Chapter 319: Worry

Cheng Zhiyuan wiped his face, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: "What nonsense are you talking about? Your father's home is right here. Where else can you find his wife and children?"

"Then why don't you stay at home?" Cheng Shu muttered softly.

Lin's ears were sharp, and she followed up, "Yes, big brother, home is so good. Can you get used to seeing those yellow-haired people every day when you go overseas?"

Cheng Zhiyuan looked at Lin with bitterness in his eyes.

Wanqing is still the same, simple and happy, and she will cry and scold no matter how big the trouble is.

Or the way he...likes it.

Cheng Zhiyuan quickly suppressed this thought and secretly cursed himself for being shameless.

He grew up with Wanqing, and when he understood the taste of love, this silly girl was already in his heart.

He still remembered the day when he mustered up the courage to confess to his adoptive parents, but Wanqing flew in like a happy bird and told them that she had fallen in love with someone.

That person was the newly-appointed Jinshi Wen Rugui.

Wanqing was the only jewel in the eyes of his adoptive parents, so it was no surprise that they agreed to Wanqing's wishes after she had acted coquettishly for a few times.

Soon, the silly girl he secretly liked became someone else's wife, and the things he had the courage to say could only remain a secret from then on.

His adoptive father said that he couldn't cut off the Cheng family's lineage, otherwise he would be a sinner who betrayed his good brother. Then he married, had a son, and lost his wife again.

The Cheng family has an heir, so he finally doesn't have to remarry to continue the Cheng family's bloodline. However, the Wen Mansion is so close to the General's Mansion, and Wanqing comes back so frequently. He knows that he must stay away from them so that his dirty thoughts will not overwhelm his rationality, nor will he be heartbroken by Wanqing's intimacy with that man.

Sure enough, I felt much better after leaving.

"Brother, what are you thinking about?" Seeing Cheng Zhiyuan in a daze, Lin pushed him.

Cheng Zhiyuan came back to his senses and talked about the customs and people overseas, and everyone was fascinated by him.

"I brought back a lot of interesting stuff this time, but I ran into Wanqing and Ah Hao and forgot to take them with me." Cheng Zhiyuan explained the reason for his return. "The news that we are going to open up maritime trade has spread, and some foreign merchants decided to come and see for themselves. I heard about it and came back with them."

"Zhiyuan, do you want to do maritime business?"

Cheng Zhiyuan didn't know the old lady's attitude towards the matter, but he knew that his adoptive mother had always been open-minded and tolerant, so he never thought of hiding it. "I do have this idea. I'm familiar with the situation in overseas countries and can speak their language. In recent years, I have also acquired my own cargo ships and manpower. If the news that the court is opening up maritime trade is true, it would be a pity to give up this business..."

Lin Hao listened quietly and learned a lot from the humble narration of his uncle whom he had not seen for many years.

There are not only merchants on the sea, but also pirates. To protect one's own cargo ships, the so-called manpower is certainly not that simple.

At this time, the maid reported that the second uncle had arrived.

Cheng Zhiyuan turned his head and saw a young man as tall as a pine tree walking in.

The familiar handsome face made him look at Lin uncertainly.

This young man seems to be from the neighbor next door—

Before he could continue to be confused, Lin smiled and said, "Ah Hao got married in April this year. She married the prince of Prince Jing's mansion. You have met him, big brother."

Cheng Zhiyuan couldn't help but be shocked.

It really is that sickly kid!

He glanced at the young man with a smile on his face with his sharp eyes, and became more and more surprised and suspicious.

He had also been practicing martial arts since he was a child and had solid skills. He could see that the young man in front of him was energetic and introverted, and his body must be strong.

"I heard that my uncle is back, so I'm late. Please don't blame me." Qi Shuo bowed.

When Cheng Zhiyuan saw that the young prince was so polite, he felt relieved.

The world is very restrictive towards women, but very lenient towards men. A man of noble status is respectful to his wife's family, mostly because he respects and cherishes his wife.

After exchanging pleasantries with Qi Shuo, Cheng Zhiyuan asked, "Where's Chan'er?"

There was no reason to inform only the second uncle about his return.

The old lady smiled and said, "Chan'er is married and has just gotten pregnant. It's late today so I didn't send anyone to announce the news. I'll let her come back tomorrow."

"Which family did Chan'er marry into?"

"The grandson of the Han family of the Minister of War."

"That's great, that's great." Cheng Zhiyuan nodded repeatedly.

When he left last time, Lin Chan and Lin Hao were still little girls. Now that they have both found their true love, they can't help but feel a little excited.

He looked at Cheng Shu again.

Cheng Shu was confused by the expectation in his father's eyes.

The old lady guessed what her adopted son wanted to ask and said with a smile, "I've been asking around for Shu'er recently. It's a good opportunity for you to come back and make some suggestions."

Cheng Zhiyuan waved his hands hurriedly: "Shu'er's marriage is entirely up to my stepmother. I'm not in the capital all year round, so how can I know which girl is good?"

Cheng Shu's eyes lit up: "Grandma, are you arranging a marriage for me?"

My grandmother had asked him once before, but she never expected that there would be no response after that, and she didn't know why.

"Are you in a hurry to get married?" the old lady asked with a smile.

Cheng Zhiyuan thought his son would blush at the elders' jokes, but Cheng Shu unexpectedly grinned, "Then you'll be able to have a grandson soon."

Cheng Zhiyuan: I know why my son hasn’t found a wife yet. The silly boy just hasn’t gotten his bearings yet.

It was getting dark and the maid came to ask for permission to have dinner.

The old lady stood up, Lin Hao went forward and held her arm, and the family walked towards the dining room.

Cheng Zhiyuan looked at his family members sitting around him and asked, "Brother-in-law...is he busy?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Cheng Zhiyuan felt the atmosphere suddenly become heavy, and everyone's smile disappeared.

He suddenly thought of his adoptive father who had passed away and looked at Lin in surprise.

Could it be that Wen Rugui is also gone?

When he thought of this, his first reaction was heartache. He felt sorry for Lin Shi who had lost her loving husband, and he felt sorry for Lin’s good sister who had lost her father who she could rely on.

Then, several feelings of separation came to my mind.

Even someone as slow-witted as Lin understood Cheng Zhiyuan's expression. Amidst the tense atmosphere, she chuckled, "Brother, what are you thinking? He's been a scourge for thousands of years, and he won't die. We're sworn enemies."

"Yi Jue?" With a snap, the chopsticks in Cheng Zhiyuan's hand fell to the table.

By now, Lin had let it go long ago. She explained the matter clearly in a few words, which made Cheng Zhiyuan's face turn pale. He wanted to pick up a knife and chop the bastard into pieces immediately.

"Big brother, there's no need to dirty your hands. Whether he becomes a good person or a bad person in the future is none of our business."

In fact, Wen Rugui is now living a life worse than death.

"Wanqing, you are right." Cheng Zhiyuan showed the same hearty smile as his son.

Cheng Zhiyuan stayed at the general's mansion that night. Lin Hao and Qi Shuo returned to the palace to discuss Cheng Zhiyuan's return to Beijing.

"A Shuo, since my uncle wants to cooperate with the imperial court to do maritime business, please help introduce him."

"I'm afraid I won't be needed."

The next day, what Qi Shuo said was confirmed, and Cheng Zhiyuan was actually summoned to the palace.