son, don't mess around

The capital city, the Xu residence.

"Grandpa, Father and my little sister are all well. A letter came from Linjiang City a few days ago, and Father told us not to worry in the capital."

Inside a room in the middle courtyard.

Grandpa Xu sat on a soft couch, the room was warm with the light of a fire burning inside.

Xu Zhongshan sat to the side, reporting to his grandfather the letter from his father in Linjiang City.

Since the Third Prince's rebellion, the Xu family was implicated and almost executed. Fortunately, the Prince of Lin intervened and saved their lives.

The Xu family now lives a very low-profile life.

This former Minister of Rites spent most of his time at home and rarely went out. Old Master Xu didn't have many friends in the capital to begin with, and now that he had lost power, his home was even more deserted.

However, this also allowed Mr. Xu to enjoy some leisure time.

The only regret is probably that we can't leave the capital. This has caused the family to be separated and unable to reunite.

"My father wants to come to the capital to see my grandfather."

Xu Zhongshan began to read the contents of the letter.

Upon hearing this, Old Master Xu frowned and softly scolded, "Foolish!"

"Given the current situation in the capital, what is he still doing here? Let him stay in Linjiang City and protect the foundation of our Xu family's ancestral business—that's more important than anything else."

Xu Zhongshan sighed softly.

He understood his father's meaning; calculating the time, their family hadn't seen each other for several years. With the north in chaos and the capital in grave danger, his father was extremely worried.

Where is Lanlan?

Grandpa Xu softened his tone and asked about Xu Lan's whereabouts.

"My younger sister is currently in Chujiang City in Jiangnan, I heard she's with the Jiang family."

"Jiang family?"

Old Master Xu's gaze sharpened slightly, then he suddenly realized: "Did His Highness take her there?"

"Exactly."

Xu Zhongshan nodded. He learned of his younger sister's whereabouts from Lin Jiangnian, and at the same time reminded his grandfather: "His Highness the Crown Prince is currently in the capital."

"In the capital?"

Upon hearing this news, Old Master Xu was clearly surprised. "You've already met him?"

Xu Zhongshan nodded.

"When did he come to the city? What is his purpose?!"

Having served as an official for many years, Old Master Xu possessed an extremely keen sense of smell. Upon hearing that Lin Jiangnian had returned to the capital, he immediately realized something.

"I don't know about that."

Xu Zhongshan shook his head and said, "Your Highness was assassinated a few days ago. It seems that you have come to the capital to investigate the truth."

"Assassination? The truth?!"

Old Master Xu remained calm and did not speak.

"Grandpa, what's wrong?"

Old Master Xu sighed softly: "Do you think the dignified heir of the Prince of Lin would personally travel thousands of miles back to the capital for an assassination attempt?"

“He only left the capital at the beginning of the year. If it were just an ordinary assassination, why would he personally go to such lengths?”

Xu Zhongshan was stunned: "Grandpa, you mean..."

"This prince probably has a deeper purpose."

Old Master Xu seemed to be deep in thought before speaking softly.

As he spoke, Old Master Xu paused for a moment and then instructed, "His Highness has been kind to the Xu family. If His Highness has any use for you this time, Zhongshan, you must not refuse."

Xu Zhongshan nodded: "Grandpa, don't worry, I will."

Grandpa Xu nodded and sighed softly.

"If there's nothing else, you can go now."

"Okay, Grandpa, you can rest now."

Xu Zhongshan nodded, not wanting to disturb his grandfather's meditation any longer, got up and left the room, walked out of the courtyard, and was just about to return to his room when...

Outside the courtyard, a servant from the manor hurried over: "Young master, someone outside the manor wants to see you."

"see me?"

Xu Zhongshan found it strange. He didn't have any friends in the capital, and almost no one ever came to visit him.

Could it be His Highness the Crown Prince?
"It's a woman!"

The servant said, "The woman outside the door specifically asked to see you, young master. She seems to know you very well."

"woman?!"

Xu Zhongshan was taken aback. He didn't have any close friends in the capital, let alone any women.

Why would a woman take the initiative to come to his door?
But then, a sudden thought flashed through Xu Zhongshan's mind: "Wait, what's her name?!"

The servant thought for a moment and said, "She seemed to have said her name was something like Hu, Hu..."

"Hu Yao?!"

"Yes, yes, that's the name!"

The servant had just nodded and started to speak when he saw the young master walk quickly towards the courtyard gate.

……

Outside the Xu residence.

Beside the threshold stone sat a beautiful young woman. She had exquisite features and an elegant demeanor, but she appeared somewhat disheveled.

