"But her parents forced her to be given to that man as a concubine. Ah Rong was never happy. After a great deal of difficulty, she had a child, but before the baby was two months old, the senior wife caused her to miscarry. This injured Ah Rong’s body, and from then on, she could no longer bear children. Ah Rong loved children the most, yet she died without ever experiencing the joy of motherhood."
"I received news that Ah Rong contracted a terminal illness with no cure. So, I gave the family heirloom to that Doctor in order to disguise myself as his attendant and enter the household for a final meeting with Ah Rong."
"That very night, Ah Rong passed away from her illness. The people in the house hastily buried her, giving her even less regard than the senior wife’s favorite dog."
"I knew Ah Rong wished to return to her homeland and did not want to stay there, but I couldn’t take her body with me. I could only take the handkerchief she pressed into my hands during our last moment together and return to build this cenotaph for her."
...
After listening to his ’Uncle’s’ words, Lin Zheqi immediately ordered Zhang Run to send someone back to Peng City in secret. He wanted to know more precise information.
That Tian Lirong was a pitiful person, but she couldn’t possibly be his birth mother.
Indeed, as he had expected, just fifteen minutes ago, Zhang Run relayed the latest intelligence to him. Every word seemed to embed itself in his brain, jolting his nerves.
He was certain that he was the Grand Prince’s biological son. That so-called ’Father’ took advantage of his birth mother’s death and his birth father’s grief to sneak someone into his room to drug him and dress a disfigured and deceased boy’s corpse in his clothes. Then, that man took him out of the Prince Mansion.
Lin Zheqi couldn’t describe his feelings at that moment: six parts elation, two parts fear, one part relief, and one part a complex mix of emotions he couldn’t quite name, but notably devoid of sorrow or brooding.
Looking up at the clear blue sky, the warm sunshine, and the fluffy white clouds, Lin Zheqi took a deep breath, suddenly eager to fly back to The Capital right away.
Then, a familiar set of footsteps approached from behind. Lin Zheqi said in a deep voice, "Send out the order, we head back to The Capital first thing tomorrow morning."
Le Shui respectfully acknowledged the order.
The affairs in Nanxiang County had been settled some time ago, but the Young Master made an excuse to stay behind and secretly meet with that ’Uncle.’ Afterward, he delayed for several days. What news had Zhang Run brought that made the Young Master suddenly decide to return to The Capital?
Still gazing at the sky, Lin Zheqi spoke with a distant and self-mocking tone, "Do you know? The Grand Prince is my birth father, and the ’Father’ I have missed and respected for over twenty years turns out to be my real enemy. He meticulously planned to steal me away and raise me, hoping to use me as a pawn to kill my birth father, setting father and son against each other. Isn’t that ironic?"
"Young Master, are you certain of the truth of this matter?" Le Shui’s expression changed sharply.
Withdrawing his gaze from the sky, Lin Zheqi passed the secret report he had just received to Le Shui, looking toward the direction of The Capital. ƒreewebɳovel.com
"Actually, there were many doubts before, but I didn’t dare to think about them or to believe them until I heard some of the so-called ’birth mother’ Madam Tian’s past from my ’Uncle,’ along with the intelligence Zhang Run gathered in secret. I became utterly certain."
Lin Zheqi felt a mix of fear and fortune, thinking that if he had killed or harmed his birth father before learning the truth, he... he couldn’t bear to think what might have happened. Fortunately, fate was kind, and he discovered the truth in time, avoiding a terrible mistake.
"The man deserves to die!" Le Shui had never had a good impression of the so-called ’Lord,’ and now knowing that man had viciously used and harmed the Young Master, he was naturally furious, "Young Master, are you in such a rush to return to The Capital to acknowledge the Grand Prince as your father?"
Shaking his head, Lin Zheqi snorted coldly, "Now is not the time for acknowledgment. Besides, Father is already in The Capital, and I can see him anytime. And that man, after investing so much manpower, resources, and time in ’nurturing’ me, how can I ’disappoint’ his ’great love and expectations’?"
Le Shui was startled at first, then quickly understood.
The Young Master had always longed for family affection, to be together with his loved ones, enjoying the happiness of family ties. Now that he knew the Grand Prince was his real father, of course, he was eager to see him to comfort his yearning heart.
However, the Young Master was also a person who had undergone rigorous training, with a meticulous mind and was extremely protective of his loved ones.
The man who had abducted the Young Master in his youth and laid such a vicious, heart-piercing scheme would certainly not be let off by the Young Master. The most ruthless and brilliant way to retaliate was to let the man taste the bitterness of being bitten back by his own pawn.
Reducing the secret report to dust, Lin Zheqi raised his eyebrows slightly, his handsome face revealing a profound smile, "After returning, everything will continue as usual. We will play the long game and catch the big fish."
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