Chapter 266: This is Truly a Father’s Love!

Chapter 266: This is Truly a Father's Love!

While Tang Shuyi received Mrs. Xie's invitation, Xiao Huai received a letter from Xie Liu discussing his return to the capital, the proposed marriage alliance, and mentioning that his second brother would visit the Marquis of Dingguo's residence to discuss the matter with Xiao Huai the following day.

Xiao Huai closed the letter, contemplating the marriage alliance, knowing he needed to consider Tang Shuyi's opinion. Originally, when Xie Liu proposed the alliance, he had only agreed to consider it, already foreseeing the possibility that Xiao Yuming would disagree.

He wasn't opposed to the idea of an arranged marriage; in modern times, he too came from a prominent family. Marriages within his family, though not arranged by parents and matchmakers as in ancient times, were still concerned with marrying equals.

A well-matched marriage could not only consolidate family strengths but also was more fitting for the couple involved. A similar background in life and education ensured the two would have more in common.

Cinderella stories of marrying into wealth or men of humble origins wedding women of high status existed in their circles, but few were genuinely happy. And even if such marriages lasted, both parties often endured much hardship.

However, if Xiao Yuming did not fancy the Xie family daughter, he wouldn't force the issue. There were plenty of ways to solidify cooperation and benefits, marriage alliances being just one option.

With these thoughts, he stood up, intending to visit Tang Shuyi at Shi'anyuan to discuss the marriage alliance with the Xie family. But as soon as he rose, there was a knock at the door, and then his attendant, Yu Yongzhi, entered.

Giving a fist-and-palm salute, Yu Yongzhi said, "Commander, the crown prince’s son has escaped the city and encountered the Second Young Master."

Xiao Huai furrowed his brow, "Where is the person now?"

"He's been taken into secret custody," Yu Yongzhi reported.

As Xiao Huai strode outside, he spotted Zhao Li standing at the doorway. "Inform my wife that I'll be stepping out of the city," he instructed.

Zhao Li hurriedly acknowledged the order. Xiao Huai, followed by Yu Yongzhi, briskly exited the residence. Meanwhile, Zhao Li hastened towards Shi'an Garden, internally musing about the unfounded rumors of their lord's alleged change of heart. "Just yesterday, our lord had genuine matters to attend to, which is why he didn't rest in Shi'an Garden. Look at him now; even for a brief exit, he ensures his wife is informed."

Shortly after, Zhao Li arrived at Shi'an Garden and relayed Xiao Huai's departure to Tang Shuyi. Unlike the gossipers, Tang Shuyi didn't interpret Xiao Huai's gesture of sending a message as a sign of affection.

In her past life, as a corporate employee, she too would notify her director before any business trip: "I'll be traveling, expect my return in a few days. Handle any affairs in my absence, and we'll address the unresolved issues upon my return." Xiao Huai's intentions seemed to align with her own.

It was undeniable that she and Xiao Huai shared a tacit understanding in this regard, and indeed, Xiao Huai's motives matched her perception.

At that moment, Xiao Huai rode out of the city and after a while, arrived at a secluded dell. He spurred his horse forward, passing by several soldiers guarding a cave entrance. Nearby, on a grassy patch, Xiao Yuming was leisurely reclining with his legs crossed, rhythmically swinging his foot, embodying the epitome of ease.

Xiao Huai glanced at him, remarking, "It seems the ten-li run with a load was cut short."

Indeed, his leisurely demeanor suggested as much.

Hearing Xiao Huai's voice, Xiao Yuming promptly stood up, adopting a proper stance. "I completed half the run before encountering a fish, which I then brought back," he explained.

Xiao Huai hummed in acknowledgment and proceeded towards the cave, with Xiao Yuming quickly following. The cave, though not large, accommodated them comfortably without feeling cramped. Li Yingzhe, firmly tied up and seeing them, scurried fearfully into a corner.

Standing at the center of the cave, Xiao Huai gazed down at the boy, who seemed more like a cornered animal, barely twelve or thirteen. His expression remained neutral, neither joyful nor angry. Xiao Yuming, following his lead, observed Li Yingzhe without a trace of emotion.

With nowhere to retreat, Li Yingzhe looked up at Xiao Huai and Xiao Yuming, trembling in fear. Stammering, he pleaded, "Ding... Dingguo Gong, I... I bear no grudge against you. Please, spare my life."

