The playful smile vanished from Xue Huaining's face. He slightly raised his chin and asked, "What if this legitimate son is gone?"

Xue Huai'an refused to budge an inch, "Then let's see whether it's the illegitimate son or the legitimate son who's gone."

After saying that, Xue Huai'an strode away, ignoring Xue Huaining.

In his view, it wouldn't matter even if someone helped Xue Huaining, since it couldn't change the fact that Xue Huaining was essentially a good-for-nothing playboy.

Upon entering the inner courtyard, before even seeing anyone, he heard angry shouts and the sound of things being smashed coming from inside. Xue Huai'an immediately wanted to turn around and leave.

But then he thought again and went into the Li family's courtyard.

When Li saw her son return, she immediately ran over and wailed loudly, "My son!"

"You have to help your mother!"

Xue Huai'an felt completely overwhelmed, but he still helped Li Shi up, asking, "Mother, what's wrong? Weren't you supposed to be attending a banquet at the Qian family's house today?"

While wailing, Li slapped her thigh, "Stop talking! The whole Qian family is a bunch of snobs! They not only condone others, but they also help them mock their mother!"

Xue Huai'an's lips tightened, and he was also displeased.

Although my mother likes to exaggerate, she would never lie to me.

What did they say?

Li cursed those people a few more times before saying to her son, "They mocked your mother for being poor, saying that the hairpins in my hair and the clothes I wear are all old-fashioned."

Hearing this, Xue Huai'an felt a little guilty.

Most of her mother's money went to her, which is why her mother didn't have a decent set of clothes.

"An'er, how are things between you and Qin Su? When is she coming back?" Madam Li grabbed Xue Huai'an's arm anxiously, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Xue Huai'an immediately frowned and said, "Didn't we agree that I wouldn't marry Qin Su?"

Having already been ridiculed and insulted, how could Li agree with her son? She could almost still hear those people saying she was poor.

She is a duke's wife, whose rank is far higher than theirs. Why should she be treated like this?

"I know you don't like that female bandit, but can you bear with it? Let's be patient, and once you've climbed up the social ladder, we'll divorce her, okay?"

Xue Huai'an pulled his mother's hand away, "No."

He was still not entirely sure whether Qin Su and Prince Chen had a close relationship.

If the two of them were truly entangled in something improper, there's no way he would be so foolish as to seek death by competing with Prince Chen for a woman.

Li was unaware of Xue Huai'an's concerns; she only knew that Qin Su was the simplest and quickest way to change the current situation.

"Smack!"

Li slapped Xue Huai'an hard across his handsome profile, and said angrily, "Fine, fine, you've grown up now, your wings have hardened, and you don't listen to your mother anymore."

"I'm telling you! You must bring Qin Su back!"

Xue Huai'an stared at Li Shi with calm eyes for a long time before turning and leaving.

"Did you hear me?! Qin Su must be my daughter-in-law! Did you even hear me?!"

"This is outrageous! He's gone too far!"

Li hurriedly looked at Cui Gu, seemingly wanting to gain Cui Gu's approval.

Cui Gu was quite worried about Xue Huai'an. Seeing Li Shi looking over, she sighed and said, "Since Madam knows that the young master does not like the Qin family girl, why force him like this?"

She and Li had different ideas; life is only a few decades long, and living happily is the most important thing.

...

Xue Huai'an had people keeping an eye on Qin Su, so he naturally didn't miss Qin's mother's private inquiries about unmarried men. Qin Su was the only daughter of marriageable age in the Marquis of Zhongyi's household, so there was no need for much speculation about Qin's mother's actions.

It seems that Qin Su and Prince Chen have no connection.

Although the events at Shuangyue Lake that day were still etched in his mind, and he felt that it was exactly the way a man should act when he was worried about his sweetheart, Xue Huai'an decided to put aside his doubts.

Prince Chen may be terrifying and powerful, but he would never secretly kill me.

Why not give it a try...

night.

Xue Huai'an changed his dressing early and rested. Soon after, the night, like the gaping maw of a giant beast, swallowed all light, and all was silent.

Suddenly a muffled sound came from inside the room. Xue Huai'an opened his eyes instantly and heard the sound of someone moving before he could do anything.

The other person's steps were heavy, completely unlike those of someone who was light-footed. This was an injured person.

Xue Huai'an made the judgment.

"Master, should we tie him up?" Heavy breathing came from beside Xue Huai'an's bedside.

“Kill him.”

The second person's voice sounded familiar; Xue Huai'an remembered it.

That was Princess Cheng'an's husband.

The murderous aura pressed against his face. Xue Huai'an drew the dagger he always kept under his pillow. With a clang, the two weapons clashed, almost sparking each other.

"He's still awake."

"What brings Prince Consort Kang to visit so late at night?" Xue Huai'an's subordinate struggled to resist the attacks of his men, but he spoke very calmly, as if he was not afraid of being blind at all.

Kang Lin coughed heavily, and the smell of blood instantly became even stronger.

"If Prince Consort Kang doesn't order the servants to leave, I'm afraid I'll have no choice but to call for backup."

After a moment, the strength in his hand loosened, but even so, Xue Huai'an still dared not let his guard down.

"The Duke of Cheng's mansion has indeed produced a remarkable person."

Kang Lin sat on the ground, his hand covering his chest.

Under the moonlight, there were three horrifying bloody holes in his chest, a testament to severe torture.

Xue Huai'an's night vision wasn't very good, so he didn't know how Kang Lin got injured, but he could deduce it.

Kang Lin was very much liked by Princess Cheng'an, and since he was injured and did not return to the princess's residence, it was highly likely that he had broken up with the princess.

Why didn't he hear about such a big thing?

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!