Jiu Yue realized she was being scammed.
She stood frozen in place, speechless.
The old man had tried to drag her away, but after tugging for a while, she remained unmoved like a mountain. The old man fell silent too.
After sizing up their figures doubtfully, he retreated and asked Jiu Yue, "What will it take for you to leave?"
Jiu Yue scoffed, narrowing her eyes at the old man, deciding to teach him a lesson.
"Scamming people right to my face? Old man, you’ve got some nerve!" She snorted coldly, yanking his beard.
The old man winced and frantically waved his hands. "Keep your voice down!"
Suddenly, Jiu Yue understood.
This old man must have sneaked into the Fu Residence!
No wonder he had trembled when she caught him earlier, looking guilty as if caught red-handed—only to regain his composure when he realized she wasn’t from the Fu family.
"Quiet, huh?" Jiu Yue smirked, tugging his beard threateningly. "If you don’t compensate me for my emotional distress, I’ll start shouting—"
"Shh! Fine, I’ll pay! Just shut up before you draw a crowd!" the old man hissed, pulling at her sleeve.
Jiu Yue finally snorted. "Hand it over."
The old man refused. "Not so fast… My back really hurts. Fix me first, then I’ll pay."
Jiu Yue: "…"
She was at a loss.
She only knew one trick! How was she supposed to treat him?
If she tried, she’d be exposed!
After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to let him off.
"Never mind. You don’t look like you have money anyway." She waved dismissively, flicking his beard back at his face. "Scamming is wrong, old man. Repent while you can!"
The old man wiped his face. "I don’t—"
"If you won’t listen, that’s your problem. Take care, grandpa." With a complicated look, she shook her head and walked away.
The old man: "…"
He didn’t follow, only watched silently as she left.
Jiu Yue sprinted away, afraid the old man would chase her down for a back treatment, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
The old man stood still for a long while before finally turning to leave.
A passing servant noticed him and approached warily with a lantern, nearly dropping to his knees in shock.
"O-Old Master…" The servant’s smile was more like a grimace. "Why have you snuck back again?"
Old Master Fu dusted off his sleeves, took the lantern from the servant’s hand, and walked off without a word.
The servant stood frozen, watching the swaying lantern before hurrying after him.
"Old Master, let me carry the lantern for you. Mind your step." The servant bowed, holding the lantern steady.
Old Master Fu nodded.
"Where would you like to go, Old Master?" the servant ventured.
"To see that unfilial grandson of mine."
The servant: "…"
His heart skipped a beat, and he dared a glance at the old man.
Nothing seemed amiss—his expression was as stern as ever.
The servant quickly lowered his head, baffled.
Whenever Old Master Fu sneaked back before, he always avoided the young master… Why was he so unusual today, actively seeking him out?
Confused but obedient, the servant led the way.
Fu Yan'an had just escorted his mother back after her acupuncture session. Sweating from the treatment, he bathed again, now somewhat convinced by the skilled physician’s abilities.
And… he had a feeling her temperament would be too much for his grandfather to handle.
Maybe this time, his grandfather would finally listen.
Relieved, Fu Yan'an was about to retire when another servant rushed in.
"Young Master, Old Master has snuck back again."
Fu Yan'an: "…"
He massaged his temples wearily.
The servant added, "He’s heading this way now."
Fu Yan'an paused.
Coming to him? Had he given up resisting?
Though surprised, Fu Yan'an returned to his room and picked up his five-month-old son.
"Your grandfather’s back?" Madam Gu guessed.
Fu Yan'an nodded, kissing her forehead. "I’ll take Yan'er to see him. You’ve just had treatment—rest well. Don’t wait up."
Madam Gu agreed; it had been ages since she slept soundly.
Carrying his son to the parlor, Fu Yan'an soon saw his grandfather stride in, expressionless.
He rose calmly. "Grandfather."
Old Master Fu ignored him, going straight for his great-grandson.
Usually, he sneaked back just to see the baby.
But today, his gaze didn’t linger.
"The child’s tired. Put him to bed." Old Master Fu sipped his tea.
Fu Yan'an studied him, then handed Yan'er to the nursemaid and dismissed the servants, leaving just the two of them.
Frowning unconsciously, he cut to the chase. "Grandfather, what’s happened?"
Old Master Fu set down his cup, giving him a deep look.
Fu Yan'an’s expression grew graver.
It had been years since he’d seen his grandfather like this.
"Meng Yuan…" Old Master Fu’s voice was hoarse. "Do you remember Muling’s hairpin?"
Of course Fu Yan'an remembered.
It was the only thing Muling had taken when she left the palace.
For years, that hairpin was the sole clue tied to her.
Old Master Fu’s lips trembled, his hands shaking as he reached for his tea.
Fu Yan'an’s eyes widened in realization.
"Grandfather—" He stepped closer. "You’ve found the hairpin?"
Old Master Fu said, "Today, I saw its pair."
Fu Yan'an froze.
"Its… pair?" He stared blankly.
Old Master Fu sighed. "Your aunt’s silver hairpin—your grandmother prepared it long ago as part of her dowry."
"There were always two."
Fu Yan'an’s eyes widened further.
Great Yan Palace.
Consort Ning was about to retire when a faint noise outside made her open her eyes. Soon, a maid announced:
"Your Highness, Eunuch Lü requests an audience."
"Let him in." She draped a robe over her shoulders and sat on the daybed as a eunuch entered, bowing deeply.
"This servant greets Consort Ning."
She waved off the other attendants. "Rise. Why so late today?"
The eunuch’s demeanor shifted instantly. He sprawled lazily beside her, resting his head on her lap.
"Met a little girl. Got delayed." His tone was casual.
"A little girl?" Consort Ning frowned. "Was that your mission?"
"Your Highness need not worry," the man said unhurriedly. "This time, the Fu Residence only sent two female physicians. This young girl is one of them, and I’ve examined them both—neither could possibly be Yan Muling."
"One is quite timid, the other has profound inner strength. I’ve also seen their faces clearly; neither bears any resemblance to Yan Muling."
Consort Ning finally let out a sigh of relief.
"That’s for the best," she murmured, narrowing her eyes. "With Ling Shuang soon to be sent off for a political marriage, my son is one step closer to the crown prince’s position. At this critical moment, I will not tolerate any mishaps!"
If that wretched girl Yan Muling dared to return to Great Yan now, she would leave Consort Ning no choice but to act mercilessly.
