CHAPTER 277: CHAPTER 277: THAT CHILD FROM YEARS AGO

Xuan Ying served tea to the two of them and then tactfully stepped aside, saying nothing more.

After an indeterminate length of time, Duan Yunfei finally spoke in a deep voice, "I want to know, did my father really seek out Xiao Wu before he died?"

"Young Master knows about Xiao Wu?" Xuan Hua was surprised.

Duan Yunfei did not answer his question, instead he said, "Uncle Xuan, was Xiao Wu’s death related to my father?"

"Of course not!" Xuan Hua replied, "Though we have yet to find out who started the fire, according to the manor owner’s and my speculation, it’s likely related to Chen Qi. Back then, the manor owner had only parted with Xiao Wu at the tavern for less than an hour when the news of the Xiao Mansion fire came."

He looked at Duan Yunfei and sighed deeply, "By the time we arrived, it was too late to save anyone!"

"I heard that there was also a young master at Xiao Mansion. Have you found him over the years, Uncle Xuan?" Duan Yunfei asked.

Xuan Hua, though puzzled why Duan Yunfei would suddenly bring up these matters, responded, "No, not at all! It’s been ten years, and there’s not a single trace of him!"

"I think..." Duan Yunfei looked at him and said quietly, "I should have found that child."

"What?" Xuan Hua was first shocked, then rejoiced, "Where is that child now?"

"Where is he?" Duan Yunfei sneered, "Right before our eyes, yet far away."

Xuan Hua looked confused, "What does the Young Master mean by this?"

Xuan Ying could no longer hold back and interjected, "Dad, the eldest young master is that child from back then!"

"You mean... the eldest young master is that missing child?" Xuan Hua was stunned, "How... is that possible?"

How could such a coincidental thing happen in this world?

"Not just that," Xuan Ying said, "He even believes that the manor owner is the one who killed Master Xiao and his mother, and for years, he’s been wanting to kill the manor owner!"

"What?" Xuan Hua felt his head spinning, "The eldest young master believes it was the manor owner who killed Xiao Wu and Madam Xu?"

"Yes!" Xuan Ying nodded, "Dad, do you remember the ambush on the outskirts of Jinxi Town last year when the master and mistress returned from Bright Moon City?"

"Of course, I remember!" Xuan Hua replied, "I also remember the Young Master suspected there was a traitor in our manor."

After he spoke, a revelation dawned on him, "Could it be that the traitor was the eldest young master?"

Xuan Ying nodded, "Yes, it was the eldest young master who told Haoyue Manor about the manor owner’s and the mistress’s return to the manor as well as the route they would take."

"But..." Xuan Hua was puzzled, "It was the eldest young master who saved the manor owner’s life. If he wanted to kill the manor owner, why would he save him back then?"

Duan Yunfei speculated, "The only possibility is that at the time, he didn’t know that my father was Duan Nian."

"The eldest young master is confused!" Xuan Hua said excitedly, "How could the manor owner kill Xiao Wu? They were childhood friends. If the manor owner wanted to kill him, why wait until later?"

Duan Yunfei sneered, "A person blinded by hatred—how can they remain rational?"

"No way!" Xuan Hua stood up and said, "This matter must be discussed with the manor owner."

Duan Yunfei was alarmed and hurriedly grabbed him, "Uncle Xuan, you forgot, the doctor said my father shouldn’t be frightened!"

"This wouldn’t be frightening!" Xuan Hua replied, "After searching for the eldest young master for so many years, finally finding him would be a joyous surprise!"

Duan Yunfei frowned, "But... Feng Wuya wants to kill him!"

Xuan Hua said, "It’s all a misunderstanding. Once it’s cleared up, there’ll be no problem!"

"But, Dad, the eldest young master, he... is Chen Qi’s son!" Xuan Ying said hesitantly.

Hearing this, Xuan Hua promptly slapped the back of his head and retorted, "Who told you the eldest young master is Chen Qi’s son?"