Chapter 99: 099. Blood Relative Recognition (Second Update)
Translator: 549690339
“Mother! Mother!”
A little red-faced ball of energy struggled to step over the threshold, holding an orchid in his hand, excitedly running in, and throwing himself onto Wan Hui’s legs. He raised his chubby little face, his eyes sparkling, “Flower! Give it to Auntie!”
Wan Hui picked up little Zhengzheng, sitting him on her lap, and laughed softly, “How did you manage to pick your little uncle’s favorite orchid? He’ll be mad when he finds out!”
“Give it to Auntie!” Zhengzheng waved the poor flower in his hand, smiling brightly.
There was a large suitcase in the room, its lid open, and inside were all kinds of things.
Gold and silver jewelry, vases and scrolls, tea cups and bowls… All of these treasures were “stolen” by Zhengzheng from his grandfather and various uncles and aunts after he returned home.
Anyway, no matter who said something was good, the little guy would claim it as his own, saying it was for “Auntie” or “Uncle Ning”…
A young man in brocade appeared at the door and called out, “Elder sister.”
Zhengzheng happily called out to his little uncle, hiding the orchid behind his back.
The visitor was Wan Hui’s younger brother, the fifth son of the Wan Family, named Wan Li.
“What’s in Zhengzheng’s hand? Let your little uncle take a look.” Wan Li entered, smiling and teasing Zhengzheng.
Zhengzheng buried his head in Wan Hui’s embrace, “Nothing, nothing! There’s nothing!”
Wan Li sat down beside them and sighed, “My precious orchid that I’ve been nurturing for so long finally bloomed, and in the blink of an eye, the flower disappeared. How strange!”
Zhengzheng’s voice rang out loudly, “I don’t know; Zhengzheng was asleep!”
Wan Li smiled and looked at Wan Hui. He sighed again as he spoke, “Elder sister, the people from the Government Office and the Li family are in the front hall. Even Old Lady Li has arrived, and father couldn’t stop them. The Master Zhifu said that a blood test will confirm the relationship, and if Zhengzheng is truly of Li family blood, he must be returned to the Li family.”
Wan Hui’s expression darkened, “Zhengzheng is my child; by what right do they want to give him to the Li family?”
Wan Li sighed deeply, “Elder sister, I understand how you feel. None of us want to hand Zhengzheng over to the Li family and separate you and your son. If only Li Chen had other sons, he wouldn’t be so persistent.”
Wan Hui hugged Zhengzheng tightly and said coldly, “They can only take my son away over my dead body!”
“Elder sister, don’t speak out of anger.” Wan Li’s expression was helpless, “With the government involved, hiding is no longer a solution.”
“Young Lady, Fifth Young Master, the master has asked you to bring Young
Master Zhengzheng to the front hall, saying that Master Zhifu is waiting.”
Hearing the servant’s voice outside the door, Wan Hui suddenly had red-rimmed eyes.
Her husband, Lu Yu, strode inside. He used to be Wan Hui’s guard when she was in her maiden home, and had always loved her but never married.
When Wan Hui returned to her maiden home after her divorce, only she knew that she was pregnant with Li Chen’s child. She wanted to keep the child but didn’t want any connection with the Li family, so she married Lu Yu, who
quickly became her husband.
Lu Yu knew that Zhengzheng wasn’t his son, because the couple consummated their marriage only six months after the child’s birth. However, he didn’t mind and treated Zhengzheng as his own son.
“Father!” Zhengzheng was picked up by Lu Yu and called out to him. Realizing his feigned sleep had been exposed, he quickly hid the orchid and lay down again.
Lu Yu rubbed Zhengzheng’s head and helped Wan Hui up, “Don’t make your father’s job difficult; let’s go over there.”
Wan Hui’s face was bitter, and thinking about the possibility of losing Zhengzheng made her heart ache as if it was being cut by a knife.
But she heard Lu Yu whisper in her ear, “Don’t be afraid; at worst, I’ll kill Li
Chen.’
Wan Hui grabbed Lu Yu, “Don’t do anything foolish.”
“Elder sister, brother-in-law, let’s go,” Wan Li urged again.
Today, there were many “distinguished guests” in the main hall of the Wan residence.
Old Lady Li and Li Chen, the third master of the Li family, were seated on one side.
Although Li Chen was the third son, his two elder brothers had passed away due to illness, leaving him, a hedonist who indulged in drinking, gambling, and all sorts of vices, as the head of the household, in charge of the family business. Being childless was a pressing issue for the Li family.
Wang Zhifu, the official in charge of Qingyang City, was seated in the main seat.
