The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 404: Not by Blood

Chapter 404: Not by Blood

Nanli casually closed the window.

She said, "The Xue family has long disowned her, so they wouldn’t take her in. Xue Shengnan was once well-acquainted with several high-born ladies in the Capital, so it might be worth investigating that direction."

Qingyang was already on it. "Rest assured, Princess. I’ve already placed spies in the households of those high-born ladies. Even the recently married County Princess Yu is being monitored. As soon as Xue Shengnan shows herself, we’ll capture her."

Nanli shook her head slightly. "She has a strong command of talismanic arts. If she’s hiding in the Capital, she might not reveal her true self."

Qingyang responded, "I understand. We’ll pay extra attention to any new faces in these households and investigate their true identities to prevent anyone from escaping."

"That’s the best we can do for now," Nanli said.

Even though Xue Shengnan had exceptionally good luck, and despite Qingyang’s extensive network, capturing her might still be challenging.

Although they might not catch her immediately, Nanli was aware of Xue Shengnan’s volatile temperament and wanted to be prepared in advance.

Xiao Wanyi was about to give birth, and Madam Shen had arranged for a midwife and a nurse. Nanli had also set up protective formations in her elder brother’s courtyard. Family members and servants had to carry special talismans to enter, while others were barred from the area. This arrangement was designed to minimize chaos on the day of delivery and ensure the safety of Xiao Wanyi and her baby.

The next day, Chu Hanming had himself carried to Xianghe Courtyard, but despite his pleading and crying at the door, Grand Lady refused to open it.

With no other option, he returned to Qiutang Pavilion to start reconciling accounts. Since he couldn’t change the situation, he thought it best to make some extra money to secure his future.

However, when the accountant presented the numbers, both Chu Hanming and Lady Tian were stunned.

They quickly took the ledger to examine it.

Chu Hanming couldn’t discern any errors but still questioned loudly, "Why did you allocate me such a small amount of money from the division? Have you calculated it correctly? How can our marquis be so poor?"

He was allocated only thirty thousand taels!

The estate and shops were pitifully few, and there were no farms!

This division was a significant matter, and Chu Hanlin was also present.

Before the accountant could speak, Chu Hanlin took a sip of tea and said, "There’s no mistake. This is the family wealth left by our father. As for the rewards I’ve received over the years, they have nothing to do with you."

So, the calculations and divisions were perfectly correct.

Chu Hanming’s face turned pale.

He recalled that their family wasn’t particularly wealthy back then, but after his elder brother achieved successive military victories and received more rewards, their wealth increased.

He had no recourse and began to cry pitifully, "Elder Brother, you can’t do this! You’re only giving me thirty thousand taels. Are you trying to starve me to death outside? To buy a house alone requires at least three to five thousand taels. Not to mention furnishing it and hiring twenty or so servants to guard it. The money would be spent in no time."

Lady Tian nearly fainted from anger upon hearing this.

Indeed, Chu Hanlin was also furious and slammed the teacup onto the table. "You... You’re truly incorrigible! Just the two of you need a house? Three to five servants are enough, why do you need twenty?"

He was utterly disappointed with this younger brother!

"Elder Brother, I’ve lived half my life and never experienced such hardships," Chu Hanming pleaded. "Please pity me and give me an additional hundred thousand taels."

Chu Hanlin rolled his eyes. How could he ask for a hundred thousand taels when even ten thousand would be excessive?!

He waved his sleeve and said coldly, "Throw him out!"

"Hey! Elder Brother! Elder Brother!" Chu Hanming shouted. "If you’re so heartless, I’ll have to talk to Fifth Young Master!"

At this point, everyone in the room was confused by Chu Hanming’s words.

Even Lady Tian tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "At this point, what can Fifth Young Master do?"

But Chu Hanlin’s expression changed from irritation to full-blown rage.

He fixed his gaze on Chu Hanming. "You dare to threaten me?"

Chu Hanming, unable to look his elder brother in the eye, felt a pang of regret. Yet, having spoken, he had to continue. "Elder Brother, I’m not threatening you. I just want a bit more silver so that my sister-in-law won’t suffer with me."

Chu Hanlin shot a cold glance at Lady Tian.

Lady Tian felt a surge of resentment, wishing she could stab Chu Hanming. This coward was using her as an excuse to avoid hardship.

She felt pitiful for her own misfortune in marrying Chu Hanming.

Chu Hanlin stood up and began pacing the room, then suddenly stopped. Chu Hanming thought he might be about to concede, but instead, Chu Hanlin ordered his attendants, "Bring Sixth Miss here."

"Yes." The attendant quickly left.

Chu Hanming was puzzled, wondering why such a secret was being shared with Nanli.

A bad premonition grew stronger.

Soon, the attendant brought Nanli in.

Nanli also felt puzzled and asked, "Father, did you call for me?"

Chu Hanlin waved his hand, and the attendant immediately dismissed everyone, including Lady Tian.

"A’Li, your second uncle knows a secret of mine that I don’t want revealed. Is there a way to ensure he keeps silent forever?" Chu Hanlin asked.

Nanli lowered her gaze, her expression cool. "Dead people stay silent forever, don’t they?"

"A’Li! I’m your second uncle!" Chu Hanming was shocked.

"Or perhaps just cut out his tongue or sever his tendons?" Nanli suggested.

Chu Hanming felt like crying, realizing his mistake in threatening his elder brother. He was terrified of becoming poor, mute, and crippled.

Chu Hanlin snorted. "You’ve admitted your mistakes many times, but you’ve never changed. You have no integrity."

Chu Hanming’s heart sank. He looked at Nanli with tear-filled eyes. "A’Li, use whatever talisman you have. Please don’t be stingy."

Nanli knew human nature well. She initially scared Second Uncle to ensure cooperation.

She said, "I do have something. It’s a curse. If you reveal Father’s secret after it’s cast, you’ll die immediately."

Chu Hanming swallowed hard. "Is it precise? Won’t there be any mistakes?"

He deeply regretted his rash threats now. How foolish he had been!

Nanli said, "I can make the curse precise, but I need to know what the secret is first."

Chu Hanming, suddenly alert, said, "Elder Brother, let’s just drop this matter. How can such a secret be known to juniors? Believe me, I will not reveal it."

"Believe you? Fine, then prove it with your death," Chu Hanlin said, giving him a disdainful look.

Chu Hanming immediately fell silent.

"A’Li, actually, the secret Second Uncle knows is that Fifth Brother is not my biological child. He’s using this to blackmail me," Chu Hanlin revealed.