NOVEL WEB
Chapter 526
Eighteen years old, surnamed Zheng, a merchant.
Faced with such obviousness, it was hard not to think more.
The two siblings looked at each other, and Xu Mo took the lead in asking back, "Did this brother come all the way by asking?"
"Ah, yes." The man was slightly stunned, "May I ask if you know?"
Answering that you know at this time, it is very likely to startle the snake by treading on the grass.
Answering that you don't know, the other party will slip away.
Jiang Sheng's eyeballs rolled, "It looks like I've seen him somewhere before, isn't he the one who likes to wear colorful clothes, and walks lamely when he walks?"
"Yes, yes, yes, that's right." The man was pleasantly surprised, "Does the young lady know where he lives?"
This time it was Jiang Sheng's turn to be vigilant. "You suddenly popped up to ask about him, who knows if you are seeking revenge, I dare not point the way recklessly. Unless... unless you can make it clear."
She was born with a sweet and lovely appearance, her round eyes were full of innocence and charm, only in the depths of her pupils could she see the imperceptible slyness.
It was clearly the two siblings who wanted to know the truth, but at this moment it became the other person who had to explain.
"Not seeking revenge." The man hesitated for a long time, "It is my old master who traveled thousands of miles to find his son, hoping the young master could return home and end his life of hardship and wandering."
"Old master?"
"Looking for a son?"
Jiang Sheng and Xu Mo spoke in unison, with disbelief on their faces.
"That's right, the old master met the young master briefly, and followed the young master's footsteps to Anshui Prefecture, asking us to be sure to find the young master's whereabouts." Ren Family's servant bowed with his hands hold together, "As long as the young lady is willing to introduce us, the Ren Family will definitely show great appreciation."
Although the words sounded sincere, Xu Mo caught the flaw, "I met briefly? So that means he and your old master have met, but did not leave any information behind?"
Ren Family's servant was speechless, and nodded after a long while.
"He didn't want to go back, but you still chased him to Anshui Prefecture. Is it because you want to force him to go back?" Jiang Sheng recalled the Jiang family, recalled how her grandmother and father had always treated her gently, "Do you really want him to go back, or are you worried about ruining the Ren family's reputation if he stays outside?"
The same search for a son, but with completely different attitudes.
The Jiang family, in the clear absence of tokens or birthmarks, was able to recognize Jiang Sheng, and also respected her choice, stemming from the love in their hearts.
There was nothing wrong with the Ren family looking for evidence of blood ties, but Zheng Ruqian bluntly refused, yet they still traveled thousands of miles to pursue him. How much true affection actually existed there?
"We...we..." Ren Family's servant gaped, "The Ren Family is a prominent family in Yuhang Prefecture. It would only benefit the second young master to be brought back and recognized, certainly better than being a mere merchant."
So that was the truth.
The Ren family had righteously pursued them, firmly believing that an aristocratic family would always be stronger than a merchant, waving the banner of "for your own good" while carrying out coercive behavior.
Xu Mo's smile gradually faded. This good-tempered person's face turned cold. "The person you mentioned, I know him. He is my younger brother. If he is unwilling to return to your damn Ren family, no one can force him to go back."
"But that is the Ren family!" The servant said emotionally, "There has been a prefect of Yuhang Prefecture, and a scholar's old master from the Ren family. So many people desperately want to get into the Ren family but can't. How can you stop him from going back and becoming the second young master of the Ren family?"
"Oh? Yuhang Prefecture Prefect." Xu Mo nodded. "I am unworthy, but also the Prefect of Anshui Prefecture."
At this time, a familiar commoner happened to pass by and greeted them with a smile, "Lord Prefect, you also came to play!"
Xu Mo nodded back with a smile, naturally making his identity clear.
The former prefect of Yuhang Prefecture versus the current prefect of Anshui Prefecture, there was no need to elaborate on whose status was higher.
Ren Family's servant took two steps back, still arguing strongly, "Our eldest young master is at the imperial examination in Fengjing, and will be a scholar's old master in the future... and hold an important position in Fengjing."
"I am unworthy, but was the top scholar in the thirteenth year of Hongqing." Xu Mo's tone was calm.
Ren Family's servant still wanted to struggle, "After all, the Ren Family is a prominent family..."
"How big can it be? Bigger than the Jiang family?" Jiang Sheng peered over, "That Jiang family in Fengjing that has produced dozens of generals. I am the Jiang family's daughter, and am your so-called mere merchant's sister."
Ren family's servant was shocked beyond words, retreating two steps.
The once confident and arrogant manner was shattered in this moment.
"A mere prominent family of Yuhang Prefecture can be so arrogantly coercive. Drag them away!" Xu Mo was exceptionally cold. "If he is willing to return, I will not dissuade him, but if he is unwilling, no one can force him."
"Yes, if you dare bully my second brother, I will tear down the Ren family." Jiang Sheng stood akimbo as usual, raising her chin, glancing behind her carelessly.
Then she saw Zheng Ruqian and Wang Xiaosong standing in front of the carriage.
After traveling thousands of miles, the two men looked miserable. Their luxurious robes were wrinkled, their tightly bundled hair buns came loose, and even stubbles rushed forward aggressively, making them appear even darker and more desolate.
Only the embroidered shoes in Zheng Ruqian's hands were so beautiful, lifelike embroidery with striking pearls, becoming the only brightness on their bodies.
No, there was another place.
It was Zheng Ruqian's tearful eyes.
After so many days, across such a long distance, the grievances he suffered in the Ren family were paid back in full.
Family members, even regardless of "meddling," not caring about "bullying," brandished their sharpest weapons.
If Third Old Fang were here too, he would probably loudly thrust out his spear and shout, "Who dares force my brother!"
Wen Zhiyun would clutch the poison sack anxiously and softly, "Poison... poison them to death."
Chang Yan would clasp his hands behind his back, "Such gutless gall, drag them away!"
Without complaining, without vivid descriptions, with just a few words, the family exerted their utmost efforts to defend Zheng Ruqian.
Providing him with the strongest backing without him even knowing, when he was unaware.
Zheng Ruqian, with tears brimming his eyes and grinning, raced across the street at top speed to reach his siblings.
Leaving Wang Xiaosong to chase after them while hugging the embroidered shoes, shouting "Young Master, wait for me, wait for my horse, wait for us..."
The wind danced around their ears. Suddenly, someone burst out laughing, and the sound of silver bells echoed for a long time.
"Eldest brother, elder brother, will the Ren family give up this time?"
"They will."
"Why? They didn't give up the first time."
"Because they think too highly of themselves. They want to find the lost descendent, but also worry that Ruqian would tarnish the Ren family's reputation outside."
So they would rather coerce than have Zheng Ruqian become the Ren family's obedient illegitimate son.
Until they discovered this person was already standing at the height the Ren family looked up to. All their planning could only dissipate like bubbles.
"Oh no, won't the Ren family stubbornly cling onto the blood ties and suck Ruqian's blood dry?"
"Don't worry... Don't forget who sits in the Golden Sacred Hall."