Duke of Han’s Face Darkened Instantly

“Is what he said true?”

Duke of An forced a smile. “Dear brother, there are many complexities in this matter. Why don’t we go inside and talk it over in detail?”

“Who are you calling ‘dear brother’?” The Duke of Han’s attitude changed drastically.

“How dare you speak to my father like that!” Jiang Qisheng glared at him angrily.

In his eyes, no one in Shengjing would dare raise their voice at his father.

“Shut up!” Duke of An scolded sternly.

The Duke of Han was a close minister of the emperor and commanded a million frontier troops.

He was not someone they could afford to offend.

Jiang Qisheng obediently shut his mouth and stepped aside.

“My son was reckless; please don’t take offense, Duke of Han,” Duke of An apologized with a smile.

Duke of Han looked down on Duke of An. Now, he found his entire family repulsive.

A man who could drive his legitimate son out of the house—what kind of character could he have?

What kind of family values?

“Reckless and ignorant, with no sense of propriety. Shifty-eyed and brainless.” Duke of Han mercilessly criticized Jiang Qisheng before turning back to Duke of An. “Are you blind? You abandoned an excellent eldest son for such a useless fool?”

With that, he turned and left.

Duke of An’s face was ugly.

He had never thought his second son was embarrassing before, but now, he saw him for what he was—utter trash.

Not only had he offended the Duke of Han, but he himself had also been thoroughly disdained.

If his eldest son were here, he would have handled things with ease.

But it was too late.

He had already driven him out.

..

Duke of Han inquired along the way and finally found the residence of Jiang’s eldest branch in Anhe Alley.

Madam Chen was feeding Jiang Yuanxi porridge when a servant came in.

“Madam, the people in the front courtyard say Duke of Han is requesting to see you.”

[Duke of Han? Oh! He’s the father of the lady I met at the temple last time.]

[The same one who spoke up for the Chen family.]

Madam Chen immediately stood up.

She had been thanking the wrong person all along—this time, she had to express her gratitude in person.

“Come, let’s go to the front courtyard.”

Jiang Fengyuan was already entertaining the guest.

Duke of Han held onto Jiang Fengyuan, calling him “virtuous nephew” with great affection.

As if Jiang Fengyuan were his long-lost son.

“My dear nephew, last time, it was all thanks to your wife. If that old man troubles you again, just send someone to inform me.”

“You have to maintain decorum, but I don’t! I’ll make sure he can’t get out of bed and never dares to bother you again!”

“And that shifty-eyed illegitimate son of his—I’ll help you beat him up too.”

Duke of Han, being a general, spoke bluntly and directly.

Jiang Fengyuan found this refreshing.

“Han Bo, what are you saying? It is I who should be thanking you.” As for those vile people, how could he let them dirty Duke of Han’s hands?

The two chatted merrily, addressing each other as nephew and uncle in no time.

When Madam Chen arrived, she heard nothing but hearty laughter from the courtyard.

“Chen Xinwan of the Chen family greets Uncle Han!”

Madam Chen knelt and bowed deeply.

This bow was not just for herself but for the entire Chen family.

For the twenty-some lives lost in her family.

Jiang Yuanxi also knelt beside her.

But because she was too plump, she couldn’t bow properly.

She used too much force and ended up rolling over, landing flat on her back.

Duke of Han laughed as he picked her up, then helped Madam Chen up as well.

“No need for such formality.”

“Grandpa Han!” Jiang Yuanxi called out sweetly.

“Ah!”

Duke of Han had no grandchildren, and upon seeing Jiang Yuanxi, he was utterly delighted.

The wrinkles on his face deepened with his broad smile.

The little girl was fair, round, and full of good fortune.

That old fool actually didn’t cherish such an adorable granddaughter!

“Fengyuan, my wife has always wanted grandchildren. Your daughter is so lovely—why not let her visit my residence?”

Jiang Fengyuan did not dare refuse.

“Of course, that would be Yuanxi’s great fortune.”

Madam Chen dressed the little one up properly.

Knowing she was going out, Jiang Yuanxi even ran to the kitchen.

She packed a full bundle of snacks before boarding Duke of Han’s carriage.

Since Jiang Yuanxi needed someone to take care of her, Madam Chen was also invited to the Han residence.

However, her carriage followed behind.

Once on board, Jiang Yuanxi took out a piece of dried fruit from her heavy bundle.

“Grandpa Han, eat this—it’s nutritious!”

“Good, good, Grandpa will eat it!” Duke of Han leaned forward and took it.

“Mm, delicious!”

He glanced at the little one’s bundle.

“What else do you have in there?”

He lifted it slightly—it was quite heavy.

He wondered how such a tiny child could carry it.

“A secret!” Jiang Yuanxi hugged the bundle tightly with both arms and legs.

Before they reached the Han residence, an accident occurred.

The carriage hit a beggar child on the street.

“What happened?” Duke of Han asked the driver.

“My lord, we hit someone.”

It wasn’t really the driver’s fault.

The beggar had walked straight into the moving carriage.

Fortunately, the driver had pulled the reins in time, or the wheels would have crushed the child.

Duke of Han got down, carrying Jiang Yuanxi.

On the ground lay a boy, around ten years old, wearing tattered clothes with messy hair.

Only his eyes remained bright.

Duke of Han instinctively took out a piece of silver and tossed it to the boy.

It seemed he had encountered such situations often.

The boy’s eyes lit up.

He had bet correctly—his siblings would have a full meal today.

Madam Chen got out of her carriage and felt sympathy for the poor boy.

“Mother, don’t give him money!”

The boy’s expression tensed, his gaze turning resentful toward the little girl.

Jiang Yuanxi stopped Madam Chen.

“If you give it to him, he’ll do this every day!”

The boy’s face flushed with embarrassment.

He took the silver, dragged his injured leg, and quickly ran away.

Duke of Han carried Jiang Yuanxi back onto the carriage.

Recalling the scene, he couldn’t help but ask,

“Why didn’t you let your mother give him money? With silver, they could all have a full meal.”

Jiang Yuanxi shook her head.

If they gave money, these boys would take pride in this method, treating it as a way to make a living.

This time, they met kind people like them and only got slightly hurt.

Next time, if they encountered the spoiled sons of noble families, they might lose their lives.

Jiang Yuanxi looked seriously at Duke of Han.

“Teaching someone to rely on a donkey is better than just giving them a donkey!”

Duke of Han froze for a second before bursting into laughter.

“Hahaha! Well said! Teach the donkey, teach the donkey!”

The little girl was truly a joy.

Such wisdom at her age—it was clear her parents had raised her well.

Duke of An had truly lost a treasure!

If only he had such a lovely granddaughter.

Jiang Yuanxi felt Grandpa Han’s laughter was odd, but she couldn’t tell why.

From the carriage behind, Madam Chen finally felt at ease.