The night grew deeper, accompanied by the chirping of cicadas outside.
Butler Liu stood at the doorway, gazing at the scene inside with affectionate eyes. He wisely refrained from approaching to disturb them and even dismissed all the servants attending to the household.
Just then, Wen Qingyuan crept over quietly.
His movements were light as he walked up beside Butler Liu and stood still, craning his neck to peek inside. Upon spotting Ningbao, he let out a sigh of relief.
Seeing that he seemed to have something to say, Butler Liu led him to a secluded spot nearby.
"Do you have business with the young master?"
Wen Qingyuan rubbed his hands together, nodded, then shook his head, saying, "It's about Ningbao, but I was hoping to speak with Lord Shen."
Hearing this, Butler Liu—who had long been by Shen Wang's side and had naturally absorbed some of his perceptiveness—felt a sudden sense of foreboding.
Sure enough, the next words out of Wen Qingyuan's mouth made his brow twitch.
"I went to Lord Pei's residence today."
This, this, this…
Though they weren't exactly political rivals, every time they encountered someone from the Pei household, nothing good ever came of it for their lord. Butler Liu had silently cursed them countless times in his heart.
Day after day, they just loved causing trouble for others.
Of course, he didn't let a single hint of his inner thoughts show.
Butler Liu wore a warm, genial expression and asked with great concern, "Wasn't Lord Pei supposed to be away for a month before returning?"
…What did you go there for?
The rest of the question went unspoken, but both men understood each other perfectly.
"That was the original plan, but I received a letter from home—my daughter has fallen ill, so I'm afraid I can't stay in the capital for a full month to continue accompanying Ningbao," Wen Qingyuan said, looking a bit embarrassed as he scratched his head.
Then he continued, "They received me warmly, and after hearing the full story, they immediately dispatched shadow guards to pursue him. They said if all goes quickly, Lord Pei should be able to return in about half a month."
Butler Liu: "…"
Butler Liu squeezed the words out through his teeth, "That's… good news. Then Ningbao should soon be able to find his biological father."
Hearing this, Wen Qingyuan nodded firmly, a smile spreading across his face as his expression relaxed.
Just a few days ago, he had been tormented by indecision—torn between his friend's parting request and his own wife and daughter, caught in a dilemma with no idea how to resolve it. He never expected things to go so smoothly.
Especially seeing how kind-hearted Lord Shen was, even finding a tutor for Ningbao and making sure he studied diligently.
In truth, he had been quietly observing these past few days. Seeing Ningbao happy every day, he could finally set his mind at ease.
"So I came tonight to take my leave of you all as well," Wen Qingyuan said.
Hearing this, Butler Liu glanced toward the room. Xie Ning was writing his characters with a melancholic expression, puffing out his cheeks in dissatisfaction, while Shen Wang sat beside him keeping him company.
He sighed inwardly, knowing there was no avoiding this, and said to Wen Qingyuan, "Wait a moment, allow this old servant to go in and announce your arrival."
Wen Qingyuan nodded, mentally rehearsing how he would broach the subject with the lord, drafting his words in his head.
Butler Liu went inside, stood beside Shen Wang, and whispered briefly into his ear, summarizing Wen Qingyuan's words.
As his words fell, Shen Wang looked at Xie Ning with a complicated expression.
At first, a month had seemed like such a long time, but now he suddenly realized how quickly time had passed. In certain moments, dark thoughts crept into his heart—if only Ningbao's biological father had treated him poorly, then he could rightfully take the boy for himself.
But such thoughts were quickly suppressed by reason.
He stared at Xie Ning for so long that the boy turned to look back at him, asking in an adorable voice, "Father, even if I'm very cute, you don't have to keep staring at me."
Shen Wang was speechless for a moment, while Butler Liu beside him couldn't help but chuckle quietly.
Then Shen Wang stood up, casually tapping the table as if nothing had happened, and said, "Keep writing seriously. I'm stepping out for a bit—I'll check your work when I return."
Xie Ning puffed out his cheeks. "Okay!"
…
Shen Wang strode outside.
He didn't want Xie Ning to hear those words, so he gave a slight nod, and the three of them went to the front hall to talk.
Wen Qingyuan repeated what he had said earlier.
