Shen Qiu knew in his heart that Zhang Chen must unquestionably be a descendant of the Zhang Family in Kyoto. His identity could not be faked, as the Bloodline Power would reveal the truth.
Therefore, he would never harm the other party, for if news reached the Zhang Family in Shangjing, it would mean great trouble for him.
However, he also would not assist them. As long as he found a suitable excuse, even if the Zhang Family in Shangjing learned of the incident, they would have no grounds to blame him.
The most crucial issue was the internal divisions within the Shen Family.
If Zhang Chen could meet his end here, if this unlucky child, who had the right to inherit the Zhang Family’s assets, died on the way, all the turmoil would cease.
The three siblings of the Zhang Family included their younger brother, Zhang Fei, born to Mrs. Zhang, who naturally had no right to inherit the wealth left by his aunt. As for Zhang Tuowei, a girl could not inherit.
The only one with inheritance rights was Zhang Chen! Because Zhang Chen was the legitimate son of his aunt, the only remaining bloodline.
"If you want the Eight-Treasure Heart-lock Pill, there is no problem. But you need to verify your bloodline at the Zhang Family in Kyoto. Once you bring the proof from the Zhang Family, I will hand over the Eight-Treasure Heart-lock Pill to you. Considering you might be future relatives, I will not chase you away. I permit you to join my ship to Jinling, and then I’ll send someone to escort you to Kyoto to verify your bloodline." After Shen Qiu finished speaking, he flicked his sleeve, and his figure disappeared.
"Young Master Shen, my child has already ceased all bodily functions, and within days, the body will begin to decompose. The journey to Jinling will take another half year, not to mention Kyoto. How can my child possibly endure that long? I’m afraid by the time we arrive in Kyoto, there will be nothing left of even his bones." Mrs. Zhang led the two little ones and pursued him out.
In the room, Jiang Nan remained, playing with a chess piece in his hand, a look of contemplation in his eyes.
"Miss, what do you think?" At this time, the little maid beside him came over, carrying a teapot, placed it on the table, and used her slightly rough fingers to collect the chess pieces on the board.
The little maid was Jiang Nan’s close maidservant, playing together since childhood. Although they were master and servant, they were like sisters: "I always feel Mr. Shen’s attitude is a bit ambiguous."
"You’ve managed to see that? You’ve made some progress indeed." Jiang Nan picked up the chess pieces and stored them in the basket, one by one.
"I can’t quite understand it! But it seems Young Master Shen’s demeanor is different from usual. Based on his past temperament, he would have already dealt with them, not take them along to Jinling." The little maid said with a smile.
Jiang Nan nodded upon hearing this: "You’re right. Based on our analysis over the past few months, our cousin’s actions today are indeed quite ambiguous."
Then, she looked up at the little maid: "What does this imply?"
"What does it imply?" The little maid stared blankly at Jiang Nan.
"It implies that the other party’s identity is real, it’s just that my cousin is reluctant to help and is looking for an excuse to refuse." Jiang Nan’s eyes glinted with wisdom.
"Ah?" The little maid was taken aback: "Aren’t the Zhang Family and Shen Family long-time relatives? Why would Young Master Shen stand by and do nothing?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan remained silent, choosing instead to play with the chess pieces, appearing somewhat thoughtful.
Before long, they heard the sound of crying from outside the cabin. Jiang Nan, listening to the sobbing, inquired: "Who is crying outside?"
The little maid went outside, and shortly returned: "It’s the woman with two children, kneeling outside the young master’s door, begging for mercy."
"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan frowned but said nothing, remarking only: "I’m tired, let us rest."
Now, the ship was steadily approaching the south, and the weather was getting hotter, making one drowsy.
The little maid helped Jiang Nan lie on the bed. As Jiang Nan tossed and turned on the bed, the faint sounds of sobbing in his ears prevented him from falling asleep.
After a full quarter of an hour, Jiang Nan sat up in irritation: "It’s really noisy. It’s the middle of the day and people can’t sleep. If crying was useful, everyone would just cry when faced with problems, why bother to devise strategies?"
"Miss, shall I go and send the woman away, ask them to move farther away?" The little maid saw Jiang Nan’s face of impatience and quickly suggested.
"No need! I have an Eight-Treasure Heart-lock Pill left to me by my mother, give it to them." Jiang Nan reluctantly took a sachet from his person and handed it to the little maid.
"Miss, this is the divine medicine that can save a life at a critical moment, left by your mother. How can you just give it away? This is absolutely not permissible. If the master finds out, he’ll surely punish me severely." The little maid urged earnestly.
Jiang Nan sighed softly: "My mother and that Zhang Chen’s mother were biological sisters, not really outsiders. Besides, I’ve heard of his reputation, supposedly engaged to a cousin at the Shen Family. That cousin is the apple of the old lady’s eye at the Shen Family. I am soon to be a guest in their house; making a connection in advance isn’t bad. Besides, it’s just an elixir, helping anyone is still help."
