Upon hearing this title, the onlookers around fell silent, and the black-bearded man who had just scolded Mingxi also stepped aside, bowing his head and dared not to speak any further.

Huo Lin, who was standing by the balcony, calmly walked downstairs upon seeing the situation.

The onlookers respectfully made way for him, and then Huo Lin stood in front of Mingxi.

Ming Xi trembled all over, crouching on the ground. Tears mixed with dirt on his face, making him look extremely disheveled and miserable. Huo Lin appraised him for a moment before handing over the folding fan in his hand.

Mingxi looked up and met his resolute and spirited gaze.

"Get up, little beggar."

Mingxi stared at him in a daze, momentarily thinking she saw her older brother Ming.

Ming brother... This person seems to be his Ming brother. He stared blankly at Huo Lin, his dirty face lacking luster, with only his bright eyes shining like stars.

"Can't get up yet? Do you want the prince to help you up?"

The onlookers around him looked at him with sneers in their eyes, disdainfully sizing him up.

Mingxi regained consciousness and slowly lifted his hand, which was covered in scars. He grasped the folding fan tightly. Immediately after, he felt the person in front of him exerting a slight force, helping him to get up.

"Let's go, kid beggar. This isn't where you belong."

After Huo Lin finished speaking, he turned around and was about to go back up to the pavilion.

Mingxi, however, stood motionless behind him and opened her mouth, saying, "I'm not...a beggar..."

When Huo Lin heard this, he turned around and slightly raised his chin towards Zhou Kang beside him, saying, "Give him some silver coins and send him away."

"Yes."

Zhou Kang nodded politely, handing several silver coins to Ming Xi. He waved off the guards by the wall, and Ming Xi was then escorted out of the Pingle Pavilion while still dazed.

In the hustle and bustle of the streets, where carriages and horses flowed, nobody paid any attention to this inconspicuous "beggar". Clutching the silver coins tightly in his palm, a slightly sickly smile appeared on his face.

He knew that these pieces of silver were very valuable, very valuable indeed. They were obtained by Xiang Po-po after selling a lot of things.

Just thinking about those eyes that resemble M ing's, he only wants to hide them away, unwilling to spend even a single bit.

On the way back to the Ming Prefecture, Mingxi's face gradually regained its color. He clutched a few taels of silver, as if holding a comforting fire, his face filled with a joyful expression.

I stealthily slipped into the backyard through the back gate, and as soon as I stepped into the dilapidated courtyard, I heard a piercing cry.

"Please spare my life, master...! It was all this old slave's negligence, for failing to take good care of the young master... Please spare my life, master...!"

The familiar sound startled Mingxi, causing her to tremble. She peeked out and saw Granny Xiang being restrained by two guards, pressed down on the ground.

The guards held wooden sticks and mercilessly beat Xiang Granny, strike after strike.

"Don't...don't hit Aunt Xiang..." Mingxi's legs trembled, but she still rushed forward and stood in front of Shen Xiang.

Shen Xiang was already as furious as a thin thread, but when he caught a glimpse of Ming Xi, a relieved smile appeared on her face.

"Little Young Master... Where... Where did you go? This old slave... couldn't... couldn't find you anywhere..."

She spoke hurriedly, coughing twice, unexpectedly coughing up strands of blood.

"Xi'er wants to go watch a play...so...so let's go watch a play..."

Mingxi spoke intermittently, tightly holding onto Shen Xiang. "Don't hit Granny Xiang... Daddy, don't hit Granny Xiang..."

He pleaded desperately to Mingdu, who was not far away, his expression filled with panic.

Ming Du stared coldly at his son, before he could say anything, a mocking voice came from beside him.

"I never would have expected... Shen Xiang, as a servant, you actually instigated the young master to go to such a filthy place like the theater..."

After Meng Ping finished speaking, she turned to Ming Du and said, "Master, you must punish this old slave severely. If she is not taught a lesson, she may end up having the young master ride over your head in the future...!"

Mingxi's consciousness was no longer clear, but she could still understand the hidden meaning in Mengping's words.

He quickly protected Shen Xiang behind him and shook his head tearfully at Ming Du, saying, "It's not...not Madam Xiang...it's Xi'er...it's Xi'er who wanted to go herself..."