Chapter 227 - You Don't Have to Worry about It
While Zuo Shaoqing amused himself with Mrs. Xue's disconcerted demeanor, the infant in her arms suddenly erupted into loud wails, filling the parlor with an unpleasant odor.
Zuo Xiaolang, with his keen sense of smell, wrinkled his nose. “Father, he's utterly filthy. He's managed to soil himself with that rake. The stench is unbearable.”
In another setting, Zuo Shaoqing would have certainly scolded him. Weren't you even messier as a child?
Mrs. Xue's expression grew increasingly sour. Recognizing the situation, Mrs. Hoe promptly stepped forward to take charge of the child. “Madam, allow me to handle this. Your daughter-in-law will tend to him.”
Once the young mistress of the household, Mrs. Xue had always entrusted the care of infants to wet nurses. It was inconceivable for her to personally attend to her grandson's diaper changes.
As Mrs. Hoe carried the child away, Zuo Shaoqing, feigning concern, inquired, “Mother… Aren't you going to change into fresh attire as well?” His nose twitched, and his countenance betrayed his discomfort.
Mrs. Xue recoiled from the foul odor at his remark, flicking her sleeves as she departed, casting a significant glance at Zuo Shaoyan before leaving.
With the troublesome commotion resolved, Zuo Shaoqing made preparations to escort his children to Lu Zheng. He had no inclination to engage further with the manipulative Mrs. Xue and her son.
“Third Brother, please wait!” Zuo Shaoyan intercepted Zuo Shaoqing, expressing curiosity, “We haven't had the chance to catch up. Why not sit down and chat?”
Zuo Shaoqing saw no reason to decline. Moreover, he was curious whether Zuo Shaoyan had truly changed during their months apart.
Retrieving a cloud jade pendant from his pocket, he presented it, “I arrived hastily and didn't bring a proper gift. This is a token for my nephew. Would you mind holding onto it, big brother?”
Having observed various markets, Zuo Shaoyan recognized the pendant's exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
Declining the gift, he glanced at Zuo Shaoqing, “Brother, I cannot accept such a precious offering.”
“Consider it a small token from a younger brother,” Zuo Shaoqing insisted, producing the jade pendant to counter Mrs. Xue's maneuver of passing the child to him. If Zuo Shaoyan accepted, it would effectively bury the matter.
Understanding Zuo Shaoqing's intent, Zuo Shaoyan hesitated briefly before accepting the gesture, “Please don't fret, Third Brother. Mother simply adores Yu Heng. As my firstborn, I naturally wish to provide the best for him.”
Zuo Shuhui and Mrs. Xue displayed the most enthusiasm for adopting the child, swaying others with their persuasions.
Despite his own inclinations, Zuo Shaoyan had to confront reality. He pondered whether Zuo Shaoqing and Lu Zheng would accept the child and recognized that forcing either family's hand would only strain relations further. Moreover, there remained two decades before the child reached adulthood, and the future of Liu Steel Manor was uncertain.
Even if the child eventually inherited Duke Zhen's estate, it would be a distant prospect.
Zuo Shaoqing observed Zuo Shaoyan intently, surmising that despite Zuo Shaoyan's personality, he still harbored deep affection for his son.
In the study, Lu Zheng engaged Zuo Yunwen in three rapid chess matches, each concluding within moments.
Zuo Yunwen, having lost three consecutive games of chess, felt a sense of embarrassment. Liu Tie had always played fairly in their matches, never intentionally losing, even when facing Zuo Shaoqing.
“It's getting late. Let's conclude our games for today,” Zuo Yunwen suggested, “Shao Qing and I have other matters to attend to.”
Zuo Yunwen breathed a sigh of relief internally, eager to avoid further losses. He quickly packed up the chessboard before glancing at the darkening sky. “Why don't we depart after dinner? Wu Tie rarely visits, and he likely has much to discuss with his family.”
Little did Zuo Yunwen realize that Lu Zheng was eager to depart, completely unaware that his own son was the cause.
“There's no need, I've been away from the capital for too long. There are numerous affairs awaiting me at home,” Lu Zheng gracefully declined, without waiting for Zuo Yunwen's permission.
Left with no choice, Zuo Yunwen followed suit. As they exited the study's courtyard, they encountered a young woman in a purple gown leisurely strolling towards them. It was Zuo Shuhui, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.
Zuo Shuhui was attired in a resplendent manner, clad in a purple gown with intricate floral embroidery along the hem. In the entire capital, only the Imperial Palace rivaled such craftsmanship.
A blood-red ruby adorned her forehead, while a long golden tassel swayed in the breeze. Her demure smile exuded an air of nobility, truly befitting a prominent family.
Noticing Lu Zheng's momentary surprise, Zuo Shuhui swiftly composed herself. She curtsied and inquired, “Master Lu, Father… Where are you headed?”
