The crowd that had gathered around the steamed buns parted as he approached, wondering who this child was.
He walked up to the waiter, his imposing noble bearing laced with a sharp chill, and spoke coldly.
"Let him go."
The little beggar looked up at the child before him, his eyes filled with admiration. He gazed adoringly at the small Mu Xing, wondering who he was.
He looked as if his head were crowned with golden light, so handsome!
The little beggar was mesmerized, forgetting to struggle. The waiter who had been holding him heard Mu Xing's command. He had wanted to resist, but a sense of timidity made him dare not retort, and he quickly let go of the little beggar in his hands.
Mu Xing walked up to the little beggar and asked him with concern, "Are you alright?"
The little beggar didn't know what to say. He didn't actually blame the waiter.
It was his own fault. His mother had warned him countless times not to steal, but his mother was ill and hadn't eaten, so he had no choice but to steal.
For the past few years, they had been constantly on the run. His mother always said she wanted to take him back to Yue Hua Kingdom, though he didn't know where Yue Hua Kingdom was.
However, because people were always trying to kill them, they couldn't carry out her wish. The beggar shook his head blankly.
Mu Xing stood up and looked coldly at the waiter. "This is outrageous! Why did you hit him? Just for two steamed buns?"
The waiter was startled by Mu Xing's demeanor. Seeing the entourage behind the child, he knew this young master was either wealthy or noble, and he didn't dare offend him. He quickly spoke with caution, "He always comes here to steal buns, that's why I was angry."
Mu Xing didn't reply. He turned to the palace maids behind him and said, "Ming Yue, give the waiter some silver. From now on, if he comes for buns, let him take whatever he wants."
"Yes, Young Master,"
Ming Yue, who had already alighted from the carriage and was following Mu Xing, felt a surge of emotion upon seeing the young master's kindness. She nodded vigorously and handed a silver ingot to the waiter.
Seeing that they were giving a large silver ingot for two buns, the waiter dared not accept it and waved his hands repeatedly, "Forget it, forget it, I don't want it."
"Take it."
Mu Xing spoke no further, glaring at the waiter. He found it strange that the man was acting this way. Previously, he had demanded payment when the child had none, and now that payment was offered, he dared not accept it. Displeasure colored his lips, and a cold smile flickered.
"If I ever see you bullying him again, I'll skin you alive!"
This statement left the onlookers, eunuchs, and palace maids dumbfounded. The Crown Prince was truly uncouth, even using such language. But no one dared to speak. They only heard the waiter's respectful voice.
"Yes, yes, I won't dare again."
He received the silver ingot with trembling hands, full of trepidation. Although he was happy, he wondered if this was a blessing or a curse. These wealthy people could change their moods as quickly as the weather.
Mu Xing turned and glanced at the small figure on the ground, his facial lines softening. "What's your name?"
The little beggar looked at Mu Xing stubbornly. Although he was dressed in rags, his expression was proud and defiant. While grateful for Mu Xing's help, his small face was held high, and he met Mu Xing's gaze, speaking neither subserviently nor arrogantly, "My name is Feng Xin Hun."
Feng Xin Hun? Liu Liu was stunned for a moment. Feng should be the royal surname. How could this child claim such a rebellious surname? His eyes, with their hidden sharp gaze, fell as he heard Ri Ying, who was on horseback, shout.
"Bold boy! Feng is the royal surname. How dare you, a mere beggar, use the royal surname? It is treason and you deserve death."
His resonant voice pierced the sky, startling the onlookers on the street into gasping and retreating a few steps, none daring to speak.
Except for the concern for the little beggar, the street was so quiet that the fall of a needle could be heard.
As soon as Ri Ying finished speaking, the guards behind him drew their swords, their cold gleam dazzling. A massacre was about to begin.
Mu Xing, standing beside the little beggar, raised his delicate eyebrows and glared displeasurably at Ri Ying, snorting, "Ri Ying, don't frighten my younger brother. Put away your swords."
Liu Liu nodded approvingly at her son's words. Mu Xing possessed a benevolent heart and would be a wise ruler in the future.
Liu Liu turned to Ri Ying, who dared not disobey. He waved his hand, signaling the guards behind him to sheathe their swords, and spoke respectfully, "Yes, Young Master," leading them aside.
Although the little beggar was stubborn, he had been chased many times and was exceptionally sensitive to swords. His palms were covered in cold sweat, and his small face was pale as he looked at Mu Xing.
Liu Liu saw that the crowd on the street was growing. Their identities were already attracting suspicion. If they were discovered by interested parties, they might be in trouble again. Thus, she called out lightly from outside the carriage, "Mu Xing, let's go."
"Yes," Mu Xing nodded, glancing back at the child. Feng Xin Hun?
What a beautiful name. It would be wonderful if he were his own younger brother. With a sigh, he waved goodbye to Feng Xin Hun and walked towards the carriage, preparing to leave.
However, Feng Xin Hun rushed forward at the fastest possible speed and knelt down with a thud, startling Mu Xing. What was he doing?
"Get up quickly, what are you doing?" Mu Xing reached out to help him up, but the little beggar refused to rise, kneeling firmly on the ground and pleading repeatedly, "Brother, please, save my mother, save my mother."
Although Feng Xin Hun was often chased, he was willing to trust this little brother before him this time. He was so cute and kind, he certainly wouldn't be a bad person. Therefore, he hoped they could save his mother.
Mu Xing was dumbfounded. He didn't know how to handle this situation. Liu Liu glanced around the vicinity and decided it was best to take the little beggar into the carriage.
"Let him come up, Mu Xing," Liu Liu commanded her son in a deep voice. As soon as Mu Xing heard his mother, he quickly reached out and pulled Feng Xin Hun up. "Get up quickly, we will save your mother."
The two children boarded the carriage one after another. Feng Xin Hun's clothes were very dirty, and as soon as he entered the carriage, a foul odor filled the air.
However, Liu Liu casually opened the carriage window, looking at Feng Xin Hun, who seemed as startled as a little rabbit, and found it peculiar.
This child bore a two-thirds resemblance to Mu Xing. How strange! Liu Liu mused, then ordered the eunuch driving the carriage, "Let's go."
The carriage began to move. Liu Liu, seated inside, looked at Feng Xin Hun and spoke softly, "What's wrong with your mother?"
"She's sick, please save her." Feng Xin Hun attempted to stand up in the carriage to kowtow, but Mu Xing quickly held him down. "Don't move, it'll be alright."
"Alright, where is she now?" Liu Liu nodded, thinking of a five or six-year-old child outside begging others to save his mother. How filial this child was!
"In a dilapidated temple in the eastern suburbs," Feng Xin Hun said sadly. He had been out for quite some time, and he was worried about his mother. He looked at Mu Xing and urged him, "Brother, can we hurry? I'm afraid someone will kill my mother."
"Kill your mother? Who would be so audacious in broad daylight?" Liu Liu's face flushed with anger. This was the capital, the heart of the empire, and yet someone would openly commit assassination. How despicable! "Is it your enemy?"
"I don't know. My mother said she has no relatives here. Her home is a place thousands of miles away, a very beautiful and lovely place."