After Transmigrating, My Younger Brother Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 17

Seeing Yan He’s attitude, the suppressed guilt in Zhu Zhenzhen’s heart gradually dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief.

Yan He stood up and deliberately sat on the stone bench beside Zhu Zhenzhen. Do you know why Cheng Jiuxiao entrusted this flute to Guiyun?

Zhu Zhenzhen genuinely didn’t know.

Song Heng, seated to her right, frowned slightly.

Yan He continued, On the surface, we serve Prince Jin, but in truth, we’ve been secretly gathering evidence of his atrocities against the people of Changding. We seek justice for Changding.

We’ve been secretly gathering evidence for a long time, and we’ve already amassed a considerable amount. However, Guiyun cannot leave Changding City, nor can I. If either of us were to disappear, Prince Jin would receive word within half an hour.

If Prince Jin discovered their unauthorized departure, he might retaliate against the Yan Family.

Even sending out letters is impossible, Yan He said with a bitter smile.

Yan Guiyun clutched the jade flute tightly. When she looked up again, her eyes were cold. We hold the evidence in our hands, yet we can only wait. We don’t know how long we’ll have to wait, but as the City Lord of Changding, I must give the departed citizens an accounting.

Yan Guiyun radiated an astonishing charisma.

Though she was merely a Puppet City Lord, her position as City Lord meant that as long as she lived, she would strive to make a difference, even if the city’s population dwindled to a handful, even if she were imprisoned.

Her usually emotionless eyes lit up with a radiant glow when she spoke of her people.

We waited long and hard, finally encountering one man—Cheng Jiuxiao. But he refused my request.

At this, Yan Guiyun revealed a rare flicker of disappointment.

Though fleeting, Zhu Zhenzhen precisely captured this moment.

He didn’t explain his reasons, but he promised to send us capable individuals when the time was right. To ensure recognition, I entrusted him with the Jade Xiao Flute.

Using such a high-grade artifact as a mere token? That’s awfully reckless.

This thought ran through the mind of Zhu Zhenzhen, the penniless Zhu.

We waited for ages. Most who came to Changding were lost travelers very few came willingly. A few days ago, Ahe told me that some people had come here voluntarily, but they concealed their motives. I suspected you might be the ones he mentioned.

Now it seems the ‘right time’ is when Prince Jin delivers the corpses, and the ‘capable individuals’ he spoke of must be you.

That can’t be right.

Zhu Zhenzhen had initially agreed to this task solely to earn money, with a secondary motive of gathering information. She never imagined she would be drawn into another conflict.

Moreover, she had her own grand revenge plan to execute.

Yet, upon reflection, Prince Jin had always been a suspicious man. Could he have planted spies around Li Jiadong? And if she dared to speculate further, could the lean, monkey-like men who had ambushed her that day have been Prince Jin’s subordinates?

But these were merely Zhu Zhenzhen’s conjectures.

What a massive pit Cheng Jiuxiao has dug for us! she thought. Fifty taels for all this work?

She carefully considered her words, searching for a tactful way to decline. But before she could speak, Song Heng, who had been silent for so long, suddenly interjected

Brother He, Miss Yan, please don’t hesitate to tell us what you need. The people’s desires are always in my heart. I believe the people of Changding, even in the afterlife, would rejoice at this.

Song Heng’s sudden change of tone and formal bow were jarring. Just moments ago, he had been as silent as a mute.

Zhu Zhenzhen’s suspicious gaze swept across Song Heng’s face.

Reborn into this life, Song Heng had never anticipated such a turn of events. Aside from Song Zhen being a genuine surprise, it seemed as if fate itself was helping him seize his enemies’ weaknesses and aiding his revenge.

It was all proceeding with unbelievable smoothness.

Zhu Zhenzhen gently tugged at Song Heng’s sleeve under the table, forcing him to meet her gaze.

A silent question passed between them.

The cold calculation in Song Heng’s eyes vanished instantly, like a receding tide, replaced by an innocent look that seemed to say, I’m just helping others out of the kindness of my heart.

Yan Guiyun’s expression softened slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

What a noble sentiment! ‘The people’s desires are always in my heart!’ Yan He roared, slapping his palm against the table, his beard trembling wildly with laughter.

In the next moment, Yan He produced a map from seemingly nowhere. The map was small, its contents simple and abstract, consisting of only a few strokes.

He laid the map on the table, securing it with a teacup, and began to explain.

Magistrate Li’s corpse had been hidden deep within the bamboo forest, concealed with extreme care.

Starting from the mountain stronghold, the path led straight forward, with occasional turns. Yan He had meticulously marked the number of steps between each point, admitting that he and Zhao Lin had secretly measured the distances while burying Magistrate Li’s body.

The bamboo forest was vast and densely planted without the map, finding the corpse would be nearly impossible.

Having revealed such a secret, it would be morally reprehensible for Zhu Zhenzhen to betray them now.

The moment Yan He produced the map, Zhu Zhenzhen guessed its purpose. She wanted to refuse, but seeing their eager expressions, she couldn’t bring herself to voice her reluctance.

Zhu Zhenzhen had no choice but to accept the fact that she would have to work again.

Secretly, she vowed to extort a hefty sum from Cheng Jiuxiao as compensation for her mental distress.

Though somewhat frustrated, she kept her composure and took a deep breath before asking, When did Magistrate Li die? Wouldn’t his body have already decomposed by now?

