"People who are indifferent and those who should be grateful naturally feel different."
"You speak as if everything is normal, yet why have you started trouble with Registrar Lin again?" Concubine Yuan said, standing by, "At this time, it shouldn't be so."
Of course, if one were to think about it carefully, it seemed that perhaps it should be.
Now that the strength of the Fang Family had surged like a breaking bamboo, capturing their enemy in a single move, with officials and army of Shanxi Road lending support, perhaps Jun Zhenzhen would take this opportunity to settle scores with her personal enemies.
For instance, the Ning Family that refused marriage, and the girls who had intended to humiliate her.
"She wouldn't do such a thing," Fang Yuxiu said. "If she had intended to, she would have done it long ago, without waiting until now."
Indeed, that was the case, and Concubine Yuan smiled sheepishly.
"I think so too," she immediately changed her tune, saying, "Miss Jun is much more careful than before. Since she has gone with Registrar Lin, there must be a necessary reason."
Lady Fang sighed.
"No matter what necessary business she has, she shouldn't act alone. It's too dangerous," she stated.
While everyone anxiously waited, a guard hurriedly entered.
"Madam, Old Lady Fang has asked for her walking stick."
Hearing the guard utter these words, everyone in the room was surprised and somewhat worried.
Had the shock been too much for Old Lady Fang, rendering her unwell yet she was still trying to persevere, hence needing the walking stick?
Worry and sorrow added to the expressions on everyone's faces.
Lady Fang knew which walking stick Old Lady Fang referred to.
Indeed, Old Lady Fang seldom used a walking stick, but she always had one.
It was a bamboo cane.
After Old Master Fang passed away, Old Lady Fang was most likely overwhelmed with grief and had to rely on a walking stick to move around, but she had put it away after just a few days, only to take it out again when Old Master Fang died.
During that time, Old Lady Fang clung to the walking stick day and night, not leaving it from her side, but it was soon put away again.
The next time was when Fang Chengyu had an accident, and Old Lady Fang wept, holding the walking stick.
Old Lady Fang had lost her father and children, facing a rift between her husband's family and her own family, with a group of women and children behind her, having no one to count on, only herself, and this walking stick.
The walking stick usually sat inside Old Lady Fang's room, and the passage of over a decade had made it look old.
One year, on Old Lady Fang's birthday, daughters Fang Yunxiao and Fang Yuxiu along with their sister handcrafted a new walking stick for her, but Old Lady Fang stored it away in the warehouse, leaving only the bamboo walking stick in her room.
To her, the walking stick was more of an emotional support.
Was it now time to need the walking stick again?
Could it be that something had indeed happened to Jun Zhenzhen?
Lady Fang's expression was one of anxious unrest.
"Go and fetch Old Lady Fang's walking stick," she instructed, standing up. Her expression changed for a moment before she made up her mind, "Tell everyone, we are all going too, we must find Young Lady."
Upon hearing this, Fang Yunxiao and Fang Yuxiu could hardly conceal their joy. The sisters tightly clasped their hands, their expressions both elated and resolute.
Concubine Yuan nodded her head, quickly stepping out in response.
............................
Outside Lin Family's Alley, the street was still packed with people.
Bright torches illuminated half the sky, but compared to the darkness that enveloped the land, they provided only a spot of light, which paradoxically made the night seem even lonelier.
The officials and Clan Leader Lin once again surrounded Old Lady Fang, urging her, but no matter what they said, Old Lady Fang simply ignored them.
"I am waiting for my walking stick," she answered.
What on earth was this obsession with a walking stick?
This left everyone speechless and helpless.
Had the old lady's mind become muddled with great joy and sorrow?
Fang Jinxiu had already retreated to the side of the road.
"Are you tired? Would you like me to ask for a doctor for your grandmother?" Seventh Chen asked, unable to hold back.
Fang Jinxiu remained silent for a moment.
"No need," she replied, "This matter doesn't require my worry."
Seventh Chen yawned.
"Then let's go back and rest," he suggested.
Of course, Fang Jinxiu paid him no heed and simply sat down on the street curb.
Although there was nothing she could do and it seemed futile, she still wanted to confirm for herself whether her grandmother had truly returned safely.
Seventh Chen rubbed his face and this time sat down without saying anything more, but just as he had settled down, Fang Jinxiu abruptly stood up again.