As she drew nearer, a sweet fragrance wafted, causing Lu Zheng to furrow his brows and step back, maintaining a safe distance.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Zuo Yunwen intervened, “We just finished a game of chess. I'm seeing him off.”
“Ah, Master Lu is leaving? I haven't had the chance to see Third Brother yet,” Zuo Shuhui lamented, gazing at Lu Zheng with a forlorn expression. “I wonder if Master Lu would allow Third Brother to remain at home a while longer?”
Everyone assumed that decisions at Wu Steel Manor rested solely with Lu Zheng. As long as he decreed it, Zuo Shaoqing would comply. Zuo Shuhui's query subtly undermined Zuo Shaoqing.
“I haven't tethered Shao Qing. How long he stays is his prerogative,” Lu Zheng asserted, signaling his freedom to depart.
Unwilling to engage further, Lu Zheng strode past her toward the parlor, leaving Zuo Shuhui biting her lip in frustration.
She once believed marrying into Jiang's Mansion was a wise choice. Jiang's Mansion was affluent, and Jiang Che's refinement made him more appealing than the austere Duke Zhen Manor or the aloof Master Lu. Yet, at this moment, she realized her error.
Previously, she lacked the status to mingle among the capital's elite. Now, as Jiang Che's foremost companion, she seamlessly integrated into that echelon.
Especially considering Zuo Shaoqing's solitary position by Lu Zheng's side, juxtaposed with Jiang Che's harem in the backyard, how could he accept such a situation?
Had she persisted, had the incident involving Jiang's Mansion not occurred, would she still have a chance?
“What troubles you, my dear daughter?” Zuo Yunwen inquired, patting Zuo Shuhui's shoulder with concern.
Zuo Shuhui shut her eyes, concealing the complex emotions within. She leaned on Zuo Yunwen's arm affectionately. “Dad, it's been so long since your daughter's returned. You must take good care of her.”
“Haha…Of course! Your mother talks about you every day. If she knew you were back, she'd be overjoyed.”
Normally, a married daughter wouldn't return home. Zuo Yunwen's resentment toward his daughter had dissipated. Moreover, since Jiang Che's official wife had departed, he had begun to pay more attention to Zuo Shuhui.
Lu Zheng entered, immediately greeted by a rush of activity. Powerful arms encircled his neck. It took considerable resolve for Lu Zheng to not release this small bundle of energy.
With the little one clinging to his chest, Lu Zheng strode purposefully. A quick glance revealed the scene in the hall: Zuo Shaoqing glared at Mrs. Xue while she beamed upon spotting Lu Zheng.
“Shao Qing, don't take my words to heart. Sometimes, harsh truths are beneficial. Isn't this for your own good?”
Zuo Shaoqing sneered, “Your idea of ‘for my own good' involves abandoning my son and finding a partner for Master Lu. What sort of logic is that?”
“Your son? That unruly child? He scratched Yuheng's face earlier. How can we entrust such an uncultured child?”
Zuo Xiaolang rested on Lu Zheng's shoulder, whispering, “I just wanted to touch him, honestly!”
Initially indifferent to the child, Zuo Xiaolang observed as the child was cleaned up and carried away.
As the child lay in the cradle, Zuo Xiaolang watched intently. All infants of a few months were adorable.
Out of curiosity, he reached out to touch but forgot the baby's delicate skin. His grip, too strong, left a red mark on the child's face.
The child's cries alerted him to the mishap. In the next moment, the elder woman rushed over, enraged by the scar on the child's face, eager to punish him.
Aware she was addressed as mother by his father, he refrained from retaliation.
But how could Zuo Shaoqing stand by as his precious son was threatened? He intervened, stopping her hand. Given the chance, he would have struck her.
“It's just a minor mark, no bleeding. There's no need for such a commotion!”
“Hmph, if not for Yuheng's tears, who knows what that wild child would have done? He moves awkwardly, can't even speak properly. Adopting him would be an embarrassment to Duke Zhen.”
Mrs. Xue's derogatory words stoked Zuo Shaoqing's anger. “This is a matter for Wu Steel Manor. Mind your own business.”
Understanding the situation, Lu Zheng spoke calmly, “If Madam Zuo despises my son, then Zuo's Mansion and Duke Zhen Manor needn't interact any longer.”
Zuo Yunwen and Zuo Shuhui arrived just in time to hear this, exchanging concerned glances.
“What's happening? Why the commotion?” As the patriarch, Zuo Yunwen was best positioned to intervene.
Lu Zheng's statement effectively severed ties between the families. If they ceased interaction, Zuo Family would lose crucial support.
Zuo Shaoqing cared little for this family, especially when he saw trouble brewing with Zuo Shuhui's arrival.
“Let's go!” He tugged Lu Zheng's sleeve, leaving without a backward glance.
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