Chapter 76

Chapter 76

"Then you didn't continue searching?" Lu Maomao posed the blunt question. He understood it might hurt Princess Consort Chu's feelings, but he had to ask.

Princess Consort Chu covered her mouth with a handkerchief, sobbing softly.

"It was this mother who failed you."

"It was this mother who failed you."

Time is a good medicine for healing wounds, but for a sorrow that has seeped into the very marrow, it only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. No matter how deeply buried painful memories are in the heart, a single trigger can bring them surging back, turning one's world upside down.

Princess Consort Chu could not let go of the past, and Prince Chu was not entirely heartless either.

Lu Maomao sighed. "Your Highness, I'm not blaming you or the Princess Consort. I just want fairness."

"You demand fairness from me? Who do I demand fairness from!"

"Guards, tie Lu Feifan up and take him back!"

"We'll see if I can't discipline you."

As soon as Prince Chu gave the order, four tall, burly household guards immediately entered.

Seeing Prince Chu was serious, Qi San hurriedly stepped in to mediate. This nephew clearly had a strong temper and his own ideas. Having been lost for many years, it was his sister and brother-in-law who owed him. How could he willingly return without venting his grievances? They hadn't even reconnected their blood ties yet; using force would only worsen their relationship. How could they live together in the future?

"Brother-in-law, calm down. Feifan is young and doesn't understand the helplessness and grievances of us adults. Don't take it to heart. Zhao Lin, you all step out first. His Highness will call you if needed."

Zhao Lin looked at Prince Chu. Seeing he remained silent, he led the others out.

Then Qi San turned to persuade Lu Maomao. "Feifan, Uncle knows your heart is bitter. Speak properly, don't act on impulse."

Old Master Yu also advised Lu Maomao. "Feifan, how could a mother not be tormented after losing the child she carried for ten months? How could she not search? I know you've just learned of your origins and your heart is in turmoil, leading to thoughtless words. First calm your emotions before speaking. Don't act impulsively and do something you'll regret for a lifetime."

Qi San chimed in, "Elder Lord is right. Feifan, first calm your emotions."

Yu Changan had somehow arrived behind Lu Maomao and pinched him hard. "You'd better be careful."

*It's that couple who should calm down*, Lu Maomao thought, utterly speechless. He hadn't even said much—just wanted to clarify things, understand Mao'er's place in Prince Chu and the Princess Consort's hearts, give Mao'er an explanation, and incidentally test their attitude toward him. Besides, if he didn't say this now, he'd have no chance later. What would be the point of saying it after acknowledging them?

Prince Chu truly lived up to his fierce reputation, ordering his capture without even hearing him out.

*Is this some kind of ancestor?*

Maomao's reluctance to become someone's son grew stronger.

But the Yu family didn't want him either.

Lu Maomao also became unhappy. "Old Master, Your Highness, Princess Consort, and Third Master Qi, I don't mean to blame anyone. What's done is done. Blaming and hating others is just seeking trouble for oneself. I just want to clarify things. Otherwise, acknowledging you in a muddle would leave me uncertain, not knowing how to interact with Your Highness and the Princess Consort in the future. Let's take this opportunity today to speak openly, so we won't have to suspect each other later."

"I am your father. What do you suspect me of?"

Prince Chu was once again infuriated by Lu Maomao. This unfilial son actually said to his face that he harbored suspicions. Suspicions of what? What could he possibly suspect?

Lu Maomao felt Prince Chu's frequent anger was deliberately flaunting his authority as a prince and father, not intending to communicate properly and even disliking him.

Fortunately, Princess Consort Chu had now calmed down and spoke peacefully. "His Highness and I searched for you for three days back then. Continuing would have delayed our scheduled return to the capital. It was I who persuaded His Highness to give up."

"Did you search later?"

"Later, we searched along the route to the capital for several years but never found you. Gradually, His Highness and I gave up hope, only praying you grew up safely in another family as the Taoist Priest said."

Lu Maomao expressed understanding. With underdeveloped information systems and several years having passed, finding a lost infant was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Wait, another Taoist Priest? "Which Taoist Priest?"

"Taoist Priest Huaiyu."

Lu Maomao: *That name sounds very familiar.*

"From the Three Purities Temple?"

"I inquired. The Three Purities Temple has no Taoist Priest whose name starts with 'Huai' (locust tree)."

Lu Maomao: ...

*Princess Consort, sometimes being too meticulous makes you miss the truth.*

"Are things clear enough now?" Prince Chu looked at Lu Maomao with extreme displeasure.

