Yuan Sang saw Jiang Chuting off before heading back, only to be startled by what she found.

Lu Zhao didn't know why he walked out of the room and fell at the doorway.

The reason he uses a wheelchair is not because of any problem with his legs, but because his health has been poor since he became the leader, and he feels dizzy whenever he walks. Even when walking a short distance, he needs someone to help him to stay steady.

Yuan Sang strode over, helped him up, and scolded, "What are you doing? Couldn't you have waited for me to come back and call me?"

Lu Zhao's face was pale, her eyes were red, and she gripped his arm tightly. Before she could even stand up straight, she asked him anxiously, "Where is he?"

"Him?" Yuan Sang took a moment to react before saying, "You mean that young master from earlier? He's gone."

“He’s gone…” Lu Zhao’s eyes showed pain, and his body went limp again. Yuan Sang quickly helped him into the room to sit down.

Yuan Sang noticed his unusual behavior, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a cloth, and asked, "Master, did you sense something? Why didn't you call out to him just now?"

Lu Zhao shook his head, his long eyelashes trembling, and closed his eyes.

Yuan Sang didn't understand what he meant either, but seeing the redness in his eyes, she couldn't help but look shocked. She softened her voice and said, "Yuan Xia seems to have said that they are staying at a nearby inn. How about I go with you to find them? Don't worry, they definitely won't be able to leave anytime soon."

Lu Zhao did not respond; his breathing was erratic, and his hands on his lap slowly tightened.

On the way back, Jiang Chuting thought back to Yuan Xia's purse full of pearls and gems.

Many years ago, he visited a small town by the Qionghai Lake and saw the merchants there who were supposedly exchanging gems and pearls with the islanders of Penglai Island. They were indeed very different from what he had seen before.

However, the one in Yuanxia's hand was extremely similar to those others.

Jiang Chuting murmured, "Yuanxia, ​​Yuansang, Yuanxi..."

He said the surname Yuan was rare, and Yuan Xia said that many people in his hometown had the surname Yuan. He remembered that Jiang Xian had once told him that there were rumors that Yuan Xi came from Penglai Island, and it turned out that Yuan Xi was indeed extraordinary. Yuan Xia, Yuan Sang, and Lin Zhi were about the same age, and at first glance they seemed no different from ordinary people, but upon closer inspection, their words and actions revealed a pure and straightforward innocence, as if they had only recently entered the world.

After glancing at the large bag of unheard-of items given to him by Yuan Sang, Jiang Chuting already had a rough idea of ​​what was going on.

Yuan Xia and the others may very well have come from the legendary Penglai Island.

Yuanxi kept sending him south, perhaps because he had calculated that they would meet?

So what exactly was her intention?

Back at the inn, Lin Zhi had already given Xing'er something to eat. Upon seeing him return, she immediately and attentively brought him some hot porridge and steamed buns that she had prepared.

Lin Zhi sat down next to him and asked, "Chu Ting, are we leaving after you finish eating? I've already packed everything."

We've already been delayed for a long time today because of Yuan Xia's matter. If we don't leave soon, it will probably be difficult to get into the city before dark.

Jiang Chuting didn't even look at him before replying, "I'm not leaving; I'll stay for now."

Firstly, it was because of Yuanxi; secondly, he heard Yuansang say that the person in that room was their master, and he felt a strange unease about it.

The usual itinerary was suddenly interrupted, which surprised Lin Zhi. Why did they suddenly say they weren't going? Could it be related to Yuan Xia?

He certainly didn't expect Jiang Chuting to explain the reason to him, nor would he object. He could only let his imagination run wild, and the more he thought about it, the more anxious and uneasy he became.

Children can't stay still for a moment. Not long after Jiang Chuting finished eating, Xing'er started clamoring to go out and play. Jiang Chuting took him and Wei Jia out together, and Lin Zhi, needless to say, followed closely behind.

After strolling around for a while, Wei Jia wanted to eat candied hawthorns. Jiang Chuting asked the stall owner for a skewer, and Xing'er's mouth watered. She tugged at Jiang Chuting's hand and shook it, saying, "Dad, I want some too! I want some too!"

