Inside the carriage, Fan Zhu Xia was leaning tiredly into Fan Hui Zhong's embrace as she gently cradled the young boy in her arms while Chun Hua was taking care of the still unconscious little girl.
Her actions weren't missed by her father, instead, Fan Hui Zhong's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed deeply at the boy's unconscious form yet he chose not to speak about it at this moment, instead, he just gently tucked a stray lock of hair that fell across Fan Zhu Xia's face before softly murmuring, "Sleep. I'll wake you up when we're back."
Making a tired yet affirmative sound, Fan Zhu Xia shifted around for a bit until she found a comfortable position and then promptly went to sleep.
Her soft and even breathing soon melded with the two children as the carriage fell into silence.
Shooting a meaningful glance towards her daughter's maidservant; Chun Hua, Fan Hui Zhong then spoke in a low, quiet voice, careful not to be too loud so that Fan Zhu Xia's slumber won't accidentally be disturbed by his talking.
"Girl, tell me what happened with my daughter ever since we separated this morning."
Hearing his order, Chun Hua wasted no time and promptly replied in a clear yet equally quiet voice and said, "Reporting to Lei Wangye, the Young Miss arrived at the Thousand Treasures Pavillion without any incident and was able to acquire all that she had bid for during the auction. The only thing worth being concerned about is an incident where the Young Miss had an argument with the visiting princess from Spirit Valor Country."
Hearing that, Fan Hui Zhong immediately frowned before speaking one word in a much icier tone, making Chun Hua feel a chill run down her spine.
"Elaborate."
With just that one word, anyone can tell that Fan Hui Zhong was extremely vexed, the only question left to ask was not if he's angry but just how mad he was!
Feeling nervous, Chun Hua took a calming breath and started to relay what happened earlier today.
"As Lei Wangye knows, it's the Young Miss' first time here at the capital which is why it's perfectly natural for the Young Miss to have not had the opportunity to visit the Thousand Treasures Pavillion here and since the Young Miss is unlike the other young noble misses and doesn't treat the servants as if they were below her, she drew the attention of the visiting princess and was scorned for fraternitizing and being friendly and polite with the attendant that was showing us around and explaining how the Thousand Treasures Pavillion worked."
Pausing to take a breath, Chun Hua shot a glance to the silent Lei Wangye and was just met with a cold gaze. Flustered, she just hurried on and continued explaining.
"At first, when the princess started throwing insults at the Young Miss, the Young Miss paid her no mind and just continued ignoring her but this just infuriated the princess which then made her insult an start demeaning all the servants and attendants present."
Remembering what happened earlier, Chun Hua once again felt warm and touched as she thought back to what her Young Miss did and say on their behalf.
Continuing on, Chun Hua didn't even realize that the way she spoke had a hint of pride in it as she smiled while speaking.
"The Young Miss just ignored the princess and to top it off, she even called the princess a mad dog because of how loud and annoying she was! Heavens, Master should have seen the expression on the princess' face!" Chun Hua said with a laugh before she quickly quietened down once her glance landed on Fan Zhu Xia's sleeping form.
"Then what happened?"
"Well, everyone was shocked at the Young Miss' words, of course. However we didn't expect that just because of that one insult, that visiting princess would order her servant to attack the Young Miss! It was a good thing that Captain Min Sheng was quite fast and stronger so he was able to deflect the blow and protect the Young Miss!"
"She dared?!"
Sensing Fan Hui Zhong's rising anger with the rising voice he just used, Chun Hua realized what she just said that she ended up speechless before meekly nodding under Fan Hui Zhong's burning gaze.
Seeing Chun Hua's confirmation, Fan Hui Zhong's anger rose to a new level as he thought back to his meeting the previous night during dinner with the visiting princess; Ning Yan Mei.
Remembering how Ning Yan Mei was acting all nice and well-mannered last night, Fan Hui Zhong couldn't help but sneer as he spoke in an icy voice that brook no objections.
"Heed my order and pass it down to the other servants. No one and I mean no one from Spirit Valor Country is allowed to enter the Fan Estate and especially my Lei Palace!"
Hearing his order, not only Chun Hua but also Min Sheng and all their escorts who heard it simultaneously replied in a solemn and respectful voice.
"Yes, Lei Wangye!"
After receiving their response, a satisfied glint appeared in Fan Hui Zhong's cold eyes before he acknowledged them with one word.
"Good."
Seeing that Fan Hui Zhong was calming down slightly after a few moments, Chun Hua internally sighed in relief and kept her head down until she heard Fan Hui Zhong's voice asking her a question.
"Aside from that, did anything else happen?"
Thinking for a second, Chun Hua then remembered something and immediately told Fan Hui Zhong.
"Master, we met the Second Young Master at the Thousand Treasures Pavillion earlier and Captain Min informed him that the Patriarch has been looking for him."
"Is that so? Good, good. Liang has been searching for that son of his. That brat has been out playing for too long." Fan Hui Zhonh said with a small shake of his head yet his tone held no anger but had a hint of humor instead.
Thinking that there was no appropriate response, Chun Hua just chose to remain silent and let Fan Hui Zhong alone as he sank into his thoughts.
After a some time, they heard Min Sheng's low voice sounded from outside the carriage, informing them that they have just arrived at the Fan Residence and after ordering him to have the carriage proceed directly towards his daughter's courtyard, Fan Hui Zhong lifted his free hand and started petting Fan Zhu Xia's hair gently in order to wake her up.
Feeling his movements, Fan Zhu Xia's eyes fluttered softly before blinking it open as she stared at her father in a sleepy daze before she managed to speak in a slightly hoarse voice.
"Father, are we back already?"
Smiling gently at her, Fan Hui Zhong tapped her nose affectionately as he nodded.
"En. We just got back. The carriage will drop us off near the vicinity of your courtyard and we'll walk from there."
"Xia'er will do as Father says." Fan Zhu Xia acknowledged before settling down against Fan Hui Zhong once more.
Just as Fan Zhu Xia was about to drift off to sleep again, she felt Fan Hui Zhong shift and sigh, drawing her attention.
"Xia'er, are you sure about this boy?" Fan Hui Zhong asked with his deep, gravelly voice, expressing the doubts he had in his heart.
Sensing something else in Fan Hui Zhong's words, Fan Zhu Xia shifted a little, enough to lift her head from her father's shoulder and meet his furrowed gaze.
Tilting her head slightly, Fan Zhu Xia looked at Fan Hui Zhong with a questioning gaze before she spoke softly, careful not to wake up the unconscious children.
"Is something the matter, Father?"
"It's the boy. There's several seals on him and it's preventing me from examining him clearly."
"What do you mean? I was able to fully inspect him earlier when I was checking his injuries." Fan Zhu Xia asked.
Looking at her confused expression, Fan Hui Zhong could only sigh before explaining.
"Girl, you only looked at his surface, his body but the one I mean is his core existence, his mind, his dantian, his cultivation!"
Looking stunned, Fan Zhu Xia stared at Fan Hui Zhong for a second before her brows slowly scrunched up into a small frown before she gave a small nod and said, "Then maybe daughter has been a bit hasty but I do hope that Father gives Shi Hong a chance and investigates first before coming down with any conclusions."
Flicking her forehead, Fan Hui Zhong gave her a pointed look before giving her a small but reassuring smile.
"Daft girl! Of course Father will look into this more before coming to any decision. Luckily we have your Uncle Liang since he is much more skilled than me in seals and inscriptions and could probably figure out what's been placed on this boy."
"Alright..."