"What's up? Prince Duan?"
Zheng Xiang choked on a mouthful of blood, and after a long while, he roared, "Didn't you say you didn't know her?"
While speaking to Zheng Wei, Zheng Xiang's eyes were fixed on Kong Huangwei.
Kong Huangwei looked at the furious Zheng Xiang and smiled as radiantly as a flower, "Prince Duan, it's been a long time."
Zheng Wei also spoke at this moment, "What brings all of you here today? Did you know we have double happiness and have come specially to congratulate us?"
"What double happiness?" Yue Zhong asked curiously.
This morning, it was Zheng Xiang who stopped them after court, saying that the Grand Tutor was hosting a banquet and specifically wanted to bring them along, so they followed.
They found it strange at the time: why would Prince Duan inform them about the Grand Tutor's banquet?
However, Zheng Xiang had confidently said that it was because his son Zheng Wei had a good relationship with the Grand Tutor, so he was chosen to deliver the message.
Upon hearing Zheng Xiang's explanation, they recalled often seeing Zheng Wei by the Grand Tutor's side and thus believed Zheng Xiang's words, willingly coming together.
As for why Lin Xiaowei, Grand Princess Zande, and Bai Li Ziyun were here, they had no idea and dared not inquire.
But it was one thing to not see the host after arriving, and another to be led to the garden by servants. They had already endured various shocks, and judging by the Grand Tutor's tone, it was clear he did not welcome them.
Had the Grand Tutor not invited them at all?
Arriving uninvited at the Grand Tutor's manor.
In an instant, a fine sheen of sweat covered all the officials' foreheads.
And the reason, needless to say, was that they had already suffered greatly.
But looking at Yi Zhixie's excited demeanor, it was clear he hadn't had enough fun yet.
Furthermore, judging by the conversation between Prince Duan and Zheng Wei, it didn't sound like a conversation between a father and son.
Without much thought, all the officials knew they had been tricked by Zheng Xiang today.
However, in the current situation, even explaining would not spare them from the Grand Tutor's wrath.
They could only hope that the Grand Tutor would calm down sooner and allow them to leave unharmed.
Zheng Wei's gaze swept across everyone's faces before he said, "The first joy is celebrating the discovery of my biological mother, and the second joy is my child's first birthday. If you don't know about these joyous occasions, what are you all doing here?"
Hearing Zheng Wei say this, the officials felt even more miserable.
These two occasions had absolutely nothing to do with the Grand Tutor. Not only had they suffered, but they couldn't even partake in any of the joy. It was a complete loss, like losing the wife and also the soldiers.
Zheng Xiang had also figured it out by now; he had been tricked by Zheng Wei.
He had always thought Zheng Wei was a rascal from the countryside, and he had lost his memory. If he treated him well, Zheng Wei would lower his guard, and then everything he wanted would be within his grasp.
But who would have thought that he, who had hunted birds for years, would be pecked by a bird this time.
"Hahahahaha..."
Zheng Xiang suddenly burst into laughter, and in the eyes of everyone present, glints of disgust appeared.
But Zheng Xiang had no time to pay attention to them. After laughing, he looked intently at Zheng Wei, "I admit defeat this time, Prince. However, we shall see in the future."
Zheng Wei shrugged indifferently, "What is there to win or lose between the Prince and me? I still have to thank the Prince. Otherwise, how could I have found my mother so smoothly?"
Kong Huangwei also spoke softly at this moment, "Gratitude is certainly due. But perhaps Prince Duan is getting old. I lived in Prince Duan's manor for so many years. You've been back for so long, Ah Wei, yet the Prince never told you I was in the manor. If you hadn't gone to the manor for the New Year and seen me, who knows when our mother and son would have met."
Zheng Wei also sighed, "Yes. Perhaps the Prince was anxious for his son. From the first time we met, he insisted I was his eldest son. I repeatedly denied it, but the Prince wouldn't listen."
"Still, I have to thank the Prince. If the Prince hadn't insisted, how would I have had the chance to go to the manor? And how would I have met you, Mother?"
Saying this, Zheng Wei and Kong Huangwei exchanged a smiling glance. Everyone could feel the joyful atmosphere between them.
Zheng Xiang was so enraged by Zheng Wei and Kong Huangwei's synchronized performance that he almost spat blood, but he couldn't refute them.
Because, it seemed, everything Zheng Wei and Kong Huangwei said was the truth.
Why was this happening?
Why had things suddenly spun out of control?
The sudden silence in the garden made everyone present feel a little uneasy. The more they thought about that round of thanks, the more chilling it felt.
Most importantly, as Prince Duan, why was Zheng Xiang so eager to acknowledge a son, especially when others repeatedly denied it?
Could it be because Prince Duan was infatuated with this woman?
As the officials thought this, they looked towards Kong Huangwei.
Undoubtedly, Kong Huangwei was beautiful.
Despite having such a grown son, her face was still as radiant as a flower.
A gentle smile from her could be utterly captivating.
Such a beauty, let alone having a son, even with a husband still alive, would not be able to resist the covetous glances of others.
Moreover, they hadn't heard the mother and son mention anyone else throughout their conversation. Could she be a widow?
Therefore, Prince Duan was so eager, aiming to become a contented father?
Then why didn't Kong Huangwei agree?
Could it be because Prince Duan already had a primary consort, and she didn't want to be a concubine, hence her refusal?
This was not impossible. After all, she was so beautiful that even the Emperor, upon seeing her, might be tempted.
Zheng Xiang was unaware that within this short span of time, these officials had already concocted a grand romance novel in their minds.
If he had known, Zheng Xiang would have waved his hands in protest.
He was not a person who coveted beauty at all!
Compared to beauty, he loved power.
