Chapter 403 — Meeting

Chen Jia could only coax her in a low voice: "You heard him. I have to go fetch Li Liang."

He did not dare call Li Liang "uncle," for fear Song Yan would fly into a rage again.

Yigui was trembling with fear, and she wept as she begged Chen Jia, "Take me with you to find my uncle!"

Chen Jia smiled bitterly.

She had a thousand threads of connection to the Song family, while he himself had not the slightest claim on them; however much she kicked up a fuss, Song Yan would stand up for her. If he were not sharp-eyed, he feared he would die on the spot.

He looked to Dou Yan as though begging for help.

Dou Qu stepped forward to pat Yigui's shoulder.

But Yigui, frightened, hid behind Chen Jia.

Song Yan watched, his face growing even gloomier.

Dou Yan could only urge Yigui gently: "Who knows what your mother will do when she learns of your plight? Better to invite your uncle here first and talk. If we meant you harm, you are all alone — why would we take such trouble?"

She still clutched Chen Jia's sleeve and would not let go.

Song Yan's expression was frightful as he strode toward them.

Dou Qu shot Song Yan a look.

Song Yan hesitated for a few breaths, then stepped back a few paces.

When Dou Yan urged Yigui again, Yigui bit her lip and released Chen Jia's sleeve.

Chen Jia breathed a sigh of relief and strode quickly out.

As for Huzi, his legs had long since gone weak with fright, and only after a moment did he trot after Chen Jia.

Dou Ji motioned for Song Yan to go out first.

Song Yan thought for a moment, then left the side room.

Dou Ji helped Yigui to sit down and asked her gently, "When did you return to the capital? While you were living here, who waited on you?" Then she comforted her: "Do not be afraid. Now that you are back in the capital, neither Wei Quan nor the He family will be able to cover the sky with one hand!"

And Yigui began to weep.

At first it was only a quiet sob, then the sound grew steadily louder, until at last she threw herself across the table and wept without restraint.

Dou Zhiwei's eyes stung in sympathy, and her hand rose of its own accord to stroke Yigui's dark hair.

Only then did she notice what a fine head of hair Yigui had — not merely black and glossy, but thick, and smooth as silk.

Song Yan had hair like that too.

Dou Yan's heart seized with a pang she could not bear, and tears poured from her eyes.

What exactly had happened, back then?

In this life, if she had not acted on a whim and asked Chen Xi to take Yigui in, what would her fate have been?

She thought of what Song Yan had once said in the last life about going to pay respects at his sister's grave.

The sister he spoke of must be Yigui, surely?

In the last life, Yigui had died... In this life, thank heaven, she had been rescued in time...

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Outside the door, Song Yan listened to the weeping within, and it was as though a great stone lay pressed upon his chest.

He ordered Chen He: "Bring Du Wei to me!"

Chen He answered trembling and went off at once.

He paced back and forth along the side corridor.

Duan Bing and the others scarcely dared to breathe, keeping silent watch all around.

The weeping inside gradually subsided, and Du Wei arrived drenched in sweat.

Song Yan ordered him: "When my mother gave birth to the Second Young Master, who were the attendants in the room? Where are those people now? Investigate it down to the last detail and report back to me at once!"

Du Wei bowed with clasped hands and withdrew.

Chen Jia came hurrying up with Li Liang.

Seeing Song Yan standing beneath the side corridor looking down at him, and the guards posted around the courtyard — silent, yet giving off a murderous air — his steps slowed, and his expression turned grave.

"Who are you? Where is Yigui?"

He turned to look at Chen Jia, the man who had lured him here, his gaze unfriendly.

But Chen Jia only smiled faintly, bowed to Song Yan, and withdrew to one side with his head lowered.

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To the sisters and brothers reading along, Monday has come around again~~~~(_