Chapter 391: Hypocrite
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
To decide whether a child was raised well or not, one should first observe the child’s mental state. Then look at whether his clothes were decent or not.
He Cheng was wearing bright red clothes and new shoes. His hair was combed into a small bun, and a silver lock was hanging on his chest.
The bells jingled whenever he ran.
Ah-Yao and Wen Xuan, Wen Yu’s fourth son, followed behind.
Ah-Yao called him ‘Brother Xuan1.
Wen Xuan paid close attention to Ah-Yao in case he fell down.
Pu Cao followed behind them with two servant girls.
He Cheng threw himself in front of Heng Yi and hugged his leg, “Father!”
“Yes.” Heng Yi responded, a little unnaturally.
He pulled He Cheng and made him look at He Hong.
He Hong was dressed very decently.
There was also love in his gaze as he looked at He Cheng.
But He Cheng looked at him like he was a stranger, so he hid behind Heng Yi.
“Cheng’er, he is…” Heng Yi wanted to say that this was his father.
But the words remained on the tip of his tongue.
He couldn’t bear to say it.
He had raised this boy for two years. He was there when the boy didn’t even know how to walk well. Now, he was running around.
Heng Yi had raised and nurtured him, and gradually, love bloomed for the child.
“Cheng’er,” He Hong called softly.
He came this time, not to pick up or accept He Cheng back to his side.
He was only here for business.
He had recently remarried and his wife was pregnant now. She knew that he had a son and that he was raised in the Marquis’ manor.
His in-laws suggested that he should take the child back.
Letting the boy stay in the Marquis family could also form some kind of connection.
“Call me uncle.”
Heng Yi looked at He Hong in surprise.
He didn’t quite understand what He Hong meant.
“Father!”
Ah-Yao ran over, stretching out his hand to hug him.
Heng Yi reached out to pick him up and held him in his arms.
Wen Xuan clasped his fists and bowed, “Greetings Marquis,”
HengYi nodded.
Even though the doubts and questions were on the tip of his lips, Heng Yi endured them and invited He Hong into the hall.
Ah-Yao struggled to slide to the ground and ran away laughing with the two boys together.
He Hong watched He Cheng’s back.
Without asking, he knew that He Cheng was doing well.
If He Cheng wasn’t happy here, he would’ve been submissive. He wouldn’t dare to speak loudly, let alone laugh unscrupulously.
“Brother,” He Hong had a thousand words in his mind, but he didn’t know where to start.
“You have no plans of taking Cheng’er away, do you?” Heng Yi asked.
“Yes.”
He Hong took a deep breath.
Some words were difficult to say at first, but when you finally said them, it was as if the burden wasn’t there to begin with.
“He’ll be better off following you, Brother Heng, than me. He has a better future here and will be happier.”
“I’m remarried. My wife is already eight months pregnant. The Yue family is a merchant and is relatively rich. Her dowry was also generous. The house I’m currently living in now is her dowry. I can’t bring Cheng’er back, and I won’t in the future.”
HengYi took a deep breath.
He wanted to scold He Hong, but he felt that it was unnecessary.
On the contrary, he was relieved.
At least He Cheng would stay forever with them.
With He Hong around, Zhao Huan could no longer cause any trouble. She had no excuse or reason to take He Cheng away.
“You thought it through.”
“Yes.”
HengYi looked at He Hong, “I don’t recognize you anymore.”
Where did He Hong, the man who valued love, righteousness, and trust, go?
“Brother Heng, the world is tough. Not everyone is as lucky and capable as you. It’s only been two years and you’ve become the Marquis who is in charge of power. I, on the other hand, went out with high ambitions, wanting to do something big, but ended up with nothing. Penniless.”
“If it wasn’t for my current wife, I might have died in a foreign land.”
“She knew that I was married and had a child. She bluntly said that she didn’t want me to take my son back. She said that it was hard being a stepmother, so I…”
Heng Yi remembered the five hundred taels of silver that He Hong had sent back.
The five hundred taels he gave them was a loan he paid back. He Cheng had been living in the Heng family for the past two years, yet He Hong had yet to say anything about it.
No matter how much he explained himself, it could not conceal his hypocrisy.
Who was He Cheng? He was his own son.
Today was He Cheng’s birthday.
Heng Yi didn’t know if He Hong still remembered.
