Chapter 2839: The Stand-in Was Forcibly Taken by the Mountain Bandit's Wife 45

Unexpectedly, after half an hour, A Yan came running back, his face somewhat flustered.

Jin Chen was resting against the beauty in the pavilion; hearing the voice, he lazily opened his eyes and asked, "What's wrong?"

A Yan panted, "Young Master… I ran into Hulu on the street."

"Hulu?" Jin Chen didn't react at once, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "A person or an object?"

A Yan: "…" He really admired the Young Master's memory.

"Young Master, you forgot?" A Yan said helplessly, "He is the Eldest Young Master's personal attendant, Hulu."

Only then did Jin Chen recall that the original owner still had such a troublesome family.

These past days, A Yan had picked up skills by ear and eye from following General Gu's army, including gathering information.

His face looked unpleasant, "Also, it's strange—the Eldest Young Master became the new Second Placer, gained a mansion in the capital, and Father and Mother came too; they seem… to be living very prosperously."

A Yan said this, feeling indignant for the Young Master in his heart.

The Young Master has been missing for over three months, and the Jin family never bothered to look for him—yet now they act as if nothing happened, flourishing in the capital.

It's as if… as if the Young Master never existed at all.

Jin Chen let out a soft hum, rose from the bamboo couch, smoothed his slightly wrinkled robe, and asked, "What did Hulu say to you?"

A Yan gritted his teeth, "He said… if you are still alive, you could return home to take a look."

"What else did he say?" Jin Chen asked, his tone carrying a hint of amused coldness.

A Yan shook his head, "Nothing more, but from his expression and the tone of the people around him gossiping… it seems the Eldest Young Master is quite pleased these days, allied with the Crown Prince, and making rapid progress."

"They seem… still unaware that the court has already been overturned, and the Crown Prince has become a prisoner."

The news of the Crown Prince's capture was deliberately controlled by Wu Chengjing and not widely publicized.

The Jin family had just arrived, their foundation shallow; moreover, Jin Xuan was merely a newly minted Second Placer, unlikely to have access to such news, still dreaming of becoming a retainer of the Crown Prince.

【Interesting! Host, let's go slap-slap-slap their faces!】 Ling Gun Gun popped out from the snack pile, excited.

Jin Chen stood up, "…Alright, then let's go take a look."

——

The Jin family's new residence is in the eastern part of the city; not large, but still imposing.

A Yan stepped forward and knocked on the door.

The door opened to reveal an unfamiliar gatekeeper, who sized them up with an arrogant tone, asking, "Who are you looking for?"

"Jin Chen." Jin Chen spoke, his voice calm and clear.

The gatekeeper blinked, his face changing; "Jin Chen? Isn't that the deceased Second Young Master of the household?"

He scrutinized the person before him—nothing like the rumored weak, sickly good-for-nothing.

"…Wait a moment." The gatekeeper, having never seen the Second Young Master, hurried inside to report.

Soon after, a servant hurried out and ushered Jin Chen into the main hall.

Inside the hall, there were actually quite a few guests today.

Seeing Jin Chen, Jin Hui's face darkened as he said, "Who are you? Why are you impersonating my second brother?"

Jin Chen lifted his gaze, his eyes languid, as if looking at some amusing toy, and said, "Impersonating?"

"Even my elder brother doesn't recognize me?"

Jin Hui's face grew even uglier.

But in memory, Jin Chen always kept his head down, speaking softly, while the person before him, dressed in fine brocade, exuded a refined elegance, as if born to be cherished.

How could this be that good-for-nothing?

"My second brother encountered bandits in South Province and died long ago." Jin Hui said coldly, "Just who are you, and why are you impersonating him?"

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, "Died from bandits? Who said that?"

Jin Hui choked.

The Jin parents exchanged a glance, their faces also somewhat unsightly.

Madam Jin's voice trembled with feigned sorrow, "Chen'er… if you really are Chen'er, why have you only returned now? Do you know how long we've grieved, thinking you were dead?"

Jin Chen looked at her, leaning back in his chair with amused detachment, "How exactly are you grieving? Is it grief so deep you didn't send anyone to look for me for three months, or grief so urgent you rushed to spread the news of my death throughout the capital to smooth your elder brother's career path?"

Madam Jin's face turned pale.

Jin Hui snapped angrily, "What nonsense are you spouting!"

"The five thousand taels of silver sent by the Ruan family— is the elder brother enjoying spending it?"

Jin Hui shuddered all over, and the Jin parents stiffened as well.

They had kept this matter secret, not even the household servants knew—how could Jin Chen possibly know!

"You're spitting blood!" Jin Hui's face flushed red as he pointed at Jin Chen, "I, an honored Second Placer, why would I need to do such petty tricks!"

Jin Chen's smile deepened, "Speaking of which, did you really earn that Second Placer position on your own?"

Jin Hui: "……"

"How could it not be! I am a retainer of the Crown Prince—how dare you defame me!"

Jin Chen turned his gaze to those who had come out with the Jin parents, obviously Jin Hui's colleagues, then looked back at Jin Hui and said, "The Crown Prince is already a prisoner."

Everyone's faces changed abruptly.

The officials and colleagues present were all startled, then turned to look at Jin Chen—this news was known only to a few, mostly central officials; how could this person know it? Speaking of which, the name Jin Chen seems somewhat familiar…

Wait a moment.

One official stared at Jin Chen for a moment, then suddenly recalled, "Jin Chen… aren't you the Young Master beside General Gu?"

A Yan straightened his back, voice ringing, "Naturally!"

The officials: "……" Uh-oh! We watched the show and got it wrong!

They hurriedly straightened their attire and all bowed to Jin Chen, "Greetings, Young Master Jin!"

Jin Family: "???"

Jin Hui's face turned ashen as paper, lips trembling, "... What are you doing? He... he is impersonating my second brother..."

An official turned his head, looking at him, "Lord Jin, you don't know yet? The Ninth Prince will soon ascend the throne; General Gu has merit for following the dragon, and will later be appointed Grand General, commanding the three armies. This young master Jin is the person closest to General Gu's heart."

"As for the Crown Prince, he's already a prisoner; you, this runner-up, probably won't succeed. We came today also to tell you this."

Jin Hui's legs went weak, he almost collapsed to the ground.

Jin Family's parents also panicked, hurried forward, wanting to take Jin Chen's hand, their voices choked with sobs, "Chen'er, listen to mother... back then we had no choice..."

Before he could finish speaking, the courtyard door was pushed open again.

"General is here!"

"General? Which general?"

"Which other general could it be?"