"Clear."

"Do you resent His Highness and me?" Princess Consort Chu asked cautiously, looking at Lu Maomao.

Lu Maomao shook his head. He wasn't Mao'er and had no reason to resent his parents. Mao'er had known since childhood he was adopted and accepted his fate peacefully, living honestly with his adoptive father, never resenting anyone. Of course, Lu Maomao couldn't guarantee whether Mao'er would have felt hatred if he had learned the truth.

"Then come back to the residence with me." Prince Chu's voice softened slightly.

"Wait."

"Are you never going to end this?" Prince Chu grew irritable and impatient with Lu Maomao.

"I haven't stated my demands yet. If you don't agree, I dare not acknowledge the esteemed Prince Chu as my father." Lu Maomao said sarcastically.

"You're looking for death!"

"I've tolerated you long enough."

Prince Chu rushed forward to beat Lu Maomao. Princess Consort Chu, Qi San, and Yu Changtai hurriedly stepped forward to hold him back, while Old Master Yu also advised him not to get angry.

Princess Consort Chu even said, "Your Highness, let's first hear what Jiao Jiao has to say."

"Princess Consort, I haven't even set foot in the residence, yet His Highness is already shouting about killing me. I'm truly frightened." Green Tea Maomao was back online.

"Jiao Jiao, don't be afraid. I'll talk to His Highness for you."

"Your Highness, don't be in a hurry to discipline him. Let Jiao Jiao finish speaking."

"What is there for him to say? This unfilial son is making demands before even calling us Father and Mother."

Lu Maomao felt wronged. "Princess Consort, I'm not unfilial."

Princess Consort Chu had absolutely no principles when it came to Lu Maomao: "Mother knows Jiao Jiao is a good child. Your Highness, Jiao Jiao just doesn't understand us and feels uneasy, so he wants us to agree to a few requests. Actually, this is also because we, as parents, haven't done enough. Your Highness, just listen first."

This made Prince Chu even angrier. "Speak! Let's see what you can say!"

"First, I don't want to change my name again." Having changed names many times, Maomao was tired of it. Moreover, he didn't intend to take over Mao'er's original name either.

Princess Consort Chu hesitated, but Prince Chu had fewer reservations. "The surname must be changed."

"No problem, my given name is Feifan, and for my nickname, you can call me Maomao, like Xiaoyu does."

Prince Chu snorted disdainfully.

"Jiao Jiao, don't you like it when your mother calls you that?"

Lu Maomao avoided Consort of Chu's expectant gaze. "Your Highness, I'm already used to it."

Consort of Chu could only compromise. "Alright, Mother will follow Xiaoyu's lead."

"Second, what will my status be when I return?"

Consort of Chu: "You are the legitimate eldest son of the Prince's estate and will inherit the prince's title in the future."

"At the appropriate time, I will petition to have you officially invested as the heir."

"I've heard the Chu princely house has difficulty with heirs. Is that true?"

Prince Chu was about to get angry again, but Consort of Chu quickly held his hand to soothe him. "Your Highness, this is something everyone knows."

Prince Chu glared at the Consort, feeling aggrieved.

"It's true. What do you want to ask?"

"Will I have younger brothers born in the future? A son brought home later can't compare to one you raise from infancy."

Prince Chu's expression twisted, his face full of the desire to strike Lu Maomao dead. "I! DON'T! KNOW!"

"What about the Consort?"

"At my age, I'm just waiting to hold grandchildren. I won't be having any more children. Feifan, you can rest assured."

"Consort, you're not old yet."

"Is that so?"

Lu Maomao then looked at Prince Chu. Qi San suppressed a laugh, muttering to himself that if they could have had children, they would have done so long ago.

"Why are you looking at me? The capable rise, the incompetent fall. If you have what it takes, what does it matter if I give you everything the Chu princely estate has to offer?"

"So your desire for a son isn't dead yet, no wonder you're threatening to have me killed."

Prince Chu inhaled, exhaled, inhaled, exhaled, restraining his murderous intent. If he couldn't hold back and killed this person, he would truly have no heir.

"In short, you won't lack for anything."

"Fine then. Lastly, and most importantly, my marriage with Xiaoyu cannot change."

The Yu family members felt gratified; the effort they had invested in Lu Feifan had not been in vain.

However, Prince Chu's words were quite unpleasant. "After today, your status and position will be different from before. Are you sure you still want to be with Yu Geer?" At least knowing they were on someone else's turf, Prince Chu didn't call Xiaoyu the Yu family's Silly Geer. Otherwise, Lu Maomao would definitely have said something even more unpleasant and might even have started a fight with Prince Chu.

