The Duke of Cheng has three sons. The eldest son is the heir apparent and stays at home to take care of all the household affairs and social interactions. Therefore, he has neither taken the imperial examinations nor joined the army, but has always stayed at home. The second son received an imperial favor and has already become a sixth-rank official, Tongzhi. He has taken his whole family to a prefecture in the south. The current person in charge of the Duke of Cheng's family in the court is Zong Chengping's father, Zong Houzhao.
Therefore, the Duke of Cheng prepared a study for Zong Houzhao in the front courtyard. He would usually spend his time in the study looking at official documents or talking with his advisors. When he heard that the eldest son had come, Zong Houzhao was a little surprised and put down the official documents in his hand to let him in.
Zong Chengping silently bowed to Zong Houzhao. Zong Houzhao looked at his handsome son, who resembled him greatly, and said, "Didn't you go to the estate outside the city? Have you finished everything there?"
Zong Chengping responded and, seeing that Zong Houzhao's teacup was empty, picked up the copper kettle from the clay stove in the corner of the study and poured him another bowl. Zong Houzhao couldn't help but sigh inwardly. If his eldest son could be as sweet-talking as his younger son, he might be even more popular with the family.
Zong Chengping put down the copper pot, sat opposite Zong Houzhao, and said, "Father, there is something I don't understand. I have been thinking about it for several days but have not been able to find a solution, so I came to find you and asked you to help me find an answer."
Zong Houzhao listened with great interest and asked, "Oh? What's the question?"
Zong Chengping felt a pang of pain in his heart. He didn't know how his words would affect his relationship with his father, but he wanted to take advantage of the anger still burning in his heart to ask his father why they were treated differently, even though they were both sons of the Duke's mansion.
Zong Chengping remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Father, I am also a son of the Duke's mansion. Why should I, like many of my uncles and brothers born out of wedlock, be unable to leave this mansion and live my own life outside?"
Upon hearing this, Zong Houzhao's expression changed drastically. He glanced at the doorway and whispered sternly, "What are you thinking now? These are the rules of the household. Since you are a member of this Duke's mansion, you must naturally abide by these rules."
Zong Chengping raised his head, his eyes red-rimmed, and gritted his teeth as he said, "But since you gave birth to me, why don't you care about me? I'm left to suffer alone in this backyard. Father, I don't want to go on like this anymore. I don't want to continue being one of those people. I want to leave. I don't want to continue living this meaningless life."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
