"Brother, what exactly is wrong with Father? Tell me the truth."
“Don’t worry,” Zheng Yu said calmly, a composure and competence honed from the Crown Prince’s nighttime visit and his father’s critical illness. “He’s a lucky man, he’ll definitely get better. He even managed to talk to me for a few minutes just now, and his mind was still very clear.”
Zheng Yu looked at Zheng Heyi's worried eyes and said, "Don't make too much noise. Go in and check on him, but don't wake him." Heyi could only nod and gently pushed the door open to go in.
The room was still filled with a faint smell of medicine. Her father lay on the bed with his eyes closed. His face was indeed much paler than usual. He Yi approached and looked at Minister Zheng with regret.
Fortunately, her father's breathing was still relatively steady. He Yi reached out and gently grasped her father's hand with its distinct knuckles, which now seemed so weak.
[Zheng Yu is so calm. As expected of the male lead, he can still keep his composure even at a time like this.]
The villainous female supporting character truly regarded Minister Zheng as her own father; the scene of her holding her father's hand was truly heartbreaking.
[Hope the Minister recovers soon]
After an unknown amount of time, Minister Zheng seemed to sense something. He moved slightly and slowly opened his eyes.
"Father." He Yi wiped her eyes and quickly leaned close to Minister Zheng's ear, "Are you awake? Do you want some water? Or is something bothering you? Tell me."
Minister Zheng shook his head with difficulty, his gaze lingering on He Yi's face for a moment, a weak smile appearing on his lips: "Yi'er, why have you come? It's late at night and the dew is heavy, be careful not to catch a cold." Minister Zheng's voice was hoarse, but it still carried his usual warmth.
He pulled He Yi's cloak tighter.
"Your daughter is worried about you." He Yi couldn't hold back her tears.
Minister Zheng raised his hand, but it was weak: "Silly child, why are you crying for no reason? Father is fine, I just slept for a while." He gestured for He Yi to help him sit up against the headboard, and turned his gaze to Zheng Yu at the door.
“Yu’er, you can go out first. I want to have a private talk with your sister.” Zheng Yu glanced at her father, then at her sister. “Okay, I’ll wait here. Call me if you need anything.”
Having said that, he gently closed the door. Only the father and daughter remained in the room. Minister Zheng's hand trembled as he reached under the pillow and pulled out a heavy package wrapped in oilcloth.
He slowly handed it to He Yi.
"What is this?" He Yi looked at it in confusion and did not take it, but Minister Zheng insisted that she take it. He Yi had no choice but to hold it.
But the package felt heavy in his hand. Minister Zheng looked at his daughter with complicated emotions and said, "Open it and take a look."
Minister Zheng leaned against the headboard, his face still ashen, but at this moment his lips had a slight tinge of color, and his cloudy eyes had brightened considerably. He Yi curiously opened the package and saw that the yellowed Xuan paper was covered with densely written characters. It was not an account, but the names and addresses of dozens of silk shops, rice shops, and brokerage firms in the city.
The monthly income item is also marked below.
Seeing this, He Yi looked up, staring at Minister Zheng in shock: "Father, what is this?"
“These shops were the foundation of your dowry. After your mother passed away, I added more over the years.” He spoke weakly, looking solemnly at Zheng Heyi.
“Your mother passed away early. I originally planned to give this to you on your coming-of-age ceremony or when you got engaged, but now it seems I won’t be able to wait that long. Silly girl, take this, so you will have something to rely on in the future.” He Yi’s nose suddenly stung with tears.
Just as he was about to say, "Father, don't worry unnecessarily, you will definitely get better," he saw Minister Zheng wave his hand and slowly point to a spot in the corner: "That place is empty, there is a hidden compartment under the floor. This secret of mine, even your brother doesn't know about it."
He Yi was extremely saddened. Minister Zheng then said, "There are thirty large yellow croakers over there. That was the life savings that Father accumulated over his entire life."
As he was speaking, he suddenly coughed violently, and He Yi quickly stepped forward and gently patted her father's back.
At that moment, Minister Zheng suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer to him, saying in a voice so low it was almost inaudible, "Don't turn around... Madam Lin and that girl Yu Tang are eavesdropping outside the window right now..."
"Don't panic," Minister Zheng naturally noticed He Yi's nervousness. "I'm not asking you to clash with them, but I just want you to know that people's hearts are unpredictable. I'm afraid my health won't hold up for much longer. Your brother will have to deal with many people in order to establish himself in the court in the future, and you..."
He paused, his eyes filled with worry, "Father only hopes that you can live a peaceful and safe life, and find someone who truly cares for you to entrust your life to." He Yi nodded vigorously, "Daughter understands, Father, don't worry, daughter will be careful."
Lin and Zheng Yutang did arrive, but they were late.
The two only heard muffled coughing sounds from inside the room and did not see what Minister Zheng handed to He Yi. Upon hearing this, He Yi froze, feeling a chill run down her spine.
"You must be very careful around them." Minister Zheng released his hand, his eyes full of exhaustion. "I always want to see you find a good home, otherwise I won't be able to die in peace."
He wanted to say something, but seemed to have exhausted all his strength. After struggling for a long time, he slowly asked, "What do you think of that child, Gu Minghe?"
[The Minister loves Heyi very much; he has already acquired properties for her.]
I was moved to tears. A father's love is as solid as a mountain.
[Don't be sad, you villainous female supporting character, the Minister is only doing this for your own good!]
Upon hearing this, He Yi sighed, "Father, what the young master cares about is not his daughter, but his daughter's status as a princess. If he cannot find someone that his daughter can rely on and truly love, his daughter would rather remain unmarried for the rest of her life."
After she finished speaking, she looked at her father somewhat nervously, afraid that he would be angry. Unexpectedly, Minister Zheng did not reprimand her. Instead, he looked at her deeply, nodded slowly, and said in understanding, "Very well, since you have this intention, I will naturally not force you. However..."
Minister Zheng's expression turned serious. "Yi'er, I know you are kind-hearted, but this world is treacherous and people's hearts are unpredictable. As for Lin Shi and Yu Tang, I want to give them another chance to see what they are really thinking."
"I want to ask you to keep an eye on their actions. If... if they really have any ill intentions, you must know how to protect yourself and your brother."
"Father, don't worry, I've remembered everything! I will definitely not let you down."
Looking into his daughter's resolute eyes, Minister Zheng finally smiled with relief, though a hint of bitterness lingered in that smile. Perhaps the time he had left for his children was indeed running out.
[He Yi is so clear-headed! Gu Minghe really isn't worth it.]
[The Minister is very insightful; I support He Yi's decision not to marry.]
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