Chapter 426: A Gigolo Has No Confidence (1)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Junjun, how about we extend the timeline a little? If you can still tell me that you don’t want to get married at 20 years old, then I will trust you that really won’t need your brother to help you with your marriage,” Zhao Chuchu said, holding back her laughter as she spoke.
“How about you study first? If you still think the same way in 10 years, I’m sure your brother won’t try to restrict you anymore.”
Xie Jun pouted his lips and said, “Sis, I won’t talk about this anymore.”
The Third Prince saw how close they were. He felt fortunate that his brother was adopted by a family like this.
He asked his men to investigate this earlier that day. Throughout Yuanjiang County, nobody knew that Xie Heng and Xie Jun weren’t real brothers, including the villagers in Lengshui Village.
The Third Prince was very grateful to the Xie clan for taking care of his brother.
The Third Prince felt that Xie Heng probably guessed something. Xie Heng said those things on purpose for him to hear.
After the meal, Xie Heng invited the Third Prince to the study room.
He got straight to the point. “Your highness, do you know Junjun’s real identity?”
Although he had already guessed it, the Third Prince was still quite shocked.
He asked curiously, “Zizhao, why do you say that?”
“This isn’t the first time that I’m interacting with you, your highness. Your attitude toward Junjun is very different, which made me think that you know about Junjun’s real identity.”
“Zizhao, you’re overthinking this. Junjun is such an adorable and well-behaved boy. Nobody would dislike him.”
“He isn’t my real brother. I have thought about helping Junjun find his real family in the past years. But my eyes couldn’t see before, so it was put on hold. Junjun doesn’t know who he really is. He thinks that we are real brothers.” “Are you planning to tell Junjun about this?”
“No. Before I can confirm who Junjun’s real parents are, I won’t let him know about it. What if they are evil, murderous people who live in the underworld? That would really hurt Junjun. If Junjun was just a lost kid from an ordinary family, I’m sure they would have gone through great effort and mental suffering in search of him. Regardless of what happened, Junjun should find them and meet them.”
“What if they are neither?”
“If his parents are evil people, I won’t tell Junjun about it. For any other possibilities, I will let him choose. I am just his brother. I can’t be selfish and make all his choices for him.”
“Zizhao, can you tell me what happened when your parents decided to adopt Junjun?
“I don’t really know about that. I only learned that Junjun isn’t actually my brother when they told me about it before they passed away. They asked me to help him find his real parents if I could.”
“Zizhao, how are you so sure that I know about Junjun’s real identity?”
Xie Heng took out a jade pendant from his pocket. “Junjun was wearing this when my parents adopted Junjun back then. After my eyes recovered, I tried to investigate where this pendant came from. Everyone I asked said that it came from the palace. I think you would know, right?”
The Third Prince’s expression finally changed.
His gaze toward Xie Heng was no longer gentle. It carried the pressure and fierceness of someone in a position of authority. “Xie Heng, do you know how severe a crime it is to steal from the royal palace?
“Your highness, there’s no need to scare me. I think you’d know better than me where this pendant came from. I am somewhat clever, but I’m not capable enough to steal from the palace.” Xie Heng wasn’t intimidated by the Third Prince at all. His expression remained normal. “If I’m not wrong, Junjun is
probably related to the royal family. Am I right?”
“Xie Heng, did you say all those things for me to hear?”
‘Yes, I hope you don’t become suspicious that I have some ulterior motive. Junjun is my only family now, and he will forever be my brother. I won’t let others hurt him. I won’t hurt him myself either, and I definitely won’t try to use him.”
“But now you’re trying to use me.”
“Your highness, you’re worrying too much. If Junjun’s original lineage is as complicated as I think, once we enter Imperial City, he will be exposed to the evildoers who caused him to part with his parents. All I want is to know these things before that happens instead of passively waiting for people to set Junjun up.”
“Is that not using me?
“You highness, if that’s what you think, then so be it.”
Xie Heng looked the Third Prince in the eye. He did not back down.
The two of them stared at each other for a long time. Finally, the Third Prince retracted his fierce gaze. He sighed and said, “Zizhao, you are an extremely meticulous observer. You are right. Junjun is related to the royal family. He is my brother, the ninth prince of the dynasty.”
When he said that, the Third Prince stared at Xie Heng. He seemed to be trying to observe some sort of emotion on Xie Heng’s face, such as elation or joy.
But the Third Prince didn’t spot anything.
Xie Heng was calm and composed as usual.
“Zizhao, the Xie clan saved my brother. I owe you for this. Tell me what you want..”
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