My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

Chapter 14 Letters Prove Obstruction

Ji Lingchuan opened the wooden box and placed it on the table, letting Chu Lengyu and Lüyun examine it themselves.

A stack of letters was quietly stored in the box, well-preserved, with the handwriting as fresh as new and the ink still fragrant.

These are the letters exchanged between her martial uncle Lin Jiuxiao and her second uncle Chu Wenchen.

As Chu Lengyu read through the letters, she gradually came to understand the truth of the matter.

It turns out that Xuanzhen Temple had not forgotten him all these years, but rather that some members of the Chu family had interfered and severed their connection.

This was consistent with her guess; these letters proved her thoughts in black and white: Master Chu and his family were truly hypocritical and despicable.

Green Bamboo stood anxiously to the side. She didn't know many characters, and after she finished reading, she quickly asked, "Miss, how is it?"

She sneered, pulled out a series of letters, and said:

"This was the summer before last. My second uncle asked Uncle Lin to come and pray for my health, citing my grief over my father's death and my poor health."

“This was before the Lunar New Year two years ago. My second uncle said that I was suffering from a heart ailment and looked unwell, so I did not want to see anyone and refused Uncle Lin’s visit.”

"This was last year, during the Mid-Autumn Festival. My second uncle said that I still didn't want to see anyone, so he invited Uncle Lin to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to perform a blessing ceremony, saying that he would arrange for me to watch the ceremony from a distance. Ha."

"It was last year..."

"This is this year..."

With each word Chu Lengyu spoke, Lüyun grew even angrier, her fists clenched tightly, wishing she could smash someone's head to pieces right now.

Ji Lingchuan said bitterly, "Lord Chu said that you miss your deceased father and are in a state of grief. You wish to observe three years of mourning for him, during which time you will not see any outsiders and will not leave the mansion. In that case, we cannot force our way into the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Originally, we thought that since he is your elder and has received such great benefits, we should treat you well..."

He shook his head at this point.

Green Bamboo opened her mouth, wanting to say so much, but didn't know where to begin. In the end, she could only curse bitterly, "A whole family of black-hearted devils."

Ji Lingchuan continued, "When I saw you come alone today, I knew something must have happened. If you were truly the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, who is so carefully cared for, you would surely have a bodyguard or attendant by your side. Who would have thought... sigh."

The group fell silent for a moment, each reflecting on their own feelings.

Chu Lengyu sighed: "That's what most outsiders think."

To save face, Chu Wenchen handled her affairs flawlessly.

She was raised in seclusion, and outsiders, not wanting to interfere in the affairs of the inner quarters, naturally didn't know her true circumstances. They simply assumed that because she lived in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, she must be living a life of luxury and carefree existence.

Uncle Lin is considered quite good; at least the letters and gifts never stopped, and he even visited in person twice.

What's hateful is that a villain interfered, leading to a series of misunderstandings that lasted for so long. The original owner of this body never knew the truth until her death and even harbored resentment in her heart.

Thinking of this, Chu Lengyu couldn't help but sigh again.

Hearing her sigh repeatedly, Ji Lingchuan assumed she was sad and upset, and couldn't help but worry.

My junior sister is, after all, just a young lady who hasn't reached marriageable age yet. There are many things she can't tell him. Who knows how much suffering she's endured and how much hardship she's gone through in the past two years?

He was filled with remorse and said with concern, "I know that you are kind and generous, just like your father. If you hadn't been forced into a corner and had nowhere else to go, you wouldn't have come to Xuanzhen Temple. Junior sister, please stay here and wait for Master to return. Then we will ask him to uphold justice and he will definitely not let you suffer any more injustice."

Back then, Chu Lengyu was discovered at the entrance of Xuanzhen Temple. If the former Duke of Zhenguo hadn't insisted on taking her back, she might have been adopted by her master, Lin Jiuxiao, and truly become Ji Lingchuan's junior sister, growing up in Xuanzhen Temple.

Because of this relationship, Master treated Chu Lengyu with extra kindness, as if she were a daughter.

Luyun rarely felt the warmth and care from others, like a spring breeze on her face, melting away the ice and snow.

Her nose immediately stung, and tears welled up in her eyes. She said in a choked voice, "Thank you, thank you so much, Brother Ji. Miss has suffered so much injustice in the Chu family. Before coming here, I thought... I thought you would just give me a few perfunctory words and then stand by and watch us fend for ourselves..."

Chu Lengyu put her arm around Lüyun's shoulder, not to comfort her, but to let her lean on him and cry freely, venting all her inner torment and grievances.

She knew in her heart that the body she was in now belonged to an adult soul from another world. The original body's painful memories were more like a movie she was watching. She could sympathize with the former Chu Lengyu from many angles, but she could never truly empathize with her.

Unlike Lü Yun, she truly experienced all the pain and grievances, but had to hide her weak and negative side and desperately try to cheer herself up and become strong to protect her mistress.

She herself was still just a child.

Seeing Lü Yun crying so sadly, Ji Lingchuan felt somewhat helpless. He wanted to say something to comfort her, but he wasn't sure if it would be appropriate.

Chu Lengyu looked up and gave him a look, signaling him to go out first, which he did.

"Miss...I...I got your clothes dirty..." Green Bamboo sobbed, still paying attention to this.

“I’m very rich, I don’t care if you get your clothes dirty.” Chu Lengyu took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears. “Don’t cry. Once I get the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion back, I’ll let you vent your anger.”

Hearing this, Lüyun gritted her teeth and said, "Yes, take it back!"

……

When Ji Lingchuan returned with the pastries and snacks, Lüyun had recovered, but her eyes were still red and swollen.

When she saw him looking over, she awkwardly turned a little further inside.

Chu Lengyu came forward, took the plate of pastries from his hand, and said, "It just so happens that I was a little hungry. Senior brother is so thoughtful."

Hearing this, he smiled slightly and said, "Knowing that you two both like these, I went to the kitchen to look for them. I just heated them up on the stove, and they're perfect to eat now."

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Chu Lengyu picked up a piece of pastry, took a bite, and found it sweet but not cloying, melting in her mouth. "Mmm, still so delicious!"

"I'm glad you like it, Junior Sister." With that, he picked up another plate of pastries and handed it to Lü Yun.

Green Bamboo glanced at it, then calmly accepted it, choosing to eat it behind their backs.

Ji Lingchuan and Chu Lengyu exchanged a smile.