"Go handle it quickly!" Jiang Nan waved her hand, and the little maid dared not argue, taking the elixir and leaving.
In the room, Jiang Nan rose to sit at the table, a look of contemplation in his eyes: "Before coming, I had sent people to gather information on the Jinling Shen Family. I had noticed the engagement of that young lady long ago. Coupled with the fact that Zhang Chen came from the north, it must indeed be him. Even though the Zhang family was demoted due to certain matters, it doesn’t affect them being part of the Zhang Family. I’m using this opportunity to express my stance with an elixir; it’s like an entry point. If a chance arises to establish a connection with the Zhang Family in Kyoto, it’ll benefit me in every way, and I will need their help regarding my mother’s soul."
Is Zhang Chen’s status as a criminal of importance? Of course not. She merely wanted to seize the opportunity to impress the Zhang Family in Kyoto, opening a tiny window of connection.
The Zhang Family in Shangjing, ah! The prestigious Zhang Family in Shangjing!
"Of course, the most important thing is that the medicine’s efficacy is about to expire. In this era where mysteries are fading, even the properties of elixirs are constantly diminishing. Even if Zhang Chen doesn’t take it, in three to five months, its efficacy will be more or less depleted," Jiang Nan sighed softly.
Mrs. Zhang was kneeling outside the door, begging with tears. The two little ones beside her were crying incessantly, almost turning into little figures of tears.
At this moment, a young maid came out, reluctantly handing over a sachet: "Woman, don’t cry anymore. My young mistress is compassionate and can’t bear to see you crying. This is an elixir passed down from my young mistress’s mother for emergencies. You take it and use it."
Mrs. Zhang looked at the elixir handed over by the young maid and involuntarily froze for a moment before quickly taking it, expressing profound gratitude as she stood up and went away.
Watching Mrs. Zhang’s departing figure, the young maid scratched her head with a face full of regret: "What a pity for that good thing!"
Mrs. Zhang traveled by small boat, returned to the ship, and placed the elixir into Zhang Chen’s mouth. Then the family moved Zhang Chen’s body to a cool place to preserve it, awaiting his awakening.
As for moving into the cabin?
That was impossible!
The cabin was shared by everyone, and no one would want to live with a corpse.
With the entry of the elixir into his stomach, the family temporarily breathed a sigh of relief, then Mrs. Zhang looked at Chengyu: "What should we do now?"
"Wait!"
Chengyu’s eyes were full of bitterness, as there was no other option but to wait.
What could she do? She was desperate too!
Zhang Chen’s situation was too peculiar—who would have thought he would just suddenly drop dead without a sound?
His body had no injuries, nor any hidden injuries internally. Only his soul was missing, proving he had undoubtedly fallen victim to a plot.
"No matter who it is, I will avenge you," Chengyu murmured, touching Zhang Chen’s heart, a murderous look in her eyes.
Waiting to find Zhang Family members to see if they could retrieve Zhang Chen’s soul in time, and to see if there was still any hope for Zhang Chen.
The few women had no idea how to contact Zhang Family people, so they could only seek information whenever the big ship was close to shore for supplies.
But as they asked around, as time slowly passed, no news came.
As time slowly ran out, Mrs. Zhang could no longer sit still: "I’ll go beg the young mistress!"
Mrs. Zhang came once more to Jiang Nan’s door, asking the maid to report,
Inside the room,
Jiang Nan was reading, and the maid entered from outside: "Mistress, the woman from that day is here again. She wants to see you."
"See me?" Jiang Nan was slightly taken aback by the words, then folded her book, pondered briefly, and said: "Though she’s Zhang Kecheng’s later wife, she can still be considered a senior, invite her in with due respect, don’t be rude."
The maid took the orders and went off, soon Mrs. Zhang entered from outside, immediately kneeling before Jiang Nan: "Woman greets the young mistress, wishing you well."
"No need for such formalities, we’re practically relatives, there’s no need for such courtesy, don’t let me suffer undue respect," Jiang Nan quickly helped Mrs. Zhang up: "Did my brother Zhang Chen awaken?"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhang burst into tears, expressing her family’s plea.
Upon hearing Mrs. Zhang’s plea, Jiang Nan was taken aback: "Looking for members of the Zhang Family? That’s troublesome! The Zhang’s direct lineage is generally in Kyoto, finding Zhang Family people outside is nearly impossible."
It’s like people from the Capital City or those from major cities, moving to a poor and remote fifth-tier town is unheard of.
"Then... what should I do?" Mrs. Zhang was suddenly overwhelmed, struck as if by Thunder.
"I can only try sending people to search along the way. If we find them, then it’s good luck on our part. If not, you mustn’t blame me," Jiang Nan said.
Here’s the opportunity to forge ties with the Zhang Family, it’s been delivered right to the doorstep.
Upon hearing Jiang Nan’s offer, Mrs. Zhang hurriedly swore to the heavens: "We dare not harbor such thoughts. Even if things don’t work out, we will be ever grateful for the young mistress’s great kindness and remember it deeply."