Xue Yuanchu nodded and agreed to Li Hechuan and Yu Heng's proposal, and went to the orphanage alone.
The orphanage is located in a corner of Xiguan Town. Although it is not very grand, it exudes a sense of warmth and tranquility.
He knocked lightly on the door, and soon a kind-looking middle-aged man came out to greet him. It was Manager Sun from the orphanage.
Steward Sun recognized Xue Yuanchu immediately, an expression of disbelief on his face. He quickly bowed and said, "Oh, it's the eldest son of the Xingyuan Marquisate who has come to visit. What an honor to be here! Please come in and have a seat. Come in and have a seat."
Xue Yuanchu smiled slightly, waving his hand to indicate that there was no need for formalities. He said gently, "Manager Sun, I'm here to inquire about the fire that broke out in several old houses south of the orphanage a few days ago. Could you tell me in detail what happened that night?"
Upon hearing this, Manager Sun's expression suddenly grew serious. As he led Xue Yuanchu into the courtyard, he reminisced carefully, "The fire that night was indeed fierce, but fortunately it was discovered early and put out in time, so it didn't cause much damage. However, the things in those old rooms were mostly discarded junk, and there was nothing valuable."
As he was speaking, a group of women and children suddenly ran in from the backyard. When they saw Xue Yuanchu, they all knelt down and kowtowed, saying with tears of gratitude: "Thank you, Master Xue, for taking us in and giving us a way to survive. Please accept our greetings."
Xue Yuanchu was overwhelmed by mixed emotions upon seeing this. He recalled his previous misappropriation of food from the orphanage, an act that left him feeling humiliated and overwhelmed with guilt before these grateful women and children. Their sincerity and gratitude served as a mirror, reflecting his past mistakes and prompting him to reflect deeply on his actions.
"Everyone please stand up quickly. There is no need for such grand ceremony."
He quickly took a few steps forward, helped up the leading women, and at the same time signaled the other women, children and kids to stand up as well.
The women looked up, tears in their eyes, and their gratitude was beyond words.
One of the elderly women tightly grasped Xue Yuanchu's hand, her voice choking with sobs as she said, "Master Xue, you are truly our living Bodhisattva! If it weren't for you and the orphanage opened by the Xingyuan Marquisate, we, the helpless women and children, really don't know how we would have survived in this chaotic world."
The children also gathered around. Although they were young, they also knew how to be grateful. They stretched out their little hands, some holding the corners of Xue Yuanchu's clothes, and some gently stroking the back of his hands. Their tender voices rose one after another: "Thank you, Master Xue, thank you for giving us a home!"
Upon hearing this, the women and children expressed their gratitude, some even burst into tears.
Steward Sun also sighed, "The eldest young master is truly kind and benevolent. These women and children have suffered so much on a daily basis, and now they can find a place to live in the orphanage. They are truly fortunate."
"My Lord!"
Guan Yan's voice was full of surprise and respect. He walked into the gate with Meng Liang and saw Xue Yuanchu in the yard at a glance.
At this moment, Xue Yuanchu was dressed in simple cloth, and his expression revealed humility and composure, which was completely different from the imposing image seen in the Marquis' Mansion that day. He was like two completely different people.
Xue Yuanchu turned around when he heard the voice and his eyes fell on Guan Yan.
He noticed that the other person had lost his childishness, had grown taller, and his face was darkened by wind and sun, revealing a youthful heroic spirit.
"Long time no see, Guanyan!" Xue Yuanchu greeted with a smile, "How are you?"
Guan Yan nodded hurriedly, his face full of excitement.
He never expected that he would see Xue Yuanchu again in this border area where the wind and sand were everywhere and the weather was bitterly cold.
"My Lord, what brings you here?" He couldn't help but ask curiously, looking around as if searching for other people. "Is the old lady here too?"
Xue Yuanchu shook his head slightly and explained, "No, I came to Xiguan alone. I am now serving as a steward in the city defense camp, so you don't have to call me Prince anymore. From now on, just call me Xue, Steward."
When Guan Yan heard Xue Yuanchu's words, a surge of courage surged in his heart, and he finally spoke out the words that had been buried for a long time.
"Young Master... Steward Xue, it was me who created a rift between you and the old lady back then..." His words were filled with deep apology and self-blame.
However, before he could finish his words, Xue Yuanchu had already stretched out his hand to signal him to stop.
"I am ashamed to say so," Xue Yuanchu said gently, "I should be the one to apologize to you." As he spoke, he bowed to Guan Yan and apologized with a sincere and genuine attitude.
When Guan Yan saw this, he immediately reached out to support Xue Yuanchu.
"The Marquis' Mansion is my benefactor. I have not had time to repay you, so how dare I accept your greeting?"
Meng Liang, who was standing aside, watched everything happening in front of him with a cold look, and secretly clenched his fists.
From their conversation, he quickly grasped Xue Yuanchu's identity, and a feeling of envy and hatred surged in his heart.
He couldn't imagine that the young master of the Marquis's Mansion would be so humble, polite and caring towards Guan Yan.
This scene made him fall into deep thought. If it was him who was sold to the capital city back then, then the one enjoying all this care at this moment should be him, Meng Liang!
As for Guan Yan, although there was wealth and splendor like the Marquis' Mansion waiting for him to enjoy, he chose to return to the barren Xiguan.
In Meng Liang's opinion, this is really a case of not knowing how to enjoy the blessings and turning a blind eye to the good days that are right at your doorstep.
These thoughts kept circling in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the more unwilling he felt.
This unwillingness was like a snowball that kept rolling, gradually filling the ravine of his inner desires and making his emotions become increasingly heavy.
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