The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 413: Travel Plans

Chapter 413: Travel Plans

The room seemed to freeze in a collective state of disbelief as Xu Zeng’s words hung in the air like a dense fog obscuring all sense of reason.

He, the one who had been adamant about the abandonment of his nephews, now added his news with an air of nonchalance, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

His declaration that he was returning to Sun Village, much like Xuan Jian had done before him, sent ripples of shock through the gathered company.

But then, with no indication of sensing the tension in the room, Xu Zeng continued, his words carrying a hint of reassurance that caused the men to relax ever so slightly.

"My eggshell will be good for Da Long and Xiao Long," he announced, and the tension in the room seemed to dissipate like smoke in the wind.

It was a promise—a vow to return with something of value for his nephews.

As Xu Zeng spoke, his gaze never shifted from Xuan Jian, and Bai Mo couldn’t help but detect a lingering trace of distrust in his eyes. It was clear that Xu Zeng still harbored some reservations, some lingering doubts about Xuan Yang’s sudden departure.

And who could blame him? Xuan Yang had left with similar words of reassurance, promising that he would return soon. And yet, he had been gone for more than one long month, leaving behind nothing but an empty space where his presence should have been.

But despite his lingering distrust, Xu Zeng knew deep down that Xuan Yang had not abandoned the eggs just like Xuan Jian would not. If he could, Xuan Yang would be here with them, just as he had promised.

"I wanted to discuss this with you sooner, but then Xuan Yang left. I thought he would be back soon..." Xu Zeng looked at Xuan Jian with the last bit of distrust fading.

"If the timing isn’t right, I’ll leave after the snow thaws and the planting season begins." Xu Zeng’s brows furrowed slightly. This option was clearly not the best, but it was doable.

Xuan Jian’s body had relaxed after the shock Xu Zeng had unleashed unknowingly. It had woken him from the pain and anxiety he’d been feeling about Xuan Yang.

This was in fact a good thing.

Instead of fighting over a misunderstanding, Xuan Jian had a resolution that would be for the best. His smile was small and reserved, but the two to the right and left of Xu Zeng felt anxious beyond reason.

Xu Hu Zhe and Bai Mo were eager to cut into Xu Zeng’s slow and almost disinterested plan to leave without much warning. It was the smiling snake—according to Bai Mo’s logic—that spoke up first.

"This plan works out well. Take the cubs with you back to Sun Village when I leave for Jinghua. I’ll leave with Jie and Bo, to speed up the process of retrieving Yang, the estate won’t be as safe in our absence."

The bit about safety hadn’t gone unnoticed, and most of those gathered perked their ears as Xuan Jian continued.

"As soon as I leave, the men left behind to monitor the estate will likely try to enter. If you aren’t here, it would be a good time to test the remaining servants and new additions to the estate."

Bai Mo was still unsure about this new pivot in the conversation, but Xu Zeng seemed satisfied as a smile now graced his half masked face.

There were the new additions like Midwife Lee and his children as well as the four puppies to name a few.

With Xu Feng in seclusion in the eyes of the servants of the estate, it would be best to test their loyalties once more. Would they try to ride Xu Feng’s head when they weren’t sure if his pregnancy was going well?

The human heart could be fickle.

While they knew Xu Feng’s pregnancy had come and gone, those who didn’t have the privilege to enter Budding Courtyard were in the dark. Many servants had been openly vying for Xu Hu Zhe and Xu Zeng’s attention, it really was time to test loyalties before the eggs were hatched.

"Liu and Min will be left behind to monitor things—" Xuan Jian continued and Xu Zeng’s face faltered a bit. If Liu and Min needed to stay behind it made sense, Xu Si and Xu San, as well as likely dozens of other loyal members of the estate, would be left behind.

With Jie and Bo in the capital with Xuan Jian, and his remaining men with Xuan Yang, this division of manpower was the best option.

If the people the main Xuan family had left to monitor the estate were violent, it would be left to only Xu Hu Zhe to fight back, and the untrained men who lived here. That wasn’t safe for Xu Hu Zhe or those in need of protection.

"I understand the need to keep Liu and Min behind." Xu Zeng added, "Thank you for trusting me to care for the cubs. I’ll return with them as swiftly as possible."

Bai Mo and Xu Hu Zhe were following the conversation so far, but it seemed they were the only two not completely in agreement with this new development.

Who would accompany Xu Zeng back to Sun Village? He would go without an entourage?

The estate would be protected in case of some sort of malicious intentions by the Xuan family, but what of Xu Zeng?

"I’ll go with Xu Zeng! A ger shouldn’t go on such a long trip on his own!" Bai Mo volunteered himself loudly. The calm and controlled ger seemed to go half crazy in haste to tie himself to the masked ger.

Xuan Jian seemed shocked by the outburst but didn’t refute, "It would be best to return with Xu Hu Zhe. He is not as practiced as my men, but I trust him to keep you all safe in the event of bandits."

At the inclusion of his name, Xu Hu Zhe visibly relaxed, but Xu Zeng was no longer happy with the arrangements.

"There is no need for Hu Zhe to return with me."