Sang Wan returned to Ningyuan, and Shi Fengju had already gone to the trading firm. After changing her clothes and washing her face, she found an excuse to send Mrs. Li out on an errand, ordered Xingzhi to guard the door, and called Liu Ya into the warm pavilion to inquire in detail. She was taken aback by the inquiry. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the ɴovelfire.net "Is Young Master Hong the son of the governor?" "Yes," Liu Ya said indignantly, "I didn’t expect Governor Hong to have such a profligate son! Truly shameless!" Remembering how the man shamelessly introduced himself, insisting on dragging the young mistress around and saying, "Stick with Master and you’ll be blessed; I’ll make sure you live the good life, and in Qingzhou, nobody will dare not to take you seriously!" Liu Ya felt a wave of disgust. "Grandma, don’t worry, young master said he would handle this matter properly! Our Shi family is not to be trifled with! How could our family’s young mistress be molested for nothing!" Liu Ya added with a fearful sigh, "It was fortunate that Grandma wasn’t there at the time, and that the young master arrived later, otherwise—I and Cai Yun really, really—" Sang Wan’s hand trembled, and her face paled slightly. If Fengju hadn’t been there, how could this matter have been so easily kept hidden? I’m afraid in the end, it would be impossible not to disturb the people at the temple! By then, would Mrs. Wang not know? That would truly be— "Since young master has a plan, you and Xingzhi keep this matter to yourselves, never speak a word of it again, do you understand? Also, show no signs of anything before the third young mistress, act as you always have, as if this had never happened, understand?" Sang Wan nodded, feeling somewhat tired, and waved her hand for Liu Ya to leave. Now that this matter involved Governor Hong, it’s unlikely to be resolved so easily. Sang Wan couldn’t help but worry quietly; she hoped Shi Lian’s reputation would not be implicated. Early in the morning, Governor Hong received a letter from Third Master Shi. Although Third Master Shi was recuperating at home from illness, it would be easy for the Shi family’s wealth to pave the way for his return to office. His official rank was on par with Governor Hong, and he had visited Governor Hong during the Spring Festival; seeing the letter from him, Governor Hong hurriedly opened it, not daring to neglect. What he saw made his face nearly turn green with anger. Although Third Master Shi spoke in veiled terms, suggesting that the incident should be put in the past and not mentioned again, he also expressed hope that such an incident would not recur. This was a message to settle things peacefully and for him to discipline his son properly. Governor Hong had two sons; the eldest stayed in the ancestral home to serve his grandfather and manage the family business, while the second son and his wife always stayed by his side. The second son was just nineteen years old this year and yet to be married; he only had a concubine from the third house. It wasn’t that they, as parents, weren’t anxious; it was the son who was not. Hong Xi, relying on the doting of his own mother and his father being a local official, spent his days cockfighting, horse-racing, and lingering among the flowers, living a merry life like an immortal, not at all willing to take a wife and restrict his freedoms. Governor Hong was aware of his son’s usual doings and knew that every young master from a great family had some profligate tendencies. With his wife protecting him, and seeing that he at least knew his limits and dared not stir up major troubles—at least there had been no loss of life—he turned a blind eye, letting him be. Who would have thought this time he would reach his hands toward the Shi family, even daring to molest a Shi family young mistress—this simply could not be tolerated! Incensed, Governor Hong stormed back to his residence, not seeing Hong Xi anywhere, and growled at his wife, "Where’s that disgraceful son? Has he gone out to loaf about again?" "Oh dear, what’s gotten into you today, Sir! Why are you so furious without reason!" Mrs. Hong was startled and hurried to help her husband sit down. Governor Hong shook off her hand and sat down huffing, his face cold, "Send someone to find that disgraceful son for me! I have questions for him! Hmph, you’re asking me what’s wrong? Better to ask what fine things your precious son has done outside!" Mrs. Hong felt offended and retorted, "Xi’er is still young, and it’s perfectly normal for a young man to seek pleasures, isn’t that how all young masters are? Only our son is not allowed to? After a few more years, once he’s married and comes to his senses, he will naturally improve!" Hearing her mention marriage triggered even more annoyance in Governor Hong, who slapped the tea table and said, "Don’t pretend you don’t know what that scoundrel is thinking. Isn’t he just afraid of someone reining him in after marriage? Hurry and pick a daughter from a respectable family, no, pick a girl with a fierce disposition and tough means to marry him quickly. If this undutiful son isn’t managed by someone soon, he really will rebel! Since you won’t manage, let a daughter-in-law do it!" Was she being downgraded to be even lesser than a future daughter-in-law? Mrs. Hong instantly got angry and said, "What kind of father are you! Such a cruel heart, actually wanting to marry a shrew to your son! My son will be under the thumb of a woman, he’ll have no face left to show in public, and forget about him ever achieving anything in life!"