Before Jiang Chuting could react, Lin Zhi had already taken another skewer, paid for it, and handed it to Xing'er, instructing, "Don't eat too much, understand?"

"Mmm!" Xing'er nodded happily.

Lin Zhi glanced at Jiang Chuting furtively, as if afraid of being blamed for acting on his own initiative, and guiltily picked up Xing'er and hurried to the front.

Although Jiang Chuting was indifferent to him, she wasn't completely unreasonable. Seeing his cautious demeanor, she stood silently in place for a moment before continuing forward.

Xing'er gnawed on the hawthorn for a while, then stopped eating after taking a bite of the sugar off one of the hawthorns. Lin Zhi wiped his mouth clean, not minding that it was covered in his saliva, and ate the fruit in one bite, quickly finishing the rest as well.

The four were strolling leisurely down the street when Lin Zhi suddenly froze. Several groups of soldiers were secretly searching with portraits in hand. He caught a glimpse of one; it was a portrait of his mother, Hong Yufei, and Qiao Xun.

He wasn't there. But he still subconsciously turned away to avoid their gaze.

It's so strange that Pei Jing didn't issue a warrant for his arrest...

"Come on, come on." It wasn't until Xing'er vigorously rubbed his face with her little hands that Lin Zhi came back to his senses and realized that the soldiers had already passed by.

Meanwhile, Jiang Chuting and Wei Jia were picking out new toys for Xing'er at the stall in front, seemingly completely ignoring the ones they had just seen.

Lin Zhi knew she didn't deserve to be sad, but her heart was still instantly filled with bitterness.

Just as he was about to walk over, he suddenly saw a swaying figure approaching Jiang Chuting. It was a young man in his twenties, dressed in a dark blue shirt, with a pale but handsome face. His slightly reddened eyes were fixed on Jiang Chuting's profile as he walked towards him step by step with difficulty but determination.

Lin knew who he was, and her heart tightened. Just as she was about to stride forward, the man swayed and was caught by Jiang Chuting, who was quick-witted and agile.

Jiang Chuting never expected that someone would faint next to her just by picking something out. Helping him up was a simple matter, but just as she was about to ask him what was wrong, she unexpectedly met the man's dark eyes.

Those beautiful, melancholic eyes were slightly brimming with tears, as if they were urgently expressing tender feelings that had been suppressed for thousands of years, silent yet intensely passionate.

The moment their eyes met, Jiang Chuting froze, and an indescribable tightness welled up in her chest.

It took Jiang Chuting a while to find his voice: "Are you alright?" He helped him stand up, and he was certain that he had never seen this person before.

The reason he looked like that was probably because he had mistaken someone for someone else.

The man grabbed Jiang Chuting's arm with his other hand, his pale lips trembling slightly: "You..."

"Chu Ting." Lin Zhi came over carrying Xing'er, staring at him with a look full of deep suspicion, and asked, "Do you know him?"

Lu Zhao was startled. He raised his eyelids, glanced at him and Xing'er, and slowly loosened his grip on Jiang Chuting's hand. His gaze gradually became calm, and the silent turmoil was hidden in the deepest part of his being, which was difficult for people to fathom.

Lu Zhao's breath was hot, and his voice was slightly hoarse as he said to Jiang Chuting, "Thank you for earlier."

"It's alright." Jiang Chuting noticed that he was swaying precariously, but she continued to support him, her words unconsciously revealing concern: "Are you feeling unwell? Should I take you to see a doctor?"

Lu Zhao's throat tightened, and after a moment he looked intently at his face and said, "No need, I'll be fine in a while."

Jiang Chuting nodded, looked around, and then asked him, "Don't you have any family or friends nearby?"

Lu Zhao said in a low voice, "They're not here for the time being."

"Where do you live? Tell me, I can..."

Lu Zhao's gaze never left his face as he interrupted him, "Why don't we find a place to sit down over there? You helped me, so I'll treat you to tea."

In the past, Jiang Chuting would have mostly declined in this situation, but now, as if possessed, she had no intention of refusing at all. Turning her head, she saw a teahouse nearby and readily said, "Okay, I'll help you."

