Chapter 28: Sugar Water

Luo Family’s Second Miss had been missing for a few days, and the Luo Family had already started sending people to search for her in various gambling houses and brothels, but there was no trace of her.

“Where do you think Yi’er has gone? How come she hasn’t returned for several days?” Madam Liu was already starting to feel anxious, always having a sense of unease.

Two years ago, Sheng’er had disappeared just like this without a trace, and no matter how hard they searched, they couldn’t find her. How could a person just vanish into thin air like that?

“You’re asking me, but who should I ask?” The Luo Family Head’s face was gloomy. With her birthday coming up soon, there were more troubles arising.

“You don’t think something has happened to Yi’er, do you?” Just thinking about this possibility made Madam Liu’s vision go black. This was their last daughter! How could she live if something happened to her?

The Luo Family Head looked at her impatiently. “What could happen? If someone had kidnapped her for money, they would have already contacted us. She must be hiding in some brothel again, that scoundrel.” Could it be that she had racked up a huge debt again?

Hearing her say that, Madam Liu felt a little better.

“If not, then she must be staying at one of her lovers’ homes. I’ve told her so many times! If someone really kills her in the future, don’t blame me for not saving her!” The Luo Family Head angrily scolded, her face turning black.

Yes, the Second Miss of the Luo Family not only liked to visit brothels to hook up with young male escorts, but she also had another hobby of seducing married men and engaging in illicit affairs. It was common for her to spend a few nights at someone else’s home.

Madam Liu thought about it and felt there was a possibility. She let out a sigh of relief, but hearing her wife speak about their daughter in such a manner, she became unhappy. “How can you blame Yi’er for this? Isn’t it because those shameless men don’t uphold their marital duties and seduce Yi’er because we have money?”

“Hmph, it’s because you spoil her like this that she’ll eventually cause trouble!”

Madam Liu tidied her clothes, not taking it to heart. “We have plenty of silver. Is there anything that silver can’t solve? Besides, when that bastard marries the Commandery Princess, we’ll have another backer. What is there to fear?”

The Luo Family Head didn’t refute her on this point. Indeed, once she had money and power in the future, what would she have to fear?

“Family Head, Family Head, there’s a letter from the Second Miss.” The butler rushed into the main hall.

A letter?

“What trouble is she causing now? Why hasn’t she returned?” Hearing that there was a letter from Luo Yi, the Luo Family Head also felt somewhat relieved.

Taking the letter from the butler’s hand and opening it, it was indeed her handwriting. It said that she was currently in a town outside the capital. She had seen a handsome young master in the town and would return once she was done playing around, definitely before her birthday.

The letter also carried an air of promiscuity, very much like Luo Yi’s character.

The Luo Family Head slapped the letter on the table, her face full of anger. “I knew this unfilial daughter wouldn’t get into any real trouble. She only goes and does these things that bring shame to my face!”

Madam Liu looked at the Luo Family Head anxiously. “What’s the matter? What did Yi’er say?”

She directly tossed the letter to Madam Liu. “What else could she say? She just goes and does those sordid things whenever she sees a handsome young master, as if going to brothels isn’t enough, she even has to go find respectable families!”

Don’t let her come to the residence and make a scene later when she can’t get rid of them.

Hearing this, Madam Liu finally let out the last sigh of relief. “It’s fine as long as nothing has happened. Why do you care what she does?”

The Luo Family Head looked at her with a gaze of disappointment, not wanting to say more.

“Where is the young master now?” The Luo Family Head asked the butler standing to the side.

“The young master is currently in the courtyard.” The butler replied.

Madam Liu let out a cold laugh. “Just make sure he doesn’t wander around. Who knows when a promiscuous person like him will sneak out to meet his lovers again.”

“Keep a close eye on the young master these next few days. Report to me immediately if anything happens.” The Luo Family Head felt that what he said made sense. They couldn’t let him cause trouble at this critical juncture.

“Understood.”

“You may go.” The Luo Family Head waved her hand at the butler.

After the butler withdrew, Madam Liu leaned over and whispered, “Did that bastard go to that remote place just for that Doctor Si?”

The Luo Family Head nodded heavily.

Madam Liu sneered disdainfully. “That Doctor Si is also a fool. Instead of staying in the capital, he ran off to that poor and remote place.”

The Luo Family Head took a sip of tea without saying anything.

“However, even if he is respected, what use is it if he has no power or influence?” He said with contempt.

The Luo Family Head frowned and glanced at him. “Don’t let others hear you, or it will be troublesome if word gets out.”

“Hmph.” Madam Liu snorted. He didn’t even bother to talk about that pair of adulterers.

“When you have time, go sit with him and chat. It’s also good to keep an eye on him.”

“What? Why do you want me to watch over that bastard?” Madam Liu’s voice was shrill. He had nothing good to say about that bastard son.

“Can’t you just have the servants watch him?”

This fool, the Luo Family Head felt herself losing patience with him. “He’s about to marry the Commandery Princess. Take this opportunity to get closer to him and let others see you as a good father. Won’t the Commandery Princess value us even more then?”

Madam Liu was still reluctant. “I’m afraid he’ll anger me to death.” He paused for a moment and then said, “Besides, even if I’m good to him, he might not be happy about it.”

He always acted superior in front of him, just like his dead father, making people hate him.

“What can he do even if he’s unwilling? Endure it for now, and you won’t have to see him again in the future. You’ll also gain the reputation of a loving father. What more are you unhappy about?”

Come to think of it, Madam Liu nodded reluctantly.

Suddenly, a vicious gleam flashed in the Luo Family Head’s eyes. “Also, find a way to make him take that medicine.” She certainly wouldn’t be content to let him off easily.

Madam Liu seemed to understand her intention. The previous discontent disappeared in an instant, replaced by a malicious smile. “Alright.”

