CHAPTER 233: CHAPTER 232: LONGEVITY LOCK PROLONGS LIFE!

"You may speak."

In light of the considerable Silver Coin she had given in the past, Yu Nianzhao was prepared to listen.

Xia Muyan frowned and said, "Here’s the thing, Tang Jing previously had two illegitimate children, which Miss Yu, you are aware of. In this child disappearance case, these two illegitimate children are involved! In fact, if the nanny looking after them hadn’t informed me, I might not have known. The Tang Family lost Tang Jing as a pawn, and they were never keen on treating these two children well. My mother managed to give Silver to smooth things over with the family of the deceased woman, and this child’s matter too has reached its limit, she won’t care for them anymore. Now... the Tang Family doesn’t want to care either. I’m genuinely at a loss on what to do. I’m still unmarried and can’t possibly drag these two children along with me to raise them, can I?"

Yu Nianzhao stroked her chin and said, "So, you’re here to ask me to offer advice and make a decision for you?"

Xia Muyan’s cheeks flushed red, and she gently raised her hand, behind her the nanny presented a box full of Gold ingots.

Yu Nianzhao’s breath paused momentarily, then she said with a smile, "Ah, such matters are trivial. To put it plainly, the retribution from Tang Jing’s life is not caused by you. Even the princess has been deceived as a victim within, so being willing to give money is already a magnanimous gesture. If the county young lady wants to perform a virtuous deed, she can give the children to the woman’s family, or if the woman’s family is also gone, then sending them to kind families for foster care is also viable."

"Really? That would be wonderful."

Xia Muyan excitedly grasped Yu Nianzhao’s hand and said, "I’ve hesitated for so long, unable to make up my mind, and now hearing your words, I feel enlightened."

"It’s alright, it’s nothing."

Yu Nianzhao accepted the Gold casually.

Xia Muyan shyly glanced at her several times and said bashfully, "Actually, my father is gentle and refined, not closely related to the Tang Family. He grew up in Jiangnan with my grandmother, taking her surname. Originally, he probably would never return to the Tang Family. Perhaps it was fate, my mother was saved by my father while playing in Jiangnan, and secretly decided to marry him, which led to the Tang Family valuing him and calling him back. After my parents married, they lived harmoniously together. The Tang Family repeatedly tried to make my father secure a position for them, but he always refused. They harbored resentment, and after my father passed away, took advantage of my mother’s grief and forced Tang Jing into the house."

Xia Muyan sighed, "My mother was pampered and willful, while she still cherished my father’s image in her heart, she was emotionally entangled and used by others, so this time she suffered a big loss, which might be a lesson learned."

"Hmm, it’s a convoluted story, so what do you want to tell me?"

Yu Nianzhao lightly nodded and looked at her with clear eyes, "What you’re about to share isn’t just a story, is it?"

Xia Muyan laughed lightly, "Of course, I am here mainly to pledge allegiance!"

"Oh?"

"I stumbled upon some things about Tang Jing, which led him to pursue me. It’s not just about him hiding women outside, but... I also saw him sharing a room with people from Duke Luu Mansion." Xia Muyan pursed her lips, lowering her voice as she informed her.

"Who from Duke Luu Mansion?" Yu Nianzhao furrowed her brows lightly.

"The eldest son of Duke Luu, Chu Wenjun!"

Xia Muyan clutched her clothes tightly, a bit fearful as well, "It was at a banquet hosted by my mother, they were chatting in the backyard. I followed quietly, suspicious of Tang Jing, but there were people guarding outside the house, so I couldn’t approach to hear clearly."

"It’s him again, not surprising at all."

Yu Nianzhao said, "You’re smarter than your mother; you know there’s someone backing Tang Jing."

Xia Muyan said disdainfully, "If Tang Jing didn’t possess a face resembling my father, he would be worthless. He lacks the intelligence to come up with such complex schemes. My mother now sees the malice of Duke Luu Mansion. We are united in wanting to eradicate Duke Luu, so... I will do my utmost to assist you."

"Alright, I understand your intentions. Cooperation will be satisfactory." Yu Nianzhao agreed swiftly.

Xia Muyan was very pleased. She restrained her excitement and said with a smile, "Then, for the spring boat feast, may I sit on the same boat with Zhaozhao? Oh, is calling you Zhaozhao appropriate?"

"Call me whatever you like, but... what is the spring boat feast?" Yu Nianzhao asked.

"It’s an annual spring feast, this time held on a boat."

"These feasts are quite frequent."

Yu Nianzhao pouted, "You’ve fallen into the water from a boat before, aren’t you afraid?"

Xia Muyan smiled, "With Zhaozhao around, I won’t be afraid. Don’t forget, you promised to sit on the same boat with me."

"Alright, no problem."

Faced with a benefactor, such a request is nothing.

Once Xia Muyan left satisfied, Yu Nianzhao entered King Yan’s temple. The shadow of Jiu Ying lay contentedly on the eaves, a place once favored by the yellow fox Bai Heng, but now occupied by Jiu, leaving Bai Heng shivering in a corner.

"Whimper whimper!"

The beast was indeed terrifying!

"Jiu, come back!"

Yu Nianzhao waved her hand, and Jiu’s shadow darted back, adhering to Yu Nianzhao’s back.

"[Master, I’m so satisfied. The incense this time was rich.]"

"[Though not completely full, it’s the most lavish meal since Master awakened.]"

"[All other King Yan temples can be established now, allowing Jiu to eat well daily.]"

"Take it easy, leave some incense for others too."

Yu Nianzhao grabbed some incense and walked into the meditation room, where Liu Tong was dressed simply, devotedly praying on the ground.

Ms Liu was holding a child, resting slightly. Seeing Yu Nianzhao enter, she immediately approached.

"Miss Yu, you’ve come?"

"Yes, I came to give the child a longevity lock."

Yu Nianzhao took the longevity lock purchased by Zhixi from her sleeve, mixed the incense into a bundle, placed it inside the lock, and added a bit of Divine Power before personally putting it on the white-clad infant in the swaddling.

The previously weak and tired child opened his eyes and waved his little fists, letting out a ’giggle’ sound.

"Little Yu?"

Upon hearing the laughter, Liu Tong rushed over, "He’s laughing? Is he really laughing?"

She looked up at Yu Nianzhao, eyes reddening, choking as she asked, "Miss Yu, does this mean my child can survive? Since bringing him home, he’s always been sickly, never as lively as now."

"The longevity lock will sustain him. As for what I’ve instructed you, make sure not to overlook any of it." Yu Nianzhao reminded.

"Yes, I understand."

Liu Tong smiled hesitantly and asked, "Could I ask Miss Yu to give Little Yu a nickname?"