-Inside the Main Courtyard-
"Housekeeper Zhang, you have been in Ji Family for a long time. Right?" Xiao Zhi Ren hadn't gone out for a walk with his grandmother and Ru. He took this chance to ask around for some information.
"I have been with your family for the past four decades, Young Master Zhiren." Housekeeper Zhang answered politely and humbly.
Xiao Zhi Ren thought as much. He rummaged out his cellphone and showed a photo to Housekeeper Zhang. "Does this dagger belong to anyone in the family?" In the photo was the same dagger which was Xiao Zhi Ren's only lead. He had to find the one who murdered his mother at any cost.
Housekeeper Zhang adjusted his glasses and looked at the photo. He took a long moment before answering, "This dagger belongs to Master Yifeng."
Xiao Zhi Ren's eyes widened at his reply. "Are you sure?"
"I am sure. If I'm not wrong Master Yifeng even carved a 'Yi' with gold on it."
Xiao Zhi Ren had seen that carving. It was at the rear bolster of the dagger. It was small but still readable. Xiao Zhi Ren was stunned since he didn't expect this. He never thought that his father could be behind his mother's death. 'How could he? For the sake of his mistress, he forsook their marriage. But going as far as murdering his first wife?'
Xiao Zhi Ren turned to leave with a dazed look but he hadn't even taken a couple of steps when the housekeeper Zhang's voice halted him.
"I don't know why are you curious about this. But if my memory serves me right, this dagger was given to Master Yifeng's second wife. The rest I don't know."
Housekeeper Zhang took his leave with a small bow leaving Xiao Zhi Ren to crumble away like his crumbled thoughts.
Oddly, knowing that there was a chance that his father was innocent made him feel better. Why? He couldn't tell. But his hatred for his father's second wife enhanced by leaps and bounds. 'I should have known. That was the only person who hated my mother enough to kill her.'
Lost in his own thoughts when he was about to enter the living room, he bumped into a petite figure. "I'm sorry. I wasn't looking." Xiao Zhi Ren apologized without delay.
The petite figure of a girl was clinging to his body and she tilted her head upward to look at Xiao Zhi Ren, her face immediately blossomed like a white lotus.
"It's alright. I wasn't looking as well." Xiao Zhi Ren heard her soft, gentle ladylike voice. She pulled away from him and stood straight like an elegant young lady that could tug at any man's heartstrings.
But how could Xiao Zhi Ren see her bashful or lovestruck look? His mind was either focused on unraveling the truth behind his mother's death or his mind was filled with thoughts on how to seduce Ru. Oh, yes! Our Xiao Zhi Ren wasn't that much of a saint either. He had plenty of schemes to seduce Ru and he was sure that one of them would work for sure.
Disregarding the young lady beside him, he moved towards his grandmother. "Where is Rong?"
"I left him to admire your grandfather's antique collection." Old Madam Ji answered while she observed the way the young lady was tucking her hair behind her ear like a shy lady while eyeing her grandson.
"Oh, he must be enjoying himself then." That's all Xiao Zhi Ren said and sat down beside his grandmother.
"Grandmother, who is he?" The young lady from earlier questioned Old Madam Ji.
"He's my eldest grandson," was the only reply she received.
"So, he's the eldest brother. I've heard so much about you from Hong'er." Xiao Zhi Ren didn't give any response but the other party was also persistent. More than he thought so. "By the way, I'm Tang Yiyi. Ji Caihong's best friend."
Now, Xiao Zhi Ren lifted his gaze to give that young lady named Tang Yiyi, a once over. And from what he saw, he frowned deeply.
Tang Yiyi had a fair complexion. She was like a fair maiden with her pure and clean image. Her eyes were sparkling as she looked at Xiao Zhi Ren. The more she looked, the more she found him handsome. She already thought that Ji Caihong's brother Ji Syaoran was quite handsome but who knew that the eldest one was also an eye-candy.
Ji Caihong was sure lucky when it came to brothers.