Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

The carriage moved forward slowly as the two talked and laughed. The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the road, casting a long shadow. The shadow stretched long in the afterglow of the setting sun, as if telling the friendship and expectations of the two. The carriage passed through golden rice fields and green mountains, as if passing through beautiful pastoral paintings. Those scenes slowly flowed before the eyes of the two, as if telling the stories and legends of this land.

Inside the car, the two continued to chat and laugh. They talked about the future of their children and the fate of the country, and about their own ideals and pursuits. Their voices echoed in the car, like a wonderful symphony, making people feel extremely warm and comfortable. Their smiles looked particularly bright and warm in the afterglow of the setting sun, as if telling people: no matter how the world changes, their friendship and beliefs will never change.

The sun gradually sets and the sky gradually darkens. The carriage moves slowly forward in the night, like a boat sailing in the darkness, looking for the light ahead. However, no matter how many difficulties and challenges there are ahead, the two will go hand in hand and face the future wind, rain and sunshine together. Because they know: as long as there is love and faith in their hearts, nothing can stop them from moving forward.

······
In the afterglow of the setting sun, two young men, Lin Hongwan and Li Lingjue, like two tired travelers, dragged their heavy steps back to their temporary hut. Their clothes were covered with dust, which was the testimony of their hard work for the day. On Lin Hongwan's face, sweat and dust intertwined into a mottled picture, and his eyes revealed a subtle determination. And Li Lingjue, although equally tired, his eyes were deeper, as if hiding endless wisdom.

Inside the house, a dim oil lamp flickered with a weak light, illuminating Xiaocao's thin figure. Like a tireless bee, she still lay on the shabby table, using the old book that had been rebound to absorb the nutrients of knowledge. Unlike the past, this time she did not use the simple wooden stick to gesture the words, but read softly. Although her voice was childish, it was full of determination and persistence. Her eyes flashed with a desire for knowledge and a vision for the future.

Zhou Ping'an's father was lying on the bed, his old face was covered with traces of time, and every wrinkle seemed to tell of the hardships of life. Sometimes he sighed, as if sighing at the injustice of fate, and sometimes he closed his eyes, as if looking for spiritual comfort. Zhou Ping'an was busy cooking in front of the stove, his movements were skillful and quick, and every stir-fry seemed so powerful and rhythmic. As the aroma of the food gradually spread, the atmosphere in the hut became more warm and harmonious.

However, this peace did not last long. Suddenly, a rapid knock on the door broke the tranquility of the hut. Zhou Pingan put down his work and walked towards the door in confusion. When he opened the door, a man in gorgeous clothes appeared in front of him. The man was wearing a brocade robe, a jade crown on his head, and a puzzled expression on his face. He looked around and looked at this simple hut, with an indescribable emotion in his eyes.

"Excuse me, is this Zhou Ping'an's home?" the man asked.

"Yes, I am Zhou Ping'an." Zhou Ping'an replied.

"Oh, that's good." The man smiled slightly, "I am a servant sent by your master. He specially asked me to take the two gentlemen home."

Hearing this, Lin Hongwan and Li Lingjue came out of the house in surprise. They looked at this stranger, their hearts full of doubts and confusion.

"My dad is here to pick me up?" they both asked in unison.

"Yes, the master is waiting outside." The servant replied with a smile, "He specially asked me to come and invite the two gentlemen."

After that, he took out a five-liang silver ingot and handed it to Zhou Ping'an: "This is the reward from the master. Thank you for taking care of the two children during this period of time. Sorry for the trouble."

Zhou Pingan took the silver, and his dark face turned slightly red. He said somewhat at a loss: "Thank you for the reward, Master. I didn't really bother... These two children are very sensible and didn't cause me any trouble."

At this moment, Xiaocao quietly walked out of the house. She looked at Lin Hongwan and Li Lingjue who were about to leave, and her heart was filled with reluctance. Although Lin Hongwan was sometimes annoying and always bullied her, Brother Li was still very good to her. They had been together for so long, and now they were going to separate again... Her eyes were slightly red, as if she would cry at any time.

Lin Hongwan and Li Lingjue also saw Xiaocao's dejected look. They were filled with an inexplicable emotion, with both expectations and longings for the future and nostalgia and reluctance for the past. Li Lingjue said softly to Xiaocao, "Sister Xiaocao, you must study hard after we leave and try to get into the girls' school. We will come back to see you when we are free."

"Yeah!" Xiaocao nodded heavily, with a determined light in her eyes. She looked at Lin Hongwan and said, "Brother Lin, you have to work hard too!" But when she saw Lin Hongwan, she couldn't help but snorted and turned her head away, with a look of disgust on her face. This made Lin Hongwan feel a little embarrassed and lost, but he still forced a smile and said, "Don't worry, sister Xiaocao, I will work hard."

Li Lingjue looked at the interaction between the two and shook his head helplessly, then turned to Zhou Ping'an and said, "Uncle Zhou, thank you for your care during this period of time."

"No, no, you guys are the ones who helped me a lot." Zhou Ping'an quickly waved his hands and said.

At this time, Lin Xiaofeng and Li Dexian also came in. They were relieved to see that the two children had returned safely. Lin Xiaofeng stroked Lin Hongwan's head and asked with a smile: "How has Honger been this month?"

"It's okay, I just miss home a little." Lin Hongwan answered gloomily, his eyes revealing his reluctance to leave the Zhou family. Lin Xiaofeng saw it and knew that the child was reluctant to leave, but it was also a good thing to cherish feelings. Li Dexian also asked Li Lingjue about his situation during this period with concern. Li Lingjue raised his head and answered his father's questions seriously.

After learning that both children were doing well, both fathers smiled with satisfaction. However, when Li Lingjue mentioned giving the Zhou family five taels of silver, Lin Xiaofeng frowned. He said earnestly, "Five taels of silver is enough. Giving too much is not good." He explained, "Zhou Ping'an already has a gambling addiction. If we give him too much money and it triggers his gambling addiction again, who will be responsible? There are countless families like theirs in the world. If we help one family today, what about tomorrow?"

Li Lingjue remained silent. He understood Lin Xiaofeng's intention. Lin Hongwan, who had been silent all this time, suddenly turned around and ran into the house. He shouted, "I forgot to take my slingshot and sword!" There was a hint of urgency and reluctance in his voice. Li Lingjue was stunned, then he also understood Lin Hongwan's idea and hurriedly followed him.

The two of them quickly rushed into the house and searched through the boxes and cabinets for the two "swords" made of branches. Although those "swords" were simple, they were their best playmates during these days, carrying their countless laughter and memories. Lin Hongwan carefully picked up one of them and gently stroked it, as if stroking a precious memory.

"Found it!" Li Lingjue shouted excitedly. He picked up another "sword" and the two smiled at each other, their eyes full of reluctance. They held the "sword" tightly in their arms, as if to keep this memory in their hearts forever.

The two slowly pushed open the rickety wooden door. The sun shone obliquely into the room, and the dust danced gently under the light. Xiaocao sat on a faded stool, her hands folded on her knees, staring blankly ahead, as if immersed in her own world. Her hair was a little messy, and a few strands of hair gently stuck to her cheeks, making her look even thinner and more lonely.

Seeing Li Lingjue and Lin Hongwan come in, Xiaocao's eyes flashed with a gleam of anticipation and longing for familiar people. However, when she saw Lin Hongwan's serious face, the corners of her mouth trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but finally held back. Her heart was full of contradictions, with both resentment towards Lin Hongwan and reluctance to leave him.

