Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Truth and Lies

The seven outsiders—though they appeared to be five "people" upon entry—gathered again in the back room.

Junyang was still somewhat disoriented. Even when Juntao waved his hand in front of his eyes, he didn’t notice, completely immersed in the shock of “Could the Meng family be the culprits?”

Though now that he thought about it, this wasn’t without clues.

The eldest uncle of the Meng family could be excused, but the third and fourth uncles had openly admitted to practicing martial arts when they first met White Zhengliu. Although it shouldn't be assumed that “all martial artists are heroic figures who fight battles and eradicate evil,” when night fell... their sudden departure seemed too hasty.

If only Tan Yuanwai and Tan Qiulang were in the courtyard, their escape might have been somewhat explainable. But their niece and cousin were not far away in the East Wing; did they not even glance at them?

Junyang muttered to himself, "I said it before. They never cared about Meng Niangzi’s marriage, but now that they have Wen Ge’er, they suddenly come to help. There’s something strange about that."

Qian Gui couldn't help but say, "But she’s their niece!"

The room fell silent.

Qian Gui pressed further, "Their niece! They didn’t just steal the goods; they even killed people in the house, sparing not even a one-month-old child! So cruel, so cold-blooded!"

Qian Gui gritted his teeth as he spoke.

"If they were just unrelated mountain bandits, committing such barbaric acts would be forgivable. But these are their own people! How could they do it? Worse than beasts, they’re not even worthy of being called beasts!"

He was genuinely angry. Even though he knew that the four members of the Tan family were no longer alive, to Qian Gui, Wen Ge’er was still a child who could cry and smile, soft and innocent. Juntao’s earlier "darkness under the lamp" theory had initially shocked him, but upon further thought, Qian Gui found it impossible.

The ones who could have trapped them all in the Tan family were Tan Yuanwai, Tan Junqiu, or maybe Meng Yuniang. But it couldn’t have been Wen Ge’er. He was still just a child, like his own child when he had just turned one month old.

As the only married person with children in the room, Qian Gui believed this wholeheartedly. He couldn't even bear to think about the possibility that his own child might have suffered such a tragedy in their youth... Just thinking about it made his heart ache terribly.

In such a short time, his mood shifted from anger to sorrow.

At that moment, White Zhengliu asked, "Qian Ge, what were you saying earlier? ‘Their own people...’"

Qian Gui was puzzled. "Hmm?"

White Zhengliu felt he was very close to the truth. He looked at Qian Gui, "Say it again—‘Their own people,’ then what?"

Qian Gui, confused but still answered, "Their own people... could still make a move. Worse than beasts!"“Exactly!” White Zhengliu let out a long breath. “Ordinary people would think this way, and even Meng Yuniang had exactly the same thought—everyone!”

He looked at the people in the room, and they all gave him puzzled looks in response to his previous words.

White Zhengliu felt his heart pounding rapidly, faster than ever before. He spoke up, saying, “Do you all remember, when the mountain bandits came yesterday, what did Meng Niangzi say to her husband and father-in-law?!”

Juntao and Qian Gui were confused. They had been in the covered room at that time, so they naturally couldn’t know the answer.

The others, however, fell into deep thought because of the swordsman's words. Slowly, the conversation mixed with the sounds of swords clashing from last night resurfaced in their minds.

Junyang said, “Tan Qiulang told Meng Niangzi to leave, but she refused.”

Mei Yinghan said, “Right. She said the mountain bandits would only take the family’s wealth, but wouldn’t harm anyone.”

Nie Qing'e sighed, "She was wrong. Those beasts not only wanted the money but also planned to kill the whole family. This way, when the government officials come, no one would know their identities or where they went..."

Lu Qing's face twitched, and he thought of more: “Perhaps, when the officials arrive, they’ll come out pretending to be Meng Niangzi’s family, wailing and crying.” Those who see the Meng family's uncles and cousins acting in such a way would only feel sympathy. How could they imagine they were the true culprits?