Her words jolted everyone awake.

This… Yan He hesitated, realizing the implications of her question.

Indeed, the upheaval in Changding had occurred two years prior. If Magistrate Li had died then, the coffin would now contain nothing but a skeleton.

How could a skeleton possibly prove it was Magistrate Li?

Zhao Lin had never ordered the coffin opened when he brought it, so they had no idea what state Magistrate Li’s corpse was in.

Seeing the others’ silence, Zhu Zhenzhen pressed, Did Magistrate Li have any congenital illnesses or distinguishing features?

The Yan siblings fell silent.

They knew nothing about this, and it presented a real problem.

Suddenly, Song Heng spoke up, Magistrate Li was born missing a joint in his ring finger.

His words immediately drew everyone’s attention.

But how could Song Heng possibly know this?

Song Heng spoke with conviction, meeting their skeptical gazes head-on. Magistrate Li once visited Bian City and even shared a meal with my father, he explained.

He turned to Zhu Zhenzhen, adding, Right, Elder Sister?

Under the scrutiny of the Yan siblings, Zhu Zhenzhen could only stiffen her spine and nod in agreement.

She genuinely didn’t know whether Magistrate Li’s finger was missing a joint, nor could she verify the truth of Song Heng’s claims.

Had Magistrate Li truly been on good terms with Song Heng’s father?

Yan He showered Song Heng with praise. Young brother, you’re truly extraordinary! Your insight is remarkable, and your memory is unparalleled!

Yan Guiyun nodded in agreement.

Now that Magistrate Li’s remains could be identified, only one question remained how would the Yan siblings seek justice for Changding?

This was no task for a single day.

The Son of Heaven had long been deceived by Prince Jin, who he regarded as a brother. To expose Prince Jin’s treachery and restore the Son of Heaven’s trust would be no easy feat.

Even if they possessed the extraordinary ability to bypass Prince Jin and present evidence directly to the emperor, how could the Son of Heaven trust a group of people with such mysterious origins?

The two figures lying on the ground had already stirred awake during their conversation.

Lu Yin and Liu Sheng’an sat quietly nearby, listening to the exchange.

The two men exchanged glances, neither speaking, but both saw confusion in the other’s eyes.

They couldn’t understand what the group was talking about.

When Lu Yin opened his eyes, he saw several strangers before him. One man looked as fierce as a door god, while the woman beside him was strikingly beautiful, yet radiated an icy coldness.

Turning to the familiar figures, Song Zhen’s face was expressionless, though his brow was slightly furrowed. Song Heng, on the other hand, was chatting warmly with the door god, as if their personalities had been reversed.

A chill ran down Lu Yin’s spine. He wondered if he had woken up at the wrong time.

Liu Sheng, having immediately recognized City Lord Yan, trembled slightly but kept his mouth shut, enduring his fear and remaining still.

Lu Yin’s neck ached inexplicably, and pressing on it sent a sharp pain shooting through him.

He couldn’t help but recall fragments of the alleyway incident.

Lu Yin vaguely remembered telling Song Heng that time was running out and they needed to return to Song Zhen to regroup.

But the next moment, a dark figure darted out of a nearby alley and lunged at him, delivering a swift knife strike. A sharp pain shot through the back of his neck, and his vision went black. He heard himself collapse to the ground.

He didn’t even have time to shout, Song Heng, run!

But…

Lu Yin glanced at the man named Yan He. His smile never faded, the corners of his eyes crinkling into deep lines.

Judging by their lively conversation, there seemed to be no hostility among the group.

Yet Lu Yin couldn’t shake the feeling that Yan He looked familiar.

Leading Liu Sheng, he strolled casually to the table and deliberately sat beside Yan He.

Yan He’s back stiffened, and he nervously avoided looking at his side.

Liu Sheng cowered behind Zhu Zhenzhen, afraid to lift her head.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhenzhen promptly shooed Song Heng away, clearing a space beside her.

Song Heng could only slink off to another seat.

Liu Sheng settled into the vacant spot.

Yan Guiyun sat opposite her. Liu Sheng clutched her skirt hem, staring at her feet.

Yan Guiyun had long noticed Liu Sheng’s fear, fully aware that she was the source. Unfazed, she leisurely sipped her tea and nibbled on pastries.

After a long silence, her expression had returned to its usual icy composure.

Being misunderstood and feared was nothing new. Working under Prince Jin had already made her deeply unpopular, and the Yan Family had long since ceased to welcome her and her brother.

As Yan Guiyun lowered her gaze, the little girl who had been hanging her head slightly lifted her chin to look at the treats arranged before her.

The purple wooden plate held neatly arranged pastries, now missing a piece that she held in her hand.

Moments later, a plate of exquisite pastries appeared before Liu Sheng fuling cakes, pineapple cakes, rose petal pastries—a feast for the eyes that made his mouth water.

Liu Sheng glanced at Yan Guiyun, then at Zhu Zhenzhen. Receiving the latter’s nod of approval, he popped a pastry into his mouth and chewed slowly.

Though he didn’t fully understand the adults’ conversation, one sentence from City Lord Yan had resonated with him

She said she needed to give the people an explanation.

Despite being only ten years old, Liu Sheng’s mind was sharper than most his age. He couldn’t help but wonder after hiding in the city for so many days, had the City Lord truly not noticed them?