Courtyard House: I'm surrounded by celestial beauties on either side.

He Xinyi's eyes flickered, not expecting that her mother's intentions had already been seen through.

"Aunt Chen, go and tidy up the room next door so He Xinyi can stay there. She'll be learning to cook from you during this time."

Fang Chengxuan gave the instructions in a calm tone.

He Xinyi was in a daze and followed Aunt Chen back to her room.

In the living room, the Rong family members looked at each other in bewilderment.

"How could this happen? It's utterly absurd!"

"Never mind that for now."

"With us here, if the speculation is true, we can handle whatever choice that aunt makes."

Fang Chengxuan spoke in a calm tone.

Grandpa Rong said worriedly, "But if it's really as you suspect, your aunt is probably in grave danger..."

"not necessarily."

Fang Chengxuan analyzed.

"The secret of the Rong family's treasure map is something that outsiders could never know."

Since she knows this and still wants it, she must prove her identity.

"Didn't you notice? Rong Yushu only revealed information about the Rong family and didn't produce any tokens."

"Even in the chaotic situation back then, Grandpa Sizhong should have kept something with him."

Grandpa Rong nodded: "Indeed, Si Zhong grew up with me since he was a child, and his personality is already set. It's impossible for him to become greedy."

"Even if conditions became limited and it became impossible to make jade seals later, wooden family seals should still be passed down to future generations."

Grandpa Rong also began to have doubts.

"On the bright side, if she's an imposter, the real Rong family members might still be alive, though we don't know where they are."

With heavy hearts, everyone went to rest.

Late at night, there was a knock on the Rong family's door.

Fang Chengxuan comforted Rong Xinrui and told her to continue sleeping, while he went with Aunt Chen to check on her.

Upon seeing that the visitor was Guan Chi, he frowned: "What happened? You can't even wait until dawn?"

"Brother Fang, Qian San is dead."

Guan Chi's eyes were bloodshot, his voice was hoarse, he was trying to suppress his grief, and his body was trembling slightly with anger.

Fang Chengxuan's expression changed drastically.

"Qian San? One of the two remaining people in your courtyard?"

He narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them.

"How did he die?"

Fang Chengxuan's voice was icy.

Guan Chi sniffed: "Brother Fang asked me to investigate Rong Yushu, and I arranged for Qian San to go along with it."

"But he didn't come back tonight, so I asked people to help search for him, and they found his ** in the pond."

"The law enforcement said it was drowning, but Brother Fang, Qian San is an excellent swimmer!"

"Any of us could drown, but he won't!"

Guan Chi gritted his teeth, his hatred hard to contain.

"Does Qian San still have any family?"

Fang Chengxuan asked.

Guan Chi shook his head: "We are all orphans who have no parents or have been abandoned by our families."

"Qian San had no relatives. His mother remarried and he lost contact with them."

However, he became involved with a widow in the village, and it's said that she's pregnant.

"Qian San also said that after he finishes dealing with Fang Ge's matter, he would like to ask you to help him find a job so that he can marry her in a grand and glorious way."

Guan Chi tilted his head back, stubbornly refusing to let his tears fall.

"I will personally investigate Qian San's matter."

"Let me change my clothes, then take me to see the widow."

Fang Chengxuan made a quick decision, patting Guan Chi on the shoulder: "Don't worry, I will never let the murderer get away with it!"

His tone was menacing.

Guan Chi nodded, feeling slightly better.

Fang Chengxuan returned to his room, quietly put on his clothes, and glanced at the sleeping Rong Xinrui.

"Aunt Chen, I'm going out for a bit. Tell Xinrui not to worry when she wakes up."

After giving his instructions to Aunt Chen, he hurriedly left with Guan Chi.

Guan Chi, flashlight in hand, peered at the menacing Fang Chengxuan beside him and whispered, "Brother Fang, what are you doing going to see Qian San's lover?"

"The dead cannot be brought back to life, but we must still take care of their affairs."

"Since that widow is pregnant with his child, she should be properly cared for and given Qian San an heir."

Fang Chengxuan's voice was calm but cold.

Guan Chi wiped away his tears with his sleeve: "Brother Fang is so thoughtful. I was just too busy being sad."

The two walked for a while and arrived at the widow's house.

"Who is it?"

A wary female voice came from inside the house.