Everyone was stirred by Lu Qing’s words, and Qian Gui even felt a strong urge to rush out and expose the Meng family’s charade. But he knew he had no martial skills and still needed protection, so it was best not to speak out at this moment. He suppressed his anger and waited to hear what the other martial guests had to say.

White Zhengliu was the first to speak.

He said, “What role did Meng Niangzi play in all this?”

Everyone: “Uh…”

They continued to ponder and speak.

Junyang said, “Earlier, weren’t we all wondering why the mountain bandits seemed to know exactly where to go? Now that I think about it, maybe it was Meng Niangzi who told them where the family hid the money.”

Juntao offered a different view: “It’s also possible that the Meng family saw it themselves in secret.”

Junyang shook his head, “Seeing where some jewelry and gold were placed, that’s possible. But someone like Tan Yuanwai must have extra savings. Those things, even if the relatives who just met today were helping, would still be hard for even his own people to know.”

Juntao asked, “Brother, is there anything in our house that I don’t know about?”Junyang: “...?”

Juntao asked sincerely, “I hear from Brother that you're so certain, so you must have some experience.”

Junyang: “...”

He stared at his younger brother for a few moments and reluctantly came to a conclusion. His silly younger brother seemed to genuinely just want a clearer answer from him, rather than harboring any resentment towards their parents' special treatment.

With a complicated mood, Junyang spoke softly, “Mother mentioned that our family has a land deed. But even she doesn’t know where it’s hidden. It was only when Grandfather was gravely ill that he mentioned it to Father and handed it over to him.”

Juntao mumbled, “I see.”

Junyang looked at his brother again, noticing Juntao was biting his lip and stroking his chin, deep in thought. He sighed slowly and then addressed the group, “If the bandits immediately took these things, it must be that someone informed them in advance. As for who informed them—”

Qian Gui reasoned, “It can’t be Tan Yuanwai; that’s the family’s most valuable treasure!”

Mei Yinghan also analyzed, “It wouldn’t be Tan Qiulang either. He’s truly terrified of the mountain bandits, but in his fear, he still wants to save his wife.”

White Zhengliu sighed and summarized, “It can only be Meng Niangzi, who, nearing death, firmly told her husband and father-in-law that the bandits wouldn’t harm anyone.”

Juntao couldn’t understand: “But why would she do that? She clearly cares for Tan Qiulang, and moreover, they have a child together.”

White Zhengliu listened, then thought of that question.

Given Tan Qiulang’s health, could he truly father a child with his wife...? How much sense did it make for Tan Qiulang to be so concerned about Meng family’s cousin?

He was lost in thought, but when he spoke again, he didn’t steer the conversation in that direction, instead bringing up another detail.

“Ordinary people, even with ill intentions, would find it difficult to make connections with a group of mountain bandits.” He continued, “It’s not like Meng Niangzi and the bandits had any relationship. If that were the case, when Meng family’s uncles came, she could have easily said 'I don’t know them' to Tan Yuanwai, or even report it to the authorities herself. Don’t you all think that’s reasonable?”

The martial artists fell into contemplation, and Qian Gui spoke firmly, “If I encountered bandits, I’d be desperately spending money to save my life, let alone bring them home!”

White Zhengliu replied, “Unless...”

Qian Gui asked, “Unless what?”

Mei Yinghan spoke softly and calmly, “Brother Ma told us that Meng Niangzi was an orphan. The Meng family also said she lost her mother when she was young and lost her father before marriage.”Qian Gui vaguely sensed something was wrong, but his mind was still in a state of confusion, unable to grasp the final details.

He looked at the group for help, and then heard Juntao say, "Hmm! I thought it was strange earlier. Even though she had no parents, she had so many uncles. Clearly, there were still people in her clan. In such a situation, while clan members might encroach on her family’s wealth, they should at least manage her marriage, right? Why did it seem like her marriage was completely arranged by the Tan family?"

