Chapter 68: The Dog Returns

Chapter 68 The Return of a Dog

"You could've just said no!"

If the Emperor had any face left, he would've lunged forward to grab this bastard by the collar and make him give it all back!

He himself was barely getting by—how could he have so much family wealth for that spendthrift Fourth Son to keep delivering to his in-laws' house?

"Can't do that."

Old Jiang waved his big fan-like hand, putting on the perfect image of a doting father.

"The quality of the gifts doesn’t matter much to me anyway; what’s important is the child’s filial heart! At first, I refused the things he brought, and it really made the poor kid miserable.

He must have puzzled over it for who knows how long, then ended up delivering all kinds of stuff over multiple trips. I thought I might as well accept them—why us grown folks gotta make it hard for our own children?

Ain't that right, Brother?"

Remember how you forced me to marry off my daughter the other day? Well, now your own son is robbing his own family blind—how you liking that?

I'm loving every minute of it!

The Emperor forced down a couple gulps, silently repeating "stay calm" to himself many times. At least the wealth wasn’t going to outsiders. He forcibly suppressed his frustration.

"Cut the crap. Tell me, why are you having someone investigate the Zhao family?"

Jiang Huailiang’s heart jumped. Sure enough, nothing could escape the Emperor’s notice.

"Well, since my family is now part of the royal in-laws, shouldn’t we check out our neighbors and relatives? What if we run into them on the street and don’t recognize them—wouldn't that be rude? It’s not just me doing this; the Song, Wang, and Liu families are all having people look into things too, aren’t they?"

"It’s true they’re also investigating, but none are stirring up as much trouble as you. Zhao Heran has already brought his complaints straight to me. How do you expect me to cover for you?"

"He actually dared to complain?"

Jiang Huailiang’s face clearly showed anger upon hearing this. He stepped forward, flipped his robes, and knelt down.

"Your Majesty, I originally intended to report to you after completing my investigation. But since you’ve confronted me about it today, there’s no point hiding it any longer."

He glanced around the room to ensure no one was there, then lowered his voice to ask:

"Dare I ask, Your Majesty, if you have any royal sons living with the Zhao family? Around ten years old or so."

"What kind of nonsense is this?"

The Emperor frowned.

"Our Li family isn’t so hard up that we'd leave one with the Zhao family? Speak up—what have you discovered?"

Jiang Huailiang replied honestly:

"A while ago, by chance, while I was returning from an inspection at the East Camp, I happened to meet the Zhao family’s sixth son, who’s rumored to be frail and sickly. At first glance, he looked awfully familiar."

"Like whom?"

"Like the Crown Prince when he was young. I’d say about a seventy percent match."

Old Jiang kept his eyes glued on the jade pendant at his waist. Though his voice wasn’t loud, it was clear enough for the Emperor to hear every word.

"And he also looks something like Your Majesty."

With a heavy thump, the Emperor’s fist struck the desk!

"Someone, look into this!"

In the bustling and lively Chunming District of the capital, Jiang Wan was out with her younger siblings for some fresh air—and, unsurprisingly, trailed by a certain young wolf.

"Sis, I want that kite!"

"Which one?"

"The little swallow in the flower-patterned outfit."

"Let’s get it."

"Thank you, sis!"

Seeing Jiang Han successfully get her way by whining, Jiang Laosi copied her act.

"Big sis, I want a kite too."

"Which one?"

"The little swallow in the flower-patterned outfit!"

Jiang Wan looked at the only swallow-patterned kite left and let out a helpless sigh.

"...Laosi, don’t make me hit you at such a happy time."

Shot down cold by his eldest sister and feeling the mocking look of his second sister, Jiang Laosi—not about to lose face—turned and threw himself at the sympathetic one behind them.

"Brother-in-law~~"

"Buy, buy, buy!"

Li Laosi beamed, his eyes crinkling with happiness.

"If this stall is sold out, I’ll take you to the next one. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely get you an identical one."

"Thank you, brother-in-law!"

Jiang Laosi proudly shook his head at Jiang Han.

You have our sister’s favoritism, but I have our brother-in-law’s special favor!

Hmph, who’s losing out here?

The two boys, one older and one younger, rushed toward the next kite stall while the Jiang sisters stayed behind to pay and successfully got the kite she wanted.

"Sis, let’s go fly kites this afternoon?"

"Sure."

The two sisters chatted as they walked forward when suddenly, the chaotic clatter of horse hooves came from behind, accompanied by screams from multiple people.

"Ah, get out of the way!"

"The horse has spooked! Run!"

Jiang Han turned to look—a large chestnut horse, dragging a carriage behind it, was charging madly straight at her.

"Sis, help!"

Jiang Wan, reacting swiftly, reached out and yanked her sister aside, barely dodging the out-of-control horse. Seeing the carriage charging straight into the crowd ahead, she barked orders to the attendants.

"Watch the Second Young Lady!"

With that, she took off after the bolting horse. Fortunately, the horse whinnied and stopped for a few seconds. Jiang Wan rushed over to see that idiot Li Laosi had already leaped onto the horse's back, pulling the reins taut. The horse reared up on its hind legs, bucking and kicking wildly, nearly throwing off its rider.

Just as she was about to rush forward to help, Li Chengxiu shouted urgently.

"Get back!"

"Master, we'll handle it!"

Li Chengxiu's personal guards charged forward, and several of them worked together to finally subdue the frenzied horse.

Li Chengxiu, having jumped off the horse, looked serious, his usual cheerful and silly demeanor gone, replaced by an icy stare.

"Li Song, go check what happened."

"Yes!"

Running to the carriage and pushing the door open, a guard found a young boy, around ten years old, disheveled and slumped inside. The familiar face made the guard's eyes widen in shock.

Crap, this is trouble!

"What’s going on? I told you to check, and you’re dragging your feet. Next time I—"

Pushing his subordinate aside, Li Chengxiu locked eyes with the pair of dark, pitch-black eyes inside the carriage.

"Holy crap, I’m an uncle? When did my eldest brother have a kid? How come I didn’t know?"

With a face like that, Li Laosi refused to believe the boy had no connection to his eldest brother.

"What's wrong with you?"

Jiang Wan leaned over to glance into the carriage, and her eyes instantly lit up with a calculating glint.

You little brat, finally caught by your old man!

Li Shenxiu got chills under the other’s excited gaze. What does this fool want to do?

He immediately played to the advantages of a child, his eyes welling up with tears in an instant.

"Brother, sister, I’m the Sixth Prince of the current dynasty! Please, could you take me to the palace? My father will surely make it worth your while!"

He pretended not to recognize either of them, his face a blend of fear, innocence, and determination.

Although he had woken up a bit late and hadn’t figured out why, in this lifetime, the Jiang family’s eldest daughter wasn’t foolish anymore, and her betrothed had changed from Ji Yunzhi to that damned Li Laosi.

But it didn’t matter. Li Laosi had appeared in Chunming Fang just as he had in his previous life, and he would surely take him back to the palace. Then, I, Li Laoliu, would undoubtedly take the throne once again.