Father's Shock

"Why think of him."

When his son was mentioned, the smile on Father's face grew even harder to contain.

He hadn't expected that his good eldest son would be able to comprehend Literary Qi within a single quarter-hour.

Now, throughout the three prefectures of Fengqi Road, which official hadn't heard the news and sent congratulatory gifts to the Governor's Mansion in every conceivable way?

"Your father—he'll be back in a few days."

Zeng Shilin doted on Huzi as well, following the boy's form of address as he continued:

"But with his talent, it shouldn't take too long. Within a year, the problem shouldn't be great."

Before Zeng Anmin had enrolled, he had already set the condition that he could return home upon reaching the Purple Mansion Realm.

Given Zeng Anmin's aptitude—comprehending Literary Qi in a single quarter-hour—opening the Purple Mansion within a year was no great difficulty.

"How long is a year?"

Huzi blinked in confusion, then turned his gaze to Aunt Lin:

"Mother, Grandfather says Father can come back in a year."

Aunt Lin's expression was somewhat unnatural.

A hint of shyness flickered in her enchanting eyes.

Though she was no longer young, she was just past thirty—not much older than Zeng Anmin.

Every time Huzi blurted out his understanding of that outrageous form of address, Aunt Lin couldn't help but feel a faint awkwardness rise in her heart.

"Mm, a year isn't long."

Aunt Lin's voice was full of affection.

She had married into the Governor's Mansion nearly four years ago. Though there were some hidden circumstances, she had indeed become Father's wife in truth.

But Father had never been willing to add another child to the family, and she had no way to change that.

She simply treated Huzi as her own legitimate son.

"Mm."

Huzi nodded in satisfaction. "When Father comes back, I'll..."

Before he could finish speaking.

A voice, exceedingly bold and hearty, rang out.

"Huzi! Your father's back! Where is he? Come quick, let Daddy hold you!"

The voice was extremely familiar.

So familiar that everyone in the room froze.

Father was the first to react. His expression darkened somewhat:

"This rebellious son, what's he coming back for now?"

Hearing the clear irritation in Father's voice.

Aunt Lin saw his mood and said anxiously, "My Lord, Quanfu has never been apart from you since he was a child. Perhaps he's not used to it, missing you—with such filial devotion, it's fine for him to come back and see you."

Father's expression eased slightly, but he still said nothing. Carrying Huzi, he walked out of the study.

No sooner had he left the study.

Than he saw Zeng Anmin in the courtyard, a smile on his face, with Dachun's burly figure following behind, walking toward him.

Zeng Anmin paid no attention at all to the gloom on Father's face.

His gaze was fixed entirely on Huzi.

"Daddy!"

Seeing Zeng Anmin, Huzi's adorable little face lit up with joy. He struggled out of Father's arms, and as soon as his feet touched the ground, he trotted over to Zeng Anmin.

"Aiyo, has Huzi missed Daddy in the few days we've been apart?!"

This damn human cub—how could it be so cute?

Zeng Anmin scooped Huzi into his arms and teased him.

"I did." Huzi was exceptionally well-behaved around Zeng Anmin, nodding in a milky voice.

"Daddy doesn't believe you." Zeng Anmin deliberately put on a stern face, purely wanting to tease Huzi.

"Ask Mother—I asked her every day when Daddy would come back."

Huzi pouted and pointed at Aunt Lin, who stood in the courtyard.

Hearing this, Aunt Lin pressed her lips together. Her beautiful face was extremely unnatural.

She lowered her head, not daring to meet Zeng Anmin's gaze.

"Uh..."

Zeng Anmin's mouth twitched.

It's not Aunt Lin, we have a clear conscience!

With that guilty look on your face, you'd think there really was something going on...

He could only lower his head to look at Huzi in his arms and patiently said:

"Huzi, be good. You can't call her 'Mother,' you have to call her 'Grandma.'"

"Mm." Huzi nodded seriously, then secretly leaned against Zeng Anmin's shoulder to tattle:

"Grandfather is bad, Grandfather lied to me. He said Daddy wouldn't be back for a year."

A child's words, innocent and unguarded.

No one took it to heart.

But as soon as the words fell, Zeng Anmin heard his Father's gloomy voice.

"What are you doing back?!"

"Did you run out of silver?"

"Dachun! Didn't I say you were supposed to manage the silver?"

Father hit him with three soul-searching questions on the spot.

Although Emperor Jianhong had just left, too many upheavals had followed in Two Rivers Prefecture.

He still didn't really want Zeng Anmin to get involved.

"We didn't run out. There's enough silver."

Dachun didn't know why, but every time he saw the Lord, the pressure on him was immense.

A thin sheen of sweat broke out on his forehead as he told the truth:

"Young Master says he won't be going to the academy anymore."

As soon as those words fell, the entire courtyard fell silent.

Aunt Lin, Uncle Qi, even the servants all stared at Zeng Anmin in disbelief.

Seeing their expressions, Zeng Anmin's mouth twitched.

He understood.

In their hearts, his Father was the Wenqu Star descended to earth.

The son he bore would naturally be devoted to the Confucian Path.

Words like not wanting to study could never come out of his own mouth...

It was like that super academic genius from his past life—top in conduct, perfect scores in every subject.

Then one day, he suddenly stepped out and said to everyone: I'm not going to school anymore! I'm going to work in an electronics factory!

"Idiot!!"

A furious roar suddenly rang out in the courtyard.

Uncle Qi glared at Qi Dachun, his voice full of vigor, his finger trembling as he pointed at him:

"Young Master is someone I've watched grow up! Pure of heart, respectful to the Lord! How could he ever say something so treasonous?!"

"I see—this must be your fault!"

Uncle Qi's face was extremely hostile, his tone carrying a sense of disappointment.

Dachun argued desperately: "It really was Young Master—"

"You keep talking!"

With that, Uncle Qi had already flashed to Dachun's side, his palm raised high:

"Slap!"

"I'll teach you to slander Young Master!"

"Slap!"

"You damn idiot!"

"Slap!"

"..."

"Dad, stop hitting!! I really didn't lie!"

Dachun ran all over the courtyard but couldn't dodge the rain of slaps.

"Enough!"

Father's face was expressionless as he suddenly spoke.

Everyone stopped at once.

They turned nervously toward Father.

Father slowly descended the steps, his gaze flat on Zeng Anmin, his voice betraying neither anger nor pleasure:

"Why?"

Those two simple words pressed down on everyone's hearts like a mountain.

Huzi was so frightened he buried his head against Zeng Anmin's shoulder. "Daddy, I'm scared."

"Why so serious?"

Zeng Anmin quickly reached out and gently patted Huzi's back, then looked at Father with reproach:

"You've scared the child."

Father's eyelid twitched slightly.

He forcibly suppressed the irritation churning inside him and said coldly:

"Speak."

Zeng Anmin looked up with a chuckle, his face innocent:

"Didn't you tell me to come back?"

Everyone was stunned.

???

Three huge question marks hung on their faces.

Father's brow furrowed directly, a faint trace of disappointment surfacing on his face.

"The Sages say: a man without trust—I know not what he can do."

Clearly, he was disappointed by his son's exceedingly clumsy lie.

Zeng Anmin grinned, showing a full mouth of white teeth.

He gently extended one finger toward Father.

"Didn't you say that once I opened the Purple Mansion, I could come home?"

As he spoke, a very dense, milky-white light faintly appeared at the tip of his finger.

The moment that light emerged, the entire courtyard felt its heavy, ancient aura.

With the appearance of the milky-white light, Father's expression froze completely.

Va... Vast Righteous Qi?!!