Shen Wang was silent for a long while before speaking. "You may return home with peace of mind. When Pei Huaiyi returns to the capital, I will naturally hand Ningbao over to his biological father in perfect condition."
"I naturally trust Lord Shen. I've also seen with my own eyes how well you've treated Ningbao these past days." Wen Qingyuan rose and bowed as he replied. "It's just that…"
Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by a gatekeeper who came rushing in frantically.
"Something terrible has happened! Terrible, my lord!"
Butler Liu frowned. "What kind of manner is this, all flustered and panicked."
"The Pei residence has brought a group of people and they're blocking our front gate!" The gatekeeper didn't dare delay, gasping for breath as he blurted it all out at once.
Butler Liu: "…"
Good heavens, what was all this about.
The few of them exchanged glances and followed the gatekeeper to the front of the residence.
By the time Shen Wang and his party reached the entrance, they couldn't help but pinch the bridges of their noses at the scene before them.
Not only were the people from the Pei residence blocking the gate with a menacing air, but a crowd of curious passersby had also gathered around, whispering among themselves, thinking there was some spectacle to enjoy.
They were both afraid of being caught up in whatever was happening and unable to resist the urge to gossip, so they kept edging closer.
Seeing Shen Wang come out, Butler Hu from the Pei residence stepped forward and stated, "Before my master left the capital, he instructed that if a young master from Jizhou came looking for him, we were to receive him with the utmost hospitality. Little did we expect that due to a misunderstanding, Lord Shen would end up taking him in. We are grateful for your care during this time, but since you are busy with official duties, it would be best to hand the young master over to our Pei residence."
"No need to trouble yourselves. I'm not busy," Shen Wang said flatly.
Butler Hu continued, "It's only right that the young master stays at our Pei residence, after all, our master and his family are relatives and close friends."
The implication was clear—Shen Wang had no standing or claim to be caring for Xie Ning.
Shen Wang gave a faint smile. "But Pei Huaiyi is not in the capital at the moment. Have him come find me when he returns."
This was clearly a refusal to hand Xie Ning over, and anger flickered across Butler Hu's face. "You…"
Butler Hu glanced around—the passersby had naturally overheard the exchange and began whispering among themselves.
"What does this mean? Aren't Lord Pei and Lord Shen sworn enemies who never yield to each other?"
"How interesting."
"Haven't you heard? A while back, Lord Pei suddenly brought back an illegitimate son. Looks like now he's come to claim the child."
"Whoa, whose child is that, anyway?"
Right—whose child was he?
That thought surfaced in everyone's minds. Butler Hu's demeanor immediately stiffened. "Master Shen, only my master knows who the young master's biological father is. That arrangement would be better for the young master, wouldn't it?"
He knew that once tonight passed, rumors would spread everywhere.
Shen Wang wasn't one to buckle under pressure. He lifted his gaze slightly. "Oh? Then who is his biological father?"
Butler Hu faltered. He'd just said that only his master knew—naturally, no one else would.
"Then we'll talk once Pei Huaiyi returns to the capital," Shen Wang said coldly.
Butler Hu naturally refused to accept that. The atmosphere turned tense in an instant, and both sides suddenly drew their swords, on the verge of conflict.
Just then, Wen Qingyuan hurried over and stood in the middle, trying to ease the mood.
"Harmony brings wealth—we're all looking out for Ningbao, aren't we? No need for blades, no need…"
As he spoke, he caught the glint of swords behind him and realized they seemed serious. He couldn't help but swallow nervously.
He'd only wanted to do a bit more before leaving, to help Ningbao find his family more smoothly—how could he have imagined it would come to this?
He was just an ordinary citizen; he'd never seen a real sword-drawing standoff like this.
Though his heart was racing, with Ningbao at stake, he forced himself to stay in the middle and think of a solution. "If you ask me, why not let Ningbao decide which side he wants to go to?"
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
Two voices shouted in unison.
Wen Qingyuan, standing in the middle, was at a loss. This won't do, that won't do—then what exactly did they want? "Then what do you propose?"
"He stays."
"He comes with us."
