TRBDM -Chapter 68 Order a Thorough Investigation

On the way back to Lan Courtyard, Shi Yi told Xie Lan to pinch him.

Knowing he was so overwhelmed by joy that he couldn’t quite believe it, Xie Lan lightly flicked his forehead instead.

“Does it hurt, Shi Yi? It’s real.”

“It hurts—a little. So I’m not dreaming. It’s real. I have a mother now.” Shi Yi felt as if he were floating on air, no longer sure what nonsense he was babbling.

Xie Lan laughed along with him.

Once, he had been just like Shi Yi, suspecting he was dreaming.

His mother had given him the chance to study, allowed him to move into Lan Courtyard, and granted him a monthly allowance equal to that of his two elder brothers in the Marquis’ residence. Such a windfall was something he wouldn’t even dare dream of.

Even after the birthday banquet ended, he would occasionally still feel that everything was unreal.

Holding the grinning Shi Yi by the hand, Xie Lan stepped into Lan Courtyard.

“Shi Yi, I’ve had someone tidy up a side room next to mine. You’ll live there from now on.”

Though Shi Yi’s current room was separate, it was still part of the servants’ quarters—small, with only a single bed and one window.

Xie Lan had long wanted to move him, but as a study companion, living in the young master’s side room would easily invite gossip. So he had kept the idea to himself.

Now that Mother had acknowledged Shi Yi as her adopted son, he was half a master of the Marquis’ household. Naturally, he should live in a proper side room.

“No, no need, Third Young Master. My room is perfectly fine,” Shi Yi hurriedly waved his hands.

“Hmm?” Xie Lan frowned.

“Wh-what is it?”

“Still calling me Third Young Master? Since you’ve acknowledged Mother as your godmother, I’m your third brother.”

“Ah… this… Th-Third Brother.” Shi Yi’s face instantly flushed bright red. As an orphan who had never had siblings, the Third Young Master who had treated him with such sincerity had suddenly become his elder brother. He truly felt like he might float away.

“Hehe, that sounds so nice coming from you. Call me a few more times.”

Xie Lan was the youngest child in the Marquis’ residence—he had only ever called others elder brother or sister. Now he had finally leveled up; he was an elder brother too.

“Third Brother, Third Brother, Third Brother.” Shi Yi’s voice grew louder with each call, making Xie Lan beam with pride.

“Yes, good Shi Yi. Come on, back to Lan Courtyard. Third Brother has a gift for you.”

After the servants finished preparing the side room, Shi Yi sat at the spacious writing desk, running his hand over the smooth edge, unable to tear his gaze away.

Like Xie Lan, he was a born bookworm—loving books, writing, and studying.

To have a desk of his own was the height of luxury.

Xie Lan didn’t disturb him, simply standing quietly by his side.

“Third Brother, thank you.” Tears shimmered in Shi Yi’s eyes; his thin lips trembled downward. He really wanted to cry.

Xie Lan patted his head. “Here, Shi Yi. This is my gift to you.”

A jade pendant of warm, fine texture lay before him.

“From tomorrow on, wear it at your waist.”

Xie Lan had bought the jade pendant long ago. He had spent quite some time choosing it at the jewelry shop.

He hadn’t given it before—it hadn’t been appropriate. In the Marquis’ residence, both he and Shi Yi needed to keep a low profile.

But now Shi Yi’s status had changed. Wearing a jade pendant was only proper.

“Third Brother, I can’t accept something so valuable. Have you forgotten how many pairs of eyes are watching us in the Marquis’ residence?”

“I’m not afraid!” Xie Lan said openly. “With Mother backing me, I’m not afraid of them.”

Shi Yi fell silent for a moment, then revealed a bright, white smile. “If Third Brother isn’t afraid, then I’m not afraid either. I’ll wear it tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

Carefully putting the jade pendant away, Shi Yi suddenly changed his tone and said, “Third Brother, let’s hurry and read. Tidying the room just now wasted an hour. Tonight I’ll stay up an extra hour.”

“That was exactly my thought.”

The two were of one mind. At the same time, they took out their books and lowered their heads to study.

