Chapter Seventy-One
Xu Heming frowned upon hearing the news. He hadn’t expected Li Zhiwei to leave so soon.
A sour feeling settled in his chest, and he even thought his father-in-law was being somewhat unreasonable.
This was truly bad news.
"Heming, why don’t you take some gifts to the Li family later and have a proper talk with your in-laws?" The Old Princess advised her son cautiously.
"Old Xu, your father-in-law must be upset. You’d better make it up to him!" Xu Qingshi chimed in with the air of a little adult, looking at Xu Heming.
"Mind your manners!" Xu Heming’s face darkened.
Though his son spoke the truth, hearing it from him felt oddly unsettling.
Still, Li Tianyou must have been truly angry—otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken Li Zhiwei away without waiting for Xu Heming’s return.
Thinking back to how Leng Qi had once abducted Li Zhiwei, and now, Li Zhiwei had been injured because of Xu Qingshi…
It was only natural for his father-in-law to blame him.
Yongning Marquisate
"Jiang Hanhai!" Madam Jin glared at her son’s bruised and battered body, her fury boiling over. This was what Jiang Hanhai had called "nothing serious"?
The look she gave Jiang Hanhai could have cut through steel.
How dare he let her son suffer like this?
"My lady, calm down, calm down! Yu’er’s injuries only look bad—they’re just superficial wounds, nothing serious!" Jiang Hanhai pleaded, casting nervous glances at Madam Jin’s belly.
He was terrified of upsetting her too much in her condition.
"My lady, think of the baby in your womb! Don’t let anger harm the child!" he added with an ingratiating smile.
"Yu’er, quickly tell your mother your injuries aren’t serious. She’s carrying your little sibling—don’t let your words upset them!" Jiang Hanhai urged Jiang Yu to explain.
Jiang Yu’s eyes flickered mischievously before he put on a pitiful expression. "Father, Mother… do you not want me anymore now that you’re having another child? Is that why you sent me away to Shanshan Academy? Wuwuwu..."
Madam Jin’s rage peaked.
"Jiang! Han! Hai! What nonsense have you been filling Yu’er’s head with?" She looked ready to strangle him.
"My lady, please calm down!" Jiang Hanhai panicked, fearing for the baby’s safety.
"You little rascal, can’t you say something nice for once?" He raised a hand, tempted to swat his son.
"Jiang Hanhai, if you dare lay a finger on my son, I’ll make you regret it!" Madam Jin warned sharply.
"Mother!" Jiang Yu quickly clung to her, sticking his tongue out at Jiang Hanhai.
Served him right for not coming sooner!
How dare he whisk his mother away to the countryside while he was at school?
Utterly shameless.
"You brat!" Jiang Hanhai understood immediately—he’d been outmaneuvered by his own son.
With his wife pregnant and unable to be agitated, he could only glare at Jiang Yu in frustration.
Just you wait, kid.
The maids in the room were long accustomed to such scenes.
The marquis doted on his wife, while the young master constantly schemed against his father for her attention.
Still, seeing Jiang Yu’s injuries, the maid Chunxi hurriedly called for a physician to examine him properly.
Xie Family
Lady Yao silently wept as she looked at the bruises on her son’s face and body.
The hardened warrior Xie Jincheng stood awkwardly nearby, scratching his head.
Why wasn’t his wife scolding him?
Her silence left him uneasy.
"Mother, don’t cry. I’m fine, it doesn’t hurt," Xie Yanzhi said softly, wiping her tears with his small hands before patting her back.
Lady Yao’s quiet tears turned into full sobs. How could her precious child endure such suffering?
"Mother, really, I’m not in pain. The injuries just look scary."
Seeing her cry harder, Xie Yanzhi grew anxious.
Didn’t he just say he wasn’t hurt? Why was she crying more?
Xie Jincheng rubbed his nose guiltily.
This time, he’d gone too far.
His wife must resent him now.
He knew her well—the quieter she was, the angrier she became.
Lady Yao simply held Xie Yanzhi and wept.
"My darling grandson, are you home?" Two hurried footsteps approached from outside.
Xie Jincheng retreated a step at the sight of his parents.
His father and mother adored Xie Yanzhi and cherished Lady Yao—he was the least important person in their eyes.
Now that both were crying, he was doomed.
With a resigned sigh, Xie Jincheng braced himself.
"Grandfather! Grandmother!" Xie Yanzhi called out softly.
"Oh heavens! Those heartless monsters did this to you?" Old Madam Xie gasped at the sight of his injuries, cursing furiously.
"Grandmother, don’t be sad. It doesn’t hurt."
"How could it not hurt? Our Xie family’s heir, whom we’ve never even scolded, injured like this?" Old Madam Xie’s eyes welled with angry tears.
Now, two crying women became three, all embracing the boy.
Old Master Xie didn’t join the weeping, but his face darkened as he glared at Xie Jincheng. "Come with me to the study."
Hands clasped behind his back, he strode out first.
Xie Jincheng glanced at the tearful trio and sighed.
Let his son handle comforting them.
He followed Old Master Xie to the study.
Yet once seated, neither spoke.
"Ahem." Old Master Xie finally broke the silence with a cough, then sighed.
"Are you short on funds lately?" he asked, frowning.
Xie Jincheng blinked in confusion. What gave his father that idea?
Short on money?
Well… maybe a little.
"Here. Don’t say I never helped you. This is from my private stash—spend it wisely. Next time, pick a better academy for my grandson."
Reluctantly, Old Master Xie pulled out a ten-thousand-tael banknote and handed it over.
Xie Jincheng’s eyes widened. His father was wealthier than he’d thought—casually tossing him such a sum.
"Take it quickly. Don’t let your mother find out," Old Master Xie muttered, looking somewhat embarrassed.
