Seeing Yun Dong remain silent, Grand Commander Luo’s fury intensified: “Fifth, what else do you have to say?”

Yun Dong lowered his eyes to stare at the ground, saying in a heavy voice: “This son truly doesn’t know why Zhang Ping would do such a thing—”

“Don’t know?” Grand Commander Luo raged. “They say Zhang Ping was your capable subordinate, and you usually took him along for most matters. He did such a thing, and you claim ignorance?”

The Jinlin Guards present couldn’t help but exchange glances.

What did the Grand Commander mean by this?

Did he suspect Fifth Master of disloyalty?

To dare lay hands on Third Miss’s cook’s nephew—truly audacious beyond measure.

Grand Commander Luo looked deeply at Yun Dong once, then said coldly: “Fifth, you’ve truly disappointed me greatly. Someone—”

Several Jinlin Guards immediately stepped forward to receive orders.

“Take Yun Dong away and detain him.”

“Yes.”

Pingli, standing at the back of the crowd, stepped forward to advise: “Foster father, please calm your anger. Fifth Brother has always been loyal to you—perhaps there’s some misunderstanding here.”

“What misunderstanding could there be? You needn’t plead for him. I know what I’m doing.”

“Foster father—” Pingli wanted to continue persuading, but meeting Grand Commander Luo’s iron-blue face, his tone faltered.

Grand Commander Luo’s expression was sinister: “Enough. I don’t want to hear any more. Take Fifth away!”

“Foster father—” This time it was Yun Dong calling to Grand Commander Luo.

Grand Commander Luo glanced at Yun Dong.

Yun Dong pressed his forehead to the ground and kowtowed: “This son takes his leave.”

Grand Commander Luo turned away with his hands behind his back, no longer looking at Yun Dong.

Yun Dong was quickly led away by the Jinlin Guards.

Though the Jinlin Guards present were churning inside, their faces showed little abnormality.

They had seen plenty of families that were splendid one day and came crashing down the next.

Rises and falls, life and death—nothing could be more common.

Though Fifth Master’s sudden loss of favor was surprising, it was only that.

The Grand Commander had five foster sons. Without Fifth Master, there were still First Master, Second Master, Third Master, and Fourth Master. Moreover, now the Young Master had returned—he was the Grand Commander’s actual son.

After Yun Dong was taken away, Grand Commander Luo looked at Pingli and spoke: “Eldest, Fifth’s matters will be temporarily handed over to you.”

Pingli hesitated for a moment, then cupped his fists in acknowledgment: “This son obeys.”

“You may go as well. Everyone dismiss.”

With Grand Commander Luo’s word, the Jinlin Guards quickly withdrew.

Grand Commander Luo’s gaze fell on the shattered porcelain on the floor—remnants from when he had hurled his teacup at Yun Dong earlier.

When foster sons grew up, their thoughts became complicated.

Grand Commander Luo rubbed his temples and smiled bitterly.

A voice came from the doorway: “Grand Commander, this humble officer has something to report.”

Grand Commander Luo’s expression returned to normal as he turned around: “What is it?”

The Jinlin Guard standing at the door walked in and cupped his hands: “Reporting to the Grand Commander, word has come from the Anguo Duke’s manor that the Duchess of Anguo has passed away.”

Grand Commander Luo raised his eyebrows in surprise: “How did she die?”

“They say she choked on crab dumplings this morning.”

The corner of Grand Commander Luo’s mouth twitched as he waved his hand: “Understood. You may withdraw.”

After his subordinate withdrew, Grand Commander Luo sat down heavily in his chair and fell into deep thought.

Yesterday these troubles were all caused by the Second Miss of the Anguo Duke’s manor, and this morning the Duchess of Anguo was dead—as if she’d truly been choked to death by dumplings.

Sheng’er had said Prince Kaiyang took the initiative to handle this matter and would have words with the Duke of Anguo.

Hiss—Prince Kaiyang wouldn’t be so ruthless as to force the Duke of Anguo to kill off his legitimate wife, would he?

In his thinking, killing that troublesome daughter would already be excessive. If that really didn’t work, sending that girl far away in exile would also be acceptable.

Perhaps there was some turn of events unknown to outsiders.

