Chapter 179

Zhang Xiuer's simple sentence revealed a lot of information.

Zhang Xiuer said indifferently: "I just suddenly realized that even I only understood just now that I was being used by my father as a tool in his plot. How could the Zhao family's eldest son have known all this last year? These matters weren't done by my father alone; there must be someone else behind it."

"My father is dead, how could they be unharmed? You will definitely get to the bottom of this, right? Give me some time; I will think carefully, consider every detail, and tell you when I figure it out."

"Definitely!" Chen Wuji said firmly.

He could actually take responsibility for this matter on Qin Zhanhong's behalf first.

If the current emperor weren't as helpless as mud that can't support a wall, he shouldn't be indifferent to this matter, letting those people corrode his realm like termites.

Zhang Miyuan and others were weaving a net intended to catch the emperor, to catch the whole world.

The current emperor is their biggest prey!

As long as this old emperor has a bit of brains, this matter is obvious at a glance.

After Zhang Xiuer thought for a long time and still couldn't come up with any other clues, Chen Wuji then let her go rest first.

As an important witness who provided so many crucial clues, Chen Wuji unilaterally gave her a room, though both inside and outside were guarded by inspectors of the Imperial City Department.

Dawn broke.

Chen Wuji stretched his lazy waist and walked out of the side hall.

The light coming from the east was bright and full of vigorous vitality.

Yet this morning light that could lift one's spirits failed to ignite any joy in Chen Wuji's heart. The darkness of the world pressed down on him like a big umbrella, making his mood heavy and his breathing somewhat strained.

Too many things happened this night.

It felt as if he had lived half a lifetime.

Chen Wuji also needed to digest everything properly and take a breather.

Qin Zhanhong came out of the main hall exhausted, saw Chen Wuji standing by the rockery, strode over with his long legs, and asked, "Did you find any useful clues?"

"Yes, but I don't want to say it now; you can look at the interrogation records later, I'm tired." Chen Wuji said.

Qin Zhanhong let down her tied hair, flicked it twice, nodded, and said, "I'm tired too."

Chen Wuji could see that the woman's face was written with exhaustion; her alluring charm was gone, and her coldness had vanished.

"There are many matters; countless threads can't be resolved in a day or two. Go rest, I'm heading back too. If I don't go back, my family will think I'm dead." Chen Wuji said.

He also wanted to know how Chen Bushi and the others were doing.

"Alright, I'll send someone to see you off!" Qin Zhanhong said.

She unusually refrained from teasing Chen Wuji.

She was too exhausted to have the energy to say those words.

"No need, just lend me a gentle horse." Chen Wuji said.

The real troubles were gone, and he wasn't so pampered as to need someone to see him off.

Qin Zhanhong suddenly chuckled lightly, "Exactly, you didn't even manage to pick up any advantage this time, so go get two horses—go to the Zhang family's enclosure and lead them out yourself."

"I just casually grabbed one once; hearing you talk like that makes it seem like I have that kind of hobby." Chen Wuji said speechlessly, wondering if he really was that kind of person.

Qin Zhanhong gave a sly, light laugh, "Don't want it? Then forget it."

"Who said I don't want it? My horsemanship is too good—I can't ride one while leading another, so keep the other one for me first." Chen Wuji said.

Qin Zhanhong gave a low, giggling laugh, "What virtue, saying it so righteously."

"There's nothing I can do, I'm poor."

……

Chen Wuji led out a black, exceptionally fine-looking horse from the Zhang family's stables and headed toward the village at the speed of a donkey.

Before he even entered the village, he ran into Chen Luozi and two clansmen guarding that spot in the Zhao family's area.

"Uncle Luozi, what are you doing here?" Chen Wuji asked after dismounting.

Chen Wuji walked up, used both hands to firmly pat Chen Wuji's shoulder, happily said: "Being alive is good, being alive is good, you didn't suffer any bodily harm, right?"

"No, I just took a stroll around the big prison." Chen Wuji laughed, "So, what are you guys doing?"

"We? We're going to the city to prepare to go inquire about your news." Chen Luozi said.

Chen Wuji felt suspicious, "You guys are obviously waiting here on purpose."

Chen Luozi gave an embarrassed laugh, "I've taken a liking to that tree, I'm not deliberately waiting for anything. If you died, we'd better hurry to prepare a coffin for you—I think that tree is very sturdy, enough to make you a very luxurious coffin."

Chen Wuji: ……

Damn, he just asked an unnecessary question.

But, that's not right.

They should know he's fine, so why would they still need to prepare a coffin?

Chen Luozi looks like he's not holding back any good fart; they're definitely up to something again.

"Is San Shu in the village?" Chen Wuji asked.

He didn't keep breaking the casserole to ask to the end; better to tell Chen Bushi later.

That guy Chen Luozi, out of ten sentences he says, nine and a half are either useless nonsense or lies; talking to him is purely wasting time.

"Yes, the clan has decided to hold ancestral rites these two days, and he's busy with those matters." Chen Luozi said, smoothly taking hold of the horse reins, "Where did you kid get such a fine horse? Even living in the county jail you get this treatment?"

"I just casually led it out." Chen Wuji said.

"Oh, is that so!" Chen Luozi drew out his reply, suddenly swung up onto the horse, slapped its rump, and said, "Then I'll borrow it to ride for a few days!"

Chen Wuji stared blankly at the dust kicked up, Chen Luozi's figure already gone, and burst out cursing, "Chen Luozi, you're nothing but a beast, you even steal your nephew's things!"

Chen Wuji and two other clansmen returned to the village, and before they could even enter their home, Chen Bushi brought them into the ancestral hall.

The ancestral hall, this sacred place, Chen Wuji was entering for the first time.

It bore no resemblance to grandeur; from the outside it even looked somewhat dilapidated.

But stepping inside revealed another world—solemn and magnificent, with a bit of the aura of a great clan's ancestral hall.

Under Chen Bushi's leadership, Chen Wuji respectfully offered incense and kowtowed before the ancestral tablets.

The ancestral tablets were numerous, like a mountain densely packed with tablets.

"The clan has been preparing for the ancestral sacrifice these past few days; earlier you were a bit dim-witted, so you didn't take part in these matters. No, that's not right—you can't say you didn't participate; you did, but you did nothing else, only thinking about eating the offerings." Chen Bushi said with a smile.

"Now you're not foolish anymore, so you shouldn't keep thinking about eating the offerings. Among the younger generation of the clan, you're now considered a fairly capable leader, so the clan has decided that you will preside over this grand ancestral rite."

"There are some things I need to tell you in advance, so nothing goes wrong. This time's grand ancestral rite is not just our Xishan Village branch; members of other branches will also come, making the occasion quite grand."

Chen Wuji; …

He kept waiting for Chen Bushi to mention what happened last night, but it turned out he never had that intention.