Lin Hongwan walked up to Xiaocao, squatted down, and looked at her at eye level. His eyes were full of concern and expectation, but his tone was extremely serious: "Xiaocao, are you really not going to talk to me? I really have to leave. If you don't talk, I will be really angry." There was a tremor in his voice, as if he was holding back something.

However, Xiaocao seemed not to hear his words. She turned her head away, not looking at him or speaking. Her heart was filled with pain and struggle. She didn't know how to face Lin Hongwan, nor how to express her feelings.

Lin Hongwan sighed, stood up, turned to Zhou Pingan and said, "Uncle Zhou, please take your father and Xiaocao outside and wait for a while. I have something to say to Lao Li." His voice was full of helplessness and disappointment.

Although Zhou Pingan didn't understand what he meant, he didn't object. He picked up his father and walked out of the house holding Xiaocao's hand. Xiaocao looked back at Lin Hongwan, with a hint of complicated emotions in her eyes, but she finally followed Zhou Pingan away.

Only Lin Hongwan and Li Lingjue were left in the room. Lin Hongwan walked to the corner and picked up a rusty hoe. He took a deep breath, then smashed the hoe hard on the window! The wood of the window instantly shattered under the impact of the hoe, making a crisp "crack" sound. Wood chips flew everywhere, and the paper on the window was blown away by the wind.

Li Lingjue was stunned by this scene. He hurriedly grabbed Lin Hongwan: "Lin Hongwan! What are you doing! Are you going to tear down Xiaocao's house just because she doesn't talk to you?!" His voice was full of anger and confusion.

Lin Hongwan stopped what he was doing, looked at his numb hands and the broken window, and showed an embarrassed look. He sighed: "Hey... Why is this broken wall so hard..." He shook his head, "I'm so nice to her, but she still doesn't talk to me. What an annoying little girl." His voice was full of helplessness and loss.

After saying that, he turned around and was about to leave. However, when he reached the door, he stopped again. He looked back at the damage inside the house, then walked to the stove and quickly pulled out two burning wood from the furnace. He walked outside and threw the two fire sticks onto the roof in front of Zhou Ping'an and his family!
The hay on the roof had become very dry after being exposed to the sun, and it immediately caught fire. The fire spread quickly, and a thick smoke slowly rose, dyeing the entire sky gray. Zhou Ping'an's family was frightened by the sudden fire, and they stood there for a long time without reacting. Xiaocao was even more frightened and trembled. She held Zhou Ping'an's hand tightly and hid behind him.

At this time, Li Lingjue was also staring at Lin Hongwan in amazement. He couldn't understand Lin Hongwan's behavior. However, Lin Hongwan watched the fire spread calmly, as if everything was under his control.

The fire was getting more and more intense, but Lin Hongwan did not take any measures to put it out. He stood there and let the fire spread. However, just when the fire was about to get out of control, he suddenly took out a water bag from his arms and poured the water in the bag towards the fire. The fire was quickly brought under control and finally extinguished completely.

It turned out that Lin Hongwan had already prepared countermeasures. He did this to give the Zhou family a reason to rebuild the house. He knew that Xiaocao's house was dilapidated and needed to be rebuilt. By doing this, he could not only allow the Zhou family to get some funds for reconstruction, but also allow Xiaocao to get rid of this dilapidated home.

After the fire was extinguished, Lin Hongwan turned and rushed into the house. After a while, he ran out of the house again, holding a memorial tablet, a few old books and a wooden box filled with old newspapers in his arms. These were the most precious things of Xiaocao's family, and he carefully handed them to Zhou Ping'an.

The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the ancient village, rendering the sky orange and red. The smoke from the cooking stoves rose up, interweaving with the glow of the sky, creating a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. However, in this tranquility, Zhou Ping'an's house was billowing with black smoke and flames, breaking the tranquility.

Lin Hongwan stood outside the fire scene, his eyes full of guilt and determination. He was wearing a slightly worn cloth, his face was stained with some dust, but his eyes were unusually bright, as if they could penetrate people's hearts. He looked at Zhou Ping'an's family, with mixed feelings in his heart.

Zhou Pingan stood aside, his face pale, his eyes full of shock and helplessness. He clenched his fists, as if trying to control his emotions. His wife sobbed softly, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeves from time to time. Their granddaughter Xiaocao, at this moment, was like an angry little lion, and suddenly pounced on Lin Hongwan.

Xiaocao's face was covered with tears, and her eyes were full of anger and confusion. Her fists rained down on Lin Hongwan's body. Although the force was not strong, it was full of anger. She cried while beating him, "Why do you always bully me! Why did you burn my house... wuwu... Just because I didn't talk to you?! You are such a bad guy!"

Lin Hongwan did not dodge, he let Xiaocao's fist fall on him. He looked at Xiaocao's angry and tender face, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart. He reached out, gently held Xiaocao's fist, and then slowly pulled her into his arms.

"Xiao Cao, stop crying." Lin Hongwan's voice was gentle but firm. "I know I did something wrong, but I really didn't mean to do it. I will take responsibility to the end." As he spoke, he took out a bag of silver from his arms and handed it to Zhou Ping'an. "Take this money and use it first. If it's not enough, tell me again."

Zhou Pingan took the silver in a daze, his eyes full of doubt and puzzlement. He looked at Lin Hongwan and then at Xiaocao, and seemed to have not recovered from the shock just now. Xiaocao also stopped crying at this moment. She looked up at Lin Hongwan's serious face, and the anger and puzzlement in her heart gradually dissipated.

Lin Hongwan gently touched Xiaocao's head, his eyes full of pity and reluctance. He looked at Xiaocao's tender face, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart. He knew that he could not stay here any longer, and he had to leave this village to find his own way.

"Don't hate me, Xiaocao." Lin Hongwan's voice was a little choked, "I'm leaving." He turned and walked towards the village entrance, each step seemed so heavy. He knew that he might never come back, but he didn't look back.

However, Xiao Cao suddenly rushed forward and hugged Lin Hongwan's thighs tightly, refusing to let go. "I don't want you to leave! I don't want you to leave!" Her voice was full of crying and pleading, and her eyes were reflecting fire, beating like the hatred in her heart.

Lin Hongwan felt a sharp pain in his heart when he saw Xiaocao's crying face. He reached out and gently pried Xiaocao's hand apart and then turned and left. He didn't look back because he knew that if he looked back, he would never be able to leave this place again.

Xiaocao's tears flowed down her cheeks again as she watched Lin Hongwan leave. She knew that this boy who always bullied her had actually been silently protecting her and her family. But now he was leaving the village to find his own way.

"Remember this!" Lin Hongwan's voice came from afar, "Someone will come to build a new house for your family, give you money, and take your grandfather to see a doctor. This is not because someone is kind-hearted, but because I demolished your house!" As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of horse hooves came from a distance.

Lin Xiaofeng and Li Dexian rode their horses from a distance. When they saw Lin Hongwan, they smiled with satisfaction. They knew that this month's experience had made this child grow up a lot. He changed from a willful boy to a responsible man.

"Hong Wan!" Lin Xiaofeng shouted, "Let's go!"

Under the cover of night, an ancient carriage slowly started. The copper bells on the carriage swayed gently with its steps, making a crisp sound, breaking the tranquility of the small village. In the carriage, Lin Hongwan and Li Lingjue sat side by side, and both of them looked out the window at the same time, looking back at the small village that was getting farther and farther away.

