"My Lord is a Stone"《我家君王是石头》Chapter 50

Zhao Xing Kun always thought Xiao Zhen Shan was a rash youngster, but his intentions were not bad, standing up for others, and was stubborn to the end, he said he would pass on the family property, he would always abide by his promise, steadily uphold it, therefore in the future when the family property is handed to him even if he wouldn’t be able to expand it, but at least it would be preserved, to be honest Zhao Xing Kun was reluctant…, such a son, if he didn’t give it to him who would he give it to? Besides he always felt ashamed towards this son, his eldest son at the time had been personally brought up by his side with his teachings, for this youngest son he had never taken any fatherly responsibility, as a result he unconsciously felt he needed to make it up to him.

However seeing Xiao Zhen Shan’s infatuated manner he was so angry, he yelled, “You unfilial son!”

Xiao Zhan Shen sincerely kneeled on the floor, lowering his head like a child who had done wrong, his tone however still held a rare perseverance, as if he wanted to protect the last bit of dignity in his entire life, “That had nothing to do with younger sister Rui Zhi, I was the one who wanted to get even with Zhao Jin Yu! Father, if you need to blame someone blame only this son.”

“Do you think that just because you’re my only son, I won’t dare to do anything to you?” Zhao Xing Kun yelled as his anger soared, his voice so loud it almost shook the screen to the side, making people feel constrained for no reason at all.

Some loneliness flashed through Xiao Zhen Shan’s face, his head was lowered to the pit of his stomach…, dimly saying, “Father, so you know I’m you’re son.”

Xiao Zhen Shan’s words did not harbour complaints, nor anger, but his tone held some sadness difficult to sense, seeming very disappointed and helpless, this sort of sadness was like net wrapped around someone, all around the atmosphere froze in a split second.

Not knowing why, all of Zhao Xing Kun’s anger disappeared in a flash, suddenly he lost the wish to continue questioning him, a good while later did he then suddenly say, “Rest sooner.” Then he left.

Xiao Zhen Shan powerlessly laid down, he impatiently waved his hand at the maid who had come in to serve him, saying, “Leave.”

The house immediately became very quiet, only once in a while could you hear the twigs outside the window whir, he wanted to sleep, but as soon as he closed his eyes, Zhao Rui Zhi’s face would float into his mind, her angry expression, her cheerful expression, and her gentle as water gazing at him expression…, could everything have been a lie?

Truthfully he also understood, how it was to live relying on someone’s charity, who could live happily? Zhao Rui Zhi also acted so she would not drift about like a duckweed, wanting to grab hold of the bargaining chip that can give her everything, he didn’t blame her…, but he was also not willing to allow her to continue toying with him.

In fact he wasn’t actually an idiot, before he had always thought there was something suspicious about Zhao Rui Zhi, but his mind always couldn’t help find an excuse for her…, but this time however being severely lectured by his still young niece Zhao Jin Yu, even a beggar knows how to be grateful, the Zhao family allowed Zhao Rui Zhi to change from an orphan to an honourable young lady, and took the trouble to bring her up, this was an enormous kindness, what was she not content with?

This made him think of himself, to be honest he initially had a lot of complaints about his adoptive parents, because he could sense they treated him differently from his other siblings, it wasn’t a materialistic unfairness, he felt they were not as intimate with him, but when everything was revealed…, his complaints disappeared, instead appreciation remained, grateful they adopted him who had no blood relation to them, carefully guided him, because being able to make such an effort with him who they had no blood relation to was already very hard.

Looking at Zhao Rui Zhi’s point of view…, also an adopted child, Zhao Rui Zhi however did not know how to be grateful to the Zhao family’s benevolence, instead complaining every day, to the extent of being jealous of the rightful Zhao Jin Yu, to be honest, didn’t the love that Zhao Rui Zhi originally received belong to Zhao Jin Yu? She always said she served the madam with all her effort, could it be there was no other person in the Zhao family who didn’t serve with as much effort as her? 

Let alone other people, hasn’t the nanny Li cautiously and conscientiously served the madam for tens of years by the her side?

Having figured it out Xiao Zhen Shan felt like he had been struck by lightning, beyond shocked…, he then knew it wasn’t such a bad thing for his biological father to be Zhao Xing Kun.

He closed his eyes, a while later then did he spit out the words, “Younger sister Rui Zhi, I can only do this much to help you, from now on you’re on your own.” Even though he said this…, but it was still the sentimental first love of his youth, and he knew in his heart, unconsciously his eyes reddened, a tear came rolling down.

***

A handsome and elegant man with a completely white cloak draped over his shoulders was being helped down from his carriage, the boy servant at one side hurried over to kneel, serving as a stirrup, allowing the person of higher status to step down on him.