Her face was flushed, and she was breathing rapidly, as if she had run all the way here.

At this moment, she stared intently at the Xu residence, biting her lower lip tightly, feeling uneasy yet vaguely expectant. Her emotions of fear and anticipation were on full display.

Then, footsteps sounded from behind the door.

Xu Zhongshan strode out, and as soon as he stepped out of the mansion, he spotted a familiar figure sitting on the threshold steps.

Hu Yao!

"Miss Hu?!"

Xu Zhongshan spoke, surprised and taken aback.

Upon hearing the sound, Hu Yao suddenly looked up, her eyes instantly flashing with surprise.

"Xu, Xu Zhongshan..."

She struggled to get up, but quickly stumbled and lost her balance.

"Miss Hu, what brings you here?"

Xu Zhongshan was somewhat surprised at this moment.

He didn't expect Hu Yao to come to him on her own initiative. Seeing her disheveled appearance, he immediately realized that something might have happened.

When she hesitated again, unsure how to speak, Xu Zhongshan glanced outside the mansion before looking away and said, "Miss Hu, this is not the place to talk. Please come in quickly."

"it is good."

Hu Yao breathed a sigh of relief and, with Xu Zhongshan's help, entered the Xu residence. Once inside, Hu Yao, who had been tense and anxious, finally felt a great sense of relief.

"Miss Hu, what's wrong with you?"

Xu Zhongshan looked him up and down and asked, "Why did you suddenly come to see me today? What happened?"

"Hmm..." Hu Yao's voice was very soft. At this moment, she had lost her usual radiance. Her eyes and brows were full of loneliness and fear.

"I ran away from home..."

"Escape?"

Xu Zhongshan was extremely surprised: "What exactly happened? Miss Hu, how did you escape from home?"

"I……"

Hu Yao was about to speak when, for some reason, her eyes suddenly reddened. She stared at Xu Zhongshan in front of her, unable to utter a single word.

"Miss Hu, please don't cry..."

Xu Zhongshan was somewhat bewildered. What was wrong with this woman?

Did you have a falling out with your family?
Or did something happen that he doesn't know about?

Xu Zhongshan immediately recalled the night two days prior when Hu Yao was assassinated, and he happened to be at the Hu residence, saving her life. Afterwards, Xu Zhongshan successfully opened the heart of the young lady before him, learning from her the mastermind behind the attack.

Sixth Prince!
Afterwards, Xu Zhongshan told Lin Jiangnian about the matter.

That night, Xu Zhongshan and Hu Yao stayed together until dawn. The next day, Hu Yao suddenly said she had something important to take care of and then left alone.

And then, we arrived at today.

After leaving that day, Hu Yao disappeared for two days, her whereabouts unknown. When I saw her again today, it was obvious that Hu Yao looked more haggard, her whole being devoid of energy and spirit, somewhat lost and dejected.

What exactly happened these past two days?!

Xu Zhongshan was completely bewildered. He saw that the previously arrogant and domineering Miss Hu had suddenly become so pitiful, with reddened eyes and tears that seemed about to fall at any moment.

He quickly tried to comfort her, hoping to calm her down. But his attempts to soothe her only made things worse; instead, Hu Yao, who had been holding back her grievances for days, finally couldn't hold back any longer.

Looking at Xu Zhongshan's worried face, Hu Yao felt a sudden pang in her heart. A flood of emotions surged through her. The next second, she threw herself into Xu Zhongshan's arms, sobbing uncontrollably, a heart-wrenching cry.

Xu Zhongshan stood frozen in place, motionless. Looking at Hu Yao, who had suddenly rushed into his arms, he felt a strange, indescribable feeling.

Xu Zhongshan's body stiffened, his head drooping with difficulty. Looking at the woman who had thrown herself into his arms, the strange feeling in his heart grew stronger.

Can't tell!

"Miss Hu, you..."

Xu Zhongshan felt a hoarseness in his throat, and he wanted to say something. But the woman in his arms clung to him tightly, as if afraid he would disappear, and cried her heart out.

"He, they all bullied me... They all don't want me anymore..."

"Only, you're left..."

"..."

Hu Yao's voice was hoarse, venting countless emotions, making people's hearts tremble.

Xu Zhongshan looked complicated and somewhat dazed; he suddenly didn't know what to do!
At first, Xu Zhongshan did not like Hu Yao. In fact, he was disgusted by this arrogant, domineering, and vain woman.

Their paths crossed starting with the conflict that arose at the manor party.

Next, in order to help the Crown Prince, Xu Zhongshan began to disguise himself and actively approach Hu Yao. Through his unremitting efforts, he gradually gained Hu Yao's trust and extracted many secrets from her.

