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Lu Fangrong not only possessed formidable martial skills but also had an exceptional ability—remarkable memory. Once he traversed a path, no matter how intricate, it would be etched firmly in his mind, never to be forgotten. Moreover, he had a strong sense of direction, enabling him to navigate unfamiliar roads based on intuition.
It seems Lu Man’s photographic memory likely inherited this excellent trait from Lu Fangrong.
Fully convinced, Lu Fangrong believed that even if Jiang Zhanwei didn’t value their family ties and wanted to take advantage of him, he wouldn’t discard such a rare talent. Besides, he was his father-in-law, his daughter’s biological father—there was no reason for his father-in-law to be turned away at the door.
Having reasoned it out, he confidently boarded a carriage and headed to Donghui Courtyard.
Upon hearing that he was the father of the Third Young Madam, the servants at Donghui Courtyard warmly invited him to the front hall for tea but didn’t immediately lead him to the backyard to see his daughter and son-in-law, leaving him feeling uneasy.
Especially when he saw Old Wang, who had once been the steward in his house, behaving as if he didn’t recognize him, nodding dismissively and even grunting, which further irked him.
Patiently waiting in the front hall, Lu Fangrong couldn’t contain his excitement when he saw He Cheng walk in with Jiang Zhanwei. His son looked like a jade-like masterpiece, incredibly handsome, resembling Mingzhu and Manman, with a hint of his own features. This son, not to mention being outstanding compared to any of the Lu family’s offspring, even outshone this son-in-law who was being praised by everyone.
He greeted them loudly, “My son, son-in-law.”
His address made both of them uncomfortable, especially Jiang Zhanwei, whose brows furrowed.
Pretending not to notice their discomfort, Lu Fangrong said to He Cheng, “You left in a hurry yesterday. Dad wanted to look at you longer, but since that didn’t happen, I had to come see you myself today.” His eyes welled up with tears as he took a few steps forward, trembling as he held He Cheng’s arm, his voice quivering, “Son, I’ve missed you for two whole years.”
He Cheng stepped back, freeing himself from Lu Fangrong’s grasp and replied expressionlessly, “I’m fifteen this year. General Lu has missed me for two years. If it weren’t for Brother-in-law and Sister’s efforts to find us and bring us back, General Lu wouldn’t even know of my existence, let alone miss me for two years.”
With a tone of self-reproach, Lu Fangrong said, “Cheng, I’m sorry. I’ve always been thinking about your mother, but official duties kept me occupied, and the vast distance separated us. I couldn’t spare the time to search for her, nor did I know she had given birth to such an outstanding son like you. It’s my fault, I neglected this.”
He Cheng coldly replied, “General Lu, my brother-in-law is not any less occupied than you. When my sister asked him to find my mother, he promptly sent people to the distant Shu region to locate us. You don’t need excuses. After Grandma Lu dismissed my mother, cutting ties with both my mother and me from the Lu family, General Lu had no obligation to find us.”
Lu Fangrong was taken aback by his son’s sharp words, feeling a tinge of shame. Initially, he had also considered going to search in Shu. Yet, after his mother divorced Mingzhu and promptly arranged his marriage to Xiao Chen, followed by taking in Bao Qin, he somehow let the matter slip away.
He responded, “Cheng, are you blaming your grandmother and me, right? Yes, your grandmother was wrong. Despite her reasons, she shouldn’t have acted that way. But no parent is perfect. Even if your grandmother made a mistake, I can’t blame her. Cheng, don’t hold grudges against your grandmother and me. Over time, I will make it up to you, and your grandmother has promised to treat you well…”
He Cheng shook his head, “Grandma Lu dismissed my mother, and she had her reasons. You had your reasons for not seeking my mother. I can’t expect everyone to remember favors, emotions, or the good deeds of others. Yet, Grandma Lu treated my sister that way, allowed a wicked woman to harm her, abandoned her in the mountains. And you, believing the slander of a vile woman, neglected my sister, leaving her to be mistreated by evil people, driving her to despair… For these reasons, I will resent you both for life. General Lu, don’t come looking for me and my mother again. After divorcing my mother in the Lu family, allowing her to travel alone to the distant Shu region to seek relatives, and marrying another woman, bringing in another woman, you have severed ties with my mother.”
Moved by He Cheng’s words, Lu Fangrong, his face flushed with embarrassment, sorrowfully said, “Your sister’s misfortunes have caused me much grief. We have dealt with those who harmed her and held them accountable. Cheng, no matter what, I am your father, and that cannot change. Today, come back home with me. I will find you a suitable wife and help you prepare for the imperial exams. With your intelligence, you are sure to become a successful candidate. Your looks are also exceptional, you might even be selected as a top scholar.”
As he spoke, Lu Fangrong, leaning on his crutch, took a few steps forward, attempting to reach out to He Cheng.
He Cheng took two steps back, hiding behind Jiang Zhanwei, and stated, “I am He Cheng, carrying on the lineage of the He family, with no relation to the Lu family.”
Enraged, Lu Fangrong couldn’t believe that this child was disowning even his ancestors, and he raised his hand to slap him.
Jiang Zhanwei intervened, blocking the blow, and said, “General Lu, He Cheng has made his stance clear. Please leave now.”
Lu Fangrong, eyes glaring, retorted, “General Jiang, you may be my superior officer and my son-in-law. I respect your authority, but when it comes to disciplining my son, that’s my responsibility.”
Jiang Zhanwei responded, “As far as I know, when my mother-in-law married you, there was a condition that her first son should bear the He surname, continuing the He family line. Both you and your mother agreed to this. Moreover, He Cheng was born after my mother-in-law was abandoned by old Lady Lu. He has no relation to your family.”
Lu Fangrong argued, “That’s true, that’s how it was agreed upon. But circumstances have changed. The He family is now considered traitorous. If He Cheng continues the He family line, he won’t be able to pursue an official career, jeopardizing his entire life. General Jiang, he may be young and unaware, but you understand. This is a crucial matter for his entire life, and I cannot allow it to go unchecked.” He then took a few steps back and sat down, saying, “I need to discuss this with Mingzhu. She is wise and will consider He Cheng’s future. Let her come out to see me. It’s been over a decade since I last saw her, and I truly miss her!” As he spoke of He Mingzhu, Lu Fangrong’s eyes softened, adding, “It was my fault. My salary was meager, and I allowed my mother to take a significant portion of her dowry. Now, with my accomplishments and spoils, I haven’t given her anything, saving it all for her. In the future, every penny of my salary will go to her.”
Jiang Zhanwei, having lost his patience with Lu Fangrong’s rambling, coldly stated, “General Lu, please leave. My mother-in-law will not see you.”
Infuriated, Lu Fangrong retorted, “Even if you are assertive, you cannot stop me from meeting my daughter and son’s biological mother, nor from acknowledging my own son.”