Chapter 23: Entering the Mountain

Ever since she had given up on Yan Qinglin, Madam Tan had barely stepped out of her courtyard, focusing solely on reciting Buddhist scriptures and eating vegetarian meals.

But one day, that child cried for a whole day, her voice hoarse from weeping. A few-month-old baby, crying and crying, drove her to distraction. Later, the crying grew weaker and weaker, so weak that she suspected the little one was about to breathe her last. Finally, she couldn’t bear it anymore and pushed open the door to Madam Liu’s courtyard.

From then on, whenever the baby in Madam Liu’s courtyard cried, she couldn’t help but go over to see. Even if the child wasn’t crying, she couldn’t help but wonder if the little girl was cold or hungry today.

That soft, glutinous, soft little dumpling became a ray of light in her life.

She had always felt that Madam Liu was completely unworthy of being a mother.

Because Qingling was a girl and hadn’t pleased the old madam, she could leave the child unattended in the courtyard day after day, not even allowing the servants to care for her.

Although she detested Madam Liu’s ruthlessness, she had never thought that Madam Liu would suddenly die at such a young age.

Actually, she didn’t have any particular feeling about Madam Liu’s death. After all, they weren’t close. She had never established any rules for the concubines in the family, and the two had almost never spoken.

It wasn’t until this moment, when everyone started discussing the child’s future, that her heart suddenly came alive again.

Was there a possibility? With Madam Liu gone, could that child call her “Mother” in the future? Although the child should have called her the wife of one’s father other than one’s own mother, legal mother),” there was still a difference between legal wife and “Mother.” With her own mother alive, the two could never be too close.

If she had a child, wouldn’t her life become less boring?!

In the past, she had always felt that life and death were just a matter of a thought, and living wasn’t very interesting. But if she had a child, she would definitely live well for the child and would definitely try her best to make the child live happily.

The old madam hadn’t expected this usually silent fourth daughter-in-law to speak up. She was stunned for a moment, then looked at Yan Qinglin standing aside. Matters concerning the fourth branch should always be discussed with Yan Qinglin.
Yan Qinglin frowned and said impatiently, “What are you snatching her for? Can you even afford to raise her?”

Madam Tan had grown up in a life of luxury. After arriving at the Yan family, she had always been waited on hand and foot. Now, without even a servant by her side, how could she take care of a child?

“You haven’t even given birth to a child; how can you take good care of her?”

These words instantly hit Madam Tan’s weak spot. Her face turned pale, and she was instantly speechless.

Yes, she couldn’t even have children herself, and she had never taken care of a child before. How could she possibly take good care of Qingling?

Looking at everyone’s expressions, Yan Huan suddenly felt a bit sorry for this fourth aunt.

Perhaps this was the tragedy of women in ancient times. If it were the modern era, if a woman couldn’t conceive, she could seek treatment. Even if she still couldn’t have children in the end, if she couldn’t live with the man, she could divorce. Wouldn’t being independent and beautiful be nice?

But in ancient times, it wasn’t possible. The pain of not being able to have children made her fourth aunt unable to hold her head up her whole life, and she had absolutely no say in this family.

She could see that her fourth aunt genuinely wanted to take care of Sixteenth Sister, and she could also see that Sixteenth Sister liked her fourth aunt very much.

Having grown up in an orphanage, she knew how difficult it was for children without anyone to hold an umbrella for them. She couldn’t help but say, “Grandmother, why not let Fourth Aunt take care of her? Sixteenth Sister is still young and will be shy with strangers. But look, she doesn’t cry or make a fuss when she’s with Fourth Aunt. Maybe this is the fate of a mother and daughter.”

The old madam didn’t want to bother with these trivial matters in the first place. Seeing Yan Huan speak up, she quickly agreed, “Then so be it. I’m old now, and I can’t manage so much. Let your fourth aunt take care of her. However, you should also help look after her in the future. Your fourth aunt hasn’t taken care of children before and probably needs help.”
???

Fourth Aunt hadn’t taken care of children before, but had she? This sounded strange no matter how she heard it.

But Yan Huan didn’t have time to argue with her and nodded in agreement.

However, old ginger is indeed spicier. Actually, whether the main branch or Madam Tan took care of Yan Qingling, it wouldn’t have any impact on the old madam. Being able to tie herself to both her and the fourth branch at this moment was something she would gladly do.

However, she wouldn’t be so kind as to help everyone in the fourth branch. Her fourth aunt seemed like a good person, and Qingling was still young, so she would naturally help look after them. As for the others, she couldn’t care less. Although she was kind-hearted, she was also vengeful.

Madam Tan looked at Yan Huan with gratitude, her eyes moist.

Zhao Song quickly came to pick up Yan Huan. Yan Jinzhao and the others pulled Yan Jiang and Yan Hai, telling them that they must protect their younger sister well. The two slapped their chests loudly, saying they would guarantee it with their heads. If even a single hair on Sixth Sister’s head was lost, they would bring their heads to see them.

Not only were Yan Jinzhao and the others speechless, but even Yan Huan’s mouth twitched. These two brothers must have read too many storybooks. She had been experiencing severe hair loss recently. According to their words, even if they had three heads and six arms, it wouldn’t be enough.

The local officials had almost finished their investigation of the scene. Many messy, fresh footprints were left at the crime scene, some human and some animal.

What was most puzzling was that before the officials even entered the mountain, there were several fresh footprints leading into the mountain.

In other words, besides the officials, someone else had entered the mountain not long ago.

If this was the case, then things were much more complicated.
Beasts were unconscious, but humans had thoughts. If someone really wanted to attack them, then things would be serious.

Most importantly, that person was clearly with the beasts. Could there be a beast tamer here?

That’s not right. Beast tamers were unique to the Majin Kingdom in the north. How could one appear here?

Things were getting more and more complicated, like a fog, making everyone at the scene feel somewhat heavy-hearted.

The officials had mobilized twenty people. Adding the four from the Jiang family and the three from the Yan family, there were a total of twenty-seven people.

The leader’s surname was Hong. He was tall and sturdy, clearly someone who had trained in martial arts.

Before going up the mountain, he first explained the rules to everyone. The main point was to obey commands and not move around freely.

The reason they asked Yan Huan and Jiang Duo’er to come was mainly because although there were footprints of other fierce beasts at the scene, there were indeed also footprints of wild wolves. Since the two of them had fought wolves before, they wanted them to come and lead the way.

This explanation was different from what they had said to all the prisoners before, probably because they didn’t want the general public to know more.

Hearing this, both Yan Huan and Jiang Duo’er showed a bit of solemnity on their faces. If Madam Liu had really died because of them, then she would definitely not be able to get over that hurdle in her heart.
Since they were there to lead the way, the two naturally walked in front.

The mountain path was narrow, and the two simple-minded, silly Yan Jiang and Yan Hai blocked the way like two door panels, making Yan Huan’s heavy heart feel a bit lighter.

Thinking of some funny things from her childhood, she couldn’t help but say, “Seventh Brother, Eighth Brother, actually, I’ve always wanted to know, you two are clearly younger than me, why have you always called me Sixth Sister?”