Thank you.

"Walk slowly."

Watching Jiang Chuting carefully support Lu Zhao's back, Lin Zhi, who had been ignored by both of them, stood there in shock. What was going on? What on earth was happening?!

Why are there so many random people coming from all directions lately? And why is Chu Ting still so kind to them?

Lin Zhi's sense of crisis deepened, and with a tense expression, he hugged Xing'er tightly and strode inside. Wei Jia followed slowly, completely oblivious to the situation.

Yuan Xia and Yuan Sang pushed the wheelchair and hid in a corner not far away. Looking over the crowd, they saw what was happening. Yuan Sang was shocked.

"What's wrong with our Lord?" Originally, he and Yuanxia were pushing him to the inn to find Jiang Chuting, but they happened to run into him on the way. It was the first time Yuansang had ever seen their Lord show such an agitated expression, and then he wouldn't let them push him, nor would he allow them to appear, insisting on walking over by himself.

After exchanging a few words, are we going to have tea together now?

Yuan Xia wasn't entirely clear on the details either, but he knew more than Yuan Sang, so he had a vague idea. He said, "As long as he's happy, that's fine. We'll wait and see what happens."

Yuan Sang could only nod, touching his chin thoughtfully.

Upon arriving at the teahouse, Jiang Chuting helped Lu Zhao sit down, then sat next to him and personally poured him a cup of tea, saying, "Please."

Lu Zhao thanked him, and the two exchanged names. Jiang Chuting did not use an alias; she used her real name.

“Chu Ting…” Lu Zhao said gently, “A good name.”

Jiang Chuting smiled.

Although it was their first meeting, the two chatted happily without any awkwardness or unfamiliarity, as if they had known each other for a long time.

Jiang Chuting smiled and said, "I don't know why, but I feel like we've known each other for a long time."

Lu Zhao choked up almost imperceptibly, then smiled and said, "Me too. Perhaps... we knew each other in a past life."

Jiang Chuting smiled again, her eyes crinkling.

Although he didn't know who Lu Zhao had mistaken him for, he certainly wouldn't ask that question. In any case, the two of them were inexplicably compatible and attuned to each other.

Perhaps, as he said, the two knew each other in a past life.

The two of them chatted away naturally, as if they were in their own world, isolated from everyone around them. Lin Zhi, standing beside them, didn't even have a chance to interject. He felt desolate, wronged, and sad. Subconsciously, he squeezed Xing'er's small hand, accidentally hurting him.

Xing'er hummed and whimpered twice, then twisted her body away from his embrace and climbed onto Jiang Chuting.

Jiang Chuting lifted him onto her lap and sat him down. Xing'er blinked her big, dark eyes and looked Lu Zhao up and down: "Hello."

Lu Zhao's smile seemed to fade slightly, his eyes stinging as he looked at Xing'er's features and asked, "Who is he...?"

"My son." Jiang Chuting then realized that he had been so engrossed in his conversation with him that he hadn't introduced the people around him yet. He said, "Excuse me, Xing'er, call him Uncle."

Xing'er obediently called out, "Uncle!"

"Hmm." Lu Zhao lowered his eyes, a bitter expression barely concealed on his lips.

He didn't ask Lin Zhi and Wei Jia, but out of courtesy, Jiang Chuting introduced them both.

“Wei Jia, my apprentice. This is Lin Zhi, a… friend.”

Lin Zhi clenched his fist and said coldly, "Friends? What friends?"

Jiang Chuting remained calm, not intending to argue with him. Xing'er, however, covered her mouth and smiled at Lu Zhao, saying in a soft, sweet voice, "He is my mother."

Jiang Chuting: "...Children say the darndest things, don't take it seriously."

Lu Zhao forced a smile: "I know."

Then the two of them started chatting as if no one else was around. Lin Zhixin was burning with anger, his blood was surging, and he stared at the two of them intently. If he didn't do or say something, he would break down.

Lin Zhi suddenly stood up. The commotion was a bit loud, and Jiang Chuting stopped talking and turned to look at him.

Lu Zhao also looked over expressionlessly, his dark eyes filled with a chilling indifference.

