I've been bullied and humiliated for thirteen years; when I wake up, I'll be bloodthirsty.

Chapter 405 Carving My Name on My Tombstone

Lu Yangyang also found it strange.

Her impression of Cheng Ruoxue was that she had always been an extremely intelligent person. Even Sheng Yunzhu, who was so ruthless and willing to go all out, was said to have suffered losses at Cheng Ruoxue's hands many times.

Such a perceptive and insightful person must know what they want.

Why did she marry into the Xiao family?

Was it voluntary, or was there some unavoidable reason?

Lu Yangyang didn't know much about Cheng Ruoxue. If she hadn't heard about this, it would have been fine, but since she had, she still had to tell Sheng Junyi.

If this matter had not been settled, Lord Kang would not have used such an unsubstantiated claim to test her.

She had only happened to see Cheng Ruoxue and Sheng Junyi on a date once, and couldn't be sure if there was anything special between them. However, seeing Sheng Junyi's sudden change in expression and his flustered state, she was also stunned.

She had always thought that Sheng Junyi was a person who was inherently emotionless and cold-hearted.

So, does he really like Cheng Ruoxue?

Before Lu Yangyang's guesses could be fully settled, Sheng Junyi had already stuffed the token in his hand into Lu Yangyang's hand, speaking very quickly: "The rest is up to you. Leave the Salt Gang alone for now and observe the situation. I'm going back to the capital, and Manager Song will come to help later."

Before he finished speaking, Sheng Junyi's figure had already disappeared into the night.

Lu Yangyang looked in surprise in the direction he left. She had known Sheng Junyi for a few years, but this was the first time she had ever seen him care so much about someone.

Hopefully he can make it!

But... how could a marriage alliance between powerful families be easily shaken?

Lu Yangyang couldn't help but raise her head and look at the gradually quieting night sky. Her feelings and understanding of love were still somewhat shallow, but she could already feel the cruel shackles attached to love. Would there ever be a time when love could be freer, no longer bound by an imperial decree, the needs of her family, or the gaze of the world? At least, would she have the right to choose?

Lu Yangyang felt that her idea seemed a bit far-fetched, but it also seemed inexplicably tempting.

Just like the flutter in her heart when she saw His Highness, her deep admiration for His Highness—if he hadn't been the former Crown Prince, and she hadn't returned to the capital, would they have had a chance to meet again, and would that feeling have been stirred once more?

Lu Yangyang didn't know, but she was somewhat looking forward to it.

I also wish that Your Highness is safe and sound wherever you are at this moment.

"Sister, are we safe now?" Xiao Qi, who had just run off to watch the fireworks with the other children, turned around at some point, grabbed Lu Yangyang's hand, and looked up at her expectantly.

Lu Yangyang rubbed his cheek: "You're safe now. Let's find a place to treat your wounds and cooperate with their investigation into your abduction. Then everything will be fine. You won't go back, and you won't beg anymore, and neither will they."

Lu Yangyang looked at the group of children in front of her. They had turned their heads around at some point and were looking at her timidly yet expectantly. The fireworks and dark clouds in the sky dissipated, revealing the starry sky. The light in the eyes of these children, whose blindfolds had been torn off, was even brighter than the starry sky.

They all deserve the opportunity to choose their future.

Hearing Lu Yangyang's affirmative answer, Xiaoqi's eyes curved into crescents, and she said shyly, "Then you promised me that you would name me when you came to pick me up, does that still count? I want a name that belongs to me."

It is not a code name, a code name that can be replaced or erased.

Lu Yangyang blinked. "Give me a name?"

This... is really putting her in a difficult position. Does she have a talent for naming things?

But looking at Xiaoqi's expectant eyes, Lu Yangyang remembered her promise and couldn't bear to refuse. So she thought for a moment and said, "Zhan means to look into the distance or up high. If you feel that your past memories are not good, then try to look forward and up. The further you go, the more you will see. I hope you can see a bright future in the future."

"So you can take my surname, Lu Zhan, is that alright?"

Xiao Qi—no, it was Lu Zhan who was so excited about getting a name that he was completely overwhelmed. He had long forgotten his injuries and the fear and pain he had just experienced. It was as if the birth of that name was the first time he had truly left his mark on this world, stood firmly on the ground, and felt a real soul.

A moment later, he jumped up and shouted, "I have a name now! I have a name now! My name is Lu Zhan! I'm no longer an unwanted child! I have a name now! If I die in the future, someone will carve my name on my tombstone!"

Lu Yangyang slapped him on the head: "Stop! I'm not going to carve your name on your tombstone!"

Lu Zhan scratched his head and chuckled.

At this moment, Steward Song finally arrived. Lu Yangyang asked him to help take the children away from here first, to get medicine and treat their injuries, and then sent someone to wait for news at Prince Rong's residence.

It wasn't until the afternoon of the next day that Steward Song returned and told her that Prince Rong had personally ordered a thorough investigation into the case of Kang Xinwen, a salt official in Jiangnan Prefecture, colluding with salt merchants to molest children. The Nanfeng Pavilion was shut down, and the salt gang was implicated, plunging into complete chaos.

Old Master Meng was brought back by the Salt Gang the next day. Although he was not injured, he fell seriously ill due to worry. Luo Jing only learned about the big incident that happened the night before when he woke up the next day. He took the initiative to take care of Old Master Meng, while Lu Yangyang was busy settling the children.

That night, after the children were questioned, they were compensated with silver and released. The local prefect took care of the abducted children, and they would be sent back after their parents were found. The remaining orphans, according to custom, would be sent to orphanages in various places. Lu Yangyang provided some silver and asked Steward Song to sponsor their education or send them to learn a trade, according to the children's wishes.

After several days of busy work, they finally managed to settle all the children properly, leaving only Lu Zhan following behind Lu Yangyang like a little shadow.

Lu Yangyang, of course, did not forget the old beggar who colluded with the deputy leader of the Salt Gang. She had someone report the old beggar directly to the prefect. The prefect followed the clues and uncovered several beggar gangs that specialized in abducting young children to steal from all over the place and trafficking young girls to brothels. Their crimes were numerous and heinous.

Mingruo sent an invitation to Lu Yangyang, but he was busy helping Lin Wuji deal with the Salt Gang's affairs and couldn't be in two places at once. Lu Yangyang was also busy with other things, so it wasn't until several days later that the two finally met at the teahouse.

"I'm sorry," Mingruo said apologetically to Lu Yangyang, "I didn't expect to meet under those circumstances."