Holding a lantern, guiding souls across, Lady Hou comes from the underworld.

Rong Shu was completely baffled when she saw Ren Fengjue heading straight for the east wing.

This is unlike the young marquis's usual style.

Then he thought, he must care about Miss Xia very much to do that.

She followed cautiously behind, deliberately saying kind words: "Madam treats Miss Xia just like her own daughter."

"Any good things in the mansion are sent directly to the east wing."

Ren Fengjue glanced at the items on display and saw a dazzling array of goods, not to mention the three or four large trunks and the unseen clothing and accessories in the five or six dressing cases.

His gaze swept across the rows of windows, but was drawn to half a brocade pouch on the windowsill.

"Miss Xia, have you been doing needlework these past few days?"

Rong Shu replied, "Yes, they said they were going to embroider a brocade pouch for the lady."

She sincerely praised Xia Ximo's craftsmanship: "I think Miss Xia's craftsmanship is truly excellent. I'm afraid even the best embroiderer in Jinxiu Clothing Store can't compare to her."

Ren Fengjue didn't answer, but only asked her, "Has Miss Xia taken her medicine since arriving at the Marquis's residence?"

"I am taking a certain medicine, and I take a lot of ginseng supplements."

Rong Shu thought the young marquis was concerned about his fiancée, and said, "Young master, there is no need to worry about Miss Xia. Doctor Zhang took her pulse a couple of days ago and said that she is just a little weak, but everything else is fine."

Ren Fengjue nodded, turned and walked outside, instructing, "When Miss Xia returns later, tell her I came by during the day, but she wasn't there. I'll come to see her at the manor again next time."

Rong Shu smiled meaningfully: "Don't worry, young master, I understand."

As he walked out of the east wing, he inquired about the recent situation of Lady Hou before leaving the East Garden.

However, a servant guarding the door stepped forward and said, "Young master, the Marquis has summoned you to the back garden."

Ren Fengjue knew that his return would not escape his father's notice, so he went to the back garden again.

There is a lake in the back garden called Tingxue Lake. Beside the lake is Nanchuan Courtyard, which was once the residence of Ren Xuan's only younger brother, Ren Yao.

At this moment, Ren Xuan was sitting alone by the lake, fishing, his gaze fixed on the courtyard on the opposite bank, lost in thought.

Hearing footsteps, he looked away, but without turning around, he asked, "How did you know you were coming back today?"

Ren Fengjue glanced at Nanchuan Yuan, sat down next to him, and said, "Nanchuan Yuan looks the same as he did more than ten years ago, except for the way he looks like my uncle. I'm starting to not remember him very well..."

Upon hearing this, Ren Xuan's back visibly stiffened, but he didn't respond, only coldly saying, "You didn't even pick a time to come back. Your mother just took Xi Mo out."

Ren Fengjue knew his father didn't want to talk about his uncle, so he changed the subject, saying, "I sent someone to Xiling County to investigate some things."

Ren Xuan paused for a moment, then immediately turned around, her face stern, and asked him, "Go to Xiling County? To investigate what?"

"Cha Xiaximo."

Lord Ren's expression changed, and he became angry: "What do you mean by that? Why are you investigating Xi Mo for no reason?"

Before Ren Fengjue could explain, he stood up again, pointing at him and saying, "I've heard from people outside these past two days that you've been secretly keeping a woman in your house. What's going on?"

Ren Fengjue choked.

I thought to myself, "This wind is blowing way too fast."

Ren Xuan continued, "Could it be that you're unhappy with this marriage and deliberately did this to anger me and your mother?"

"About the girl in my house..."

Ren Fengjue was about to explain.

"OK!"

To his surprise, Lord Ren immediately glared at him, "You really have a woman hidden away? When did you pick up those vices of spoiled brats!"

"..."

Ren Fengjue said helplessly, "I will have to explain the girl's identity to my father later."

"But there is something more important that I need to inform my father about right now."

Although Ren Xuan was furious, he also knew his son's character.

They would never do anything that would dishonor the family.

He suppressed his anger: "Fine, what is it? Tell me in detail!"

"My father promised me first that he wouldn't be angry."

Ren Xuan gave a muffled snort, which was taken as an agreement.

Ren Fengjue then said seriously, "I suspect that this 'Xia Ximo' in the manor is not the real daughter of General Xia, but most likely the daughter of the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, Mu Zheng—Mu Tingting."

These words caused Lord Ren's expression to change several times, darkening as if shrouded in gloom. After a long pause, he finally uttered two words: "Absurd!"

"How could this be wrong? Your mother..."

Ren Fengjue interrupted him righteously, "Father, don't forget that when Mother went south four years ago, it was only the first time she met General Xia's daughter. Before that, none of us had ever seen her."

"But... how could Mu Zheng do that?"

"How dare you!"

Ren Xuan clearly did not believe this claim.

He found it even more unbelievable that the seemingly weak and dull eighth-rank official would dare to commit such a deceptive act!

"Then, according to you, where is the real Xia Ximo? Where did he go?"

Ren Fengjue said, "I'm afraid we'll have to ask Mu Zheng in person to find out."

Ren Xuan was stunned for a moment. After thinking it over, he still felt that his son was deliberately causing trouble because he was unhappy with the arranged marriage.

"So, what did your men in Xiling County find out?"

Ren Fengjue smiled calmly, but kept everyone in suspense.

"We won't reveal these details for now. Before the truth comes out, Father should just pretend he doesn't know and keep it in mind. There's no need to mention it to Mother either."

"My son will give me a satisfactory explanation."

Ren Xuan was speechless for a moment, then sat back down in the armchair. "Alright, I'm waiting for your explanation."

"However, let me make this clear from the start: whether you agree or not, this marriage is a done deal!"

If it were the old Ren Fengjue who heard these words, he would definitely feel disgusted and would have argued back.

But at this moment, he remained remarkably calm.

My heart is like the calm lake before me, shimmering with light.

A gentle breeze rippled the surface, causing the ripples to spread slowly.

Ren Fengjue glanced at Nanchuan Academy again, and said to his father's back, "There is also something on my mind that I have been waiting for my father to give me an explanation for."

"I know Father doesn't want to talk about it right now, but that's okay..."

"My son knew that day would come."

Hearing the footsteps fade away, Ren Xuan slowly raised her eyes and looked towards Nanchuan Academy on the opposite bank.

-

Today, the Duke of Du's mansion is hosting a banquet for many women from prominent families.

Inside the Nanyuan Flower Hall, a group of elegantly dressed noble ladies gathered gracefully, admiring the flowers, sipping tea, and chatting about interesting things in the capital.

In a small room to the side, a woman dressed in a lake-green brocade robe was changing her clothes with the help of her personal maid.

The maid's name was Ying'er, and she came to the capital with her young mistress from the Mu family.

Indeed, the woman changing her clothes was none other than Mu Tingting, the legitimate daughter of the Mu family who had entered the capital under the name "Xia Ximo".

She had accidentally spilled tea during the meal, soiling her clothes, and was feeling quite upset.

At that moment, they could faintly hear people talking outside.

"After all, he came from a poor, remote area. He was clumsy and awkward. Even though he was wearing gifts bestowed by the emperor, he still had a stingy air about him."

"Exactly! I don't think she's a good match for Young Master Ren at all!"

"In my opinion, the young marquis doesn't even respect Princess Ding'an, so how could he possibly like her?"