The next day.
"Shen Wang!"
A man in pink clothing, holding a carved folding fan, hurriedly rushed through the corridor, shouting Shen Wang's name at the top of his lungs.
Hearing the commotion, Shen Wang stepped out of the study, faint dark circles under his eyes.
Seeing who it was, he showed no reaction at all and asked coldly, "What is it?"
"I heard you brought a child home yesterday—is that true? A boy or a girl? Whose child is it? Have I met them before? Are they cute?"
Shen Wang, who hadn't slept well all night, wore an even worse expression upon hearing Lang Xuan's barrage of questions. He ignored him completely and turned to walk toward his own room.
Lang Xuan made a gesture of zipping his lips, but his eyes still gleamed with intense curiosity as he followed closely behind.
Heaven knows that when he first heard it from his subordinates, his initial reaction was disbelief. He and Shen Wang had known each other for years, and he'd never once seen a child appear anywhere near the man.
People in the capital secretly called him the "Cold-faced King of Hell," often using him to scare disobedient children. Sometimes when he went out on business and encountered children playing, they'd scatter in fright at the mere sight of him.
Even Lang Xuan sometimes couldn't stand him—his face perpetually cold, wearing an expression that seemed to say, "Anyone who dares come near me will get a blade to the throat."
But Lang Xuan had been thick as thieves with him since childhood. He knew all too well that behind that cold exterior beat a warm heart.
On second thought, picking up a child from the street and bringing them home was exactly the kind of thing Shen Wang would do.
That's why he hadn't slept in at all this morning—he'd woken up and headed straight for Shen Wang's place.
He'd assumed Shen Wang would find him too talkative and ignore his questions again.
After a moment, Shen Wang replied out of nowhere, "Cute."
"!"
Shen Wang continued walking forward after saying it, not bothering to pay Lang Xuan any mind.
"Wait, were you actually answering me just now? Then tell me specifically what's cute about them—explain clearly!" Lang Xuan hurried after him, chattering endlessly.
But no matter what he said, Shen Wang didn't respond to him again this time.
Shen Wang strode ahead at a brisk pace. He'd originally assumed Xie Ning would still be asleep, but when he walked in, he found Xie Ning washing up on his own. Because he wasn't tall enough, he was standing on a small stool, stretching up on his tiptoes.
"Why didn't you call someone over?" Shen Wang frowned slightly and stepped forward to ask.
Seeing him approach, Xie Ning got so excited he wanted to jump up, then shouted happily, "Father!"
But he lost his balance, his body beginning to wobble. The next second, Shen Wang caught him steadily and set him down on the ground.
Lang Xuan took in the whole exchange, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two of them.
Shen Wang said flatly, "Next time you wake up, call for someone."
Hearing this, Xie Ning shook his head, looked at Shen Wang, and spoke in a tone like a little adult, "You should do your own things yourself!"
Before Shen Wang could say anything, a head suddenly popped out from behind him—Lang Xuan, leaning in close to Xie Ning's face and saying, "You really are adorable!"
Xie Ning tilted his head. He was used to receiving such compliments, so he just blinked twice and replied with restraint, "Thank you."
Without anyone even asking, Lang Xuan began introducing himself on his own.
"I'm his good friend. You can call me Uncle Lang Xuan," he said, then pointed at Shen Wang. "If he ever yells at you or scolds you, you come find me. I'll definitely fight him back for you."
Hearing this, Xie Ning tilted his head in confusion. "Father wouldn't be angry with me, right?"
Shen Wang, who had made the boy cry twice just yesterday, raised an eyebrow and watched Xie Ning in silence.
Meanwhile, Lang Xuan wore an exaggeratedly shocked expression. "You just called him father—you're his child?!"
Xie Ning nodded matter-of-factly.
He thought to himself, This uncle is so silly. Of course he's Father's child.
Shen Wang saw through Lang Xuan's real intentions at a glance. Not wanting him to corrupt the child, he grabbed him by the clothes and dragged him toward the door.
"Hey, hey, hey! I'm not done talking yet!" Lang Xuan tried to resist, but he was no match for Shen Wang's strength, so he could only plead, "Fine, fine, I won't say anything! I definitely won't say anything reckless later!"
But Shen Wang didn't trust a word out of his mouth. He dumped him outside the door and was about to close it.
Xin Yi suddenly appeared from some direction, jumping out without a sideways glance, and clasped his fists. "My lord, this subordinate has found the person you're looking for."
Hearing this, Shen Wang released Lang Xuan's clothes, lifted his eyelids, and looked at Xin Yi.
He said nothing, but the meaning was clear: Where is he?
"…At the Court of Judicial Review." Xin Yi paused, lowering his head even further.
Shen Wang was the Director of the Imperial City Bureau, acting directly on the emperor's orders. It could be said there was no place in the capital he dared not go, and no one would dare stop him from taking someone he wanted.
Except the Court of Judicial Review.
The two sides had a long-standing grudge, and it was only after the emperor stepped in to mediate that they began to keep their distance from each other.
"Hey, hey, hey! Then don't kick me out just yet—I have connections at the Court of Judicial Review." Though he had no idea who Shen Wang and his people were looking for, Lang Xuan seized the opportunity and spoke up quickly.
Shen Wang shot him a glance, but this was not the time to quibble over such things.
…
"So you're looking for this person to help Xie Ning find his family," Lang Xuan said after hearing the full story, his tone tinged with regret. "So he really isn't your illegitimate son after all."
Shen Wang furrowed his brow. "Don't make jokes like that."
"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more." Lang Xuan was afraid that if Shen Wang got upset, he'd be thrown out the door again just like before.
Shen Wang asked, "What's the reason?"
