How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Chapter 139 Moving

Qingru acted quickly, finding a courtyard that same day, just across the street from Guo Zixing's villa.

Because this street was right next to the Marshal's Mansion, it was quite rare and the price was very high. Guo Zixing felt guilty and immediately paid for it for Qingru.

Qingru looked grateful, while Lü Peijun and Yanru had different expressions upon hearing the news.

Yan Ru, in particular, was preoccupied with how to subtly guide Qing Ru, so she said, "Hmph, this can be considered his compensation to Dad. Who told him to arrest people without investigating properly and create so many wrongful convictions? It's just a courtyard, which is perfect for Dad to recuperate."

Lu Peijun also "inadvertently" revealed the scars she had sustained from being beaten in prison, and said with a pained expression, "Alas, Yanru, you shouldn't say that. Although it was the Guo family who put me in prison, they did provide some compensation after they investigated, especially after Qingru entered the police station, she was beaten less often."

Yan Ru stared wide-eyed exaggeratedly and rolled up Lü Peijun's sleeve. "What? Dad, you got beaten again? Humph, this courtyard is not enough. How can it compensate for your pain? The prison is cold and the food and lodging are poor. I'm afraid you've developed a chronic illness."

Lu Peijun coughed a few times at the right moment, but did not withdraw his arm that Yan Ru had pulled away. He just stretched it out in front of Qingru and said, "No...cough cough...no, I was taken care of and didn't suffer much. I only suffered half of the punishment that other prisoners had to endure. It's nothing, it's nothing."

Yan Ru immediately burst into tears, insisting on getting an explanation from Guo Zixing, but Lü Peijun naturally stopped her from going.

The two of them were singing in unison, and before Qingru could react, her home was already in chaos. However, her gratitude towards Guo Zixing had indeed diminished considerably.

"Alright, alright, Yanru, you stay home and rest well. I'm going to find Guo Zixing to demand an explanation. Dad, don't hide it from me, I'm going to the prison to find out exactly what tortures they used to interrogate you."

Seeing Qingru's indignation, Yanru added fuel to the fire, choking back tears as she said, "No, sister, we can't beat him."

"How could that be? Reason can only be clarified through debate. You wait here, I'll go find him."

When Qingru finally found Guo Zixing and pulled him to face her, she suddenly couldn't remember why she had come there.

"Is something wrong?"

"Yes," Qingru replied immediately, "What happened to my father?"

"Hmm?" Upon hearing Qingru's words, Guo Zixing felt a little guilty, thinking that Qingru had found out about his scheme against the Lü family. Therefore, he coughed and said, "This... is all a misunderstanding. In addition to that courtyard, I will give you a few more guards as compensation."

Guo Zixing spoke so sincerely that Qingru felt embarrassed, as if she were asking for something in return. So she refused, saying, "I don't want it. I just saw the marks on my father's body and wanted to ask him what kind of punishment he suffered in prison."

Guo Zixing did indeed use a lot of torture to force Lü Peijun to reveal the Lü family's hidden ancestral property. Thinking about those methods, he felt even less confident.

"It's nothing. Those jailers just couldn't squeeze any money out of Uncle Lü, so they were venting their anger. Don't worry, I'll definitely punish them. At worst, I'll just hire another batch of people."

Qingru understood immediately. The instruments of torture used during the interrogation of Niu Da and Niu Er... just thinking about them was terrifying. She feared that Lü's father had suffered even more than that.

Thinking of the grievances her father and sister had suffered, all because the Guo family had arrested the wrong person, she felt that it was just a courtyard and there was no need to be grateful to them.

"I understand. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to target you. I was just too worried about my family."

"It's alright, I understand." Guo Zixing secretly wiped away a cold sweat, realizing he had almost given himself away.

So when the Lü family moved, they worked even harder to help. They not only brought people to help, but also bought all the furniture they needed, making sure everything was the best.

Although he needed money to secretly raise troops in Wushan, Qingru really needed compensation, so he coveted the Lü family's ancestral property even more.

Even he couldn't quite explain his feelings for Qingru. He considered her his sweetheart, but it wasn't to the point where he absolutely needed her. Otherwise, he wouldn't have kept contacting Miss Zheng.

If it was unintentional, then it wasn't; it's just that Qingru wasn't the most important person in his heart.

A true man should take national affairs as his own responsibility and have lofty ambitions.

Guo Zixing had lost count of how many times he had suppressed his heart palpitations in this way.