As long as he could obtain that thing and become powerful, how many beauties could he not have?
Even if they might not be as beautiful as Kong Huangwei, once he became powerful, snatching Kong Huangwei would not be difficult.
Suddenly, Zheng Xiang shivered.
How could he have such a thought?
Shaking his head, he expelled the thought. Zheng Xiang then realized he had regained his ability to move.
"Zheng Wei, we will discuss this matter later. Today, I am here on the command of the Grand Empress Dowager to congratulate you. Do not be ungrateful."
Zheng Xiang's words finally brought everyone's thoughts back.
So, they had indeed come for a reason today.
Zheng Wei, however, showed no surprise. He merely glanced indifferently at Zheng Xiang and asked, "Congratulate? Congratulate what?"
Zheng Xiang took a deep breath and forced out a smile, "Didn't you just say it? Today is your child's first birthday. The Grand Empress Dowager remembers your significant contributions during the snow disaster and has specially bestowed this reward upon you."
"Is that so?"
Seeing that Zheng Wei remained indifferent and showed no particular reaction, Zheng Xiang felt like he was punching cotton.
Lin Xiaowei saw that Zheng Wei clearly did not want to deal with Zheng Xiang and knew that there was no special relationship between Zheng Wei and Zheng Xiang. Thinking of the task assigned by Sima Zhu today, she felt a bit more confident.
Perhaps, with a little effort, she could successfully complete today's mission.
"Young Master Zheng, I, along with Noble Lady Yue, are here on the Emperor's orders to celebrate the first birthday of Young Master Zheng's three children."
Lin Xiaowei said this and offered Zheng Wei a gentle smile.
She had a good impression of Zheng Wei. Although Zheng Wei was a bit cold, he had never embarrassed her.
Out of admiration for handsome men, coupled with being on a mission, Lin Xiaowei was willing to treat Zheng Wei better.
Unfortunately, even though she smiled at Zheng Wei, he was unwilling to acknowledge her.
Seeing Lin Xiaowei make a fool of herself, Bai Li Ziyun was naturally delighted.
However, she herself dared not step forward to speak.
Because she knew that Zheng Wei had an even worse impression of her.
The time passed quickly in this stalemate.
Suddenly, the dark clouds in the sky seemed to churn violently. Even the wind that had subsided now began to blow again.
Zheng Wei frowned and looked at Yi Zhixie, "What mischief are you up to again?"
Yi Zhixie pouted, "How am I causing mischief?
Zheng Wei glanced at the sky, then at Yi Zhixie, clearly implying, "See? It's all your doing."
Yi Zhixie shook his head dejectedly, "This is not my doing."
Zheng Wei saw Yi Zhixie's sincere expression and began to believe him.
However, this didn't look like a natural change in the weather either.
A moment later, Zheng Xiang and the others' faces turned darker than pitch at the instant the sky changed.
They instinctively thought that Zheng Xiang had angered Zheng Wei, and therefore Zheng Wei was making the Grand Tutor punish Zheng Xiang.
And they were all innocent victims caught in the crossfire.
This thought did not last long, because after a moment, Zheng Wei and the others all stood up, staring intently at the sky.
The wind grew stronger, and the dark clouds churned.
But strangely, it did not become colder because of this. Instead, the dark clouds gradually dispersed, revealing a clear blue sky.
"Is the sky clearing up?" Yi Zhixie asked curiously.
However, even if the sky was clearing, the change was not normal.
A little while later, all the dark clouds in the sky completely vanished. The sky was as clear as azure, and the sun hung high in the sky.
Zheng Xiang and the others' hearts gradually relaxed.
Surely, they weren't going to torment them, were they?
Zheng Wei closed his eyes and sensed for a moment, then suddenly opened them.
"Zheng Wei, where are you going?" Yi Zhixie asked loudly as Zheng Wei sprinted towards Shian Courtyard.
But Zheng Wei did not stop or offer any explanation.
His speed was so fast that in the blink of an eye, he was gone.
Yi Zhixie and the others looked at each other, completely bewildered as to why.
Kong Huangwei, however, suddenly spoke, "It must be that Shen Xiaoyan has woken up."
Yi Zhixie and the others were all startled, "How do you know?"
Kong Huangwei smiled gently, "Besides Shen Xiaoyan waking up, what else could make him act like this?"
Thinking about it, it really was like that.
Thinking that Shen Xiaoyan might have woken up, Yi Zhixie and the others' moods suddenly brightened.
It seemed that ever since Shen Xiaoyan fell into a coma, their lives had become increasingly difficult, and all sorts of troublesome people had appeared from nowhere.
Now that Shen Xiaoyan had finally woken up, perhaps their good luck would finally return.
With this thought, looking at the eyesore Zheng Xiang and his group, their moods were no longer as bad as before.
Zheng Xiang and the others had not heard Kong Huangwei's words, so they were even more curious about Zheng Wei's sudden departure.
Lin Xiaowei's eyes darted, recalling Zheng Wei's affection for his wife, and she guessed that perhaps Shen Xiaoyan had woken up.
Otherwise, a man would not act this way in full view of everyone.
At the same time, a hint of jealousy arose in Lin Xiaowei's heart. Why wasn't there such a man willing to care for her like this?
Sighing, Lin Xiaowei comforted herself.
Since love was not destined for her, she would firmly grasp power in her own hands.
To reach for power, the first step was to completely win Sima Zhu's heart.
Thinking of this, Lin Xiaowei said loudly, "I had heard before that Young Master Zheng's wife was in a coma. Now that Young Master Zheng is so distraught, is it because Madam Zheng is unwell?"
"Regardless of what happened, it has nothing to do with Consort Hua, right?" Bai Li Ziyun said coldly.