Lin Zhimu said with a blank face, "I'm going out for a walk."

Lin Zhi didn't expect Jiang Chuting to have any reaction, but he saw Jiang Chuting frown and say in a deep voice, "Don't go far."

Does he still care about me? Lin Zhi's heart pounded with a mix of cold and heat, grief and indignation, unsure of what to do: "I..."

Jiang Chuting had already looked away and continued talking to Lu Zhao.

Lin Zhi gritted his teeth and strode away from the teahouse.

Stimulated, he first wandered aimlessly through the streets, then ran wildly for a while, but then, remembering Jiang Chuting's words, he stood frozen in place.

After a moment, he walked to the street corner, sat down, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

In the past, Chu Ting would not have treated him like this, and he would not have been so restrained and patient.

But it was all his own doing. Whether it was those girls who threw handkerchiefs before, or this Lu Zhao, he had no face to be angry or care.

Even if Chu Ting immediately decides to be with someone else, what can he do?

The clarity that had been lost due to jealousy finally returned to Lin Zhi's mind. She quickly calmed down and muttered to herself, "Who do I think I am? Why should I give him attitude? Am I crazy...?"

Chu Ting was right; he was impulsive and reckless, and would never grow up.

Frustrated, Lin Zhi ran her fingers through her hair and immediately stood up, intending to hurry back. But a figure flashed by, her wrist was tightly gripped, and she was pulled forward.

Lin Zhi recognized her and his expression instantly turned ugly, but he didn't say anything and followed her forward.

They stopped at a secluded courtyard, took off her black mask, turned to look at him, and said bluntly, "The situation is not good now, you must leave with us immediately."

"Where is she?" Lin Zhi came with her only to see Lin Xi one more time.

Although he hated her, he knew that this was very likely the last time he and his mother would see each other.

Hong Yufei led him into the room, where Lin Xi was sitting on a stool, holding a black wooden box, looking dazed.

Of course, the contents of that box were fake; Hong Yufei used it to deceive her. Otherwise, she would have been crying and screaming.

Lin Zhi frowned and glanced at her. Lin Xi noticed the movement, her frozen eyes flickered, and finally a surprised smile appeared on her face. She stood up and said, "Son, you've finally come. Let's leave together as a family of three, quick!"

A family of three? Could it be that what she's holding is...? Lin Zhi broke free from her hand and said, "You go, I won't leave."

Lin Xi knew perfectly well who he was doing this for, and her eyes welled up with tears: "Why? Lin Zhi, why do you have to choose him?"

Lin Zhi said coldly, "Then what about you? There are so many men in the world, and my father doesn't love you at all. Why are you so obsessed with my father?"

"I……"

Lin Zhi interrupted her without hesitation: "There are soldiers searching for you everywhere outside. You can't convince me, and I don't want to argue with you about this. I'm only here to see you one last time. After all... you gave birth to me. Take care of yourself from now on."

Lin Zhi shook her head vigorously, her face covered in tears, unable to accept it no matter what: "You have to leave, otherwise, you will definitely be caught, and you will die!"

Lin Zhi sneered: "When you were doing those harmful things, you never thought about me. Why are you worried about me now?"

Lin Xi cried and said, "What harm did I do? I didn't think of anything. Your grandmother deceived me. She killed your father and lied to me that he committed suicide by poisoning. I didn't know anything and foolishly agreed to help her fulfill her last wish."

Lin Zhi's breathing suddenly became heavy, so what Ling Guang said back then was true; his father really was killed by Lin Xuan.

If he hadn't met Chu Ting, perhaps he would have lived his whole life in the lies they wove.

Lin Xi, dressed in plain clothes and without makeup, had red and swollen eyes and disheveled hair, completely lacking her usual noble and dignified appearance. She grabbed Lin Zhi's arm again, looking at him and becoming increasingly incoherent as she spoke: "I really regret it so much. Your father was the one who was harmed by her back then, because he was investigating this matter. And I turned around and helped her? I was so stupid, really. She wanted all the men in the world to get pregnant and have children, not me. Why should I help her get those drugs, only to end up harming my child and me..."

