Chapter 643: Side Story 1: Surging Undercurrents

Grandfather didn't answer my question, but I saw from his eyes full of worry and self-blame.

He said: "Ah Rou, perhaps from the very beginning Grandfather chose the wrong path for you; the Shi Family's burden should not be yours to bear, nor should the foundation of the Relieving Mountain Strongmen Branch be yours to guard. It is Grandfather's selfishness, his inability to let go of the family legacy, that has led to the present situation."

Now wolves surround you; you are destined to become the target of everyone's ire. Initially I brought in that strange artisan Jin Wuya, hoping to leave you a trump card, but I never expected he would first become a knife in others' hands.

The core members of the Red Armor Troop who followed the Shi Family to settle in Lingnan long ago have already changed their original intentions and are restless; therefore these years I have had you work to clean up the Shi Family's assets and expand outward, so that one day when things erupt you will have a way out.

Ah Rou, I have everything arranged; go back and pack up, and three days from now I will send you away from this place of right and wrong, never to return.

For a moment I couldn't accept it; clearly the situation in Lingnan at least appears calm on the surface, and our Shi Family is also peaceful, so how did we reach the point where I must flee Lingnan?

"Grandfather, what exactly happened?" I pressed, "What did Jin Wuya do?"

Grandfather just shook his head: "He too is merely an innocent pawn caught up in this; the undercurrents surging below are beyond your control, Ah Rou. You are the Shi Family's sole bloodline, and Grandfather only wishes for you to live."

By this point I knew asking wouldn't yield anything.

I know best how strict Grandfather's mouth is.

Although he is old, his mind is not muddled; the entire situation of Lingnan's yin and yang forces is firmly under his control.

His affection for me is beyond doubt.

But if I really leave, what about Grandfather?

He stays behind to hold up the sky of Lingnan for me.

He will stake his life to protect mine!

I don't want to go; I only have three days.

After three days, even if I refuse to leave, Grandfather has a hundred ways to send me away.

No matter what, I must quickly find out exactly what happened.

As soon as I returned to my own residence, I immediately called Jin Wuya.

The call was answered almost instantly, his voice tinged with a little drunkenness: "Hey, Shi Rou?"

I asked: "Where are you? What are you doing?"

"At Second Uncle's place," Jin Wuya said, "a few days ago Second Uncle asked me for help; today the job is done, and Second Uncle invited me for drinks."

On the other end, Second Uncle chimed in: "Ah Rou, Jin Wuya is drinking here; after we disperse, let him go back."

Jin Wuya took over the conversation, asking: "Is something uncomfortable? Do you need me to come over now?"

"My stomach hurts," I deliberately lowered my voice, gritting my teeth to look strained, "I just woke up from a nap, had a nightmare..."

I very rarely show weakness.

Not long after my miscarriage, everyone already indulged me in many ways; now that I show weakness, Jin Wuya panics and rushes back immediately.

Second Uncle also urged from the side: "Jin Wuya, hurry back to keep Xiao Rou company; we have plenty of days for drinking, and Second Uncle will invite you again next time."

Jin Wuya arrived quickly; as soon as he entered, he asked with concern: "Shi Rou, how are you? Should I call a doctor?"

"No need, I'm fine; come over first, I have something to ask you."

I leaned against the imperial concubine couch and patted the spot beside me.

Jin Wuya approached suspiciously, felt my hand and then my foot, found them warm, and then relaxed, asking: "What's wrong?"

I asked him: "Lately you seem very busy; I never see you around—what are you busy with?"

"Yes, the past week has indeed been busy," Jin Wuya said. "First, Elder Cousin got a pair of old silver bracelets, the patterns and characters on them a bit strange; he asked me to come over and take a look. Then Qian Brother saw a painting at the market and wanted me to appraise it. After that, Second Uncle, as you know, he keeps a pair of gold money rats, treasures them like eyeballs, and asked me to come over to make each a funerary tablet from old material, the kind hung around the neck; it was just finished yesterday, he's quite satisfied, and that's why I'm still drinking at his place."

I nodded: "He's raised that pair of gold money rats for years; they're quite spirited, though getting on in years. Second Uncle probably wants to give them a send-off early."

Jin Wuya apologetically said: "It's my fault; when I get busy I neglect you here. Does your stomach still hurt? I'll make you a cup of brown sugar water."

"Not hurting, and I didn't have a nightmare either," I confessed. "I was lying to you."

Jin Wuya stared for a moment, then puzzled: "Shi Rou, tell me the truth—what's really going on?"

From his current behavior, just as Grandfather said, he is merely a pawn.

A pawn that is used may go to his grave never knowing he was used.

But for me, as long as he is used, there is a trail to follow.

Anyone he has frequently contacted these days is a suspect.

I reached out and wrapped my arms around Jin Wuya's neck; he instinctively embraced my waist, pulling me into his arms.

Leaning against him I said: "I'm feeling down; could you stay home these two days and keep me company?"

Jin Wuya hesitated, then said: "I might still have to go out tomorrow morning, as I previously agreed with Elder Uncle; I can't easily refuse, but once I finish Elder Uncle's business I'll come back to keep you company, okay?"

"Elder Uncle? Which Elder Uncle?" I asked.

Jin Wuya replied: "It's our own Elder Uncle, the Elder Uncle of the Shi State Army."

Although the Shi Family has traditionally passed down a single line, this situation hasn't existed from the beginning.

There was a time when the ancestors had thriving descendants.

But gradually they became branch veins, and the only one truly withering is my main vein.

The Shi State Army consists of the cousins of my great-great-grandfather's generation, passed down generation to generation; since childhood they have been raised on Grandfather's knees just like my father.

Grandfather holds him in high esteem.

His dignity must be respected—not just by Jin Wuya, but even by me.

In the past, if Jin Wuya went, he went; I wouldn't question anything.

But now, the more central a member is, the more I need to keep an eye out.

Thinking of this, I asked: "What did Elder Uncle want you to do?"

"You don't know?" Jin Wuya exclaimed, "Wasn't there a heavy rain a few days ago? A tomb in the Shi Family Ancestral Graveyard cracked, water seeped in and soaked a coffin; Elder Uncle asked me to come tomorrow to help repair it."

I frowned: "There are plenty of people who could do this; why did he specifically ask you?"

"Others might not be able to do it." Jin Wuya said, "This matter, the elder uncle ordered not to make a fuss; it's that his father's coffin got soaked—not only the coffin boards got soaked and swollen, but the remains inside also had some problems. Saying it's to repair the coffin, actually it's to ask me to come help fix the remains..."