Additionally, there was a government official sent by the Zhifu of Dejing City, where the Li family resided, to negotiate with Wang Zhifu.
Wan Hui’s father, Wan Qiang, was in poor health; his chronic cough had worsened since the beginning of winter.
Wan Hui’s several brothers were present, except for Wan Li, who had gone to call her. The cold gazes from all of them lingered on Li Chen.
Everyone in the main hall was waiting for Wan Hui to bring the child, the silence only interrupted by Wan Qiang’s coughing, making the atmosphere increasingly tense.
The old housekeeper appeared at the entrance to the hall, “Master, Master Ning Jing from the Ning family of Xunyang City has come to pay a visit!”
Everyone looked surprised.
Wan Qiang snapped out of his shock and quickly ordered, “Quickly, invite him in! ”
The second brother of Wan Hui stood up, “Father, I’ll go welcome the Ning family’s master.”
“Quickly, all of you go! Master Ning’s visit is an honor to our Wan family!” Wan Qiang looked at his sons.
As a result, the three young masters of the Wan family stood up in unison and went out to welcome Ning Jing.
After a moment of contemplation, Wang Zhifu asked Wan Qiang, “Is it the seventh young master from the Ning family who recently earned the title of Jieyuan?”
Wan Qiang nodded, “That’s him.”
“I heard he scattered the ashes of his biological father and siblings, quite a ruthless man.” Wang Zhifu let out a laugh, “I didn’t expect Master Ning to forgo going for the exams in the capital and not managing the family business at home, but rather come to Qingyang City. What kind of relationship does he have with the Wan family?”
Wan Qiang’s face also showed a hint of a smile, “There is a relationship. It was
Master Li who played matchmaker.”
Li Chen’s face had turned dark ever since he heard Ning Jing’s name, and it was now even darker than before.
When Wang Zhifu asked Li Chen if he was friends with Ning Jing, Li Chen replied sarcastically, “I’m not worthy to be friends with such a talented person as Master Ning.”
As they spoke, the three sons of the Wan family returned.
Everyone turned their gaze towards the entrance, and a young man in dark brocade clothing appeared. His face was handsome, and his cool and indifferent demeanor gave him an ethereal atmosphere.
Wan Qiang also stood up to greet him, “Master Ning, it is an honor to finally meet you!”
Ning Jing nodded faintly, “Uncle Wan, I’m sorry to intrude.”
With this “Uncle Wan,” the faces of those in attendance changed in a variety of ways.
Li Chen’s face was as dark as ink, with his eyes on Ning Jing like sharp knives.
Wan Qiang invited Ning Jing to sit on the top seat, the difference in treatment compared to Li Chen was like night and day.
“I wonder what brings the Ning Family Head to the Wan Family so suddenly,” Li Chen began asking.
Ning Jing picked up his teacup with poised elegance and took a deliberate sip, acting as though he hadn’t heard the question.
Li Chen’s anger flared, “Is the Ning Family Head hard of hearing?
“So it was Li Family Head who was speaking. I thought I heard a dog barking.” Ning Jing looked at Li Chen without emotion on his face.
Even Wang Zhifu was astonished. Indeed, this was a ruthless person. Had the days of smooth business dealings come to an end?
The three young masters of the Wan Family couldn’t suppress their laughter.
Li Chen slammed the table and shot up from his seat, “Ning, what do you mean by that?”
Ning Jing set down his teacup, “Take it literally. If you can’t understand, read more.”
Li Chen snorted coldly and sat back down, “I won’t lower myself to argue with a person like you, who can even kill his own father and brothers. What kind of scholarly honor did you achieve? I’m afraid it was bought with the money of the Ning Family, right?”
Ning Jing nodded, “I will pass on your doubt to the Chief of Pingbei City. You’re questioning his acceptance of bribes and the sale of official positions.” Li Chen’s face turned rigid, “Don’t bluff me! Today, we’re here to solve a matter concerning the Li and Wan Families. It has nothing to do with the Ning Family. If you dare to interfere, don’t blame me for being impolite!”
“Since when has Li Family Head been polite to me?” Ning Jing continued, “This is the Wan Family, and I am their guest. Li Family Head, as the man who was divorced by Young Lady Wan, comes to the Wan Family and flaunts his power.
Your thick skin is truly admirable.”
“We had an annulment! ” Li Chen’s face was flushed with anger.
“Isn’t an annulment just you divorcing her and her divorcing you at the same time?” Ning Jing’s expression was calm.
“The Ning Family Head speaks the truth!” The second young master of the Wan Family agreed.
