Li Ninghou's family was soon imprisoned. In an unnoticed corner, Yang Zhongqing, carrying a bundle, rode out of the city overnight with his confidantes. They endured hardships on the road and soon arrived at the territory of the Third Prince.
Zheng Rui was somewhat surprised when he met him on the street. He had never expected him to appear here, and it seemed he was here for him.
The two tacitly went to a restaurant and sat by the window.
They sat facing each other, neither speaking. Zheng Rui was trying to figure out why he was looking for him.
Yang Zhongqing felt that his son was extraordinary for being so composed. However, this stalemate couldn't last, so he finally spoke, "No matter what, you are my son, and I want you to be safe. I came this time mainly to see you. After all, the Emperor has been sending troops to the border recently, and the war is raging. I'm worried about your safety."
"I'm fine. You don't need to worry." After the initial excitement, he calmed down and felt that his appearance was too coincidental.
"What are your thoughts on the Third Prince's actions? Regardless, you are not his biological son. If you don't agree with him rebelling, I can take you back to the capital." Yang Zhongqing looked at him with sincerity, his eyes full of expectation.
"I am now a member of the Third Prince's mansion. He treats me very well, and I regard him as my own father. No matter what he does, I will support him unconditionally." Zheng Rui spoke the truth, with a bit of intention to anger him. Honestly, he had only been in the Third Prince's mansion for a short time, and the Third Prince had always cared for him as if he were his own son. As for Yang Zhongqing, although his blood flowed through him, he had never cared for him much over the years. He didn't want to experience the coldness he had endured in the Yang family again. Sudan Novel Network.
Yang Zhongqing immediately looked at him with hurt eyes, burning with anger, but he managed to suppress it. As expected, he was an ungrateful wretch. Seeing that others had great power, he quickly attached himself to them. Then he couldn't be blamed for being ruthless.
"I know I'm sorry to you and your mother over the years, and I regret it. I want to know how you've lived all these years. Can you secretly take me to your courtyard and let me experience how you lived when I couldn't see you, to compensate for my regret? This way, I can leave with more peace of mind."
"No, Mother said that without her charm, no one is allowed to enter our mansion casually."
"Am I just anyone else? I am your biological father. Of course, don't let your mother know about this. After all, she hates me very much. Everyone has started a new life now, so let's not disturb each other. The only bond between us is you. I just want to make up for the fatherly love I missed."
Zheng Rui's heart was slightly touched. Although he had witnessed too much killing these days and his heart had become as hard as iron, he couldn't help but waver when the scene he had longed for finally appeared. However, he quickly realized that with Yang Zhongqing's unreasonable and early-rising nature, he might truly be here to catch up. He might also have ulterior motives. His family had too many secrets, and too many people wanted to infiltrate. He couldn't casually take someone back, so he quickly refused.
"You truly cannot forgive me. Yes, I have done so many wrong things. I deserve to be punished." It wasn't that Yang Zhongqing's acting wasn't good. It felt like his tears were about to fall, truly making the listener sad and the hearer weep. Then he quickly wiped away his tears, carefully took out a handkerchief from his chest, and opened it to reveal a jade pendant. Yang Zhongqing came up to Zheng Rui and personally fastened it to his waist.
"What are you doing? I can't accept it." Seeing that this jade pendant was priceless, Zheng Rui didn't want to get too involved with him and quickly refused.
"It's just a jade pendant. It's not as valuable as the Yang family's fortune. Originally, all the Yang family's fortune belonged to you, let alone this jade pendant. We don't know when we'll meet again in the future, so consider it a memento." Yang Zhongqing sighed.
"You're leaving already? Is everything taken care of?" Zheng Rui subtly probed for information.
"It's taken care of. My main reason for this trip was to hear your opinion. Now that it seems you are willingly staying here, I can rest assured. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, I will do my best to help you." Yang Zhongqing patted his son's shoulder, hesitating to speak.
"I don't think that day will ever come."
"I hope so too."
After speaking, they clinked glasses, and everything was in the wine.
On the way home, Zheng Rui instructed his servants that they had seen nothing today. He instinctively didn't want his mother to know about his meeting with Yang Zhongqing, fearing she would cause a scene as she had before. In the past, she was a noble lady, and the Zheng family had no officials in the court, so it didn't harm her much. But now she was the Third Prince's Consort, she had to be dignified and sensible. He didn't want to damage her image in the public's mind.
Sometimes, what you fear most comes to pass. As soon as he walked through the gate, he saw his father and mother walking out hand in hand. He quickly bowed. Gao Zimu asked a few caring questions as usual. As they brushed past each other, he suddenly stopped and shouted, "Wait."
He saw his gaze fixed on the jade pendant on his waist. Thinking that his meeting with Yang Zhongqing today had been exposed, he subconsciously reached out to cover it.
"Where did this come from?" It was just as he had imagined. Wouldn't he be jealous?
"I... I bought it." He hesitated, then lied. He had never done such a thing since he was a child. He felt a little guilty, and his eyes began to dart away.
"I just want to tell you that this jade pendant is strange. It emits a fragrance and scent. Anyone who wears it and anyone who comes into contact with them will have their life force absorbed, their energy depleted, and they will die suddenly." Gao Zimu knew he wasn't telling him the whole story, but he clearly explained the strangeness of the jade pendant. He believed that as a grown child, he would have his own judgment and make his own decisions.
After hearing these words, Zheng Rui didn't dare to look up in disbelief. He widened his eyes and looked at his mother with a plea for help.
Although Wu Caiwei didn't know who gave it to him, she still nodded affirmatively. After all, she was telling the truth to the Third Prince. This was indeed not a good thing.
At this moment, Zheng Rui truly felt like crying without tears. He knew it was too coincidental. So this was what they were waiting for. He felt his heart breaking. He had even cherished the father-son relationship with him. He thought that if they won the war in the future, he would definitely ensure the prosperity of his family. He never expected that he was the complete fool, and they just wanted to use him.
After understanding, he listlessly returned to his room and took out the jade pendant from his waist to examine it carefully. He couldn't help but recall, if he had bravely expressed himself in front of him back then, would things be different now?