Xue Fan didn't know that Shangguan Yunting had already guessed that he was the one plotting the conspiracy in secret, and the emperor had sent people to track him down everywhere, but he had not yet been found.

Ever since he became the fake Liu Yu's savior, he has become a distinguished guest of the Liu family. The Liu family treats Xue Fan and He Feng (the two brothers of the Jin family) with gratitude, humility and courtesy.

Xue Fan often talked to Liu Jizhong under the pretext of discussing business. Recently, the two of them cooperated in the trade of silk and jade and made a lot of money, which made Liu Jizhong trust and appreciate him more.

The two sat together and talked happily, the atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious.

The sunlight shines on them through the window, and this friendship that came too late is coated with a layer of warm glow.

Liu Jizhong looked at Xue Fan opposite him with admiration in his eyes, and secretly admired in his heart that Xue Fan was not only quick-witted, knowledgeable, and well-spoken, but also had earned many industries with his own abilities at a young age and would become a leader in the future business world.

Yesterday, Aunt Zhang was still nagging in front of her that her concubine Liu Yan was of marriageable age and asked her to help find a young talent.

When Liu Jizhong thought of this, he immediately smiled. It would be great if Jin Chen could become his son-in-law.

He asked tentatively, "Brother Jin, you are so outstanding, why haven't you married yet?"

Xue Fan's expression changed instantly. His originally bright expression was instantly filled with gloom. The deep affection in his eyes turned into endless sadness, and he was shrouded in a layer of dark mist.

Liu Jizhong was shocked when he saw his expression suddenly change. He quickly said, "Brother Jin, did I say something wrong? If I said something wrong, please forgive me!"

Xue Fan's expression was heavy as he spoke slowly, "Brother Liu, I once..."

He paused, as if his throat was choked by memories.

After a moment of silence, he took a deep breath, as if mustering up his courage, and then continued, "Brother Liu, I married and had children many years ago, but..."

His voice trembled slightly, tears welling up in his eyes. "But fate played a cruel trick on me. A fire burned my entire family to ashes. My wife, children, parents, and I all died."

When Xue Fan said this, he covered his face with his hands and tears welled up in his eyes.

Liu Jizhong was moved after hearing this. He felt that Xue Fan was a good man with feelings and righteousness, and he became more determined to marry his daughter to him.

But he still asked cautiously: "Brother Jin, how long has this been happening?"

Xue Fan wiped away his crocodile tears and said in a hoarse voice, "It's been eight years since this happened, but every time I think of my wife and children, I feel guilty. Only Jin Yue escaped the disaster because he followed me on a business trip. Otherwise, everyone would have been spared."

Liu Jizhong looked at Xue Fan, who was so sad, with pity on his face. He patted his shoulder gently and comforted him: "Brother, don't be too sad. The dead are gone. We can't keep immersing ourselves in grief. After all, life must go on, and we must look forward."

Xue Fan forced a smile and said, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Liu, but this matter has been weighing on my mind and I can't let it go."

Xue Fan had a sad expression on his face, he was still immersed in the sorrow of the past and couldn't let it go.

At this moment, Xue Fan might really feel a little ashamed towards his parents, wife and children. If he had not accidentally killed Huo Xi and escaped, his father would not have committed the crime of deceiving the emperor in order to save his only son, and the entire Xue family would not have been confiscated and exterminated.

"My dear brother, now that you are thirty years old, it's time to start a family. Marrying a wife and having children will help you gradually forget the past and start a new future. If your parents knew, they would also hope that you can live a happy second half of your life."

"Brother Liu, my heart has been broken since the tragedy happened. The scars haven't healed yet, how dare I open them again? I've already planned to marry Jin Yue and have children, and then I'll live out my life alone."

Liu Jizhong felt that Xue Fan was a good man with affection and righteousness, and his daughter would definitely be happy with him.

He persisted in trying to persuade her, "How can that be? You're still so young, and you still have a lot of life ahead of you. At least get married and have children, otherwise you'll be too lonely when you're old."

"I know you value friendship, but you can't just cut off your family line like this. Your parents wouldn't agree to this, even in their graves. After all, there are three kinds of unfilial behavior, and having no descendants is the worst. They also hope that you can get out of this shadow and start a new life."

"How can I marry and have children with my broken body? Don't ruin the girl's future happiness."

"Brother, you're good in every way except that you're too humble. With your current status, you can find any girl you want. You're a devoted man, but you're so busy with business that you have no time to think about your own lifelong affairs."

"Brother, do you believe me?"

"Brother Liu, since I met you, I feel like I've found a close friend with whom I can talk about anything. I've never mentioned my family affairs to anyone before, and you're the first person I've ever told anyone."

"Okay, since you trust me, I won't let you down. Last time you met my daughter Liu Yan, what did you think of her?"

Xue Fan smiled slightly and said respectfully, "The Third Miss is gentle and charming, kind and virtuous, well-educated and well-mannered. She is a rare beauty."

"Since she has caught your eye, and with her by your side in the future, I will surely be able to slowly heal your inner wounds."

