Chapter 34: Chief Dragon Street
"Nonsense! I have work to deal with. Why do you want to come along?" Fang Chen chided.
"Big Brother, it's been so many years since you brought me out... Do you remember how you used to secretly take me out to buy candied haws when we were kids?" Fang Zhixue's voice quivered, and her eyes turned red-rimmed as they welled up with tears. She stared at him with her large, puppy eyes.
Yuan Zhuang and Yuan Yu started to feel a little awkward.
"Um..." After some thought, Fang Chen realized that it had been truly quite a while since he had brought her out to play.
"Fine. But don't run around and cause trouble. We’re really going to do something important today." Fang Chen reluctantly agreed.
"That's great! Let's go!" Fang Zhixue's tears vanished instantly, and she latched onto Fang Chen’s arm happily. She was so happy that if others saw her, they’d think that she found ten taels of gold on the street.
Yuan Zhuang and Yuan Yu were in a state of shock. They didn’t believe what they were seeing.
"You two, don't mind her," Fang Chen said to Yuan Zhuang and Yuan Yu.
"Not at all," Yuan Zhuang replied with a smile.
Divine General Fang is such a courteous person... Yuan Yu thought to herself.
Thus, the four of them left the manor together, and a carriage was already waiting for them by the time they had stepped out the doors. The carriage driver was naturally Xu Ge.
The capital city was divided into the Inner City and the Outer City. Fang Chen lived in the Inner City. The manor was thirty or so streets away from the Outer City. They were headed to a place called the Chief Dragon Street. It was located close to the outskirts of the city and near the eastern gate. Fang Canghai was posted there, as well.
"My lord, please be patient when we arrive at Chief Dragon Street later. It’s not very safe there. Do you think I should head down with Yuan Yu to complete the investigation when we arrive?” Yuan Zhuang suggested.
As they approached Chief Dragon Street, the buildings started to look worse and worse gradually. The situation here was a lot poorer than they had thought. It was a stark contrast to the bustling, prosperous Inner City.
Shabby clothing. Faces dull and bleak. The commoners here seemed to have grown numb to life.
"Even in the capital, the commoners..." Fang Chen sighed to himself. He once swore to make a change, but he eventually realized how difficult it was. It was completely impossible to do so alone.
Even so, he never stopped trying. He didn’t give up back then, and he wouldn’t in the future.
“Since we’re here, let’s take a look together.” Fang Chen smiled. “There’s nothing to worry about. Do you think I’m someone you have to keep out of danger?”
Yuan Zhuang recalled that the person sitting in front of him was no ordinary man. He was a monstrous figure who had been through countless tough battles!
At that moment, Xu Ge’s voice emanated from the front of the carriage, outside. "My lord, we're here," he said, slowly rolling the carriage to a stop.
Fang Chen led Fang Zhixue out of the carriage, and Yuan Zhuang and Yuan Yu quickly followed.
When they stepped out of the vehicle, an array of curious eyes found themselves drawn to them. Their proper, clean clothes were an oddity in this area. But when the people noticed that Yuan Yu wore a constable uniform, they quickly turned wary. They turned away from them and continued on their way.
Nearby, there was a dilapidated small house with its door slightly ajar. The door latch appeared to be broken. It seemed to have been in such a state for quite a long time.
"Big Brother, why are we here?" Fang Zhixue asked curiously.
"Official Yuan is here to investigate a case. We're tagging along to take a look, as well." Fang Chen replied.
Fang Zhixue's eyes lit up with excitement. "An investigation? Sounds interesting!"
"Right. Don’t forget what I told you before we came; don’t run about and cause trouble." Fang Chen rapped her head lightly. He then told Yuan Zhaung to knock on the door. The door was already open, but it wasn’t of good manners to enter someone’s place without permission.
After a bit of time, a woman’s aged voice answered, from inside. “Who is it?” The owner of the voice coughed out several times after she answered.
“Granny Wu, it’s me, Yuan Zhuang!” Yuan Zhuang introduced himself.
“Lord Yuan?! Please, do come in! My old bones can’t go to the door to welcome you. I hope you don't mind.” She clearly seemed to turn a little anxious when she heard who it was.
When they entered, they saw the interior of the house. It was musty and dark. All it had beside its four walls was a set composed of a broken bed, table, and stool. An old lady was lying in bed. When she saw them, she stirred, trying to sit up. But she seemed to be struggling to set up straight. Seeing that, Yuan Zhuang quickly dashed over to help her.
“Lord Yuan, did you receive news of my son and daughter?” she asked as she held on to Yuan Zhuang’s outstretched arm, her voice trembling slightly.
Her pupils were gray. They were similar to that of Fang Chen’s. Clearly, she was blind.
Fang Zhixue couldn’t help but feel her nose souring at the sight.
“This...” Yuan Zhuang’s smile froze, and he started to feel awkward. She didn’t seem to know that Official Li Huang had already deemed the case closed.
“Granny Wu, are you willing to file a report with the Grand Brilliance Bureau?” Fang Chen spoke suddenly.
The old lady was shocked, and a blank look soon appeared on her face. “I can’t read or write... How am I supposed to file a report?”
“If you’re willing to do it, I’ll get my men to submit one on your behalf,” Fang Chen explained.
Yuan Zhuang wanted to say something to stop Fang Chen. After all, Li Huafeng had already closed the case. If they tried to reopen it again, not only would it be useless, they would also draw Official Li’s ire.
“Didn’t an official from the Grand Brilliance Bureau inform me that my son and daughter chose to run away after stealing from the minister of rites? What am I supposed to report?” the old lady tutted to herself.
Fang Chen chuckled lightly. “You’re right.” He looked around before turning to Yuan Zhuang. “Let’s go.”
Yuan Zhuang was shocked by the sudden decision to leave. Did they come all the way over here just to leave after speaking a few words with Granny Wu ?
Whatever the case, he didn’t dare to stay seeing as Fang Chen had left. He bade the old lady farewell and left her a tael of silver. He then trailed behind Fang Chen.
“Cousin, why did we come here?” Yuan Yu tugged at Yuan Zhuang’s sleeves and asked in a hushed voice.
“Don’t ask too much.” Yuan Zhuang warned and walked over to Fang Chen’s side. He muttered, ‘Divine General Fang, shall we return?”
“Don’t you think that there’s something weird going on?” Fang Chen asked as he turned his head in the direction of the dilapidated house, seemingly lost in thought.
Yuan Zhuang was taken aback. “Weird?”
"Big Brother, that granny is blind and there’s no one to help her. How is she keeping herself alive? Fang Zhixue asked softly.
Fang Chen nodded, smiling. "Exactly, how can she survive on her own? It's been two years..."
A trace of shock flashed in Yuan Zhuang’s eyes. "Divine General Fang?"
"Have you noticed that even though she’s dressed in rags, she’s very clean? Moreover, the entrance to her house is covered in moss, which means that there haven't been many people going in and out for a long time." Fang Chen pointed out.
"Granny Wu is in poor health, and she's been bedridden for a long time," Yuan Zhuang said quietly.
"Someone must’ve been bringing her meals. Two years have passed. if no one had been looking after her, she wouldn’t have been able to survive in the harsh days of winter,” Fang Chen explained.
Yuan Zhuang was shocked. The more he thought about it, the more something truly did seem off.
At that moment, a group of people suddenly approached them. They wore menacing expressions. It was clear they weren't friendly.
Wicked grins rose on their faces as they approached. "What a pretty little lady, hehehe...” The leader cackled while leering at Fang Zhixue, his eyes full of lust.
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