"Changed your mind again?" Seventh Chen asked, startled.
Fang Jinxiu ignored him, looking ahead.
A noisy sound of carriages and horses came from the front.
Everyone looked forward and saw another group of people arriving. Unlike the dense crowd of men here, the newcomers were all women.
Since it was the day of paying respects to the Grand Old Master Fang and Old Master Fang Shouyi, the women of the household had removed their hairpins and jewelry, wearing plain clothes. Under the torchlight, they appeared even more as a sea of plain white.
"Mother," Fang Chengyu called out.
Old Lady Fang also got off the carriage.
"Mother," Lady Fang had already briskly walked up, presenting a cane in her hands, "Here is the cane you asked for."
Old Lady Fang reached out to take the cane and then looked at Lady Fang.
Apart from Lady Fang, the sisters Fang Yunxiao and Fang Yuxiu, Concubine Yuan, and all the maidservants and girls of the house had come.
"Why have you all come?" Old Lady Fang asked.
"Mother, we are one family, and since we need to search for someone, of course, we should all search together. One more person means more help," Lady Fang said.
"Yes, indeed, Old Lady Fang, those who can ride horses are on horseback, and those who can't ride are walking. Everyone is doing what they can," Concubine Yuan said with a smile, "It's better than sitting at home doing nothing, waiting."
Old Lady Fang glanced behind them and indeed saw that the entourage had brought carts and horses.
Before she could speak, the sound of horse hooves came from the street again.
Everyone looked and saw Manager Gao leading a group of people on horseback—among them were the Shopkeeper and clerks of the money business, as well as Lei Zhonglian, who still had his injured arm wrapped in a bandage.
"Old Lady Fang, I have called over everyone from Yangcheng. Messages have been sent to those further away, and they are making their way here," Manager Gao said.
He had arrived later than Fang Chengyu and Miss Jun because he had helped deal with the aftermath of capturing the impostor bandits and government soldiers in Huaiqing.
He had only arrived this afternoon, his face still covered in the dust of travel.
Old Lady Fang's gaze swept over the family members and the people from the money business. A smile emerged on her weary face.
"What are you all doing? It's just a search for a person. Look at you, stirring up such a fuss, making it seem like we're about to overthrow the city just like bandits and rebels would," she laughed.
Indeed, indeed.
The officials thought.
"Old Lady Fang, please don't do this. Leave this matter to us," the leading official said.
Clan Leader Lin's face was devoid of its usual gentleness, now showing displeasure.
"What do you mean by this? Fine, if you can search, then go ahead and search," he huffed, flicking his sleeve.
Old Lady Fang looked at them, the smile gradually fading from her face as she gripped the cane in her hand.
"Even if it means overturning this city, it's no big deal," she said slowly.
What?
People present were stunned, and before they could recover their senses, they saw Old Lady Fang smash the cane down onto the ground with force.
The sudden action made everyone around involuntarily step back, with some women letting out startled gasps.
With a crack, the bamboo cane shattered on the ground, rolling out a slender scroll.
What is this?
Those standing close peered forward, their expressions astonished.
Could it be that the cane wasn't just a cane?
Old Lady Fang had already bent down to pick up the scroll, tearing off the outer oil paper. Under the torchlight, a bright yellow glare was revealed.
Bright yellow!
Everyone's expressions changed drastically, in sudden disbelief.
Under the torchlight, Old Lady Fang opened the scroll, holding it up high for all to see, her expression firm, her eyes blazing like lightning.
"By the mandate of Heaven, the emperor decrees, as if I were personally present," she stated, every word deliberate, "Throughout Yangcheng, search for Lin without hindrance, and those who resist will be executed without mercy."
An imperial decree!
It was actually an imperial decree!
Lady Fang looked at the bold red characters and Jade Seal illuminated by the torchlight, shocked to the core, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle the cry of surprise that threatened to escape.
*********************************
First bow of thanks for the more than fifteen hundred monthly votes from yesterday. They tell me how many people have supported me to reach this point, unexpectedly and shockingly.
Second bow of thanks for the rewards from Alliance Leaders yesterday. I see your concrete names, both familiar and unfamiliar, old friends who have always been there, and new friends who have formed a bond with me in the world of Jianghu.
Third bow of thanks to those in the monthly vote and red packet area. I see and remember your contributions, and for now I simply say thanks.
Today, please continue to work hard! Thank you so much.