There was no telling when Old Sheng would wake up from his dreams.
***
On the next day, the Xu family held their reunion event at their own manor, with Jing Yun receiving the DNA test results between him and Xu Yihong.
Although he did not gather Papa Xu’s DNA, Jing Yun and Xu Yihong were cousins, which was why the test he took was not parent-child but between siblings. And should the result come out as Sheng Xiao expected, Xu Yihong would prove not to be a child of the Xu couple or even Jing Yun’s brother.
And with such evidence in hand, Jing Yun found composure because many mysteries could be unraveled with it.
Nonetheless, he still needed time to force Xu Yihong into confessing that he was the one who had abandoned him at Jianchuan.
***
Today, it was a full house at Xu Manor.
Many people who knew the Xu family were aware that their youngest son had gone missing many years ago, and such an event would mean that he had been found. Still, they were not aware who the third son was.
The Xu couple were out greeting the guests early on, whereas Jing Yun waited until Sheng Minglan was finished with her makeup to make his appearance.
All the guests were left puzzled at the sight of Jing Yun.
Was that not the Crown Prince’s assistant?
Most ordinary folk wouldn’t take notice of Sheng Xiao’s former assistant, but rarely anyone in noble circles didn’t know who Jing Yun was.
“This is our Feng’er, our long-lost child.”
Mama Xu introduced him to the guests then.
Thinking about it for a moment, the guests remembered that Jing Yun was indeed an orphan.
“We’ve really looked far and wide only to find him easily. The kid did prove himself with the Sheng family, but to think that he is the third son of the Xu family…”
“Isn’t that true? He really looks the part.”
The guests all began to offer their praises.
Meanwhile, Xu Yihong had been greeting the guests in a corner as well. Even though he really did not want Jing Yun to appear before the guests and be acknowledged, his parents were no fools and Jing Yun was certainly prudent enough. That was why all his tricks up till now never proved effective on Jing Yun.
“I really couldn’t have imagined that the former assistant of the Sheng family is the third young master of the Xu family.”
“Isn’t it just? I wonder what demon possessed the Sheng family this time. They first dumped Mu Qiqi—who is the niece of the mayor, and now they lost Jing Yun. Ouch, that is really going to leave a mark.”
The guests were discussing away when Old Sheng arrived at Xu Manor with Second Brother in tow.
Though the Xu couple were reluctant, he was still Sheng Minglan’s grandfather and had been kind to Jing Yun.
“Old Sheng is here. Hurry up, hurry up, take a seat.” Papa Xu hurriedly greeted him.
“Congratulations on finding your son.”
“We owe you that, Old Sheng. Thanks to you, we could see our son again.”
Aware that Sheng Xiao had left Huang Yao and being not that hateful towards the old man, Sheng Minglan greeted him, “Grandpa.”
“Minglan, let’s talk over there.”
Sheng Minglan knew that the old man was probably going to ask her about her Eighth Brother—but it was not as if she had known that Sheng Xiao was prepared to leave the Sheng family.
Be that as it may, they walked to an unoccupied corner.
“You know about your Eighth Brother, don’t you?”
“Only from the news.” Sheng Minglan answered truthfully.
“Huang Yao is now a mess. If you could, would you come back to Huang Yao to help me?” Old Sheng asked her then. “You should know how bad things are at Huang Yao after Eighth Brother left. As a member of the Sheng family, shouldn’t you be helping me during such an emergency? I’m not protesting against you being with Jing Yun either, so isn’t that acceptable?”
“I’ll… think about it.”
“You do that.”
Even so, did the old man want Sheng Minglan just because he needed his granddaughter?
Not quite.
The old man wanted her back because of her connection to the Xu family.
With Huang Yao now destabilized, having such in-laws to depend on was a strong excuse to have their stockholders stay.
Naturally, Sheng Minglan did not know that he had such ulterior motives.
However, the old man’s motives would never be hidden from Jing Yun or Sheng Xiao.
And after hearing her story, Jing Yun told her straightaway, “I won’t stop you if you go back, because it only matters that you’re happy. That said, you need to know that Grandpa’s real aim is to use the Xu family connection to hold Huang Yao together.”
Sheng Minglan felt a chill going down her spine at those words.
Why did her grandfather have to be so calculative with his own family at every waking moment?
***
Moments later, Sheng Xiao led Mu Qiqi into the room.
The Crown Prince of Huang Yao.
The eyes of every guest turned toward him and Mu Qiqi.
Somehow, even though he was no longer Huang Yao’s Crown Prince, his kingly stature compelled others into submission.
And though the Xu couple were meeting him for the first time, they immediately acknowledge his legendary character in the presence of his grace.
“Chief Xu, Madam Xu,” Sheng Xiao greeted them courteously.
“Oh, Young Master Sheng. You are truly something else… Our Feng’er is lucky to receive your instruction.” Mama Xu quickly showered him with praise.
“You flatter me, Madam Xu.”
That was when Sheng Xiao’s gaze found the old man who sat in a corner, but he didn’t acknowledge him.
The guests were curious too: what would happen between Sheng Xiao and the old man?”
“Please make yourself comfortable, Young Master Sheng. We have other guests to greet, so please forgive us if our hospitality proves lacking.”
Sheng Xiao nodded, but when he led Mu Qiqi towards Jing Yun for a greeting, Old Sheng walked up to him and said, “Follow me.”
The old man had already walked ahead, assuming Sheng Xiao would follow him. However, Sheng Xiao completely ignored him, and instead headed straight towards Jing Yun.
“Have you got the test results?”
Jing Yun nodded. “Yes. And it is as you’ve guessed.”
“And when are you planning to go public with that information?”
“When I have another piece of evidence.” Jing Yun answered Sheng Xiao with composure, when Second Brother came to Sheng Xiao.
“Eighth Brother, save Grandpa some face since it’s an occasion like this,” he told Sheng Xiao. “He’s waiting for you in the garden.”
Sheng Xiao studied Second Brother for a moment and nodded. “If you want me to make him mad, sure…”
“You’ve left the family all of a sudden and left a mess such of things… whether it’s business or personal, you ought to offer Grandpa an explanation.”
“My fiancée is suddenly not my fiancée. Anyone care to explain that to me?” Sheng Xiao asked in return while lowering his gaze to Mu Qiqi.
Even so, he did not give Second Brother a hard time, and instead patted Qiqi’s back and telling her, “Go find Fourth Sister and have a chat with her. I’ll be back soon.”
“Is it going to be alright?”
“That depends on whether Second Brother brought aspirin.” Sheng Xiao chuckled and walked away, ahead of Second Brother.