Sleeping in the Street

"Ow, it hurts, it hurts..."

Jun Wushang suddenly heard his mother's words and immediately dared not use any force, afraid he might hurt her.

Helpless, he could only resort to a miserable shriek to awaken his mother's maternal love.

"If there's a next time, just see how I'll deal with you."

As she spoke, she kicked Jun Wushang in the buttocks again.

"This must be Xue'er, right? You and Sister Yan look as though you were carved from the same mold." Madam Liu took Zhang Xue's hand and examined her carefully before asking, "How has your mother been lately?"

"Aunt Liu, she's well!"

"Mother has been doing quite well. She even said that she would come to the Imperial City to visit you after some time."

"That's wonderful. I've been missing your mother too..."

The two of them walked farther and farther away, arm in arm like mother and daughter.

They had completely forgotten the two people behind them.

Two hours later.

After settling everything in their new home,

the four of them rode to Tianxiang Tower.

After getting out of the carriage, Li Wen hurried forward and helped Madam Liu down. "Aunt Liu."

"Wen'er, I've made you spend money again this time."

"Aunt Liu, you're making Wen'er look bad. Tianxiang Tower is our own family's business. I couldn't be happier that you came. What do you mean, spend money or not?"

"The kitchen has already put your favorite vinegar-braised fish slices over a low flame. Let's hurry inside."

Li Wen stepped aside and led the way.

The five of them arrived at a private room on the second floor.

As soon as they sat down, the waiters brought out dish after dish of delicious food.

"First of all, to welcome my younger sister-in-law, let's have a drink. Aunt Liu, you can substitute tea for wine."

"Good. None of you are allowed to overindulge either—just drink enough to show your respect." Madam Liu nodded slightly before giving them a reminder.

"Yes, Aunt Liu."

"Yes, Mother."

Wei Qing and the other two answered in unison.

"Cheers."

At the same time.

At Wei Manor.

With a sharp crack, Wei Zheng smashed the teacup in his hand and shouted angrily, "Hmph, that brat Wei Qing is becoming more and more disrespectful to his elders."

"After returning to the Capital, he actually didn't come report to me, his second uncle."

"It's already so late, and he still hasn't come home. Who knows where he's gone off to cause trouble again? Just wait until he returns. I'll show him how I deal with him."

Seeing this, Liu Ru continued adding fuel to the fire. "I also heard that Wei Qing obtained some kind of opportunity in Qingcheng."

"He probably got some treasures or something."

"With our son's talent, if he also had some treasures, his future achievements would certainly far surpass his eldest uncle's."

"And with the Third Prince's support, perhaps the entire Wei family will rely on Lin'er to carry it forward in the future."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng's eyes shifted as he found Liu Ru's words more and more reasonable.

If the Third Prince ascended the throne in the future, they would have rendered meritorious service by supporting the future emperor.

"When that brat Wei Qing comes back, I'll make him hand over all his treasures to help our son improve."

Unexpectedly,

they waited the entire night, yet Wei Qing still did not return.

The next day.

After Wei Qing and Li Wen finished breakfast, they tidied up and left the inn.

Jun Wushang had not returned after escorting Madam Liu and Zhang Xue home the previous night.

Their destination was Wei Manor.

By the time the two of them reached Wei Manor, Jun Wushang was already waiting for them there.

"Qingzi, what are you planning to do today?"

Jun Wushang waved the Ink Blade in his hand and stared at the guards at the entrance of Wei Manor with a murderous look.

Under his gaze, the two guards' legs immediately went weak.

"We'll talk after we go inside."

With that, Wei Qing once again took the lead.

Jun Wushang and Li Wen followed closely behind.

"Young Master."

When the guards saw Wei Qing, they bowed respectfully. The matter concerning the former guard commander and steward had already spread among the servants.

Now, whenever the servants at Wei Manor saw Wei Qing, they acted like mice that had spotted a cat, shrinking back in fear and not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

"Hmm."

Wei Qing nodded slightly and entered Wei Manor without stopping.

"Hmph, you brat, you actually know to come back? All you do all day is run wild."

Wei Zheng came after hearing the commotion and immediately began loudly scolding Wei Qing.

"You old thing, this is my brother's home. He can come back whenever he wants. What's it to you?"

Jun Wushang spoke first, angrily firing back at him.

"I'm talking to my nephew. What are you butting in for? You disrespectful wretch, you have no manners at all."

If Jun Wushang had not interfered back then, perhaps the couple's plan would already have succeeded.

Now that he saw him, Wei Zheng's anger flared at once.

"What he says is what I say."

Wei Qing spoke with an icy expression.

He had not the slightest affection for this second uncle of his.

Wei Qing simply could not believe that Liu Ru had poisoned him without Wei Zheng knowing about it.

He had plotted against his own nephew.

For someone so ungrateful, Wei Qing had never intended to show him any courtesy.

"How dare you speak to me like that?"

Wei Zheng was stunned at first. Liu Ru had told him earlier that Wei Qing had changed, but he had not believed her.

Now, it seemed to be true.

The Wei Qing who had once yielded in everything and placed great importance on family ties would never have spoken to him this way.

When he came back to himself, he immediately flew into a rage. "I'm your second uncle, and your father isn't here! I'm the head of this household. Watch yourself, or I'll throw you out of the Wei family."

"Head of the household."

"Throw you out of the Wei family."

"What gives you the right? When did this family become yours to command?"

Wei Qing retorted.

"Your elder brother isn't here! As the oldest senior of the Wei family, naturally I'm the one in charge."

Wei Qing was so angry that he laughed. "Hmph, since Father isn't here, according to the law, I'm the head of this household."

"When did the Great Zhou Law stipulate that when the legitimate son is still alive, outsiders can inherit the family estate by bypassing him?"

"What do you mean, outsider?" Wei Zheng roared furiously upon hearing this. "I'm your own second uncle."

Jun Wushang let out a cold snort. "Now you remember that you're Qingzi's second uncle? How about the poisoning? Dare you say you knew nothing about it?"

A flicker of panic crossed Wei Zheng's eyes.

He immediately pretended to remain calm and shouted, "What nonsense are you spouting? Don't make reckless accusations without evidence. Be careful, or I'll sue you for slander."

Li Wen sneered. "Lord Wei, what an imposing official presence. Shall I inform my father and have him investigate properly?"

Wei Zheng's expression changed slightly, and another flicker of panic crossed his eyes.

"Hmph, then investigate! It was nothing but a nonexistent matter to begin with. If you want to frame us, I doubt even His Highness the Third Prince would agree."

Accompanied by Wei Lin, Liu Ru slowly walked over.

At her words, the panic in Wei Zheng's eyes instantly vanished.

That's right. We still have the Third Prince!

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Wei Qing no longer bothered arguing over whether they had poisoned him.

With a rustle, he unfolded the deed to Wei Manor in his hand.

"The deed is in my hands now. As Father's only son and the legal owner of this estate, I order you to get out of Wei Manor."

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

As he spoke, Wei Qing's right hand moved to the hilt of the Soul Severing Blade.

Jun Wushang drew the Ink Blade.

Li Wen raised his hand and lightly clapped three times. Several guards immediately rushed into Wei Manor, blades in hand, and stood in front of him.

"You unfilial wretch! I'm your own second uncle. If you drive us away, where are we supposed to live?"

Wei Zheng roared furiously.

He had coveted this estate for a very long time.

Great Zhou governed the realm through filial piety. If he could pin the crime of being unfilial on Wei Qing, this estate might well fall into his hands.

Wei Qing smiled. "I think the street would be quite nice. It's spacious, cool, and lively."