CHAPTER 461: CHAPTER 410: ACKNOWLEDGING A WILD FATHER

Meng Qianqian and her group returned to the Yu Family.

When she stepped out of the carriage, Lai Fu was still sulking, clearly blaming himself for what had happened earlier.

Meng Qianqian took a candied hawthorn skewer from the bunch she had bought halfway and handed it to him: "Here."

Lai Fu stared blankly at Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly: "Take it. This skewer was bought specifically for you."

Lai Fu looked at the shiny candied hawthorn skewer in disbelief. He had never dreamed of being given one himself.

He was already eighteen, a year older than the young master...

His eyes reddened uncontrollably once again: "Young Madam..."

Meng Qianqian said softly, "He has one too."

Yu Zichuan had two skewers. Only taking one would feel off.

Lai Fu was completely reassured now.

Young Madam Lu really wasn’t angry.

Young Madam Lu truly was a great person.

The young master being unable to marry Young Madam Lu was genuinely pitiful.

Thinking of the pitiable young master, Lai Fu felt delighted.

Indeed, being mischievous could be contagious. Today was another joyous day of gloating at the young master’s expense!

Shangguan Ling poked his head out of the carriage, looking around.

Meng Qianqian tugged at the corner of her lips: "Come down. There’s no one here."

To help Yu Madam recuperate during her pregnancy, Yu Father had deliberately chosen a quiet old street in the Imperial City. It was close enough to the city’s center while still offering peace amidst the bustle.

Meng Qianqian couldn’t help but think of Fengshui Alley – it was full of haunted houses, and no one dared to go there.

Here, however, it was because there were two coffin shops at the end of the street.

According to Yu Father, "Coffin, coffin – rise to high office and make a fortune."

Yu Father was truly a peculiar man.

Shangguan Ling stepped down from the carriage.

"Yu Zichuan, is this your home? We’ve known each other for so long, and I’ve never been here. Isn’t your family supposed to be near Lingshan?"

Such a loaded question. His parents moving and forgetting him—a lifetime of pain.

Yu Zichuan ignored him, walking off with two skewers of candied hawthorn.

Shangguan Ling was utterly baffled and turned to ask Meng Qianqian: "What’s wrong with that guy? Did I offend him again?"

Meng Qianqian couldn’t suppress her laughter and recounted the story of Yu Zichuan being forgotten by his parents.

Shangguan Ling suddenly understood: "No wonder."

The next moment, he rolled up his sleeves: "Little Zichuan! Your parents don’t want you anymore!"

Meng Qianqian’s mouth twitched.

Lu Yuan’s men—why did every single one of them have to be so exasperating?

-

Shangguan Ling went to the main hall to pay his respects to Yu Father and Yu Madam.

Having spent years navigating the court, he was well-versed in the etiquette of visiting. Along the way, he had prepared gifts: two boxes of top-grade early spring Longjing tea for Yu Father, two pounds of famed pastries he’d queued an hour to buy for Yu Madam, and tiger-head shoes, tiger cub clothes, and a tiger-head hat for the baby...

Yu Madam was absolutely delighted with the tiny clothes and shoes: "You have such an eye for these. Have you had children at home before?"

More than one?

Treasure Piggy alone could rival ten children...

Shangguan Ling clasped his hands and was about to reply when Yu Zichuan interjected: "He’s a bachelor, nobody wants him."

Shangguan Ling: "..."

Yu Madam asked kindly, "Lord Shangguan, how old are you this year?"

Shangguan Ling: "I’m twenty—"

Yu Zichuan: "Ancient."

Shangguan Ling, barely holding it together, thought: I’m only twenty-five this year! How am I ancient?!

Shangguan Ling also realized that with Yu Zichuan’s parents backing him, the brat had truly become insolent.

Forget it. Out of respect for Uncle Yu and Aunt Yu, I’ll deal with this kid when we return to the Capital City!

Yu Madam invited Shangguan Ling to stay at the house, instructing Lai Fu to prepare a guest room, but Shangguan Ling politely declined.

He was an outer disciple of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion and would have to return there later.

After chatting for a while, Yu Madam began to feel tired. Yu Father helped her back to her room to rest, instructing Yu Zichuan to properly entertain the guest and not to be neglectful.

Yu Zichuan’s scheming intentions were written all over his face.

Yu Father said to Meng Qianqian: "Little Nine, keep an eye on Little Zichuan."

Yu Zichuan’s prank plans were thoroughly thwarted.

Soon after, Si Snake and Ji Li returned.

The two were covered in dirt, and it was evident Ji Li’s bad luck had struck again.

Chen Long arrived home shortly after them.

Having grown used to Ji Li’s misfortune, he merely gave Si Snake a sympathetic glance.

Shangguan Ling clasped his hands in greeting to the three: "Chen Long Guard, Si Snake Guard, Rooster Guard, long time no see. How have you been?"

Ji Li corrected him: "Call me Ji Li."

No, you’re not close enough with me to use my title, you brat!

Shangguan Ling followed his lead without hesitation: "Ji Li."

The three had long deduced that he was an insider. However, they were still somewhat surprised to see him appear in the Southwest.

It was clear that Lu Yuan’s plan was deeper and more far-reaching than they had imagined.

What was the exact timing of this move against the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion?