Chapter 73: Bastard. If you want to call me daddy, then I will be a little aggrieved...
It was clearly a simple syllable, but it stunned everyone, including He Zhile who was lying on the bed and had just opened his eyes.
He just subconsciously called out Pei Ji, just like he had done for the past few hundred days and nights, but he didn't expect that something would come out of his throat.
Unpleasant, hoarse, weak...
But to all of them, it was like the sound of nature.
A simple syllable made Pei Ji hold his hand and cry uncontrollably, so much so that for decades afterwards, the Pei family would always tease him about this incident.
But at this moment, they only felt joy.
"I'm here, I'm here..." Pei Ji's eyes were red, but now, washed by tears, they were no longer as gloomy and dark as before. "Do you still feel uncomfortable? Hmm?"
Hearing him ask this, He Zhiliao carefully felt his body. Perhaps it was because he had been lying down for a while, he always felt that he had no strength in his body. He would be able to move when he felt better.
However, he still felt a little uncomfortable.
"Hungry……"
The word "hungry" sounded particularly funny, as if it was forced out of the throat, rough and hoarse.
He Zhiluo seemed to find it funny and started laughing first. Naturally, the others around him couldn't hold back their laughter either, and the whole room was instantly filled with laughter.
Qin Yurong immediately made arrangements, "Chunjian, quickly have the kitchen bring the food! The poison has been neutralized, and the patient is awake. Don't gather around here anymore. Just go and do what needs to be done."
There must always be some space left between the couple.
"Fourth Master, there's one more thing—" The court doctor hadn't finished his words when he noticed everyone in the room looking at him, staring intently, as if afraid he'd say something unlucky. He coughed lightly and said, "The poison has dissipated. I'll need to take some time to recover over the next few days. Drink plenty of water."
"That's all?" Pei Ji asked subconsciously when he saw that he was slow to say the rest.
The old man nodded happily, "No!"
Pei Ji took a deep breath and raised his chin towards Yuan Rong, "Send him back to the court doctor immediately, quickly."
If you're slow, you'll want to knock him out with one punch.
Harujian quickly came back with the food. Seeing this, the others naturally felt it was not appropriate to stay there any longer, so they filed out. In the blink of an eye, they were the only two left in the room.
He Zhiliao wanted to prop herself up and sit up, but was stopped by Pei Ji. She watched him bring a small table to the bed, and then place the food on the small table.
"Just stay in bed for the next few days, and then get out of bed when you feel a little better." Pei Ji's words left no room for doubt. He couldn't bear to see anything happen to He Zhile now.
He Zhiliao smiled and nodded, gladly accepting his kindness. He knew how uncomfortable the bone-eroding incense was, so he could understand Pei Ji's caution and care towards him.
Pei Ji picked him up and put a high pillow behind him to make him comfortable. Then he began to feed him. Even small things like wiping his mouth did not require He Zhiluo's help.
He Zhiliao hadn't had a good meal for several days, so he felt full after a few bites. He waved his hand slightly to refuse, then leaned against the head of the bed and watched Pei Ji eat up all his leftovers with a smile on his face.
After eating and drinking, Pei Ji suddenly remembered something.
"You... can speak now?" Pei Ji looked at him inexplicably nervously.
He Zhi thought for a moment and moved her lips with some effort: "Wufu...Jun..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Ji hugged him tightly in his arms. He Zhiliao was stunned at first, and then hugged him with a smile.
It would be a lie to say that I never expected him to speak, but the subordinates he sent to Miaojiang clearly had not found the antidote yet, and yet he was able to speak like this!
This was a pleasant surprise for him!
"I knew before that there seemed to be a poison in your body that prevented you from speaking, so I sent people to Miaojiang early on. Unfortunately, we have not found the antidote for your poison." Pei Ji could no longer hide it from him. He should know about his physical condition.
He Zhiliao's body trembled slightly. This was indeed something he had not expected. After all, it was said that he was born with some weaknesses because of his mother's frail body, so he could not speak.
But I never thought it was due to poisoning.
But when you think about it, your mother was poisoned by He Hongan and Zhuang Hongxiu, so it seems normal that he would be the one to suffer the same poison.