"What did you say?!" Lin Zhi exclaimed in shock, grabbing Lin Xi's hand and asking incredulously, "A man is pregnant?!"

His reaction was so strong that Lin Xi was startled and nodded blankly with her wet eyes wide open.

Jiang Chuting leaked the information, and Lin Zhi was always by his side, so she thought Lin Zhi knew everything.

Even Hong Yufei found it strange: "You don't know?"

So, the truth behind drug trials is actually to enable men to get pregnant and give birth?!

A terrifying thought surged through Lin Zhi's mind. He staggered back two steps, his head buzzing, and he almost forgot how to breathe.

He didn't know. How could he know? No one had ever told him, and his mind was only focused on Chu Ting, ignoring everything else.

How could he know all this?

"Then..." Lin Zhi's bloodshot eyes stared intently at Lin Xi, his lips trembling as he asked, "Has your kind of medicine ever been successful?"

Lin Xi didn't know what was wrong with him, and nodded in a panic: "Yes..." Then she pleaded desperately: "Come with me, if you don't come, and things get out, you'll really lose your life, I beg you!"

It had worked! It had actually worked! Lin Zhi was trembling with fear, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't hear anything else she said. Clutching her head, which was throbbing with pain, she gasped for breath, her features contorted in agony.

At this moment, what is there that is not clear?

"Lin Zhi, I'm pregnant."

"I'm pregnant with your child, because back then..."

"If you don't believe me, you can come with me to find a doctor."

Back then, when Chu Ting finally confessed to him and tried her best to get him to turn back, what did he say?

"Have you had enough?!"

"They'll say anything, no matter how ridiculous, just to stay by my side."

"If you are really so capable of bearing my child, then after I marry Li Ruoshuang, I might take you as a concubine."

Lin Zhiyang slapped himself hard across the face. He deserved to die; Chu Ting had been far too kind not to stab him, this inhuman bastard, to death with a single sword strike.

Lin Xi was startled by his actions again and tried to touch Lin Zhi, but was pushed away.

"Get out of here, don't worry about me. If you stay any longer, you'll all die," he growled, his voice deep and terrifying.

How could Lin Xi possibly let him go? Her eyes widened as she resolutely declared, "No, I won't let you stay. I'd rather die than let you be with that man. Hong Yufei, you get him..."

Lin Zhi acted swiftly, striking her acupoint, catching her as she collapsed and the box that almost fell to the ground, and pushing the unconscious woman into Hong Yufei's arms.

Hong Yufei asked, "You don't regret it?"

"I have too many regrets, but I will never regret today."

Hong Yufei didn't reply. She had been seriously injured earlier, and managing to take Lin Xi away from the numerous pursuers was already a feat she had accomplished. If she took Lin Zhi as well, she wasn't sure she could save both of them. Forcibly taking someone who didn't want to leave would definitely lead to trouble during the escape.

Moreover, she seemed to have never seen Lin Zhi's arrest warrant...

Lin Zhi whispered to her, "Let's go, the farther the better. Everything... is in your hands."

Lin Zhi hugged the box and was about to leave when Hong Yufei said, "Your father's urn is gone. This is fake. Leave it for her."

Lin Zhi originally intended to take it back to a place for a proper burial, but upon hearing this, he was stunned. He opened it and found that it was indeed just some burnt paper ash inside.

His mother had been so persistent in pursuing his father, but in the end, it was all for nothing.

Lin Zhi put the box back on the table and strode away without looking back.

...

About fifteen minutes after Lin Zhi left, Jiang Chuting became visibly distracted, frequently glancing outside. Xing'er also kept asking, "Where's brother?"

When Jiang Chuting came to her senses, she realized that Lu Zhao had been silent for quite a while.

Jiang Chuting said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I spaced out again."

"You really care about him."

Jiang Chuting didn't know how to explain, so he just said, "He's young and impetuous, and I'm worried he'll cause trouble."

Lu Zhao's lips curved slightly, but there was no smile in his eyes. He said softly, "Is that so?"

After a while, Jiang Chuting couldn't sit still any longer and said to Lu Zhao, "Brother Lu, I may have to take my leave now, you..."

