Xing Keshou said this, gasping heavily, but he dared not faint, nor dared to lie.
This was his only chance.
Chu Yu still did not speak, looking down at Xing Keshou from above.
Han Tianci felt that Xing Keshou was too wicked, but seeing him so pitiful, without parents or family.
Han Tianci tugged at Chu Yu’s sleeve.
Chu Yu gave Han Tianci a "be patient" look.
"You certainly have some nerve!" Chu Yu said coldly.
As if harboring a murderous intent.
Han Tianci was startled.
He had never seen Chu Yu before.
"Your Highness, it was a few days ago, someone from the merchant convoy following you recognized you. By the time we reached Yangxi City, someone told me about it. At that moment, I had no other thoughts, just nowhere to seek justice after this abrupt disaster, so I could only head towards Hengzhou, but to my surprise, that corrupt official sent people to chase and kill me, Your Highness..."
As Xing Keshou spoke, he started coughing.
Then he coughed up a few mouthfuls of blood.
Han Tianci tugged at Chu Yu’s sleeve again.
This was the first person he had tried to save; he couldn’t just die.
Chu Yu looked at Han Tianci and sighed before saying in a deep voice, "Xing Keshou, do you mean to say you know who the murderer is?"
"Yes, Your Highness, it’s Yangxi City’s Magistrate Xiu Bingsheng. He wanted the Treasure Map that has been passed down through generations of the Xing Family and he also desired my aunt; it was he who colluded with the bandits to kill over three hundred members of the Xin Family!" Xing Keshou said as he began to cry.
Chu Yu looked at him, his face expressionless.
But Han Tianci felt considerable sympathy.
"You may not know, but your uncle has confessed, admitting he colluded with the bandits!" Chu Yu spoke indifferently.
"No, that can’t be possible. My uncle must have been coerced, right, my aunt... My aunt has disappeared. Xiu Bingsheng must have captured my aunt and threatened my uncle. Your Highness, if we can just find my aunt, my uncle..." Xing Keshou trailed off, falling silent.
Since the massacre began, he hadn’t seen his aunt.
Xing Keshou wasn’t a fool, nor was he stupid.
He immediately understood something.
Chu Yu looked at him and said, "Just wait. I will send people to investigate. In the future, you may use someone else, but not Tianci. He saved you!"
Chu Yu then walked outside, leading Han Tianci by the hand.
"Do you believe him?"
"What about you?" Chu Yu retorted.
Han Tianci shook his head, "I don’t know!"
Though he was smart, he was too inexperienced to see through people’s hearts.
"Then follow me to work on the case, shall we?"
"Yes!" Han Tianci replied eagerly and happily agreed.
Since he was taking Han Tianci out, Chu Yu thought he should let Yun Jinnian know, so not to worry her.
Upon learning that Chu Yu was taking Han Tianci out and seeing Tianci’s excitement, Yun Jinnian nodded and let them go.
"Miss..." Shi Jiayu was somewhat worried.
"Let them go. Tianci is a boy; he can’t always follow me. With Big Brother Chu, he will take good care of him!"
And with Chu Yu’s knowledge in both literature and military strategy, being highly talented, Tianci could learn a great deal from him.
Moreover, Tianci shouldered the future of the Han Family, and it would be good for him to venture out more.
Hearing this, Shi Jiayu fell silent.
A flower raised in a greenhouse indeed is not as tenacious as one that has braved the wind and rain, just as the plum blossom’s fragrance comes from the bitterness of cold.
He also envied Han Tianci for having such a sister who wholeheartedly looked out for him.
Chu Yu left the inn with Han Tianci, and fearing that he would not be able to look after Tianci well, brought along Luoyi and Luo’er. That way, if something untoward happened, someone would be able to take care of Tianci.
Yun Jinnian then asked Shi Jiayu to fetch silk and a needle and thread, and she quickly started sewing a pouch.
"Miss, your embroidery is really beautiful!"