"Yes, I want to continue being a live-in son-in-law for Xiaoyu. Consort, will the Prince's household prepare a dowry for me?"

Consort of Chu was both angry and amused. "You're daydreaming. How can a member of the imperial clan become a live-in son-in-law?"

What of the imperial family's dignity?

Prince Chu, having passed the peak of his anger, was no longer as furious. Instead, he detached himself from the joy of knowing he had a son and the rage of discovering that son was an unfilial wretch who only defied his elders. Prince Chu calmly examined Lu Feifan, this ready-made son of his, wanting to see what he was really thinking—whether he genuinely didn't dislike the status of a live-in son-in-law and liked Yu Geer, or if he was just putting on an act for reputation's sake.

"What kind of bewitching potion have you fed my son?" Prince Chu questioned the Yu family.

Yu Changan stepped forward to reply. "Your Highness, please allow me to explain. Initially, having Feifan become a live-in son-in-law was only a temporary measure. As Xiaoyu's health improved and Feifan's studies progressed better and better, my father and mother decided to have Xiaoyu marry out. They planned to hold the wedding for the two after Feifan passed the county-level examination. We never expected Feifan would find relatives in the capital, and that he would be the Prince's Son. Feifan has a pure heart and sticks stubbornly to his principles, believing that only by being a live-in son-in-law can he fulfill the agreement. We've tried to persuade him not to be bound by minor promises and principles, but he hasn't come around yet."

Then his mind really isn't very sharp.

"You are Yu Huaiqing's second son?" Prince Chu's gaze swept over Yu Changan.

Yu Changan remained unperturbed. "Yes."

"Yes."

"You've led my child astray."

At this, Lu Maomao was displeased and complained to Consort of Chu. "Consort, I think I'm fine, very fine."

"Your Highness, don't bully Feifan." Consort of Chu chided Prince Chu, who then fell silent.

Yu Changan stepped back, and Yu Changhao added, "Brother-in-law previously said he wanted to surpass Li Bai and become the ultimate live-in son-in-law."

When Yu Changhao first mentioned that Lu Maomao wanted to surpass Li Bai and leave his name in history, everyone was incredulous. With his character, he wanted to surpass Li Bai? After hearing the latter part, they were all speechless. What kind of goal was this? Not aiming to learn from others' strengths, but trying to overtake by targeting their weaknesses?

"Did I say something wrong?"

Seeing everyone looking at him with speechless expressions, Yu Changhao wisely hid behind Yu Chang'an.

This idea was truly cunning. Qi San teased Lu Maomao: "Eldest nephew, you have no chance of surpassing Li Bai as a live-in son-in-law. Find another way to leave your name in history."

Prince Chu: "Learn something good, don't engage in unorthodox methods."

Consort of Chu: "Maomao—no, I'll call you Feifan. If you want to learn poetry, Mother will find someone to teach you."

Lu Maomao: ...

"I've already given up on Li Bai," Lu Maomao said gravely. "Now, I'm content as long as I can be with Xiaoyu."

Consort of Chu looked at Prince Chu. Regarding Yu Xiaoyu, the couple hadn't seriously discussed it yet, and she didn't know what Prince Chu thought.

"You're set on him?" Prince Chu asked Lu Maomao.

"I must have Xiaoyu. Even if I don't acknowledge my relatives, I want to be with Xiaoyu."

"Are you threatening me?" Prince Chu narrowed his eyes.

"I wouldn't dare. This is my true feeling. If it weren't for Xiaoyu, I might be living as a wild man in some remote mountain forest right now."

Prince Chu and Consort of Chu took Lu Maomao's words as expressing gratitude for the kindness Yu Xiaoyu and the Yu family had shown him. Considering this son still had some conscience, Prince Chu hinted, "If you take him as your principal husband, you will lose many things in the future."

"I don't need too many things, and I won't let Xiaoyu suffer."

"What if I don't agree?"

Regarding Xiaoyu, the Yu family members remained silent during this confrontation between father and son from the Prince's household, quietly watching Lu Maomao and Prince Chu clash.

"Father! I am your eldest son, lost for seventeen years!" Lu Maomao turned and clung to Qi San's arm.

Qi San's pupils dilated in shock. He stiffly raised his head to look at Prince Chu, who was radiating low pressure. Would he even make it out of the Yu residence alive today?