Very Sudden

"But, but I..."

Xie Jin did not let her finish. He turned to Zheng Yuanqing. "Lord Zheng, my father is looking for you."

"All right."

Zheng Yuanqing took one last look at Zheng Wanru, who sat slumped on the ground, still struggling. He forced himself to look away and told the servants, "Keep an eye on her. Don't let her run off."

"Yes, sir."

The servants half dragged, half carried Zheng Wanru into the pavilion. Through tear-blurred eyes, she stared after her father, but all she saw was his back as he walked away without looking back.

Xie Heng had summoned Zheng Yuanqing to "warn" him against entertaining any ideas he should not have. That could wait.

Zheng Qingyu followed Madam Zheng in a daze until they entered a room.

Inside were two elderly people Zheng Qingyu had met once or twice as a child. Tears filled their eyes as they looked at him with trembling, tender gazes.

Madam Zheng finally covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face. Through her sobs, she managed to say, "My child, I—I'm your birth mother!"

In that moment, every suspicion was confirmed.

The moonlight was especially cold that night. Even the insects seemed to know it was no night for noise and obediently left the world in peace.

Shen Lantang brought out a small stool and sat beneath the grape trellis, looking at the moon. Footsteps approached, and before long, a shadow lowered itself beside her.

Shen Lantang held a cup of milk tea and took a leisurely sip.

"Has everything outside been taken care of?"

"Mm. I've arranged for Madam Li and Zheng Wanru to be sent away. Madam Zheng has calmed down too. The family is talking in their room."

"I see."

Shen Lantang blinked as she watched