Chapter 426: Chapter 245 Painting Maps
That night, in Liang Run’s residence.
"Young master, I went to the Pei family’s desolate house, but I didn’t find anything useful." Pei Dingyuan had already confirmed his identity as a member of the Pei family from Zhao Yao, and he also confirmed his suspicion from Zhao Yao that Zhao Yao was the Tenth Prince.
Zhao Yao not only informed him of Pei Dingyuan’s identity but also told him about the speculation concerning the Pei Family’s Treasure.
The reason he told Pei Dingyuan everything was in the hope that he might remember it in the future. If the Pei family really left behind a treasure, then as a descendant of the Pei family, he was fully entitled to it. With the treasure, to say the least, he wouldn’t have to worry about food and clothing his entire life.
Pei Dingyuan held no real hope about the so-called treasure of the Pei family. Even if it truly existed, he might not be able to find it, after all, he still couldn’t recall anything about the Pei family. Besides, he didn’t believe the Pei family would have left behind any treasure.
During this period, he would occasionally visit the Pei family’s desolate house to see if something might jog his memory or if he could find anything, but unfortunately, he found nothing. More so, he had never dreamed of anything related to the Pei family.
Zhao Yao felt it was normal for Pei Dingyuan not to remember anything after visiting the Pei family’s desolate house, after all, he wasn’t born or raised there.
"If you didn’t find anything, let it be. You shouldn’t go to the Pei family’s desolate house during this period." Zhao Yao originally did not have high expectations for Pei Dingyuan to recall anything about the Pei family. The doctor had said that it was fortunate Pei Dingyuan only lost his memory from a childhood fever and that his brain wasn’t damaged; whether he could regain his childhood memories was up to fate. The doctor mentioned that if he was lucky, he might suddenly remember in the future. If not, he might never remember anything in his life.
"Recently, foreign envoys have entered the capital, so it’s possible that people from the Shu region might take advantage of the situation to sneak into the capital again, heading to the Pei family’s desolate house to look for things." Zhao Yao believed the Pei family must have left something behind; if not the treasure, it would certainly be something important. Otherwise, Han Zhong from Shu would not risk sending people to the capital. "If they encounter you at the Pei family’s desolate house, then you’ll be in danger."
"Also, Han Zhong must never learn of your existence, otherwise he would surely send people to abduct you to Shu. At that point, even if you didn’t reveal the treasure’s whereabouts, he would not let you go."
Upon hearing this, Pei Dingyuan felt a bit uneasy inside, but he didn’t show it on his face.
"Young master, it’s all my fault for being useless, unable to remember any useful clues."
"Don’t force yourself," Zhao Yao consoled Pei Dingyuan, "Let everything happen naturally. You might remember one day."
Pei Dingyuan didn’t dare tell Zhao Yao that despite visiting the Pei family’s desolate house so many times, he never felt any emotional connection to it — all he felt was estrangement.
"Young master, what if I never remember in my life?"
"If you don’t remember, then you don’t remember," Zhao Yao laughed, "You’re not living for the so-called Pei Family’s Treasure. Would you stop living if you can’t remember? Not remembering isn’t a serious matter; you don’t have to mind it."
Seeing Pei Dingyuan looking guilt-ridden, Zhao Yao reassured him, "I don’t mind; you really don’t need to take it to heart."
"But..."
"I’m telling you about your identity and the possible Pei Family’s Treasure because I think it’s something you should know, not to make you find the treasure. Even if you find the treasure, I wouldn’t want it. If you don’t find the treasure, I won’t blame you either."
Upon hearing this from Zhao Yao, Pei Dingyuan felt a wave of relief in his heart.
"I took you in and nurtured you, not because you’re from the Pei family. Besides, when I first took you in, I didn’t know you were from the Pei family." Zhao Yao thought Pei Dingyuan misunderstood his intentions, and he had to clarify to prevent any continued misunderstanding. "I hope you can achieve something in the future and thus help me."
Pei Dingyuan blushed with shame, "Young master, I..." He realized he was judging a gentleman with a petty heart.
"It’s alright, I didn’t take it to heart. I also hope you won’t take it to heart," Zhao Yao said with a smile to Pei Dingyuan. "Your task now is to study well, strive to get into the Imperial College as soon as possible, and then study diligently there, so you can help me better."
Hearing this, any trace of unease in Pei Dingyuan’s heart disappeared completely.
"Yes, young master, I will not disappoint your expectations."
"By the way, back then the entire Pei family was executed and no one dared to collect their corpses, so they were just thrown into the mass grave and buried carelessly." The Pei family was indeed wronged back then, but they also did a lot of bad deeds and angered many, leading to their entire family’s execution and no one willing to collect their bodies. "The mass grave from the previous dynasty is no longer there; it was dug up during the chaotic times, burned, and is now a desolate mountain outside the capital. Would you like to go see it?"