“Resistance?” Hong Xiaoduo grasped the key word in her feelings.
Upon hearing her tone and seeing her expression, Wei Junpei felt annoyed. How could someone her age have forgotten how to speak properly? "Ahem, she still believes Tong'er is alive. The family has tried to adopt her several times, even bringing suitable children from the clan to her, but she... she reacts very poorly..."
My dear wife, don't worry. If it happens again this time, I will take the child with me and raise him.
Besides, it's not easy for you, a young woman, to raise seven children alone without a fixed abode. It's better for the children to have a good place to go than to continue wandering with you, isn't it?"
At this point, Wei Junpei stopped drinking his tea and quietly considered it for her.
Outside the back window, a small figure was crouching down, its two little fists clenched tightly with nervousness.
Originally, she had planned to find a suitable family to take care of the children. Yesterday, when she saw how happy this man was with the children, she also had the idea of asking him. However, now that he has taken the initiative to ask, Hong Xiaoduo is hesitant again.
"The old man is right, but not entirely right. I am young, but if my situation weren't so special, I could have taken care of them all along. It's not that difficult or not difficult. They are very sensible and obedient. Although they have only been with me for a short time, they have been taking care of me the whole time."
They had always lived a life of hunger and hardship, so even if I wasn't capable enough to provide them with a life of wealth and comfort, it would still be better for us than for them before, no matter how frugal we were.
"Sir, you hold a high position. Being adopted by you is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could change his life. How about this, sir, I can't make that decision on your behalf. Why don't we call the child over and ask him what he thinks, so he can make his own decision?" Hong Xiaoduo kept herself calm, not wanting to act impulsively or disregard the child's wishes.
Although Kaiyang is only six years old, she still wants to give the child the right to choose and decide.
Wei Junpei was quite surprised by Hong Xiaoduo's words. He thought that the child was too young to understand the implications of her status on her life. If he were to make the decision himself, he might refuse because he couldn't bear to leave his brothers and sisters.
But he couldn't bring himself to say it.
He was deeply impressed that this young girl's level of thinking seemed to be higher than his own, who had been immersed in officialdom for many years.
“Alright, then let’s do as you say and ask the child.” Wei Junpei responded, called in a guard, and ordered him to summon Kaiyang.
Tian Shu, standing by the back window, fell silent after hearing Hong Xiaoduo's words.
He didn't want the seven siblings to be separated and wanted them to stay together forever, but since his mother had decided to let Kaiyang make his own decision, how could he disregard Kaiyang's wishes?
This father was a very high-ranking official. Being adopted by him not only gave Kaiyang a home, but also allowed him to travel by carriage, attend academy, live a life of luxury, and eventually become a high-ranking official.
Moreover, this grandfather is a good man, and Kaiyang will definitely not suffer any hardship or injustice if he goes to his home.
Thinking of this, Tian Shu's tense shoulders relaxed and slumped down. He hoped that the seven siblings would always be together, but he couldn't interfere.
Inside the room, Kaiyang followed the guard in somewhat awkwardly, wondering why he had been called in alone.
She called out, "Mother," and walked to stand beside Hong Xiaoduo.
Hong Xiaoduo reached out and pulled him in front of her: "Kaiyang, relax and don't be nervous. I called you here to talk to you about something. You know I don't have a family. Besides, I can't guarantee that I can always be by your side. This old man wants to adopt you and make you his grandson. I just want to ask you what you think."
Having understood Kaiyang's question, he tilted his head and glanced at Wei Junpei before quickly turning to Hong Xiaoduo: "Are you only going to adopt me?"
Hong Xiaoduo nodded, looking into Kaiyang's clear eyes, feeling a little sad.
Upon hearing this, Wei Junpei's heart sank.
"Then Mother, you agreed?" Kaiyang asked nervously, even though he had just heard her say that she wanted to ask his opinion.
Hong Xiaoduo shook her head: "This matter concerns your life, how can I make the decision and agree?"
Upon hearing this, Kaiyang visibly breathed a sigh of relief: "I'm not going. I want to stay with you, my older brother, older sister, and younger sister." He said this with absolute certainty.
“Kaiyang, go back with your grandfather. You can see them whenever you miss them. Besides, you’ll have your own courtyard, the love of your father, mother, and grandmother, and you can even go to the academy to study,” Wei Junpei quickly said, trying to persuade him.
I thought that after saying these things, the child would at least think about it again, but to my surprise, Kaiyang responded immediately without even thinking: "No, Kaiyang only wants to stay with my mother and my brothers. They love me very much, and my mother will also teach us to read."
"Father, there are plenty of children more suitable than me. Go and choose one elsewhere."
After saying that, Kaiyang stood back beside Hong Xiaoduo and took her arm.
"Kaiyang, your father just feels a connection with you. I was delighted to see you yesterday. Don't you like your father too?" Wei Junpei saw that the boy was so resourceful and knew he couldn't tempt him with wealth, food, or treats. So he had to swallow his pride and appeal to his emotions.
Kaiyang still held onto Hong Xiaoduo's arm, sensing that his mother wouldn't force him to agree, nor that she didn't want him anymore, and felt more confident: "Father, Kaiyang likes you, just like he likes Granny Orchid and Granny at the clothing shop, but Kaiyang likes my mother even more."
The child's words made it very clear. Wei Junpei didn't know who the two old women he was talking about were, but he understood what the child was trying to say: his position in Kaiyang's heart was the same as that of the two old women he didn't know—nothing special!
This is really heartbreaking. He is a high-ranking official, a second-rank Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, yet he is not as good as the young lady who helped them. Granny Orchid and Granny Clothing Shop.
"Well, this is a bit sudden. Here's what we'll do: child, don't rush into a decision. You can go back and think about it. I'll continue to travel with you these next few days." The more Kaiyang acted this way, the more Wei Junpei liked the child.
A six-year-old child may seem young, but they already know right from wrong and understand what wealth and status represent.
Hong Xiaoduo had no objection and was about to say that it would be like that, but Kaiyang spoke up again: "Kaiyang thanks you for your kindness, but there is no need to consider it any further. Kaiyang will always stay with his mother, as well as his brothers, sisters and cousins."
When he was surprised to learn that the man no longer addressed him as "Grandfather," Wei Junpei felt a chill run through him.
An hour later, at the fork in the road on the official road, a horse-drawn carriage and a donkey cart were stopped.
"Yaoguang, come with your father, okay? Your father will buy you lots of beautiful clothes and hairpins. Whatever you want to eat, your father will buy it for you." Lord Wei asked reluctantly, clinging to the carriage door.
If Kaiyang refuses, then we can choose the youngest granddaughter instead. A four-year-old should be easier to fool, right...?
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