Old Lady Li, who had remained silent until now, fiddled with the Buddha beads in her hand and looked at Li Chen, “Chen’er, don’t forget the purpose of our visit today.”
Li Chen shot Ning Jing a cold glance but said nothing more.
Su Liang appeared at the doorway. Ning Jing spoke up, “That’s my sworn sister. ”
The young master of the Wan Family quickly invited her to come in and take a seat.
Li Chen stared intently at Su Liang, knowing that she had spoiled his plans along with Ning Jing.
Soon after, Wan Li appeared at the entrance holding Zhengzheng.
“Aunt! Uncle Ning!” Zhengzheng was overjoyed to see the people he had been
missing so much, right at his home. He hurriedly kicked his legs and signaled for Wan Li to put him down.
Su Liang got up and, with a smile, greeted the little one who rushed towards her.
However, Li Chen suddenly stood up and strode over, wanting to snatch Zhengzheng away.
Wan Qiang’s expression darkened, and Su Liang dashed over, kicking Li Chen away and making him sit back precisely where he had been, letting out a muffled groan!
As Zhengzheng was bewildered by the stranger who suddenly appeared in front of him, Su Liang picked him up.
“Aunt! It’s really you!” Zhengzheng happily leaned in and gave Su Liang a kiss. He then raised the wilted orchid in his hands and presented it, “Flower for aunt!”
Ning Jing coughed lightly.
Su Liang held Zhengzheng and walked over, “I should give it to Uncle Ning instead. He likes it.”
As everyone watched, Zhengzheng affectionately hugged Ning Jing, and his eyes softened considerably.
In fact, everyone from the Li and Wan Families knew what had happened, except for the government officials.
Previously, the Li Family had tried to take Zhengzheng but were intercepted by Ning Jing, who then took Zhengzheng away and gave him to the Wan Family.
If Li Chen had succeeded that time, it would have been difficult for the Wan Family to find the child.
“It’s Su Miss who advised my elder sister and brother-in-law to avoid the situation, saying she had a way to prevent the Li Family from taking Zhengzheng away,” Wan Li whispered to Wan Qiang.
Wan Qiang heaved a sigh of relief, and his expression eased.
Old Lady Li watched Zhengzheng with an emotional expression, and stopped fiddling with her Buddha beads. She immediately said, “He’s the spitting image of Chen’er when he was a child!”
The Wan Family didn’t like hearing that.
Wan Qiang snorted coldly, “It’s too early for Old Lady Li to say so. Zhengzheng resembles me.”
Wang Zhifu, having lost his patience, asked why Wan Hui hadn’t arrived yet.
Wan Qiang said bluntly that his daughter didn’t want to see certain people.
Wang Zhifu then said, “As long as the child is here, that’s fine. Let’s proceed with the blood test.”
Wan Qiang was about to instruct the servants to prepare the items when he heard Old Lady Li speak, “For the sake of security, we have brought along all the necessary materials, including the water needed to dissolve the blood, so there’s no need for Wan Family Head to worry.”
It couldn’t be any more blunt than implying the Wan Family would tamper with the items.
Wan Qiang looked at Su Liang, who said, “Fine. It’ll save the Li Family the trouble of not shedding tears until they see the coffin.”
Since neither side raised any objections, Wang Zhifu allowed the Li Family to bring forth everything they had prepared.
There were two silver needles and two exquisite ceramic basins, one as a spare. There was also a bucket of water, all placed on a table in the center of the hall.
“Let’s begin,” Wang Zhifu said.
Li Chen stood up and walked to the center. He picked up a silver needle and, with a frown, pricked his finger to squeeze a drop of blood into the basin.
Ning Jing held Zhengzheng and walked over alongside Su Liang, who held her homemade hemostatic ointment in her hand.
Li Chen and Old Lady Li stood by their side, watching their every move. Wang Zhifu himself went over, and the Wan Family members gathered around.
All eyes were on the two drops of blood in the basin.
Li Chen was confident, convinced that Zhengzheng was his son.
The members of the Wan Family were somewhat tense.
As a result, the two drops of blood slowly merged together.
Old Lady Li’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she clasped her hands, “Amitabha, the Li Family has an heir!”
Wang Zhifu sighed deeply, “Master Wan, this child does indeed share the blood of the Li Family. Since he’s Li Family Head’s only son, it’s best to return him.”
Li Chen wore a triumphant expression, “Ning, do you see that? That’s my son! Give him to me!”
Wan Qiang’s eyebrows furrowed, and he looked at Su Liang once more.. She calmly spoke up, “Wait!”
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