Chapter 30: Returning to the Manor

  Return to one's home

  "May I take that back and say it again?" asked Yin Ruofei cautiously, he couldn't move now, things couldn't get any worse.

  "Tell a lie and I'll strip you of one piece of clothing." The youth's eyes seemed to be staring at him like a venomous snake.

  Yin Ruofei couldn't help but want to move back a bit, but unfortunately she still couldn't move.

  "I am the son of Marquis Zhenjiang."

  "I remember that the Marquis of Zhenjiang has a bunch of sons, which one are you?" The young man winked at him with his long eyelashes fluttering.

  "I am the seventh son of his family."

  "Seven sons?" The young man's eyes rolled around, "Tsk, you can really give birth to so many. I heard your family has a lot of sisters too?"

  Yin Ruofei didn't know what he meant and responded vaguely.

  "Come in!"

  "Master?"

  "Go to the Hou Mansion in Zhenjiang."

  The leader of the guards was taken aback, hadn't he just returned from their home?

  Yin Haicheng sent off the young master Wang, and hurriedly turned back to pay respects to his mother. The Mr. Han who was just beside Prince Ze had already examined Old Madam, but hadn't prescribed any medicine, saying he would go prepare it and send someone over with it later.

  No matter what, Yin Haicheng's heart had a glimmer of hope. At least this Mr. Han didn't shake his head and say he couldn't see the cause of the illness like other doctors did.

  Apart from this matter relieving him, Prince Ze's choice of companion readers also pleased him.

  Recently, the people in the mansion are not all present. The eldest son, Jin Yuan, and the legitimate son, Ruo Fei, are not around. They followed Xiao Lin's wife to the mountain to pray for blessings for the old lady. However, their absence is exactly what Yin Hai Cheng wants. Whether it's his eldest son whom he raised with his own hands or his legitimate son, he doesn't want to send either of them out as a study companion.

  Not to mention the people around Ze Qianwang, who are arrogant and domineering, relying on Ze Qianwang's reinstatement by Your Majesty, they have always been condescending, not even putting the officials appointed by the imperial court in their eyes. Can Yin Haicheng not think that his own son will become such a person, and lose face for the Hou Mansion in the future?

  Furthermore, looking at the extent to which Ze Qianwang is favored, I'm afraid that in the future when something happens, it will still be his attendants who are pushed out to take the blame. Although this time's incident was caused by those few young masters being reckless and cannot be entirely blamed on Ze Qianwang, under such power and influence, what kind of person can avoid being blinded and instead work diligently?

  Yin Haicheng chose Lao Wu Jinqin also because this son had always been timid, and was afraid that he would not be able to turn things around in the future.

  The eldest son is definitely too old, but his reputation is well-known outside, and it's not guaranteed that he won't be favored by Prince Ze. If he were to be chosen, wouldn't that be a disaster? As for Yin Ruofei, it's even more impossible.

  Yin Ruofei is only eight years old, actually a few months shy of that. Now this child seems unusually sensible, just right to be kept by our side and nurtured carefully, how can we send him away?

  Without the two most critical ones, Yin Haicheng first put down his three-point heart, and later saw that Zexin Wang didn't care at all, only then did he completely let go.

  Let others go and grab it, his Marquis Hou's household can't afford to take the risk.

  Ze Qīnwáng didn't stay for dinner, but waited until Mr. Hán took the old lady's pulse and then bid farewell. Anyway, Yīn Hǎichéng felt more comfortable today, his mother's illness seemed to have a glimmer of hope, and his sons were all eliminated as he had wished.

  Unfortunately, his good mood didn't last long. The servant at the door came over panting and reported, "Master Hou, something big has happened!"

  "What's wrong?" Yin Haicheng's face sank. Whoever would not have just been in a good mood, only to hear such infuriating words.

  "The second lady took the young ladies and gentlemen to pay their respects to the elderly lady, but they were ambushed along the way, and the young master has gone missing." The house servant said breathlessly.

