Sleeping on the Streets

"Ow, ow, ow... That hurts..."

Caught off guard by his mother's words, Jun Wushang's strength instantly drained away, afraid of hurting her in the slightest. "If there's a next time, just see how I deal with you." As Madam Liu spoke, she gave his backside another neither-light-nor-heavy kick.

Then she stepped forward and took Zhang Xue's hand. "You must be Xue'er, right? How has your mother been lately?"

"Greetings, Aunt Liu!" Zhang Xue replied obediently, her cheeks faintly flushed. "Mother is doing quite well. She even said she would come to the Imperial City to see you in a few days."

"That would be wonderful. I've missed Sister Yan too..."

Once the two began talking, they seemed like mother and daughter, linking arms as they walked farther and farther away, completely forgetting that two grown men were following behind them.

Two hours later, they had finished moving into the new home.

The four of them took a carriage straight to Tianxiang Tower.

The moment they got out, Li Wen hurried forward and carefully helped Madam Liu down. "Aunt Liu."

"Wen'er, you've made another expense for me." Madam Liu smiled and patted his hand.

"Aunt Liu, I'm already thrilled that you honored us with your presence. How could it count as an expense? The kitchen has had your favorite vinegar-braised fish slices simmering over a low flame for ages. Please, come inside."

With that, Li Wen turned sideways and led the way ahead.

Private Room on the Second Floor

As soon as they sat down, the waiter began bringing dish after dish of delicacies.

"First, let's raise a cup to welcome our younger sister-in-law. Aunt Liu, you may use tea in place of wine."

"Alright. But you mustn't drink too much either. Stop while you're ahead." Madam Liu nodded slightly, then gave them a reminder.

"Yes, Aunt Liu."

"Yes, Mother."

"Cheers."

Wei Estate.

With a crack, Wei Zheng smashed the teacup in his hand and roared, "Hmph! That brat Wei Qing is becoming more and more disrespectful toward his elders."

"He's been back in the capital for so long, yet he hasn't come to pay respects to me, his second uncle."

"It's already so late, and he still hasn't come home. Who knows where he's gone to run wild again? When he returns, just see how I deal with him."

Seeing this, Liu Ru continued to add fuel to the flames. "I also heard that Wei Qing encountered some sort of opportunity in Qingcheng."

"He must have obtained some treasures or something."

"With our son's talent, if he gains a few more treasures, his future achievements will surely surpass even his eldest uncle's."

"And with the Third Prince supporting him, perhaps one day the entire Wei family will depend on Lin'er to carry it forward and make it flourish."

Wei Zheng's eyes gleamed as he listened. The more he thought about it, the more he felt Liu Ru's words made sense.

If the Third Prince ascended the throne in the future, then they would have the merit of following the dragon.

"When that brat Wei Qing comes back, I'll make him hand over every last treasure to help our son improve."

Yet unexpectedly.

They waited the entire night, but Wei Qing never returned.

The next morning

After Wei Qing and Li Wen finished breakfast, they made a few simple preparations and left the inn with their men.

After Jun Wushang escorted Madam Liu and Zhang Xue back to the new residence last night, he had not returned.

Their destination this time was the Wei Estate.

By the time they arrived, Jun Wushang was already waiting before the gates of the Wei Estate.

"Qingzi, what are we doing today?"

Jun Wushang shook the Ink Blade in his hand, his icy gaze sweeping over the two guards at the Wei Estate gates. Their legs immediately went weak, and they could barely remain standing.

"We'll talk after we get inside." Wei Qing was succinct, taking the lead as he strode forward.

The guards hurriedly bowed when they saw him. "Young Master."

The matter involving the captain of the guards and the steward had long since spread among the servants.

Now, whenever they saw Wei Qing, they looked like mice that had encountered a cat, not daring to show the slightest negligence.

"Mm."

Wei Qing nodded faintly and walked straight into the Wei Estate.