Outside the car window, the moonlight was like water, sprinkled in every corner of the village. The mountains in the distance were particularly quiet and mysterious under the moonlight. In the village, a few lights were vaguely visible, as if those who had not yet fallen asleep were silently watching over this land.

Xiaocao, the innocent little girl, was standing under the old tree at the entrance of the village. She was wearing a simple cloth dress, and her hair was tied casually behind her head with a red string. Her eyes were as clear as water, flashing with confusion. She looked up in the direction of the carriage, as if she wanted to follow the traces of Lin Hongwan and Li Lingjue. However, as the carriage went farther and farther, her figure gradually became blurred.

Lin Hongwan sat in the carriage, his face firm and deep. His eyes shone with wisdom, as if he could see through everything in the world. He closed his eyes slightly, as if he was recalling every encounter with Xiaocao. Those warm scenes emerged in his mind one by one, filling him with emotion.

Li Lingjue sat next to Lin Hongwan, and his eyes were also looking out the window. His face was calm and reserved, but his eyes revealed a hint of complex emotions. He recalled the way Xiaocao stood at the entrance of the village just now, and he couldn't help but feel inexplicably moved. He knew that this little girl had been deeply imprinted in his heart.

The carriage drove through a field, and the rice in the field swayed in the night wind, making a rustling sound. The moonlight sprinkled on the rice, as if covering them with a layer of silver coat. Lin Hongwan suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes were firm and powerful. He turned to Zhou Pingan and said in a steady voice: "Uncle Zhou, if anyone asks you about the burning house, just say it was me. As for the rest, no need to say more, someone will come to help you arrange it later."

Zhou Pingan was shocked when he heard this. He looked up at Lin Hongwan, and saw that Lin Hongwan's eyes were firm and deep, as if he could see through his heart. He nodded silently, with gratitude in his eyes. He knew that Lin Hongwan took the risk to make such a decision in order to help him solve this difficult problem.

As the night deepened, the carriage continued to move forward. Lin Hongwan and Li Lingjue sat in the carriage, their hearts full of expectations and longings for the future. They knew that this experience would become a precious treasure in their lives. And Xiaocao's figure would remain in their hearts forever.

Xiao Cao stood under the old tree at the entrance of the village, her eyes following the direction of the carriage. Her heart was filled with reluctance and attachment, as if she wanted to protect the place where she once lived. However, she knew that all this had become the past. She could only pray silently, hoping that Lin Hongwan and Li Lingjue could live a happy life.

The carriage went farther and farther away, and finally disappeared into the night. Xiaocao stood under the old tree, looking in the direction where the carriage disappeared. Her figure looked particularly lonely and desolate in the moonlight. However, she did not give up hope, she believed that the future would be better.

At this time, the mountains in the distance seemed to become more majestic and mysterious under the moonlight. And those who had not yet fallen asleep were also watching this land silently. They knew that this was their home, their eternal concern and longing.

The carriage was moving slowly along the forest path. The surrounding scenery looked particularly peaceful and beautiful under the moonlight. Lin Hongwan and Li Lingjue were sitting in the carriage, and their mood gradually became calm. They knew that no matter what challenges and difficulties they would face in the future, they would work together to face them. Because they knew that only by supporting and trusting each other could they go through every stage of life.

At this moment, Lin Hongwan suddenly thought of Xiaocao. He was moved and missed by her. He knew that this little girl had been deeply imprinted in his heart. He prayed silently, hoping that Xiaocao could live a happy life and that their friendship would last forever.

The carriage continued to move forward, and the night was getting darker. However, in the hearts of Lin Hongwan and Li Lingjue, they were full of expectations and longings for the future. They knew that this experience would become a precious treasure in their lives. And the figure of Xiaocao would always remain in their hearts.

The night was as dark as ink, and the hazy moonlight was blocked by thick clouds, revealing only a faint light. In this silent night, the fire in the distance was particularly dazzling, like a demon rushing out from the depths of hell, devouring everything with its fangs and claws. The fire in Zhou Ping'an's house shot up into the sky, the flames raged, and the thick smoke billowed, like a black dragon tumbling in the night sky. The fire illuminated half of the sky red, and also illuminated everyone's heart, bringing endless fear and anxiety.

Lin Xiaofeng stood in front of his house, staring at the fire in the distance, his eyes full of worry and tension. He was wearing an old blue gown, the corners of which fluttered gently in the wind, making him look even thinner and more lonely. His face was pale, his brows were furrowed, as if a heavy mountain was pressing on his heart. Li Dexian, a burly middle-aged man beside him, also looked at the fire, his face full of astonishment and anger.

Just as the two were about to run towards the fire, two figures suddenly appeared in front of them. Lin Hongwan and Li Lingjue walked in front and behind, with a look of pride and ease on their faces. Lin Hongwan was wearing a brand new brocade robe with exquisite patterns embroidered on the corners, which made him look even more handsome. Li Lingjue, on the other hand, had a nervous look on his face, holding the corners of his clothes tightly with both hands, as if he would collapse at any time.

Lin Xiaofeng hurried forward and asked in a trembling voice, "How is Zhou Ping'an's family?" Tears flashed in his eyes, as if he had foreseen the unfortunate ending.

Lin Hongwan looked back at the fire, a sarcastic smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he said lightly: "Such a big house, such a big fire, they will definitely be able to escape." Although his words were light, they sounded like a heavy hammer in the ears of Lin Xiaofeng and Li Dexian, making them feel suffocated.

"How can you say that!" Lin Xiaofeng waved his hands fiercely and glared at Lin Hongwan angrily. His eyebrows were furrowed, and his eyes were flashing with anger, as if he wanted to devour his son in front of him. He roared: "Why did their house suddenly catch fire? Was it caused by cooking?" His voice echoed in the night sky, full of doubt and anger.

Seeing this, Li Lingjue prayed in her heart: This is the end! Hongli is too brave... What should I do if I get beaten this time? She nervously grasped the corner of her clothes, as if this could alleviate the fear in her heart.

However, facing his father's questioning and everyone's concerns, Lin Hongwan showed no fear. He glanced at Lin Xiaofeng and Li Dexian, and a disdainful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. He complained: "Oh, it wasn't the cooking that caused the fire, it was me." This sentence was said lightly, but it was as shocking as a bolt from the blue.

Lin Xiaofeng felt his head buzzing and his whole body stiffened. He stared at his son with his eyes wide open in disbelief. His heart was filled with doubts and anger, as if he was tightly bound by an invisible chain. He couldn't believe that his son would do such a thing. It was simply a fantasy to him.

Li Dexian was also shocked. He roared, "Why did you burn down someone else's house!" His voice echoed in the night sky, full of anger and confusion. He stared at Lin Hongwan as if he could see through him.

Facing his uncle's roar and his father's disappointment, Lin Hongwan showed no fear. He straightened his chest and raised his head, as if he were a brave warrior. He complained: "What kind of life have we lived in the past month? We eat radishes and cabbages every day, and we can't even smell the smell of meat! Look at the clothes I'm wearing, which my mother made for me during the Chinese New Year! Look at the Zhou family, they eat fish and meat every day, and their mouths are full of oil! Why can they live a good life, while we have to suffer poverty and hardship?"

His voice became louder and louder, and he became more and more excited. His words were like a sharp knife, piercing deeply into Lin Xiaofeng's heart. Lin Xiaofeng felt cold all over, as if he had fallen into an ice valley. He looked at the fire and smoke in the distance and the dark sky, and his heart was filled with powerlessness and despair. Was his son born a criminal? Could he not be taught no matter how he tried? What sin had he committed?

