Chapter 24: That Was Her Kissing Someone in the Alley

Many men in the vicinity cast envious glances at the man who had succeeded. Feng Mobing possessed a truly exquisite figure, all curves and grace, enough to make anyone’s heart itch. Many had tried to flirt with her, both overtly and covertly, yet none had ever succeeded. It was a mystery what means that man had used to make Feng Mobing so restless that she would indulge in such intimacy out in the open.

Cheng Xueyang pushed through the crowd and walked quickly toward Xuanxuan. Not seeing Su Xin anywhere, she couldn't help but frown. "Xuanxuan, what happened? Where is Su Xin?" Su Xin would never leave Xuanxuan alone; something must have happened.

Seeing Cheng Xueyang arrive, Xuanxuan grew bolder. "Hmph, my mother is here now!"

The moment Feng Mobing saw Cheng Xueyang, her face turned deathly pale. She grabbed Lin Nian, intending to flee. Lin Nian, however, stubbornly refused to leave, glaring indignantly at Cheng Xueyang. "I was wondering why a total stranger of a child would insist on slandering my mother. So, it was you behind it, egging her on."

Xuanxuan rolled her eyes at Lin Nian and said to Cheng Xueyang, "Mother, I saw it all. It was her, kissing a man in the alley. It was so intense, she was even crying!"

"Shut your mouth! Do not slander my mother again!" Lin Nian was furious and reached out to cover Xuanxuan’s mouth.

Xuanxuan nimbly ducked behind Cheng Xueyang. "It’s true! Auntie Su Xin went after that man; she’ll catch him soon."

"Shadow Two," Cheng Xueyang called out. She needed more clues. Su Xin would not have left Xuanxuan’s side unless something urgent had occurred.

Shadow Two appeared from the shadows. "I am here, Your Highness." She was dressed as an ordinary unmarried woman, so her sudden appearance in the crowd drew no attention.

Cheng Xueyang looked at her. "Who was that man?"

Shadow Two mouthed the name: *Lin Xuan.*

Lin Xuan? Wasn't he dead? Cheng Xueyang felt a jolt in her heart, her sharp, eagle-like gaze piercing through Feng Mobing. Feng Mobing trembled instantly; that gaze was terrifying. Panic gave her a burst of strength; she grabbed Lin Nian, trying to drag him away. "Listen to your mother, A-Nian! We must go now, stop making a scene."

Lin Nian was still indignant, but sensing something was wrong with his mother, he stopped resisting. Although his grandfather held the rank of Grand Tutor, the Lin family was not a noble clan of deep foundation. They lived in a rented house, and once his grandfather retired, they would have to leave the capital and return to their ancestral home, as they could not afford to stay. Thus, the younger generation had been taught since childhood to be obedient and avoid trouble. They had come out today to buy spring couplets and supplies for the New Year, but he had been separated from his mother in the crowd. When he finally found her, he saw a brat slandering her—how could he stand for it? His mother had said she would never remarry; she had her husband, and she had him as a son. She was the best mother in the world; she could never do such a thing. Leaving now was not an admission of guilt, but rather a desire to avoid entanglements with powerful people.

"Shadow Two, stop them," Cheng Xueyang commanded. If it really was Lin Xuan, she could not let this mother and son leave.

Gu Anyu, who had been following behind, arrived just as Feng Mobing and her son were trying to escape. Hearing Cheng Xueyang’s order, she didn't hesitate to help block their path. With their way forward cut off and Shadow Two behind them, the pair was trapped.

Feng Mobing held Lin Nian tightly, her panic rising. "What do you want? There is so much injustice in this world—why must you bully a widow and her orphan son?"

Lin Nian struggled to break free. "Mother, let me go. I am grown up now; I can protect you."

Feng Mobing held him even tighter. Her mind was in chaos, but she knew that clashing with Cheng Xueyang would only lead to suffering. Lin Nian was still just a child; his hot-bloodedness was no match for these people.

Cheng Xueyang took Xuanxuan’s hand and approached. "Madam Lin, do not panic. There is a teahouse ahead; let us go and have some tea to warm ourselves." She nodded to Gu Anyu and led Xuanxuan toward the establishment. "Madam Lin, young master Lin, please."

Cheng Xueyang reserved a private room on the second floor, ordered a pot of Maojian tea, and requested their signature pastries. Moments later, Gu Anyu and the mother and son entered. Shadow Two remained outside to keep watch. Cheng Xueyang invited them to sit. Xuanxuan gestured for Gu Anyu to sit beside her. Gu Anyu smiled knowingly, and Xuanxuan seemed less resistant to her presence than before.

Feng Mobing kept her hand on Lin Nian’s, her face tense, remaining standing.

"Relax. I do not eat people," Cheng Xueyang said calmly.

Lin Nian, calmer than his mother, patted her hand gently. "Mother, since we are here, let us stay. Many people saw us enter; if anything happens to us, Princess Xuanyun will not be able to shirk the blame."

Seeing her son’s composure, Feng Mobing felt slightly more at ease and finally sat down. Cheng Xueyang watched Lin Nian silently. The fifteen-year-old boy, only a few years younger than Yun Huaian, had a lean and vigorous frame full of youthful energy. The face that so closely resembled his father’s served as a constant reminder of the past.

In contrast to the unease of the mother and son, Xuanxuan had already begun to eat. Her chubby little hands pointed from one dish to another, and Gu Anyu smiled as she placed the pastries Xuanxuan wanted into her bowl.

After about the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, Su Xin returned, looking dejected. It was clear she hadn't caught the man. Seeing this, Feng Mobing let out a long sigh of relief and finally had an appetite. Since she didn't have to pay, she might as well eat, and she urged Lin Nian to do the same.

Lin Nian ate while watching Su Xin, who was reporting to Cheng Xueyang. Su Xin looked deeply remorseful, whispering, "Your Highness, it is my fault. If Shadow Two had gone, she might have caught him."

Cheng Xueyang sighed softly, comforting her: "It was an unexpected situation, do not blame yourself. As long as he has appeared in the capital, he will leave traces. We will find him soon."

Now that she was certain Lin Xuan was still alive, finding him was only a matter of time. But why would a man who had been dead for fifteen years suddenly resurface? There was something suspicious here that needed to be investigated.

Cheng Xueyang looked at Lin Nian. "Lin Nian."

Lin Nian quickly averted his gaze, pretending not to notice them, but his movements were far too deliberate to be convincing. Feng Mobing immediately stepped in to protect her son. "Princess Xuanyun, A-Nian is still a child. If you have any grievances, take them out on me. Do not harm my son."

"A child?" Cheng Xueyang chuckled. "He is only two years away from marriageable age. Is he still a child?"

A faint flush appeared on Lin Nian’s fair face. He disliked his mother always calling him a child, though he knew it was because she loved and cared for him. Being pointed out so directly by Cheng Xueyang made him feel both ashamed and indignant.

Feng Mobing said coldly, "Princess Xuanyun may not be married, but you are a mother yourself. How can you not understand that a child is a mother’s heart and soul?"