It took a full half month to travel from Qingzhou Prefecture to the Capital City. After entering the city gates, Zhao Dahe bid farewell to Yun Ying. Yun Ying returned to the Capital City, having tasks of his own to handle. He was not a three-year-old child in need of care. Yun Ying merely remarked that if Zhao Dahe ever needed help, he should go directly to the Duke Zhen Country Mansion to find him. Zhao Dahe first found an inn to stay at, leaving Qin Zheng to watch over Zhao Xiaohua and Wen Nuan, while he went out to inquire about news regarding the Zhao Mansion. He was always clever and quickly befriended a man who mingled among the common folk. He smoothly gathered information about the Zhao Mansion. It was not much different from what he had learned from his mother. However, Zhao Dahe did not know that while he was inquiring, he was already being watched. "Your Highness, the person is staying at Feng Tai Inn." The eldest princess fiddled with her newly dyed fingers, not even bothering to lift her eyelids, speaking lazily, "Do we know why he is inquiring about Zhao Ting?" "This, your subordinate does not know." "Has Zhao Ting not returned yet?" "The brothers keeping an eye on the Zhao Family have not discovered any trace of Zhao Ting." "Find out the reason why that kid is inquiring about Zhao Ting, then report back to me." —— Get full chapters from 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩 After returning to the inn, Zhao Ting told Zhao Xiaohua the information he had gathered about the Zhao Mansion. "So, Second Brother, are we going there to recognize our family?" Zhao Xiaohua asked. Wouldn’t it be reckless to just show up and risk being considered scammers and handed over to the Government? "With mother not here, of course we cannot recognize family." Zhao Dahe replied, "However, it doesn’t prevent us from using other methods to approach the old lady of the Zhao Mansion." After all, currently the ones managing the Zhao Mansion are the second and third households. It’s not that Zhao Dahe was thinking darkly and imagined people to be bad; it was just, even in rural families, when there are many people, disputes constantly emerge. How much more so in a big noble family like the Zhao Family? His father had a tumultuous life; it wasn’t certain if those in the mansion didn’t want him to return at all? "What method?" Zhao Xiaohua asked. "This calls for your help, Xiaohua." Zhao Ting said. "Me?" Zhao Xiaohua was somewhat puzzled. "Didn’t Lu Luoxing give you a token and letter, asking you to find her contact at the Hundred Herbs Hall? Second Brother will accompany you to find them." Zhao Dahe said. "I’ve found out that the common doctors working at the Hundred Herbs Hall are from the Hundred Herbs Hall. We can check Zhao Old Lady’s medical records, maybe discover something!" Zhao Dahe said with shining eyes. Zhao Xiaohua immediately refused, "Second Brother, medical records need to be kept confidential. They are not to be seen at will unless given consent by the patient." That is the rule of practicing medicine. "Even with Lu Luoxing’s token, it’s not possible?" "That’s the rule." Zhao Xiaohua said with a serious face. Zhao Dahe furrowed his brows. "We can go to Auntie Du instead. Didn’t she say, when we reach the Capital City, we can find her if anything comes up? Plus, their family has old ties with the Zhao Family." Zhao Xiaohua said. Zhao Dahe’s eyes lit up, indeed. "And what if we meet Zhao Old Lady; what should we do?" Zhao Xiaohua asked. "Among our siblings, you resemble father the most, Xiaohua. When you were little, I often heard people say you and father were carved from the same mold." Zhao Dahe said, "Back then, you were chubby, and I couldn’t see it at all. Later, when you slimmed down, I realized mother wasn’t fibbing." "You’re suggesting Zhao Old Lady would recall father upon seeing me?" Zhao Xiaohua asked. "What good would that do?" It’s not only blood relatives who can resemble each other. "Watch Zhao Old Lady’s attitude." Zhao Dahe said. Zhao Dahe needed to know Zhao Old Lady’s stance on his father. If it’s favorable, he has a positive approach. If it’s not, he has a negative strategy to address it. Though Zhao Xiaohua found it somewhat unreliable, she agreed nonetheless. Zhao Dahe and Zhao Xiaohua both changed into another set of clothes. The two left the inn, immediately calling for a soft sedan chair, straightforwardly heading to the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel’s Mansion. Their attire was proper, and Zhao Dahe’s conversation was extraordinary. There wasn’t a hint of impoverished aura on them. Thus, without much trouble, they were led to meet Du Ruyi. Du Ruyi didn’t expect them to arrive in the Capital City so soon, her face still held surprise. "Is Sister Meng also here?" Du Ruyi asked. "Not yet returned." Zhao Dahe replied. "Did you come by yourselves?" Du Ruyi asked again. "Together with Yun Ying." Zhao Dahe said, "He returned to recognize his roots and ancestors." "Yun Ying is the son of the Duke." Zhao Dahe said. Du Ruyi was astonished, "The Duke has a son outside?" Her tone was full of gossip. A son outside implied illegal love affairs. Otherwise, how could such a noble figure, like the Duke, be left outside? Zhao Dahe did not answer Du Ruyi’s question, as he was not entirely sure about the details. Moreover, even if he knew, he couldn’t share it without Yun Ying’s permission. His mention of Yun Ying was merely to add some leverage for himself. "Auntie Du, are you going to the Zhao Mansion?" Zhao Dahe asked. "Hmm? Are you also here to recognize your roots and ancestors?" Zhao Dahe shook his head, "Not without my mother’s consent." "Then you are?" Du Ruyi asked. Zhao Dahe explained his plan, and Du Ruyi laughed, "No need for such hassle. Not recognizing your roots doesn’t conflict with revealing your identity. As for your worries, you absolutely can put them to rest. Your father’s importance in your grandmother’s heart is top-notch. With my endorsement, she won’t doubt it." Du Ruyi’s analysis was spot on, and Zhao Dahe was persuaded. "Where are you staying now?" Du Ruyi asked. "Let’s go, I’ll accompany you to pick up your luggage, then come stay at the mansion. It’ll be a chance to meet my brother. Your mother assisted me greatly, my brother said if he had the opportunity, he definitely wanted to thank her properly. Since she’s whereabouts unknown, meeting you siblings would be just as fine." Du Ruyi said warmly. Now that they were in the Capital City, on her turf, she would be embarrassed to have them residing in an inn. That would be a slap in her face. Zhao Dahe politely declined. But how could he resist Du Ruyi? Eventually, Zhao Dahe, Qin Zheng, Zhao Xiaohua, and Wen Nuan all moved into the Du Mansion. By accident, they also avoided a little crisis. Du Ruyi introduced Zhao Dahe and Zhao Xiaohua to her brother, Minister Du, who was a mild-tempered middle-aged man. His unhurried manner of speech was like a gentle breeze. Upon learning that Zhao Dahe had won in the provincial examination, he even posed a few challenge questions. Zhao Dahe answered fluently, and admiration filled Minister Du’s eyes. He even called out his son, Du Jingtiao, introducing the two to each other, and arranged Zhao Dahe’s accommodation in a courtyard adjacent to his own. Zhao Xiaohua stayed with Du Ruyi. Qin Zheng stayed with Zhao Dahe and Wen Nuan with Zhao Xiaohua respectively. "Auntie Du, when will we go to the Zhao Mansion?" Zhao Xiaohua asked. "Auntie Du must first send a card to the Zhao Mansion. After a reply, it’s appropriate to pay a visit. Arriving unannounced is impolite." Du Ruyi explained. Unless it was reporting a death, those in their circle must send a card before visiting, it was the custom. Du Ruyi also took the opportunity to teach Xiaohua some manners, lest she was looked down upon at the Zhao Mansion.