Chapter 75: The Scales Tip

Lin had already realized that his mother had probably forgotten her promise to his younger brother; she was clearly trying to appease him.

Unfortunately, his younger brother didn’t notice and was overjoyed by his mother’s words.

‘Fool…’

Naturally, he didn’t say anything. He found the excellent exam papers his mother had prepared and quietly began to study them.

Seeing this, Xu Qingyi wisely took Zhen away.

“Zhen, let’s go have a snack and not disturb your brother’s studies.”

“Oh,” Zhen followed his mother.

Then, remembering something, he said, “Second Uncle seems to have returned.”

“And the Princess?” Xu Qingyi asked.

Zhen shook his head. “I haven’t heard anything.”

So Xu Qingyi specifically instructed someone to inquire.  The result was that Xie Huaian had returned alone.

Princess Zhenyang, citing ill health, was staying at her family’s home.

It seemed she wouldn’t be back for a few days.

Despite this, before leaving with Zhen, Xu Qingyi carefully instructed her eldest son to be careful and not go out casually.

If anyone forcefully entered the courtyard, he should immediately send someone to inform her.

“Understood,” Lin replied.

Zhen knew nothing about it. He only sensed the heavy atmosphere and curiously asked on the way, “Mother, what happened?”

Xu Qingyi instinctively replied, “Things a child shouldn’t hear.”

Zhen became unhappy, pouting. He felt his mother only treated his older brother like an adult.

He was also mature and sensible, okay?

“What is it?” Seeing his expression, Xu Qingyi realized she might have been a little inappropriate. After thinking for a moment, she said, omitting some details,  “Your second aunt prepared poisoned food for me at your second aunt’s family banquet.  It turned out that she ate the poisoned food herself, getting what she deserved.”

“How could she have eaten the poison herself?” Zhen asked, puzzled.

“Because your older brother put the poison in it,” Xu Qingyi said.

Zhen’s mouth dropped open in astonishment.

This reaction could be described as a sudden transition from carefree childhood to the adult world.

“Now you understand why Mother discusses things with your brother instead of you, right?” Xu Qingyi chuckled at his expression.

“Hmm,” Zhen understood, putting away his childishness and touching his nose. “I can too.”

His older brother was very capable, but he wasn’t completely ignorant. He had read many martial arts stories and knew the dangers of the world.

“Of course, at your current rate of growth, it’s only a matter of time,” Xu Qingyi said with a smile, referring to his martial arts skills.  As for cunning, he probably wouldn’t surpass his older brother even when he got old.

Zhen worried, “Mother, won’t Second Aunt harm Big Brother?”

Xu Qingyi shook her head. “I’m not sure. We’ll deal with whatever comes our way. We’re not afraid if she makes a move.”

“Hmm,” Zhen nodded absentmindedly, determined to practice martial arts even harder from now on.

So that he wouldn’t be bullied and unable to fight back.

Xu Qingyi took Zhen to a renowned weapons-making shop and found the most expensive craftsman.

Finally, following Zhen’s preferences, they commissioned a long spear.

The cost was neither too much nor too little—five hundred taels of silver.

But Zhen felt it was a lot and that he had spent too much money. He regretted refusing the gifts earlier.

“Five hundred taels! My father has never spent that much on me,” he said, simply stating a fact.

“Of course, you didn’t cost much when you were little,” Xu Qingyi said. “It’s when you grow up that you need to spend big money.”

“I know,” Zhen said gloomily.

His older brother had told him that pursuing a career, getting married, and having children all cost money.

But he still had no idea how to make money and felt completely lost.

Could a general make money?

Following this thought, Zhen wondered if his father was wealthy.

If so, where was his father’s money?

“Zhen, are you still worried about your older brother?” Xu Qingyi saw her younger son lost in thought and assumed he was still thinking about his brother.

Zhen shook his head and honestly said, “Mother, I was thinking, is Father wealthy? Where is Father’s money?”

Xu Qingyi was taken aback.

He frowned and continued to calculate to himself, “You married Father. You are Father’s wife. Now you have to support us. Father’s money should all be yours! Did you get the money?”

If she got the money, Mother would have money to spend on them.

Haha, Xu Qingyi laughed. She wanted to say, “Good boy, you’re right.”

But reality didn’t work that way.

She thought that to get some of Xie Yunzhi’s money from the Marquis’s residence, she would have to at least get pregnant.

Otherwise, it would be difficult.

“Your father’s money, Mother hasn’t touched it yet. Maybe the elders have their own considerations. It’s okay,” Xu Qingyi said with a smile, looking at her younger son. “Even if I can’t get your father’s money, it’s still Mother’s responsibility to raise you. As long as you grow up well, Mother won’t feel cheated.”

Zhen almost cried after hearing those words.

He inwardly condemned his grandfather and great-grandmother. Father’s money should have been given to Mother, but they hadn’t given her a single coin.

Also, they hadn’t done anything when his second aunt bullied his mother.

In the end, it was his older brother who took action.

But his older brother was only twelve years old and couldn’t help their mother much.

The more Zhen thought about it, the angrier he became. He hated that he wasn’t yet invincible.

After commissioning the weapon, the mother and son strolled around, buying some useful things.

Xu Qingyi had a deep-rooted belief that not buying anything when out on the street was abnormal.

Even street-side roasted melon seeds were worth buying.

However, they didn’t wander around for too long. She was still worried about the two children at home.

Back at the residence, Zhen, still upset, hadn’t recovered from his frustration.

He was too young to confront the other elders. The only way he could think of to vent his anger was to complain to his father.

Recently, everyone in Danhuai Courtyard had been busy, and Xie Yunzhi’s courtyard had been quiet for days.

The long-awaited arrival of Zhen finally came, but he was met with a barrage of complaints and anger.

After listening to his second son’s account, Xie Yunzhi was shaken to his core. Could such a thing have happened?

While the news of the Princess Zhenyang filled him with worry for Lady Xu and Lin, the matter of money filled him with guilt.

On one hand, Xie Yunzhi understood his parents’ intentions in not allowing Lady Xu to manage his private funds.

But he disagreed.

As his second son had said, children needed more than just food and shelter; they required additional expenses.

A son born of the main wife was a son, and so was a son raised by the family.

At this moment, Xie Yunzhi was filled with regret for his inability to wake up and do anything.

“Father, Mother always says you love us. Is that true?” Zhen’s anger grew, and he even began to resent his father. “But now I feel that only Mother loves us. She cares about whether we eat well, sleep well, and are happy.”

Zhen’s words implied that his father had never cared before.

Comparison breeds hurt. This is what true love looks like, the kind Mother shows.

Xie Yunzhi was stunned, a bitter taste rising in his heart.  He silently retorted, “Of course, your father loves you.”

Perhaps, he was too young back then, and hadn’t done enough.

Years of separation and infrequent visits had led to his neglect of his three children’s daily lives – that much was true…

“Forget it, I’m not really angry with you, I’m just feeling a little down,” Zhen said. “At least you gave me a home, and I’m still grateful for that.”

If his father hadn’t adopted him, he might have met with misfortune and never grown up.

Xie Yunzhi: “…”

These words sounded like he was about to cut ties.

That wasn’t the case, though. Zhen just felt better getting it off his chest, and continued to ramble on.

Finally, he looked at Xie Yunzhi, seemingly mustering his courage. “Father, don’t blame me, but from today on, I prefer Mother.”

Since entering the Marquis’s mansion, he had lived cautiously for years, walking on eggshells.

Only in these past few months had Zhen felt truly happy.