But he didn't understand how his mother had offended them to be poisoned one after another.
Pei Ji patted him on the back and said, "Don't be afraid. We are still looking for the antidote. I heard that when the Miao border was divided into the Big and Small Miao borders, some of the poison was taken away when the small Miao border was split and they hid from the world. We can't even find the antidote. But as long as we keep looking, we will find it."
He Zhiliao nodded slightly. He knew that Pei Ji was trying his best. Even if he really couldn't find it, it didn't matter. He felt fortunate to be able to pronounce it now.
But Pei Ji believed that if it was acquired, it could be cured as long as an antidote was found.
"No," He Zhiliao looked at him very seriously.
"Is it okay?" Pei Ji said with a smile, "Although you can only say single words now, but if you practice more, I think you will be able to speak well without the antidote."
He Zhiliao nodded again, he felt the same way.
Pei Ji touched his head. He had never seen anyone more obedient than him. It wasn’t really... After all, He Zhiliao in his previous life was as obedient as he is now, or even more obedient.
As the two chatted, He Zhiliao quickly remembered what Pei Ji was currently investigating. He thought, "He's always right beside me, so what about catching the bad guys?"
[Where are the bad guys? Have you been reprimanded by His Majesty again?]
He asked anxiously, his worried eyes falling on Pei Ji, afraid to hear his affirmative answer.
But Pei Ji shook his head.
"You've been unconscious for over ten days. I've thoroughly investigated the case. It was Zhou Qi and He Yao from Duke Zhou's mansion who did it, and it was Zhou Qi who ordered the poisoning. Emperor An has left Zhou Qi to me to deal with as I please. Duke Zhou's mansion will be confiscated and executed, and the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion will also be confiscated. He Hongan has already been imprisoned."
Pei Ji simply told him these things. At first, he thought it would be better for He Zhilu not to know, but this matter involved him after all, so he should know.
really.
Hearing him say this, He Zhiliao's emotions instantly became agitated. He pulled Pei Ji's arm and squeezed out the words from his throat anxiously, "Oh, well, An! Kill, you..."
The last word "mother" was too complicated, so it could only be replaced by the short "you", but based on his lip shape, Pei Ji could still tell what he wanted to say.
"You mean He Hongan killed your mother?" Pei Ji frowned slightly, "What about Zhuang Hongxiu?"
He Zhiliao nodded heavily.
Pei Ji understood everything. Perhaps Zhuang Hongxiu had poisoned her, but the poison had not been felt for a long time. He did not expect that He Hongan had also done it. Did Zhuang Hongxiu think that she was the one who killed Liu Qingxuan?
Pei Ji had to doubt his mother-in-law's identity again. Even among the wives and concubines of the royal relatives, no matter how serious the competition for favor was, they would not directly poison each other to death. Such matters involved a wide range of people and often affected the entire body.
But He Hongan was also involved in this matter. No matter what, Liu Qingxuan was his first wife. Why did he kill her?
"He Hongan has been detained now. Do you want to go and ask him? It just so happens that I have to continue to interrogate Zhou Qi recently. He has not yet told me where the person who drugged you is hiding." Pei Ji still had a headache when this matter was mentioned. It was rare for him to be in such a difficult situation.
He Zhiliao nodded and wanted to see He Hongan.
As for the person who stabbed him with a needle and drugged him, he still remembered it.
【Paper and pen, I remember what that person looks like! 】
Upon hearing this, Pei Ji immediately took out a pen and paper, placed them on the table, and gestured for him to draw the man. As long as there was a portrait, a full-scale wanted notice could be issued.
He Zhiliao picked up the pen, and his wrist felt numb for a moment. He subconsciously paused for a moment, but Pei Ji thought he had forgotten about her and said directly, "It doesn't matter if you don't remember. Even Yanhua couldn't catch up with her when she went after her."
[No, my hands are a little sore.]
He smiled embarrassedly, and when he picked up the pen again, he was much more fluent. His writing skills were not very good, but he had no problem writing down the words he remembered.
He is mute, so his other senses are better. Moreover, he often observes other people's expressions. When he sees a face like that, he finds it more distinctive.
Soon, He Zhiliao completed the painting of the person.
