Chapter 2801: The Substitute Was Forcibly Taken by the Mountain Bandit's Wife 07

Chen Xiaoshan, to punish Jin Chen's crime, specially sent people to the foothills to invite several old carpenters to come and inspect; alas, the five old carpenters brought up the mountain had weak legs.

Black Mountain Stronghold's ill fame spread far across South Continent; official forces surrounded and attacked it several times but returned empty-handed, and ordinary folk hearing its name would take a detour.

Now, being dragged up the mountain by several vicious bandits, the two older carpenters were so frightened they nearly fainted; still, Fourth Chief Yan Qi smiled and said, "Elders, don't fear, I invited you to inspect the work," barely calming their nerves.

Gu Fanghe had long been waiting here, after all this was no small matter, concerning the children in the stronghold who had not yet grown up.

Chen Xiaoshan led the people to the ruins of the pavilion, his voice deep: "Examine closely how this pillar broke; if there is even half a false word… today I will make sure you come but never leave."

The old carpenters responded tremblingly, rummaging through the ruins.

Though afraid, their skill was not lacking; they pieced together the broken timber, checked the mortise‑and‑tenon joints, tapped and listened…

After about half an hour, the most senior old carpenter picked up a piece of broken wood, his face somewhat strange.

"Chief, this pillar indeed looks like it was tampered with; the break shows prying marks… but…"

"But what?" Gu Fanghe frowned.

"But the inside of this pillar is already rotten!"

The old carpenter wiped sweat from his forehead, "Look at this wood core—its color is dark, grain loose; clearly it's inferior timber called 'golden jade on the outside,' painted to look solid, but inside it's already rotted!"

"Moreover, the gap left in the mortise‑and‑tenon joint is too large; it simply cannot bear any load."

Another carpenter also came over, picked up a few pieces of wood and fitted them together: "Yeah, even if it doesn't break this time, at most it will hold another half month; the whole building will surely collapse!"

Gu Fanghe's expression sank, he frowned and said nothing.

Chen Xiaoshan's face turned ashen, he stared at the broken timber on the ground, unable to speak for a long moment.

The bandits behind him exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions uncertain and startled.

Chen Xiaoshan turned to the carpenters, his gaze like a blade: "Are you certain? There's no mistake."

"I dare not speak nonsense!" the older carpenter exclaimed in fright, dropping to his knees with a thud.

Half a month…

Chen Xiaoshan closed his eyes, as if he could already see the children inside the pavilion swaying and chanting the classic verses, buried in the collapse, and a sudden fear gripped him.

"But… the carpenter Zhang who was responsible for this pavilion back then was personally recommended by Young Master Ruan, and even the blueprints had been approved by him…"

A bandit who had taken part in the construction of the school building three years ago couldn't help but say.

Yan Qi's baby‑soft face was also tense, brows locked, he puffed out his cheeks and interjected: "Maybe Brother Ruan was also deceived by that black‑hearted carpenter; such a good person as Brother Ruan, how could he deliberately harm the children of our stronghold?"

These words were reasonable, and everyone's expressions eased a little.

Yes, Young Master Ruan is kind‑hearted; three years ago he even saved the children of the stronghold—how could he deliberately use such inferior material? It must be that he entrusted the wrong person.

"Right, Chief," the carpenter standing behind presented an object with both hands: "From beneath the pile of broken wood at the southeast corner of the collapse, we picked this up."

A mutton‑fat white jade pendant engraved with hidden patterns, its cord tip dusted with ash.

Gu Fanghe's gaze fell on that jade pendant; a faint ripple passed through his eyes as he picked it up.

He recognized this jade pendant.

The day Jin Chen was abducted up the mountain, this was the object hanging from his waist.

At that time, firelight flickered inside the room, the jade's hue flowing beside his garments, unforgettable to behold.

"Older Brother, is this… Jin Chen's?" Chen Xiaoshan couldn't help but ask.

"Mm." Gu Fanghe nodded.

"Surely it's him!" Chen Xiaoshan puzzled, "But why… why didn't he acknowledge it then?"

If he had frankly said the pavilion had a problem, it wouldn't have come to blows.

Gu Fanghe held the jade pendant in his palm, warming it with his fingertips.

He lifted his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Chen Xiaoshan's angry‑afraid face: "If Jin Chen had admitted it then, while the truth remained unknown, the outcome would likely have been only death."

If at that time Jin Chen had said, "The pillar is about to collapse; I broke it to save people," who would believe him?

A youth abducted to the mountain, of unknown origin, claiming the pavilion built over three years in the stronghold was faulty—who would believe him?

One would likely think he was making excuses, that his motives were suspect.

Chen Xiaoshan was speechless.

He recalled the morning sword strike; if Jin Chen hadn't dodged quickly, if the Chief hadn't arrived later…

Chen Xiaoshan heavily sat back on the nearby stone stool, letting out a heavy sigh.

Gu Fanghe ordered the people to properly settle the carpenters, asking them to stay and help rebuild the school, with generous pay.

The carpenters dared not refuse, thanked him repeatedly and agreed, only wishing to leave the bandits' den safely.

The matter was temporarily settled, and everyone dispersed.

Yan Qi edged up to Liu Mianfeng, cheeks puffed, still somewhat resentful: "Older Brother, why are you so indulgent toward that… that counterfeit? Even if this time he didn't cause trouble, his origins are unknown and he constantly opposes Older Brother!"

Liu Mianfeng waved his fan, the corner of his mouth hinting at a playful smile: "Older Brother's thoughts have always been hard to guess, but…"

"This Young Master Jin is really far more interesting than that proper Young Master Ruan."

——

That night, the moonlight shone like silken gauze.

In the east wing, Jin Chen wore only an outer robe, leaning by the window chair, reading by candlelight a miscellany he had somehow found, describing the scenery and products of South Continent.

Ayan dozed off in the outer room, his head nodding.

Suddenly, an extremely light footstep paused outside the door.

Jin Chen's fingertip, turning the page, paused slightly, he curled his lips—still he had come.

It was worth his wait until now.

Immediately, the door was gently knocked.

Ayan was startled awake, rubbed his eyes, got up, and stumbled to the door, peeking through the crack.

Under the moonlight, a man stood tall in the courtyard, dark‑clad, black‑haired, wearing a wide robe embroidered with dark crane patterns, holding a torch in his hand.

Firelight lit up half his face; the red scar beneath his eyes grew ever more eerie in the shifting light and shadow, like an ancient totem branded onto his handsome features.

"Ah!"

A Yan gasped in fright, all sleepiness gone, trembling as he spoke toward the door: "Boss? My young master… my young master has already gone to bed…"

The inner room's window had been pushed open.

Jin Chen lounged casually on the windowsill, propping his cheek with one hand, his black hair loose and falling over his shoulders as he tilted his head to gaze at the figure in the courtyard.

"Boss, why aren't you sleeping in the middle of the night, coming outside my room to scare people by pretending to be a ghost?"

Moonlight fell upon him, his white inner robe loosely tied, his long hair unbound and spilling over his shoulders, a few strands slipping to his cheeks and swaying gently in the night breeze.

Gu Fanghe turned his gaze toward the smiling eyes and brows within the window, lit by candlelight and moonlight; the dark, sinister hue in his pupils faded bit by bit, giving way to a hint of gentleness.

"Young lord, weren't you just demanding a gift?" Gu Fanghe whispered.

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow slightly and told A Yan, "Open the door."

A Yan hurriedly agreed, fumbling with the latch in his haste to pull it open.

Gu Fanghe casually stuck the torch in his hand into the stone mortar beside the door and stepped inside.