Chapter 342: 350: Some Clues

“Have you made any progress with the investigation I tasked you with?” Although the stronghold incident had passed, the person manipulating things from behind had still not been uncovered. Additionally, with Su Wenyue being tailed a few days ago, Han Yu had stepped up the urgency of the investigation, and finally, there were some leads.

“Master’s guess was accurate; those people are indeed related to Mr. Sun, the general magistrate. However, their exact identities have yet to be verified, but it can be confirmed that they are forces from Chang’an.”

“Very well, continue to keep a close watch on Sun Mansion. I want them under constant surveillance. Report back immediately with any hint of movement.” Han Yu narrowed his eyes as he spoke. He was certain of one thing: The mysterious person behind the bandits at the stronghold was absolutely not in league with Wang Mang, which meant that Sun Family was now playing both sides. No wonder they had grown increasingly brazen in their actions.

Yet, with Sun Family behaving this way, were they not afraid of capsizing one day when dealing with neither Wang Mang nor the Man in Black were simple characters to contend with? Or were they so confident that no one would discover their duplicity? After all, this mysterious person was indeed enigmatic; it took someone as astute as Han Yu to detect their existence, and even then, it had taken this long just to find a few clues.

On the Last Day of the Twelfth Lunar Month, each family celebrated their own reunion without visiting others. The Han Family did the same. Su Wenyue sent over the new clothes she had prepared earlier, not only for Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang, but also generous offerings for both the Second and Third Houses, including two sets of new clothes. Although she detested Han Lin and Mrs. Wang, out of respect for her Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, it wouldn’t be proper to exclude the Third House. She also gifted each child a silver necklace and a pair of silver bracelets.

Out with the old and in with the new, everyone, following the village customs, bathed and changed into their new outfits, wearing happy smiles on their faces. Although the world was in a difficult and chaotic state, the old Han family’s days were becoming more prosperous. Growing up there, it was the first time they could wear brand-new clothes for the New Year, especially the children who looked plump and auspicious in their new clothes, silver necklaces, and bracelets, resembling children from wealthy families. It was after the Fourth Daughter-in-law had married into the family that their home’s circumstances had improved, allowing them to provide for the children and help them grow well.

The children all looked fine, except for the Fourth child from the Third House, Si Ya, who, despite wearing new clothes and a necklace, appeared pitifully frail due to poor care and nourishment, barely weighing anything in one’s arms as if she might run out of breath at any moment. So small, and compared to Su Wenyue’s triplets at home, it was like looking at two extremes.

Han Lin had been quite happy initially, but seeing the disparity between his child and the others dampened his spirits. No one wanted their own children to be outdone by others, especially with his competitive nature. Thus, noting the difference between Si Ya and the other children frustrated him with Mrs. Wang, this ignorant Mother who wouldn’t properly care for her daughter.

Thinking this, Han Lin’s attitude towards Mrs. Wang inevitably soured. Mrs. Wang, already twisted in her thoughts, blamed Su Wenyue even more, casting unsettling glances at her and the three children.

Su Wenyue, sensitive to the undercurrents, quietly positioned herself in front of her children. Brother Xing appeared to sense Mrs. Wang’s malice too, his small brow furrowing, a sight that amusingly lifted Su Wenyue’s spirits. Any ill mood caused by Han Lin and Mrs. Wang subsided, as with so many people around, she was confident Mrs. Wang couldn’t cause trouble, and besides, they would be returning home in just a few days after New Year’s.

After the New Year’s Eve dinner, Su Wenyue distributed reward money, and the whole family sat together in the main hall to keep watch at night. The atmosphere was harmonious, and with Han Lin’s warning, Mrs. Wang sat quietly without stirring up any problems. Poor Si Ya was the exception—Mrs. Wang, her mother, heartlessly let her lie in her cradle undisturbed, barely tending to Si Ya, who remained silent unless she was hungry, then she would murmur softly. Mrs. Wang, lacking breastmilk, fed Si Ya some gruel halfheartedly.

Now a mother herself, Su Wenyue’s heart had softened upon seeing something like this. Si Ya was a good child and pitiable. In her previous life, though not well-off, Mrs. Wang’s family circumstances had been better, and without so much resentment, she had treated Si Ya better—at least not as harshly as now. Looking at Si Ya in her current state, it was questionable if she would survive.

Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang, frowning at Si Ya’s whimpers, refrained from voicing any displeasing thoughts during the festive time. Mrs. Yang, holding Sister Yu in her arms, adored her fortunate granddaughter and found her resemblance comforting. Even though she was a girl, Mrs. Yang regarded her as equally precious as a grandson.

“Isn’t Si Ya too young to live on just gruel?” Although Su Wenyue didn’t want to deal with the Third House, having seen Si Ya’s condition now, she couldn’t refrain from speaking out, knowing she played a part in the child’s situation.

Hearing Su Wenyue, Mrs. Wang’s resentment deepened, while Han Lin, eager to please the Fourth House and concerned about his own daughter, quickly responded, “What you say isn’t wrong, younger sister-in-law. Si Ya is like a little kitten; I’m always worried she won’t grow up. But her mother has no milk to feed her, and we don’t have any other solution.”

Su Wenyue glanced at the three nannies by her child’s side. Originally, she had hired three nannies to avoid any mistreatment of her child, but it wouldn’t be a problem to spare one now. The three children would still be well cared for with two nannies, especially since it was New Year’s Eve and there were no other options.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Let’s do this: For the next few days, let the nanny feed Si Ya. Later, I’ll have someone look for a cow or a goat to bring back to the village. Both cow’s milk and goat’s milk are nourishing, and Si Ya should grow better with it.”

“That would be wonderful; you are truly kind-hearted, younger sister-in-law. Si Ya is lucky to have your grace now. I will make sure she is grateful to you in the future,” Han Lin said.

Su Wenyue, doing this for the child’s sake, remained cool towards Han Lin, neither accepting nor encouraging his words, “I am Si Ya’s aunt; it’s my duty. I’m not doing this so she can repay me; her growing up healthy will be thanks enough.”

Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang, reassured by Su Wenyue’s actions, were grateful that the Fourth Daughter-in-law was kind-hearted. Although they had thought of helping Si Ya, the deeds of the Third Daughter-in-law had left them hesitant to speak up, especially since Mrs. Yang was unwilling to compromise the wellbeing of her own grandchildren for a child of uncertain fate.

Han Yu, watching from the side, was a detached man. Si Ya was pitiable, but with her parents still around, it wasn’t his place to intervene. However, seeing his wife willing to help, he wouldn’t stop her—as long as she was happy. He had heard that goat’s milk and cow’s milk were nutritious and had been concerned about his wife’s health. The kitchen was always preparing medicinal meals for her, but she seemed reluctant to consume them frequently. Perhaps bringing a cow or goat for milk was an idea to consider, as long as his wife would be willing to drink it.