  "What?" Yin Haicheng's heart sank, "What about the others?"

  "The people who followed him back reported the matter, while others followed Young Master and escorted Second Madam and several young ladies behind them. They're all fine."

  Yin Haicheng swung his sleeves and walked out of the palace gate.

  The two carriages sped forward for a while before gradually coming to a stop. Although the women were frightened, nothing serious happened. Jin Yuan turned around and found that his younger brother had disappeared. When he searched again, he discovered that several servants were chasing after him, bringing news that made him extremely worried: Seventh Young Master had been startled by the horse and was now missing. Upon hearing from the servants that Yin Ruofei's horse suddenly became frightened and ran in another direction, they hastily chased after it but were strangely thrown off the horse. By the time they got back on their horses, Yin Ruofei was nowhere to be seen.

  Jin Yuan naturally did not want to give up, but after chasing down to the foot of the mountain, he didn't see any trace, and could only send the women back first.

  "There must be something fishy in this according to what you said." Yin Haicheng's face sank like water.

  "The child also thinks so." Jin Yuan's face didn't look much better, and it was still covered with mud and blood. "The child asks Father to send someone to search for him, if it's too late, the child is afraid that Seventh Brother will..."

  "Someone is coming, the governor's residence..."

  "Report to His Lordship, Prince Ze's carriage has arrived."

  "What?" Yin Haicheng was stunned, and Jin Yuan, who had no idea what was happening in the mansion, felt even more bewildered.

  "After you've seen the king, take some men to find Fei first. I'll catch up later." Yin Haicheng instructed as he walked away. Jin Yuan nodded, his lips pursed tightly.

  Yin Haicheng had just walked to the gate when Rong Jingze had already walked in. With his noble status, the doorman naturally didn't dare to block him. Even if Yin Haicheng came, they wouldn't dare say no to him either.

  Just a short while after leaving, Rong Jingze was still wearing the same stunning red clothes as before. What surprised him, however, was that the child beside Rong Jingze was none other than Yin Ruofei.

  Yin Haicheng stiffened for a moment, and Jin Yuan had already flown out from beside him, embracing Yin Ruofei in his arms, his voice somewhat choked with emotion. "Are you alright?"

  Yin Ruofei hadn't even reacted yet, but was tightly hugged by Jin Yuan. The excitement was completely genuine. Yin Ruofei's heart felt a complex mix of emotions that couldn't be described. Reborn into this life, he found out that his big brother truly treated him as a brother, but the hatred couldn't be forgotten. Perhaps the day he took revenge would also be the day their brotherly bond broke apart.

  Yin Ruofei silently shook her head, feeling a bit heavy in her heart.

  In an instant, Jin Yuan came over and the guards beside Rong Jingze were about to intervene, but were stopped by Rong Jingze's raised hand.

  "I've seen Zeze, the prince." Yin Haicheng saw that his younger son seemed to be fine too, and finally put his heart at ease. It was an unexpected turn of events, but it could also be considered a blessing in disguise. "Yu'ěr, come quickly to pay your respects to the prince."

  Yin Jinyuan had also met many officials with Yin Haicheng in the past, and at this time he was not surprised or afraid. He took a look at his brother to make sure he was okay, then let go and knelt down to pay his respects.

  Rong Jingze stretched out his hand and pulled over Yin Ruofei beside him, "Yin Hou, Xiao Wang picked up this kid on the way, saying it was your family's fire starter. I think he looks good, if your family doesn't lack a fire starter, give him to me."

  As soon as these words fell, Yin Haicheng and Yin Ruofei both had a twitch at the corner of their mouths.

  Yin Ruofei was so angry that she wished to kick the person beside her. Although he had already admitted his mistake, why did he come to lecture him again? Moreover, this person was actually Prince Wang? Such a young and crazy prince?

  Yin Haicheng smiled bitterly and said, "This is my youngest son. He's mischievous, I beg Your Highness to pardon him."

