Chapter 35

Yan Fang’s outburst was like a thunderclap, snapping everyone out of the mournful silence that had settled over the crowd.

Oblivious to the strange stares he received, Yan Fang was eager for agreement. He suddenly turned to Yun Shuang and blurted, “Miss Yun, this concerns your one thousand taels of reward silver too!”

That silver—there was no way that scumbag Fan would pay it. Whether Miss Yun could claim it depended entirely on who would take charge of the Luo family now.

Yun Shuang: “……” Damn. She’d been so absorbed in solving the case, she’d completely forgotten about that bit!

While Yun Shuang and Yan Fang exchanged stunned stares, Jiang Xiao—standing nearby—couldn’t suppress a smile. He calmly said, “Master Luo had only one daughter. Naturally, the one to inherit the Luo estate should be Lady Luo.”

“But, General—” Yan Fang hurriedly cut in.

Jiang Xiao continued at his own pace, “There’s an old saying—’a father’s killer must not share the same sky.’ In earlier dynasties, avenging one’s parents was even considered a virtue. The Da Qi dynasty may not go that far, but its laws do clearly state that anyone who kills because their parent was dishonored shall be treated with leniency.”

That was uncharted territory for Yun Shuang. She turned to Jiang Xiao. “Is that true? What kind of leniency are we talking about?”

Just moments ago, she had been solemn and composed. Now, her eyes gleamed brighter than the stars above.

Jiang Xiao lowered his gaze. “I recall a similar case. The sentence was one hundred lashes and two years in prison.”

Just two years!

Chen Hao and Lianxin—who’d looked utterly hopeless moments earlier—were now bursting with joy and disbelief. Luo Xueqing also looked dazed, as though caught in a dream.

Meanwhile, Fan Youliang, still pinned under Yan Fang’s boot, turned pale. He tried to speak and ruin the moment, but Yan Fang, caught up in the relief, forgot he was standing on someone and leapt into the air. “That means Lady Luo will only serve a few years—and then she’ll be back!”

“AAAHH! OWW! My back… It’s broken! Broken!”

The pig-like screech drew everyone’s attention. Yan Fang finally remembered he had someone underfoot, quickly steadied himself, and cast a disgusted glance down at Fan Youliang.

This wretch—always ruining the moment.

Just then, a raspy voice rang out from nearby, as if a burden lifted: “If… everything is truly as the General says, then I, this old servant, no longer fear losing face when meeting Master in the afterlife…”

Everyone instinctively turned toward the staircase, where two people slowly emerged. Leading them was Li Youcai, the steward of the Luo family. His eyes were red, full of sorrow and compassion, as he looked at Luo Xueqing and sighed: “Lady, you’re too foolish. If you truly brought misfortune upon yourself in the name of revenge for Master, it would only bring pain to him in the afterlife. Though things may not be as dire as we once feared, you’ll still face some punishment. From the moment you were born, Master cradled you with care and love — what you’re doing now is like cutting into his very soul.”

Hearing this, Luo Xueqing, who had remained composed until now, suddenly looked like a child in front of a cherished elder. She bit her lower lip and said softly, “Uncle Li… I understand. I acted impulsively this time…”

Following Li Youcai was Master Luo’s third adopted son, Chang Zijun. He wore a slight frown, seemingly unable to join in the joy of the moment. Suddenly, he spoke: “Even if sister Xueqing’s punishment is light, the final verdict — how long and how severe — still depends on the yamen’s decision. What if she’s sentenced to far more than two years? The vast Luo family can’t go on without a head forever…”

Realizing his words sounded cold, he quickly added, “I… I’m just worried that during her sentence, some ill-intentioned people might take advantage and infiltrate the Luo family…”

“You needn’t worry about that,” Li Youcai said, looking at him deeply before turning to Magistrate Ding.

“Even in his dying breath, Master was worried about Lady. Even though he felt he’d done all he could, he still feared that once he was gone, Lady might be bullied or harmed. So, with the last of his strength, he drafted a will.”

“If Lady suffers any misfortune and has no children, Luo family’s assets will not fall into anyone’s hands. Instead, under the supervision of local authorities, Luo family’s wealth will be liquidated: one-third will settle the family’s needs, and the rest will be donated to Xiazhou’s military garrison to support peace and national security.”

The more Steward Li spoke, the hoarser his voice grew. “Master thought for a long time, yet he simply couldn’t find a solution that would satisfy both sides. In the end, he chose to keep this will hidden. If heaven truly decides to doom the Luo family, then rather than letting the innocent descendants suffer, the sins should end here, with the Lady. After all, if the Lady is no longer here, then the Luo family ceases to exist. Those scheming villains won’t gain anything!”

Luo Xueqing, who had remained emotionally indifferent until now, couldn’t help but widen her eyes slightly. She had never imagined that her father had considered things to such an extent for her.

“And if the Lady is not gone, but merely suffered some misfortune, then the management of the Luo family’s assets will temporarily be entrusted to me alongside Mr. Chen. Once the Lady safely returns, everything will be handed back to her.”

Steward Li continued slowly, “This will was witnessed by Magistrate Ding and was officially notarized by the authorities. No one in this world has the right to defy it.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Chang Zijun’s voice exploded with disbelief, “Why… why are only my elder brother and Steward Li entrusted with managing the Luo family’s estate! What about me? What about second brother!”

Steward Li looked at Chang Zijun without any expression. “This was Master’s decision. Why he made it, perhaps only he knew.”

He had a vague sense of why.

Master Luo had always preferred for the Lady to marry Mr. Chen, believing that his love for her was more genuine and intense. But he’d spoiled his daughter her entire life and didn’t want to go against her wishes in something as important as marriage. Besides, though Fan Youliang could be overly cunning at times, he had grown up under Master’s watchful eye and likely wouldn’t turn out too badly. Still, when drafting the will, he had instinctively entrusted the responsibility of protecting his daughter to Mr. Chen.

Master Luo had been wise all his life—only when it came to his one and only daughter was he ever muddled.

Fortunately, this time, Master Luo had chosen the right person.

Upon hearing this, Chang Zijun staggered back a few steps, muttering to himself, “How could this be… how could this be…”