Lin Xiaofeng's expression became more and more dazed, and tears flashed in his eyes. Suddenly, with a "slap!" sound, a swift and powerful slap was directly printed on Lin Hongwan's face. His small body was knocked to the ground by this huge force, and a trace of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth. He lay on the ground, touching his instantly swollen cheek, his eyes full of fear and confusion. He looked up at the furious Lin Xiaofeng, his heart full of fear and confusion.

Lin Xiaofeng gnashed his teeth and said, "Beast!" His voice echoed in the night sky, full of anger and disappointment. Two tear marks had already flowed down his face, as if he wanted to pour out all the pain in his heart. He looked at his son, his heart was full of helplessness and despair. He knew that he could no longer indulge his son, otherwise he would be on a road of no return.

Li Lingjue was so frightened that she trembled all over. She looked at Lin Hongwan lying on the ground, her heart filled with fear and anxiety. She knew that if this matter got out of hand, Lin Hongwan would probably be severely punished. She nervously grasped the corner of her clothes, as if this could alleviate the fear in her heart.

The night was getting darker and the fire was getting brighter. Lin Xiaofeng stood at the door of his house, staring at the fire in the distance. His heart was filled with complex emotions, including disappointment and anger towards his son, as well as worry and powerlessness about the future. He didn't know how to face all this, how to save this family that was about to fall apart.

The firelight shone on his weathered face, making his wrinkles even deeper. His eyes flashed with complex emotions, like a dam about to collapse, which could burst at any time. His hands were clenched into fists, and the veins bulged, showing his inner struggle and pain.

Li Dexian stood aside, watching all this silently. His face was also full of anger and confusion, but he had more sympathy and understanding for Lin Xiaofeng. He knew that as a father, Lin Xiaofeng must be in more pain and struggle than anyone else at this moment.

Lin Hongwan lay on the ground, holding his swollen cheeks, tears in his eyes. He felt extremely wronged and puzzled. Why did his father treat him like this? He felt that he had done nothing wrong, he just wanted his family to live a better life. However, at this moment, he felt unprecedented loneliness and helplessness.

The night wind whistled past, bringing a hint of coolness. Lin Xiaofeng stood at the door of his house, like a lonely statue. His eyes never left the fire in the distance, as if he wanted to see through the fire and the truth behind it.

At this moment, Zhou Ping'an's house has turned into a sea of ​​fire, with flames rising into the sky and illuminating half the sky. The flames seemed to be telling a tragic story, a story about greed, desire and betrayal.

Lin Xiaofeng's heart was filled with pain and struggle. He knew he couldn't just give up on his son, and he had to find a way to save the family. However, how should he face all this? How should he make his son understand his mistakes?

The night was as dark as ink, deep and depressing, as if it was going to swallow up the whole world. In this endless darkness, Lin Xiaofeng's figure looked particularly lonely and desolate. He stood in front of the ruins of the hut, his eyes empty and desperate, as if he had lost all color and hope.

Lin Xiaofeng, a once gentle and elegant scholar, was now like a madman. His face was twisted and ferocious, his eyes were red, as if they were about to spit out fire. His hands were clenched into fists, veins bulging, as if he wanted to concentrate all his anger and disappointment on this fist.

He turned around suddenly, his eyes locked on the figure who was rolling on the ground and wailing - that was his son, Lin Hongwan. Lin Hongwan was now in tattered clothes, covered with wounds, his face was covered with tears and dirt, and he looked miserable. However, all this was his own fault. For his own selfish desires and vanity, he betrayed his family and friends and made an irreparable mistake.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at his son in front of him, and an indescribable pain surged in his heart. He had placed high hopes on Lin Hongwan, hoping that he could become a learned and virtuous person. However, Lin Hongwan disappointed him. Not only did he not become the person he expected, but he became a selfish, cold-blooded person.

Lin Xiaofeng was filled with anger and disappointment. He could not tolerate his son's depravity. He raised his foot and kicked Lin Hongwan in the chest. Lin Hongwan was kicked backwards and hit a stone, screaming in pain.

Lin Xiaofeng did not stop, he pulled out the belt from his waist and whipped Lin Hongwan's buttocks again and again. His movements became more and more violent, and each whipping was accompanied by his desperate roar: "I'll let you say it again! I'll let you say it again!" His voice was already hoarse, but he still kept whipping, as if he wanted to vent all his anger.

Lin Hongwan struggled painfully on the ground, trying to avoid the whipping, but every time he tried in vain. His body was covered with scars, but he still stubbornly refused to beg for mercy. His eyes were full of hatred and determination to not give up, as if to say: "I will not bow to you even if you beat me to death!"

Li Lingjue was so frightened when he saw this that he stood aside and cried, "Teacher, stop hitting me! Teacher, stop hitting me!" He tried to stop him, but was afraid of angering Lin Xiaofeng who was already out of control. Li Dexian saw Lin Xiaofeng going crazy and rushed over and yelled, "Old Lin! Calm down! You can't hit him like this! He's still young and you'll hurt him!"

However, Lin Xiaofeng could no longer listen to any advice. He was filled with anger and disappointment. He pushed Li Dexian to the ground and he fell hard. Li Dexian fell to the ground and groaned in pain, but he did not give up. He immediately turned over and threw Lin Xiaofeng to the ground and held him down: "Do you want to kill your son!?" His voice was full of anger and dissatisfaction.

Lin Xiaofeng was pressed so hard that he couldn't move. He felt a heart-wrenching pain when he heard Lin Hongwan crying. He knew he was out of control, but he couldn't control his anger and disappointment. He gently patted Li Dexian's hand and said in a hoarse voice, "Let me get up." His tone was full of helplessness and exhaustion.

Li Dexian looked at Lin Xiaofeng nervously, fearing that he would lose control again. However, Lin Xiaofeng had regained some of his sanity at this time. He stood up and waved to the stunned Jinyiwei guarding the carriage. When they ran up, Lin Xiaofeng pointed at the still burning hut and said weakly: "Two of you go find a place for Zhou Ping'an's family to stay in the capital and entertain them well and meet any of their needs."

Li Lingjue was relieved to hear Lin Xiaofeng's arrangement, but he felt bad when he saw Lin Hongwan still crying out in pain on the ground. This sacrifice seemed a bit too big... However, he knew that all this was to help Xiaocao's family and to make Lin Hongwan realize his mistakes and pay the price for it.

Lin Xiaofeng walked up to Lin Hongwan and said coldly: "Since I can't teach you well, you don't have to go to school anymore and you don't have to read any books anymore. From today on, you are not allowed to step out of the princess's mansion. When you grow up, you can just be a waste and avoid harming others." His voice was full of disappointment and indifference, as if he had given up on Lin Hongwan completely.

Hearing his father's words, Lin Hongwan felt as if his heart was broken by a knife and tears welled up again. He stubbornly endured the pain in his body and looked at Lin Xiaofeng and said, "Dad, I am also disappointed in you." After saying this, he stood up silently and turned away, leaving only a lonely back figure walking away in the night.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at his son's back and felt an indescribable pain in his heart. He knew that his way of educating his son had failed, but he still could not forgive his son's mistakes. He turned and looked at the still burning hut, his heart filled with endless regret and self-blame. He knew that all this was caused by him. If he could have discovered his son's changes earlier and taken measures earlier, perhaps there would not be such a result. The night was getting darker and darker. Lin Xiaofeng stood in front of the ruins for a long time without moving.

