Zhao Dahe remained silent. "Second brother, if you’re not sad, I promise I won’t argue with you in the future." Zhao Xiaohua added, "I keep my promises." "I just want to be alone for a while, to have some peace." Zhao Dahe’s voice came from the room, sounding much less angry. It seemed Zhao Xiaohua’s words had some effect. "Alright, alright, I won’t bother you, but if you miss me, have mother send me a message, and I’ll come to see you." Zhao Xiaohua quickly said. Inside the room, Zhao Dahe grinned, not from pain but because he wanted to laugh and was afraid of being exposed. "Don’t make trouble for An Xing, understand? An Nuan, keep an eye on Xiaohua." Meng Yao said. Zhao Xiaohua turned her head three times every step as she left with Lu Luoxing. Meng Yao saw them off, then turned back, knocked on the door, and closed it. "My acting wasn’t bad, right?" Zhao Dahe boasted. "You’re actually proud of yourself?" Meng Yao glared at him. "As the old saying goes, after great calamities, there must be good fortune. I have a feeling that I’ll get first place in the upcoming provincial exam. My goal is to win a small triple crown first." Zhao Dahe said grandly. "You!" Meng Yao was somewhat speechless. "Since I want to crush Han Muchi with the thing he takes pride in, of course, I have to crush him completely." Zhao Dahe said seriously. Han Muchi is just a preparatory student. If I rank first in both the county and the provincial exams, then my preparatory status will carry more weight than his. Han Muchi is planning to take the academy exam this year. If I take first place, it means completely crushing Han Muchi. Then let’s see what he has to show off in front of our family. "Xiaohua probably won’t be moved to tears?" "This is good too. Her threshold for being moved is higher, so she won’t be easily touched later on." Zhao Dahe chuckled. Whether it will move Zhao Xiaohua, Meng Yao didn’t know. But she knew she was moved. What kind of sibling relationship is this! Acting like an elder brother while actually having the concerns of an old father. Clearly afraid that Zhao Xiaohua will be easily moved by scoundrels and wrongly invest her feelings in the future. Zhao Ting’s figure inappropriately appeared in Meng Yao’s mind. Could a Zhao Ting with a changed heart truly care for these children? "By the way, Mother, when you went to see Yun Ying, what did he say?" Zhao Dahe asked. "He didn’t say much, just that he also agrees this wasn’t an accident. Son, how much do you know about Yun Ying?" Meng Yao asked. "Gentlemen don’t inquire about each other’s origins." Zhao Dahe replied, "However, although I don’t know about his family background, his demeanor is not something that comes from a humble household. As for me, I have the integrity of a scholar, but compared to him, I fall short. His elegance is inherent. Mine, well, it’s more of an act." "You certainly have self-awareness." Meng Yao couldn’t help but laugh. "Everyone has their merits. Someone like him, wherever he is, always stands out. I, on the other hand, can blend into a crowd whenever I choose." Zhao Dahe stated, "If I were to maneuver in officialdom in the future, wouldn’t someone like me be more suitable?" Unconcerned with minor details, capable of both elegance and roguishness. Meng Yao had to admit, Zhao Dahe indeed was talented. "He didn’t say it outright, but from what I gathered, this matter might indeed have something to do with him. Though I am more inclined to believe that the Li Family was targeting you, we can’t rule out the presence of other parties!" Meng Yao said, "Yun Ying said he’d investigate, and he likely will uncover something." "Then let him investigate." Zhao Dahe replied. "Auntie, Dahe." Qin Zheng’s voice rang out from outside. Meng Yao opened the door. Qin Zheng’s forehead was lined with sweat, his face red, and he was out of breath. Since he had lost weight, Meng Yao had never seen him before. "I followed the person who struck Dahe." Qin Zheng stated. Meng Yao was somewhat surprised. Zhao Dahe had been carried back by Yue Sihai and Wen Shu, and she had wondered where Qin Zheng had gone. Turns out, he had gone after them. "Take your time explaining." Meng Yao poured him a cup of tea. "While coming downstairs, I was at the rear and saw everything. After Dahe fell, that person fled without hesitation. Seeing Sihai and Wen Shu there, I hurried to follow." Qin Zheng recounted. Composed in the face of danger. "Do you remember the route?" Meng Yao asked. "I must remember." Qin Zheng replied confidently. "Lead me there." Meng Yao instructed. "Mother, be careful." Zhao Dahe wished he could go along, but with his broken leg, he had to lie still. After several twists and turns, Qin Zheng stopped at the entrance of a house in a small alley. "I remember the person’s appearance and have seen the house; it doesn’t have a back door. I also asked around the neighbors; the person who lives here is an old resident, living alone now." Qin Zheng said, "I inquired discreetly, so as not to alert him. He’s a hoodlum, generally not well-liked." Meng Yao gave Qin Zheng a look of approval, then raised her hand to knock on the door. "Who?" The voice inside was cautious. "Sister Lixiang sent me to deliver something to Master Tong Si." Qin Zheng calmly said. Meng Yao quickly placed a hairpin against the person’s throat, "Behave." "Spare me, swordswoman. I have nothing here. If you want money, I can lead you to rob the wealthy." They forced the person into the yard, and Qin Zheng swiftly closed the door. Found some rope and deftly tied the person up. "You think we’re robbers?" Meng Yao asked with a half-smile. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⁂𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱 Entering and immediately holding him at knifepoint, what else could they be? But he dared not say it, only managed a smile, "A heroic swordswoman like you couldn’t possibly be a robber! You’re, you’re..." He stammered for a while but couldn’t find the words. "You know where Yun Ying lives, don’t you? Go invite him over." Meng Yao instructed Qin Zheng. Qin Zheng nodded and left. With the person tied and unable to move, even if he weren’t, with his aunt’s abilities, there was no cause for concern. Meng Yao securely closed the door, brought a bamboo chair over in the courtyard, "So, who sent you to attack my son? Hmm?" "What are you talking about? I don’t understand. Who’s your son? Why would I attack him?" Tong Si repeatedly denied. His heart was racing, but he knew he couldn’t admit to anything. "I’m giving you a chance. If you don’t talk..." Meng Yao chuckled twice, swiftly using the hairpin to jab a few acupuncture points on Tong Si. It hurt, really hurt, Tong Si nearly bit his teeth to pieces from the pain. "What do you want me to say? I truly don’t know." Tong Si stammered, knowing from experience that he just needed to hold out unless she dared to kill him, in which case they’d still have no leverage over him. "This is just an appetizer. If you’re tough, I’ll have to continue." Meng Yao’s smile grew more gentle and kind, as she spoke and did not let her hands rest.