast hide armor at market price. Since Xue Yandao had stayed, how could Duan Tao, as his former superior and also someone who had been sold beast hide armor by Zhuang Jin, possibly leave? Wouldn't that make him the target of gossip?
There were other members of Zhuang Jin's core team, whose fates were intertwined with his, such as Bi Kai, Wu Hao, and Qian Wende.

Lin Hong and Bi Kai glanced at Qian Wende subconsciously.

"Why are you looking at me? Brother Zhuang has been so good to me. Now that something like this has happened, if I leave, would I even be human?"

Qian Wende is indeed a person who flatters the powerful and belittles the weak, changes his stance according to the wind, and will follow whoever provides the benefits. But as of now, Zhuang Jin, this golden thigh, has not fallen yet!
In his mind, Zhuang Jin was a cautious person and he didn't believe that something would happen to him so easily. At least he wouldn't betray him before seeing Zhuang Jin's body. At the same time, he also realized that this was an opportunity. Just like when he spoke ill of Qi Chen, he slapped him in the face. If Zhuang Jin really didn't have any problems this time, his return would greatly improve his image.

"Speaking of which, when Brother Zhuang was around, Miao Shao and Zhao Bin didn't dare to cause any trouble. I heard that Zhao Bin used to be the head of the law enforcement department, but Brother Zhuang also sent him to the south of the city. They're only bullying him now that Brother Zhuang is gone and not here..."

"That's the truth!"

"I don't believe anything will happen to Zhuang Zhenshou either. When Zhuang Zhenshou comes back, these people will regret it!"

……

Those who remained here were given a boost of confidence after hearing this.

After thanking those who stayed behind, Chen Yun discussed the matter and then split up to carry out their respective tasks: Qian Wende, Du Yunqi, and others went to investigate the Min Shang family; Lin Hong, Bi Kai, and others made arrangements with the government; Xue Yandao and Duan Tao, two scholars, followed and protected the siblings, and persuaded Zhuang Jin to stay behind.

……

Chen Yun's first thought was Liu Licheng, who was the closest and most familiar to her. However, when she went to the Pingshuibofang residence, the gatekeeper told her that he was not there.

Judging from the gatekeeper's expression, he seemed to be trying to shirk responsibility. When asked when he would return, he simply replied that he didn't know.

"Can we wait here?" Duan Tao asked tentatively, understanding the underlying reasons.

The gatekeeper understood, thought for a moment, and asked, "Is the garrison commander of your village truly a good friend of our Lord Liu?"

Chen Yun was taken aback upon hearing this. Before leaving, Zhuang Jin had told Liu Licheng to come and ask for help if he encountered any problems. Otherwise, she wouldn't have come over. But she quickly realized that the other party probably thought that Zhuang Jin was in trouble and didn't want to get involved.

This made her secretly lament the coldness of human nature. She recalled how Liu Licheng used to visit frequently, and how the couple always warmly welcomed him. She would prepare various dishes, and since he liked fermented bean curd, she would send him several jars… But now…

Xue Yandao was a martial arts fanatic and lacked social skills. He didn't immediately understand and earnestly said, "Our garrison commander is on good terms with Lord Liu. Everyone knows that Lord Liu often visits him."

"Then you can just wait and see!"

Chen Honggan and Duan Tao exchanged a glance, then looked at Chen Yun.

"Let's go!" Chen Yun shook her head slightly, signaling the three of them to leave.

……

"Sir, Madam Zhuang has left."

"Ok!"

Liu Licheng nodded slightly. His approach to Zhuang Jin was related to the General Affairs Department... In short, it was official business. Besides, he and Zhuang Jin were just colleagues. Once people are gone, the relationship cools down, not to mention that Zhuang Jin is now most likely dead.

It's not worth facing two equally matched opponents for a colleague who is likely to die, which is why the previous scene happened.

……

(End of this chapter)