Chapter 408 The Image

Outside the small courtyard, there was also chaos, with everyone vowing to find Kong Huangwei.

Unfortunately, by the time they reached the present, he still hadn't received any useful reports.

Could a living person simply vanish in broad daylight like this?

Zheng Xiang did not believe such a claim.

He knew that if it had nothing to do with Zheng Wei, then Kong Huangwei must have deceived him.

She had claimed she had no strength and couldn't escape.

Furthermore, Kong Huangwei had been very well-behaved for the past twenty years, never stepping outside, which was why he had let his guard down.

Who would have thought that in such a short period, the person would be gone?

Thinking of this, Zheng Xiang clenched his fists again.

Kong Huangwei, no matter where you run, I, Zheng Xiang, will find you.

The next morning, not long after dawn, Zheng Xiang heard the sound of servants sweeping outside and stood up to go out.

He couldn't sleep due to the worries in his heart, so Zheng Xiang sat up and thought about things all night.

As soon as Zheng Xiang opened the door and stepped out, he saw Zheng Wei sitting by the stone table in the courtyard, his back straight, seemingly lost in thought.

Seeing Zheng Wei's silhouette, Zheng Xiang was clearly startled. Why so early?

Bewildered, he quickly walked up to Zheng Wei and stood beside him, looking at him strangely, "Why so early? Are you not used to it? Didn't you rest well?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Zheng Xiang wanted to slap himself.

Kong Huangwei had run away, why was he still trying to appease her son?

Since the words had already been spoken, it was difficult to take them back. Zheng Xiang tried his best to adjust his expression and sat down as if nothing had happened.

Zheng Wei turned his head when he heard the sound and saw that Zheng Xiang had sat next to him. He said, "I've been living here for ten days, and I should be going back now."

Zheng Xiang was slightly surprised, "Why the hurry? Stay a few more nights."

Zheng Wei's face suddenly turned cold. He looked Zheng Xiang directly in the eyes and said, "What does Prince Duan mean by this? Don't tell me you don't know about Grand Princess Zande bringing a doctor to my place."

As soon as Zheng Wei finished speaking, Zheng Xiang's face instantly turned a little embarrassed.

He did know about that incident. Although he hadn't participated in it, he was perfectly aware of it.

Zheng Wei looked at the expression on Zheng Xiang's face and knew his guess was correct. He continued, "Since you know, then you should also know that my three children are all dependent on me to care for them. In this situation, Prince Duan insists on keeping me here, what is your intention?"

Zheng Xiang: ...

There were indeed some intentions before.

But now, he had more pressing matters and no time to bicker with Zheng Wei.

Clearing his throat, Zheng Xiang said, "Since that's the case, then go back after breakfast. We'll have you visit again when you have time."

Zheng Xiang had wanted to suggest that Zheng Wei bring his three children to stay with him, but he also knew that even if he said it, it wouldn't end well. He would only be met with Zheng Wei's sarcastic remarks, so he decided not to say anything.

At the same time, Zheng Xiang felt a bit strange.

Logically speaking, Kong Huangwei wasn't a talkative person, and her temper was simple.

Yet, how could she have given birth to such a son?

Not only was he intelligent, but he also had character and exceptional talent.

Thinking about Zheng Fan, who had become increasingly unruly over this period, Zheng Xiang felt a surge of anger.

At the same age, why was there such a big difference?

If only the person in front of him was his son!

As soon as this thought appeared in Zheng Xiang's mind, he was startled.

Why would he suddenly have such a thought?

Zheng Xiang shook his head abruptly, his movements so large that Zheng Wei even glanced at him.

Seeing Zheng Wei looking at him strangely, coupled with his earlier thought, Zheng Xiang felt a moment of embarrassment.

If Zheng Wei knew about this, what would he say about him?

In his embarrassment, to alleviate it, Zheng Xiang quickly lowered his gaze and said, "Since that's the case, then hurry and leave. Be careful on your way back. Do you need someone to escort you?"

Although Zheng Wei didn't know why Zheng Xiang's attitude and demeanor had changed so drastically in an instant, he was still happy that he could leave smoothly.

He stood up and nodded lightly at Zheng Xiang, who was still sitting there with an unnatural expression, "Farewell."

After speaking, Zheng Wei didn't wait for Zheng Xiang's reply, turned around, and walked towards the main gate.

Zhao San and the others, who were still guarding outside, instinctively wanted to stop him but heard Zheng Xiang shout from inside, "Let him go."

Xu Shi and the others looked at each other at the words, but still obediently moved aside, allowing Zheng Wei to leave.

Zheng Wei did not walk fast. His steps seemed leisurely, yet it felt as if he had already walked a considerable distance in the blink of an eye.

Before long, Zheng Wei's figure disappeared from sight.

Zhao San and the others withdrew their gazes, stood upright, and became dutiful guards once more.

Zheng Wei walked out of Prince Duan's mansion without encountering any obstruction or trouble.

After leaving Prince Duan's mansion, the outside was still quiet.

As it was still early, and there were few people in Prince Duan's mansion, Zheng Wei still hadn't encountered anyone after walking a few hundred meters.

Yet, Zheng Wei still walked slowly, as if appreciating the surrounding scenery, or perhaps as if watching the sunrise.

In the distance, Zheng Xiang, who was following behind Zheng Wei, frowned slightly.

Didn't he want to go back to see his three children earlier with such urgency?

