Chapter 30: Raising a Daughter

Madam Zhou gave a bitter smile. "No matter where it is, it will be better than here. Liu Si committed a murder; my son and I certainly won't be able to stay in Jiangling anymore. Rather than staying here every day being pointed at and gossiped about, it's better if we leave early on our own."

Her worries were not without reason.

However, as a woman traveling alone with a child, she faced unknown dangers out in the world.

Ye Chutang asked, "Are you not going back to your parental home?"

Tears welled in Madam Zhou's eyes, and she hurriedly lowered her head to wipe them away. "Going back would only bring them trouble; it's better if I don't. I'll just wait until tomorrow to see my husband off on his final journey, and then I will take the child and leave this place."

Ye Chutang nodded in understanding and ultimately pressed the sachet into Madam Zhou's hand.

Madam Zhou refused in a panic. "Doctor Ye, you have already helped us so much! I dare not trouble you any further!"

Ye Chutang patted her hand and said softly, "The world is a difficult place. Even if you don't do it for yourself, you must consider your child."

Madam Zhou's eyes reddened, and she moved as if to kneel before Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang raised her palm slightly to stop her, pointed to the box beside them, and said with a gentle smile, "These are hibiscus cakes bought from Xinghua Pavilion. Children love them most; they aren't worth much, so please accept them."

Nodding through her tears, Madam Zhou thanked her repeatedly before finally leaving.

The curtain was lifted and then lowered again. Only then did Ye Chutang rise to wash her hands, using a handkerchief to wipe her slender, pale fingers clean, bit by bit.

Afterward, she stepped out the door.

"A-Yan, I'm going out for a bit. I'll be back in half an hour."

Ye Jingyan responded, "Alright."

Ye Yunfeng had just finished his martial arts practice, but the frustration lodged in his chest had yet to be relieved.

He returned to the front courtyard and happened to see Ye Chutang leaving. He leaned toward Ye Jingyan and asked curiously, "Third Brother, it's almost dark; why is Sister going out at this hour?"

"Sister does things for her own reasons."

Ye Yunfeng thought it made sense and simply sat down, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Ye Jingyan glanced at him. "What, are you still feeling unhappy?"

Ye Yunfeng pursed his lips tightly, and after a long moment, he said in a muffled voice, "I just feel it's so unfair! The evidence is clear; anyone can see what happened! How could it end up like this in the end!"

The true mastermind remained at large, without having to pay even the slightest price!

"Is this really the only way this matter can end?"

Ye Jingyan put away the book in his hand, paused for a moment, and then said, "Until the very last moment, who knows?"

...

"What? Doctor Ye, you want to visit Liu Si?"

Hearing this, Wu Xu felt a sudden headache.

"This... it's not that I don't want to help you, but it's truly because Liu Si is scheduled for execution at noon tomorrow. According to the rules, outsiders are not allowed to visit during this time period..."

Ye Chutang handed over the food box she was carrying, offering a somewhat helpless smile. "I know this puts you in a difficult position, but I have no other way. I am entrusted by someone to do a task. Inside this box are buns handmade by Madam Zhou; she wants to give them to Liu Si for his final meal, after all, they were husband and wife."

Wu Xu was somewhat surprised. "Why doesn't she deliver them tomorrow?"

Regardless of what crime was committed, one should let him eat his final meal; there was no need to insist on delivering them tonight.

Ye Chutang paused and sighed.

"Madam Zhou... will not be going to the execution grounds to see him off tomorrow. Liu Si committed a murder, and the impact of this matter is severe. If she and the child go, they might be implicated and subjected to public scrutiny."

Wu Xu realized, "That is true..."

"So she came to ask for my help, and I cannot easily refuse." The corners of Ye Chutang's lips curved slightly, her eyes gentle and calm. "But if it's still not possible... then forget it."

She bowed and turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Wu Xu called out to her, gritting his teeth.

"I will take you there!"

...

The prison was dim and cramped, with a thick scent of blood drifting through the air. Accompanied by occasional groans of pain and cries, it was bone-chilling.

Ye Chutang followed Wu Xu forward. The deeper they went, the more intense the sense of despair and suffocation became.

Wu Xu turned his head slightly and whispered, "It's just ahead, but you only have fifteen minutes. You must—"

*Bang!*

Suddenly, a blood-stained person lunged from the side, slamming heavily against the bars. A skeletal arm stretched out with all its might, seemingly trying to grab something.

A hoarse, shrill cry rang out piercingly through the prison: "My Lord! My Lord, I am innocent!"

"What are you doing! All of you, behave!"

Wu Xu scolded harshly, striking the man back with a baton.

Appearing intimidated, the prisoner shrank back into the corner, trembling.

Wu Xu looked at Ye Chutang with some concern. "Doctor Ye, I'm sorry, did I frighten you? This is just how it is here; there are always a few madmen..."

Ye Chutang shook her head and gave him a slight smile. "It's fine."

Looking at this gentle and composed face, the rest of Wu Xu's words suddenly caught in his throat.

Most people would find such a place very difficult to adjust to upon their first visit, yet Ye Chutang, a young girl of only seventeen, remained unfazed.

It was as if her surroundings could not stir even the slightest ripple in her.

Suppressing his thoughts, Wu Xu continued to lead Ye Chutang further in.

Finally, Ye Chutang saw Liu Si.

He was disheveled and filthy, covered in much blood that seemed to have accumulated over the past few days, some of it already turning dark and crusty.

Wu Xu tactfully stepped back, keeping watch for Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang took a step forward.

"Liu Si."

Liu Si gave no reaction, as if he hadn't heard, his entire being filled with a deathly stillness.

Ye Chutang continued, "I have come to bring you food on behalf of Madam Zhou."

Liu Si finally showed some movement. He looked up, his voice hoarse, "Where is she?"

...

The fifteen minutes passed quickly, and Ye Chutang returned to Wu Xu's side.

Wu Xu breathed a sigh of relief and glanced into the cell. Liu Si was bowing his head, frantically devouring the buns bite by bite.

He withdrew his gaze. "Doctor Ye, please."

...

Tonight there were neither stars nor moon, and a slight chill drifted in from the window through the night breeze.

Shen Yanchuan, who had been sitting alone before the chessboard for a long time, suddenly sensed something and turned his head.

Two small hair buns poked up from the windowsill.

The corners of Shen Yanchuan's lips curled. "The door is open."

The two small buns wobbled and disappeared. Then, the slightly ajar door was pushed open, and a small, round head peeked in.

Xiao Wu's large, grape-like eyes blinked. She looked at Shen Yanchuan, then at the chessboard, appearing somewhat curious.

Shen Yanchuan beckoned to her.

Xiao Wu shuffled over on her short legs and stood by the chessboard, watching intently.

Shen Yanchuan found it quite amusing. "Want to learn?"

Xiao Wu turned her head, took a slow look at the black piece in his hand, and said nothing.

*—This playing is not as good as Sister's!*

At that moment, the window on the other side was blown open by the wind, revealing a tall figure.

"Holy crap!"

A voice full of shock rang out.

"Shen! I haven't seen you in years, and you've already started raising a daughter!?"

Shen Yanchuan: *A daughter? I suppose that's not impossible.*

Ye Chutang (smiling): *Say that again, let me hear it?*

(End of Chapter)