What did this unfilial son do? How did his things end up there?

A sound came from outside the door, and the door creaked open. Ning Zhan, with a fair complexion and impeccable attire, walked into the room and bowed.

The room was quiet. Ning Zhan looked up at his father, only to find that his father's gaze was fixed on the side.

Ning Zhan took a closer look and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

Isn't that the jade pendant he lost a few days ago?

Ning Huanzhi slowly raised his head. "Come and take a look at this."

Ning Zhan blinked awkwardly, paused for a moment, and then said, "I accidentally lost this jade pendant a few days ago and was regretting it. I never expected that Father would get it."

Ning Huan stared intently at Ning Zhan, not blinking. Seeing his son's extremely uneasy expression, he closed his eyes slightly, his muscular chest heaving twice. However, the anger in his chest kept rising, and he finally couldn't help but slam his hand on the table, causing a thin crack to spread diagonally.

“You unfilial son,” Ning Huanzhi leaned slightly forward, an aura of authority from someone accustomed to high office surging towards Ning Zhan like a giant wave, “This is an heirloom of your grandfather. Normally, if you forget to take it with you, he would send someone to look for it. This time it has been missing for several days, why haven’t you gone to look for it?”

Ning Zhan's forehead was beaded with sweat. His eyes darted around a few times before he suddenly knelt down on the ground with a thud. "Your son, your son was worried that Father would blame him, so he kept it a secret."

Ning Huanzhi stared at him intently, his hand gripping the jade token tightly. After a long while, he lowered his head and chuckled.

Shi's father glanced at Ning Zhan indifferently, his heart at peace. All the regrets, sighs, and pities he had felt before turned into mockery at this moment.

I never imagined that the renowned heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan would be such a person.

It's okay for someone to be stupid, but they should know how to conceal their shortcomings; being reckless and cruel is not incurable either. Given the right place and sufficient reason, killing one or two people is not a big deal for someone of their status and position.

But if someone is both stupid and inhuman, yet thinks they are smarter than others, and is foolish enough to not even try to cover up their stupid deeds, then that's a death sentence. His Xi'er was raised with utmost pampering and care, and he wouldn't let this fool be buried with her.

Ning Hengzhi's smile was choked with emotion. Looking at this renowned general, Shi's father felt a pang of reluctance and sigh.

"Brother Yiliang, the marriage certificate and tokens are here. Please return the tokens."

Ning Huanzhi looked up at Shi Fu, his eyes reddening and his nostrils flaring, as if he wanted to say something more.

Mr. Shi shook his head firmly and said, "Lord Ning, my mind is made up. Our fate is not right, and we can never become in-laws."

Ning Huanzhi sighed deeply, turned and went to the inner courtyard. When he returned a moment later, he was holding a small wooden box in his hand.

Shi's father took it, not even glancing at Ning Zhan kneeling with his head bowed, and left the Marquis's residence without looking back. (To be continued.)