RPAGF Chapter 909 Another Nephew?
Chapter 909 Another Nephew?
Seeing his son like this, Li's father held back for a moment, but couldn't help but ask with some concern, "Chengye, what's wrong with you lately? I've noticed you haven't smiled in a long time, and you seem to be preoccupied with something. You seem very depressed. If it's about the imperial examination, just do your best and don't push yourself too hard. You're still young and have many opportunities. The teacher said that you'll pass the imperial examination sooner or later."
"Father, I know, I'm fine," Li Chengye said, not wanting to worry his father, and gently shook his head as he leaned against the carriage.
Helpless, Mr. Li sighed in a deep voice, holding his knees: "You child, you've always been a man of few words, more mature than most children, but keeping things bottled up isn't good for your health. If you speak up, you'll have someone to discuss things with, right?"
"You...you tell me honestly, is it because Blind Wang from the back village said your biological parents are in the capital, that's why you..."
Upon hearing this, Li Chengye immediately shook his head, realizing that his father had misunderstood.
He had no choice but to open his eyes, sit up straight, and explain earnestly, "Dad, you picked me up and fed me with gruel and rice porridge. If it weren't for you, I would have frozen or starved to death long ago, or been burned or lost by the villagers as a monster. You gave me this life, just like the name the village elders gave me, Li Chengye, meaning to carry on the family business. I am here to help the Li family continue its lineage. As for who my biological parents are, it doesn't matter anymore."
After saying that, Li Chengye let out a heavy sigh. "I have no connection with them regarding children. Although I am indeed a little curious, their lives are no longer related to me. You reap what you sow."
Mr. Li remained silent for a long time after hearing this.
Then he said in a low voice, "Chengye, you know I've always treated you like my own son. There's no need to talk about saving you or not. It's just that we have this father-son bond. And since you came into our lives, everything in the family has suddenly become better. You should be considered the lucky star of the family."
As for carrying on the family line, I don't care that much. I've lived most of my life and seen a lot about life. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters.
"If... I mean if, you really want to know the whereabouts of your biological parents and want to see them, it's not impossible. I remember there was a particularly tall man among the people who were with us. He was tall and strong, nine feet tall, with eyes like copper bells. I couldn't forget him after seeing him once. People like that are easy to find out about."
Li Chengye had a headache. "Dad, why are you here again? All the hard work you put into cultivating this fruit has been taken away by someone else. Don't you feel bad?"
Upon hearing this, Li's father glanced at his son and said gently, "With your cunning and resourcefulness, how could an ordinary person be a match for you? I'm not worried about that. What I'm most worried about is that you'll let this matter become a source of anxiety for yourself."
Li Chengye couldn't help but chuckle after hearing this. He leaned against the window with his elbow and said calmly, "How could they be a worry for me? At most, I'm just a little curious. As the saying goes, 'Those destined to meet will meet even if they are a thousand miles apart, while those not destined to meet will not recognize each other even if they meet.' If we do run into each other one day, it should be because they feel guilty towards me. Why should I be bothered? If they are not bad people, then we can each go our own way and I won't disturb their lives. If they are truly wicked, then hehe, it would be only right to punish them as a matter of course!"
Mr. Li frowned: "You can't talk such nonsense. Disrespecting your parents will be punished by heaven!"
Li Chengye: …………
Knowing that his father had been a superstitious person since childhood and had previously done work that involved superstition, Li Chengye remained silent for a moment, finally giving up arguing and changing the subject.
"Father, let's not talk about this anymore. We made a lot of money in Datong this time. After the imperial examination next year, whether we pass or not, we can go back to our hometown. We can then bring back some fashionable fabrics, silk flowers, jewelry, tobacco and the like from the capital and make a profit. We can buy more land to hoard, and you can just collect the rent at home."
Knowing his son was resourceful and intelligent, Mr. Li had no objections, saying, "Okay, I'll listen to you."
The atmosphere in the other carriage was not so pleasant. Father Wen both loved and hated his youngest son, Jian, and earnestly advised him, "Son, why can't you learn from Li Chengye?"
"He's both literate and martial, good at business, good at studying, and adept at social skills. He's good at everything, and his father is just a roughneck in the lowest of the low. His family's wealth is less than that of mud in a lotus pond. But hey, he's like a lotus rising from the mud, untainted by it. He's so arrogant and has the air of a young master."
And you, you're a real young master. Our family comes from a landlord family, aren't we much better than him? Why do you just laugh like an idiot all day long? Even if you pass the imperial examination this time and become an official in the future, you'll still need to know how to navigate social situations and be able to keep people in check!
Look at the skill he displayed at the Zhang residence just now—so composed and efficient. Sigh, he's probably already caught the eye of that young master Zhang. Even if he doesn't pass the imperial examination this time, his future is secure.
Wen Xiange had heard these words countless times and was completely unmoved; one sentence from him was enough to shut his father up.
"There's nothing we can do; their crops are just too good!"
Wen's father's face flushed red instantly, and he angrily shouted, "What...what nonsense are you spouting, you brat?!"
"That's right. Li Chengye was born smart. I heard that his biological father was a young scholar who was almost starving to death on the way to escape the war, so he was given to Uncle Li. As it turns out, like begets like. He's good at studying. Grandpa said that before you had me, you went to brothels every day and your body was already worn out. If it weren't for my hard work, how would I have had the opportunity to take you to the capital for the imperial examination? Father, you should be grateful to have such a good son as me."
Wen Xiange is very quick-witted in front of his father; he's a typical bully at home.
After saying that, he yawned, preparing to rest for a while.
When Wen's father saw this, he was furious. He could only pat his chest and comfort himself, saying that he was not as good as the best, but he was not as bad as the worst.
In fact, Wen Xiange wasn't really asleep; he was just pretending to sleep with his eyes closed, not wanting to listen to his father's nagging.
He is still thinking about the Cui family who came to the capital with them.
Besides Cui's mother, Cui Rong, and Cui He and his mother, there were also Cui Ling's concubines and illegitimate children in Juyong Pass.
Because they came from military families, most of them had a bold and unrestrained personality, and Wen Xiange particularly admired their carefree and courageous nature.
Unfortunately, he had already settled down in his hometown long ago, and there was no chance for him to be with a woman of his temperament.
Little Fish was unaware of his thoughts; otherwise, he would have spat at him, calling him presumptuous. The Cui family was not what it used to be; how could a small landlord like him possibly be worthy of their status? Not to mention they were already married, even a virgin wouldn't do.
Meanwhile, Zhang Ping'an had already received the news and left his post early to return home.
"Mother, are you feeling better?" Zhang Ping'an asked softly as he sat by the bed.
Madam Xu leaned against the soft pillows and nodded. "I'm much better now. It's just that, sigh, after all this time, the child has come back. Even though it was Sanya who caused all this trouble, it still makes me feel uneasy."
Zhang Ping'an calmly tucked the blanket around her and comforted her, "Mother, you said it yourself that it was all Third Sister's fault. What does it have to do with us? Besides, I just had someone check, and this child is doing quite well now. He started school at the age of ten, and now he's only in his early twenties. He has already passed the imperial examination and is on the verge of becoming a Jinshi. His future is very bright!"
Moreover, I've heard that he devised many ways to make money back in his hometown. This time, taking advantage of the opportunity to take the imperial examination, he brought his fellow villagers to the border trade market in Datong to do business. He must have made quite a bit of money. With such a shrewd mind, whether he becomes an official or a businessman, he'll live a good life. You can rest assured.
At this point, Zhang Ping'an smiled wryly, "I've inexplicably gained another nephew. Heh, interesting!"