The group looked at him with suspicion, trying to discern the truth in his words.
Then, one person exited his room and ran to Madam Hu, reporting the situation.
"Young Master, why do I hear you speaking with people? It's so late, who would visit our home?" one of the slightly younger men shuffled slowly to his door, inquiring with concern.
"Some friends have come to discuss matters with me. You all should rest now." Knowing his companions were not well and that a tough battle lay ahead, Hu Lianyu did not want to burden them.
Their hearing had declined with age, so although they could hear voices from their room, they couldn't make out the specifics of the conversation. Since the young master said they didn't need to worry, they believed him and quickly agreed.
The few hooligans sat in his room, watching Hu Lianyu write, draw, and read as if no one else were there. They began to yawn, finding their host surprisingly patient.
Meanwhile, after hearing the hooligans' report, Madam Hu fell into deep thought. She harbored doubts about the veracity of Hu Lianyu's words, but also pondered what she would do if he were telling the truth.
It was possible the man's legs had been broken, and that lady had abandoned him. However, considering the situation from her own perspective, she would surely have disciplined the culprit.
In fact, after hearing these rumors that morning, she had already sent people to investigate the lady. She learned that the lady was elegantly dressed, generous with her spending, and seemingly wealthy. She also heard the lady came from out of town and was accompanied by the eldest son of the Song family, though her specific background was unclear.
After some thought, she gritted her teeth. She had endured for so many years; why bother with this fleeting moment? She ordered them to withdraw.
When she was alone, she thought of Song Ziyao. While the lady's background was unknown to her, the Song family would surely know, especially since Song Ziyao called her mother.
As a stepmother herself, she often paid attention to ladies in similar situations. This Song family lady was indeed capable, managing to keep Mr. Song happy and even prioritizing the son born to her over the eldest son, dedicating her efforts to supporting her own child.
Very well, she would let Hu Lianyu go for now. She was eager to see how the Song family would handle this. She believed she would soon uncover the truth.
Indeed, within a few days, Mr. Song himself visited Wu Caiwei, introducing himself.
He was so polite because she had taken in his son. As the head of the Song family, he naturally possessed considerable acumen. While he had people monitoring them, he also sent investigators to Wu Caiwei's hometown to gather information about her. It was only after learning her true identity that he personally came to visit.
Wu Caiwei, seeing the nonchalance in his eyes, knew he had thoroughly investigated her. Her identity meant nothing to him. He likely intended to take Song Ziyao home today. However, since she had promised to protect his safety, she would fulfill that promise.
Mr. Song clapped his hands three times, and several followers entered carrying large chests. Mr. Song stepped forward and opened them one by one, revealing fine silks, satins, and expensive jewelry. Wu Caiwei marveled at his generosity.
"These are my thanks for taking in my son. Today, I am here to take him back, and also to give you a piece of advice: do not casually treat someone else's child as your own, nor casually let others call you mother. Stay away from my son in the future. He has a mother and a father."
Mr. Song looked at her with a meaningful gaze. He perceived her as someone driven by self-interest. Knowing the Song family's wealth, he believed she wanted to deceive his son to gain financial benefits from them.
Wu Caiwei looked at him speechlessly. Just as she was about to speak, Song Ziyao rushed in from outside.
"Ziyao, come here to your father." He thought his eldest son held little importance in his heart, but after not seeing him for months, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion upon seeing him again, a smile unconsciously appearing on his face.
The next moment, his expression fell. He watched, stunned, as Song Ziyao ran to Wu Caiwei and looked at her with a worried gaze, "Mother, are you alright?"
Wu Caiwei smiled and shook her head. Only then did he turn to face his somewhat angry father, lowering his head and mumbling, "I like Mother, and I want to be with Mother. Father has other sons, but Mother only has me."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Song's anger surged. He didn't know what kind of spell this woman had cast on his son that made him willing to abandon his status as the Song family's eldest son. He suppressed his rage and said, "You are the Song family's eldest son and future patriarch. How can you go with someone else?"
"I don't care about status. I just want a mother who truly loves me. Is that wrong?" When he spoke of this, Song Ziyao couldn't help but cry, feeling wronged. He felt no familial affection in the Song family. Although his grandmother doted on him a little, she had other grandchildren, and his share of her affection was limited. Only with Wu Caiwei could he feel completely loved.
"Your mother treats you very well. She considers everything for you and values you just as much as your second brother. Don't always listen to others' instigation. There's no such thing as kindness without reason in this world. Be more vigilant, one must always guard against others."
Listening to his words, Wu Caiwei couldn't help but laugh in annoyance. From the moment he entered, he had been implicitly criticizing her. Without further politeness, she spoke directly, "Yes, there's no kindness without reason in this world. I am good to him because this child is filial and sensible, and he deserves it. But as a father, you should know which stepmother truly loves her stepson, and which stepmother can treat her stepson and her own son equally? It's good if she doesn't persecute him. Why did he go missing? I don't believe you didn't investigate. So, what did you find out?"
"The Song family's affairs don't require an outsider like you to worry about. Besides, his disappearance was an accident." Mr. Song looked at her with a grim expression. It must be this woman who had said something to his son to make him so devoted to her.
Only those involved knew how kind his wife was. He had been missing for so long, she hadn't eaten or slept well, worried he might encounter danger outside. She kept increasing the search parties, and she was the first to spot Song Ziyao. Fortunately, his wife hadn't heard these words, or how heartbroken she would be.
"An accident? You believe that? If I told you someone wanted to murder him, would you still say I was being alarmist?" Although people often said a new mother meant a new father, hearing such words directly made Wu Caiwei laugh in anger, feeling pity for Song Ziyao.