After the morning court session, the Crown Prince and Dugu Chen walked out side by side.

"Who rescued Dugu Mo?" In order to be cautious, he wasn’t detained at the Dali Temple’s Water Prison but was instead placed in a secret water prison. Even such a secluded place was discovered, and all the guards were killed, indicating that the rescuer was well-prepared.

"The soldiers were killed by Poisonous Insects; it must be related to the Southern Borderlands. I’m looking into it." A sneer curled at the corner of his mouth, he faced southward, shadows of chilling frost painted across his handsome face.

"Brother, to prevent him from seeking revenge, you should take extra precautions."

"Elder brother, rest assured, if he dares to come, I will not let him off."

The Crown Prince nodded, walked out of the palace, and took the lead to ride back to the Crown Prince Residence.

A dense forest a hundred miles outside of Capital City.

"Thank you for saving me, Master." Dugu Mo looked gratefully at the emaciated, eccentric old man with gloomy, dark eyes.

"Hehehe, call me ’Dad’." The laugh emerged from Xie Wenbin’s throat, a hoarse voice correcting Dugu Mo’s address.

"What?" Dugu Mo shook his ears, his eyes wide as brass bells, unbelievingly staring at his master.

"Call me ’Dad,’ you are the biological son of me and Song Jing." He grabbed a wild chicken on the bamboo skewer, placing it on the fire to roast.

"How... How is this possible?" Dugu Mo was unable to react for a moment, struggling to believe in his heart; his royal mother was so proud, how could she take a liking to the strange man before him.

"Hmph, why not? Otherwise, do you think I would bother myself to come rescue you from so far away?" He glanced at the stunned Dugu Mo and continued to roast the wild chicken on the bamboo skewer.

Dugu Mo lowered his eyes, feeling a torrential upheaval within, still unwilling to believe his own identity.

Xie Wenbin saw through Dugu Mo’s thoughts at a glance and picked up another wild chicken from the grill and handed it over.

"Your mother married into the Crown Prince Residence as a concubine while carrying you."

Dugu Mo took the wild chicken, silently starting to roast it by the fire, his mind whirling endlessly.

"How did you find me?" He raised his eyes to look at the man beside him he was supposed to call ’Dad.’

"You have a Child Poisonous Insect that I planted within you; the Mother Poisonous Insect inside me can sense when the child’s life is in danger. That’s why I hurried over. Following the connection, I naturally could find you."

After hearing this, Dugu Mo nodded silently, no longer caring who his real father was. As long as he could live and take his revenge, that was more valuable than anything.

"Dad, teach me how to use the Insect." Though he was looking at the wild chicken in the firepit, his gaze lingered on the old man beside him.

Xie Wenbin frowned upon hearing this, but then his face relaxed, revealing a sinister smile, "Alright, I will teach you everything I’ve learned in my lifetime."

Dugu Mo caught a glimpse of the smile Xie Wenbin failed to conceal, but it didn’t matter anymore. As long as he could take his revenge, kill Dugu Chen, and take Feng Xuxu, nothing else mattered. With this thought, he too revealed a menacing smile, both men consumed with their own thoughts as they ate their roasted chickens.

Outside Prince Mei Residence, a lean young man stood in front of the residence, pacing back and forth. He alternated between looking inside and turning to leave, walking to and fro all morning, causing the rotating guard at the front to feel dizzy.

"Who is it that dares to spy on Prince Mei Residence?" The guard tasked with securing the gate eyed the scrawny young man with a hawk-like scrutiny.

"Guard, I have come to find the princess." The young man finally made up his mind, stepped forward briskly, and responded to the guard’s inquiry.

Upon hearing the visitor sought the princess, the guard did not dare to delay, "Please wait here while I inform her."