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“Okay.” Xiao Bao pulled Xiao Zhi away from Gu Jing, leaving her completely dumbfounded, especially when she heard Xiao Zhi say, “I don’t know you.”
Instinctively, she reached out to grab Xiao Zhi, her expression twisted with anger, “What did you just say?”
How could Xiao Zhi not recognize her?
“Zhang Zhilin, you…”
Xiao Zhi looked at Gu Jing in confusion, waved her hand to break free from Gu Jing’s grip, and furrowed his brow, saying, “Madam, you’ve mistaken me for someone else. My name is not Zhang Zhilin, it’s Su Zhixiao.”
The mention of Su Zhixiao made Gu Jing’s face turn pale. She couldn’t believe it as she looked at Xiao Zhi. After a while, she suddenly remembered that this child no longer remembered them.
He had changed his name, been recorded in the Su family genealogy, and become the young master of the Su family and the eldest son of the Prince Yu’s royal mansion.
“Brother, let’s go. Let’s ignore her,” Xiao Bao said as he dragged Xiao Zhi’s hand forward, not wanting him to engage with Gu Jing too much.
The secret guards informed Wang Jinhe about the encounter with Gu Jing.
Wang Jinhe was surprised that Gu Jing had come looking for Xiao Zhi.
“Bring her over. I have something to say to her,” Wang Jinhe ordered coldly.
“Yes.”
When Gu Jing saw the person blocking her path, she instinctively took a step back. “Madam, please come with me. As for this child, please have him sent back.”
Gu Jing’s eyelid twitched. Did Wang Jinhe know about her seeking out Xiao Zhi?
After hesitating for a moment and instructing her trusted maid to take the child back, she went to the Royal Mansion to meet Wang Jinhe.
Upon seeing Wang Jinhe in the garden with a set of elegant transparent tea utensils filled with floral tea, Gu Jing greeted her, “Greetings, Princess.” She knew that she and Wang Jinhe were no longer on good terms, and it wouldn’t be wise to disrespect her.
“Please rise,” Wang Jinhe said calmly without looking at Gu Jing.
After everyone stood up, Wang Jinhe pointed to the seat opposite her, “Please, have a seat.”
Once Gu Jing sat down, Wang Jinhe finally looked at her and asked, “Why did you appear in front of Xiao Zhi?”
“I ran into him on the street.”
“If you ran into him on the street, you should treat him like a stranger and not disturb him,” Wang Jinhe said coldly, looking at Gu Jing.
Gu Jing tightly pressed her lips together, understanding the implications of Wang Jinhe’s words.
“He is my son,” she stated. As a mother, why shouldn’t she be allowed to approach her own child?
“Do you still remember the two choices Su Yu gave you? By choosing the connections in Su Yu’s hands for three years, you gave up Xiao Zhi. Since then, he has been the young master of the Prince’s Royal Mansion, not your son with Zhang Qin,” Wang Jinhe said calmly, her words almost devoid of emotion.
“After that, the Su family invited close associates to record Xiao Zhi in the family genealogy. Since that day, there has been no more Zhang Zhilin in this world, only Su Zhixiao, the eldest son of the Su family.”
“Everyone knows that Su Yu and I are his parents, not you.”
Gu Jing’s expression soured. She remembered her choice at that time. If she hadn’t chosen the connections in Su Yu’s hands, she wouldn’t have the wealth she had now.
In just a year, her business had doubled in size, proving that her decision was correct.
Upon returning, she had already made up her mind. As long as she spent more time with the child, he would eventually accept them.
Today’s encounter was an accident, but she could sense the dissatisfaction, dislike, and even hatred in the child’s eyes.
The child disliked her, didn’t want to talk to her, and she couldn’t accept it.
“I…”
“This is the last warning. If I find out that you have appeared in front of the child again, or said anything inappropriate to him, I will show you the consequences of violating our agreement,” Wang Jinhe interrupted Gu Jing coldly, looking at her sternly.
“Is that really how it’s going to be?” Gu Jing never expected Wang Jinhe to speak in such a manner.
“Su Yu made it clear to you before. By choosing the Connection in his hands for three years, Xiao Zhi has no more ties to you. You know his character. If he finds out that you are bothering Xiao Zhi, he will make everything you have disappear in an instant.”
“You…”
“Don’t doubt that I am threatening you. I am simply stating the facts.”
“Since you chose Su Yu’s connection, you should understand the extent of his power. He was able to bring down the Xie family back then, let alone your declining Gu family, which has only survived this long thanks to him,” Wang Jinhe said sternly. She used to consider Gu Jing as a sister and a good friend, but Gu Jing’s actions towards Xiao Zhi, as well as the future Su Yu had mentioned for Xiao Zhi, posed a problem for them.
They would not allow Xiao Zhi to meet an early end.
Gu Jing remained silent, fully aware of Wang Jinhe’s intentions.
And what she said was true.
Dealing with them was an easy task for Su Yu. Even though he had gone to the border now, his people were still here. Whatever needed to be done only required a word from Wang Jinhe.
These individuals were all aware of the situation, and they might not be opponents to be trifled with.
Watching Gu Jing’s silent demeanor, Wang Jinhe spoke, “Remember what I said today. The child is fine, and he doesn’t need your insincere sympathy.”
“Escort the guest out,” Wang Jinhe said, not giving Gu Jing a chance to speak, and had someone accompany her out.
With a displeased expression, Gu Jing stood up and left without even looking at Wang Jinhe throughout the process.
As Gu Jing took a few steps out, Wang Jinhe suddenly spoke, “Gu Jing, take care of yourself. Xiao Zhi is not someone you can manipulate. Don’t forget that Xiao Zhi is my and Su Yu’s son.”
“And he addresses the Emperor as Uncle.”
This was Wang Jinhe’s final warning to Gu Jing.
Gu Jing felt a chill run down her spine. Wang Jinhe was right. Xiao Zhi was no longer the same child he used to be. He belonged to the prince’s Royal Mansion now.
He was also recognized as the Emperor’s nephew. Gu Jing didn’t dare to think about the consequences of her actions if the Emperor found out.
Yuan Xu stood by and watched Gu Jing leave in a sorry state, frowning as he said, “Madam, do you think Gu Jing will…”
“Don’t worry. More than Xiao Zhi, Gu Jing cares about what she currently possesses and her young son. If she wants to involve herself with Xiao Zhi, the price would be losing everything, and that’s something Gu Jing cannot accept.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Even so, when Xiao Zhi and the others return, inform those around him that if they see anyone trying to approach Xiao Zhi, they should keep them away.”
“Understood.”
Gu Jing returned home in a daze and saw Zhang Qin playing with their young son. Seeing her son, Gu Jing’s smile brightened.
She hadn’t done anything wrong; she had simply lost a son.
She still had two years left, and during that time, she would grow stronger.