Wen Qingyuan: "…"
For some reason, standing before these two formidable figures he couldn't possibly contend with, he suddenly straightened his posture, his demeanor no longer as timid as before, and shook his head firmly.
"Ningbao's fate shouldn't be decided by us," Wen Qingyuan said with unwavering eyes. "He may act foolish most of the time, but he's a child with a mind of his own. For something this big, we should ask what he thinks."
When he finished, both sides fell silent.
After a long moment, Butler Liu seemed to read the mood in the air and said, "This old servant will go fetch the young master."
"Stop staring—there's nothing to see here. Move along."
"It's the middle of the night. Go home."
"…"
Worried that the crowd might overwhelm Xie Ning, both sides tacitly began shooing away the onlookers who were enjoying the drama.
Then Butler Hu entered the Shen residence alone, and the group sat in the front hall, the atmosphere dropping to freezing point.
Xie Ning had no idea what was happening. The moment someone called for him, he immediately tossed aside his brush and came running over with a patter of footsteps.
As long as he didn't have to do homework, he was eager about everything.
As soon as he poked his head in, everyone seated in the chairs stood up and looked at him.
Xie Ning saw so many people, hesitated for a moment, then still ran over to Shen Wang's side, curiously sizing up the stranger before him.
"Father, who is this?"
Shen Wang's expression didn't change; he just gave a hum of acknowledgment.
Butler Hu had been holding back again and again, but hearing Xie Ning's address, he could no longer contain himself. He spoke directly to Xie Ning: "Young master, Shen Wang is not your father."
Truly, he couldn't understand how Shen Wang could have such thick skin, accepting this identity with such an easy conscience.
Upon hearing this, Xie Ning was stunned for a moment, his little mind not yet wrapping around the matter. He blinked his eyes and let out a simple, puzzled sound, "Hm?"
Butler Hu realized he had been too impulsive just now. He bowed to Xie Ning, then explained the matter as thoroughly as he could.
No one present seemed to have considered that Xie Ning was only a child of three or so, unable to follow such a complicated chain of events.
He only caught one key point. "Ah! It's the roast duck uncle!"
The others were still puzzled, wondering why the topic had suddenly turned to roast duck.
Only Wen Qingyuan knew the reason behind it. He crouched down in front of Xie Ning and patiently explained, "That's right, Ningbao. These are the roast duck uncle's family members. So, would you be willing to go with him?"
"My master will return in a few days," Butler Hu quickly added. "When that time comes, we'll be able to take you to your father."
Xie Ning stared at him blankly. "Father… is right here."
With that, he tugged at the hem of Shen Wang's robe.
Shen Wang turned his face slightly away at that moment, not looking at Xie Ning. He didn't quite know how to begin explaining.
There had been so many chances to clear things up, yet in the end, he had so readily accepted Xie Ning's affection toward him—affection that should never have been his to begin with.
"He's not, Ningbao. You've mistaken him for someone else," Wen Qingyuan continued gently, taking Xie Ning's hand. "We still don't know who your father is."
Xie Ning's mouth fell open, and for a moment, he was frozen in place.
No… not his father?
He didn't believe what others said. He still reached out to tug at Shen Wang's robe, hoping that Father would say it to him personally.
Shen Wang knew there was no escaping it today. He sighed inwardly and pressed his lips together before saying, "I'm sorry. I should have explained everything from the very beginning."
With that, he fixed his gaze on Xie Ning, unwilling to miss any reaction from him.
Xie Ning let out a somewhat disappointed "Ah," tilted his head, and looked around at everyone present. He gestured with his hands and said, "But this place is already this big—are there really homes even bigger than this?"
Shen Wang lowered his head to glance at Xie Ning, a hint of confusion stirring in his heart. Why was he so fixated on the size of the house? It seemed that when they first met, this was the very question he had asked.
At the time, he hadn't thought much of it. Could this really be an important clue?
Looking across the capital, there were indeed not many residences larger than the Shen estate—one could count them on a single hand.
Moreover, all under heaven is the king's land. If one truly wanted to make the argument, the entire world belonged to that one person. Who would dare to stand shoulder to shoulder with him?
Still, Xie Ning's words were merely taken as a childish remark. After all, who searches for someone based on the size of a house? It was probably something someone had said to coax him.