  Rong Jingze smiled lazily without confirming or denying it.

  "Your Highness, please come in." Yin Haicheng made a welcoming gesture while nervously glancing at Yin Ruofei. What did the prince mean by this?

  Yin Ruofei walked with his head hung low and a dejected air, following behind the crowd. Jin Yuan looked at him worriedly and also followed closely beside him.

  Inviting Rong Jingze to the upper seat, instructing the maid to serve good tea, Yin Haicheng finally had the opportunity to speak, but this prince was already half-closing his eyes, drowsy.

  "Thank you, Prince Wang, for saving my child, but I don't know what this is all about..."

  It was naturally impossible for the dignified Prince to personally give him an explanation, so the leader of the guards who had been standing beside Rong Jingze briefly explained what had happened.

  "Poisoning oneself to death, this matter is indeed not ordinary." Yin Haicheng's expression was somewhat tired, he didn't know if this disaster was coming for him or... someone wanted his legitimate son? "I thank Your Highness for saving my child. Yuan'er and Fei'er, come quickly to thank His Highness."

  "Thank you, Your Highness, for saving my younger brother. If there's anything you need me to do, as long as it doesn't go against the laws of the imperial court and our ancestors' orders, I, Jin Yuan, will not disobey." Yan Jin Yuan pulled Yan Ruo Fei to kneel down in front of Rong Jing Ze, making a solemn vow. Although Jin Yuan didn't say much, every word was sincere and heartfelt.

  Yin Haicheng was taken aback, not expecting his eldest son to say such a thing. However, he also knew Jin Yuan's temperament, even if he didn't say it out loud, he was probably thinking the same thing in his heart, and would inevitably do so in the future. He could only sigh inwardly.

  Rong Jingze didn't expect Yin Jinyuan to react this way, and was slightly surprised for a moment before recovering his composure. "It's just a small matter, you should be thanking me instead."

  "It's almost noon now, and the prince just refused to stay for lunch. Now that he has saved one of his children, he can't decline again." Yin Haicheng spoke sincerely. This Prince Ze was truly his benefactor, first helping his mother with her illness, and now saving his son; this kindness had already been etched in his heart.

  "This... is fine, but..." Rong Jingze forced a smile and nodded lazily, "Before dinner, I'll take a rest first."

  "All right, I'll have someone take you there. In the back of my residence, there is a small garden that barely meets the eye." Yin Haicheng beckoned with his hand, and a little maid came over, "Take King Wang to He Xiang Garden."

  He Xiang Garden is the largest and most beautiful garden in Zhenjiang Houfu. Although the living space is not large, it focuses on the scenery. He Xiang Garden has a He Xiang Corridor, which is the essence of this garden's landscape.

  Although it's spring now, the lotus flowers have withered and fallen, but there are many other flowers and trees in this garden. Now is the time when peach blossoms are in full bloom, Huaxiang Garden is a sea of pink, breathtakingly beautiful.

  This garden was built in the early years, and on ordinary days, except for the cleaning and sweeping of the maids and flower farmers, others were not allowed to enter, just because the empress dowager stayed here for a few days during the internal turmoil.

  But now it's Ze's residence, which is naturally no problem.

  "Don't bother." Rong Jingze raised his hand, "Anywhere is fine, just go to your place!"

  Yin Ruofei was stunned when he was pointed at by Rong Jingze.

  What's going on? How did it end up being his fault again?

  "He...can't stay here!" Yin Haicheng hastily shook his head, although the small son's residence was not bad, but the courtyard was not big and there were no extra rooms for this noble grandfather to rest. "Let's go to He Xiang Garden instead, although it has been empty all along, but I have people cleaning it every day."

  "That's okay." Rong Jingze's eyes rolled around and he smiled slightly, "Then let him serve me!"

  The author has something to say: When you read this article, don't forget to sprinkle some little flowers ~