It was still a nondescript face, but Pei Ji recognized it instantly. He nodded repeatedly, "That's him! You have such a good memory, you're really amazing!"
He praised her generously, and He Zhiliao smiled with his eyes curved, being praised again!
Pei Ji laughed along with him, "Since I have the portrait, I can find a painter in the palace to copy it, and then post a wanted notice. I will definitely give you justice."
"Yeah!" He Zhiliao nodded heavily. He believed Pei Ji.
He Zhiliao had been lying in bed for more than ten days. His bones were a little soft and he had no strength in his body. After examining him, the court doctor told him to walk more and he would recover slowly. Only then did he stop worrying.
After all, he was young, and after getting out of bed and getting some fresh air, he felt much better within two days and was no longer as weak as he was at the beginning.
With the portrait, it is only a matter of time to find the murderer.
【I want to meet He Hongan.】
He Zhiliao looked at Pei Ji. He wanted to know what had happened in those years.
"Then I'll accompany you..." Pei Ji hadn't finished speaking when he saw the other party shaking his head very seriously. It was obvious that he had something to say to He Hongan alone.
Pei Ji naturally would not object. He informed the Ministry of Justice in advance and sent He Zhiliao to the Ministry of Justice. He then returned to his house to continue interrogating Zhou Qi.
This was his first time in the Ministry of Justice. He should have felt it was dark and scary, but he inexplicably felt that this was how it should be.
With Harumi's support, he took a deep breath and then walked in.
Jinyang, who had received the news long ago, hurried to the door to welcome him in. He Hongan was held in solitary confinement, but he was surrounded by other criminals. In order to avoid disturbing their chat, he brought He Hongan out.
He Zhiliao looked at the haggard and miserable man in front of her, and finally became completely disgusted with him and completely lost all hope in him.
He no longer cared about the He family, but no one does not yearn for family affection. However, his mother told him in a letter not to have any hope in anyone in the He family, so he never trusted the He family.
"You're here." He Hongan's voice was hoarse, and he looked quite old. "Are you satisfied with me like this? I don't know what you are going to do. Do you hate us that much?"
"No, shouldn't, eh?" He Zhiliao looked at him and saw shock in He Hongan's eyes, but he felt inexplicably proud.
Now that I see that he is not mute, I should be shocked.
He Hongan sneered, "So what if you're not dumb... Even if you weren't dumb, I still wouldn't love you. After all, you're a bastard from nowhere, who would like you?"
These words were like a hammer, hitting He Zhile's heart hard. This was something he had never thought of!
Seeing his shocked expression, He Hongan couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Do you think your mother is a good woman? She's nothing but a slut who needs me to take the blame! Slutty and lowly! Seeing that I come from a poor family, she deliberately tempted me with benefits! How could I possibly love a bastard like you after she gave birth to me?"
"I knew Zhuang Hongxiu had drugged her a long time ago. I thought that if she died, you, the bastard, would die too. Who knew she actually gave birth to a child safely? I pretended to be affectionate with her, and Zhuang Hongxiu got jealous and continued to poison her. But I don't know what's wrong with that woman. No matter how many poisons she tried, she couldn't be killed!"
He even thought about living a good life with Liu Qingxuan after she gave birth to the child. After all, no one knew that He Zhiliao was not his child... But as He Zhiliao grew up, he looked more and more like Liu Qingxuan, and had no similarities with him at all.
He finally couldn't stand it any longer. Why should he endure such a disgusting thing!!!
He couldn't accept that the woman who belonged to him never looked at him straight in the eye, and even wanted him to raise someone else's bastard!
So, He Hongan also poisoned him.
He thought that nothing would happen to Liu Qingxuan as before, but he didn't expect that she actually died!
At first he was happy, but gradually he became less happy, because he found that he really loved Liu Qingxuan... and he could not accept He Zhile even more. If it were not for his existence, He Hongan believed that he would not have reached that point with Liu Qingxuan.
[You keep complaining and never think about your own problems? ]
He Zhiliao thought it was ridiculous. It was just an exchange of interests in the beginning. One needed to find a father for his child, and the other needed a woman who could help him get promoted and make money. In the end, no one was wrong.
