Zhang Bin stood by, stunned when he heard the name “He Rongzhang.” Wasn’t this person supposed to be dead? The Governor had investigated it earlier and said he was no longer of any use.
So why…?
Zhang Bin was full of questions, but he showed no signs of it on his face.
It was Di Shuangcheng, however, whose expression changed instantly when he heard the name. “Who are you?!”
Xiao Yan lifted his eyes. “General Di, you needn’t worry about who I am. I came to Fengcheng with one purpose only, and that is to find He Rongzhang. My men have been looking for him for a long time, but they have found no trace of him.”
He looked directly at Di Shuangcheng.
“General Di, you should know who he is, given your reaction. This will be simple. If you hand him over to me, I will immediately arrange for your wife to be returned to Fengcheng.”
Di Shuangcheng stared intently at Xiao Yan, his expression shifting with emotion.
He Rongzhang had been a concubine's son from the He family. When the He family was implicated in the crimes of the vicious crown prince, the entire clan was wiped out. He Rongzhang should have died alongside them, but due to his rebellious nature and his forbidden love for the daughter of the traitor Shao family, and since his marriage had not been approved by the He family, he voluntarily left the family and later married into the Shao family.
After the He family’s fall from grace, He Rongzhang had severed ties with them, changed his surname to that of his wife’s family, and lived under a new identity to survive.
Before Mrs. Shao was convicted, she also had some friendship with Mrs. Di. Later, when the He family got into trouble, Mrs. Shao and her family were afraid of being implicated by the He family, so they moved to the northern border. Shortly thereafter, Shao’s wife died due to illness, and two years after that, He Rongzhang followed her in death.
In the past, He Rongzhang had been just a concubine’s son, and his rebellious behavior made him detestable to the He family. When he moved to Fengcheng, over time, the news of He Rongzhang’s existence disappeared as the He family was destroyed.
Now, someone suddenly appeared, specifically looking for He Rongzhang…
"Who exactly are you?" Di Shuangcheng’s voice became stern.
"I’ve already told you, General Di, you needn’t worry about who I am. I have no enmity toward you. I am only here for some old matters regarding He Rongzhang," Xiao Yan said, meeting his gaze with sincerity. "I am not seeking revenge, but I wish to ask him some questions. If you hand him over to me, once I have learned what I need to know, I will leave immediately."
Seeing Di Shuangcheng’s silence, Xiao Yan added, "I had intended to find him on my own, but my men have failed. There is something very important I must discuss with him."
"Although meeting the young General Di was an unexpected encounter, it is a fact that I saved his family. I do not want you, General, to suffer the pain of losing a loved one, which is why I have done my utmost to protect them. Please, I ask that you allow me to meet with He Rongzhang."
He paused before adding, "I will not harm him; I just have a few questions."
Di Shuangcheng could see the sincerity in Xiao Yan's words, as well as the urgency in his eyes when he mentioned He Rongzhang. He pursed his lips. "He Rongzhang has been dead for many years."
Xiao Yan froze. "Dead for many years?"
Di Shuangcheng spoke again. "If you managed to find your way here, you must know the situation of the Shao family back then."
"Shao’s wife came from a family of traitors. Although she was later exonerated, the years of torment had ruined her health. After the He family fell, the Shao family moved to the northern borders to avoid being implicated. A few years later, due to her deteriorating health, Shao’s wife passed away. He Rongzhang followed her in death two years after."
After the fall of the Shao family, their women were forced into prostitution, and the hardships Shao’s wife endured were far from ordinary. Even after her exoneration, her health was beyond recovery.
He Rongzhang, deeply in love with her, had severed ties with the He family, and naturally, he mourned her deeply. The two were in love for several years, and after Shao’s wife passed, he became despondent, soon following her in death.
"Dead... He really is dead..."
Xiao Yan seemed struck by the news, swaying slightly, his face turning pale.
"Young master!" Qin San quickly supported him.
When Di Shuangcheng heard the words "young master" slip from Xiao Yan’s lips, his expression changed.
This young man had the surname He, traveled a long way to find He Rongzhang, and his mannerisms did not resemble those of an ordinary family. Moreover, when he recalled the vice general’s earlier reports of repelling the patrol guards and secretly searching for someone, things began to make sense.
Di Shuangcheng hesitated for a moment. "What is your relationship with the He family?"
Xiao Yan lowered his head, his expression dark and filled with sorrow as if he could not accept the fact that the person he had been searching for was already dead. He did not answer Di Shuangcheng's question but instead, with a pale lip color, asked, "Is there anyone left in the Shao family?"
Di Shuangcheng shook his head. "Shao’s wife had no children. After He Rongzhang died, since the Shao family had no surviving bloodline, my wife personally arranged for the couple to be buried together."
"Their tomb is just outside the city. If you don’t believe me, I can have someone take you there."
Xiao Yan’s face grew even paler, and he seemed to falter.
"Young master…" Zhang Bin was filled with concern.
Xiao Yan lowered his eyes. "Forget it. I should never have placed my hopes on him..."
He pushed the people beside him away and stood up. He addressed Di Shuangcheng:
"General Di, I apologize for any offenses earlier. I will arrange for your wife to be sent back to Fengcheng as soon as possible. Since He Rongzhang is dead, I have no further requests."
"I will be staying in the city. I believe you will easily find me. Once your wife returns to the city, I will leave with my people and never trouble the Di family again."
Seeing Xiao Yan, as if struck by a great blow, turning to leave, Di Shuangcheng spoke softly. "Are you here because of the He family’s matter?"
Xiao Yan pressed his lips together. "General Di, you misunderstand. I came to find He Rongzhang for personal reasons…"
But Di Shuangcheng said, "He Rongzhang left the He family long before the family’s downfall. He knows nothing about the He family’s affairs. If you are here because of the He family, finding him will be of no use."
Xiao Yan’s eyes reddened upon hearing this.
Di Shuangcheng watched as Xiao Yan’s fists clenched tightly and his face remained carefully neutral. Finally, he spoke.
"However, I do have some ties to the He family."
Xiao Yan suddenly lifted his head, his eyes locking on to him.
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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