Chapter 428: After All, He Is Chen Shi’s Son
Yu Zhengqing showed no signs of awkwardness. It was as if he had countless words and emotions bottled up inside. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
“This time, I dragged sister-in-law into this, and I caused all of you to worry. That was my mistake. But at least, both sister-in-law and Xiao Luo returned safely.”
“I don’t want to dwell on the past anymore,” Yu Haojie replied coolly. “Fortunately, my wife and Xiao Luo are unharmed. I understand your urgency in trying to clear the Yu family’s name, but your reckless decisions will not be tolerated again.
“I am forgiving you today—but not because of our blood ties. I am only doing so because, over the past year, you have repeatedly protected us.
“But I’ve already said this before: we will never be brothers again.
“Now, tell me—why have you come today? Speak plainly, no need to beat around the bush.”
Yu Zhengqing had hoped that, today, the rift between them might finally be healed.
But he had underestimated the depth of Yu Haojie’s resentment.
So be it. Some things can never be reversed, and some wounds will never heal.
Still, the mere fact that they were able to sit down and speak calmly was already more than Yu Zhengqing had expected.
Whether Yu Haojie acknowledged him or not no longer mattered.
As long as he himself still saw Yu Haojie as his brother, that was enough.
“I came today to tell you about my recent trip to the capital,” Yu Zhengqing explained. “And also, to bring Lan Shi back.”
“Lan Shi?”
Yu Luo, who had been silent until now, suddenly looked slightly surprised.
“I already released her, didn’t I?”
Yu Luo’s gaze shifted to Yu Xiaoxuan, standing behind Yu Zhengqing.
Yu Xiaoxuan looked completely clueless. He glanced at Yu Luo, then at Yu Zhengqing, before quickly shaking his head.
“No, she’s not here. I tried checking on her a few times afterward, but I never saw her again.”
The moment Yu Xiaoxuan said this, both Yu Zhengqing and Yu Luo’s expressions darkened.
“Are you certain?”
“Yes! That night, I rushed back to Luo City specifically to see if I could take her away. But when I got there—she was already gone.
“I even tried going back two days later, during the daytime, thinking she might be working in the courtyard, but… she was nowhere to be found.”
Yu Luo’s gaze turned cold.
“I told you before—you took Chen Shi and Yu Meiyao in the chaos.
“I knew it.
“But I didn’t send anyone after you.
“I simply released Lan Shi that very night.
“As for where she went?
“I have no idea.”
Hearing this, Yu Zhengqing grew increasingly uneasy.
No matter what, Lan Shi was his woman.
Even if she was only a concubine, she had borne him two children and had been with him for over a decade.
“Xiao Luo, are you absolutely sure?”
Yu Zhengqing’s voice was urgent, and his concern was clearly visible.
“What about Xiaoyun? Is he still in your hands?”
Yu Zhengqing was growing desperate.
Before, he had been furious at Lan Shi for her stupidity in getting involved with Chen Shi.
But now that both Lan Shi and their youngest son, Yu Xiaoyun, had disappeared, how could he not be worried?
Over the past few days, he had been busy handling other matters.
He hadn’t worried too much because he assumed Yu Luo wouldn’t harm them.
But now…
Hearing Yu Zhengqing’s anxious tone, Yu Luo’s face darkened.
“A child? Why would I capture a child?”
Yu Luo coldly met Yu Zhengqing’s gaze, her voice icy.
“Yu Zhengqing, do you really think I’m that despicable?”
She was clearly offended.
And Yu Zhengqing, knowing her temper, realized she was telling the truth.
Yu Luo wasn’t the type to lie about something like this.
If she wanted them dead, she wouldn’t go after an irrelevant concubine—she’d go straight for Chen Shi.
If she had taken action, she wouldn’t deny it.
Now, with Yu Luo adamantly denying any involvement, Yu Zhengqing felt his heart sink.
“This… how could this happen?”
Yu Zhengqing turned sharply to Yu Xiaoxuan, anger flashing in his eyes.
“You’re his older brother—how could you lose him?!”
His frustration and anger boiled over, his face turning pale.
One hand clutched his chest, as if he was in pain.
“If they’ve been missing for too long, they’re probably not safe anymore,” Yu Luo remarked indifferently.
“Xiaoyun is still just a child.
“Who knows if he’s even alive at this point?”
“As for Lan Shi…
“If she was trying to return to Stone Mountain, she could’ve easily followed the coal transport route.
“That area is within Luo City’s protective zone, so it wouldn’t have been dangerous for her.
“Unless…
“She deliberately hid herself.
“Or someone took her away.”
Just then, Yu Haojie suddenly spoke up, as if remembering something.
“Wait—I recall something!”
Everyone immediately turned toward him.
“A few days ago, Zhang Yuan and the others mentioned that they saw Lan Shi in Luo City.
“She even ate a meal at their blacksmith shop.
“After that, Zhang Jia’s second son escorted her to the Second House Teashop.”
“We should ask Zhang Jia’s second son about this,” Yu Haojie concluded.
“No need,” Yu Xiaoxuan stood up.
“I’ll go personally. We can’t afford to waste time.”
Yu Luo scoffed silently.
He’s not afraid of wasting time—he’s just afraid that if we send our people, they’ll find out the truth before he can cover it up.
Yu Zhengqing, however, didn’t overthink it and immediately stood up as well.
“I’ll go too.
“I’ll tell you about the capital’s situation later.
“For now, I need to find my wife and son first.”
Neither Yu Luo nor Yu Haojie made any attempt to see them off.
Once they were gone, Yu Luo frowned and turned to her father.
“Father, I noticed your attitude toward Yu Zhengqing has changed.”
Hearing this, Yu Haojie let out a thoughtful sigh.
“Yu Zhengqing isn’t evil,” he admitted.
“Honestly, sometimes I even admire his shameless persistence.
“No matter how coldly we treated him, he never gave up on trying to mend our relationship.
“But the truth is…
“He doesn’t understand that I never hated him.
“I only hate Chen Shi.”
Yu Luo narrowed her eyes.
“You’re right.
“Yu Zhengqing doesn’t deserve to die.
“The one who does…
“Is Chen Shi.
“But…
“Yu Zhengqing is her son.
“And that will never change.”
Yu Haojie smiled bitterly.
“Exactly.
“No matter what, he is Chen Shi’s son.
“But I do wonder…
“He came back from the capital with reinforcements.
“Just what exactly did he gain from this trip?”
(End of Chapter 428)