"Hmph, you brat! So you still know how to come back!" Wei Zheng, who had rushed over after receiving the news, berated Wei Qing the moment he saw him.

"You old bastard, this is my brother's home. He can come back whenever he wants. What the hell does it have to do with you?"

Jun Wushang stepped forward first and furiously snapped back at Wei Zheng.

"I'm speaking to my own nephew. When did it become your turn to interrupt?" Wei Zheng's face twisted with rage.

"What he says is what I say." Wei Qing's tone was freezing cold as his gaze settled on Wei Zheng's face without a trace of warmth.

Liu Ru poisoning him, yet Wei Zheng claimed to know nothing about it?

Wei Qing did not believe a single word.

A man who could poison and murder even his own nephew was an ungrateful wretch. Wei Qing had no intention of showing him a pleasant face.

"How dare you speak to me like that?"

Wei Zheng froze for a moment. Liu Ru had told him before that Wei Qing had changed, but he had not believed her.

Now, it seemed that it was indeed true.

The Wei Qing of the past, who endured everything and valued family ties above all else, would never have spoken to him in such a tone.

Coming back to his senses, Wei Zheng flew into a rage. "Your father isn't here. I am the head of the Wei family! Defy your elders again, and I'll expel you from the Wei family!"

"Head of the family."

"Expel me from the Wei family."

"By what right? Since when was it your turn to call the shots in this house?"

Wei Qing asked as though he had heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Your father isn't here. As the eldest-ranking elder of the Wei family, it naturally falls to me to take charge!" Wei Zheng declared with complete righteousness.

Wei Qing laughed in anger and snorted. "My father isn't here, but according to the Great Zhou Law, I am the rightful head of the Wei family."

"The legitimate son is still alive. How could an outsider be allowed to bypass the legitimate son and inherit the family estate?"

"What outsider!" Wei Zheng was beside himself with rage. "I'm your biological second uncle!"

Jun Wushang snorted from the side. "Now you remember you're Qingzi's second uncle? When he was poisoned, do you dare say you knew nothing at all?"

Wei Zheng's gaze darted about, and he roared without much confidence, "Nonsense! Don't make wild claims without evidence. Watch yourself, or I'll sue you for slander!"

Li Wen sneered. "Lord Wei, what imposing official authority. Shall I ask my father to investigate this properly?"

Wei Zheng's expression changed slightly, and a trace of panic flashed through his eyes.

"Hmph, investigate if you wish. It was all baseless to begin with. If you want to frame us, I doubt His Highness the Third Prince will agree to it."

Liu Ru slowly approached with Wei Lin at her side.

The moment Wei Zheng heard the words "Third Prince," his heart settled, and the panic in his eyes vanished without a trace—right, they still had the Third Prince as their backer!

Once everyone had arrived.

"Whoosh—"

With a flick of his wrist, Wei Qing unfurled the deed in his hand. Black characters on white paper, stamped with the official seal.

"Now, the deed is in my hands."

"As Father's only son, and the lawful owner of this estate—"

"I order all of you to get the hell out of the Wei Estate immediately!"

"Otherwise, I don't mind using force."

As he spoke, Wei Qing placed his right hand on the hilt of the Soul Severing Blade.

Jun Wushang drew the Ink Blade.

Seeing this, Li Wen lightly clapped his hands three times.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The instant the three crisp sounds fell, several guards stepped forward with sabers in hand.

"You... you unfilial son!" Wei Zheng was both shocked and furious, and even the hand pointing at Wei Qing trembled. "I'm your biological second uncle! If you drive us out, where are we supposed to live?"

He had coveted this residence for a long time. Now that Wei Qing had pushed him this far, he decided to play the "filial piety" card.

Great Zhou ruled the realm through filial piety. If he could pin the crime of "unfilial" on Wei Qing, there might still be a chance to turn things around with this estate.

Wei Qing smiled. "I think the streets are quite nice. Plenty of space, cool, and lively too."