Yes! That’s the logic.

It was getting close. Qian Gui furrowed his brow, trying to think it through. It felt like he was only a thin page away from the answer; if he could just get a bit more of a clue, he would—

"Unless 'Meng Niangzi' really had no one around to arrange her marriage." White Zhengliu sighed again. "She was all alone and met Tan Yuanwai. Something must have happened, but in any case, she felt she could go back with Tan Yuanwai."

Mei Yinghan said, "Tan Yuanwai has status and wealth. For 'Meng Niangzi,' this marriage is a good choice."

Junyang added, "That’s the surface situation. In reality, 'Meng Niangzi' must have set her sights on the Tan family. She probably never intended to stay long, but she could never figure out where Tan Yuanwai hid his wealth. Over time, she delayed and then, eventually, became pregnant..."

Mei Yinghan nodded, "No matter what Tan Qiulang’s hostility toward Meng family cousin was, whether it was something he really felt or just imagined, in any case, Tan Yuanwai didn’t know these details. To him, it simply looked like he had a grandson, and he was overjoyed. At such a time, the grandson’s mother naturally became 'one of his own.'"

Junyang said, "…You all seem to understand something, but why don’t I get it?"

Saying that, he turned to look at Nie Qing'e and Lu Qing, hoping to form an alliance. "Senior sister, brother-in-law, did you understand?"

Before Juntao got a response from Nie or Lu, Qian Gui suddenly clapped his hands. "I get it now! I understand!"

Juntao’s pupils contracted slightly—What’s going on? Even Brother Qian figured it out, and I’m still completely confused?

He felt quite frustrated. Luckily, Qian Gui wasn’t like his older brother, White Zhengliu, or Mei Yinghan, who enjoyed playing guessing games. Once he figured it out, he immediately shared his guess with everyone: "Little Jun, what the big brothers are saying is that the current 'Meng Niangzi' might not be the real daughter of the Meng family! She was originally one of the mountain bandits. The last group she was with might have been targeting the real Meng Yuniang. After Meng Yuniang died, she met Tan Yuanwai and 'borrowed' his identity, following him back to the Tan family village...

"Think about it. If the real Meng Yuniang was an orphan with no clan members, after her parents died, how would anyone know what she looked like? It would all rely on the fake Meng family telling people what she looked like. Yes, that must be it. She was a scout, coming here to get the Tan family’s wealth. But unexpectedly, Tan Yuanwai hid the real treasures, and she could never find out.

"And then, just like Mei Daxia said, Qiulang was in that condition, and Tan Yuanwai himself was already old. If he wanted Wen Ge'er to have a good life, shouldn’t he have first taken care of his daughter-in-law? Even though he had doubts before, by this time, he must have really made up his mind.

"Unexpectedly, this decision, for his own family, turned into a death warrant. Even more unexpectedly, the fake Meng Yuniang actually developed some conscience toward the Tan family, but this conscience led her own life to be lost in the process.

"As for why, even knowing those people were mountain bandits, she didn’t report them to the authorities... It’s simple. She was also a mountain bandit! If she had reported them, wouldn’t her identity have been exposed, and she would have been captured?"

The group was silent for a long time as they listened to this explanation.

Until Little Jun, the heroic figure, broke the silence.Juntao sincerely admired him: "Brother Qian, when you say all this, it’s as if you saw it with your own eyes."

Qian Gui scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed. "Ah! It’s all because you big heroes analyzed it so well. I’m just tying everything together!" He then looked at the others, "Heroes, did I get it right?"

His eyes were full of anticipation, as if he really wanted their approval.

Under Qian Gui's bright gaze, White Zhengliu nodded. Then, he spoke softly: "Most likely, that’s how things went. But now, there’s still one question."

Everyone: "What?"

White Zhengliu: "What are we going to do next?"

Author's note:

Here it comes!

Hmm… it’s that time again, when I’m torn about whether to buy a late-night snack (:з」∠)!