Chapter 342 - Chapter 342: Chapter 350: Some Clues (1/2)
Chapter 342: Chapter 350: Some Clues
“Have you made any progress with the investigation I tasked you with?” Although the stronghold incident had passed, the person manipulating things from behind had still not been uncovered. Additionally, with Su Wenyue being tailed a few days ago, Han Yu had stepped up the urgency of the investigation, and finally, there were some leads.
“Master’s guess was accurate; those people are indeed related to Mr. Sun, the general magistrate. However, their exact identities have yet to be verified, but it can be confirmed that they are forces from Chang’an.”
“Very well, continue to keep a close watch on Sun Mansion. I want them under constant surveillance. Report back immediately with any hint of movement.” Han Yu narrowed his eyes as he spoke. He was certain of one thing: The mysterious person behind the bandits at the stronghold was absolutely not in league with Wang Mang, which meant that Sun Family was now playing both sides. No wonder they had grown increasingly brazen in their actions.
Yet, with Sun Family behaving this way, were they not afraid of capsizing one day when dealing with neither Wang Mang nor the Man in Black were simple characters to contend with? Or were they so confident that no one would discover their duplicity? After all, this mysterious person was indeed enigmatic; it took someone as astute as Han Yu to detect their existence, and even then, it had taken this long just to find a few clues.
On the Last Day of the Twelfth Lunar Month, each family celebrated their own reunion without visiting others. The Han Family did the same. Su Wenyue sent over the new clothes she had prepared earlier, not only for Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang, but also generous offerings for both the Second and Third Houses, including two sets of new clothes. Although she detested Han Lin and Mrs. Wang, out of respect for her Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, it wouldn’t be proper to exclude the Third House. She also gifted each child a silver necklace and a pair of silver bracelets.
Out with the old and in with the new, everyone, following the village customs, bathed and changed into their new outfits, wearing happy smiles on their faces. Although the world was in a difficult and chaotic state, the old Han family’s days were becoming more prosperous. Growing up there, it was the first time they could wear brand-new clothes for the New Year, especially the children who looked plump and auspicious in their new clothes, silver necklaces, and bracelets, resembling children from wealthy families. It was after the Fourth Daughter-in-law had married into the family that their home’s circumstances had improved, allowing them to provide for the children and help them grow well.
The children all looked fine, except for the Fourth child from the Third House, Si Ya, who, despite wearing new clothes and a necklace, appeared pitifully frail due to poor care and nourishment, barely weighing anything in one’s arms as if she might run out of breath at any moment. So small, and compared to Su Wenyue’s triplets at home, it was like looking at two extremes.
Han Lin had been quite happy initially, but seeing the disparity between his child and the others dampened his spirits. No one wanted their own children to be outdone by others, especially with his competitive nature. Thus, noting the difference between Si Ya and the other children frustrated him with Mrs. Wang, this ignorant Mother who wouldn’t properly care for her daughter.
Thinking this, Han Lin’s attitude towards Mrs. Wang inevitably soured. Mrs. Wang, already twisted in her thoughts, blamed Su Wenyue even more, casting unsettling glances at her and the three children.
Su Wenyue, sensitive to the undercurrents, quietly positioned herself in front of her children. Brother Xing appeared to sense Mrs. Wang’s malice too, his small brow furrowing, a sight that amusingly lifted Su Wenyue’s spirits. Any ill mood caused by Han Lin and Mrs. Wang subsided, as with so many people around, she was confident Mrs. Wang couldn’t cause trouble, and besides, they would be returning home in just a few days after New Year’s.