In the deep and dark study room of the princess's mansion, Lin Xiaofeng sat alone on the cold floor like a soulless statue. His figure looked extremely decadent under the dim light, with drooping shoulders and a bent back, as if he was bound by endless pressure. He held an empty wine jug tightly in his arms, and his fingers turned slightly white due to long-term clenching, as if silently telling the endless pain in his heart.

The study was filled with all kinds of books and scrolls. These were treasures that he read day and night, but now they looked so messy. On the table, a crooked empty wine pot lay alone. The wine had long been drained, leaving only a pungent smell of wine in the air. On the walls, there were several paintings and calligraphy by famous artists, but in Lin Xiaofeng's eyes, they were like dead objects, lifeless.

Lin Xiaofeng was once a high-spirited leader of the Jinyiwei, with sharp eyes and imposing manner. However, at this moment, his eyes were somewhat out of focus, as if shrouded in a layer of mist. His eyes were full of disappointment and anger, like a volcano about to erupt. His face was covered with wrinkles, and each wrinkle seemed to be engraved with the vicissitudes of life and endless pain.

At this moment, the door of the study was gently pushed open. A beautiful woman walked in, with a bit of displeasure on her face, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and she looked extremely serious. She was Li Hanmiao, a distinguished guest of the princess's mansion and Lin Xiaofeng's wife. She looked at the decadent Lin Xiaofeng on the ground, and an inexplicable pain surged in her heart.

"You hit the child?" Li Hanmiao's voice was trembling, and her eyes were full of confusion and heartache. She couldn't believe that this once gentle and considerate man would be so harsh on his own son.

Lin Xiaofeng raised his head slightly, his eyes were a little out of focus, but when he saw Li Hanmiao, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes. He struggled to stand up, his body swaying, as if he would fall down at any time. He held the wine jug and said in a slightly hoarse voice: "What's wrong? I beat him because he deserves it!"

Hearing this, Li Hanmiao's eyes widened, and her pupils were full of disbelief. She looked at Lin Xiaofeng in front of her as if she saw a stranger. She couldn't believe that this once gentle man would become so indifferent and ruthless.

Lin Xiaofeng swayed his body and walked towards Li Hanmiao step by step. His hair was disheveled, covering most of his face, but his once sharp eyes now looked unusually blurred. He whispered, "Do you know what he did? I took great pains to send him to the Tian family to study, hoping that he could hone himself in a difficult environment. But because he couldn't stand the hardship, he felt resentful and actually burned down someone's house..."

At this point, Lin Xiaofeng laughed at himself, and the laughter was full of helplessness and sadness. He continued: "Is this my son, Lin Xiaofeng? I really didn't know how to raise my son... Since he was born, I have given everything I have, hoping to give him the best, but what is the result? He has become like this..."

Li Hanmiao couldn't help but feel a surge of pain in her heart when she heard Lin Xiaofeng's words. She looked at the man in front of her, her heart filled with regret and helplessness. She knew how high Lin Xiaofeng's expectations were for his son, and she also understood his disappointment and anger at the moment. She walked forward, gently stroked Lin Xiaofeng's face, and said softly: "I have watched Hongli grow up since he was a child. He is not a bad person by nature. How can you beat him up for a mistake? He is your son!"

However, Lin Xiaofeng fiercely shook her hand away and said sternly: "A trivial matter? Is this a trivial matter? A loving mother often spoils her child! Don't waste your breath on me anymore!"

Li Hanmiao was stunned by Lin Xiaofeng's words. She looked at the man in front of her, her heart filled with disappointment and anger. She turned around and was about to leave the study, but was pulled back by Lin Xiaofeng. He stared into her eyes and said word by word: "If you dare to step out of the princess's mansion today, he will no longer be my son!"

Li Hanmiao was so shocked by Lin Xiaofeng's words that she couldn't move. She looked at the man in front of her, her heart filled with fear and despair. She knew that Lin Xiaofeng was a man who would never change his mind once he made up his mind. She didn't want to lose Hongli, let alone this family. However, what could she do? She could only cry silently, letting the pain and helplessness in her heart spread in her chest.

The atmosphere in the study room became extremely heavy, as if even the air had frozen. Lin Xiaofeng and Li Hanmiao just stood there facing each other, neither of them speaking. However, the pain and helplessness in their hearts surged like a flood, unable to calm down.

Just then, a breeze blew, and the window of the study swayed gently. The moonlight shone through the window onto the ground, forming a mottled light and shadow. Lin Xiaofeng looked at the moonlight outside the window, and an inexplicable feeling welled up in his heart. He remembered his dreams and pursuits when he was young, and his former passion and enthusiasm. But now? He has become so decadent and lost. He doesn't know what happened to him? Why did he become like this?

Li Hanmiao also looked at the moonlight outside the window, and her heart was also filled with emotion. She recalled the days when she and Lin Xiaofeng met and fell in love, and those sweet and warm times seemed to be just yesterday. However, Lin Xiaofeng in front of her made her feel strange and scared. She didn't know how to face this man she once loved deeply, nor did she know how to save this family that was on the verge of breaking up.

The study fell into a deathly silence, with only the occasional chirping of insects and the sound of the curtains being blown by the breeze. Lin Xiaofeng finally broke the silence. He slowly walked to the window and looked up at the bright moon. The moonlight shone on his face, reflecting the deep fatigue and pain on his face.

"Han Miao, do you know?" Lin Xiaofeng's voice was low and hoarse, "I once thought that I could give him the best of everything and make him a man of integrity. But I was wrong... I was so wrong."

When Li Hanmiao heard this, she couldn't help but feel an inexplicable sadness in her heart. She walked to Lin Xiaofeng, gently held his hand, and said softly: "Xiaofeng, we are all wrong. We made the mistake of imposing our expectations on Hongli without truly understanding his thoughts and feelings. We should give him more care and understanding, instead of blaming and scolding him."

When Lin Xiaofeng heard this, he felt a warm current in his heart. He turned to look at Li Hanmiao, with a trace of gratitude and guilt in his eyes. He held Li Hanmiao's hand tightly and said in a trembling voice: "Hanmiao, thank you... I know I was wrong, and I will change. I will communicate with Hongli, understand his thoughts and feelings, and give him more love and understanding."

Li Hanmiao couldn't help but feel relieved and touched when she heard this. She knew that Lin Xiaofeng finally understood his mistakes and was willing to change for the sake of this family. She hugged Lin Xiaofeng tightly, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Let's work hard together, for Hongli and for this family." Li Hanmiao said in a low voice.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded, his heart full of determination and confidence. He knew that as long as the couple worked together, nothing could stop them from moving forward. Together they would create a better future for Hongli and make this home glow with warmth and light again.

The moonlight was like water, sprinkling on the courtyard paved with bluestone slabs. Li Hanmiao's footsteps were particularly clear in the silent night. Her figure swayed under the mottled shadows of the trees, as if being gently stirred by bamboo leaves in the wind. Her heart was full of struggle at the moment, like a leaf blown by the wind, swaying unsteadily.

Li Hanmiao's eyes were deep, as if hiding endless sorrow and doubt. She was about to turn around to argue, but suddenly she heard a burst of hurried footsteps, and then a Jinyiwei appeared at the door panting. He was wearing a gorgeous brocade robe, with a sharp sword hanging around his waist, and his face was covered with sweat, obviously he had rushed all the way.

