“Master.”

The maids of Sheng Residence all curtsied in greeting.

Xie Jingyu was thoroughly exhausted.

Today at court, he had been impeached by the censors. Having originally been expected to be promoted to Upper Fifth Rank, he now had absolutely no chance whatsoever.

If the rumors in the streets and alleys escalated further, he might even be demoted…

Previously, having the Yun Family as in-laws had provided him with quiet support, but this time the Yun Family gave the Xie Family no face at all, and he had no one to speak up for him at court.

He left court in dejection and once again called at the Yu Manor, but this time Minister Yu wouldn’t even let him through the door. He waited at the Yu Manor gates for several hours before finally accepting that Minister Yu had completely abandoned him. Only then did he return to the Xie Manor like a stray dog.

He stood at the entrance to Sheng Residence and looked toward Tingshuang: “Has your madam’s illness improved?”

Tingshuang lowered her eyes and said, “Madam looks as though she’s recovered, but in truth it’s a heart sickness. She can’t muster any energy for anything.”

Xie Jingyu removed his official hat.

How could he not know that Yun Chu’s was a heart sickness?

But the child was already dead and had been properly buried. Let bygones be bygones—why dwell on it endlessly?

Once she fell ill, the entire Xie Family became unsettled.

He had never known that the lady of the house could have such a great impact on a family.

He asked, “Has Madam gone to sleep?”

“Madam went to sleep a quarter-hour ago,” Tingshuang replied. “If Master has any matters, you can come earlier tomorrow.”

Xie Jingyu said nothing more and turned to leave.

Walking out of Sheng Residence, he saw Xie Shi’an on the small path.

Xie Shi’an had clearly been waiting for him. He cupped his hands and said, “Father, the rumors in the city have spread to the academy and must have also reached the court. Was Father impeached by those with ulterior motives at court today?”

Xie Jingyu looked at his eldest son with a face full of approval.

This son only traveled between the Xie Family academy and home, yet could still deduce the situation at court. He was truly a heaven-sent talent.

He asked, “What are your thoughts?”

“Outsiders are mainly discussing two points. First, the burial matter of those twins from the Xie Manor four years ago. This matter is already settled, and the Xie Manor can only remain silent,” Xie Shi’an said slowly. “Second, the matter of Mother’s illness has been spread more and more ridiculously. The Old Madam’s birthday banquet is coming up very soon. If Mother attends the birthday banquet, the rumors about unrest in the Xie Manor’s inner quarters will collapse on their own.”

Xie Jingyu nodded. “Then do you think your mother will attend the birthday banquet?”

Xie Shi’an fell silent.

Mother had just experienced a tremendous blow. Would she cooperate with the Xie Family to clear away the outside rumors? He wasn’t certain.

Xie Jingyu sighed and said, “Even if we’re uncertain, we must try.”

Father and son talked as they gradually walked away.

Only after the voices faded completely did Yun Chu finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She looked toward the child curled up under the blanket: “Let’s go. I’ll send you out of the manor first.”

“I’m not leaving!”

Chu Hongyu suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head against her chest with an air of stubborn refusal.

Yun Chu tried to persuade him: “Young Lord, if you’re not at home late at night, it will be discovered very quickly. Can you bear Prince Pingxi’s fury?”

She thought the child would be frightened, but who would have thought the little fellow would raise his eyebrows proudly: “This evening, my father-king received an imperial order to suppress bandits and won’t be in the capital for several days. I also found a child the same size as me to impersonate me and stay at the prince’s manor. Rest assured, no one will discover I’m missing.”

Yun Chu: “…”

She had absolutely no idea what to say anymore.

At that moment, the window was suddenly tapped lightly.

Before Yun Chu could get up to see what was happening, a cry of pain came from outside the window.

“What kind of thief dares to skulk around outside our madam’s window!”

This was Qiutong’s voice.

Yun Chu glanced at the little fellow on the bed and saw the child scrambling desperately off the bed, trying to push open the window.

She scooped up the child in one motion and tossed him into the bed curtains, calling out loudly: “Qiutong, tie up the thief outside and send him to the authorities.”

“No, you can’t!” Chu Hongyu broke out in a sweat from anxiety. “He’s not a thief, he’s my guard. His name is Amao. Don’t send him to the authorities.”

Yun Chu deliberately put on a stern face: “The thief on the southeast side of the Xie Manor earlier was also your guard, wasn’t he?”

The little fellow’s face drooped: “There were people constantly patrolling back and forth at the Xie Family gates. I really had no choice, so I had Amao pretend to be a thief to draw those people away. Amao really didn’t do anything bad.”

Seeing him with that expression, Yun Chu’s heart softened all at once.

She looked toward the window and said, “Qiutong, bring the person outside in.”

She got out of bed, put on her shoes and outer robe, and led the little fellow out from the inner chamber.

Qiutong and Tingshuang brought the guard in together. When they saw a child had somehow appeared in the room, their eyes nearly popped out of their heads.

Especially Qiutong—she knew martial arts, yet she hadn’t detected that there was an extra person in Madam’s bedroom.

Yun Chu made a gesture, and Tingshuang hurriedly closed the door.

“Mmph mmph mmph!”

The guard’s mouth had been gagged, and he kept making sounds.

Chu Hongyu rushed over and pulled the dirty cloth from his mouth: “Amao, are you alright?”

“This subordinate is fine.” Amao looked his master up and down, then said with lingering fear, “Young Lord, are you alright?”

Qiutong was utterly astonished: “Madam, what on earth is going on?”

But Tingshuang had already recognized the child and was equally shocked: “Why is Prince Pingxi’s Young Lord in Madam’s bedroom?”

“While it’s dark and the manor is in chaos, Qiutong, you send these two out,” Yun Chu said. “Don’t let anyone discover them.”

If Xie Jingyu found out that Prince Pingxi’s Young Lord had come to the Xie Family, he would likely try every means to use this child to get close to Prince Pingxi. She didn’t want a child to become a tool for Xie Jingyu’s advancement.

“I said I’m not leaving, I’m not leaving!” Chu Hongyu used all four limbs to climb onto Yun Chu. “I’m staying right here. Not leaving, just not leaving!”

Qiutong stepped forward and grabbed the child by the back of his collar, lifting him up: “Young Lord, although you are a child, you are still an outside male. It’s improper for you to stay with our madam. This servant will send you back to the prince’s manor.”

“Waaah, I’m not leaving!” The little fellow kicked his legs in the air. “I worked so hard to find a chance to sneak out of the prince’s manor, worked so hard to get into the Xie Family. How can you drive me away so quickly? I’ll never like you again! Hateful! Waaah…”

Amao chimed in: “A few days ago, after the Young Lord heard that Madam Xie was ill, he couldn’t eat or sleep well and lost several pounds. He finally waited until the Prince left the manor before finding a chance to sneak out. Our Young Lord has never had a mother’s affection since he was small. Would Madam Xie please take pity on our Young Lord…”

Yun Chu’s heart constricted.

She took the wildly kicking child from the air into her arms.

She knew that Prince Pingxi Manor’s Young Lord was four years old, but compared to Xie Shiyun who was the same age, his frame was far too thin—he felt more like a three-year-old child.

She said softly, “Then I’ll allow you to stay here for one night. You must leave as soon as dawn breaks, alright?”

The little fellow’s tears turned to laughter as he burrowed into her embrace.