In Shen Xingmian's stereotype, the owner of this villa should be someone as elegant and handsome as her father, with a slender build.

But this uncle looks just like my grandfather—riding on horseback on the battlefield, taking down enemies with a single blow.

Horse-drawn carriages and donkey carts entered the courtyard one after another. The entrance was paved with stone slabs, and the ruts were easily cleaned up after a while, but the deep ruts from afar still needed to be cleared.

Shen Xingmian originally wanted to do the cleanup work herself, but the uncle directly assigned rooms to everyone and said that his people would take care of any follow-up issues.

"The kitchen has already boiled hot water. Everyone can wash up first, change into clean clothes, eat some hot food, and then go to rest. Please don't be shy."

The uncle's voice didn't quite match his appearance; it was rather refined and pleasant.

While Shen Zhiheng was exchanging pleasantries with the owner of the villa, Luo Qi'an quickly pulled his wife and daughter along and followed the maid holding the umbrella inside.

Shen Xingmian's keen sense of gossip told her that something was wrong.

Whether it was her grandfather's trust in this person or her father's hasty departure without prior notice, it all gave her a very strong feeling that something was amiss.

However, she couldn't investigate that now, so she quickly followed, intending to take a nice, relaxing shower first and deal with the rest later.

Shen Xingmian thanked the maid who had prepared her clothes, rinsed herself in the space before getting into the bathtub. The hot water felt so good that she wanted to sink her whole body into it.

How long has it been since she took a hot bath like this!

Unexpectedly, she received such a perk on the first day of her unplanned escape. By the time she finished washing up, she was already feeling quite sleepy.

But she had to be on her guard; one can never be too careful.

No matter how good their relationship was in the past, they are now fugitives. Most people would be eager to sever all ties with them, so why would anyone be willing to provide such comprehensive help?

That's not very reasonable.

Wearing a black raincoat and rain boots, Shen Xingmian opened the door a crack, saw that no one was outside, and slipped out.

The stone-paved road leaves no trace after a person walks on it, so Shen Xingmian wasn't worried about being discovered at all, but...

She has many superpowers, but she can't climb walls!

Standing on the wall to check what was happening outside was proving quite difficult for her...

Or perhaps we should go ask our fathers about the situation first, since they definitely know more about this person than we do.

When Shen Xingmian changed out of her raincoat and rain boots, and knocked on the door of the next room with an oil-paper umbrella, she was shocked by the scene inside.

Is this the bedroom arranged for Daddy and Mommy? Why is that handsome older man here too? In the middle of the night...

It wasn't that she wanted to think the worst, but the atmosphere between the three of them just seemed strange, and it was hard to ignore.

Hmm, we've just arrived at our accommodation, so we're definitely discussing serious business. Yes, that's right!

But what's with this inexplicable atmosphere that makes me feel a little urgent to pee?

She used to dislike interacting with people and could only gossip online. Now that she can finally witness the events firsthand, she wishes she had eight eyes to see the whole picture.

“Daughter, why are you dressed all in black? Come sit here with your mother.” Shen Yunting spoke up, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

Shen Xingmian hurriedly ran to her mother's side, sat down, and looked at the two men from left to right.

"This is your Uncle Jiang Yu. Come, greet him." Shen Yunting stroked his daughter's head and said gently, a rare occurrence for him.

Of course, this "rare" status only applies to Jiang Yu.

Shen Xingmian immediately smiled obediently and sweetly greeted, "Hello, Uncle Jiang Yu."

The man, who had been cold and stern, softened his expression when he was called "Uncle" in such a sweet voice. He smiled back at Shen Xingmian, making her heart pound wildly.

It's really a disadvantage to talk to good-looking people; you can easily lose your mind because of their beauty. Of course, this state is also due to social anxiety.

Being a fan of good looks is truly a bittersweet experience.

However, seeing her parents and the little one in the carriage every day, she believed that her ailment would soon be cured.

After all, even the most beautiful face becomes commonplace after a while.

“Mian’er, your grandfather told me that you really like that girl who filed a complaint with the emperor. I just found out that she is in this villa. Your father asked your Uncle Jiang Yu to rescue her.”

"Wow!" Shen Xingmian looked at Jiang Yu with admiration, her expression becoming much more sincere, but what she was thinking was—

The relationships between men in ancient times were truly complex. How could they, as rivals in love, still cherish each other to such an extent?

For a moment, Shen Xingmian wondered whether Uncle Jiang Yu truly loved her mother or was using her love for her mother as a pretext to get closer to her father.

hiss--

It's not impossible.

She turned her head and saw that her father had changed into a clean, moon-white robe and was standing there quietly, exuding a kind of otherworldly beauty.

Not to mention that my mother would be confused if she saw this, she wouldn't be very clear-headed either.

...

Only Uncle Jiang Yu's eyes held a clear-headed yet disdainful look.

Hmm, it seems the scandal isn't that big yet; she's overthinking it.

"Is that woman alright? Such severe injuries are so cruel for a woman." Thinking of this, her tone couldn't help but become sorrowful.

Shen Yunting smiled and nodded: "It's alright, there are doctors in the villa who have been treating her."

Shen Xingmian nodded, relieved. It would be heartbreaking if such a brave girl didn't have a good outcome.

"By the way, Mother, what are you discussing? Is there anything I can help with? This place... doesn't seem very secluded."

Shen Yunting never understood the subtle nuances in words, but when facing his daughter, he could always immediately grasp her meaning. Upon hearing this, he immediately shook his head to indicate that everything was alright.

Then he leaned closer to Shen Xingmian and whispered, "Your Uncle Jiang Yu is very trustworthy. The reason he has never shown his face at our house before is to prevent this day from coming."

I see.

The two men opposite could also hear the sound. A hint of unease flashed across Jiang Yu's face, but it quickly disappeared.

But Shen Xingmian, who was eager to hear the gossip, caught it.

Something's not right!

No one would believe it wasn't a secret crush. She got so excited just from her mother praising her as "very trustworthy." What kind of past do they have?

Ahhh, I really want to know!

A woman as bold and capable as my mother wasn't exactly popular in those times, yet she found a husband who still doted on her even though their child was twelve, and a secret admirer who, despite having a twelve-year-old child, still hadn't completely let go of her feelings.

This is too legendary.

Her curiosity was about to explode!