Lu Zhao: "Someone will come to pick me up."

"That's good."

Jiang Chuting picked up Xing'er and was about to leave with Wei Jia when Lu Zhao reached out and grabbed a section of his sleeve, saying, "I live in Jinse Villa, what about you?"

Jinse Villa. Jiang Chuting was surprised. Could he be the master that Yuan Xia and Yuan Sang had mentioned, and also someone from Penglai Island?

Jiang Chuting was preoccupied with other things and didn't ask any more questions. He simply told him where he was staying: "I'm staying at the Yunlai Inn nearby."

"Okay." Lu Zhao stared at him with his dark eyes, his knuckles turning white as he gripped his sleeve, and whispered, "I will definitely come to find you."

Jiang Chuting nodded to him and strode away.

The fabric slipped from his fingers, and Lu Zhao stared blankly at his retreating figure, his hands empty, and his heart empty too.

Jiang Chuting has been away from the palace for some time now, and based on his understanding of Pei Jing, he certainly won't let him off so easily. If Pei Jing wants to take revenge on him, he will definitely start with Lin Zhi.

Therefore, he had tacitly allowed Lin Zhi to stay by his side during this period, and just now he even instructed him not to go far away, so as to avoid any accidents that might happen and things might get out of his control.

After searching the vicinity without finding a trace of anyone, Jiang Chuting's heart sank.

Wei Jia noticed his worry and suggested they split up to look for him. Jiang Chuting was even more worried about him being out alone. Since the inn was nearby, she thought for a moment and said, "Wei Jia, you go back to the inn first."

Wei Jia listened to him and went back first.

Jiang Chuting continued searching the vicinity, asking around, and then returned to the teahouse.

Lu Zhao was no longer there, and Lin Zhi was nowhere to be seen either.

Jiang Chuting hugged the child in her arms tightly, stood silently for a moment with a somber face, and was about to leave when she suddenly heard a choked voice behind her: "Chuting."

Jiang Chuting suddenly turned her head away.

Lin Zhi stood a few steps away, tears streaming down her face, sobbing uncontrollably: "Chu Ting..."

Jiang Chuting walked over and asked coldly, "Where did you go? Didn't I tell you not to go far?"

Lin Zhi, her eyes brimming with tears, wrapped her arms around him and Xing'er. Jiang Chuting froze for a moment before pushing him away.

Lin Zhi said in a hoarse voice, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, it's just that something happened just now."

When Xing'er saw Lin Zhi crying, she reached out her soft little hand and touched his slightly swollen right cheek, as if wondering why there was a mark on it. She comforted him, saying, "Don't cry, don't cry."

Lin Zhi looked at him, took him into her arms, and kissed him several times, her hot tears staining his soft little face.

Actually, he had doubted Xing'er's age, but he never imagined that something so unbelievable could actually happen. He had always assumed that Chu Ting had been with another woman after leaving... so he dared not think any further.

Even now, he still can't believe that he actually has a child with Chu Ting.

Xing'er cupped his face in her hands and called out in a soft voice, "Brother."

Lin Zhi's eyelashes moistened as she looked back into his innocent eyes and whispered, "Xing'er, from now on, you must call me Father."

"Daddy?" Xing'er tilted his head in confusion. His little brain was already in a mess. He didn't know why Lin Zhi was both his brother and his mother, and now he was his father.

Hearing this from the side, Jiang Chuting was somewhat surprised, and her eyes widened slightly. Lin Zhi... had finally learned about Xing'er's background?

Who did he run into when he went out?

Jiang Chuting quickly regained his composure. He had never deliberately hidden this matter from Lin Zhi, nor would he force Xing'er to disown him as her father. Now that she knew, it didn't matter.

Xing'er subconsciously turned to look at Jiang Chuting. Jiang Chuting patted the back of his head and whispered, "Go ahead and call out."

Xing'er immediately turned around, threw herself into Lin Zhi's arms, and called out sweetly, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!"

Lin Zhi felt a pang of heartache, her eyes red and swollen as she hugged the tiny boy tightly, crying uncontrollably.