Xin Yi continued with clasped fists. "This subordinate has made inquiries. The man was arrested on the spot at the inn by Guan Shitou and his men, who claimed he was a notorious flower thief active in the capital recently. I've already sent people to verify the details."
Hearing this, Shen Wang couldn't help but frown.
He couldn't very well go directly to the Court of Judicial Review to demand the man's release, so he would have to take another route and make them release the man on their own.
Lang Xuan's father did indeed have some friendship with the current Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, Qu Tong, but that man was utterly impartial—no amount of friendship would make a difference.
Thinking of this, Shen Wang actually felt relieved.
Because the current Chief Justice would neither bend the rules for personal connections nor seek revenge over old grudges. He was a man of fairness, so the person in question wouldn't be in any danger.
Still, he wanted the man back.
"Start from here," Shen Wang said, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "Based on what Xie Ning said, the two of them only arrived in the capital yesterday. They must have arrested the wrong person. Once we catch the real culprit, we'll dump him at the gates of the Court of Judicial Review."
Xin Yi nodded and clasped his fists. "Understood."
Then, with a light tap of his toes, he flew off.
Lang Xuan hesitated, then spoke. "So why doesn't he use the door? Why does he always have to jump out the window?"
Shen Wang: "…"
Ignoring Lang Xuan's question, Shen Wang lifted his eyelids slightly without speaking, but his meaning was clear: "Are you that free?"
Free, he was indeed very free.
Lang Xuan's daily routine consisted of eating, drinking, and having fun, with his greatest hobby being to join in on the excitement.
His friend had a dull personality, with his heart set solely on official duties. He could skip others' commotions, but he absolutely did not want to miss Shen Wang's.
"Aren't you about to head to work soon? No one's looking after Xie Ning for you, right? I'll take him out for a stroll, and I guarantee I'll bring him back to you in one piece by evening." Lang Xuan immediately volunteered.
Shen Wang's expression remained unchanged. "Butler Liu will take care of him."
Lang Xuan let out a "tsk." "How old is Butler Liu? Can he understand what kids like to play better than I do?"
Hearing this, Shen Wang thought about the places Lang Xuan usually frequented and expressed doubt at that.
"Besides, how old is Butler Liu? Don't you have any sympathy for the elderly?" Lang Xuan said in an accusatory tone.
Shen Wang remained silent, still looking at Lang Xuan with suspicion.
Butler Liu at least wouldn't lead Xie Ning into anything outrageous, but in Lang Xuan's hands, that was anyone's guess.
"Hey, hey, hey, am I really the kind of person who doesn't know his limits? It'll definitely be a proper place." Lang Xuan could tell at a glance what Shen Wang was thinking and quickly explained.
After a long silence, Shen Wang coldly tossed out a line, "Don't corrupt the kid."
With that, he rose to leave.
He was already much later than usual today, and there were still many official matters awaiting his attention.
But Xie Ning, seeing his movement from inside the room, suddenly ran over with a "pitter-patter," hugging Shen Wang's leg to stop him from leaving.
Shen Wang looked down, his thin lips parting slightly. "What is it?"
"I want Uncle Qingyuan." Xie Ning reminded him with pleading eyes.
He was afraid his father's memory was like a fish's, forgetting to rescue Uncle Qingyuan who had been captured by the bad guys.
"At most by tomorrow." After a moment of thought, Shen Wang gave his promise.
Lang Xuan, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Shen Wang to be so attentive to this child. After forming a thought in his mind, he crouched down to meet Xie Ning's gaze at eye level.
Lang Xuan translated for the taciturn Shen Wang: "Don't worry, your Uncle Qingyuan is safe right now, but we still need a little time. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, and you'll be able to see each other."
"Your father never makes empty promises." With that, Lang Xuan pointed at Shen Wang.
Receiving two intense gazes, Shen Wang kept a straight face and gave a soft "Mm."
After getting the affirmative answer, Xie Ning obediently nodded, relieved to know Uncle Qingyuan was fine.
Meanwhile, Lang Xuan was secretly smiling. It seemed Shen Wang was adapting quickly to his role as a father—he hadn't even objected just now. Would he really end up with a child after all?
"Your father still has official duties to attend to. How about you come out and play with me today?" Lang Xuan asked Xie Ning with a grin.
But Xie Ning didn't immediately agree. Instead, he looked at Shen Wang, and only after receiving a slight nod did he break into a happy smile and answer, "Okay!"
Seeing this, Lang Xuan suddenly felt that Shen Wang was incredibly lucky.
He could pick up such an obedient and adorable child just by chance on the road.
He also grew a bit curious about Xie Ning's parents—what kind of parents could produce such a lovely child?
The moment Shen Wang's figure disappeared from their sight, the big one and the little one exchanged a glance and immediately began cheering.
Though they had only just met that day, they already felt a kindred spirit with each other.
"Where do you want to go play later?" Lang Xuan asked.
Xie Ning still harbored a special fondness for roast duck and immediately said, "I want to eat the most delicious roast duck in the entire capital!"
Compared to the ones in Jizhou, I wonder which would taste better.
"The most delicious…" This actually stumped Lang Xuan for a moment. There were plenty of good ones, but if it came to the very best, there was indeed one place.
He hesitated and wrestled with himself inwardly for a moment—well, as long as he didn't say it, Shen Wang wouldn't find out anyway.
"Alright, I guarantee you'll get to eat the most delicious roast duck in the entire capital." As he spoke, he emphasized the middle few words.
"Yay, yay!" Xie Ning immediately hopped around joyfully.
Father is good, Grandpa Niu is good, and Handsome Uncle is good too! Ningbao loves the capital!