OFTLHFRO C108

Chapter 108: A Skilled Actress with Real Ability

Seeing Huo Yan’s expression shift, Luo Mingchen patted his arm and changed the subject. “Then how did you manage to leave the jade pendant here?”

At this, Huo Yan’s gaze turned cold, and he sneered. “Liu Lanyun wanted that pendant, so she slandered me, saying I had stolen something of hers. They turned Qiuyue Courtyard upside down, but never thought I would hide it in the secret compartment under Mother’s bed.”

So that was it…

Luo Mingchen drew in a deep breath, then comforted him. “They owe you. Since we’ve come back, we’ll reclaim everything from them one by one.”

Huo Xinyue blinked, stretched out her tiny hand to clutch Huo Yan’s finger and gave it a shake. Then she raised her other little hand, stomped her foot twice, and piped in her baby voice, “Hit them!”

The trace of sorrow in the air vanished instantly.

Unable to help laughing, Luo Mingchen rubbed Huo Xinyue’s little head. “Xinyue, who taught you to hit people?”

“Bad people should be hit!”

She finished and nodded vigorously, as though confirming her own words.

Uh…

Before Luo Mingchen could say anything, Huo Xiang chimed in: “They went too far, bullying Daddy before. When I grow up, I’ll string them up and beat them.”

Huo Yuhui felt a headache coming on. No need to ask—his little sister’s sudden eagerness to hit people came from following Huo Xiang’s example.

“Xiang… not everything can be solved by force. Do you think, when you’re grown, you’ll be able to beat your two fathers?”

At that, Huo Xiang froze. Looking at Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan, he shook his head awkwardly. “Probably… not.”

“Since your two fathers are so powerful, why haven’t they beaten those people?”

Huo Xiang shook his head honestly. “I don’t know.”

Huo Yuhui said with patient gravity, “Hitting people may vent your anger, but once you raise your hand, you’re breaking the law. What will you do if someone pursues the matter? Even if no one investigates, you’ll no longer have a clear conscience.”

Properly chastised, Huo Xiang nodded obediently. “I understand.”

The children’s sense of right and wrong was not yet fully formed. Luo Mingchen didn’t want Huo Xiang exposed too early to such darkness. A person should first grow with good character. Otherwise, a child taught to think violence could solve every problem would turn into something frightening.

By then, when grown, he’d pick fights at every displeasure—what else would that be but a brute?

So Luo Mingchen placed a hand on Huo Xiang’s shoulder and said: “Xiang, remember this: a world without law is terrifying. The reason we have order now, and don’t just snatch whatever we see in the street, is precisely because laws exist. That’s why we must be the law’s most faithful defenders. Only if there were no laws would violence be the last resort. But even then—before using your fists, you must use your mind.”

Huo Xiang could understand that much. “I know, Little Daddy.”

“Good boy.”

As Luo Mingchen spoke, he thought that in the future he’d better keep fighting well away from Huo Xiang and Huo Xinyue. Children were quick to mimic, and they didn’t weigh consequences. They’d only remember: if something displeased you, just strike.

The room was thick with dust, so after talking they all stepped back outside.

Luo Mingchen was about to ask Huo Yan what came next.

It was precisely because Huo Yuntao was yielding to Huo Yan at every turn that Luo Mingchen suspected some deeper scheme.

It had to be complicated, and dangerous—otherwise, Huo Yuntao would never keep enduring.

In the bamboo grove.

Liu Lanyun’s face grew ugly as she saw the three maids and two matrons brought over bound by the guards.

Even so, she reined in her temper and asked, “What did he say?”

The guard answered, “Madam, Eldest Young Master said he has no need for disobedient people. He also told Madam not to send anyone again. If Madam dares to, he will strike the gongs and drums and let all know Madam runs a brothel within her own quarters…”

At the last words, Liu Lanyun finally lost control, shattering a teacup with a crash.

One of her maids stepped forward to soothe her. “Don’t be angry, Madam. The Eldest has married a man. Perhaps he is innately disinclined toward women. Later we’ll bring more people over, let him choose for himself.”

Drawing in a breath, Liu Lanyun forced her fury down. “Very well.”

With permission, the maid selected over twenty more servants, including several fair-skinned, delicate youths, as well as another five matrons and five maids. With such a selection, there was no fear Huo Yan would not be tempted.

And once Huo Yan kicked that eyesore Luo Mingchen out of the General’s Mansion, would the three children not be left for them to toy with at will?

“Achoo!”

Luo Mingchen suddenly sneezed, rubbing at his itchy nose.

Just then, Huo Yan, who had been speaking, leaned his forehead against his.

Amused, Luo Mingchen pushed his head back. “It’s nothing, I’m far more resistant to cold than you.”

Though he said so, Huo Yan still went and fetched a brazier filled with silver-charcoal to light a fire.

The five of them gathered around the brazier, warming their hands.

Luo Mingchen looked at Huo Yan and asked, “And then?”

Huo Yuhui was also watching his father.

Only by knowing what Huo Yan intended could he decide how to behave toward those people, to ensure he wouldn’t hold them back.

Huo Xiang, though he didn’t fully understand, was eager all the same.

As for Huo Xinyue, she didn’t comprehend a thing, her little head cocked, big round eyes brimming with curiosity.

“In their eyes, we’re country folk who know nothing of etiquette. So there’s no need to be too restrained—we can afford to be a little arrogant.”

At this, Luo Mingchen understood. “So the more brainless we act, the more at ease they’ll feel, right?”

Huo Yan gave a small hum of assent. His gaze shifted to the three children, finally settling on Huo Yuhui. “They will always hold themselves above us. Keep your distance from them. If anyone comes to flaunt their power in front of you, tell me and Mingchen. There’s no need to endure it.”

From Huo Yuntao’s perspective, all he wanted was an eldest son who would die at the border—not one who could truly command the Huo family army.

So this eldest son had best be skilled in martial arts to reassure the Emperor, while being quick-tempered and rash, to reassure him.

But if Huo Yuntao dared to play this game, then perhaps he had already found some way to cure his crippled legs, only needing to bide his time.

At that thought, Huo Yan looked at Luo Mingchen.

“What is it?”

Seeing that meaningful gaze, Luo Mingchen asked curiously, giving his cheek a playful poke.

Huo Yan let him, and said, “Mingchen, I suspect Huo Yuntao already has a means to treat his legs.”

After so long together, their tacit understanding was clear.

Luo Mingchen caught on immediately. “All right, then I’ll extend my perception over the estate and observe.”

Huo Yan’s lips curved faintly. “Good.”

Just as their talk was winding down, a maid’s voice came from outside. “Eldest Young Master, Madam requests your presence!”

The five of them pretended not to hear, remaining seated.

After the maid called several more times, Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan finally stepped out, leaving the three children inside.

When he saw Liu Lanyun holding a hand-warmer, Luo Mingchen smiled politely. “Apologies—the wind was so strong we didn’t hear clearly.”

Liu Lanyun returned a gentle smile. “It doesn’t matter. I heard you disliked those five attendants, so I’ve brought many others for you to choose from. I know you’re unused to being served, but such a large courtyard needs regular cleaning. And besides, there are household chores—surely you can’t handle them all yourself? Moreover, with four of you raising a little girl, wouldn’t it be far better to have a matron care for her?”

Her words dripped with heartfelt sincerity. Had one not already known her true nature, Luo Mingchen might really have been persuaded.

One could only say: in these wealthy households, there were many who were consummate performers—skilled actresses with real ability.