His arrival was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, breaking the stalemate. The Jinyiwei saluted Li Hanmiao first, then walked quickly to Lin Xiaofeng, took out a letter from his arms and handed it to him. His voice was a little anxious: "Master Lin, I have something important to ask you!"

Lin Xiaofeng looked up and saw that the Jinyiwei had a pale face, but his eyes were shining with determination. He took the letter and opened it with trembling hands. The letter paper was yellowed and the handwriting was sloppy, but every stroke was full of power.

Li Hanmiao stood aside, staring at Lin Xiaofeng. She saw his expression change from confusion to surprise, then to excitement, and finally to a deep sense of pride. She understood that there must be some important information in this letter.

"Zhou Ping'an's house was burned down because the young master wanted him to live in the new house." The voice of the Jinyiwei echoed in the night sky. "I heard that the young master was beaten, and I thought it was strange, so I came to report it immediately. Please investigate the inside story."

Lin Xiaofeng was stunned for a moment, then snatched the letter and opened it again with trembling hands. His eyes were fixed on every word in the letter, as if he wanted to engrave them into his heart. His expression changed unpredictably, from confusion to shock, and finally to relief.

Although the handwriting on the letter was illegible, every word was like a ray of light, illuminating the darkness deep in his heart. He seemed to see his son struggling and growing up in difficult circumstances, and saw the efforts and sacrifices he made to protect his family. In an instant, he seemed to see the dawn of hope again from the abyss, and an indescribable excitement surged in his heart.

Lin Xiaofeng burst into tears and covered his mouth with his hands, fearing that he would burst into tears. He felt heartbroken that he had wronged his son. But at the same time, he was proud to have such a brave and responsible son.

He wiped his eyes and waved his hand to let the Jinyiwei retreat. At this moment, Lin Xiaofeng was no longer the middle-aged man with a sad face. His face was full of pride and pride. He looked up at Li Hanmiao, with a firm light in his eyes: "You are worthy of being my son!"

Li Hanmiao looked at the changes in Lin Xiaofeng, and felt mixed emotions. She didn't understand what was written in the letter, but she could feel the changes in Lin Xiaofeng's heart. She suddenly felt that she was being unreasonable, and the argument just now seemed meaningless.

She turned around and prepared to leave, but Lin Xiaofeng hurriedly grabbed her. He had a flattering smile on his face, as if he wanted to make up for his previous mistake: "Madam! Where are you going?"

Li Hanmiao looked at his familiar yet unfamiliar face, and a complex emotion surged in her heart. She didn't know how to answer him, so she just said lightly: "I'm going back to the palace."

When Lin Xiaofeng heard this, his face suddenly changed. He knew that he couldn't let Li Hanmiao leave like this, otherwise their relationship would become more tense. He hurriedly grabbed Li Hanmiao's hand, and his tone was full of pleading: "Don't go, don't go! It's all my fault! There were outsiders present just now, can't I kneel down for you?"

Li Hanmiao looked at his pleading face and couldn't help but waver. She knew that Lin Xiaofeng really wanted to keep her, but her heart was full of hesitation and uneasiness. She didn't know whether she should forgive him or continue to stay in this family.

However, in this quiet night, she suddenly felt the change in Lin Xiaofeng's heart. She saw his determination and pride, and also saw his love and expectation for his son. She suddenly understood that no matter how many quarrels and misunderstandings they had before, they were all part of this family and should work hard for this family.

So, she sighed softly, turned around and looked at Lin Xiaofeng: "Okay, I won't leave." Her voice was cold but full of firmness and determination. She knew that she had made the right decision, and she believed that their relationship would become stronger because of this decision.

In the magnificent warm room, Emperor Jingjiang sat alone on the dragon throne. The sunlight from the window shone through the delicate window lattice and sprinkled on his golden dragon robe, making it sparkle. He held a secret report tightly in his hand. Although the handwriting was small, it struck his heartstrings like a heavy hammer. A smug smile gradually appeared on his face. The smile was like the rising sun, warm and dazzling.

"Hahaha, great! So smart and brave! My grandson is so great!" The voice of Emperor Jingjiang echoed in the warm room, full of pride and satisfaction. His eyes were shining with admiration, as if he had already seen the figure of the brave and fearless young man galloping on the battlefield.

At this time, the old ministers outside the warm room were also attracted by the laughter. They all came closer to find out what happened. When they learned that it was the heroic deeds of the emperor's grandson, they all admired him and praised his wisdom and responsibility. The cabinet ministers had already known what happened yesterday. They were surprised and praised Lin Hongwan's actions, and also admired the education method of Emperor Jingjiang.

Emperor Jingjiang waved his hand, and a palace maid immediately stepped forward and asked respectfully, "What do you want, Your Majesty?" Emperor Jingjiang smiled and said, "Go, ask Lin Xiaofeng and Hongli to come see me." The palace maid quickly agreed and turned to leave.

Not long after, Lin Xiaofeng and his son Lin Hongwan came to the cabinet. The father and son walked into the warm room one after the other. Lin Xiaofeng was dressed in a green official uniform, looking calm and solemn; while Lin Hongwan was dressed in military uniform, looking heroic, quite like his father. Emperor Jingjiang looked at the father and son, with a satisfied smile on his face: "Find a seat and sit down."

People around congratulated Lin Xiaofeng one after another, saying, "Marquis Jianye has taught his son well. Congratulations." Lin Xiaofeng looked around in confusion. He didn't know what was going on. He was confused that someone congratulated him as soon as he came in. He looked at Emperor Jingjiang in confusion, trying to find the answer from the emperor's face.

Emperor Jingjiang looked at Lin Xiaofeng's confused expression and sneered: "Do you think I don't know that you took my grandson and granddaughter out of the city? How long do you plan to hide it from me?" Lin Xiaofeng widened his eyes, swallowed and said, "Your Majesty has known it for a long time?" He secretly groaned in his heart, he didn't expect that his plan had been seen through by the emperor a long time ago.

Emperor Jingjiang sneered, "I knew it a long time ago, and I specifically ordered the Jinyiwei around the farmers to report to me individually!" His words revealed his blame and dissatisfaction with Lin Xiaofeng, "If I don't check, it seems that you plan to hide it from me forever? You are so bold!"

Hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng broke out in a cold sweat and quickly explained, "I dare not... Actually, I want to promote an experimental project called 'Metamorphosis'! The inspiration for this project comes from my childhood experience. I was from a poor family and lived a hard life, but it was that experience that taught me to be tenacious and independent. I want today's children to experience a different living environment and cultivate their independence and sense of responsibility. If the experiment is successful, I plan to promote this project so that more children can benefit from it."

After listening to Lin Xiaofeng's explanation, Emperor Jingjiang's brows relaxed a little. He looked at Lin Hongwan, and saw that although this young man was still young, his eyes were shining with determination. He seemed to see the shadow of his youth, the self who was not afraid of difficulties and moved forward courageously. Emperor Jingjiang couldn't help but feel warm in his heart. He patted Lin Hongwan on the shoulder and said, "Hongwan, you did a great job! I am very pleased to see that you are so responsible and courageous. However, if you have any plans for the future, it is best to discuss them with me first."

When Lin Hongwan heard the praise from Emperor Jingjiang, he smiled shyly. He raised his head and looked at the kind face of Emperor Jingjiang, his heart full of gratitude and admiration. He knew that his achievements today were inseparable from the careful teaching and cultivation of Emperor Jingjiang. He secretly vowed to continue working hard and live up to Emperor Jingjiang's expectations.

