Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

He Yuzhu seemed to think about it, and finally spoke with a hint of hesitation in his tone: "Brother Li, just now I saw Qin Huairu and the second uncle walking to the backyard together, saying something. Although I couldn't hear it clearly, but... I felt something was wrong."

Li Xiangqian raised his eyebrows, and was confused. Qin Huairu and the second uncle? These two people had some friendship in the courtyard, but Li Xiangqian never interfered too much in their affairs. Since He Yuzhu felt something was wrong, he naturally did not dare to take it lightly.

"What did they say?" Li Xiangqian asked.

"I just saw them talking in a low voice. I didn't hear it clearly. But I saw the second uncle handing something in his hand to Qin Huairu. It looked like... like some food." He Yuzhu said as he lowered his head, as if he was a little afraid to face Li Xiangqian's gaze.

Li Xiangqian's heart tightened, and he suddenly felt a little uneasy. Did they hide the food secretly? But since no one said these things openly, it must be inconvenient to spread them. Li Xiangqian also understood that everyone in this courtyard was living in their own way, and the trust between them was often so fragile.

"Do you think the second uncle is doing anything behind the scenes?" He Yuzhu hesitated for a moment, but still asked.

Li Xiangqian lowered his head in thought, and his heart was suddenly stirred. He knew the Second Master's character, but he did not expect that the Second Master would do such a thing. But, for what reason did he give the food to Qin Huairu? Li Xiangqian suddenly had some complicated emotions. He knew that he could not easily question the Second Master. After all, everyone in this courtyard knew that his current situation was not simple.

"I have to go and take a look." Li Xiangqian finally spoke, with unquestionable determination in his tone.

He Yuzhu nodded and looked at him with some concern: "Be careful and don't cause any trouble."

Li Xiangqian didn't say much, but walked out of the house silently and headed towards the backyard. He walked slowly and steadily, knowing that at this moment, he had to stay calm. No matter what happened, he had to understand the situation clearly and make the wisest decision.

The air in the backyard smelled slightly damp, and the surrounding trees rustled from time to time. Li Xiangqian glanced around and fixed his eyes on the half-open door. An inexplicable emotion suddenly surged in his heart, and the long-suppressed anxiety began to slowly spread. Just as he was about to approach the door, he suddenly heard a light footstep behind him.

Li Xiangqian stood in the yard, his doubts growing stronger. He looked at the half-open door, and Qin Huairu's figure was slowly approaching. There was silence all around, only the wind whistling in his ears, bringing a hint of coolness, which made his neck feel cold. As the night deepened, the stars in the night sky flickered faintly, as if silently observing everything. His eyes never left Qin Huairu, but the uneasy feeling lingered in his heart.

"It's really windy tonight." Li Xiangqian finally spoke, his tone calm, but revealing a hint of uneasiness. The chill in the air made him frown.

Qin Huairu stood there, her eyes flickering, as if she was hesitant, or as if she was about to say something, but in the end she was silent for a few seconds. The wind blew her hair and gently brushed her face, as if taking away some of her expression. Her voice was a little hoarse in the wind: "Yes, the wind is really strong." She did not continue to speak, but instead moved her eyes away, as if avoiding Li Xiangqian's gaze.

Li Xiangqian's heart moved slightly, and his intuition told him that Qin Huairu was not simple at the moment. Her silence and his mood seemed to be a foreshadowing. He turned his eyes around, and the trees in the backyard swayed in the wind, making a low sound. The tension in the air seemed to be getting heavier, and Li Xiangqian felt his heartbeat speed up involuntarily.

He did not wait any longer and walked straight towards Qin Huairu, his steps firm and calm. Although there were no words, the silent sense of oppression made the air stagnant.

"Qin Huairu," Li Xiangqian stopped in front of her, his eyes burning, "I know you met the Second Master today. What did you talk about when you were with him? Why did you secretly give him the food?"

Qin Huairu's face turned pale instantly, her lips trembled slightly, and a trace of panic flashed in her eyes, as if she was a little surprised that Li Xiangqian could ask so directly. She lowered her head, not daring to look at Li Xiangqian, as if there was something in her heart that she was unwilling to say.

Seeing her like this, Li Xiangqian became more determined. His tone was low and powerful: "You know, don't say what you shouldn't say, and don't do what you can't do. If you really have something to tell me, now is the time." He stared at her with sharp eyes, like a sharp blade, pointing directly to the secret deep in her heart.

Qin Huairu's breathing suddenly became rapid, and her eyes flickered a few times, as if she was making some difficult decision. Finally, she slowly raised her head and looked into Li Xiangqian's eyes, with a complex emotion in her eyes, like guilt and helplessness.

"You don't understand..." She whispered, with a hint of depression in her voice, "There are some things I can't tell you. I... I do this for everyone." She paused, as if recalling something in the past that she didn't want to reveal, "Second Uncle, he knows something and mentioned some unknown things to me. I..." Her voice suddenly became hoarse, "I don't dare to take the risk."

Li Xiangqian was stunned, and the cloud of doubt in his heart gradually spread. Why did Qin Huairu say that? Her words made him unable to understand, and seemed to vaguely reveal some unknown inside story. Her eyes were dim, as if hiding some unspeakable pain.

"Qin Huairu," Li Xiangqian's tone became softer, "Are you telling the truth? What are you worried about?" His anxiety grew stronger and stronger, and he couldn't help but reach out and gently hold her shoulders, trying to find more clues in her eyes.

Qin Huairu shuddered slightly, as if Li Xiangqian's touch had awakened some emotions, and a trace of struggle flashed in her eyes. She took a deep breath and finally spoke: "Do you really want to know? Aren't you afraid that after knowing these things, nothing can be changed?"

Li Xiangqian stared into her eyes with a strong determination in his eyes. "I must know. I can accept whatever you say."

Qin Huairu was silent for a moment, and finally whispered: "Second uncle said that he knew some people nearby... they were hiding something." She paused, her voice trembling a little, "I don't know what they are doing, but he warned me that if we continue like this, we may all fall into deeper trouble.