Why was he so leisurely now after leaving the Prince's mansion?

Or was what he said earlier just to deceive him, and he didn't want to stay in the Prince's mansion?

Thinking of this possibility, Zheng Xiang's face turned somewhat grim.

Sensing that his breathing had become heavy, Zheng Xiang quickly adjusted his breathing to avoid being discovered by Zheng Wei ahead.

But before he knew it, Zheng Wei's lips curled into a sarcastic smile.

This Zheng Xiang really thought highly of him, actually coming out in person to trail him.

Wasn't he afraid of encountering anyone along the way and causing gossip?

Although he thought this way, Zheng Wei had no intention of reminding Zheng Xiang.

Let him follow if he wanted to.

However, he would probably return disappointed.

Zheng Xiang actually understood that even if he followed Zheng Wei all the way to the Four Oceans House, it would likely be useless.

But he was unwilling.

Perhaps he wanted to prevent himself from being too persistent, so he had to follow and see for himself.

Indeed, when the two arrived at the Four Oceans House one after another, Zheng Xiang saw nothing unusual.

Zheng Wei walked in front, and along the way, besides looking up at the sky, he basically just walked properly.

He did not touch anyone or speak a word to anyone.

Watching Zheng Wei's figure disappear by the door, Zheng Xiang was momentarily at a loss for words about how he felt.

With a sigh, Zheng Xiang turned to leave.

The moment he turned around, he didn't see a shadow leap into the courtyard with extreme speed and grace.

Having entered the courtyard some time ago, Zheng Wei was still standing in the same spot.

Only when he saw a shadow fall before him did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Huo Si, who had welcomed Zheng Wei in, saw Zheng Wei standing there blankly, lost in thought.

At this moment, seeing someone leap in, he thought it was someone coming to cause trouble.

Without even thinking of shouting for help, Huo Si instinctively ran in front of Zheng Wei, spread his arms, and stared vigilantly at the person in black clothes and black hat, his voice trembling, "Who... who are you? What do you want? I... I'm telling you, the Grand Tutor Yi Zhi Xie and the Fifth Prince Sima Han are living in this courtyard. I'm telling you, if you're scared, you should run quickly. I'll plead for you, and we won't pursue you. Now, can you let him go?"

Zheng Wei looked at Huo Si, who was protecting him like an old hen guarding its chicks, and felt an inexplicable warmth in his heart.

Although he had always known that Fei San cared deeply about the comfort of his few brothers, he hadn't truly understood how much Huo Si worried about them until he saw it with his own eyes.

Just as Zheng Wei was about to open his mouth to explain to Huo Si, Kong Huangwei spoke.

"He really is my son. His charisma is truly irresistible."

Zheng Wei: ...

Huo Si: ...

What was going on?

Was the person in front of him, whose face couldn't be seen, a woman?

Huo Si was confused, so he turned to look at Zheng Wei.

Zheng Wei saw that although Huo Si had turned his head, his body was still blocking him.

If any accident were to happen now, he would be the first to bear the brunt.

Another surge of warmth flowed through his heart.

Seeing Huo Si's confused gaze and his earnest plea for guidance, Zheng Wei cleared his throat and said, "Uncle Huo, this is my mother."

After speaking, Zheng Wei stood up, patting Huo Si's arm, and then said to Kong Huangwei, "You are my mother, my own mother. You should still pay attention to your image."

Huo Si finally understood after hearing Zheng Wei say this.

The woman whose face couldn't be seen was indeed Zheng Wei's mother.

Since she was Madam Zheng's mother, how should she be addressed?

Huo Si pondered for a moment, then respectfully bowed to Kong Huangwei and said, "I greet the elderly Madam Zheng."

Zheng Wei: ...

Kong Huangwei: ...

Upon hearing this, Zheng Wei's expression became somewhat subtle.

Why did this greeting sound so awkward?

Kong Huangwei was even more stunned.

What kind of address was this?

What did she mean by "elderly Madam Zheng"?

She pulled off the veil from her face and took off her hat, then looked at Huo Si, "Take a good look, a good look. Do I look like an old woman?"

Huo Si was also stunned after Kong Huangwei removed her veil.

The woman in front of him, who looked about the same age as Master Zheng, was Master Zheng's mother?

For a moment, Huo Si found it hard to accept.

However, Kong Huangwei did not intend to let Huo Si off the hook.

For any woman, age was a sensitive topic.

Moreover, she was an old woman who had lived for over a thousand years.

As an old woman, she particularly disliked others doubting her beauty.

Even though she was old, it had nothing to do with her face.

Kong Huangwei glared at Zheng Wei and said, "You say I'm old? Old enough to be an elderly Madam?"

Zheng Wei was ashamed. Did she have to care about this?

It was just a term of respect.

"Um, Mother, weren't you in a hurry to see your daughter-in-law and the three children just now? Hurry up."

After saying that, Zheng Wei turned around and ran towards the backyard.

Kong Huangwei stood there stunned for a moment, then immediately chased after him.

As she ran, she muttered words that Huo Si couldn't understand.

Huo Si watched the two figures disappear one after another and shook his head slightly. "I'm truly old. These young people nowadays..."

He didn't finish his sentence before closing his mouth.

Zheng Wei was indeed a young man.

But the woman just now, based on her appearance alone, what kind of person couldn't she attract?

Yet, she revealed her identity.

In the backyard, Kong Huangwei and Zheng Wei ran towards the Shi'an Courtyard one after another.