In Anhe Courtyard, Wei Zhaorong sat beneath the lamplight, reading a letter from Lin Juehui.

After General Nanyang returned from the palace, Lin Juehui immediately went up to him and asked anxiously, “Husband, did His Majesty blame you?”

“No. His Majesty has ordered me to assist the Court of Judicial Review in thoroughly investigating Lei Lieshan for falsely claiming military merit and for the crime of murdering his wife.”

Only then did Lin Juehui finally let out the breath she had been holding all day.

Yet General Nanyang’s expression remained grave.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Juehui asked uneasily.

There was nothing he needed to hide from his wife. He spoke frankly. “If Lei Lieshan is arrested, the Third Prince’s side will likely make a move.”

“What kind of move?”

“I’m afraid the Crown Prince may be in danger.”

The Third Prince’s power had grown formidable. If the Emperor were still in robust health, he could suppress him. But when General Nanyang saw the Emperor today, he realized that His Majesty looked even weaker than before.

Merely forcing himself to appear steady without revealing any flaws had already drained him of all his strength.

General Nanyang was loyal only to the Emperor. If the Emperor truly became incapable of governing, he would be forced to take a side.

The Crown Prince, the Third Prince—or even the Second Prince, who was also stirring restlessly.

The court was treacherous and unpredictable. When a great edifice collapses, how can the eggs beneath remain intact? When a new emperor ascends the throne, the great families will be reshuffled—some will disappear forever, while others will rise with the tide.

That day would eventually come.

…

In her letter to Wei Zhaorong, Lin Juehui made no mention of the dark struggles within the court. She simply reassured her: the Emperor had ordered a thorough investigation into Lei Lieshan’s crimes and told her to wait calmly for good news.

“Madam, what did the general’s wife say?” Nanny Qi asked.

Wei Zhaorong folded the letter, a rare smile appearing on her face. “His Majesty is going to hold Lei Lieshan accountable.”

“Oh! Oh! That’s wonderful news!” Nanny Qi was so overjoyed she didn’t know what to do with her hands and feet.

“Yes. Come—we’re going to Moyun Courtyard. I’ll personally tell Rou’er the good news.”

Nanny Qi carried a lantern and supported Wei Zhaorong as they entered Moyun Courtyard.

“Mother, why have you come?”

Xie Wanrou had already removed her makeup and hair ornaments. Dressed in a white silk nightgown, she was combing her hair.

“Rou’er, this time Lei Lieshan won’t escape punishment.”

“Really?” Xie Wanrou hadn’t expected the matter to progress so quickly.

“Yes. His Majesty has already ordered a full investigation. With Lord Jiang’s capabilities, he will surely uncover his crimes.”

Xie Wanrou’s breathing grew uneven. Ever since her marriage, invisible shackles had bound her tightly within the Weiyuan General’s residence. Now, the chains trembled as if about to fall. She seemed to hear the faint sound of them breaking.

“I have already requested that His Majesty permit your divorce. He has agreed.”

Xie Wanrou’s fingertips trembled slightly. “Thank you, Mother.”

“Rou’er, I wronged you in the past. I was blind to let you marry Lei Lieshan. The suffering you endured all these years can never be erased. But I promise you—every day from now on, I will make sure you live happily. All right?”

“Yes. All right.”

Xie Wanrou threw herself into Wei Zhaorong’s embrace, breathing in her mother’s scent and feeling an incomparable sense of peace.

The next day, a guest arrived at the marquis’s residence.

“Lord Jiang, this way please.”

Wei Zhaorong personally welcomed Jiang Yuelin into the manor.

Jiang Yuelin was still dressed in his crimson official robes, polite yet distant.

“Old Madam of the Marquis’s residence, I would like to see the eldest Miss Xie. There are some matters I need to ask her in person.”

When they last met, Xie Wanrou had been gravely ill and unable even to speak. Jiang Yuelin had deliberately waited several days for her health to recover somewhat before proceeding with the investigation.

“Of course. Lord Jiang, please wait a moment. I will have someone summon her.”