If Chen Fuli had said something else, Xie Zhen really wouldn't have cared.
His sister was the empress, and his brother-in-law raised him like a son. He had all the good things in the world.
but--
"A portrait that my father painted of my mother?"
Xie Zhen was stunned for a moment, and asked softly.
He was only two years old when his parents died, and he doesn't remember anything from that time.
Therefore, he had no idea what his parents looked like.
They were also complete strangers to their parents.
With the love and care of his older sister and brother-in-law, he had a very good life from a young age.
They are not lacking in love.
However, for children, their biological parents are always different.
Sometimes, when he sees other people's young men with strict fathers and kind mothers, he can't help but wonder: what are my father and mother like?
Will they be as strict or loving towards him as other parents?
Of course, Xie Zhen wasn't entirely unaware of her biological parents.
Aside from Xie Yuan, Granny Zhao, and other people around him, they would tell him stories about his parents.
Even when they are outside, they can hear their parents' names.
My father, Xie Yuan, was a renowned scholar, a learned and upright gentleman.
His mother, née Chen, was a member of the Southern Dynasty imperial family. She was beautiful, talented, virtuous, and kind.
The parents had a very close relationship. The father never took a concubine or kept any maids. Even when he went on trips, he would take his wife and children with him.
Although there was a Xie Ji, that was definitely an accident.
The only wife and children that her father considered to be Chen and the children she bore were Chen.
Even though Xie Ji's existence somewhat tarnished Xie Yuan's image as a loving husband and father, Xie Yuan was still a rare and devoted man in this era.
For Xie Zhen, her parents were both strangers and familiar.
The biggest unfamiliarity was that he didn't know what his parents looked like.
"Yes! At that time, we were still in Jiankang. My aunt had just given birth to Ali, and my uncle personally painted a portrait of her."
"Later, many things changed, and my father collected all the relics, including that portrait."
Chen Fuli nodded, a hint of melancholy on his fair and handsome face as he recalled the past.
Alas, the past is gone and cannot be retrieved.
He was once high above everyone else, the crown prince of a country.
Now, however, they have become an embarrassing figure used by the enemy country to save face.
Even if he were to marry a woman of equal social standing, he could not find a suitable match; he could only settle for the daughter of a minor official!
"..."
As Chen Fuli thought about what he had experienced in recent years, a gloomy look flashed in his eyes.
The hands hidden inside the robe clenched tightly involuntarily.
"So, my cousin came to see me this time because he wanted to—"
Xie Zhen was moved.
He really wanted to know what his mother looked like.
Upon hearing Xie Zhen address him as "cousin," Chen Fuli knew: Hey! It's done!
“Ah Zhen, I have come to find you because I want to return the jade intact to its rightful owner.”
Chen Fuli slightly curled the corners of his lips, looking every bit the gentleman. "I should have come looking for you much earlier, but when I came to Pingcheng, I was in a terrible state."
"Coincidentally, neither the Empress nor you are in the capital."
"We've finally been waiting for you to return. Her Majesty the Empress has become a high-ranking noblewoman. If I were to come here to claim kinship so rashly, it would be as if I were trying to curry favor with her."
At this point, Chen Fuli smiled sheepishly.
"I was wrong. I forgot that we were all originally one family. We shouldn't talk about these things among family members."
"I also believe that Her Majesty the Empress and Ah Zhen wouldn't look down on us relatives with such awkward status, would they?"
Xie Zhen: ...You've already said yes or no, what else do you want me to answer?
However, out of politeness, Xie Zhen wouldn't deny what others said.
Besides, he also had something to ask of them.
"Yes! My cousin is right!"
Xie Zhen nodded vigorously, "My elder sister is not in the palace—"
After saying this, Xie Zhen suddenly realized her mistake and quickly corrected herself, "I meant that my elder sister is still praying for blessings and cannot show herself casually. Once my elder sister comes out of seclusion, she will definitely thank my uncle and cousin properly!"
Chen Fuli's pupils contracted slightly.
The news was indeed accurate; Empress Xie was not in the palace.
Therefore, when the tiger is away, the dragons are without a leader!
"We've already said we're family, there's no need to be so polite."
"By the way, Zheng and I will be having our wedding in seven days. If it's convenient for you, A-Zhen, you're welcome to come to our mansion for a celebratory drink!"
Chen Fuli came to find Xie Zhen, but his real purpose was to invite him to his wedding.
Xie Zhen: ...I knew it would be like this.
If he didn't have something to ask for, why would his cousin Chen Fuli, with whom he had never had any dealings, come looking for him?
But since the other person had just helped her, Xie Zhen knew she couldn't refuse.
His eyes gleamed, but he still obediently clenched his little fist. "Congratulations, cousin, on your wonderful occasion!"
"Rest assured, I will definitely attend the wedding ceremony."
...
As one of Xie Yuan's most trusted female officials, Zheng Yurong was left behind when Xie Yuan left the capital.
Her main responsibilities included guarding the Jiaofang Palace and maintaining contact with several female attendants.
Although the Empress was not present, she still acted according to the "old rules".
This "old practice" is not only reflected in daily work, but also in the one-day rest period every ten days.
Zheng Yurong wanted to create the impression that the Empress was merely in seclusion and had not left!
It's mid-month again, and Zheng Yurong is on leave and has gone home.
The Zheng family were originally exiled criminals. When Xie Yuan returned to the capital last year, the whole family came back with her.
The Zheng family not only has Zheng Yurong, but also two brothers, Zheng Cheng and Zheng Xin.
Both of them had served as guards to the King of Yue and followed Helian Jue in his campaigns.
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