Xiao Wenkai was shocked to learn that his elder brother was up to something. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke gently, “Brother, have you misunderstood? Mother never intended to deceive you into marriage. She genuinely hoped that Pearl would marry into a good family.”
"Second brother, I can't accept your title of elder brother. We're not blood brothers." Xiao Wenjing looked at Xiao Wenkai coldly, then turned his gaze to Granny Yang.
"Grandma, the truth will eventually come out. I already know I'm not your biological child."
"You...you're talking nonsense. If you weren't my biological child, would I have raised you?"
Granny Yang instinctively explained that she knew all the rumors circulating in the village, and she was 100% certain that Shen Yunsheng and his wife had deliberately hired someone to spread them.
"Would you be so kind as to raise me?" Xiao Wenjing sneered. He was just a tool; how could he possibly owe anyone a debt of gratitude for raising him?
"Wenjing, don't listen to Jingchuan's nonsense. She's spreading rumors everywhere that you're not my biological son. She's mainly trying to sow discord between my son and me."
Granny Yang stepped forward and grabbed Xiao Wenjing's hand, but Xiao Wenjing shook her off without any hesitation.
"Grandma, let's part amicably. I'm here today mainly to inform you that from now on, we are no longer mother and son."
"What? You want to sever ties with me?" Granny Yang's voice suddenly rose. She had kept that secret so well that her eldest son could never know.
Xiao Wenjing: "That's right, I not only want to sever ties with you, but I also want to change my household registration."
Xiao Jingchuan: "Grandma, I advise you to know when to stop. We've already shown you extraordinary mercy by not accusing you of murder for money. Don't push your luck."
Shen Yunsheng: "Old lady, don't think that just because you changed your name, we won't know about your past. To us, you are a runaway slave who murders for money. We can send you to prison at any time."
Granny Yang turned pale with fright. She had indeed changed her name more than forty years ago. How did Shen Yunsheng know that?
Xiao Wenkai and Xiao Hongbin were terrified by Shen Yunsheng and his wife. Although they did not know what had happened more than forty years ago, they believed that the other party was not lying. Once their mother became a runaway slave, their future would be over.
“Jingchuan, don’t spread rumors without factual basis. Although Grandma has some bad habits, she would never murder for money.”
Xiao Hongbin tried to help his grandmother out of her predicament. In twenty days, he would be participating in the autumn imperial examination, and he had to help his grandmother get through the current crisis.
Xiao Jingchuan sneered: "Of course I have evidence, because my grandfather is on his way to Dahe Village. Once he arrives, you will know what kind of person your beloved grandmother is."
Xiao Jingchuan calculated the time and figured his grandfather would arrive at Dahe Village soon. By then, even if Granny Yang had a hundred mouths, she wouldn't be able to deny it.
At this moment, Granny Yang was already panicked. Once the old prince arrived, her secret would be exposed.
If what Xiao Jingchuan said is true, then she's completely finished.
“Hongbin, don’t listen to their nonsense. Your uncle is my own son.” The eldest grandson looked at Granny Yang, who immediately denied it.
Before she could finish speaking, a loud voice came from outside the courtyard.
"Chen Xiulian, you are the one talking nonsense. You have been running away with my son for forty-four years. You are truly audacious."
The person who came was He Lanlinfeng, Xiao Jingchuan's biological grandfather, and Ye Shi'an, Shen Yunsheng's grandfather, came with him.
Before Granny Yang could react, she was seized by Helan Qing, Helan Linfeng's personal bodyguard.
Granny Yang struggled incessantly, but she was no match for Helan Qing.
"Let me go! What right do you have to arrest me?" Helan Linfeng walked up to Granny Yang. "Because you are my runaway slave."
Upon hearing this, Granny Yang fell silent instantly. She stared wide-eyed at Helan Linfeng, her face filled with disbelief.
"No, that's impossible, you've mistaken me for someone else."
However, at that moment, Helan Linfeng calmly took out a uniquely shaped and exceptionally exquisite jade pendant from his pocket.
This jade pendant is crystal clear, radiating a warm luster. It is meticulously carved with the unique crimson dragon emblem of the Helan family, so lifelike it seems ready to burst into flames at any moment. This jade pendant is a significant keepsake passed down through generations of Helan family heads!
When Xiao Hongbin's gaze fell upon the jade pendant, his face instantly turned deathly pale, and his body trembled uncontrollably. He knew all too well the significance of that fiery clan emblem—the person before him must be none other than the powerful and influential Prince Zhennan of the Helan family!
Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Hongbin suddenly reached out and grabbed his father, who was still in shock beside him. The two of them knelt down together, their foreheads pressed against the ground, and shouted in trembling voices, "This humble subject pays respects to the Prince of Zhennan!"
Their tone was filled with awe and fear, as if they were facing a supreme god.
Everyone was shocked to see Xiao Wenkai and his son kneeling on both knees, and they immediately followed suit, kneeling down in unison.
Their eyes widened in disbelief. They could never have imagined that the seemingly ordinary Xiao Wenjing was actually the long-lost son of the renowned and powerful Prince Zhennan!
Witnessing this scene, Granny Yang was terrified, her legs gave way, and she collapsed to her knees. Trembling uncontrollably, her lips quivering, she pleaded, "Your Highness, spare me! All the blame lies with this old servant alone; it has nothing to do with anyone else! Please, Your Highness, investigate thoroughly!"
As she spoke, Granny Yang kept kowtowing and begging for mercy, and a bruise had already formed on her forehead.
At this moment, she was no longer the arrogant and domineering woman she once was; all that remained was fear and regret.
Looking at Granny Yang, who was kowtowing and begging for mercy, Helan Linfeng felt no pity whatsoever.
He snorted coldly and said sternly, "You have done all sorts of bad things, and you still dare to ask me to let you go."
The old woman trembled violently, repeatedly banging her forehead against the ground with each heavy thud. Tears streamed down her face, her voice hoarse and filled with endless fear and pleading: "Your Highness! This old servant knows her mistake. This old servant is willing to die to atone for her sins. Please, Your Highness, have mercy and spare the lives of my entire family!"
At this moment, Helan Linfeng's deep, cold eyes, like an icy pool, were fixed on the lowly and pitiful old woman Yang before him, as if trying to see through her body to the depths of her soul. Just as he was about to speak, Xiao Wenjing suddenly interrupted, "Your Highness... Your Highness, you are a magnanimous man. Could you spare the Xiao family's second branch this time for the sake of this humble subject? After all, they are innocent as well."
After saying this, Xiao Wenjing bowed deeply, his face full of earnestness.
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