Chapter 14: Sui Sui's Origin

It was Zhan Yuan who went out to gather information.

He heard the good news and didn't dare to delay a moment, riding back on a swift horse.

Then he discovered…

Waiting for him were not only the Prince, but also Liu Dafu.

Zhan Yuan felt little pressure and quickly spoke about Sui Sui's situation.

"She is the daughter of Chen Dalan's younger sister from Hongye Village."

"The Chen family's situation was a bit complicated; Chen San Niang once had a fleeting liaison with Marquis Jin Yang, but later their relationship cooled. When the Marquis returned to the capital, Chen San Niang tried to keep him with a child, yet the Marquis only left a sum of money and left."

"Chen San Niang had no choice but to take the child back to the village."

"Because she bore a daughter out of wedlock, her reputation in the village wasn't good; Sui Sui… that child."

"When Sui Sui was not yet three, Chen San Niang passed away. At that time, Chen Dalan's family wanted to bury Sui Sui together, but the villagers said the child, being like her mother, was beautiful and might later be given as a bride to a landlord, the bride price could fund several of Chen's sons' marriages. After Chen Dalan and his wife discussed, they decided to keep her alive."

"They were not kind to Sui Sui."

"Moreover, Sui Sui's real name wasn't Sui Sui; it was Chen Suisu, a name supposedly given by Chen San Niang, who said crystal is fragile and she wanted her daughter to be noble crystal."

"Yesterday, the Marquis Jin Yang's residence in the capital came to claim kinship; Chen Dalan and his wife pushed out their biological daughter Chen Yueyao, passing her off as Sui Sui, and she went to the capital to enjoy a good life."

"To eliminate future trouble, the two bound Sui Sui and threw her into the back mountain to feed the wolves."

…

The matters of Sui Sui in the Chen household could not be heard in detail.

Because after listening, Liu Dafu wanted to go out and practice swordsmanship, to release the sudden surge of killing intent within him.

"Sui Sui often couldn't get a meal; whatever the chickens ate at home, she would quietly eat a few bites, otherwise she might have starved long ago."

"Even so, if Chen Dalan's daughter‑in‑law saw it, she would be beaten."

"She had to wash the whole family's clothes, rise early to fetch water from the river, feed the chickens, and water the vegetables."

"She had to go up the mountain to dig wild greens, collect firewood; if she moved or reacted slowly, she would be beaten."

"The worst beating, it is said, left her lying in the firewood room for three or four days; everyone thought the child was dead, but she later survived."

…

Liu Dafu: ……!

"Take my damn Mie Zha Sword!"

Liu Dafu, bristling with killing intent, prepared to go out!

Seeing him like that, Zhan Yuan hesitated briefly, then added: "According to the village head of Hongye Village, Chen Dalan has already reported Chen Suisu's premature death there; after verification, he will report it up to the county seat of Xiangshui County."

Liu Dafu: ……!!

"Alright, that adds another reason for killing!"

Not only did he get angry upon hearing it, Prince Qing's brows stayed tightly knit after listening.

Since it truly was a pitiful child, Prince Qing thought that whether it was at Prince Qi's manor or Prince Qing's own, they could afford to raise her, so just bring her back.

Moreover, Liu Dafu also had the intention to take her.

Thinking of that pitiful child, Prince Qing's brows tightened further, and he nodded at Zhan Yuan: "Those two, find an excuse and throw her to Southwest Quarry."

When Zhan Yuan was gathering information, discipline alone restrained him from acting.

Now hearing Prince Qing's words, it was as good as a command from the lord!

Zhan Yuan answered loudly, then prepared to turn and go do it.

The matter wasn't troublesome for them.

However, just after Zhan Yuan took two steps, someone called out, "Lord Zhan, hold on."

The one who stopped Zhan Yuan was Prince Qing's adviser, named Yu Leng, a man with a feminine appearance, looking very delicate as a middle‑aged man.

This person…

A white face but a black heart, truly wicked.

Zhan Yuan admired his intellect, yet in daily interactions he subconsciously kept his distance.

When Yu Leng spoke, Prince Qing turned his head to look at him: "May I ask Mr. Han Shuang, do you have any other insight?"

Han Shuang is Yu Leng's courtesy name.

Hearing Prince Qing's question, Yu Leng quickly clasped his hands and said: "Just a personal thought; Prince, please listen, and if you find it unsuitable, let Lord Zhan handle it."

Prince Qing nodded after hearing.

Yu Leng quickly said: "Chen Dalan and his wife are unaware of the Marquis Jin Yang's residence, but we know. They think sending the child to the capital will bring her happiness, yet whether she can enjoy it depends on the child's fate and ability."

Zhan Yuan agreed: "I heard the old lady of the Marquis's residence had some dream, wanting to bring back all wayward children? The Marquis's children abroad… there should be quite a few."

All of a sudden, several children would return to the residence, and whether that Chen family girl could move to the front is still unknown.

Yu Leng nodded: "There are four or five. Though Chen Dalan and his wife are short‑sighted, their ambition is great; since they could send their daughter out to enjoy a good life, they'll later use that to gain favor, to ingratiate themselves with the Marquis's residence. By helping Chen Yueyao eliminate Chen Dalan and his wife, we've saved her trouble."

Yu Leng smiled briefly, then continued: "Chen Yueyao took advantage of Sui Sui; we can't just let her off that easily, can we?"

Thinking that way, indeed!

But when they thought that such a cute Sui Sui was actually the Marquis's child, everyone felt a bit uneasy.

Liu Dafu naturally saw everyone's tangled thoughts, rolled his eyes silently, then laughed: "If Chen Yueyao agrees, then she'll become a lady of the Marquis's residence, and Sui Sui will just be Sui Sui, later becoming my old man's granddaughter!"

The words just fell, and Prince Qing twisted his brows in disapproval.

But before he could speak, a voice from behind, childish yet full‑bodied, shouted: "Doctor Liu, how did Sui Sui become your granddaughter? She's my sister!!!"

Feng Xuanrui drank too much milk at noon, slept a while, then was woken up by a full bladder.

After getting up, hearing that everyone was in the front courtyard, he hurried over to watch the commotion and also asked Master Liu how exactly to make the river lantern.

He wanted to craft the most beautiful river lantern for his sister!

But as soon as he arrived, he heard Liu Dafu saying that the sister was his granddaughter?

How can that be?

Sui Sui is Feng Xuanrui's sister—no one can take her!

After saying that, the young boy put his hands on his hips, stood there fuming, and glared at Liu Dafu with his big eyes.

When Liu Dafu turned his head and met the young boy's gaze, he felt a little guilty.

He thought: Isn't it because you all look down on Sui Sui for being the Jin Yang Marquis's child?

I certainly don't despise!

Besides, Sui Sui doesn't know about this, and Chen Yueyao, who is standing in for her, would do anything to keep the secret buried.

If neither of us says anything, who would know?

Liu Dafu was gathering his thoughts, about to speak, when he saw Di Jiao rush in, face flushed with panic, shouting, 'Master, something's wrong—Sui Sui has a fever!'