As Li Yingzhe burst into tears, Xiao Huai didn't respond. Instead, he turned to Xiao Yuming and asked, "Have you interrogated him?"

Xiao Yuming shook his head. "Go ahead," Xiao Huai prompted.

This was his way of entrusting the interrogation to Xiao Yuming, who didn't decline. He stepped forward, peering down at Li Yingzhe slumped on the ground. "Was the second prince murdered by your father and his cohorts?" he inquired.

Li Yingzhe shook his head. "I don't know. My father and grandfather never discuss their dealings with me."

Xiao Yuming regarded his words with skepticism and probed further, "Did your father and the others have any other plans?"

Li Yingzhe shook his head again. "I don't know. I really don't know anything."

"Then how did you manage to escape?" Xiao Yuming pressed on.

Just yesterday, the Emperor had ordered a raid on the Grand Tutor's residence, and the entire abode of the crown prince was confined due to charges of treason. Under such circumstances, Li Yingzhe's escape surely involved external assistance.

"Yesterday, I... my mother heard that the Emperor had issued an arrest for my great-grandfather, and she immediately urged me to flee," Li Yingzhe said.

At that time, he didn't understand why, but his mother told him to escape towards the outskirts of the city and never to return once he had fled. He was terrified and begged his mother to flee with him, but she said that escaping together would make them an easy target. She would run in a different direction, and they would reunite later. So, he followed his mother's advice and fled the city.

Once outside the city, he circled the perimeter of the capital, searching for his mother, but despite his long search, he failed to find her. Instead, he encountered the second son of the Duke of Dingguo today.

After hearing his response, Xiao Yuming didn't ask further, realizing that no more information would be gleaned. Judging by his demeanor, it seemed that the Crown Prince and the Grand Tutor's deeds were genuinely unknown to him. He turned to Xiao Huai and said, "I have finished my questioning."

Xiao Huai grunted in acknowledgment. From his observations, it appeared that Li Yingzhe had not lied.

"How do you suggest we deal with him?" he asked Xiao Yuming.

Hearing his words, Li Yingzhe looked at Xiao Yuming nervously, his fate now resting in the hands of this second son.

Xiao Yuming pondered for a moment, then looked at Li Yingzhe and asked, "Do you know who your enemy is?"

Li Yingzhe was perplexed; he still had no idea what was happening. Seeing his confusion, Xiao Yuming explained the treasonous collusion between the Crown Prince and the Grand Tutor, and the fact that the Crown Prince was not a legitimate son of the Emperor. He then repeated his question: "Do you know who your enemy is?"

Li Yingzhe's mind was in turmoil. The revelations Xiao Yuming had shared were like a massive earthquake to him, even more shocking than his great-grandfather's arrest.

If his father was not the Emperor's son, then he was not the Emperor's grandson. Then who was he? To whom should he direct the blame for his current state, akin to a homeless dog?

He didn't know whom to blame, nor whom to hate.

"I don't know, I don't know who my enemy is," Li Yingzhe murmured to himself.

Xiao Yuming looked at him with a hint of sympathy. After a moment of thought, he said to Xiao Huai, "Let him go."

Xiao Huai looked at him and asked, "Are you sure?"

Xiao Yuming nodded, "I've made up my mind."

"Alright, let him go," Xiao Huai said as he walked away. Xiao Yuming turned to Li Yingzhe and said, "Jiang Xiuming committed treason, and my father was nearly killed by him before. This time, his arrest was orchestrated by my father. In that sense, you hold a grudge against my family too. Today, I'm letting you go. If you ever seek revenge in the future, I'll be waiting."

Li Yingzhe hurriedly shook his head, "No, no, no, I won't seek revenge, no, we have no grudge."

Xiao Yuming paid him no further heed and turned to leave the cave. He saw Xiao Huai standing not far away and called out, "Father."

Xiao Huai grunted in response, "Since you've made your decision, there's no need for regret. We military men, though we must kill on the battlefield, are not heartless. We only kill those who deserve it."

Xiao Yuming nodded earnestly, "I'm not afraid of him seeking revenge in the future. His starting point is leagues behind mine. If years down the line I can't surpass him, then I only have myself to blame."

Hearing this, Xiao Huai burst into laughter, then patted his shoulder, saying, "Good, now resume your ten-mile weighted run."

Xiao Yuming: "......"

This is truly a father's love!