At this time, the atmosphere in the warm room gradually became relaxed. Emperor Jingjiang and Lin Xiaofeng and his son began to discuss the specific details of the "Metamorphosis" project. Sometimes they talked in a low voice, sometimes they discussed loudly, sometimes they frowned, and sometimes they smiled. The ministers around them pricked up their ears, wanting to hear the specific content of this innovative project.

The sun was still shining outside the warm room, and the breeze was blowing, bringing with it the fragrance of flowers. Inside the warm room, the conversation between Emperor Jingjiang and Lin Xiaofeng, father and son, was as warm as the spring breeze. They were working together for one goal - to enable more children to grow up healthily and become the pillars of the country.

As the night deepened, the magnificent palace became more solemn and mysterious under the illumination of palace lanterns. The moonlight shone through the carved window lattices and fell on the bluestone slabs, casting mottled shadows. In this quiet palace, suddenly, a slight sound of footsteps broke the tranquility of the night.

Two palace maids, dressed in elegant palace clothes, walked lightly, like two butterflies flying among the flowers. They carried a small stretcher and walked in carefully. On the stretcher, a young man was lying. It was Lin Hongwan. His face was pale, and his right face was swollen like a steamed bun. There was a conspicuous plaster on his buttocks, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

Emperor Jingjiang was sitting on the dragon throne, reading the memorials, with a look of dignity and calmness. Hearing footsteps, he raised his head and his eyes fell on Lin Hongwan on the stretcher. Suddenly, the dignity on his face disappeared, replaced by astonishment and confusion. He quickly stood up, walked quickly to the stretcher, and looked down to check Lin Hongwan's injuries.

"Hongli, what's wrong with you?" Emperor Jingjiang's voice was full of concern and worry. He reached out and gently stroked Lin Hongwan's head, trying to give him some comfort.

Lin Hongwan raised his head, and when he saw Emperor Jingjiang, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He forced a smile and said weakly: "Grandfather, I'm fine. This was my father who beat me..." His voice revealed a bit of grievance and helplessness, as if he was telling Emperor Jingjiang about his misfortune.

When Emperor Jingjiang heard this, he was filled with rage. He stared at Lin Hongwan's swollen face with wide eyes, and the anger in his heart flooded like a flood. He turned his head and looked sternly at Lin Xiaofeng who was standing beside him, and asked in a cold voice: "Lin Xiaofeng! As a father, you actually treated your son so harshly? Even a tiger won't eat its own cubs!"

When Lin Xiaofeng heard what Emperor Jingjiang said, he was immediately frightened and his face turned pale. He immediately knelt on the ground, clasped his hands together, and looked like he had lost all hope in life. He secretly complained in his heart, why did this child come to complain? Yesterday, he personally applied medicine to him, apologized, and promised him that he would find a way to get Xiaocao into Aijing Primary School. How come he came to complain about me in the blink of an eye?

Emperor Jingjiang looked at Lin Xiaofeng's miserable appearance, and his anger grew even stronger. His eyes widened with anger, and he shouted sternly: "Come here! Drag him out and beat him with a stick!"

When Lin Xiaofeng heard this, he was so frightened that his soul flew away. He raised his head quickly and said anxiously: "Father! Please listen to my explanation..." But Emperor Jingjiang had already turned and walked deep into the warm room, unwilling to listen to his explanation.

At this time, everyone in the room looked at him strangely. They looked at Lin Xiaofeng's embarrassed appearance and secretly guessed what had happened. Some people looked at him with gloating, as if they were watching a good show; others frowned, feeling dissatisfied with Lin Xiaofeng's behavior.

Lin Xiaofeng knelt on the ground, his heart filled with despair. He knew that this time he had completely angered Emperor Jingjiang. He closed his eyes and prayed silently in his heart, hoping that Emperor Jingjiang would listen to his explanation and give him a chance to reform.

However, Emperor Jingjiang did not give him this opportunity. He walked into the depths of the warm room, leaving the people in the room looking at each other in bewilderment. Lin Hongwan looked at his father's desperate back, and his heart was filled with guilt and uneasiness. He knew that his behavior this time might really bring trouble to his father.

As the night deepened, the palace returned to peace. However, this peace contained endless waves. Can Lin Xiaofeng escape this disaster? What kind of punishment will Emperor Jingjiang give him? All of this will become a hot topic in the palace.

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The moonlight was like water, falling on the palace walls, as if covering this ancient palace with a layer of silver gauze. The night wind blew gently, bringing a hint of coolness and taking away the hustle and bustle of the day. In this quiet night, Lin Hongwan lay on the stretcher, looking at the moonlight above his head, with mixed feelings in his heart.

The swollen right side of his face had lost its original contour, as if it had been burned by fire. The plaster on his buttocks was even more conspicuous, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance, which intertwined with the surrounding fragrance to form a unique scent. He gently stroked the swollen face, and a feeling of bitterness surged in his heart.

"Grandfather..." He whispered, tears flashing in his eyes. He recalled the scene when his grandfather held him and played with him when he was a child. He was so happy and carefree at that time. However, now he was in trouble because of his father's impulse. He didn't know whether his grandfather would be alienated from him because of this, nor did he know what his future would be like.

At this moment, Emperor Jingjiang came out from the depths of the warm room. His face had regained its former majesty and composure, but his eyes revealed a trace of fatigue. He walked to Lin Hongwan's stretcher and lowered his head again to check his injuries. A trace of heartache and anger flashed in his eyes, but more of it was love and worry for Lin Hongwan.

"Hongli..." He called Lin Hongwan's name softly, his voice full of tenderness and warmth. He reached out and gently stroked Lin Hongwan's head, as if giving him strength and comfort.

"My child, I'm sorry for wronging you." Jingjiang Emperor's voice was low and powerful, as if it could penetrate Lin Hongwan's heart. "I know that Xiaofeng sometimes acts impulsively, but he also loves you. It's just that his way may be a little too harsh."

Lin Hongwan felt even more bitter when he heard what Emperor Jingjiang said. He raised his head, looked at Emperor Jingjiang with tears in his eyes, and choked up, "Grandfather, I know that Dad loves me. But he really hit me too hard this time..." His words were full of grievance and helplessness, as if he wanted to pour out all his emotions.

Emperor Jingjiang sighed softly, patted Lin Hongwan on the shoulder, and said: "Hongli, you are a sensible child. I know you can understand your father's difficulties. But no matter what, he shouldn't be so harsh on you. Don't worry, your grandfather will do justice for you."

After saying that, Emperor Jingjiang turned around again and looked at Lin Xiaofeng coldly. His eyes were full of blame and disappointment, as if he saw all of Lin Xiaofeng's mistakes. Lin Xiaofeng knelt on the ground, lowered his head, and did not dare to look at Emperor Jingjiang. He knew that he had really angered Emperor Jingjiang this time and lost his trust and support.

"Lin Xiaofeng!" Emperor Jingjiang's voice suddenly became stern. "As a father, you actually treated your son so harshly! You are really not worthy of being a father!" His voice echoed in the palace, as if he wanted to make Lin Xiaofeng's crimes public.

When Lin Xiaofeng heard this, his heart felt like it was cut by a knife. He raised his head and looked at the angry face of Emperor Jingjiang, his heart filled with regret and self-blame. He knew that he had really done something wrong this time. He lowered his head and silently endured the blame and punishment from Emperor Jingjiang.

At this moment, the palace door was suddenly pushed open, and hurried footsteps were heard. A palace maid ran in hurriedly, panting and saying, "Your Majesty! It's bad! Miss Xiaocao...she's been kidnapped!"