But if he did, did he bring He Cheng a birthday present? If he didn’t remember…
A word crossed HengYi’s mind: Hypocrite.
“Then why did you come here?” Heng Yi said.
“Brother Heng, don’t you need to buy food and salt? I came to discuss this with you.”
“Oh, Shopkeeper Zhu is in charge of purchasing these things. I don’t care about these matters. You can just speak of this matter directly with him”
Shopkeeper Zhu was smart and fair, and he had great prestige in the barracks.
Even though Heng Yi may have a high official position and Shopkeeper Zhu was only a squad leader in the barracks…
The squad leader still had to make purchases and train soldiers. Below the squad leader were four deputy squad leaders. These positions were still waiting for soldiers to fill in.
When they arrived in the capital, they would be allocated a small house. Although it wasn’t big, it could still be a home that they could sell and rent.
Most importantly, it was given for free. It was a reward and a show of dignity for those hard-working soldiers.
HengYi left all this matter to Shopkeeper Zhu, so he didn’t have to worry too much.
However, He Hong felt that it did not make much difference to him. In his eyes, Heng Yi was still in command.
He got up to say goodbye, but Heng Yi stared at him for a moment, “Stay for dinner”
“Today is-”
“Marquis. Marquis, someone from Chenzhou has arrived.”
The gatekeeper hurried over, interrupting Heng Yi’s words.
Immediately after, a chubby boy ran into the room.
“Bao’er greets the Marquis.”
Heng Yi looked at Zeng Bao’er and thought to himself, why is this kid so fat?
“You came alone?”
“No, my father came with us. I was in a hurry, so I ran here first. I also brought the Second Young Master’s Big Yellow,”
The days for Zeng Bao’er were getting better. He studied and practiced martial arts every day, and he didn’t have much to worry about. Zeng Bao’er felt so relaxed that he grew fat. While he was growing taller, he was also gaining weight.
As time went on, the more naive he became.
“Marquis, do you know where my sister is?” Zeng Bao’er asked.
“She’s practicing martial arts in the backyard. I’ll get someone to take you there.”
Compared to Zeng Bao’er’s, who was just muddling along, Zeng Qin’er was exceptionally hardworking.
She would not sleep if the moon did not sleep, and she would get up before the sun rose.
She had determination, a lot of courage, and was very cautious.
“Thank you, Marquis.” Zeng Bao’er was about to walk out before he asked again, “What about the Second and Third Young Masters? I brought them something.”
“Can’t you hear their laughter? I’m sure you can find them quite easily,” Han Qiao said with a smile.
Zeng Bao’er’s eyes lit up.
He looked at Han Qiao with a much friendlier gaze. He quickly approached her and bowed, “Madam, hope you are doing well,”
“Hmm?” Han Qiao sized him up, “How did you gain so much weight?”
“Hehe,” Zeng Bao’er only giggled.
He was not a stupid child. If he was forced into a corner, he could be very smart. He was just… a little muddled-headed.
He was always by Han Chi’s side, and Han Chi was very scheming and did not need him all that much. Bao’er wouldn’t steal the limelight from his master either. Wouldn’t that relieve much of his duties?
“Run along now. Cheng’er and Ah-Yao are playing over there.” Han Qiao said gently.
After one final bow, Zeng Bao’er ran away.
Han Qiao laughed helplessly.
When she noticed He Hong, her smile faded slightly.
“Sister-in-law.”
He Hong was very polite.
Han Qiao hummed lightly.
Noticing the speck of flour on her face, Heng Yi raised his hands to wipe it off for her.
“You’re covered in flour.”
Han Qiao looked at He Hong.
He did bring gifts, but he obviously didn’t prepare anything for He Cheng.
Zeng Asan stepped in leading a dog.
Good heavens! Zeng Asan had also gained weight. He was at least ten pounds heavier, and the flesh on his face trembled with every move.
“Greetings, Madam, hehe.” Zeng Asan smiled, revealing his white teeth.
“It must’ve been a tough journey. Go wash up first, leave this dog to me.” “It’s not tough, Madam. I brought a lot of medicinal herbs, and they are all outside. Here is the list.” Zeng Asan immediately handed over the paper.
He smiled again and said, “Can I go and see the Second Young Master, the Third Young Master, and Qin’er?”