Lan Garden.

The study was filled with the subtle, pleasant scent of calming incense.

The surroundings were silent, with only the faint sound of a brush gliding over rice paper.

Wei Zhao lowered his eyes as he dealt with the secret letters sent by the Wei Family Army that required his decision, not sparing a glance at the unexpected guest.

Xiao Huaian: "It’s this time already, and I’ve been sitting here for quite a while. Why haven’t you gone to fetch your sister-in-law yet? I’ll accompany you, for company."

Wei Zhao ignored him.

"I saw an adviser from Ying Yin’s side when I passed by."

Wei Zhao paused slightly.

Xiao Huaian expressed disdain.

"Opening his mouth to ask for a house, insinuating that Ying Yin was giving too little."

Was that an ordinary house?

The Second Prince Mansion was right next door.

"Really opening his mouth like a lion, I’ve never seen someone more shamelessly asking for money than me."

"After all, it’s not a small amount. Ying Yin expressed difficulty, but the adviser directly said he wanted it."

Quite unreasonable.

But often, valuing profit and greed triumphs over those who are elusive and desireless. Giving Ying Yin a false impression that common goods could secure Jia’s loyalty.

Wei Zhao raised an eyebrow.

As long as they don’t trouble him, he was supportive.

Who can be more adept than Ying Fuyan?

Proper expenses below were handled by him, not sparing an effort to suck up to Ying Yin.

Xiao Huaian: "In the end, Ying Yin agreed, being quite generous to that adviser."

After receiving the money, the adviser left without hesitation, and Xiao Huaian, under some spell, followed him.

Ying Fuyan, not in good health, walked slowly, winding through desolate alleys until he stopped.

Turning around, it was an empty alley.

He was not surprised, and spoke out.

— "Why is Heir Xiao following me? No matter how good your skills are, do you think you can hide well and I wouldn’t find out?"

Xiao Huaian was surprised, that even a sickly person had practiced martial arts.

He no longer concealed himself and emerged from the shadows.

Ying Fuyan remained gloomy, with no light in his eyes.

— "Or does Heir Xiao want to learn from me the skill of asking for money, and try it in front of Wei Zhao?"

These words...

Not a single word was to Xiao Huaian’s liking.

Made it seem like he was very familiar with Jia.

There was a distance between the two.

Xiao Huaian’s tone was lazy, without a hint of embarrassment from being caught.

— "I was merely curious, Jia’s skills are great, like training a dog, making Ying Yin obey."

Ying Fuyan swept him up and down with a glance.

— "You don’t look like me."

Xiao Huaian: ???

I mean, why should I look like you?

Am I your son?

Ying Fuyan seemed to recall, showing no intention of hiding his identity, yet said no more.

— "When your mother was pregnant with you, whenever she saw me, her eyes couldn’t bear to turn away, saying several times that she wanted to give birth to a child like me."

At this moment, Xiao Huaian stood up, leaning on the desk, looking at the man clad in dark robes.

"He actually knows I have a birthmark on my shoulder, such a private thing you don’t know, how does he know it!"

Wei Zhao also... did not want to know.

He put down his brush and looked at him languidly.

"Ah."

Softly.

"Then there’s something unclear between you..."

Xiao Huaian: ?!?

"Who exactly is he?"

Wei Zhao fixed his gaze on him: "You’ve already figured it out, haven’t you?"

Xiao Huaian’s throat tightened: "Before the incident at Prince Yan Mansion, I was not yet born. After King Yan’s death, my father secretly went to the place of exile to see him."

"But I didn’t expect."

"Father would tell him everything!"

Didn’t care about his face at all.

Xiao Huaian found a seat to continue seeking presence.

"Was it you who planted the dragon robe found by Ying Yin in Duke Zhou Mansion?"

Wei Zhao had no response.

Xiao Huaian: "These people are probably finished. The palace news said the Empress has been confined."

"The Holy Emperor is interesting too, not lightly dealing with the Duke Zhou Mansion that harmed so many, everyone keeps their anger but can only accept and swallow their grievances. Now being fooled and manipulated, he wouldn’t downplay the matter or dismiss it lightly."

"If the slap isn’t on him, he won’t feel the pain."

Xiao Huaian sneered.

