The youth stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
Shielding the young girl behind him, he gritted his teeth and forced himself upright, turning to glare furiously at the pursuers. “Stop chasing us!”
Yet the group refused to relent, simply replying, “Absolutely not!”
Lou Tingxue’s brows knitted together in anger. Where had he ever seen such tyrannical, unreasonable people?
Within the borders of Great Zhou, right at the Prince’s doorstep, a gang was relentlessly hunting down two children from a wealthy family—clearly attempting extortion or kidnapping. Where was the sense in this?
Disregarding his injuries, Lou Tingxue stepped out and blocked the brother and sister with his own body. “In broad daylight, you dare to hunt down two defenseless children! How utterly audacious! Aren’t you afraid the police will arrest you?!”
Lou Tingxue’s voice was clear and cool, like jade shattering on stone, instantly halting the pursuers in their tracks.
The light cast across his refined features made him look extraordinarily striking—a true peerless beauty! In the entire Great Zhou Empire, perhaps only the Princess Consort of Huainan could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him!
Beside him, Lin Shi and Wen Xiao stared at Lou Tingxue in shock. Just as they were about to speak, Yuwei stopped them.
She let out a soft, helpless sigh and shook her head at the two. Lin Shi and Wen Xiao exchanged a glance, both looking as if they wanted to speak but held themselves back.
The youth and the young girl were both dazed, unconsciously looking up at Lou Tingxue.
Lou Tingxue possessed gorgeous, striking features, yet he wore plain, simple robes that softened his vivid appearance. Though he looked frail and delicate, he inexplicably gave off a comforting sense of reliability.
The two children shared a glance, silently ducking behind Lou Tingxue’s back in unspoken agreement.
Hiding behind him, tears brimmed in their eyes as they cried, “Young Master, save us! My little sister and I came to see the lanterns today, but these thugs insist on capturing us!”
Hearing this, Lou Tingxue grew even more outraged!
The leader of the pursuers looked somewhat helpless. “Forget it. This matter has nothing to do with you—stop meddling in other people’s business!”
Lou Tingxue raised his eyes slightly, not a trace of fear in his gaze. He said indifferently, “I may just be a passerby, but today I am bound to step in. Teaching you a lesson is merely an effortless task!”
The moment the words left his mouth, Lou Tingxue grabbed the two children and practically scrambled, rolling and crawling behind Lin Shi and Wen Xiao, who were standing nearby watching the drama unfold.
Lin Shi: “???”
Wen Xiao: “???”
Lou Tingxue poked his head out from behind them. “What are you two standing around for? Boss Zhu sent you to protect me! Now these people are about to attack me—why are you just standing there doing nothing? Hurry up and get ’em!”
“Stop!” A dignified male voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone turned to look as a horse-drawn carriage came to a swift halt nearby.
The curtain was gently lifted, and an exquisitely handsome, almost wicked-looking man stepped out. However, his expression was dark and gloomy, radiating an aura that practically screamed he was difficult to deal with.
“You little brats, get over here this instant!” the man snorted coldly.
Lou Tingxue suddenly felt the two children behind him cringe in fear.
A wave of anger surged in his chest—kidnappers these days were getting far too brazen! In front of so many onlookers, they actually dared to command the children to walk over to them! Was there no justice left? Was there no law?!
Yet in the next moment, another remarkably stunning man stepped out from the carriage. His brows were slightly knit, his eyes shimmering like gentle ripples, carrying a pitiful, delicate charm.
Lou Tingxue found him exceptionally handsome, yet at the same time felt a strange sense of dissonance—he always felt a man shouldn’t look so pitiful and delicate.
“Father!” The two young figures instantly lit up with joy.
They couldn’t wait to dash forward, throwing themselves into the man’s arms from left and right. Their small heads rubbed against his robes, their eyes filled with utter reliance.
Standing off to the side, Lou Tingxue was completely dumbfounded.
Looking at the four of them, he suddenly realized that the youth and the young girl bore a striking resemblance to this pair of men!
Especially that intimate posture—it looked precisely like a normal family gathering!
