CHAPTER 42: 42: REGRETTING PAST DECISIONS_1

Shujun steadied her spirit and pulled Yue Ning along, saying, "Come on, we’re going to the Department of Surveillance."

So, Liang Shujun, Liang Yuening, and Liang Haoming, the three brothers, rushed out of their house at breakneck speed.

Dong Huiying pursed her small mouth, her usually radiant eyes now seemed to have a cloud cast over them, but she didn’t delay and followed close behind the brothers.

......

The four of them arrived at the Department of Surveillance. With the eldest and second brothers not around, as the third brother, Shujun felt anxious inside, but the more anxious he was, the calmer he had to be.

Fourth young brother Haoming appeared cool and detached, but in reality, he tended to be a rather straightforward thinker.

Fifth Brother Yue Ning was hot-tempered, and not much given to scheming.

Now Shujun had become the pillar of strength for his two younger brothers. If he wasn’t up to the task, his brothers would definitely feel more panicked than they were now.

Yue Ning, being dragged along by Third Brother, had a blank mind, but at this moment, he confusedly thought, "Third Brother seems as if he is possessed by our eldest brother. He’s so composed and so calm, giving one a sense of solace." Even his own previously anxious heart gradually settled down.

In front of the Department of Surveillance, Fang Lanshan saw from a distance Liang Shujun and his group stumbling as they ran towards her.

In Dayuan, men were required to wear hats to cover their faces when outside, yet these men had come in such a hurry that they had even forgotten their hats.

Fang Lanshan recognized Yue Ning at a glance, and surmised the purpose of these people’s visit.

Shujun said, "Esteemed officer, we are from the Liang family of Kaoshan Village. I wonder if it’s possible to ask for a favor? Today, my sixth brother, Liang Yixuan, was arrested, and I wish to see him. Please grant us this convenience."

Fang Lanshan looked at the three brothers with pity, "Follow me."

Shujun was momentarily stunned, then proceeded to express his gratitude with a fist and palm salute.

Fang Lanshan led the group into the dungeons and suddenly caught sight of a small figure—was that a tiny girl with a dark complexion?

This girl was rather unattractive and short, with a delicate and petite stature. Coincidentally, the men of the Liang family were all tall, like Haoming and Yue Ning, of the tall and sturdy kind, while Shujun was elegant and lean. Her figure had been hidden behind the three men, making it so that Fang Lanshan had not noticed her until now.

She had actually followed them all this way?

Shujun noticed Fang Lanshan staring blankly and turned around to see the bewildered and clownish-looking girl.

He furrowed his brow slightly but said nothing, and Fang Lanshan, coming back to her senses, continued to lead the way.

The dungeon was dark and damp, and Yixuan was locked in a cell. He looked like the cool breeze under the bright moon, a stark contrast to several other men with pale faces and emaciated figures who were locked up with him.

Inside the cell, the stench was overwhelming, and the men didn’t care at all. Some sat picking at their feet, some lay sound asleep, while others were in pain, clutching their heads and repeatedly slamming their foreheads against the wall.

But Yixuan, with his elegant demeanor, seemed like a white orchid purifying the world.

"Yixuan?" Seeing Yixuan locked up in the cell, the brothers quickened their pace, followed by another set of footsteps behind them—that of Dong Huiying.

Yixuan had been facing away from the bars. On hearing them, he turned his head, and immediately, a gentle warmth filled his eyes.

"Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother..."

He bowed his head, respectful yet solemn, and slowly paid his respects to everyone.

Seeing Yixuan’s detached demeanor, as though transcending worldly affairs, a sense of alarm surged in Shujun’s heart.

"Yixuan! Listen, us six brothers have shared weal and woe. We’ve weathered storms and endured pain together over the years. Eldest Brother once worked at a tavern, and I have quite a few acquaintances in town. No matter what, don’t do anything foolish—there’s always hope as long as one lives."