But He Hongan could not clarify his own identity. He began to be promoted by relying on the Liu family, and was later named Marquis of Jing'an. But when Liu Qingxuan died, the head of the Liu family also retired with his family and returned to his hometown to retire.
Since then, He Hongan has never been promoted again.
"What's wrong with me? Didn't I treat you sincerely in those first few years? But you're just a bastard who doesn't know who your father is!" He Hongan laughed heartily. "Do you think the Pei Mansion would still accept you if they knew about this?"
【I am narrow-minded, so I assume everyone is like that. 】
He Zhiliao was shocked by his own life experience, but he didn't expect He Hongan to be so shameless. He should be the most disgusting person.
Looking at He Hongan's crazy look, he completely lost the desire to talk to him. He was actually a little relieved that he was not He Hongan's bloodline, otherwise he was afraid that he would become as hideous as the descendants of the He family.
He doesn't want to become someone he hates.
"Let's go." He said quickly and turned to leave with Harujian, who had recovered from the shock.
He Hongan didn't even say a word of plea, but just cursed at his back, as if he knew that today would be the last time they would meet, and he wanted to curse out all the words he hadn't said in the past ten years.
"Do you think she loves you? If she really loves you, she should strangle you to death! She knew I wouldn't accept it, but she still gave birth to the baby. She just wants you dead!"
"She knows I have a mistress and that I'll marry someone else once she dies, but she doesn't even consider you. You're a bastard who nobody loves!"
He Zhiliao turned a deaf ear to it. What on earth did He Hongan have to feel wronged about?
He has been trying hard to survive for the past ten years. It is indeed He Hongan who has helped him to be where he is today, but he is not doing it for his own good. He just wants to make things difficult for Pei Ji, so he naturally won't thank him.
He Hongan is the stupid and evil person who exploits everyone around him to the fullest. He is the most despicable and mean one.
If the top beam is crooked, the bottom beam will be crooked. He Hongan and Zhuang Hongxiu are the best proof of this.
Besides, he firmly believed that his mother loved him.
His mother loved him deeply, and every word she wrote was for his consideration. She even reminded him at the beginning of the letter to be careful of the He family, and that no one in the He family could be trusted.
She never even thought about whether he would become a bad person under the upbringing of the He family, and they left him a lot of things.
He was loved, and He Hongan's words did not cause any ripples in his mind.
"Young Master, I'm afraid we can't hide what happened today." Chun Jian said in a low voice. To him, it didn't matter who his young master was. No matter who the young master was, he would be the young master's servant.
But he was afraid that the Pei family would have some ideas.
He Zhiliao shook his head slightly. Even though the He family of Jing'an Marquis Mansion had become so rotten, the Pei family had never despised him. Even if he was not a child of the He family, he was still He Zhiliao.
He firmly believed that the Pei family treated him well because he was a good person, not because of his crappy background.
If she really looked at his background, she should have divorced him long ago and let Pei Ji marry a woman from a wealthy and powerful family.
He Zhiliao was not curious about his own life experience. His mother must have had her reasons for taking him with her to get married, so he would not look for it deliberately.
When he returned to the mansion, Pei Ji was still interrogating Zhou Qi and He Yao.
When he was in the Ministry of Justice, although he could use torture, he still had some concerns. But now both of them were in Pei Mansion, so naturally it was Pei Ji who decided how to teach them a lesson.
It’s a pity that Zhou Qi and He Yao remained tight-lipped and even severe punishment couldn’t pry them open. Pei Ji couldn’t help but start to wonder if there was someone else.
Thinking of this, he handed the portrait to Zhou Qi and said, "Tianqi is covered with wanted posters. It's best if the real murderer never comes out, otherwise he will definitely be caught."
Seeing the familiar face in the portrait, Zhou Qi couldn't help but change his expression. Of course he recognized this person. He used to live in his house, but the house was in this state now. He didn't know where the other person had gone.
Zhou Qi and He Yao both had bruised faces and noses, and could only see the portrait through the slits of their eyes, but Pei Ji still noticed their momentary daze.
"Didn't you expect me to know what he looks like?" Pei Ji sneered, "God is watching what you do. If you don't want others to know, then don't do it yourself."
