Zhao Dahe finally asked Du Ruyi some questions about his father. Given his mother’s current situation, she definitely wouldn’t ask, nor would she want to know. By asking these questions, he can occasionally help remind his mother of his father’s presence. As a son, this is all he can do. "Your father was fine back then, but as for now, it’s hard to say. After all, people change easily. So, don’t just think about reuniting the two of them." Du Ruyi said. She felt Meng Yao was right, after all these years, unfamiliarity was inevitable. "Is there any other woman with my father in the Capital City?" Zhao Dahe asked in a low voice. As a son probing into such matters, it might seem inappropriate, but given its significance, he must be prepared. "I’ve been with Li Tanyun in Qingzhou Prefecture for years, occasionally returning to the Capital City, but neither your father nor I are as close as before, meeting without reservation. So, I really can’t answer your question." Du Ruyi said. She was speaking the truth, not avoiding Zhao Dahe’s question. "However, I’m guessing your grandmother would definitely arrange for such matters. Your father is a man at this age..." Du Ruyi’s tone was somewhat hesitant. "Do you mean he has someone by his side?" "I didn’t say that for sure, just possibly. After all, the first time your father lost his memory, he married your mother. Who knows what happened in later amnesias, right?" Zhao Dahe understood that Du Ruyi had a valid point. Even though he believed in his father’s feelings for his mother, he couldn’t deny the impact of his father’s amnesia. "Aunt Du, do you know where my father is?" Zhao Dahe asked. "I know the family your mother took me to, but clearly, your father isn’t staying there." Du Ruyi said, "It’s not urgent at the moment. Wait until you see him to ask. If your father is alone, everyone will rejoice. If not, knowing won’t make anyone disappear, right? Don’t worry; it still depends on your mother’s attitude. No matter how much you do, if your mother doesn’t agree, can you force her?" Zhao Dahe felt deflated, "Yes, Aunt Du makes a valid point." There’s no point in being anxious about it. Zhao Xiaohua, who had been silent the whole time, spoke, "Didn’t mother say? No matter together or not, he’s still our father. So, second brother, don’t worry too much." "Xiaohua is right." Du Ruyi agreed. Though said, people are always greedy. After joining them for a meal, Du Ruyi left satisfied, but before leaving she told Meng Yao that she’d visit often, hoping not to annoy her. Could Meng Yao stop her from visiting? Right after Du Ruyi left, Yun Ying also departed, meeting etiquettes demands moving on after a meal. "Mother, Yun Ying knows my leg is fine. He’s skilled in medicine just like you." Zhao Dahe said. This was a surprise to Meng Yao, but on further thought, it made sense, given Yun Ying’s environment, not knowing would be surprising. The more one knows, the stronger one’s ability to protect oneself. "You’re all students of Master Jiang now, and you’ve said Yun Ying’s character is reliable. So, knowing doesn’t affect anything." Meng Yao said. "Mother, why didn’t you tell me about Li Tanyun?" Zhao Dahe asked. "Oh, I didn’t consider it important. Mainly didn’t expect your Aunt Du to be so formidable." Meng Yao said. After all, Meng Yao initially thought this would be an internal family matter of Li Tanyun’s, never expected it to escalate several levels. "Then, will what happened to Li Tanyun help with what my father is doing?" Zhao Dahe asked. "That depends on the results of your Aunt Du’s investigation. If Li Tanyun is indeed connected with the Heaven and Earth Sect, it would indeed be helpful. Or if not Li Tanyun, someone around him. But as long as your Aunt Du has evidence, it will still help the same." Meng Yao said. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝘯𝘦𝘵 Poor management along with what Du Ruyi has might spell doom for Li Tanyun’s career. "Then at that time, will the Qian Family’s situation..." Zhao Dahe asked. "That I’m not sure about either." Meng Yao said. This isn’t a case that can simply be overturned. So, it’s hard to say. Meng Yao patted Zhao Dahe’s shoulder, "Stop worrying about it, the Qian Family’s current state is temporary. Your master’s wife is capable, you should have confidence in her." Zhao Dahe acknowledged. Du Ruyi came to Meng Yao with a ledger. "I didn’t find evidence of Li Tanyun’s collusion with the Heaven and Earth Sect, but I found this." Du Ruyi said, "It records the Assistant’s gifts to Li Tanyun, the amount is staggering. However, these gifts are not recorded in the prefecture’s books." The time started three years ago. Each year had seventy to eighty thousand taels in gifts. The amount is colossal. A clean magistrate would typically make around ten thousand silver over three years. This far exceeds that. "Won’t Li Tanyun notice you’ve taken the ledger?" Meng Yao asked. "I informed him of his children’s whereabouts, and he’s rushed off to find them." Du Ruyi said, "He won’t return anytime soon, and even if he does, if I deny it, what can he do? He could suspect the Assistant is up to something and stole his ledger." "I’ll contact Zhao Ting." Such massive gifts from an Assistant suggest something is amiss. When Zhao Ting got the ledger, his eyes shone. "Thank you." Zhao Ting said. "Helping me bring Li Tanyun down irreversibly counts as thanks." Du Ruyi said. "Don’t worry; I’ll ensure this matter is handled." Zhao Ting promised. He was truly glad, thinking he’d have to spend more time initially, now with a target, resolving it is within reach. "It will trouble you to visit Ren Zhong now." Zhao Ting said to Meng Yao. "Sure." Meng Yao agreed immediately. "My people will investigate the Assistant. Additionally, news of the Assistant’s issues can be filtered to the Assistant Magistrate." Zhao Ting said. This also serves to confuse, making the Assistant think the Assistant Magistrate is targeting him. "Help me care for Little Bean for a few days." Zhao Ting said. Meng Yao wanted to refuse, but Little Bean leapt onto Meng Yao’s shoulder, sitting quietly. "Be cautious; Dahe and the others are waiting to see you." Meng Yao reminded. After Zhao Ting left, Meng Yao and Du Ruyi also departed. "Going to Huaiyuan County, just be careful these days." Meng Yao advised Du Ruyi, "When pushed too far, fear the reaction will be aggressive; caution is best." "Don’t worry, Sister Meng, I have people around me to protect me." Du Ruyi said. Meng Yao thought likewise, "Alright, take care." Meng Yao first bade farewell to Lu Luoxing, then hurriedly left on Ashen after informing Zhao Dahe and the others at home.