Guan Chi called out, "Sister-in-law, I'm Guan Chi, Qian San's brother!"

"Oh, it's you. Something up so late?"

The lights came on, the door opened, and a pretty woman in her late twenties looked at Guan Chi and then at Fang Chengxuan.

"Why are you here? Where's Qian San?"

She stepped aside to let the two into the courtyard and sat down in the main room.

"Qian San is gone."

Fang Chengxuan said calmly.

The enamel mug in the woman's hand jerked violently and crashed to the ground with a loud bang.

She looked up and forced a smile: "Big brother, don't tease me."

"Qian San was perfectly fine, how could this have happened?"

She doesn't believe it.

Guan Chi's eyes reddened, and his voice choked with emotion: "Sister-in-law, it's true... Qian San... he's really gone."

"Fang and I will never let those who harmed him get away with it."

The woman's smile froze on her face: "You're not lying to me? I don't believe it! I need to see him alive or dead, you have to let me see him!"

"I heard from Guan Chi that you are pregnant with Qian San's child, and he originally planned to come back and marry you."

Fang Chengxuan took out a stack of bills and money from his pocket and handed it over: "I came today to ask you to keep this child."

"If you remarry in the future, I will prepare a dowry for Qian San; if you do not wish to remarry but are willing to raise the children, I will send you food and money every month to support the children's education and marriage."

His gaze was firm, and his tone was calm, making him impossible to ignore.

The woman remained silent for a moment, then slowly sat down in a chair, tears silently streaming down her face: "Qian San... how could he be gone?"

She covered her face, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"Before he left, he happily said that Brother Fang had sent him on a errand, and when he got back he would talk to you about our marriage, find you a proper job, and marry you in style..."

Fang Chengxuan felt heavy-hearted, and his eyes grew even colder.

He waited quietly until she finished crying before continuing, "I'm sorry, this happened so suddenly."

For the sake of your reputation, I have a courtyard house elsewhere. You can move there temporarily, and Guan Chi will take care of you until the child is born.

"If you're willing to give birth to the child, that courtyard is yours, plus two gold bricks, guaranteeing you a worry-free life from now on."

"If you don't want these, I can give them to you in cash."

The woman raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears, yet revealing a resolute strength.

She gently touched her lower abdomen and took a deep breath: "I'm willing to give birth to this child."

"I don't plan to remarry."

She looked at Fang Chengxuan, her voice low but firm: "Qian Sanchang mentioned you, saying you are trustworthy."

I believe you, and I believe him.

"I don't want money or things, but I hope my child can stay with me."

Use the money you're giving for the children.

"I also have a daughter, and Qian San said he would treat her as his own... I hope you can treat both children equally."

She paused, her eyes growing even more resolute: "Qian San said you're very capable, and I'd like to ask you for a favor."

Fang Chengxuan nodded: "Go ahead."

"I want to get a marriage certificate with Qian San."

The woman wiped away her tears, "I will never get married in this life. I will just stay with my two children."

Her voice trembled: "Before Qian San left, he said that if he didn't come back, I should take the child to you, and you would definitely help him raise the child..."

At this point, she couldn't hold back any longer, covered her face, and cried bitterly: "It's all my fault! If I hadn't kept saying it was dangerous to travel to other places, would he have been able to come back safely?"

Guan Chi quickly advised, "Sister-in-law, don't think like that. You're pregnant, you need to take care of yourself..."

He clenched his fists in regret, hating himself for not acting with Qian San back then.

Fang Chengxuan pondered for a moment: "I respect your choice, the marriage certificate can be issued."

But you are a widow. If news of your marriage to Qian San spreads, your future will likely be even more difficult.

"When the child grows up, they may also be pointed at and gossiped about."

He frowned slightly: "Why don't we keep the pregnancy a secret for now, and then pretend the child was found after it's born?"

"Tell him about it when he's older and more understanding."

The woman paused, then fell into deep thought.

Guan Chi suddenly knelt down and said earnestly, "Sister-in-law, I don't have someone I love. Would you be willing to marry me?"

"I am Qian San's brother. It's my fault for not protecting him this time."

His gaze was resolute: "I will raise his child as my own!"

"I swear." Guan Chi raised his hand to his ear, his gaze firm: "I will treat you well for the rest of my life, treat the two children as my own flesh and blood, and take care of you for the rest of my life."

