Chapter 44: Chapter 44
Glancing at the sky, it was already nearing dusk, and Adam tidied up his desk.
Just as he was about to leave, a few Night Watch envoys suddenly walked over.
"You are Adam?" asked the Commander leading the group.
"That is correct. I wonder what business you gentlemen have with this humble official?"
Although Adam did not know their purpose, he answered respectfully.
The Commander sized him up and said with utmost seriousness. "The Ministry of Revenue’s records state that fifteen years ago, your parents adopted an orphaned girl. Is this true?"
Silver Willow’s population management was extremely strict, especially in the capital, where it was rigorous beyond measure.
Everyone had to be registered with the Ministry of Revenue.
If anyone was found with an unknown identity or origin, they faced severe punishment.
After adopting Cecilia, his deceased parents had long since registered her information. This was a fact Adam could not deny.
"That is correct. My late father did indeed adopt an orphaned girl fifteen years ago. Sir, is there an error in the registration?"
The Commander glared at Adam. "Do not ask what you should not ask."
"Since it is true, His Majesty has decreed: within three days, all orphaned girls in the capital must proceed to the Imperial Palace. Those who disobey shall be executed."
Within three days, all orphaned girls must arrive at the Imperial Palace. Those who disobeyed would be beheaded.
The matter was far too abnormal.
Adam felt something was amiss, and his expression turned somewhat ugly.
He was no fool.
For the current incompetent ruler to summon the orphaned girls of the capital with such fanfare, he definitely had some scheme in mind.
Although he did not know what the ruler was plotting, a trace of unease faintly arose in his heart.
"Sir, a small token of my regard, please accept it. Here are three hundred taels in silver notes, for you and your brothers to have some tea."
"Sir, I wonder if you could disclose a few words: why does His Majesty want the orphaned girls to enter the palace? This servant girl in my home has lacked discipline since childhood and has not seen much of the world. I am truly afraid she might cause disaster in the palace."
Adam took out silver notes from his robes and stuffed them into the Commander’s sleeve, hoping to pry some information from his mouth.
Looking at the notes, a hint of joy appeared on the Commander’s face, and his gaze toward Adam softened.
"Brother, I am merely a Commander. How could I know His Majesty’s thoughts?"
"However, word is spreading within our Night Watch Bureau that two big shots have arrived in the capital. I heard they are here looking for a relative."
"Rest assured, brother, this is a good thing. If your servant girl turns out to be their relative, you will soar to the heavens. Even if she is not, she will return safely."
Looking for a relative, the unease in Adam’s heart grew even stronger.
Cecilia possessed the Innate Dao Body and had extremely monstrous aptitude. With such qualifications, her origins were absolutely extraordinary.
When the Commander mentioned those two big shots, his words were full of reverence. It seemed their identities were incredibly formidable.
The more Adam thought about it, the more he felt that the relative these two were seeking was highly likely Cecilia.
"Sir, exactly what kind of background do these two big shots have? To actually have His Majesty personally help them!"
Adam wanted to continue probing, but this Commander’s status in the Night Watch Bureau was not high, and he did not know much. He only knew the two big shots came from an Ancient Clan.
An Ancient Clan! A trace of doubt surfaced in Adam’s heart.
He scoured the original owner’s eighteen years of memories but could not find a single shred of information regarding ancient clans.
Clearly, these so-called ancient clans were not something ordinary people could come into contact with.
"Rest assured, sir. Within three days, I will definitely have my servant girl go to the Imperial Palace."
Adam could not be certain the person the two big shots sought was Cecilia, so he could only stall and agree for now.
Watching the Night Watch envoys leave, Adam hurriedly rushed back home.
"Young Master, if you have something on your mind, you can tell Cecilia."
At the Eight Immortals table, seeing Adam deep in thought, not having touched the food before him, Cecilia asked with a face full of concern.
"It is nothing, Cecilia, you are overthinking it."
Adam forced a laugh, trying to deflect her attention.
Cecilia stared at Adam with bright eyes, a flash of annoyance crossing her face. "Young Master, you are lying to me again. We grew up together, when you lie, your gaze shifts away."
"Not to mention, ever since you came back, your face has been written all over with worry."
Seeing that he had been completely seen through, Adam could no longer hide it. He might as well use this opportunity to talk to her in detail.
"Cecilia, back then during that heavy snow, when you were picked up by my parents, did you have any tokens on you? A jade pendant, a golden longevity lock, or anything that could prove your identity?"
Even though he had his suspicions, Adam was not completely certain. He could only ask Cecilia for any clues regarding her background.
"Young Master, why are you asking this kind of question again!"
"Do you not already know about all the items the Old Madam left for me before she passed away? There are no tokens to prove my identity. Besides, Young Master, Cecilia feels that our current life is quite good. I do not care about those illusory identities."
Cecilia rolled her eyes at Adam, a hint of doubt flashing in her heart.
Ever since he saw her cultivate, the Young Master before her seemed to constantly ask about her origins.
True enough.
Cecilia had grown up with him since childhood.
If she really had any tokens, how could he not have seen them over the past dozen years?
