Chapter 584: Going Up the Mountain to Investigate

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Father Yang said to Li Yu, “Madam Li, my Eldest came back and told me about meeting you, so we rushed over. It’s just, it’s just…”

Li Yu looked at his uneasy expression and knew what he was worried about. She said gently, “Thank you. Don’t worry, I’ll get them to keep it a secret so it won’t affect your family’s safety. If the news is really useful, the Imperial Court will even reward you after we eliminate those bandits.”

Li Yu’s words were like a calming pill, assuaging the concerns of the Yang father and son. Thinking about how the Imperial Court helped Ying Tao and the others treat their illnesses and even returned the money, they felt a little tempted.

Father Yang looked at Yang Mu. “Third Brother, tell Madam Li everything you saw that day.”

Yang Mu nodded and said to Li Yu with a red face, “A few years ago, the wild animals in the forest here were not easy to fight. Before the Winter Solstice Festival three years ago, Big Brother, Second Brother, and I went to the mountains to the east. There were few people and many preys there. We walked on the mountain with dry food for a few days and climbed a few mountains to hunt a lot of wild animals.”

“When I went down the mountain, I chased a wild creature into a cave behind a waterfall. There was a big rock behind the waterfall that blocked the entrance. The rock was hung with with withered vines. It was really not easy to notice.

After I chased that thing into the cave, I realized that the cave was very deep. As I walked, I suddenly heard someone snoring. I was so frightened that I broke out in a cold sweat.”

“I quickly retreated and told my brother. He said that there were no ghosts in broad daylight. Seeing that I was being fearful, he brought me in again. After entering, I realized that the cave was open.”

“There were two men lying at the entrance to the cave. Each of them was carrying a long spear. There were also two wine jars and some peanuts on the ground. The two of them were drunk. They’re the ones who made the snoring sounds.”

Li Yu asked, “Aren’t they hunters who went up the mountain to hunt?”

I didn’t dare to delay for a moment and rushed home. I told my father about this and didn’t mention it to anyone else.”

Father Yang said to Li Yu, “Madam Li, our family comprises old hunters. We’re all familiar with the hunters in this area. The children often walk in the mountains and are quite accurate in judging people.”

Li Yu felt that the terrain there was probably similar to the cave leading to the Green Dragon Stronghold. Someone must have moved a large rock to block the entrance.

“I believe you. Don’t mention this to anyone else. Please remember how to get there. You might have to lead the way.”

Hearing Li Yu say that she wanted them to lead the way, Father Yang was worried. “Madam Li, if they find out, will they take revenge on us?”

Li Yu smiled and comforted him. “Don’t worry, I’ll get them to keep it a secret for you.”

Father Yang could only cup his hands and say, “Thank you!”

Yang Lin glanced at his father and wondered to himself, “What’s the point of asking? We’re already here. The people in the government office would certainly make them lead the way!”

Father Yang understood what his son meant, but he still wanted to say something and felt more confident.

Aunt Zhang said from the door, “Madam, the noodles are ready.”

Li Yu nodded and said to Father Yang, “Go and eat something first. Think about it. Should we leave someone here to accompany the people from the government office? Or should we wait for the people from the government office to pick Brother Yang up from your house?”

Father Yang thought for a moment and looked at his two sons. “Which of you will stay?”

Yang Mu said, “I’ll stay! I remember it better.”

“Alright.” Father Yang looked at Li Yu and cupped his hands. “Madam Li, please take care of my son.”

Li Yu smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll remind them. Go eat some noodles first. They won’t taste good if they get lumpy.”

The Yang father and sons followed Aunt Zhang.

Auntie He smiled and said to the three of them, “It’s nothing delicious. I cooked three bowls of noodles for you. Take your time and eat. Don’t stand on ceremony.”

Father Yang looked at the three bowls of minced meat noodles and a few dishes on the table and cupped his hands in embarrassment. “Thank you, Sister-in-law. We won’t stand on ceremony.”

Auntie He nodded with a smile. “Enjoy.” With that, she went out.

Li Yu returned to her room and wrote a letter. She got someone to call Zhao Cai back and told him about the Yang family.

She instructed him, “Ride back to the capital immediately and hand the letter to the head shopkeeper. Let him compare Head Chi’s confession. It’s best to send someone to investigate.”

“Yes, Madam.” Zhao Cai changed his clothes, brought some dry food, and rode away.

Father Yang and Yang Lin bade farewell after dinner while Yang Mu stayed in the manor to wait for Chu Sihai to send someone over.

Zhao Cai galloped all the way. Before the city gate closed, he brought Li Yu’s letter into the city and handed it to Chu Sihai.

Chu Sihai looked at Li Yu’s letter and realized that it did not match the location of Manager Chi’s confession.

However, he had already sent out all the people around him. Thinking about it, he could only ask Shen Zhong for help.

“Steward Zhou, I have something on. I’ll go out for a while. Go back and wait for me. I’ll look for you tomorrow morning.”

Zhao Cai cupped his hands at him and said, “Alright, I’ll go back and wait for you.”

“Alright.” Chu Sihai smiled and cupped his hands at him. The two of them went out together and split up.

When Zhao Cai returned home, Zhou Jia was still working in the study. Yangyang asked him, “Uncle Cai, when are my mother and brothers coming back?”

“Young Master, they’ll be back before Qingming.”

Yangyang calculated. “Sigh! There are still six to seven days before Qingming. Uncle Cai, are you still going to the manor?”

Zhao Cai looked at him and smiled. “Yes, we’ll leave tomorrow morning. Do you have anything you want me to bring to Madam?”

Yangyang shook his head and sighed. “Let them have fun! I’m going to rest.”

Zhao Cai watched him walk unhappily toward his room before going to Zhou Jia’s study.

The next morning, Chu Sihai brought four secret guards borrowed from Shen Zhong and went to Liang Village with Zhao Cai.

Seeing Li Yu, the two of them exchanged a few pleasantries. Chu Sihai said, “Madam Li, where’s that hunter surnamed Yang? There’s no time to lose. We’ll set off now.”

Li Yu nodded. “Alright, I’ll get Ruyi to call him out.”

Yang Mu followed Ruyi to see Chu Sihai. Li Yu said to him, “This is Mr. Chu from the capital. Go with them!”

Yang Mu nodded. Chu Sihai smiled and said to him, “Brother Yang, don’t worry.

We’ll protect you.”

“Thank you, Master Chu,” Yang Mu said with a red face.

Chu Sihai smiled and nodded. “Alright, let’s set off immediately.”

The group climbed up the mountain from the east of Liang Village and traveled through the forest for seven to eight days before arriving at a steep mountain.

Here, there was no longer a village or a paddy field to be seen. Mountains were stacked together. Looking up from below, the mountains surrounded by clouds looked like a paradise.

Yang Mu stood at the foot of the mountain for a while and pointed at a slightly flatter place. He said to Chu Sihai, “Master Chu, we went up the mountain from there..”