Xue Fan deliberately evaded the question, "Brother Liu, this is absolutely inappropriate. How can a widower like me be worthy of the Third Miss of the Liu family? If this gets out, people will laugh at you, Brother Liu."

"There are very few people in Jizhou City who dare to laugh at me, Liu Jizhong. Besides, my daughter's marriage is decided by my parents and the matchmaker. Naturally, I have the final say. Others can only talk nonsense."

Xue Fan was secretly delighted, but still showed hesitation on his face: "I appreciate Brother Liu's kindness, but I'm afraid that it will cause trouble to the Third Miss."

Liu Jizhong waved his hand: "Don't worry, brother. As long as you treat my daughter sincerely, there is no need to complain."

Xue Fan pretended to ponder for a long time, and finally nodded in agreement: "In that case, it's all up to Brother Liu to arrange."

Xue Fan raised his lips to an imperceptible smile. All the plans were under control. His power quickly penetrated every corner of the Liu family, and replaced the head of the Liu family and the eldest son Liu Qian. Then came the next plan.

Liu Jizhong had no idea that he had fallen into someone else's trap and was even complacent.

Liu Jizhong was very satisfied after hearing this. "I will ask the master to choose an auspicious day, and you can get married."

Xue Fan laughed in his heart at Liu Jizhong, who was a shrewd and capable businessman in the eyes of others, but was just an extremely stupid and reckless man in his own eyes.

He pretended to hesitate, "Brother, the three letters and six ceremonies are indispensable. I'm very lucky that you don't mind me being a widower. How can I let the Third Miss suffer any injustice?"

Liu Jizhong laughed heartily. "It's a blessing for my Yan'er to marry a man as talented as you. She doesn't feel wronged at all. On the contrary, it's a blessing for her."

Xue Fan nodded and said, "I'll follow Brother Liu's arrangements."

"Why are you still calling me Brother Liu? You should call me Uncle."

Xue Fan clasped his hands together and saluted, "Yes, uncle."

Liu Jizhong's face was filled with a happy smile, and the corners of his mouth were almost stretched to his ears.

The Jin family is well-off and has no oppression from the parents-in-law. The family has good upbringing and knowledge, and is polite and handsome in dealing with others.

In Liu Jizhong's opinion, it is the best thing for his daughter to have such a home.

The more Liu Jizhong thought about it, the happier he became. Laughter unconsciously welled up from the bottom of his heart, and his hearty laughter echoed in the living room.

Xue Fan sat in his study, the light dimming. His hands tapped gently on the carved table, the rhythm slow and steady, each beat seeming to strike at his heartstrings.

At this moment, the door was gently pushed open, and He Feng walked in lightly. He bowed slightly and whispered, "Master, I found out that Shen Xue was sold to a brothel called Changchun House in Yunzhou and stayed there for several months."

Xue Fan's eyes suddenly lit up, "Is there such a thing? Is it reliable?"

"It's reliable! Although Shen Rou got rid of the brothel's madam, many people inside knew about it. It's definitely true."

"Send someone to find out the truth and then ask someone to come and testify. I want to see if the emperor can still agree to his son marrying a woman who worked in a brothel. Even if the Third Prince and Shen Xue get married, if the entire palace and the people of the capital know what Shen Xue did in the past, how can she still have the face to be the Third Prince's consort? Suppressing Shen Xue is like cutting flesh from Shen Rou. The more pain she suffers, the happier I am."

"Yes."

"How are Wangchuan and Fengjiang's imitations?"

"They have been practicing hard day and night, and now they are 70% to 80% similar to Liu Jizhong and Liu Qian. When will we start?"

Xue Fan narrowed his eyes slightly, looked through the window into the distance, and seemed to be thinking about something.

After a long moment, he averted his gaze. His voice was low but revealed an undeniable authority: "The time has not come yet. Liu Jizhong has been in business for many years and has countless friends and business partners. He is well-known. You must imitate him at least 90% before you can replace him. Otherwise, the consequences of being discovered will be disastrous."

He Feng nodded slightly, "Young Master, your concerns are indeed correct."

"Order Wangchuan and Fengqing to continue imitating as quickly as possible."

"Yes."

"What's the Fourth Prince doing?"

"The people monitoring the Fourth Prince said that he hasn't left the palace since meeting you."

"Look, he's trying to hide from me. No one can hide from what I want to do. If I don't succeed, I'll die."

"Tomorrow, you will use the Liu family's name to send the largest night-shining pearl in the storehouse to the palace to Concubine Qi. This will help you get closer to her and get information from her maids about the Fourth Prince. Once Shen Xue's case is thoroughly investigated, you will have her expose it to everyone."

"Concubine Qi must have been cruel to Shen Xue. If she hadn't interfered, her niece Zhuang Shiwan would have become the Third Prince's consort and might not have become senile. The Second Princess wouldn't have married a poor scholar."

"That's what the eldest master said."

He Feng responded, secretly admiring Xue Fan's calmness.

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