"Madame Xiang, you mustn't say such things..." Xu Fu immediately interrupted her words, saying, "Madame Xiang, you must trust me. I will definitely be able to cure your illness."

Shen Xiang forced a bitter smile and shook his head, "I don't ask to live for a long time... I am just concerned about the young master..."

She spoke and sighed softly, "After the Sixth Prince enters the mansion, who knows what kind of situation it will be..."

"I only hope to implore Doctor Xu, if I were to pass away, please... please take good care of the Young Master..."

Xu Fu saw her shed another two lines of crystal-clear tears, feeling a deep bitterness in his heart. He quickly agreed, "Madam Xiang, rest assured. I, Xu Fu, will definitely keep your instructions in mind."

Shen Xiang nodded heavily after hearing it, tightly gripping his hand with gratitude in his eyes, unable to speak for a long time.

Mingxi walked out of the house and headed towards the courtyard where he usually gathered firewood. As soon as he entered the courtyard, two fierce-looking guards blocked his way.

"What do you do?"

"Where did this beggar come from... do you think you can enter the firewood shed? Get lost...!"

Ming Xi's face turned pale from their scare, but thinking about Shen Xiang still enduring the cold, she mustered up the courage and stammered, "I...am not a beggar..."

He looked eagerly at the pile of firewood behind the guards and said, "I just want to take some firewood...go back...and burn it...so Aunt Xiang won't be cold anymore..."

"Madame Xiang? Shen Xiang? The two guards exchanged a glance and then realized that the person in front of them was the least favored young master of the magistrate. As a result, they showed a disdainful expression."

"Do you want firewood? Do you have any silver?"

"If you give us the money, we will let you take it."

Upon hearing the words of the guards, Mingxi didn't have the time to think about why he had to pay money for his own belongings. His heart was entirely focused on Shen Xiang, fearful that Shen Xiang would freeze and leave him all alone.

"Silver...I...I have..." He trembled as he held tightly onto the silver taels he had obtained from the theater, his eyes filled with reluctance.

He didn't understand the value of money, but he knew that these silver coins were given by the person who looked a lot like Elder Ming, so he couldn't bear to give them all to someone else.

The guards saw him hesitating and impatiently waved their hands at him, saying, "If you don't have any money, then get lost...!"

"Just leave, don't hinder me here."

A guard spat and cast a gaze at Mingxi as if he were looking at a grotesque creature.

"I have... I have..." In the end, Mingxi secretly left a silver coin in the cuff of his sleeve, while the rest were all handed over to him.

"So many... I really hit the jackpot today..." The guard's eyes gleamed at the sight of the silver coins.

"Yeah, let's go to Zui Xiang Tower for a drink later. It's on me."

Seeing that they had taken the silver, Ming Xi timidly asked, "Can... can I go get some firewood?"

The guard turned around and impatiently waved the baton in his hand, saying, "Hurry up! Grab what you need and get out of here!"

"Mh... kno... know..." Mingxi shrank her neck, quickly walking over to the firewood pile. With her freezing red fingers, she picked up the dry firewood and, under the disdainful gaze of the two guards, braved the cold wind as she returned to the dilapidated courtyard.

Compared to the desolation and poverty in the dilapidated courtyard, Ping Le Pavilion at this moment was a scene of vibrant spring and extravagance.

After finishing her song, Lou Ling walked down from the stage amidst applause and envious gazes from the audience. She approached Huo Lin with graceful steps, gently calling him "Young Master," and knelt down by his feet to knead his thigh.

"Master, who was that person just now?"

Lou Ling asked, her movements under her hand were exceptionally gentle.

"There's no one important, just a beggar."

After picking up the teacup and taking a sip of tea, Huo Lin furrowed his brows upon seeing Lou Ling kneeling on the ground and questioned, "Why are you kneeling on the cold ground?"

He said as he used his hands to lift Lou Ling up and hugged her tightly, saying, "Come sit in my lap."

Surrounded by onlookers, Lou Ling had long been accustomed to Huo Lin's audacious actions, merely blushing as she leaned against his chest.