Xia Zheng scooped up the panicked Lin Yuan in his arms and quickly headed towards the carriage, knowing something that others didn't. While in the Capital, he was aware that many high-ranking officials kept numerous young girls and even boys for pleasure in their mansions. Xiao Linshuang might be young, but she was pretty, smart, and clever—if Lin Dashuan had actually kidnapped her and sold her into such a place, she would likely be quickly resold, making it even harder to find her.
The third aunt never imagined her eldest son could commit such an utterly heartless act; she beat her chest and stamped her feet, cursing "beast," while Xiao He's mother, watching her own daughter, flashed a complex look in her eyes, as if thinking something, and started to smile faintly.