But regardless, with the Duchess of Anguo’s death, this matter could be considered closed—there was no reason to continue making difficulties for the Anguo Duke’s manor.

Grand Commander Luo stood up and paced to the window, gazing at the dreary scenery outside and sighing.

A young lady’s moment of hot-headedness had resulted in two lives in the blink of an eye, with even more matters implicated. One had to say the Duke of Anguo’s second daughter was quite a talent.

This day was destined to leave many people unsettled.

Luo Chen rose early and went to Qingxing Street together with Luo Sheng.

Qingxing Street at this hour was somewhat deserted, with some shops not yet open. The leaves on the trees lining both sides of the street had fallen severely, the bare branches hanging with frost flowers, beginning to show the appearance of early winter.

“Sister.” The youth walking down the street suddenly called out.

“Mm?”

“Is Xiao Qi… badly injured?” This was what Luo Chen had pondered all night, constantly wanting to know.

He had thought he disliked that black-faced boy who had appeared from who knows where yet attracted Luo Sheng’s attention. But last night lying in bed, what he thought of were things like Xiao Qi taking him horseback riding and hunting, climbing trees to raid bird nests.

Even remembering how Xiao Qi had fallen from a tree and caused him to injure his bottom didn’t make him so angry anymore.

Luo Chen thought of that persimmon.

He had disdained eating it because Xiao Qi hadn’t washed his hands and was too lazy to throw it away, so he’d left it on the windowsill where it had dried into a persimmon cake.

At this moment, that persimmon cake was tucked in his bosom.

“The injury is serious.”

Hearing Luo Sheng’s answer, Luo Chen’s expression grew even more tense.

The siblings walked side by side and before long arrived at the Youjian Tavern.

Luo Chen stopped and looked it over several times.

He rarely came to the tavern at this hour, and for a moment it actually seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

“Come this way.” Luo Sheng stepped toward the medical clinic across the street.

The clinic’s door stood open, and they could see the gatekeeper boy Fuling bustling about with Physician Wang.

Seeing Luo Sheng enter, Fuling was just about to greet her when Physician Wang beat him to it: “Miss Luo has come so early.”

“I’ve come to see Xiao Qi.”

Physician Wang’s face was full of smiles: “Ah, then have Fuling lead you there.”

Seeing Miss Luo, he simply couldn’t control his enthusiasm.

Who would have thought—when the cook from the Youjian Tavern came to deliver breakfast to the patient, there was actually a portion for him too!

You have to know, the Divine Physician had eaten so many meals delivered from the tavern but had never shared a single bite with him.

Thinking this way, Miss Luo was still beautiful and kind-hearted, which was why the cook was so considerate.

“Miss Luo, please follow this humble one.” Fuling’s enthusiasm in leading the way also surged as he glared at Physician Wang with his peripheral vision.

Physician Wang had been getting a bit cocky lately—had it been too long since the Divine Physician scolded him?

Fuling led the two to the room entrance: “Xiu Gu is feeding Xiao Qi right now.”

As he spoke, he called out: “Miss Luo and Young Master Luo have arrived.”

Upon entering, Luo Chen saw Xiao Qi eating porridge from a spoon in Xiu Yue’s hand and instinctively frowned.

“Proprietress, Young Master Luo.” Seeing the two enter, Xiao Qi broke into a smile.

Luo Sheng quickly walked over and asked gently: “How do you feel?”

Xiao Qi grinned: “It doesn’t hurt as much anymore. The meat porridge Auntie made is very fragrant.”

“Then eat more.”

“Mm.” Not daring to move too much, Xiao Qi nodded lightly.

After some greetings, Luo Sheng called Xiu Yue out, leaving Luo Chen to chat with Xiao Qi.

Xiao Qi chuckled: “I was thinking you’d come see me, but I didn’t expect it so early. Have you eaten?”

Glancing at the clean porridge bowl, Luo Chen hummed in acknowledgment.

Xiao Qi sighed: “The porridge Auntie made is really fragrant. I didn’t eat my fill.”

Luo Chen paused, then took out the persimmon cake from his bosom: “Want to eat this?”

Xiao Qi’s eyes lit up: “Yes!”