A Shocking Dream

Chapter 205

The moment Lin Wunian took the notebook, her fingers subconsciously tightened, her knuckles turning white from the strain, as if she were trying to squeeze the thin book into her palm. As soon as her eyes touched the densely packed, shocking text, her gaze narrowed abruptly, her pupils igniting with rage, and her previously calm and gentle face suddenly became as cold as ice.

After Lu Yao hurriedly finished her last mouthful of porridge and wiped her sleeve, her expression instantly solemn. She glanced around the quiet little room, confirming that no one was around. Then she quickly walked to the bedside cabinet, rummaged in a hidden corner, and pulled out an old, tightly wrapped notebook. She solemnly handed it to Lin Wunian, her voice trembling with nervousness. "Sister Lin, this is the evidence of Xie Yuan's guilt that I risked my life to retrieve yesterday. The Xie family may seem prosperous and glamorous, but they're actually hiding a lot of dirty deeds, all recorded in this notebook."

Lin Wunian's expression froze. He quickly put down the dishes he was about to clear and took the notebook with both hands as if it were a heavy burden. The cover was badly worn, the corners curled up, and it carried the lingering warmth of Lu Yao's body, and a faint scent of blood. It must have been the scene of a thrilling robbery last night. Lin Wunian took a deep breath and slowly opened the book.

The yellowed pages were densely covered with tiny, messy handwriting, a record of hastily written words, yet also revealing the recorder's anxiety. The opening chapter was a detailed account of the Xie family's recent collusion with bandits and the robberies of passing merchants. Each sinister transaction was clearly listed, with the date, location, people involved, and the amount of the spoils. The numbers, like grimace, sneered and mocked the Xie family's hypocrisy. Lin Wunian's brow furrowed, and as he turned the page, his heart trembled.

Here, the story recounts how the Xie family, driven by their desire for exorbitant profits, secretly developed a potent poison and tested it on innocent refugees, resulting in the devastation of countless villages. The pages vividly depict the devastation of exposed bones and widespread suffering. The victims' names, ages, and places of origin are meticulously detailed; Lin Wunian's fingertips trace over them, as if he could hear the agonizing cries of the departed. Later, the story reveals how the Xie family bribed officials, manipulated salt prices, abducted women, and set fire to villages. Each incident is a gruesome read.

Lin Wunian's breathing quickened unconsciously, her chest rising and falling slightly. Every breath she took seemed like she was forcibly suppressing the rage and shock that threatened to burst forth. Her lips trembled slightly as she muttered a curse, "How could they be so cruel and ruthless..." The voice was low, yet chilling, like ice shards squeezed between teeth.

As she flipped through the pages, her brows knitted into a knot, a deep furrow formed between them, and the veins on her forehead throbbed faintly, revealing the turbulent waves of suppressed emotion within. When she came to the key points, her hands clenched the notebook uncontrollably, causing the pages to rustle and creak, and she nearly tore several pages out.

After hastily finishing her reading, Lin Wunian slammed the book shut, veins bulging on the back of her hands, and her body swayed, as if she was unsteady from the onslaught of this series of crimes. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm her mind, but the rapid rise and fall of her chest still betrayed her uncontrollable agitation.

When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was as hard as iron, with a resolute light flashing in it. He gritted his teeth and said hatefully: "Xie Yuan, you must pay for this blood debt with blood! Even if I am torn to pieces, I will make sure to expose your evil deeds to the world and give justice to the people!" The voice was firm and resolute, echoing in the house for a long time, like a horn declaring war, breaking the silence, indicating that a showdown between good and evil is already on the verge of being launched.

Lu Yao watched anxiously from the sidelines and couldn't help but speak, "Miss Lin, we can't let Xie Yuan continue to get away with it. This evidence will definitely bring him down and bring justice to the people!" Lin Wunian opened his eyes, his gaze as cold as a blade. "Of course we can't let him go, but the Xie family is so powerful and deeply rooted. This thing alone won't be enough. If we're not careful, not only will our lives be in jeopardy, but we'll also alert the enemy. We must take a long-term view and find a foolproof method."

Lin Wunian lifted the curtain lightly with her bare hands and looked out the window leisurely. The distant mountains were covered with dark clouds and the nearby water was rippling, but her heart and eyes were filled with the storm that was about to break out.

Retracting her gaze, she turned to look at Lu Yao, her expression solemn yet resolute. "I've already thought of the plan. Now everything is ready, only the east wind is missing. Let's wait here quietly for the court to send someone. This evidence of guilt is of great importance. Only with the help of the court can we eradicate this cancer of the Xie family. If someone from there arrives, we can act immediately and never let Xie Yuan have a chance to breathe."

After saying that, Lin Wunian walked into the house with his hands behind his back. The wooden floor made a slight creaking sound under his feet, and every step seemed to be stepping on his tense heartstrings.

She frowned, wondering: The imperial court was a complex mess. Who would be sent to investigate this case? Could it be the upright and incorruptible Censor, known as the "Iron Judge"? He was known to have a clean record, a ruthless eye for corruption, and a ruthless investigator of major corruption cases. With his help, the Xie family's shady transactions would be exposed. Or could it be the mysterious commander, a guild master who emerged from the underworld and later entered the imperial court? Rumors circulated that he possessed extensive connections and ruthless tactics, and held a deep hatred for the actions of underworld villains. With his help, the Xie family's collusion with bandits and their brutal persecution of innocent people would surely be exposed.

Lu Yao watched Lin Wunian's pensive expression and couldn't help but interrupt, "Sister Lin, no matter who the court sends, they're definitely here to get the truth. We have irrefutable evidence, so we're not afraid of the Xie family's sophistry. I just hope they come faster. If they delay for even a day, who knows how many more people will suffer."

Lin Wunian nodded slightly and patted Lu Yao's shoulder. "Don't be impatient. The court has its own rules. Let's sort out the evidence in detail in the next few days. Every link must withstand scrutiny. Don't let others find loopholes."

Before they buried themselves in the case, Lin Wunian and Lu Yao pored over the incriminating notebook, filling it with notes explaining and connecting clues. From time to time, Lin Wunian would rise to add herbs to the stove, the lingering aroma filling the air, a soothing aroma.

The morning light seeped in through the cracks in the window lattice, like a golden veil, gently brushing against the simple furnishings in the house. Qianqian stepped lightly across the threshold, holding a plate of breakfast steadily in her hands. The steaming hot air lingered in front of her, seeming to cast a thin layer of warm light around her.

"Are you feeling better?" Kanan approached the bedside, leaning slightly forward. Her soft voice was like the gentlest spring breeze, brushing past the girl's ear, afraid to disturb her. The girl had been staring blankly at the azure sky outside the window, her thoughts drifting elsewhere. When she heard the voice, she turned around and her gaze fell on the breakfast in Kanan's hands. Her eyes lit up, the corners of her mouth unconsciously raised, and she nodded slightly.