Feng Chu Chu noticed that Liang Yi Zhi seemed dispirited after his return. This was unexpected, as he had found evidence that could vindicate Uncle Liang, which should have made him happy.
It was absolutely not a reason for him to appear like this.
Feng Chu Chu didn't say much, handing him the washcloth. Liang Yi Zhi, without looking up, took it. "Why aren't you asleep?"
Feng Chu Chu smiled. "I wanted to wait for you."
Liang Yi Zhi paused slightly, the cloth frozen on his face. Feng Chu Chu, seeing this, asked, "Young Master Liang, what's wrong? You seem preoccupied since you came back."
"I'm fine," Liang Yi Zhi shook his head.
Feng Chu Chu hesitated, but then decided that if he didn't want to talk about it, she wouldn't force him.
"What did the imperial envoy say about Uncle Liang?" Feng Chu Chu couldn't help but ask.
Liang Yi Zhi started, his gaze flickering away. "I'm tired, I want to rest."
Feng Chu Chu was taken aback and nodded. "Alright, I understand."
Liang Yi Zhi lay down. He didn't close his eyes completely, but kept them half-open, watching Feng Chu Chu as she extinguished the candle and then climbed into bed.
Only when he heard her steady breathing did he finally relax.
Extermination of nine kin?
Liang Yi Zhi felt his heart grow restless again. In the past, he would have acted without hesitation, wishing for all of the Feng family to die, even wishing for their nine or nineteen generations to be wiped out.
But now, being in the Feng household, interacting with Feng Chu Chu and Madam Feng, he realized that not everyone was like Feng Chang Shan, nor were they all as fierce and malicious as Feng Chang Shan.
For instance, Feng Chu Chu, after learning his identity, did not betray him. Instead, she helped him search for evidence.
Madam Feng had also been secretly helping him.
If the Feng family deserved to die, then Feng Chu Chu and Madam Feng did not.
Therefore, he fell into deep thought, feeling conflicted.
He had once believed that making Feng Chang Shan confess and accept his punishment was the right thing to do. But if Feng Chang Shan confessed, what about the other members of the Feng family? Were they also guilty?
Liang Yi Zhi tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.
When Feng Chu Chu woke up, Liang Yi Zhi was already gone. As she got up, a maid entered. She asked, "Where is the young master?"
The maid replied, "Replying to Miss, the young master left early this morning and has not yet returned."
"Alright, I understand," Feng Chu Chu said. She couldn't help but feel, perhaps due to her current heightened sensitivity, that Liang Yi Zhi was avoiding her.
As for why, she didn't know.
She couldn't understand why he would avoid her. Could it be that there were things he found inconvenient for her to know?
She sighed.
The maid behind her smiled and asked, "Miss, why are you sighing?"
Feng Chu Chu said, "I always feel that married life is not what I imagined."
The maid smiled, "Is Miss saying that the young master doesn't care about you?"
Feng Chu Chu blinked. "When did I ever say that?"
"But Miss's face shows it," the maid said.
Seeing this, Feng Chu Chu quickly looked into the bronze mirror. Indeed, she seemed to have a dispirited expression.
"Miss must care about the young master too much. But Miss shouldn't be unhappy. When the young master went out this morning, he was very careful. He even instructed this servant not to come in and not to disturb Miss's sleep."
"Really?" Feng Chu Chu asked.
The maid nodded, "Has this servant ever deceived Miss?"
Feng Chu Chu felt a little better. She was soon surprised by how easily her emotions were influenced by others.
She realized that she was constantly concerned about Liang Yi Zhi. When he was happy, she seemed to be happy too, and when he was unhappy, she felt unhappy as well. What was happening to her?
With these thoughts, Feng Chu Chu went to Madam Feng's room. Seeing her daughter looking a bit downcast, Madam Feng couldn't help but ask, "Chu Chu, what's wrong? You seem unhappy."
Feng Chu Chu said, "Mother, I am a bit confused."
"Confused about what?" Madam Feng asked.
Feng Chu Chu glanced around. Madam Feng smiled, "Don't worry, I've sent them away. My confidantes are guarding outside. You can speak freely."
"He obtained the evidence of Father's corruption with the relief grain and silver, but he doesn't seem very happy. I don't understand. Shouldn't he be overjoyed?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Feng sighed. "If it were you, upon obtaining such evidence, who would you think of first?"
Feng Chu Chu started, then realized with a sudden clarity, "I never thought of that."
Liang Yi Zhi probably thought of Uncle Liang at that moment, who lost his life for that piece of paper. She admitted that it would be difficult for her to let go of such a thing.
"Mother, you are truly considerate. I didn't realize."
Madam Feng reached out and stroked her head. "Besides this, you should also consider another point."
Feng Chu Chu looked up at Madam Feng. "Mother, what else should I consider?"
Madam Feng sighed. "That evidence not only sentences your father to death, but it can also… lead to the extermination of nine kin."
Feng Chu Chu was about to say, "So be it," but then she quickly realized that this "nine kin" would also include her.
"Mother…"
Madam Feng smiled. "My death is insignificant, but Chu Chu, you are still young. Your mother does not want you to die."
"Mother…" Feng Chu Chu felt a pang of heartache. Her mother could think of this, and he must have thought of it too. So, what was he truly thinking?
"Chu Chu, the Feng family owes him. But selfishly, your mother wants you to live."
"Mother, things haven't reached the point of no return yet. He… he probably wouldn't…"
Would he not? For the first time, she lacked confidence.
Back in her room, Feng Chu Chu didn't even eat dinner. That night, Feng Chu Chu waited for Liang Yi Zhi.
Seeing that she was still awake, Liang Yi Zhi asked, "It's so late, why aren't you asleep?"
"I was waiting for you."
Liang Yi Zhi trembled, his gaze lowered, a hint of avoidance in his eyes.
"I… I'll go wash up," he said, preparing to leave.
Feng Chu Chu stepped forward and grabbed him. "Liang Yi Zhi."
Liang Yi Zhi stiffened. "Chu Chu…"
"Does that evidence mean the Feng family could be sentenced to the great crime of exterminating nine kin?"
Feng Chu Chu asked, each word precisely delivered.
With every word, Liang Yi Zhi's brow furrowed slightly.
"Answer me," Feng Chu Chu pressed, word by word.
After a long pause, she finally heard Liang Yi Zhi's reply, "Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Feng Chu Chu asked.
Liang Yi Zhi closed his eyes, then opened them after a long moment. "I didn't know how to tell you."
Feng Chu Chu smiled. "What's so difficult to say? This is the Feng family's just deserts."
Liang Yi Zhi trembled. "No, it is Feng Chang Shan who deserves to die, not you, Chu Chu."
Feng Chu Chu smiled. "Do you know that the words you just uttered make me willing to die immediately?"