Beside him, Yuwei quietly leaned toward his ear and whispered, “Young Master Lou, these two are Prince Huainan, Wanyi Lang, and Princess Consort Huainan, Chi Mengli. As for those two children, one is the Heir, Wanyi Yu, and the other is the Princess, Wanyi Rong. They are a family of four.”
Lou Tingxue: “???”
He turned to look at Yuwei, then at Lin Shi and Wen Xiao. “You all knew?!”
The three nodded in unison.
Lou Tingxue felt a profound pang of grief and indignation. “If you knew, why didn’t you explain it to me?!” What a massive embarrassment!
Meanwhile, Wanyi Lang’s face had already darkened.
Gazing at the two children before him, he scolded reprimandingly, “Wanyi Yu! Wanyi Rong! Who permitted you to slip out of the palace on your own?! Sneaking off to watch the lantern festival without a word—do you have any idea how worried your father was? Being so disobedient, you truly deserve a harsh punishment!”
Hearing they were to be punished, the two children immediately shrank back behind Chi Mengli in fright.
Exposing only half of their small faces, they filed a timid yet aggrieved complaint: “Father! Father, save us! Grandfather wouldn’t let us out to play! Grandfather is the absolute worst!”
Wanyi Lang was so infuriated by these two ungrateful brats that the veins at his temples throbbed violently. Stepping forward, he made to discipline them. “You still dare to talk back?!”
However, Chi Mengli gently turned his body, shielding both children even closer.
He raised his eyes to look at Wanyi Lang, his voice soft and gentle, yet fiercely protective: “Husband, the children are still young and were merely being playful for a moment. Don’t frighten them.”
Husband?!
Lou Tingxue could hardly believe his ears!
How could a man call another man “husband”?!
Facing his beloved spouse’s protective stance, the rigid aura Wanyi Lang had maintained a moment ago deflated in an instant.
He pressed his lips together in reluctant resignation, forcing the scolding back down his throat. In the end, he could only let out a heavy sigh, not uttering another word about punishment.
Chi Mengli’s tense heart finally settled.
Turning to look at Lou Tingxue standing nearby, he said, “Today is all thanks to Young Master standing up to resolve the situation for the children. Mengli offers his gratitude.”
Lou Tingxue merely shook his head without saying much, though he offered a bitter smile in his heart.
How had that been “standing up” for anyone? On the contrary, he had made a complete fool of himself in front of a huge crowd! He had lost face big time!
Unaware of his internal thoughts, Chi Mengli simply assumed he was being modest.
Beside them, Wanyi Lang offered, “Tonight’s Lantern Festival is a rare occasion. If Young Master does not mind, why not join us at Fan Tower for a brief rest? Consider it our way of showing a host’s hospitality.”
Fan Tower?!
Lou Tingxue was startled once more.
Could it be the famous Fan Tower of the Northern Song Dynasty that he knew of?!
The Fan Tower of Northern Song’s Bianjing was a world-renowned landmark!
Fan Tower had three floors.
The first floor opened onto the street, brimming with all sorts of pastries, sweet dumplings, preserved fruits, and seasonal snacks. On ordinary days, it was packed with people and vibrant with the warmth of everyday life.
The second floor housed private dining booths; sitting by the window granted a sweeping view of the entire lantern-lit street, taking in the sea of sparkling lights at a glance.
The third floor was reserved exclusively for distinguished guests to rest—with melodious zither music and fragrant tea smoke, making it the finest place to unwind and chat.
Not only did Fan Tower feature rich wines and a hundred exquisite delicacies, but it also gathered scholars to wield their brushes, nobles to feast, and even emperors who had visited incognito!
Assuming he was unaware, Chi Mengli patiently explained, “Fan Tower is the largest restaurant in Huainan’s history, constructed with funds from Zhu Dongfeng, the greatest merchant under heaven. Fan Tower has everything; it will surely satisfy Young Master.”
Lou Tingxue snapped back to reality upon hearing Zhu Dongfeng’s name.
Hesitating for a moment, he couldn’t help but ask, “Was Fan Tower… truly built with Zhu Dongfeng’s money? How on earth did he come up with the idea to construct such a world-famous building?”