When the man saw the boy servant kneel down, some hesitation arose in his eyes, but very soon it was unseen, he steadily stepped on to that boy servant to come down, another beautiful, sweet, fair and graceful girl walked in front of him leading the way, saying, “Xianjun, the lady has already settled down, she just asked when the Xianjun would return.”

The girl was called Qin Xiang, the head maid of the Xianjun Zhuang Qing, and was a disciple of the Tiangui sect, she did not say anything about how the lady was able to come back from the sacrificial ceremony without a hair missing, appearing as if she didn’t know anything at all…, from a certain angle she was one of the Xianjun’s people, the kind who would block a knife for the Xianjun, complying unconditionally.

Zhuang Qing nodded slightly, his face unnaturally pale, his thin facial features however gave a sense of sharpness, he said, “How is the lady’s health?”

“Her mentality is good, but she is rather thin and pallid.” Qin Xiang said, following which she carefully glanced at Zhuang Qing’s face, “After all she was outside for a month, of course not as comfortable as the residence, this servant thinks many health tonics will help.”

“Mother got caught up in this.” Zhuang Qing sighed.

As the two people spoke they finally reached the door, having pushed aside the curtain to enter two kumquat pots could be seen, emitting a faint tangerine fragrance, giving a burst of happiness.

Lady Zhuang laid on the bed, covered with a rouge brocade quilt, contrasting her pale complexion even more she looked somewhat wan and sallow…, Zhuang Qing waved the maid who wanted to speak away, then walked forward to sit by the bed, looking at Lady Zhuang with a complicated gaze.

This was his mother, who in order to not burden him had hidden in Tibet for a month, if it wasn’t for him beseeching the sect leader, perhaps they would have been separated for a lifetime.

Although mother was no longer young, but was still as pretty as before, such a woman…, left outside it was like a sheep being thrown into a group of wolves, being eaten until only the skeleton remained. He thought somewhat frightened, if he had been a step too late, wouldn’t mother have already been sold by a trafficker to god knows where.

Thinking of his mother Zhuang Qing unconsciously recalled his younger sister Zhao Jin Yu who 

rescued mother, Zhuang Qing nodded his head slightly, he looked through the window to outside, almost as if he could see a faraway place he can’t see.

At the time when father had carried her back she was still a baby, dirty like she had rolled around in the mud, back then they weren’t well off, they only had one old servant, but following his mother, he heated water for her to wash, she however covered her chest saying she was a girl…, men and women should not touch, he had burst into laughter, how old was younger sister only then? Five or six? Due to malnutrition for years, she was still very short, looking like a three year old.

Right then he had felt this younger sister was very interesting, he only gave her clothes to wear after washing, then waited outside, after a long time, he saw a fair and pure baby come out from within.

Skin pure white like jade, rosy soft lips like petals, the most important is the pair of eyes, distinct black and white, sleek, as if it was fixed on you…, the cuteness made the heart soften.

Right away she had asked, “Who are you?” Voice pleasant like a black-naped oriole in the tree.

He said, “I am your older brother.” He had in fact already wanted a younger brother or sister at an earlier time…, but at that moment, he thought it was better to have a younger sister, so adorable, so loveable, simply lovely.

He thought this would last forever, he had already fallen into a hopeless abyss, who would have imagined she would appear in his line of sight like that, Zhuang Qing unconsciously clenched his arm, Zhao Jin Yu had tightly held this arm like this just then, wailing, “Older brother.” Like she had done numerous times as a child.

At that time his heart was beating wildly making him feel his chest was going to explode.

However he saw his mother, lying down in front of him like an offering…, his heart suddenly cooled down, when the former Xianjun had asked him to take his place as the new Xianjun he had said, this was a road of no return, once you take the step you cannot turn around.

“Jun Er?”

“Mother, you’re awake?” Zhuang Qing returned from his memories, lowering his head he just saw 

Lady Zhuang opening her eyes to look at him, gaze filled with a mother’s distinctive tenderness and adoration.

Lady Zhuang lowered her eyelids, not allowing Zhuang Qing to see her feelings just now, what did she see just now? Her son Zhaung Qing almost cried in front of her, gaze sorrowful and at a loss, like he had lost his most beloved…person.

Maybe he’s thinking of that girl again?

“Zhao Jin Yu is very good.” Lady Zhuang’s gaze was sharp, saying, “I travelled straight to Hangzhou, afterwards I heard she returned to the Zhao family, becoming the eldest young lady of the Zhao family, she finally returned to her proper position.”

“Mother, I know.” Zhuang Qing was somewhat embarrassed like his mind had been read by Lady Zhuang, he hurriedly said.

Lady Zhuang again said, “I heard her grandparents love her dearly like the apple of their eyes, don’t think of her again, it’s better for you to collect your thoughts, do well what you need to do.” 

Following which she stuck out her hand at Zhuang Qing, with his support she sat up, leaning against the pillow, saying, “How about your father?”