Yan Sanhe looked at Ji Lingchuan coldly.

“Shouldn’t you ask what that half of your mother’s demonic obsession was?”

“I don’t want to know.”

Ji Lingchuan turned his head and spat out the blood in his mouth, his eyes bloodshot.

“I only want to know when we can find her other half of the demonic obsession so she’ll stop harming the Ji family descendants.”

“But I must tell you.”

Yan Sanhe’s tone was extremely firm.

“Half of your mother’s demonic obsession was Wu Guanyue.”

“I guessed as much.”

Ji Lingchuan felt indescribable resentment toward the Old Madam.

“She entered the Ji family, lived in luxury and comfort, was a married woman, yet couldn’t forget a thoroughly wicked man. Foolish woman, such a foolish woman!”

“Ji Lingchuan, Wu Guanyue was not thoroughly wicked. If there must be a comparison…”

Deep mockery appeared on Yan Sanhe’s face.

“Ten of your father Ji Chunshan couldn’t compare to one of him.”

Ji Lingchuan’s breath caught.

“As for you…”

Yan Sanhe sneered again.

“With your character, you’re not even worthy of carrying Wu Guanyue’s shoes.”

“You…”

Ji Lingchuan was so angry he nearly coughed up blood.

“Your mother still has half her demonic obsession remaining. If this half cannot be resolved, not only will Master Ji Twelve die, but next…”

Yan Sanhe reached out and grabbed Ji Lingchuan’s collar again.

“You must answer my questions honestly without any concealment. Otherwise, with the Old Madam’s demonic obsession, your Ji family will certainly be left without descendants. Not one will survive.”

It was as if a thunderbolt struck Ji Lingchuan on the head, splitting his internal organs and meridians until nothing didn’t hurt.

If the line truly ended, what face would he have to meet the Ji family ancestors?

He trembled and asked in a shaking voice, “Ask.”

Yan Sanhe released her grip and took a deep breath, pressing down the surging emotions within her.

“When did the Old Madam truly move to the bamboo courtyard? If you can’t remember, try recalling what major events happened in the capital that year? What major events happened in the Ji family?”

Ji Lingchuan’s expression was extremely confused.

Yan Sanhe looked at him and slowly added, “Or perhaps, what happened between her and you?”

“I, I, I remember now.”

Ji Lingchuan’s breathing immediately quickened.

“The Old Madam truly moved into the bamboo courtyard… right after the Zheng family massacre, a few months later.”

Yan Sanhe: “Are you certain?”

Ji Lingchuan nodded, then quickly shook his head.

“No, it should have been after the culprits of the Zheng family case were confirmed to be Wu Guanyue and his son.”

Yan Sanhe’s expression changed as she asked again, “Are you certain?”

Ji Lingchuan struck the bars heavily with his hand.

With this blow, he finally remembered clearly.

“At first, when the Old Madam heard about the Zheng family case, she only sighed and lamented for a few days.”

“What did she sigh and lament about?”

“How pitiful, what a tragedy, cursing whatever beast could commit such unconscionable acts.”

“And then?”

“Later, after it was discovered the culprits were Wu Guanyue and his son, she often inquired, even came to ask me.”

“Ask you what?”

Ji Lingchuan stared at Yan Sanhe blankly, his thoughts drifting far away.

That day should have been in his study.

He had a guest in his study.

The Old Madam just burst in hurriedly like that.

Everyone in the Ji residence knew that the studies of the First Master and Second Master were forbidden territory. Even Third Brother and Fourth Brother had to send someone to announce themselves first, let alone women from the inner quarters.

His expression darkened at the time, but maintaining filial propriety and with the guest present, he couldn’t have an outburst.

He walked over and asked what urgent matter had occurred.

She grabbed his hand, trembling as she asked, “Master, was the massacre of the Zheng household truly committed by the Great Qi Kingdom’s Wu Guanyue and his son?”

He frowned. “Why does Mother ask this?”

Not only did she not answer, but she asked again, “The court didn’t make a mistake, did they? How could it be Wu Guanyue and his son? They’re from the Great Qi Kingdom—how could people from the Great Qi Kingdom get into our capital?”

Hearing this, anger rose from his heart.

A woman of the inner quarters inquiring about court affairs was one thing, but to dare question the court officials’ judgment?

If word got out, wouldn’t his colleagues laugh their heads off?

He rebuked her without courtesy:

“Mother should live peacefully. You don’t understand court matters, nor do you need to. If Mother truly has nothing to do, call some opera performers to the house to sing, or…”

The words weren’t harsh enough, so he added another sentence.

“Or go stay at the temple on West Mountain for a few days, chant Buddhist scriptures, calm your mind, and stop meddling in matters that don’t concern you!”

Her lips moved, wanting to speak but not daring to, her eyes looking at him pitifully.

He most hated when she put on this innocent, pitiful appearance. His voice dropped, cold as he said, “Does Mother have anything else?”

“No more, no more. You’re busy, carry on with your work.”

She understood the implications of each of his sentences. She turned around, leaning on her cane, walking out step by step.

He didn’t wait for her to leave the courtyard before flicking his sleeves and returning to his study.

Ji Lingchuan’s voice was hoarse. “Miss Yan, how was I supposed to know she had that kind of relationship with Wu Guanyue!”

Yan Sanhe: “Did she ask you about it again later?”

Ji Lingchuan shook his head. “The Old Madam was tactful. After being refused once, she wouldn’t possibly approach to ask a second time.”

Yan Sanhe: “What about Second Master’s side?”

Ji Lingchuan: “I haven’t heard Second Brother mention it. Moreover, Second Brother and I are of one mind. If the Old Madam had anything going on, he would come tell me.”

Yan Sanhe: “Then the Old Madam moved to the bamboo courtyard? Or did something else happen in between?”

Ji Lingchuan thought for a moment. “Nothing else, nothing happened.”

“That’s not right!”

Yan Sanhe: “I heard Chen Mama say the Old Madam was getting on in years and meddled too much. You two eldest sons were raised by the legitimate mother—how could she manage you?”

Ji Lingchuan’s whole body shook, looking at Yan Sanhe in disbelief.

Yan Sanhe sneered.

“Chen Mama’s words definitely had hidden meaning. She’s a servant who’s extremely measured in speech and action, accustomed to saving face for her masters.”

Ji Lingchuan felt he couldn’t breathe.

“I wasn’t hiding anything. They were just small matters. I didn’t take those small matters to heart.”

“What small matters?”

“She—I don’t know if she was confused or jealous of my legitimate mother, but she kept hinting for Second Brother and me to distance ourselves from the Zhang family.”

Distance from the Zhang family?

Distance from the Zhang family?

Why??

A trace of confusion appeared on Yan Sanhe’s pale face.

“What else?” she asked again.

“She also often nagged in my ear, saying things like the Ji family’s wealth was already overflowing, tall trees attract fierce winds, how many bowls of rice a person eats in life, how many bridges they cross—all predetermined…”

Speaking to this point, Ji Lingchuan’s bloodied face gradually changed, his voice growing lower and lower, so low Yan Sanhe could barely hear.

Yan Sanhe anxiously grabbed him again.

“What else did she say?”