After he finished speaking, seeing that the two were still stunned, he immediately laughed, "It's useless to talk to you two brainless idiots about this. Anyway, even if you don't say anything, I don't care."
"Send them."
After Pei Ji said the last three words, he walked out. He was really too lazy to deal with them anymore. It was just a waste of time.
"No! Pei Ji! Please let me go! We were instructed by someone else! If you let me go, I will tell you everything I know!" He Yao screamed in horror.
If he thought at the beginning that he could still deal with Pei Ji and wanted to use the inside information he knew to force Pei Ji, so he could hold on even if he was beaten and tortured, but now, he was really scared.
Because he could feel that Pei Ji really wanted to get rid of them completely!
Zhou Qi wanted to beg for mercy, but he couldn't say it. Even he knew that the things he had done were too numerous to list. Even if he begged, it would be useless and would only make him look very embarrassed.
He didn't want to be like He Yao, a dog.
At first, crazy shouting and cursing could be heard in the dark room, but later there were only sobbing, and then it gradually fell into dead silence.
"Clean up the dark room." Pei Ji instructed.
"yes."
Upon learning that he had returned, Pei Ji hurried to the side room to take a bath and change clothes, fearing that he would not be able to smell the bloody smell on his body. Then he came up to He Zhiliao with a fragrant smell.
A familiar fragrance suddenly rushed into his nose. It was the gardenia perfume that He Zhiliao used every time he took a bath. Pei Ji usually didn't like to use it, but he always liked to absorb the scent from his body.
【You stole mine! 】
"What do you mean by yours and mine? We still have to differentiate between these things. Are you really going to be estranged from me? How could you say that? Even a little of your flower water doesn't work. Don't force me to kneel down and beg you!" Pei Ji spoke with great confidence. If you didn't listen to him carefully, you would really be fooled by him.
He Zhiliao couldn't help but smile with his eyes curved, and a faint laugh could be heard in his throat, although it was still hoarse, but these were all good things.
Seeing him smile, Pei Ji approached him and asked, "You look unhappy. Did you have an unpleasant conversation with He Hongan? He's going to be executed anyway, so it's not worth getting angry with him."
He said I wasn't his child, and that my mother was already pregnant when she married him.
"Huh?" Pei Ji was stunned. "No wonder you are prettier and cuter than the He family brothers and sisters. Now I understand."
He Zhiliao: “……???”
That’s it? !
[Don’t you think my background is bad? ]
He Zhiliao pouted, his eyebrows slightly wrinkled, and his beautiful eyes contained a hint of grievance and smile. He looked very pitiful.
"How could that be? He's not the best in the He family. If you want to call me dad, then I have to endure it a little - Ouch! It hurts..." Pei Ji was grabbed by the ear by He Zhile before he could finish his words.
This technique is exactly the same as Qin Yurong's!
After He Zhiliao finished grabbing him, he still looked aggrieved, "You just despise me, and you still want to take advantage of me..."
"You bastard, you don't take advantage of an opportunity!" Pei Ji held his face and kissed him hard, "For you, I am willing."
He Zhiliao smiled and dodged, seeming to be reluctant but willing. Pei Ji saw it in his heart and was very pleased with his little trick.
The two of them were affectionate with each other, but He Zhiliao's life experience was swept away in the laughter, leaving no ripples.
It is true that the Pei family has never paid attention to family background, and Pei Ji has never cared about these things. Therefore, even if he knew He Zhiliao's life experience, it would not affect his love.
He had said long ago that the He family was bad and He Zhiliao was good.
From the very beginning, He Zhiliao existed outside the He family.
Three days later, Duke Zhou's Mansion and the He family were all taken to a mass grave in the suburbs and beheaded. Their bodies were thrown away on the spot without causing any trouble to anyone.
The matter came to a temporary end here. The court was rarely stable again, so calm that it seemed as if a storm was coming, but it was just an illusion after all. At this time, everyone was enjoying the hard-earned peace.
After a few days of peace, Emperor An fell ill.
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The author has something to say: Pei Gou: "I told you, my husband is so good!"
Little Zhiliao: "Dei, uh, hey!"
[Sprinkle flowers][Sprinkle flowers][Sprinkle flowers]
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