"If you ever have any second thoughts, may I be struck by lightning!"

Fang Chengxuan stood quietly to the side, without making a sound.

This was Guan Chi's own decision.

The woman stared blankly at Guan Chi, shaking her head repeatedly: "How can this be? You're still young, you can meet even better girls..."

"If my sister-in-law doesn't agree, I'll remain a bachelor for the rest of my life."

After I avenge Brother Qian, I'll go down and join him!

Guan Chi's heart was breaking.

He wished he could die in Qian San's place.

"Don't say that! If Qian San were alive, he would never let you do this!" The woman was so anxious that she forgot to wipe away her tears.

Guan Chi stared at her: "Sister-in-law, even we grown men would still be suffering if it weren't for Brother Fang's help."

"You're a woman raising two children all by yourself, how hard must it be? Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about your children."

We can't let a child be fatherless and subject to gossip and judgment, can we?

"My brother Qian and I have been talked about behind our backs since we were little, so we know this feeling best."

Sister-in-law, please let me take care of you and the three of you!

Guan Chi's eyes were red and his voice was choked with emotion.

The woman looked at Fang Chengxuan helplessly: "Please, you should try to persuade Guan Chi!"

"This is Guan Chi's heartfelt wish, sister-in-law, you might as well consider it." Fang Chengxuan looked at this woman who was so different from Qin Huairu, and then at Guan Chi, who was loyal and righteous, and sighed inwardly.

"Guan Chi will stay and take care of his sister-in-law; this money is for her to manage."

I'm going to Tongjia Province.

Fang Chengxuan respects Guan Chi's choice.

Qian San's death filled him with remorse, and Guan Chi, who had depended on Qian San for survival, must be in even greater agony at this moment.

"Once I've convinced my sister-in-law, I'll propose marriage and invite them to live in my courtyard. Then I'll go after Brother Fang," Guan Chi said calmly.

Fang Chengxuan glanced at the pale sky and said, "It's almost dawn. Staying any longer will only cause trouble for my sister-in-law."

"Let's go first."

The woman nodded blankly, her gaze towards Guan Chi complex and indescribable.

She never expected that Guan Chi would propose to her.

Guan Chi stood up and said, "Sister-in-law, I will go back and prepare the 'three turns and one sound' (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) to present as a betrothal gift."

"Once we get our marriage certificate, you can move in with the kids."

After saying that, he turned and left.

The woman watched their retreating figures, and tears silently streamed down her face once more.

Outside the courtyard gate, Fang Chengxuan asked in a deep voice, "Are you really sure? Qian San is your brother. Now you're willing to take care of his wife and children, but can you maintain that commitment in the future?"

"Brother Fang, I've figured it out!"

"Brother Qian San came out with me, but I couldn't protect him."

If I don't take good care of his wife and children, how can I face anyone else to live?

"I will treat my sister-in-law with sincerity and raise the two children as my own."

Guan Chi's eyes reddened as he spoke.

Fang Chengxuan patted him on the shoulder: "Alright, you take care of Qian San's family, and I'll seek justice for Qian San!"

"Go find your boss and tell him I need him to prepare the three turns and one sound today."

"If others can't do it, he definitely can."

He then took out a wooden box: "Give this to him."

Guan Chi accepted the box: "After settling your sister-in-law in, I'll come find you right away."

No rush.

Tell me about your experience in Dong Gia province before dawn.

After that, don't go—your identity might be exposed.

Guan Chi pursed his lips: "After we arrived in Tongjia Province, we pretended to be looking for relatives and went to Ningwu Village."

"As Fang Ge instructed, we fabricated a background similar to the Rong family's, saying we were looking for an elder surnamed Ning..."

"As soon as we set up the Rong family's situation, a fellow villager brought up the Rong family's affairs..."

"They said the Rong family was cursed. The once prosperous family suffered one misfortune after another, and in the end, only the old man Rong Sizhong and his granddaughter Rong Yushu were left."

"The grandmother and granddaughter were doing well at first. Rong Yushu married a sent-down youth and had two children."

But one day the old man went into the mountains and never returned.

Rong Yushu went into the mountains to search for him, but returned three months later, saying he had gotten lost in the mountains.

Brother Qian wanted to go into the mountains to investigate, but the next day he was found dead in the lake after falling into the water...