Chapter 126: A Kind Father and a Filial Son

Chu Bing nodded, indicating she was ready. Her obedient nod, seen through Li Mohan’s eyes, struck him as somewhat endearing. He wanted to reach out and touch her hair but stopped himself abruptly, realizing Old Zhao was likely watching them from inside the room.

Outside the courtyard, a guard poked his head out, about to speak, but a sharp glance from Li Mohan silenced him instantly. Li Mohan recognized him as one of the guards serving the Prime Minister Li.

“I’ve prepared some food in my room. Sit for a while; I’ll come find you soon,” Li Mohan said coolly. Before Chu Bing could respond, he left the courtyard. Old Zhao, who had been inside, hurriedly followed. Chu Bing, watching his swift pace, strongly suspected he had been eavesdropping on their conversation.

Old Zhao, unfazed by Chu Bing’s suspicious gaze, calmly stepped out. Li Mohan cast him a brief glance. “Father asked me to go over. You go find Third Young Master and have him come too.”

“Third Young Master?” Old Zhao was taken aback. The Third Young Master was usually distant from both the First and Second Young Masters. Why summon him now?

Li Mohan offered no explanation and left with the guard. Old Zhao clenched his teeth, watching Li Mohan’s retreating figure before turning towards Li Haoran’s courtyard.

The Prime Minister Li had recently taken up flower cultivation. When Li Mohan arrived, his father was watering newly bloomed peonies.

“Father,” Li Mohan said respectfully, bowing slightly a few steps away.

“You’re here. Did you rest well last night?” The Prime Minister’s gaze was warm, like a kind father inspecting his child. “I heard you didn’t like the maid I sent you?”

Li Mohan’s expression remained unchanged.

“That maid caused too much trouble. I find her a nuisance.”

“Trouble?” The Prime Minister smiled wryly. “Could it be she offended your precious darling, so you sent her back?”

Li Mohan’s eyelids flickered subtly, but his voice was cold and detached. “She’s just a maid. Nothing worth mentioning. She’s stayed long enough and is convenient to use.”

“Oh?” The Prime Minister scrutinized him closely, then suddenly laughed heartily. “Why put on a front before me?”

He stepped beside Li Mohan, patting his shoulder with a nostalgic tone. “I still remember when you first came to me—a child who knew nothing. In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown so much. I’ve always regarded you as my own son. If you like that maid, bring her to me.”

Li Mohan lowered his head, silent.

The Prime Minister’s smile softened slightly, his eyes flashing. “Hanner, would I ever trouble that little maid?”

“No!” Li Mohan shook his head quickly, his eyes devoid of emotion. “I have no feelings for that maid. Father, you needn’t say more. I’ll send her away as soon as I return.”

The Prime Minister studied Li Mohan for a long moment. Li Mohan met his gaze without a hint of evasion.

After a pause, the Prime Minister chuckled. “You’re a stubborn child. Fine, if you ever dislike a maid again, just tell me directly. I’ll send her back. No need for misunderstandings.”

“Yes.” A faint relaxation flickered in Li Mohan’s eyes.

The Prime Minister led Li Mohan to admire the flowers he’d nurtured. For a moment, the two resembled a devoted father and son.

Meanwhile, Chu Bing, having eaten all morning in Li Mohan’s courtyard, suddenly remembered her red envelope was still missing. She had planned to use the martial skills she learned to teach Li Haoran.

She clapped her hands and instantly teleported out of Li Mohan’s courtyard.

The estate seemed unusually tense, completely on lockdown. Chu Bing frowned at the even stricter guards than the day before.

“System, you have to give me some clue, right? What if I haven’t found the red envelope or become a martial arts master yet, and I’m already dead…”

She sat on the wall, muttering to herself.

Perhaps moved by her desperation, the system coldly responded with two words: “South.”

“South?”

Chu Bing hesitated, then shrugged and stood up. With nothing better to do, she decided to head south and take a look.

She traveled southward, cloaked by an invisibility formation, passing no one until she reached a familiar courtyard.

“Isn’t this the Prime Minister Li’s courtyard?”

She carefully concealed herself. Numerous soldiers stood outside; she dared not be seen.

Suddenly, a hurried figure came rushing toward her.

It was Li Haoran!

His face was pale, and Old Zhao followed closely behind. The surrounding soldiers respectfully parted to let him through.

Seeing Li Haoran’s expression, could something serious have happened?

Chu Bing bit her lip, her curiosity winning. She leapt onto the wall.

What met her eyes was Li Mohan and the Prime Minister watering flowers together.

“Father!”

Li Haoran entered the courtyard and spotted Li Mohan and the Prime Minister deep in pleasant conversation, his expression shifting.

The Prime Minister glanced at him. “So careless, what kind of manners are those?”

When Li Haoran reached them, his tone softened. “What’s happened?”

Li Haoran glanced at Li Mohan, who looked back calmly.

“Oh, nothing much. I just suddenly solved a difficult problem, so I’m a bit pleased,” Li Haoran said with a carefree smile, though the depth in his eyes went unnoticed by others.

“You still act like a child!” The Prime Minister scolded but his tone hid a trace of pride.

Li Mohan pretended not to hear and stood quietly.

Inside the courtyard, the three of them chatted animatedly. On the wall, Chu Bing’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the large red envelope hanging on the Prime Minister.

The glow almost blinded her!

She had been momentarily distracted, and when she looked again, the red envelope had suddenly appeared on the Prime Minister’s person!

After her excitement, Chu Bing realized there was no way she could take the red envelope from the Prime Minister now.

Not only was he surrounded by soldiers, but he himself was a martial arts master. Getting close to him would be nearly impossible!

“Hanner, those small tribes beyond the frontier have been attacking us repeatedly, probably testing the court’s stance. Our estate lies between the court and the tribes. If conflict breaks out, we’ll face them first. I plan to send you with a team to scout and count the forces of the nearby tribes…”

“Yes.”

“Father, I want to go too!”

Li Mohan had just agreed when Li Haoran eagerly stepped forward to volunteer. “I’ve studied military strategy and martial arts here for so long. Please let me go out and gain some experience…”

“No!” The Prime Minister refused without hesitation. “It’s too dangerous outside. Until you grow stronger, you’re not allowed to go anywhere!”

He suddenly realized Li Mohan was still standing beside him and quickly added, “Hanner, your skills have already reached the level of a top master. You’re different from that brat.”