Cripple Uncle's eyes dripped with hatred. "A letter written by your maternal grandfather himself, detailing private dealings with the Northern Qi Kingdom, and a chest of gold bearing the Northern Qi insignia found in the family's storeroom, along with testimonies from several Northern Qi captives."
"Was that letter truly from Grandfather?" Lu Ye asked, his brow furrowed.
Cripple Uncle gave a cold smile. "Judging by the handwriting, it is indeed my father's. But my father would never collude with the enemy and betray the country. Both my eldest and second brothers were killed by the Northern Qi people, and my father harbored an intense hatred for them. Therefore, that letter must be fake. I just don't know how they managed to forge it so realistically. As for that chest of gold, it was clearly planted in our storeroom by someone who infiltrated it. Those Northern Qi captives must have been bribed to testify against my father."
Uncle Ding sighed. "Actually, if the Emperor hadn't been so hasty in condemning him back then, and had given more time for investigation, Master... he wouldn't have been so unjustly accused. I truly hope those wicked people meet the same fate as the Jiang family!"
A coldness seeped into Lu Ye's eyes. "This is not the Jiang family's final end." Previously, he might have been content with merely exiling them. But now, knowing they were among those who plotted against his maternal grandfather, Lu Ye had no intention of letting them off easily.
Bai Sheng nodded. "Currently, the Jiang family is relatively weak. If we want to investigate, we can start with them."
Uncle Ding said, "Regardless, Master and Madam must protect yourselves."
"Yes, Uncle Ding, we will," Lu Ye replied, offering him a comforting look.
Bai Sheng suddenly seemed to recall something and looked at Uncle Ding. "Uncle Ding, what is your relationship with Third Uncle?"
Uncle Ding smiled. "I am actually a family servant of the Baili family. My father was the Baili family's steward, and I grew up with Master. They appeared to be master and servant, but in reality, they were more like inseparable close friends. I am three years older than Third Young Master and was his personal attendant. My father often reminded me to protect Third Young Master no matter what. Therefore, neither he nor Master hid anything from me regarding their protection of Third Young Master. As the saying goes, 'When one's achievements overshadow the ruler, misfortune will surely follow.' In truth, many times, 'overshadowing achievements' are thrust upon one, not due to insatiable greed. It was like the Baili family back then; for generations, generals requested to resign their posts, but the Emperor adamantly refused. The position of general was unavoidable, and as a military family, when foreign enemies invaded, you had to fight. Once you fought, you had to win, or face death and the nation's ruin. After winning, the Emperor had to bestow rewards; this is how overshadowing merits were forced upon them. Back then, Master and my father were quite cunning. They had both foreseen the Emperor's growing suspicion of the Baili family and his tendency to secretly weaken their power. Yet, despite Master's repeated requests to resign, the Emperor did not comply. The Emperor was also conflicted; on one hand, he desperately needed the Baili family, but on the other, he was wary and suspicious of them. Under these circumstances, Master and my father, to protect the Baili family's lineage, secretly arranged for a 'shadow' for Third Young Master when he was fifteen years old. A 'shadow' is a deathly loyal retainer who bears a striking resemblance to Third Young Master in age, appearance, and height. When danger arose, the 'shadow' was to die in Third Young Master's stead. Only Master, my father, the shadow, and the attendants by Young Master's side knew of this. The two young masters were completely unaware."
Seeing the surprise on Bai Sheng and Lu Ye's faces, Uncle Ding quickly added with a smile, "Don't worry, those shadows were all individuals with terminal illnesses who didn't have many years left to live. So, a new 'shadow' had to be found every few years. Master was a benevolent person and would never kill innocent people indiscriminately."
"So, on the day of the incident, it was the 'shadow' who died for Third Uncle, and Uncle Ding brought Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle to escape?" Bai Sheng asked.
Uncle Ding let out a long sigh and nodded. "That is indeed how it happened. I took Third Young Master and Fourth Young Master into a secret tunnel beneath the privy in the mansion. That tunnel was secretly dug and built by Master and my father. It was extremely narrow, but it led to the underground passages of the capital. The ancestors of the Baili family had participated in the construction of the capital's tunnels, so they had secretly preserved the original blueprints. I carried Third Young Master on my back and led Fourth Young Master by the hand, escaping through the tunnel. I accidentally fell into a deep pit, and my left leg broke. Fourth Young Master's head struck a rock..."
Uncle Ding wiped away his tears, filled with immense guilt. "Fourth Young Master was extremely intelligent as a child. The fact that he is like this now is all my fault."
Cripple Uncle grimaced and glared at Uncle Ding. "Old Ding, how many times have I told you? Stop taking all the blame! Do you think you're Guanyin Bodhisattva, saving all beings? You were carrying me, a grown man, on your back, and also holding onto Fourth, in a panic. The tunnel was dark, and accidents were bound to happen! If anyone is to be held accountable, Fourth's injury is a result of my own incompetence. I am utterly useless! Back then, you should have abandoned me and let me die!"
Lu Ye patted Uncle Ding's shoulder. "Uncle Ding, this is not your fault. Please don't blame yourself. If you blame yourself, Third Uncle will surely be very sad. It was just an accident."
Uncle Ding wiped his tears with his sleeve, sniffled, and nodded.
Bai Sheng smiled. "Third Uncle, Uncle Ding, don't be sad. Fourth Uncle's mind is not inherently dull. It's just a result of him hitting his head on the rock, likely due to a blood clot in his skull. I'll try to see if I can cure him."
"What? You... you can cure him?" Uncle Ding stood up abruptly in surprise. Fourth Young Master's dullness had always been a persistent worry for Uncle Ding. If Madam could cure Fourth Young Master, he would stop worshipping the Buddha and start worshipping Madam.
Cripple Uncle was also shocked. "Niece-in-law, are you telling the truth? Can you really cure my foolish brother?"
Bai Sheng took a deep breath. "I will try my best. Even if I cannot completely cure it, I can definitely improve Fourth Uncle's condition."
"Alright, Niece-in-law, go ahead and try. If you need my cooperation for anything, I will definitely cooperate fully," Cripple Uncle said with great excitement. If Fourth Brother could return to his normal self, his great-nephew would have a capable assistant.
"Third Uncle, don't worry, I will do my utmost," Bai Sheng said, looking at Cripple Uncle and smiling with narrowed eyes. "However, I can't guarantee curing Fourth Uncle, but I can definitely cure your face."
"My face?" Cripple Uncle raised his hand and touched his face, then chuckled. "It doesn't matter if my face is cured or not. I'm an old man, and I'm a cripple with a broken leg. My life is already set."
Lu Ye teased, "Third Uncle, if it can be cured, then let's get it cured. Otherwise, your great-nephew and niece won't dare to let you hold them."
Upon hearing this, Cripple Uncle nodded repeatedly. "Cure it, cure it! We must cure it." Cripple Uncle had long heard from that fellow Xiao Yun that his niece-in-law had given birth to four adorable quadruplets, his own great-nephews and nieces. He was eager to meet them.