Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

With five days to go until the Prime Minister's birthday, Xu Zheng planned to temporarily settle You Lu in his own residence. After all, the young man had a special identity and carried secrets, and he wouldn't feel at ease leaving him out of his sight.

Xu Zheng politely led the people in and was about to instruct the servants to prepare a room when he saw his wife, Madam Li, walking towards him angrily. He couldn't help but ask in confusion, "What's wrong, Madam?"

"It's all because of your good-for-nothing son! He got into a fight over a courtesan, and he's made me lose all face!" Madam Li was furious and launched into a tirade, leaving Xu Zheng speechless and unable to lift his head.

Turning her gaze to the young man behind her husband, she frowned even more deeply, scrutinized him closely, and tentatively asked, "And this is...?"

Xu Zheng was about to make an excuse that he was the son of an old friend when he heard gloating voices behind him.

[This is going to be interesting! Xu Zheng is henpecked, and his wife is incredibly jealous. He brought me back so openly; his wife is bound to suspect I'm his illegitimate child. The Xu household is going to be in chaos!]

Xu Zheng gasped and turned to see the boy with a look of amusement on his face. When Xu Zheng looked over, the boy blinked innocently.

Seeing that his wife was already glaring angrily, Xu Zheng threw all his excuses and pretexts to the back of his mind. He pulled Li Shi to a corner and gently comforted her, "Madam, please calm down and let me explain slowly."

Thus, Xu Zheng concealed his true feelings and truthfully revealed the boy's background. Li Shi went from anger to astonishment, covering her mouth and whispering, "Is he really the one who was stolen away back then?"

"Most likely." Xu Zheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had initially planned to keep it a secret, fearing it might cause unforeseen complications. But then he thought that his wife was trustworthy, so there was no harm in telling her. His main concern was that it might cause misunderstandings and disrupt the peace at home, not that he was afraid of being beaten.

Li's expression softened slightly at her husband's trust and honesty. She took his hand and said solemnly, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about this until the matter is investigated thoroughly."

Xu Zheng nodded.

When the two returned to Youlu, Madam Li changed her previous cold and indifferent attitude and said gently and politely, "Young Master You is an old acquaintance of my master, so you are family. If you need anything, just tell the servants."

You Lu felt awkward being addressed as "Young Master You" and said, "Madam, please don't be so polite. Just call me Little Deer."

"Alright, alright, Young Master Lu, this way please." Madam Li greeted him warmly and personally led him to the east wing.

"Thank you for your trouble." You Lu nodded slightly, glancing at Xu Zheng with considerable disappointment at not getting to see the good show.

Xu Zheng broke out in a cold sweat, thinking to himself, "I've really brought back a tyrant."

After escorting the person to the east wing, Li left.

Youlu walked around the room. The room was spacious and bright, not luxurious but very comfortable. He nodded in satisfaction and ordered the servants to bring some hot water. After being tied up and imprisoned, he needed to wash up properly.

Hot water was delivered quickly, along with several sets of brand-new clothes.

It was late spring, and after a long day of hard work, Deer was soaking in the hot water, sighing with comfort. He lay contentedly on the edge of the tub, squinting as he chatted idly with Pixiu.

"As we walked along, the Xu family's house, with its white walls and blue tiles, was elegant, but it didn't look wealthy. I guess it was either self-built or purchased. It seems that Xu Zheng isn't very favored by the emperor in court. Otherwise, given the merits he has made over the years, the emperor should have at least bestowed upon him a house."

Pixiu, its belly bulging, floated on the water. Hearing this, it swam over to him and said, "Boss, why did we come to the Xu residence? I'm still hungry."

You Lu explained, "Today we not only offended the Gu brothers, but also ruined the Third Prince's plans. They definitely won't let us off the hook. Rather than being chased outside, it's better to find a safe place to stay. I don't believe they would dare to go to the residence of a third-rank official to kill someone."

"I understand, we've come here to seek refuge," the Pixiu suddenly realized.

"Not entirely." You Lu rested her chin on her hand, a smirk playing on her lips. "While you're at it, also investigate the possibility that Xu Zheng might be falsely accused of treason in the future."

The Pixiu nodded as if it understood but not quite.

After he finished his bath, it was already dark on the horizon. A servant announced from outside the door, "Young Master Lu, the master invites you to dine in the front hall."

Youlu replied that he understood and told the servant to go and report back.

The Xu family was small, consisting of Xu Zheng and his wife, an old lady, two young masters, and a young lady, plus a dozen or so servants. This was quite rare among officials in the capital.

When Youlu arrived at the front hall, he only saw Xu Zheng and his wife. It was said that the old lady had taken the second young lady and the third young master back to their hometown to visit relatives and were not at home at the moment.

He cupped his hands and said, "Lord Xu, Madam Xu."

Upon seeing him, Madam Li's eyes lit up, and she stood up to greet him, "Young Master Lu, please have a seat."

She turned to her husband and whispered in his ear, "Clothes really do make the man. With just a little dressing up, Young Master Lu's aura is so impressive that I would believe he is a god, let alone a prince."

Although she was dressed in simple light blue silk, which could not compare to those brocade robes, the person in front of me had an air of elegance and nobility that made people yearn for her.

Xu Zheng smiled bitterly to himself; this person was no ordinary immortal.

He couldn't bring himself to say those flattering words, so he just nodded and said, "I didn't know what the young master's tastes were like, so I had the servants prepare some simple food. I hope the young master won't find it offensive."

"Very well, thank you for your trouble, Lord Xu." Youlu nodded in thanks.

Although he is picky about food, he will not let down the good intentions of others.

After exchanging pleasantries, the three took their seats. But just as they picked up their chopsticks, a commotion erupted outside the door, and a voice cried out, "Mother! I heard Father brought home a mistress, is it true?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a young man in a white shirt with bruises on his face barged in.

Youlu raised an eyebrow, put down her chopsticks, and looked at the person in front of her.

The newcomer bore a resemblance to Xu Zheng in his features, making him instantly recognizable as Xu Ruohuai, the eldest son of the household. Behind him followed a young woman, dressed in pristine white, her figure slender and graceful, her eyes exuding a captivating charm.

Upon seeing his eldest son, Xu Zheng slammed his fist on the table and roared, "You disgraceful wretch, how dare you come back!"

Li was even more direct. She rushed forward, shoving her way in, and pointed at her eldest son's nose, yelling, "You little brat, I haven't even bothered you yet, and you've already delivered yourself to my doorstep. You've been waiting three days without a beating and you're already itching for a beating, haven't you?!"

You Lu was shocked by the three consecutive statements: "So fierce!"

Xu Ruohuai seemed used to her parents' combined beatings. While covering her face and running away, she retorted, "What did I do wrong! You always taught me to be grateful and repay kindness. Now that I'm repaying kindness, why are you criticizing me instead?"

Repaying a debt of gratitude? A deer hissed; this plot seemed familiar.

He glanced indifferently at the woman behind Xu Ruohuai, and thought to himself, "So it's her."

Xu Zheng, who was scolding his eldest son, was stunned. What do you mean, "her"?