Chapter 689 Are you trying to drive me crazy?
The He family.
Vermilion gates and green tiles, pavilions and towers, everywhere you look is a scene of wealth and splendor.
Entering through the main gate, walking through the corridor, and going straight into the study, He Hanhai turned around and slapped He Ling hard across the face.
He Ling was also present at the morning court session, but with He Hanhai leading the way, he didn't need to step forward and say anything.
"Look at the stupid thing you've done!" He Hanhai's chest heaved with anger. "I told you long ago to be patient and not to lay a hand on that woman in Dahe Town. Why couldn't you hold your temper?"
He Ling pursed his lips tightly: "I've endured this for over two years, and I can't take it anymore... She's already been promoted to a third-rank Lady, and soon she'll definitely become a second-rank or even first-rank Lady. At that time, I'll have even less leverage to fight her. So, I must ruin her reputation and reduce her to a commoner while she's still a Lady..."
"Foolish!" He Hanhai roared. "Even if you're going to take action, you shouldn't be targeting the He family directly. Just count how many members of our He family have fallen victim to that bitch!"
The first one was He Yan, who was sent to Dahe Village to manage the coal mine many years ago. Although he died from festering wounds, he was actually killed by that vile woman.
The second is the collateral branch of the He family who took the blame for He Ling. If that vile woman hadn't interfered in the He family's affairs, the collateral branch wouldn't have been implicated.
The third is He Tongji, who is serving as an official in Yangzhou; it seems he won't be able to save himself either...
He Ling's face was extremely pale.
He knew he had lost again, and lost completely...
“Master, the eldest young master…” The butler stood trembling at the door of the study. “The second young master has returned and has important matters to discuss with you, Master.”
He Hanhai suppressed his anger and said coldly, "Let him in."
Since his miraculous return to the capital, the second son has only come home once a month. His sudden return must be for the morning court session today.
It just so happens that he also has some things for his second son to do.
He Xiao, dressed in black, walked in with a cold expression: "Father, may I ask if the Yangzhou incident was the work of the He family?"
"You speak to your father in such an accusatory tone?" He Hanhai said coldly. "So what if it was the He family's doing, or not? What, are you trying to get an explanation for that slut?"
He Xiao met his gaze without backing down: "The lowly woman my father speaks of is the third-rank Lady Sui, personally bestowed by the Emperor. Can I go to the palace and report to the Emperor that someone is maliciously humiliating Lady Sui?"
"You unfilial son, you're trying to drive me crazy!"
He Hanhai raised his hand and slapped him across the face.
He Xiao immediately took a step back to avoid the slap. If it were four or five years ago, he would have stood still and let the slap land on his face.
But now, he is completely disillusioned with the He family, and he will never allow himself to be harmed by them again...
"Second brother, how can you speak to Father like that?" He Ling frowned deeply. "There are rumors circulating in the capital that are detrimental to our He family. You should prioritize the family and think about how to resolve this."
He Xiao coldly replied, "Isn't it my eldest brother who caused the He family to be criticized? Why should I, as the younger brother, have to find a solution?"
"You!" He Hanhai's hands trembled with anger. He took a deep breath and softened his tone, saying, "No matter what, you have the blood of the He family flowing in your veins. If the He family is in trouble, you must do your part. Now that the He family is under the watchful eyes of countless people, your elder brother and I cannot arrange for someone to accompany the Vice Minister of Dali to Yangzhou. Therefore, you will have to find a trusted confidant in the military camp to secretly go with them... If the Vice Minister of Dali discovers any clues that are detrimental to the He family, your person must destroy all evidence immediately."
He Xiao asked quietly, "What if the evidence is eyewitness testimony?"
He Hanhai's expression turned grim: "Kill him."
"Oh."
He Xiao sneered.
His father was heartless towards him, and even more heartless towards strangers.
Why does he have the blood of the He family flowing in his veins? He truly loathes the He family; he feels suffocated here.
He said coldly, "What if I refuse?"
"You have no right to refuse!" He Hanhai raised his voice. "The He family gave you life, raised you, sent you to learn martial arts, and enabled you to achieve what you have today. You must repay the He family! This matter is entrusted to you, and you must handle it well!"
"Master!" A thin figure entered through the study doorway. It was Madam He. She walked up to He Xiao, shielding her son behind her, and said slowly, "Since Xiao'er is unwilling, let's just let it go. It's not impossible to entrust this matter to someone else..."
He Hanhai said coldly, "Men are having a meeting. What are you doing here? Get out."
Madam He stood firmly in front of He Xiao: "Xiao'er has escaped death and returned. I will not allow anyone to force him to do anything he doesn't want to do. Even if you force Xiao'er to agree, will he really do his best? Don't forget, Sui Shuren is Xiao'er's savior. Xiao'er is loyal and righteous, and he will never go against his savior!"
He Ling had also considered this point, and said in a deep voice, "Perhaps my second brother will join forces with Sui Shuren to plot against the He family, and things will only become more complicated then..."
He Hanhai, with a sullen face, flicked his sleeves and left.
He Ling gave He Xiao a cold look and then followed him out.
Only He Xiao and his mother, Madam He, remained in the study. He Xiao did not want to stay any longer and took a step to leave.
"Xiao'er!" Madam He grabbed his sleeve. "You've been back for two years now. Do you really not want to call me 'Mother' again?"
“Madam He.” He Xiao looked at her calmly, “Between you and me, the bond between mother and son is over. If you insist on forcing me, then I can only avoid seeing you.”
"I won't pressure you anymore, I won't pressure you anymore..." Madam He quickly let go of him. "You just got back, you haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll have the kitchen prepare a meal right away."
In the past, in order to be a good Mrs. He, to avoid criticism, and to balance the relationship between her stepson and her biological son, she chose to ignore her biological son's feelings... Until two years ago, she suddenly fell ill. The illness came on strangely and almost took her life. She always thought she had eaten something wrong, but later she found out that He Ling had deliberately used her life as bait to force Xiao'er to show himself...
The stepson she had always cherished like her own son had somehow turned into a wolf, and she and her son Xiao'er almost died at his hands.
She regretted it, regretted neglecting Xiao'er for more than twenty years. She questioned herself again and again why she had abandoned her own son...
Fortunately, Xiao'er came back alive, and she's still alive too. There are many years to come, and she must make it up to Xiao'er...
He Xiao ignored her regretful expression and said in a calm voice, "I have other matters to attend to in the army, so I'll be leaving now."
He stepped over the threshold, walked out of the courtyard, and his figure quickly disappeared into the corridor.
Madam He leaned against the doorframe and smiled bitterly: "Xiao'er, what do I have to do for you to forgive me..."
Xiao'er is thirty years old this year, but he is still unmarried and has no children. This is all her fault as a mother. She has made too many mistakes and has too much to make up for...
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