The people around were shouting accusations at Li Hui for snatching someone else's child. Seeing the crowd supporting the couple, their confidence swelled. "Bao'er, come quickly to Daddy!" The urgency in their voice stirred sympathy from many.
The three Misses Lu walked over, overhearing the discussions around them. The three frowned in displeasure, feeling embarrassed.
Second Miss Lu spoke softly, "Since it's their child, Cousin should return him to them. Look how pitiful they are."
"How can you be sure this is their child?" Li Hui scoffed coldly. He was determined to protect the child today.
Seeing Li Hui openly object, Second Miss Lu, who had initially taken a liking to him, looked displeased and felt wronged. Third Miss Lu was also unsure of right or wrong, but felt it best not to meddle. Fourth Miss Lu wore an aloof expression of disinterest.
However, this interruption made some people reconsider, "Those few look wealthy. Why would they kidnap a child? Maybe they're telling the truth."
"Yeah, maybe," some agreed.
"They both have a point. Let's go to the magistrate's office and have them judge the matter," suggested the more cautious ones.
The couple grew fearful, sobbing loudly, "We're just humble folk. How could we offend you, sir? Please show mercy and return our Bao'er. Bao'er, come home quickly. Can you bear to see your parents taken to the magistrate's office?" They wept and reached to snatch the child.
Qiu Chan and Zhang Hu pushed them back. Qiu Chan's strength was great, and she accidentally knocked the woman down. The woman then lay on the ground, refusing to get up, yelling, "They're hitting people! No sense of justice! The young master kidnaps a child and hits people! Everyone, please judge this matter! My poor child!"
"The constables are here! Quick, arrest these people for kidnapping!" someone shouted as they brought in the officers.
"Yes, yes, arrest them! They look respectable but would actually kidnap a child!" others chimed in.
The leading constable didn't think Li Hui seemed like a kidnapper, and with so many onlookers, he couldn't accuse anyone rashly. "Everyone, please come with us to the magistrate's office for the official verdict."
"Please, young master, return my child! I only want my child back," the woman cried louder, a hint of panic in her voice.
"Dare to say that again about it being your child!" a booming voice came from behind the crowd. They turned to see a handsome young man in fine robes, usually wearing a slight smile but now enraged.
"Isn't that him?" someone recognized him.
"Who is he?" asked another.
"The number one wastrel of the Capital City, the second young master of the Chengen Marquis Residence."
"It's him..."
The crowd parted as Cao Fugui strode up, examining the child closely. The child frowned at Cao Fugui, "Brother, they grabbed me and hit me," showing the bruises on his arm and his birthmark.
Recognizing the distinct birthmark confirmed his identity. Seeing the disheveled state of the child, Cao Fugui erupted in fury. He turned and kicked the man, sending him flying.
As the man tried to cry out, Cao Fugui's men restrained him. Cao Fugui approached the woman rolling on the ground and grabbed her chin. "When did I, the young master of the Chengen Marquis Residence, become your son?"
"Mercy, young master! I didn't know she was..." The woman's words were cut off as Cao Fugui dislocated her jaw. He turned to the constables, "Lock these two up. Keep a close watch on them."
The constables recognized Cao Fugui and knew he wouldn't lie about this. They motioned for their men to seize the couple and drag them away like dead dogs.
Regaining his composure, Cao Fugui approached the child, extending his hand. "Let's go home."
"Brother, it was this brother who saved me," the child said, looking at Li Hui instead.
Cao Fugui bowed to Li Hui. "I am Cao Fugui of the Chengen Marquis Residence. You saved my brother. My family owes you a debt of gratitude."
Li Hui returned the bow. "I am Li Hui. Young Master Cao is too kind. Stepping in was the right thing to do."
"Brother Li is truly honorable," Cao Fugui said, glancing at the onlookers, having heard their earlier remarks. Those he glanced at quickly lowered their heads. The three Misses Lu also flushed with embarrassment.
Li Hui patted the child, signaling him to let go. The child released his grip, and Cao Fugui carried him away.
Seeing Cao Fugui leave, the crowd thought Li Hui had connected with nobility and eagerly approached to acquaint themselves. Li Hui had no interest in making new connections and escorted his sister to a teahouse.
On the way, Li Xin asked Li Xia, "What was the hand signal you gave Brother earlier? I noticed Brother only firmly protected the child after seeing your signal."
"It's the sign I left for our eldest brother about human traffickers in Bailang County," Li Xia explained, prompting Li Xin's realization, "So those two were human traffickers."
"The human traffickers in the Capital City are truly brazen," Li Xin remarked, recalling the recent attempted kidnappings of the Gongshun Marquis Manor's obedient young master and now the Chengen Marquis Residence's young master.
"It's not the traffickers' boldness, but that even servants within noble households plot against each other," Li Xia said quietly. While it appeared the children were abducted by traffickers, the reality involved scheming within the noble households.
"Enough, let this matter end here. Don't mention it again," Li Hui warned them. Li Xin and Li Xia acknowledged his words.
That evening, their uncle from the Lu family unexpectedly visited - the first time since they arrived in the Capital City. He came to inquire about Li Hui's involvement in the day's events.
Their Lu family uncle lamented Li Hui's good fortune in connecting with the Chengen Marquis Residence. Seeing Li Hui's indifference towards him, he regretted not heeding his sister and mother's advice to betroth Third Miss Lu to Li Hui previously.
When the Lu family matriarch proposed a marital match for Li Hui, she intended for him to marry Third Miss Lu to strengthen familial ties. The elderly Madam Lu wholeheartedly supported this. However, Madam Lu disagreed, viewing the Li family as lacking influential backing. Li Hui's father was only a seventh-rank county magistrate, and Li Hui himself had only attained the minor scholarly degree at his age, with little prospect for future accomplishments. Her daughter deserved better than marrying into such a family.
Following Madam Lu's words, their uncle rejected the marital proposal. The elderly Madam Lu was furious, but unable to force the matter. Now, seeing Li Hui's capable conduct, his connection to the Gongshun Marquis Manor, and newly formed ties to the Chengen Marquis Residence - the maternal family of the Crown Prince - their uncle realized Li Hui's prospects were limitless with such relationships.
After bidding farewell to Uncle Lu, Li Hui closed his doors and focused on his studies, not receiving any outside visitors. Regardless of what others said, he himself clearly understood that his own talents and scholarship were the most important.
After two days, the Chengen Marquis Residence sent an envoy, with Cao Fugui bringing precious gifts to express their gratitude. Originally, the Chengen Marquis and his wife intended to come themselves. However, Cao Fugui stopped them, as they had also learned about the situation in the Li family. With no elders at home, their visit would be inappropriate.
Since arriving in the Capital City, Zhang Hu had been gathering information about the city. He learned that Cao Fugui was ranked as the number one dissolute son. Initially, Li Hui's impression of him was not very favorable, but after their two encounters, Li Hui's opinion of Cao Fugui greatly improved.
