Wei Heir was carried into the Guogong Residence by guards in the middle of the night.
The man lying on the stretcher vomited a large mouthful of black blood right at the entrance.
Under the moonlight, his face was completely covered with dark green poison patterns, appearing particularly horrifying. There was no trace left of his usual moon-like purity and noble elegance.
The sight made the Guogong Residence’s madam, who had come to greet her son, burst into tears on the spot, repeatedly crying out “my son.”
Hidden observers immediately reported back after witnessing this scene.
Meanwhile, Wei Rong, who had already been carried back to Zhanmo Courtyard, was sitting up. The courtyard was tightly guarded by hidden guards concealed in the shadows.
Not even a person, let alone a mosquito, could slip through.
The poison patterns drawn on his face were made with medicinal juice and would smudge when touched.
This was somewhat unbearable for Wei Rong, who had a slight case of mysophobia.
In the past, he would have immediately called for water to wash up. But now, the man carefully pushed aside his wide sleeves, revealing a warm yellow furry ball hidden beneath his robes.
Madam Wei, who had just cooperated with her son in acting at the entrance, returned to freshen up after the performance before hurriedly making her way to her son’s courtyard.
“Ziyang, you…”
As Song Jinhe stepped into the room, ready to inquire whether her son had fully recovered as claimed, she caught sight of her usually stern and rigid son holding something fluffy… a cat?
Seeing what her son was cradling in his arms and the faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips, Song Jinhe was momentarily dazed.
How long had it been since she last saw Ziyang smile like that?
Yun Fu drowsily opened her eyes to find herself in an elegantly decorated room, no longer in the secluded small courtyard they had been in before.
“A Fu, are you awake? We’re home~”
A warm, gentle whisper sounded in her ear, making Yun Fu’s ears twitch unconsciously.
Yun Fu only remembered that the handsome man had given her a name and, without waiting for her consent, “kidnapped” her, saying he would raise her.
He had also produced a soft, smooth cushion from somewhere for her to use as a bed. The moment Yun Fu stepped onto it, her entire feline body was enveloped. Just as she was about to struggle, the man tucked her into his wide sleeve and covered her.
He had simply said, “A Fu, we’re going home.”
Whether it was the cushion’s comfort or the cool fragrance in the man’s sleeve, Yun Fu had fallen asleep amid the commotion.
When she woke again, this was the scene before her.
Wei Rong released the little creature hidden in his sleeve, not minding the several cat hairs left on his clothes.
Seeing the woman entering his room with a worried expression, Wei Rong looked up, the softness in his eyes already gone, replaced by clarity.
He stood up and bowed slightly to the woman. “Mother, your child is fine. I’ve made you worry.”
His response was rigid and formal, his manners impeccable.
Watching from her perch on the soft couch, Yun Fu felt utterly confused.
This elegantly dressed woman was the handsome man’s mother?
Why did their interaction seem less like that of mother and son and more like… a teacher and student!
Yes, exactly like a teacher and student.
Yun Fu secretly observed the woman in her luxurious attire, noticing traces of the handsome man’s features in her brows and eyes.
The handsome man’s mother was, naturally, a great beauty.
She appeared to be only in her early thirties, with barely noticeable fine lines at the corners of her eyes and a trace of melancholy between her brows that Yun Fu couldn’t comprehend.
Elegant and dignified, aloof and detached—these two phrases were perfectly embodied in this person.
Song Jinhe noticed that her son’s gaze toward her remained calm and indifferent, completely devoid of the gentleness and warmth he had shown moments earlier while petting the cat.
It was as if the earlier scene had been a figment of her imagination.
Seeing the terrifying patterns on her son’s face, Song Jinhe suppressed the sorrow in her eyes, stepped forward, and raised her hand to touch him, but Wei Rong had already taken a step back.
“Mother, be careful not to dirty your hands. These are medicinal stains. It’s late, you should return and rest.”
Song Jinhe withdrew her hand, the worry on her face gradually fading as she struggled to maintain a stern expression, holding back the tears in her eyes.
She knew her son resented her.
“As long as you’re fine, I’ve already asked Jin Momo to prepare a meal.”
After speaking, she turned to He Lao beside her. “He Lao, I’ll leave Ziyang in your care.”
He Zhixian observed the interaction between mother and son and sighed inwardly. What a tragedy.
“Don’t worry, I’m keeping an eye on Young Wei here. The snake venom has been neutralized; this is mainly for the benefit of Prince Cheng and his associates.”
Song Jinhe was naturally aware of this.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the small yellow cat sitting on the soft couch.
Its fluffy, plump body, round face, and sturdy limbs matched its robust frame.
The warm-colored fur and round face, paired with amber, glazed-tile-like eyes, softened even Song Jinhe’s hardened heart, despite her usual dislike for pets.
“This cat…”
Wei Rong followed his mother’s gaze to the little creature sitting upright on the soft couch and explained, “Its name is A Fu. I owe my recovery from the poison entirely to A Fu.”
At this, Shen Shi couldn’t resist chiming in.
“Madam, you have no idea, this cat…”
Shen Shi was lively by nature, often eavesdropping by walls or listening to storytellers at teahouses. As a result, in his account, Yun Fu was portrayed as a heaven-sent lucky star who had rescued the Heir from dire straits.
Listening to the repeated praises, Yun Fu sat even more upright and dignified, lifting her head with an air of pride.
Yes, the cat he spoke of—the incredibly brave cat that saved the handsome man from peril—was none other than this little one.
Come on, marvel at me~ Praise me~ I can handle it all!!!
Her utterly proud demeanor was clear for everyone in the room to see.
Even Zi Shi, whose emotions rarely fluctuated, couldn’t help but glance over.
Instead of receiving more fervent praise, Yun Fu was met with a hug from the handsome man.
“Yes, our A Fu is just that amazing~”
As the man spoke, Yun Fu felt her paw being gently squeezed.
By now, she was no longer like before—her paws weren’t dirty, and there was no dust on her body.
She had been thoroughly cleaned by the man who had “kidnapped” her, even her nail beds meticulously wiped.
Moreover, Yun Fu herself was naturally fastidious, often grooming her fur, making her a very clean little cat. Aside from her uncontrollable shedding, she was practically perfect.
After hearing Shen Shi’s description, Song Jinhe’s gaze toward Yun Fu softened with a touch of tenderness.
Coupled with her son’s evident affection for the cat, the words she had intended to say about not keeping pets stuck in her throat.
In the past, Song Jinhe would never have allowed pets like cats and dogs in the Guogong Residence, fearing they might carry unclean things.
After going through this ordeal, Song Jinhe suddenly no longer wanted to restrain him as she had before.
Ziyang’s early life had been spent under her stern words and rigid constraints.
Her husband had died in battle when Ziyang was very young, so she was not only a mother but also had to shoulder the responsibilities of a father.
Yet unknowingly, she had gradually pushed her son further away…