From the very beginning, Xu Zhongshan only saw her as a tool for his own benefit. All the kindness he showed her was just an act.

Xu Zhongshan never took it seriously.

Although as the two spent more time together, Xu Zhongshan gradually saw through Miss Hu's true nature.

Although this Miss Hu is indeed arrogant and domineering with many flaws and cannot be considered a good person, she cannot be described as 'utterly wicked' either.

All things considered, she was still a pitiful person!

Even so, Xu Zhongshan only felt a little more sympathy for her, but no other emotions.

Even today, right now.

Hu Yao suddenly came to his door, threw herself into his arms, and cried her heart out.

Xu Zhongshan was stunned by the crying!
Seeing him cry like this, even Xu Zhongshan, who was hard-hearted, couldn't help but feel a little pity.

Even the servants in the Xu household were dumbfounded!

What's the situation?
Where did this woman come from? Why did she rush into her young master's arms and cry like this as soon as she arrived?
Could it be that the young master did something heinous to her?

Finally, after crying her heart out for a long time, Hu Yao finally released all the pent-up emotions she had been holding in.

With Xu Zhongshan's reassurance, Hu Yao gradually calmed down. She lowered her head and still held Xu Zhongshan tightly, resting her head against his chest.

"Miss Hu, could you... please let me go?"

Xu Zhongshan spoke.

Upon hearing this, Hu Yao seemed to tense up, slowly raising her head to reveal a face covered in tears, her eyes red and trembling pitifully: "You, you don't want me anymore either?"

Meeting those eyes, Xu Zhongshan felt even more guilty.

Strictly speaking, aside from the grudge at the manor that day, he had no conflict with Hu Yao. And seeing her like this now, after constantly deceiving her, Xu Zhongshan truly felt guilty.

"no……"

Xu Zhongshan slightly shifted his gaze: "What exactly happened? Let go of me first, and we can talk about it slowly, okay?"

Hearing Xu Zhongshan's words, Hu Yao bit her lower lip, stared at him, and asked relentlessly, "Will you abandon me?"

"Don't worry, Miss Hu, I will definitely not abandon you."

"real?!"

"Absolutely true!"

Xu Zhongshan nodded.

He told so many lies that even Xu Zhongshan was unsure whether they were true or false.

But Hu Yao believed it!
A bright smile bloomed on her face. She hastily wiped away her tears and nodded heavily.

She took a step back and reluctantly got up from Xu Zhongshan's arms.

When she saw Xu Zhongshan just now, she couldn't help but let her emotions surge. Now that she has gradually calmed down, she realizes what she has done.

Hu Yao's face gradually turned red, but she couldn't hide the joy in her heart.

"Miss Hu, what exactly is going on?"

At this moment, Xu Zhongshan's eyes were somewhat complicated as he looked at Hu Yao in front of him: "What did you just say about bullying you and not wanting you anymore...?"

At this moment, Xu Zhongshan's mind was in a mess, and he still wanted to figure out what had happened first.

Hearing this, Hu Yao fell silent for a moment, then gradually lowered her head. The joy on her face gradually disappeared, and she bit her lower lip tightly, her voice trembling as she said, "My father keeps me locked up at home; he won't let me go out. Today, I escaped to see you."

Xu Zhongshan then realized why Hu Yao was in such a disheveled state.

Why did your father imprison you?

"He used me as a pawn in his game of self-interest..."

A hint of resentment flashed in Hu Yao's eyes: "The Sixth Prince wanted to kill me, and my father was very angry... From childhood to adulthood, he has never treated me like a daughter."

At this point, Hu Yao trembled all over, and she couldn't help but look at Xu Zhongshan: "I... I don't want to go back... If I'm caught and taken back, Father will definitely hand me over to the Sixth Prince..."

Thinking of the torment she had endured, a hint of fear flashed in Hu Yao's eyes. She looked at Xu Zhongshan with pleading eyes: "Can you... take me in?"

Looking at the pitiful Miss Hu, Xu Zhongshan was silent for a moment, then sighed and said, "Miss Hu, if you don't mind, why don't you stay at my Xu family's place for the time being?"

The woman's pitiful state made Xu Zhongshan reluctant to kick her out.

He had mixed feelings, an indescribable emotion towards the woman before him. Was it disgust? But seeing how pitiful she was, that disgust lessened considerably.

It seems that the feeling is more one of sympathy than anything else.

Regardless, this whole affair started because of him. Hu Yao has nowhere to go right now, so keeping her here is the best decision. (End of Chapter)