Chapter 796: Madam Zhu Visits

The divine avatar that descended through Nian Songyu was also headed for the Great Flask. It is a treasured item coveted by gods, so why would it be strange for another Naraku Heaven to be involved?

This suggests Naraku Heaven’s plan is very long-term.

He Chunhua still remembered that after Sun Fuping and Nian Songyu died, the black flood dragon in the Coiling Dragon Illusion had told them that the Great Flask had long been integrated with Coiling Dragon Ancient City, so no one could take it away.

Naraku Heaven had also asked about this adventure, and He Chunhua answered truthfully, after which Naraku Heaven said nothing more.

Did the black flood dragon in the illusion lie, or had the situation taken a new turn?

There have been too many changes in recent months: Nian Zanli inexplicably became a prisoner in Lingxu City, his fate unknown, and the biggest threat in Xiazhou suddenly disappeared; the powerful and arrogant capital of Beijia suddenly experienced a volcanic eruption and chaos within the city, with rumors of demon immortals emerging to flaunt their power.

Beijia is a country favored by the gods, and Lingxu City has enjoyed peace since its founding. Could this unprecedented upheaval be a consequence of some changes occurring in the divine realm, thus affecting the human world?

Is that why Naraku Heaven took action?

To the east, Mou Country is still at war with Beijia…

Could the dramatic changes of these past few months be heralding a new period of great chaos?

He Chunhua instinctively took a deep breath, but the strong smell of smoke made him cough repeatedly.

Just then, Madame Ying came to knock on the door. As soon as He Chunhua opened it, she stepped back two paces and exclaimed,

“There’s so much smoke, why don’t you open a window?”

He Lingchuan woke up to the sound of two orioles chirping. Outside, peach blossoms bloomed brilliantly, covering the walls in pink and red.

The weather was about to turn warm, marking the last splendid and defiant stand of the peach blossoms.

After more than half a year of wandering, he had returned to the He family. How wonderful it would be if the outside world were as peaceful as this?

No sooner had he finished tying his hair and washing up than a servant came to announce that Madame Zhu was here to visit the special envoy.

“Madame Zhu?” Who was that? He didn’t recognize the name.

But upon entering the front hall and seeing her, he immediately remembered: “Sister Xiuer!”

The first visitor he received upon returning home was none other than Zhu Xiuer!

She had been abducted several years ago and sold to Xianling Village. It was the He family who rescued her and escorted her all the way back to her grandfather in Shihuan City.

More than a year had passed. Zhu Xiuer, with her jeweled hairpin, high bun, and jade pendants on her spring gown, now exuded an air of nobility. Her face was smooth and radiant, her waist slender and straight. There was no trace of the roughness of a village woman.

This was the vibrant appearance a twenty-year-old woman should have.

Two maidservants followed behind her.

Zhu Xiuer carried a food box herself. Upon seeing He Lingchuan, she placed the box on the table, gathered her skirt, and bowed. He Lingchuan extended his hand in a gesture of support, and an invisible force gently lifted her.

“What brings you here?”

“Grandfather said you’re back, and as a Rongshan special envoy!” Zhu Xiuer’s eyes sparkled, her joy evident.

“Elder Zhu’s information is as well-informed as ever,” He Lingchuan said with a chuckle. The higher the status of a prominent family, the faster insider information spread.

“Come, have some tea.” He instructed a servant to bring fresh tea, then asked, “Sister Xiuer, I trust you’ve been well?”

After they chatted for a bit, he learned that Zhu Xiuer had already married into a rising family in Shihuan City.

Given Elder Zhu’s affection for his granddaughter, if the abduction had not happened back then, Zhu Xiuer would likely have married into a top-tier influential family.

However, Zhu Xiuer was quite content, as her husband treated her very well.

He Lingchuan sincerely said, “Congratulations, you have finally found fulfillment.”

If Zhu Xiuer’s life continued to be so smooth and fortunate, the shadows of the past would gradually dissipate.

Zhu Xiuer smiled, pursing her lips. “You saved me from that abyss. Otherwise, I would have lost my life long ago. How could I have what I have today?”

With that, she opened the food box on the table, and a cool aura emerged. “In my courtyard, there’s a two-hundred-year-old peach tree, much older than yours. Its peaches are offered to the palace every year. I picked and preserved these myself. Please have a taste.”

He Lingchuan saw two plump, pink peaches lying in the box, each resembling a baby’s face, with a rosy blush on white skin.

Crushed ice lined the bottom of the box, ensuring the peaches remained cool and refreshing.

“Iced peaches?” Why are they wet?

“They’re preserved in brine and plum juice.”

The peaches appeared to have been steeped for a long time; their fuzzy skin was smoothed away, and they had a slightly translucent quality, like jade.

He Lingchuan picked up a peach and took a crisp bite.

Oh, they were savory, sweet, juicy, and crisp, with a subtle tang that perfectly elevated the flavor, eliminating any trace of tartness from the spring peaches.

Seeing him eat without reservation, Zhu Xiuer was even more delighted. “I’ve also sent a few boxes to Madame Ying and Little Brother Yue. If you like the taste, I’ll send them to you regularly.”

“I love them!” He Lingchuan said, his mouth full of peach, his words muffled. “Send me a box every day!”

His unreserved manner made Zhu Xiuer’s eyes crinkle into lines as she smiled.

After they chatted a bit more about everyday matters, she leaned forward and suddenly lowered her voice. “Actually, I hurried here today because there’s something I need to tell you.” She then glanced around.

He Lingchuan understood. “My family’s garden is quite nice. Shall I show you around?”

Zhu Xiuer nodded happily and told her maidservants behind her, “Wait for me here; you don’t need to follow.”

The two walked along the covered corridor and wandered through the garden.

In the late spring and early summer, the garden was vibrant with colorful flowers and green willows. Even common wildflowers, like wild chrysanthemums, bloomed exceptionally brightly, without the need for exotic or grand plants.

Seeing that no one else was around, Zhu Xiuer finally brought up the real matter:

“Did you used to have someone working for you named Sun Hongye?”

Sun Hongye?

He Lingchuan’s expression shifted; he never imagined she would mention that person.

“Yes, I did. I heard he left a few days ago, just missing my arrival. Why do you ask?”

“Sun Hongye and I had some interaction, and his departure seems a bit suspicious. I came to tell you about it.”

“Suspicious?” He Lingchuan asked, curious. “How did you two come to interact?”

“Well, when I was a child, I was abducted and sold. It was the work of an insider in my family.” Zhu Xiuer’s face still paled as she spoke of her nightmarish past. “I’ve already found out who was responsible, and Grandfather knows too, but the evidence was destroyed long ago, so I can’t bring her to justice. Furthermore, the Zhu family doesn’t want such a disgraceful internal matter to be known by outsiders.”

Family shame should not be aired publicly. A family of the Zhu’s standing would naturally want to protect its reputation.

“Your family did nothing?”

“They were sent away, both husband and wife,” Zhu Xiuer said coldly. “But how can that quell the hatred in my heart?”

“Just over ten days ago, Sun Hongye came to me, saying he was willing to help me plan revenge against my enemies.”

Over ten days ago? That would have been around the time He Chunhua’s entire family had just moved to Yuandu, and Sun Hongye, as a strategist, had followed them.

He Lingchuan had already found Sun Hongye’s departure strange. It had been a year since he himself had fallen into the water, and Sun Hongye had spent nearly a year in remote Xiazhou. Why did he choose to resign and leave only after returning to the capital, a place longed for by all Yuanians, instead of earlier or later?