Chapter 19: Crystal Clear Knowledge

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Li Zelin hurriedly explained, "Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, Chaochao is fine, and so am I." Chaochao, who had been crouching at his feet, quickly jumped out and pointed at the officials—the chief executioner and his apprentice, along with the clerk who inspected the documents—who were already dividing the spoils. In a few quick sentences, the little girl clearly laid out the situation.

Li Zefeng and his wife were stunned at first, but once they realized what their second brother and little niece had done for them, Li Zefeng’s eyes welled with tears. He grabbed his bewildered wife, called their two dazed sons, lifted his robe, and knelt before Li Zelin.

“Second Brother, your great kindness and my niece’s goodwill are deeply engraved in my heart. From this day forward, my life belongs to you. If you, elder brother, direct me east, I will never go west. Elder brother…”

“Hey! Why speak of such formalities? Come up, we’re family—no need for talk of fate or life. Hurry up, time is tight. There are only two spots available. To prevent any complications, move quickly.”

Wiping a tear, Li Zefeng glanced at his wife. Without further words, the two of them pushed their two sons forward.

“Don’t make things hard for Second Brother. My wife and I are adults, we’ve lived half our lives. It’s worth it! Our two children are still young, with bright futures ahead. Let them repay the great kindness of their uncle and niece in brotherly fashion. I thank you, Second Brother, and thank you, niece.”

Seeing his brother’s understanding, Li Zelin felt deeply moved and guilty.

As the male head of the family, he should have been the one to stand up and protect his family in times of crisis. Instead, it was his daughter’s abilities that shielded them. He felt a profound sense of shame.

“I am useless, brother. I failed to protect everyone. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t say that, brother. That makes me feel guilty. Besides, there are two spots enough. Don’t be like this.”

The three men nearby overheard this exchange. They were not bad people. After inspecting the two Eastern pearls, which were of the highest quality, they knew they had struck it rich today. With a wave of the hand, the official in charge of inspections interrupted.

“Enough, enough. Big men shouldn’t be dawdling like this. We’re busy and can’t afford delays. Since this little girl is so clear-headed and generous, I’ll grant you two spots, including you and your wife. Step forward and report your names. Once I inscribe the marks, the execution will proceed swiftly to avoid complications.”

Upon hearing this, Li Zelin and the others rejoiced and repeatedly gave thanks. The official then inscribed the marks one by one—first on the third son, Li Changmao, then the fourth son, Li Changying, both comforted by their parents as the marks were completed. Next came Li Zefeng and his wife.

Li Zelin watched over the process. Seeing his brother’s family settled, his thoughts wandered to his own mother. Stroking his daughter’s head, he paused, muttering to himself, hesitating before finally speaking.

“Little darling, do you still have any? Any…”

Anything? Chaochao instinctively clutched her pocket and shook her head. “No.”

Li Zelin wasn’t without guilt or shame, but thinking of his deceased father and his only remaining mother, he boldly said, “Darling, your grandmother is old and likely couldn’t endure the tattoo punishment.”

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“That has nothing to do with me. I don’t want it!” Chaochao shook her head firmly, thinking her silly father was not at all endearing. To stop him from nagging further, she covered his mouth with her small hand.

“You are my father,” she said, “so I care about you. She is your mother, so you care about her.”

“Grandmother doesn’t like me at all. She didn’t even care when eldest sister reported me. Your request is wasted. Mother says: repay evil with virtue, but how to repay virtue? So, Father, understand?”

The child’s innocent but earnest accusation deeply moved Li Zelin.

Yes, that was his mother, but why should the child bear the burden of filial piety for him?

In such dire times, how many could do what their daughter did—risking the night to bring him food, even at the risk of exposure, to protect her father?

What merit or right did he have to trouble his child? To force her to care for a grandmother who hated and despised her?

No reasoning could justify that!

Facing his daughter’s straightforward gaze, Li Zelin felt overwhelming shame.

He recalled how, when she cried out, the third brother’s family immediately came forward, while their mother stood off at a distance like an outsider.

He could not utter a word to pressure his daughter. With a flush on his face, he spoke gravely, “Fine, if you won’t, then you won’t. It’s Father’s fault. Father apologizes to Chaochao.”

“Hmph, that’s better,” Chaochao said, twisting her little neck and deciding to forgive her silly father this once.

Li Zelin smiled wryly and helplessly, took her hand, and coaxed her as they walked.

“Come, let’s go outside first. Later, Chaochao, you must carefully tend to the wound on your arm—don’t get it wet or dirty, understand?”

“Got it, Father, you’re so naggy.”

Passing by Old Lady Luo’s place, Li Zelin bowed with shame toward his mother. To his surprise, she only cast a contemptuous glance at Chaochao, then ignored her own son, turning away briskly as if he did not exist.

Li Zelin froze, closed his eyes tightly.

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Enough, enough. Born here, he was not only a son but also a father!

His only daughter was young and motherless. He was her sole support. If he continued to neglect her or treat her unfairly, he would be nothing but a beast.

Any lack of filial piety toward his own mother was his fault alone. If she later punished him, he would bear it fully. Whatever came, he would accept.

With a sudden clarity, Li Zelin straightened up, took one last look at his mother, then decisively left with his daughter.

At the entrance to the female prison corridor, he pulled her close and gave her detailed instructions until the guards urged them apart. Only then did father and daughter reluctantly part.

“Darling, don’t be afraid. In no more than two days, you’ll see your father again. Just hold on a little longer.”

Li Zelin’s guess was accurate. On the third day after their separation, before dawn, noise arose in the corridor.

“Wake up, all of you! By imperial decree, you are to be exiled today. Come out immediately and assemble in the upper courtyard. After the escort officials conduct roll call and inspection, you may set off. The road ahead is long—remember the emperor’s grace and take care of yourselves.”

Ah, so they were finally to depart.

Chaochao, awakened, checked her wristband—the time was only three in the morning, and the night watchman had just finished striking the four-watch drum.

Yawning widely, eager to see her silly father, she kicked the sleeping silly bird in her arms. Without waiting for the guards’ urging, her little legs flew along swiftly.

Following the guards’ directions, she ran through the corridor, past the interrogation chamber, and hurried up the steps until she reached the long courtyard they had entered earlier.

When they arrived, many people were already assembled.

Countless torches lit the courtyard, allowing Chaochao to clearly see the brocade-clad imperial guards on perimeter watch, numerous black-and-red uniformed prison officers with large swords at their waists, and those standing around the courtyard peering closely.

“Father!”

“Darling!”

The men’s prison inmates emerged faster than the women’s. Li Zelin had been anxiously waiting here, and the moment he saw his daughter’s small figure appear, joy lit his face. He took a swift step forward.

The biting night wind blew fiercely but could not diminish the warmth their clasped hands gave each other.