The Liu family originally had a legitimate daughter named Liu Shushu.

Eleven years ago, three-year-old Liu Shushu suddenly disappeared. Madam Pan had been sending people to search for her in secret, but there was no news for many years, so everyone thought she was dead.

Back then, when Madam Pan was first diagnosed with pregnancy, Liu Yu was not in the capital; he had been dispatched to Quzhou on official business.

The household had not had such a joyous occasion in a long time. Overjoyed, Madam Wang wrote a letter to inform them of the news. It was this letter that led Madam Pan to learn that Liu Yu was keeping a mistress in Quzhou.

She was so angry that she was trembling and almost miscarried. Fortunately, she managed to save the pregnancy, but her health was poor throughout the entire pregnancy. She almost lost her life due to a difficult childbirth when she gave birth to Liu Shushu.

What was Liu Yu doing at that time?

He stayed by Ye Ning's side the whole time, never leaving her side.

After receiving Wang's letter, he returned to the Liu residence, but often quarreled with Pan. So he stayed for less than two months before going down to Quzhou again to stay by Ye Ning's side until she safely gave birth to a daughter.

Coincidentally, Ye Ning gave birth on the same day as Pan Shi, but their fates were very different. Pan Shi gave birth prematurely but had a healthy child, while Ye Ning gave birth at full term but had a child born with a congenital lung disease.

Liu Yu learned of Pan's childbirth that night and did not return to the capital until the next day. Perhaps feeling guilty, he personally crafted a longevity lock as a gift for Pan's child's full moon celebration.

Back then, Liu Yu would frequently travel to Quzhou, and rumors gradually spread throughout the capital.

To protect the Liu family's reputation, Wang proposed taking Ye Ning into the household as a concubine, and Pan had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

But Liu Yu refused. He didn't want to wrong Ye Ning and demanded that she be made his secondary wife.

Now it was Pan's turn to be unhappy. She said that unless she died, Ye Ning could never enter the Liu family in this lifetime.

This stalemate lasted for three years until Liu Yu finally gave in.

Because Ye Ning is pregnant again.

When Madam Pan learned of this, she was so angry that she packed her things and went back to her parents' home that very night, accompanied by her three-year-old daughter, Liu Shushu.

The day before Ye Ning was to enter the manor, Liu Shushu disappeared. The entire Liu family was frantic and sent people everywhere to search for her, so Ye Ning's entry into the manor was put on hold.

"I heard that my mother searched for a long time back then, and finally only found a few blood-stained clothes and a pair of embroidered shoes that she wore when she went out at the foot of a cliff." Liu Chengfeng said, raising his hand to gently stroke the face of the person in the painting.

Wei Dongchen frowned after listening and asked, "So the reason why Ye Shi was ultimately unable to enter the manor was because of this?"

"Yes, back then my father wasn't a great general yet. Because of this incident, which caused such a stir, the emperor threw him to the western border."

"In that case, given your mother's personality, she probably hates Ye Shi to death. So why would she keep Liu Qingying by her side for so many years?"

"I was young at the time, and I only knew that Shushu entered the mansion because Ye Shi died. Maybe my mother took pity on her."

"Shushu?" Wei Dongchen scoffed. "I think she just wants to find someone to rely on, otherwise why would she give Liu Qingying such a nickname?"

Shushu and Shushu differ by only one character.

Liu Chengfeng sighed and said, "If anyone is to blame, it's my good-for-nothing father. If he hadn't been so indecisive, none of this would have happened!"

Wei Dongchen nodded in agreement, then thought for a moment and added, "But looking at Er Ya's appearance now, even a fool would know that Ye Shi back then must have been an exceptional beauty. What man could resist her?"

Liu Chengfeng glared at him. "Do you think everyone is as cunning as you? The men of our Liu family have been loyal for generations and have never taken concubines."

"That's right, that's why your dad kept someone outside as a mistress."

"You..." Liu Chengfeng, seeing that he couldn't win the argument, simply stopped arguing and said, "In short, the reason I came to you today is to use your connections to help me find my sister in the capital, because I just received news that she appeared in the capital today."

Wei Dongchen nodded without hesitation and said, "Sure thing, given our friendship, your sister is my sister too. I have to help you no matter what..."

Liu Chengfeng patted him on the shoulder, moved, "Good brother!"

"Wait, I haven't finished speaking yet." Wei Dongchen raised his hand to brush away the hand on his shoulder, his smile becoming even more cunning. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Even close brothers have to keep clear accounts. You can't let me work for nothing."

Liu Chengfeng withdrew his hand, his expression utterly calm, his eyes seeming to say: I knew it was you, kid!

"Okay, tell me your terms."

"Hehe~ You understand me best, Chengfeng." Wei Dongchen said with a smile, "Didn't you just get a luminous pearl from the East Sea last time? I'll help you find your sister, how about you give me the pearl in return?"

"You've gone too far! I spent a fortune to get those beads, intending to use them for my future marriage. If I just give them to you like this, wouldn't half of my dowry be gone?"

"I don't care. You can only choose between your sister who has been missing for many years and your wife whom you have never met."

Seeing his roguish expression, Liu Chengfeng clenched his fists, but after a moment, he gritted his teeth and agreed.

Wei Dongchen went to get a pen and ink, and said, "I don't trust verbal promises, so give me a written agreement."

"Wei Dongchen, don't go too far!" Liu Chengfeng stepped over and straddled him, looking ready to beat him up.

Wei Dongchen cried out, "No way, no way, Liu Chengfeng, is this how you ask for help? Don't you even want your sister anymore?"

"I'll teach you a lesson first!"

After a playful argument, Liu Chengfeng eventually obediently wrote down the agreement.

Finally, he asked, "What can't you, a dignified young master, have? Why are you fixated on my luminous pearl?"

"You're allowed to save up the betrothal gifts? I need to get married too, you know." Wei Dongchen carefully folded and put away the written agreement.

Liu Chengfeng had no suspicions.

When he saw the familiar-looking luminous pearl in Qingying's room, he was so angry that he stormed into Prince Yu's mansion and beat him up.

Pointing at him, she yelled, "I treated you like a good brother, but you treated me like your brother-in-law!"

Of course, that's a story for another time.

...

By the time Liu Chengfeng came out of Prince Yu's mansion, the rain had subsided.

As he passed by Juxian Pavilion in his carriage, he suddenly remembered that Qingying loved the peach blossom pastries sold there, so he asked the coachman to stop outside while he went in to buy some.

The waiter led him inside, and after ordering, he decided to have lunch outside before going back, so he asked for a private room.

As he walked upstairs, a man suddenly rushed down and threw himself into his arms.

"Brother, I need your help urgently!" He nimbly circled around and hid behind Liu Chengfeng.