Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

After bathing and changing, Luo An was personally led to the dining room by Madam Qian. A table was laden with dishes, everything that ran in the sky, grew on the ground, and swam in the sea, all beautifully presented and delicious, specially prepared to entertain Luo An and Xu Chengyao.

Xu Chengyao was sitting at the head table. When he saw Luo An come in, he immediately stood up and gave up his seat, and consciously sat down on the left.

Luo An was already hungry, and the aroma of the food made him even hungrier, so he picked up his chopsticks and focused on eating.

Mrs. Qian felt that Luo An was very gentle in the delivery room, but once he left the delivery room, he exuded a sense of detachment, as if he didn't want to be disturbed.

Capable people are often aloof, and Madam Qian understood this, so she greeted Xu Chengyao: "Young Master, what is your name?"

“My name is…” Xu Chengyao remembered that his name had been used by Luo An, so he said, “My name is Luo An.”

Luo An paused slightly as he picked up some food with his chopsticks, glancing at Xu Chengyao. Xu Chengyao chuckled and raised an eyebrow.

Seeing that Xu Chengyao wasn't eating, Madam Qian said kindly, "Xiao An, is none of this food to your liking? What would you like to eat? I'll have the kitchen make it for you again."

This food is far better than what you get in the palace, so how could it not suit your taste? However, Xu Chengyao was running errands for Luo An, not for this meal, but for future food expenses. He couldn't possibly eat stir-fried vegetables with white rice for every meal.

Xu Chengyao picked up the soup bowl, intending to serve the deer antler and turtle soup. He scooped it up with a spoon and was about to pour it into the bowl.

Luo An said, "Don't drink this."

Xu Chengyao immediately became alert and slowly put down his soup spoon and bowl. He thought Luo An had noticed something was wrong with the food and had specifically reminded him, so he became wary of Madam Qian: "I'm not hungry."

Madam Qian then naturally continued the conversation with Luo An: "Dr. Xu, this dish is a famous dish, and it's especially nourishing. I think Xiao An is quite thin; he should eat more to nourish himself."

Luo An pointed to the mushroom, scallop, and bamboo fungus soup in the small earthenware pot: "That's for kids."

He was overthinking it. Xu Chengyao breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Luo An was quite considerate, paying attention to such a small thing as drinking soup and knowing that children shouldn't drink adults' soup.

Xu Chengyao obediently brought the small earthenware pot to his face, popped a dried scallop into his mouth, and chatted with Madam Qian while eating: "I forgot to congratulate you, Madam. Twins, a boy and a girl, is truly a joyous occasion."

Madam Qian's face was full of gratitude: "It's all thanks to Doctor Xu's miraculous healing skills that he brought the dead back to life. To be honest, Heaven and Earth Hospital truly lives up to its reputation. Such a young doctor has such superb medical skills; no wonder it has become the most renowned medical hospital in the world."

Xiao An seems clever and intelligent. With such a skilled mentor, given time, he'll surely surpass his teacher, and his future will be immeasurable. Xiao An, let me tell you, being a doctor is a good profession. You do good deeds, accumulate virtue, and are respected—just like the Bodhisattvas in temples.”

Xu Chengyao smiled and said, "Not at all. No matter how good a doctor's skills are, he still has to go out and make a living. How can he compare to your family, which is so wealthy and powerful? Madam, putting everything else aside, just this table of dishes is something that ordinary families would never see in their entire lives."

Madam Qian shook her head: "Xiao An, you're still young. You'll understand when you reach my age. Money is just an external thing. No matter how much wealth you have or how big your business is, it can't compare to the health of your family and the safety of your children and grandchildren."

To be honest, I'm also pitiful. My father-in-law passed away three months ago, and my son fell off a cliff on his way home a month ago and has been unconscious ever since. If something happens to my daughter-in-law and grandson, I really won't have the face to live on.

So when the doctor and midwife told me that neither my daughter-in-law nor the baby could be saved, and that we should prepare for the funeral, I already knew that I would go with them to the underworld to apologize to the old man.

Still unconscious? Xu Chengyao wanted to ask Luo An if he should go and check on Madam Qian's son, but when he opened his mouth, he didn't know how to address him. If he didn't address him, it would be impolite, and it would be awkward if Luo An ignored him.

Calling him "Crown Prince Brother" is definitely out of the question, and "Brother" isn't quite right either. He certainly can't call him "Master." Xu Chengyao had no desire to become Luo An's disciple; he always wore a cold expression, as if someone owed him a fortune.

Luo An remained focused on his meal, seemingly oblivious to the two people staring at him. Xu Chengyao thought to himself, "How arrogant. He's so disdainful of everyone, even while eating."

Madam Qian took the soup bowl and served Luo An a bowl of deer antler and turtle soup, trying to get closer to him: "Dr. Xu, this was specially made for you, you must try it."

Luo An didn't thank him. He slowly ate and drank his fill before saying, "Madam, you can raise the child in Young Master Qian's room. He can eat, drink, play, and sleep there. When the child cries, don't rush to comfort him. Let him cry in Young Master Qian's ear for a while first."

Madam Qian nodded instinctively, but then realized something was amiss. After thinking it over, she said, "Dr. Xu, I'll take you to see my son in a bit."

He is a kind-hearted man, but too bookish, and not suited for business. I forced him to take over the family business, and now he's ended up like this. I feel truly guilty..."

Mrs. Qian led them to see Young Master Qian when they heard someone shout, "Fire! Young Madam's room is on fire..."

Madam Qian was descending the steps when she missed a step and was about to fall. Luo An grabbed Madam Qian and pushed her towards Xu Chengyao, saying, "Take her to an open space and wait for me."

Luo An headed towards the fire, his steps seemingly unhurried, and he disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Following Luo An's instructions, Xu Chengyao stopped Madam Qian and pointed to the middle of the courtyard: "Madam, let's go over there."

Madam Qian pushed Xu Chengyao away, stammering, "No, my grandson, I have to go save my grandson..."

Xu Chengyao stood in front of Madam Qian, refusing to budge: "He said we should go to an open space..."

Madam Qian used all her strength to push Xu Chengyao hard.

Caught off guard, Xu Chengyao staggered back a few steps and almost fell into the flower bed.

Mrs. Qian ran away crying, saying, "I begged heaven and earth for these grandsons. If anything happens to them, I won't live anymore..."

Jie Jiao leaped over, struck Madam Qian on the back of the neck, hoisted the unconscious Madam Qian onto his shoulder, and said to Xu Chengyao, "Your Highness, come with me."

The Four Brothers, usually elusive and rarely seen, arrived just in time. Xu Chengyao followed Jie Jiao towards the center of the courtyard, when he caught a glimpse of a dark figure sneaking away.

It's easy to fish in troubled waters! This guy isn't putting out the fire at the front; he's definitely up to no good coming to the back. Xu Chengyao followed without a second thought, forgetting to greet Jie Jiao.

The man was dressed in black, his face covered, and he kept looking around. Xu Chengyao was short and agile, and he followed the man through many twists and turns until they entered Madam Qian's courtyard.

There was no one in the main house at the moment, so it was impossible for someone to start a fire; it must be someone who was stealing. Xu Chengyao squatted in the corner and waited until the person entered the main house before secretly getting up and peeking inside through the window crack.

The man walked around the screen and went to the antique display shelf on his left, which was filled with various antique porcelain bottles and jars. He rotated the fifth celadon jar with a dragon and snake motif in the fourth row of the shelf half a circle clockwise, and then rotated the blue porcelain bottle with a phoenix motif on the low table in front of him half a circle counterclockwise.