Chapter 14

This time, Lu Zhengang returned to his own courtyard and led her into the study.

Tang Yajun glanced around the furnishings and felt an inexplicable sense of strangeness.

For instance, on the side wall there was a small shrine, but the Buddha before it bore no trace of incense ash.

She thought it odd—hardly anyone ever placed a shrine inside a study.

As soon as they both sat down, Lu Zhengang impatiently asked, “Yesterday, my man was captured by Lu Chongjin. Do you know where he’s being kept?”

Tang Yajun studied him calmly. His attitude suggested he was certain she would tell him everything she knew.

She decided to test the waters—perhaps she could draw some useful information out of him first.

After some thought, she replied, “I did see him last night.”

“Where?”

Tang Yajun smiled lightly. “Surely Second Uncle, you also know Chongjin’s methods. If he were to learn that this news came from me, what sort of fate do you think I’d face?”

“You’re his wife. You’re afraid of him?” Lu Zhengang’s face darkened.

Tang Yajun wasn’t concerned with angering him—in fact, that was exactly what she wanted. When riled, a man’s words were more likely to reveal flaws.

“So what if we’re husband and wife? Of all relationships, that between spouses can be the closest yet the most distant. If you’re not afraid of Chongjin, why don’t you ask him directly instead of coming to me?”

“You—!” Lu Zhengang jabbed a finger at her, glaring fiercely. “Fine, very fine! Don’t you want to run off with your lover?

Do you really intend to spend your whole life trapped at Lu Chongjin’s side? His cold, frosty temperament—what’s so good about that?

How could it compare with the bond you share with Tang Hewei, the one you grew up with?”

In that moment, Tang Yajun understood. No wonder the original owner had secretly yielded to his threats—he must have discovered her ties with Tang Hewei. Lu Zhengang had promised to help them escape, and so she had been coerced into aiding him.

“Last night, Chongjin went to the rear woodshed. There was a man locked inside, beaten half to death.”

She dared speak so plainly only because she had overheard Chongjin instruct Cui Shan to trace the mastermind behind the captive.

Lu Zhengang nodded, his face showing satisfaction.

He even looked at her with a smile. “That’s exactly it. From now on, whatever moves he makes, you must inform me first. You’ll be handsomely rewarded.”

Tang Yajun nodded in agreement, feigning cheer as she gave him her thanks before taking her leave.

But no sooner had he hurried out of the courtyard than she slipped quietly back into the study.

She went straight to the shrine. On closer inspection, she noticed the shoulders of the Buddha statue were worn, as if often touched; the gold paint there was chipped.

Placing her fingers on the statue, she tried twisting it gently side to side.

At once, the wall behind the shrine swung open, revealing a narrow passage just wide enough for one person.

Covering her mouth to muffle any sound, she glanced back—no one was around.

She slipped inside. Beyond lay tall shelves stacked with letters and correspondence.

But what caught her eye immediately were several large earthen jars in the corner.

She lifted the cloth covering one and nearly gasped aloud.

Golden ingots and bright silver bars gleamed within.

Ecstatic, she picked up a small gold ingot, biting it lightly with her teeth. It was real.

She tried to pocket a few, but today she was wearing a dress without pockets.

Holding them in her hands would be far too conspicuous.

Then inspiration struck. She rubbed her fingers together, opening the gate to her personal space. She tossed two gold ingots inside.

A few breaths later, she stepped through. Sure enough, the two ingots lay intact on the ground.

Delighted, Tang Yajun hurried into the research hall within her space, found a cloth sack, and returned to load a whole bundle of ingots, storing them away.

She rearranged the rest so the jars looked untouched—though the middle was already hollowed out, the surface appeared undisturbed.

Afterward, she quickly surveyed the room. There were precious medicinal herbs, jewelry, antiques, paintings.

Most of the jars were layered with dust, suggesting they hadn’t been opened in years.

She casually took a few pieces of jewelry, slipping them into her space, then carefully restored everything to its place before slipping back out.

Still, doubts lingered.

How had Lu Zhengang amassed such vast wealth? Did the Lu family know of it?

And if he already possessed so much, why was he still intent on prying into his nephew Lu Chongjin’s affairs?

Could it be that Chongjin held something even more valuable—something worth risking everything for?

These questions plagued her as she returned quietly to her courtyard, deciding against visiting her mother-in-law Wen Mulan, so as not to draw suspicion.

That afternoon, word came that the Fu family was preparing to leave. Tang Yajun made some preparations and accompanied Lu Chongjin to see them off.

Fu Peirong clung to Lu Chongjin’s arm, reluctant to part, until he soothed her with soft words.

Tang Yajun too spoke warmly to Fu Peirong, and while the latter was distracted, she slipped a small package into her handbag.

Afterward, she pushed Lu Chongjin back to their courtyard.

Cui Shan arrived with a telegram for him—and one for her as well.

At the sight of the sender’s name, Tang Yajun’s heart leapt wildly.

She tore it open, and inside were the words: All is well. Do not worry. — Niuniu

She recognized every character, yet strung together they seemed alien.

Her legs went weak. She had to clutch the table for support.

Cui Shan rushed a chair to her side, helping her sit.

But she stared at the telegram over and over in disbelief.

The few words danced on the page like tiny, mocking figures.

Scenes from the laboratory flashed before her—joking with her senior brother, laughter echoing.

Tears streamed down her face.

Could it be that the original owner’s elder brother had never lived to see her cure completed?

But what shook her even more were the two words “Niuniu.”

Her senior brother had always sung like a water buffalo, earning the teasing nickname “Brave Niuniu.” Eventually, Niuniu became his moniker.

She remembered the last image before she fainted, when the Qiankun Pouch cut her finger—the fleeting sight of her senior brother rushing toward her.

Could he have come here too?

Cui Shan explained, “Our men reported back that while chopping wood in the forest, he was bitten by a venomous snake. He was on the verge of death, but somehow recovered.

Now he’s bedridden, still recovering. It’ll be some time before he’s fully well.”

Tang Yajun shot to her feet. “I have to see him!”

“No.” Lu Chongjin’s cold voice cut her off.

Cui Shan added uneasily, “That place is extremely remote. You’d need to cross many mountains, and inside there are rope bridges and steep ladders. It’s far too dangerous.”

When Lu Chongjin saw the tears streaming down her face, his heart clenched painfully, as if in a vice.

He would rather chain her to his side than let her risk such peril.

“He’s my elder brother! I must save him! I can’t live without him!”