After waking up, Fan Zehao ate a simple meal and followed Zhao Jiaqi to the cemetery.
On the way to the cemetery, he explained the matter of Yanluo to Zhao Jiaqi in detail: "He disguised himself as Yanluo and stayed in our Prince's Mansion for almost half a year, intending to cooperate with us. I didn't ask about the specifics of the cooperation!"
Upon hearing this, she sighed at the person's audacity and felt a chill, realizing their mansion had harbored such a formidable spy. Had this person harbored any ill intentions, their Prince's Mansion would likely be reduced to dust by now.
Seeing his wife's shocked expression, Fan Zehao added, "Helian Jinli said he poisoned my mother to force me to return. But we had only been gone for less than half a year. He was already in the Prince's Mansion then, so why didn't he approach me then? Why resort to such means?"
"There are too many loopholes in his words, which made me suspicious."
Zhao Jiaqi pondered his words carefully and felt that Helian Jinli's statement was inconsistent. If he was lying, there would be no need to resort to such underhanded tactics; he could have simply sent a letter or an envoy. It was far riskier to employ such methods.
"I've heard a little about the country of Dingbeiliao. It is said that their military strength is formidable. In recent years, they have successively recovered several neighboring countries and have become very powerful after years of development!"
Fan Zehao didn't want to admit their country was strong, but the facts were undeniable.
"Indeed. Moreover, Helian Jinli is the sole prince of Dingbeiliao and has now been appointed Crown Prince by the Liao Emperor. His presence in our mansion for half a year shows how cautious they are about this cooperation." This indirectly proved the importance of this alliance to them.
They exchanged a glance and decided not to dwell on the matter further. Discussing it now was futile; it was all speculation. They would know the nature of the cooperation when he finally approached them.
After leaving the city gates, they soon reached the cemetery smoothly. The tomb was meticulously renovated and luxurious, a stark contrast to his father's burial site—like heaven and earth.
He pointed to the tombstone and said, "Later, we'll make another tombstone and add Father's name. After the New Year, I'll move Father's grave back here and use it. When Mother passes, she will be buried with Father."
Zhao Jiaqi did not interfere much, only smiling and agreeing with a simple 'Okay.' Their conversation thus concluded.
After picking up his mother and Qi Xuan, the carriage turned back.
On the way, Qi Xuan stared at Fan Zehao and asked, "What's going on with Yanluo?" These days, while taking care of the old madam, his mind had not been idle. He had repeatedly pondered the situation and concluded that something must have happened to Yanluo.
After exchanging a look with Zhao Jiaqi, Fan Zehao said, "Yanluo was likely killed about half a year ago. The Yanluo we've seen for the past six months was a person from Dingbeiliao in disguise."
Upon hearing that his beloved disciple had been harmed, Qi Xuan was overwhelmed and fainted, his eyes rolling back.
The carriage was thrown into a flurry of activity. Zhao Jiaqi sighed. Her mother was still weak and unable to care for herself, and now old man Qi had collapsed. It was going to be a busy time. However, she understood Qi Xuan's feelings. Yanluo had been with him for over ten years, and he treated him like a son. To lose him so suddenly was like a white-haired person sending off a black-haired one; it was indeed heartbreaking.
Back at the mansion, Zhao Jiaqi settled her mother-in-law, while her elder brother and sister-in-law, along with her father, kept watch. This time, they refused to delegate the task, having been thoroughly frightened by the previous incident. Fan Zehao, after settling Qi Xuan, watched him slowly regain consciousness. He comforted him for a while until his emotions were less volatile, and then he left with peace of mind.
At noon, after months apart, everyone finally sat down together for a reunion meal. Fan Zehao surveyed the people at the table, raised his wine cup, and said, "During my absence, I am greatly indebted to my elder brother and sister-in-law for their care. I toast you both."
Fan Guangping smiled sheepishly, a little embarrassed. "We are family, why be so formal? Let's not say such distant words. If my wife and I have been remiss in any way, please don't hold it against us." With that, he drained his cup.
Fan Zehao found the latter part of his brother's words slightly odd but didn't dwell on it, raising his own cup to drink. The atmosphere at the table was not as lively as usual, but rather subdued. The children were not chattering excitedly, and there was a subtle distance between the adults.
During the meal, Fan Guangping, with a thick skin, said to Fan Zehao, "Younger brother, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Brother, if you have something to say, just say it directly. Using the word 'ask' makes it too formal. I will not stand by if I can help." He believed his brother. His younger brother was impatient and spoke his mind frankly.
Fan Guangping continued, "Xueyao eloped with Yanluo. Although nothing happened between them, her reputation has been tarnished. If this gets out, it's one thing for me to lose face, but my daughter's future will be ruined. She'll end up with a life of solitude in a temple. She is my only daughter, and I truly cannot bear it." He had heard about Xueyao's elopement from Shi He, otherwise, how would Xueyao's affairs have involved Yumeng?
After his elder brother finished speaking, Fan Zehao also felt that Xueyao's marriage could not be delayed further. Walls have ears. "Do you mean... you want me to act as a matchmaker?" he stated his brother's request with a single, precise question.
Fan Guangping and Wang Zhaodi's eyes lit up, and they nodded in unison, "Yes, yes, that's exactly it." With a prince acting as a matchmaker, even if the prospective in-laws learned of Xueyao's elopement, they would still respect the prince's reputation and would not break off the engagement. At most, the daughter might not be favored by her husband later, but that was still better than a life of solitude in a temple. In order to secure his daughter's future, he had no choice but to leverage his brother's status.
Although Fan Zehao found this matter somewhat difficult, Xueyao had grown up before his eyes, and she was his niece. There was no reason not to help. "Brother, which young master from a noble family in the inner city have you set your sights on? If you have someone in mind, tell me."
Fan Guangping's face broke into a wide smile, as bright as a blooming flower, upon hearing his younger brother's agreement. He waved his hand, saying, "We don't aspire to the sons of the extremely wealthy. If it's a country bumpkin, I wouldn't bear to see my daughter suffer. After much thought, finding a family that is reasonably well-off would suffice." This way, she could still have the reputation of marrying down, and even if the in-laws wanted to bully Xueyao, they wouldn't dare. Fan Guangping and Wang Zhaodi's calculations were well-intentioned, and they were genuinely concerned for their child.
Just as Fan Zehao was about to agree, Xueyao, having mustered her courage, stood up and loudly retorted, "I will not marry. In this life, I will only marry Yanluo. Even if I have to shave my head and become a nun, I will never marry anyone else." Tears filled her eyes as she looked at her parents, her voice firm. "If you force me, I will die to show you. Even if you can control me for a while, you cannot control me forever." With that, she ran out of the dining hall in tears.
Fan Zehao lowered his head and let out a soft sigh. Even if she wanted to marry Yanluo, that person's body was likely already decaying. He couldn't possibly arrange a posthumous marriage for her, giving her a memorial tablet, could he? He dared not speak these words now. Looking at the girl's state, if she knew Yanluo was dead, she would surely follow him in death.
Zhao Jiaqi, seeing the pained expressions of her elder brother and sister-in-law, smoothed things over. "The child is still caught up in her emotions. It's normal for her to be unable to think clearly for a while." She continued, "Xueyao is only fourteen, and she won't come of age until after the New Year. It won't be too late to arrange a betrothal after she comes of age. With time, perhaps she will gradually forget that person. For now, we shouldn't pressure the child." Her elder brother and sister-in-law knew this was their sister-in-law trying to comfort them. Besides the solution she offered, they had no other better options.