Yu Tianxing turned at the sound of laughter and laughed himself when he saw Hu Xiaotian and his companion. "Lord Hu, you watched me get beaten without gallantly coming to my rescue. That really wasn't very kind!"
Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily. "It's only natural for a father to discipline his son. Besides, even an upright magistrate can't untangle family disputes. How could I meddle in the Yu family's affairs?"
Yu Tianxing said, "A beating from my father actually did me some good. It swept every trace of sluggishness out of me. I feel much more energetic now."
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "What did you mean by what you said just now, Young Master Yu?"
Yu Tianxing said, "Nothing in particular. Living under someone else's roof, I was just airing a few complaints. Lord Hu, you saved our lives. Your kindness was like giving us life anew, and I'm deeply grateful."
Zhu Guanqi said, "That sounded rather snide and utterly insincere."
Yu Tianxing rolled his eyes and regarded Zhu Guanqi haughtily. "And who are you? A military strategist or an adviser?"
Zhu Guanqi smiled. "My name is Zhu Guanqi. I was born and raised here. I just heard you say there would be a war, Young Master Yu. Where might this war take place?"
Yu Tianxing laughed. "With all your resourcefulness, why would you need to ask me?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "Why don't you tell us, Young Master Yu?"
Yu Tianxing said, "You two gentlemen didn't come here to listen to me talk. You suspect that we refugees were behind the attack on the Great Yong merchant caravan, don't you?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "How could we make reckless accusations without evidence?"
Yu Tianxing smiled. "You're a clever man, Lord Hu. Anyone else would probably have already brought an army here and turned