The Lü family's new courtyard is a three-courtyard house. It is said that it was originally a dowry given to the daughter of a wealthy merchant. It was renovated to perfection, but unfortunately, it was later mortgaged by the son-in-law for gambling. Now, it has benefited the Lü family.

Guo Zixing indeed found ten guards and several maids and servants to send over, and then sent over the few people that Qingru had adopted before leaving.

I've been busy with Qingru's affairs lately and haven't been able to meet with Ms. Zheng for a long time.

Qingru adopted Zhenhua and Xiaofuzi, while Qiushuang and Guiying did not want to return to their hometown, so they worked for Qingru, forming a relationship that was half master and half servant.

Hongyu and a group of people helped out. The courtyard was already well-maintained, and with more people, they finished cleaning it in less than half a day.

"Thank you, Hongyu. Let's have dinner together tonight."

"Okay, then I want to eat at Ping An Hotel. I've heard you and Young Master talk about it all the time, but I've never had it before."

"Okay," Qingru agreed with a smile. She had originally planned to cook for them at home, but then she realized that she had never taken them out to eat before, so she agreed instead.

After receiving the money, he instructed the servant to book a table of food and wine at a restaurant, and the banquet would be held in the main courtyard.

At this moment, Lü Peijun was examining Zhenhua's knowledge. "You mean you used to be called Xiao Erlang?"

"Yes, I'm the second oldest in my family," Zhenhua said timidly. For some reason, he was a little afraid of this uncle, even though Lü Peijun was a very proper and humble gentleman.

"Well, then you should get a proper name. Since ancient times, formal names have been given by teachers. Since your teacher has already named you 'Zhenhua,' then you can use that from now on. But if you want to use the surname Lü, then you'll need to know who I am."

"You are... Sister Qingru's father."

Lu Peijun smiled gently and asked, "Then what am I to you?"

"You are..." Zhenhua wanted to say his father, but he didn't dare. Especially after going to school and becoming more sensible, he understood how badly his parents had harmed Qingru, so he dared not utter the answer in his heart.

Seeing his hesitation, Lü Peijun said with a smile, "Since Qingru has adopted you and recognized you as his younger brother, you can call me father from now on. You don't need to be reserved in front of your own family."

Zhenhua stammered, "Father...Father." Tears streamed down his face as soon as the words left his lips. Before, Niu Da had only spared him from sale because he was a son, and had never properly cared for him. Could he really have such a good father now?

Lu Peijun patted his head and comforted him, "Don't be afraid. From now on, call me Father. A real man doesn't shed tears, even if he bleeds. Once you're out this door, you can't cry anymore. You still have your sisters to protect, okay?"

"I will definitely protect Sister Qingru, and Sister Fuzi, Sister Qingru's sister, and you, and... I will protect them all." Zhenhua puffed out his chest and spoke confidently.

Seeing that he listed a long string of names but always put Qingru first, Lü Peijun felt gratified. This child was worth raising.

"Alright, go out and have fun. From now on, you'll move to the east courtyard. Go and call your little Fuzi sister over."

"Yes," Zhenhua said loudly, then scurried off to call for help.

He had always felt a sense of unreality in the Guo family's villa, but now it was different. This was the Lü family's courtyard, and he was "Lü Zhenhua," so he felt completely at ease living there.

Xiao Fuzi came in, but she didn't dare to go up and greet anyone. She just shrank to the side, wanting to make a good impression on Lü Peijun, but not knowing how.

With just one glance, Lü Peijun understood that Xiao Fuzi probably hadn't learned any etiquette. Considering that she had to endure beatings and scoldings from her uncles and aunts at such a young age, and had to do laundry and cook for dozens of people... it was already a miracle that she was alive. What was rare was that after experiencing so much hardship, she still had a pure heart. Qingru was the right person.

Lu Peijun became even gentler with the little girl. He stood up and helped Xiao Fuzi sit down in a chair, asking softly, "How old are you?"

"Thirteen."

"His name is... Lü Duofu?"

"Ah."

"Very well, may he have good fortune and long life." Lü Peijun suddenly ran out of words. It seemed that Xiao Fuzi was not a quiet and composed person, but he couldn't speak to his father. His eyes were bright and sparkling, with the wariness and observation of a small animal.

These two, one is naturally sensitive, the other is sharp-witted. Qingru, do you even know what kind of personality your adopted child has?