"Indeed, the lives of others mean nothing, but the imperial majesty cannot be violated." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Wei Zhao had no response.

Xiao Huaian, however, became pleased.

"The Chu Family is going to suffer again."

"I thought I had escaped a calamity, never expected to be dragged into the water by Duke Zhou Mansion, even though they were unaware of the child being swapped, they were still involved."

He was well-informed.

Chu Liulang drank wine, intending to dash the child to death, just at the moment when the Crown Princess Consort happened to see it while retrieving her daughter.

"Attempted murder of a daughter of the Imperial Family, even beheading Chu Liulang ten times would be lenient."

"But that Chu Ning, she seems to care for the child, raised her well, that’s her fortune."

Xiao Huaian spoke until his mouth was dry, Wei Zhao finally looked up.

"Someone come."

The next moment, a Black Shadow flashed by.

Rong Di appeared, respectfully cupping his hands, "General."

Wei Zhao continued handling official business, his lips moved slightly.

"Throw him out."

"Yes!"

Xiao Huaian: ???

Xiao Huaian dodged as Rong Di reached out to seize him.

One grabbed, one dodged.

After a few exchanges, he was still able to handle it, but after a while, Xiao Huaian eventually wore down.

Xiao Huaian cursed, "You dog."

Rong Di: "This subordinate is just following orders."

"Not scolding you."

There were only three people in the room.

Rong Di’s face changed instantly, no longer polite, he pinned Xiao Huaian’s arms and dragged him out.

"Why doesn’t the Heir scold this subordinate, but scolds the General instead!!"

Xiao Huaian: ...

Crazy.

————

After the banquet at Marquis Ning Mansion dispersed.

Yu Tingwan had just stepped over the threshold when she saw the carriage parked at the bottom of the stairs.

"Sister-in-law!"

Xiao Huaian was standing beside the carriage, waiting for who knows how long, and shouted when he saw her, though he shot a glance at Shen Zhiyi standing beside her.

"Prison mate, how did the look go?"

Shen Zhiyi mumbled in confusion to Yu Tingwan, "It’s strange, I’ve been bumping into Heir Xiao a lot these days,"

Yu Tingwan walked steadily, appearing perfectly fine, as she descended the steps, she mused, "The song the young singer sang today was even more pleasing to my ears than the last time."

Shen Zhiyi suddenly understood.

"He... he even followed us to the Ning Family?"

She admired.

"Xiao Huaian, how much infatuation is that?"

Xiao Huaian: ???

He looked incredulously at the troublemaker Yu Tingwan.

"Sister-in-law, is this... perfecting everything?"

Did she cover for him again?

Yu Tingwan, as if she hadn’t heard, walked past him without a glance, lifted her skirt, and climbed into the carriage.

Wei Zhao lifted the curtain, welcomed her inside, and spoke to the astonished Xiao Huaian.

"Not this time."

"She’s just lacking virtue."

Xiao Huaian: ???

She’s lacking virtue, so why do you sound proud!

Once in the carriage, Yu Tingwan turned a deaf ear to the outside matters.

She let out a sigh of relief.

No outsiders now.

No need to keep drinking.

But she didn’t know what she should do.

Nor did she know when the wheels started moving back to Duke Shun Mansion.

The girl sat up straight.

Her small hands on her knees, as if undergoing the most rigorous scrutiny.

Yet, Yu Tingwan didn’t forget to cast a sidelong glance at the man next to her, "Husband, don’t you think you’ve been getting too close to Heir Xiao lately?"

Wei Zhao: ?

Yu Tingwan remarked sternly, "Remember, chastity is your most precious thing."

As she spoke, the scent of alcohol filled the carriage.

Wei Zhao squinted, leaned closer, frowned, "How much did you drink?"

Yu Tingwan was deeply troubled, "There are just too many men around you."

Wei Zhao pulled her into his arms, unwilling to converse with a drunkard.

Yu Tingwan urged, "Hurry up and explain."

Wei Zhao’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

Under Yu Tingwan’s intense gaze, he reluctantly cooperated, though his explanation was feeble.

"I’m very clean."

Yu Tingwan found no fault with it; Wei Zhao bathed daily.

Yet she seemed unconvinced, her eyes misty, questioning accusingly.

"Then Zhaozhao, why didn’t you pin me down and kiss me?"