……

In the pavilion, Luo Shaoxuan was currently playing chess alone. Qingpo stood by his side, and there was no one else besides them.

Luo Shaoxuan had dismissed all the servants outside.

Luo Shaoxuan propped his chin with one hand, his dark hair cascading over his shoulders, with some strands falling onto the table.

“Young Master, everything has been taken care of.” Qingpo’s hoarse voice spoke up.

“Oh.” He propped his chin, responding indifferently. His slender fingers picked up a chess piece and gently placed it down.

“What was their reaction?”

He asked.

“They truly believed it without a doubt.”

“Tsk.” How boring. It was too easy for them to believe it. It seemed he had overestimated them.

“Now Consort Liu is bringing over sugar water. The sugar water contains a contraceptive decoction.” They wanted Luo Shaoxuan to be cast aside and divorced in the end even if he was favored in the beginning, as long as he didn’t have children after getting married.

Luo Shaoxuan’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, a cold smile playing on his lips. “They sure have thought it through.” His words were full of sarcasm.

Qingpo had already reported everything to him.

“This subordinate will take his leave first.”

“Mm.”

As soon as Qingpo left, Consort Liu’s figure appeared in the courtyard, with a servant boy beside him carrying a tray.

Luo Shaoxuan continued to place chess pieces, seeming not to notice him. Consort Liu walked slowly to Luo Shaoxuan and sat down.

Seeing him playing chess alone, Consort Liu smiled like a truly loving father. “Xuan’er really has a leisurely temperament.”

Luo Shaoxuan still had his eyes lowered, playing chess without even glancing at him. His voice was slow and drawling. “Second Father seems to have even more leisure than Shaoxuan, to have the time to come over.”

Hearing the words “Second Father,” the smile on Consort Liu’s face stiffened. He almost couldn’t hold it in.

He thought about the plan and his smile became even more benevolent. “We haven’t had a good chat together as father and son for a long time. I was thinking, since you’re getting married soon, there won’t be many opportunities for us to gather in the future.”

“Indeed, we haven’t had a proper chat in seventeen years.” Luo Shaoxuan raised his eyes and glanced at him with a mocking gaze.

Consort Liu’s throat choked up at his sarcastic remark, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Luo Shaoxuan couldn’t be bothered to waste words with him. He placed down a chess piece. “I wonder what Second Father is looking for Shaoxuan for?”

Reminded, Consort Liu put on a smile again, his tone gentle. “It’s nothing much. It’s just that the weather has been scorching recently, so I made you a bowl of sugar water.” With that, he beckoned to the servant boy behind him.

The servant boy stepped forward and placed the tray on the table. Consort Liu directly put the bowl of sugar water in front of Luo Shaoxuan, his smile becoming even more benevolent.

Luo Shaoxuan looked at him indifferently, the corners of his lips curling into an enigmatic smile.

Frightened by his eerie smile, Consort Liu almost thought he had been found out. But thinking about it, he felt it was impossible.

His kind smile became somewhat stiff. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing. It’s just that Second Father is suddenly being so good to Shaoxuan, which is a bit unfamiliar.” He continued playing chess, his words carrying a deeper meaning.

“What are you saying? Although I’m not your biological father, I’ve always treated you as my own child. It’s just that you were too disobedient in the past, so I neglected you.” He spoke as if he truly meant it, and if it were someone else, they might have believed him a little.

Luo Shaoxuan let out a light “Oh” and looked at the chessboard.

He still didn’t drink the sugar water.

Consort Liu, watching from the side, felt a bit anxious. He said, “Xuan’er, drink the sugar water before playing chess.”

“Why is Second Father in such a hurry?”

“I’m not in a hurry. It’s just that I specially made this for Xuan’er and wanted you to taste it and see how it is.” Being questioned like this, Consort Liu became nervous, and his speech was a bit unnatural.

“In that case… wouldn’t Xuan’er be letting down Second Father’s kind intentions if I don’t drink it?”

“Isn’t that right?” Consort Liu smiled again.

Luo Shaoxuan nodded with an air of understanding and slowly picked up the sugar water.

He directly poured the sugar water into the lake right in front of Consort Liu.

Then he turned around and looked at him indifferently. “Letting you down, what can you do about it, Second Father?”

“You!” Consort Liu couldn’t hold back anymore. He slammed the table and stood up, pointing at Luo Shaoxuan in a rage. “Given face but not wanting it, who do you think you are! Without the Luo Family, you’re just a pitiful wretch. Do you really think you’re some big young master?” The current Consort Liu no longer had the previous benevolence. His tone was vicious and sharp, like a shrew throwing a tantrum.

Luo Shaoxuan looked at him as if watching a joke. “Second Father, right now, you’re like a stinking bug struggling in its dying moments.” After saying that, his smile faded, and he looked at Consort Liu coldly. “Simply ridiculous.”

Consort Liu’s eyes turned slightly red with anger as he glared at Luo Shaoxuan viciously, as if wanting to tear him to pieces.

The servant boy behind him quickly came forward to support Consort Liu and whispered in his ear, “The Family Head instructed not to get into conflicts with the Young Master for now.”

Consort Liu turned his head and glared at the servant boy maliciously, slapping him hard across the face. His voice was shrill, “Since when is it your place to manage my affairs!” With that, he gave Luo Shaoxuan another vicious glare and left the courtyard in resentment.

The servant boy covered his face, bowed to Luo Shaoxuan, and hurried after Consort Liu.

Throughout all this, Luo Shaoxuan seemed to be completely detached from the situation. His slender hand reached out and locked the last escape route on the chessboard.

He leaned against the pavilion pillar and looked towards the lake, a smile playing on his lips.

The fun was about to begin.