When Emperor Jingjiang heard the news, he was stunned. He turned around and looked at the palace maid, his eyes full of surprise and confusion. He asked, "What did you say? Xiaocao was taken away? What's going on?"

The maid quickly replied, "Your Majesty! I don't know the details. It's just that someone saw Miss Xiaocao being taken away by a group of men in black. Now the entire palace is looking for her whereabouts!"

When Emperor Jingjiang heard this, he suddenly had an ominous premonition in his heart. He knew that Xiaocao was Lin Hongwan's good friend and Lin Xiaofeng's most beloved daughter. If she was really captured, the consequences would be disastrous. He quickly stood up and said to the palace maid, "Quick! Send someone to find Xiaocao's whereabouts! We must find her back!"

After saying that, Emperor Jingjiang turned around and looked at Lin Xiaofeng and Lin Hongwan, his eyes full of concern and worry. He said, "Xiaofeng, Hongli, don't worry for now. I will send someone to find Xiaocao's whereabouts. You can go back and rest first."

Lin Xiaofeng and Lin Hongwan were relieved when they heard what Emperor Jingjiang said. They knew that Emperor Jingjiang was a man of his word, and he would definitely do his best to find Xiaocao's whereabouts. So, they quietly left the palace and returned to their own residence.

However, this night was destined to be long and difficult. The entire palace was in chaos, and people were looking for Xiaocao's whereabouts. Lin Xiaofeng and Lin Hongwan sat in the room, their hearts full of worry and anxiety. They didn't know how Xiaocao was doing now, nor did they know whether she could return safely. They could only pray silently, hoping that Emperor Jingjiang could find Xiaocao's whereabouts as soon as possible, and that she could return to them safely.

······
Duke Walter Polson, like a towering mountain, stands tall above this vast territory. He is tall and sturdy, like an upright old tree, standing in the wind and rain, tenacious and unyielding. His face is deep, like a bottomless lake, making it impossible to peek into his inner world. His nose is high and straight, as if it was cut by a knife and an axe, making him look heroic. And his blue eyes are like the brightest stars in the night sky, shining with shrewdness and determination.

At this moment, he stood quietly by the window, holding a glass of red wine in his hand. The color of the red wine was as bright as blood, as if it was filled with the vitality and passion of life. It swayed in the glass, reflecting the corners of his smiling mouth, and the smile revealed a kind of confidence and calmness. He looked at the world outside the window, which was his territory, his kingdom. Every inch of land and every drop of water was filled with his breath. His eyes were deep and firm, as if he wanted to take in the whole world.

The scenery outside the window is picturesque. The green lawn is like a huge emerald carpet, extending to the foot of the mountain in the distance. At the foot of the mountain is a dense forest with lush trees that block out the sun. The sun shines through the gaps between the leaves, forming mottled light and shadows. At the end of the forest are rolling mountains, which are like giant dragons winding and circling, majestic and imposing. In the sky, a few white clouds float leisurely, connecting with the blue sky and white clouds, forming a beautiful picture.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps broke the silence. A servant hurried in with an anxious look on his face, as if he had something important to report. He walked up to the Duke, bowed deeply, and then said respectfully, "Your Excellency, Mr. Dogtail Grass is here."

Mr. Gouweicaoer, a mysterious businessman from the East. He was dressed in gorgeous oriental clothes, a silk robe with exquisite patterns embroidered on it, with auspicious dragons and phoenixes, and flowers blooming for wealth, each of which revealed a mysterious and noble atmosphere. He walked in steadily, with his usual calm and composed face. His eyes swept around the room and finally fixed on the Duke.

"Duke, what's the big deal that you want to see me about today?" Mr. Dogtail Grass asked straight to the point. His voice was deep and powerful, as if it had a power that could penetrate people's hearts.

Duke Walter Bolson turned his head, and a hint of appreciation flashed in his deep eyes. He smiled slightly, raised his glass and motioned Mr. Dogtail Grass to sit down. Mr. Dogtail Grass was not polite, and walked straight to the Duke and sat down. He noticed that the wine was already on the table, and couldn't help but secretly praise the Duke's attentiveness.

The Duke put down his wine glass and pushed a piece of paper on the table to Mr. Gouweicaoer. It was a letter of appointment with Father Jesus' name written on it. He smiled and said, "Mr. Gouweicaoer, please take a look. The Holy City has issued the cardinal's letter of appointment. From now on, our cooperation will be smoother. At least in the Ferrero area, the power of the Holy See will no longer be an obstacle."

Mr. Dogtail Grass took the letter of appointment and read it carefully. He was surprised. He did not expect that Father Jesus could get this position in just a few months. He looked up at the Duke and asked, "Your Excellency the Duke is really powerful! Father Jesus started from the bottom, and he was able to get this position in such a short time?"

The Duke shook his head and said, "It's not easy. I used a lot of connections to do it. And the cost..." He didn't continue, but Mr. Dogtail Grass understood what he meant. He nodded and said, "You are right. This expense cannot be borne by you alone."

The Duke's eyes flashed with admiration when he heard this. He knew that Mr. Gouweicaoer was a shrewd businessman who would not let himself suffer a loss. So he said, "Mr. Gouweicaoer is really straightforward! It is our luck that it went so smoothly. You know there are many people who want to compete for the position of cardinal in Ferrero, and Jesus has a weak foundation and has no competitiveness."

He paused and continued, "Who would have thought that his competitors were assassinated by the Razor Society? This really saved us a lot of trouble." At this point, the Duke couldn't help but laugh, "I even suspected for a while that the Razor Society was sent by you from the East, haha."

Mr. Dogtail Grass also laughed and said, "Your Excellency the Duke is really humorous! But I really don't know anything about the Razor Society. I'm just a businessman who only cares about my own business."

The Duke nodded and said, "You are right. We are all businessmen who only care about our own interests." He paused and said, "But the position of the cardinal can manipulate the positions of the cardinal and the chancellor..."

Mr. Dogtail Grass heard this and his eyes flashed with a gleam of light. He said, "Your Excellency the Duke is really ambitious! But these high-level positions are not so easy to handle."

The Duke did not hide it and whispered, "Under the Emperor, anything can be bought as long as the price is high. But there is no need to do that now. It won't be too late to bribe a senior executive after our business expands." His tone was full of confidence and ambition, as if he had already seen a glorious future.

The Wind of Jingjiang, the Legend of the Beggar
The night was as dark as ink, and the stars danced on the night sky, like countless bright eyes, quietly watching the world. Mr. Gouweicaoer stood on the terrace of the castle, looking at Jingjiang in the distance, and a complex emotion surged in his heart. There was a bit of determination and emotion between his brows, as if he could see the river that nurtured him through this long distance.

At this moment, the Duke came over, wearing a gorgeous robe with golden patterns shining brightly in the moonlight. He raised his eyebrows slightly and his eyes fell on Mr. Gouweicaoer. He couldn't help but admire the courage and means of this Jingjiang businessman. He sighed softly, "Has the church become so corrupt?"

Mr. Gouweicaoer turned his head and looked at the Duke. There was a gleam of wisdom in his eyes, as if he could see through all the hypocrisy and illusions in the world. He nodded gently and replied, "Yes, Your Excellency, the Church is already corrupt. I dare say that even the most devout believers will have deep doubts after seeing the corruption of the Holy City." His tone was full of disappointment and criticism of the Church, as if he was telling an unknown secret. (End of this chapter)