Chi Mengli was about to answer, but Wanyi Yu stepped out from behind him.
The young child let out a cold snort, his expression proud and arrogant as he said, “You are truly ignorant! You don’t even know about Fan Tower! Not only is there a Fan Tower in Huainan, but there is also a Fan Tower with the same pronunciation in Great Liang! And that one was built by Zhu Dongfeng too!”
Lou Tingxue was completely dumbfounded.
So Zhu Dongfeng was really that impressive? Building two grand towers across two separate dynasties in one go—talk about immensely wealthy!
Looking somewhat dissatisfied, Wanyi Yu added, “It’s just a pity that no matter how impressive he is, he remains a merchant. Among the four classes—scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—merchants will always rank at the very bottom! He can’t compare with us nobles at all!”
Chi Mengli’s brows knit slightly. “Yu’er, do not talk nonsense.”
Before the words were fully out, Wanyi Lang shot a sharp glare over, causing Wanyi Yu to instantly pull back his reckless words.
Unconvinced, Wanyi Yu pouted slightly and muttered under his breath, “I wasn’t talking nonsense.”
He quickly looked toward Lou Tingxue and added, “Forget it. Seeing as you’re from Great Liang, you probably haven’t seen much of the world. This Heir shall take you on a tour around Fan Tower. I guarantee you won’t want to leave once you enter!”
After a moment’s thought, Lou Tingxue readily accepted. “Then I shall trouble you all.”
Chatting and laughing, the group soon arrived before Fan Tower.
Outside, the lanterns glowed as bright as day; inside, fragrant aromas hung in the air. The waiters ushered them in attentively, while the scenery outside the windows captivated the eye.
Being young, Wanyi Yu and Wanyi Rong immediately had their eyes light up at the assortment of pastries and sweet dumplings.
Yet Wanyi Yu feigned a cough, putting on the air of a little adult.
He turned to Lou Tingxue and said, “Since this Heir said I would bring you here to enjoy yourself, I won’t run off on my own. You can rest assured.”
In truth, Lou Tingxue didn’t mind at all—it would actually be best if Wanyi Yu went off to play on his own so he wouldn’t have to worry about another pair of eyes watching him. Yet Wanyi Yu unexpectedly turned out to be a child of his word.
Once they had eaten and drunk their fill, the bustling feast settled.
Lou Tingxue suddenly remembered a lingering concern in his heart.
Turning to Chi Mengli, he asked softly, “Princess Consort, a thought just crossed my mind. Do you happen to know roughly how many days it takes to make a round trip between Great Zhou and Great Liang?”
Chi Mengli was gently wiping the corner of Wanyi Yu’s mouth.
Hearing this, he raised his eyes with a warm smile. “If the winds and waters are favorable, a one-way trip takes little more than half a month. A full round trip takes roughly a month.”
Wanyi Yu, looking somewhat displeased, asked, “Why didn’t you ask me?!”
Lou Tingxue didn’t say a word.
The faint, warm smile on his face froze in an instant.
One month.
It only took a month to cross between two kingdoms and return freely.
The hand holding Lou Tingxue’s teacup paused almost imperceptibly.
If it only took a month, then the “two months” Zhu Dongfeng had claimed earlier was a lie!
Zhu Dongfeng was deceiving him!
The more Lou Tingxue thought about it, the more panic seized his heart, and his fingertips turned icy cold.
If someone lied to him, they definitely had an ulterior motive. But what could Zhu Dongfeng possibly want from him?
Lou Tingxue first ruled out murderous intent.
If Zhu Dongfeng truly wanted his life, he wouldn’t have risked himself to save him in the first place.
Lou Tingxue then ruled out wealth and fortune.
He was entirely penniless, possessed no home or property, and didn’t have a single coin to his name.
Not after his life, and not after his money—what else could be left to plot for?
An absurd yet horrifying thought crashed into his mind like a thunderbolt. Lou Tingxue’s face drained to a deathly pale white in a split second, and even his breathing grew erratic.
Could he be after my looks?!