Chapter 552: Chapter 229 My Son is a Treacherous Official (Part 5)_3
"Does it hurt?"
He Tiantian took the opportunity to extend her hand, gently caressing He Xi’s somewhat swollen cheek.
Her eyes were full of pity, even regret, as tears began to flow again, "Ever since you were little, my child, you were the most sensible, the most obedient. Mom never laid a finger on you before."
Speaking up to this point, He Tiantian sniffed, and her tone became stern again, "But, my son, have you noticed that recently you have become someone even your mom can hardly recognize?"
"I know, you got promoted, people bow to you when you go out, and they even respectfully call you ’Langzhong He’ (an official title in the Ministry of Rites, fifth-rank). You’re no longer that poor boy from a humble background who had to depend on others!"
"Back at home, your attitude towards An Kang has also changed. Dalang, mom knows your grievances, but you must not be confused!"
"The waters of Capital City are too deep, and our He Family, apart from Duke Wei Mansion, has no reliable marital relations."
"If you offend the Guo family too, then, then—"
He Tiantian had played the role of a mother several times in the novel world and understood the principles of raising children.
He Xi was selfish and cold-hearted, and now, he could even easily bear a grudge against the mother who had raised him through hardship, despite his nature and the previous owner’s indulgence.
Children, after all, must be strictly disciplined.
Simply indulging and pampering them will make them gradually become too self-centered, ungrateful.
Of course, He Tiantian also understood the original owner, whose increasing subservience to her son stemmed mainly from his success.
She needed to rely on her son to live a wealthy, comfortable life.
She transitioned from the breadwinner to someone who needed to be looked after, naturally undergoing a shift in demeanor and mindset.
Moreover, she had indeed done some disgraceful things in the past for a living.
Although she had neatly covered her tracks, she still felt shame and unease.
Facing her smart eldest son, who had long understood everything, she felt as if she couldn’t straighten her back.
She began to give way, started to curb her assertiveness in front of her son, even becoming somewhat ingratiating, extra cautious.
But, such changes might not win back her son’s filial piety and might instead encourage other ideas in him.
He might grow increasingly egocentric, become more selfish and cold-hearted, even ungrateful.
With even a slight mistreatment from Ms. Hetian, he could harbor resentment.
Then, neither mother nor son would acknowledge each other, and He Xi, following his own path to ruin, would also bring unspeakable misery to his family.
He Tiantian’s task wasn’t just to torment the villain and harvest hatred points; more so, she hoped to guide He Xi back onto the right path.
And if the child disobeyed, then she would hit!
Sometimes, forceful methods can reclaim a person’s heart more effectively than tender concessions.
As for the original owner’s previous guilt, He Tiantian felt it was utterly unnecessary.
No matter what methods she used, but she didn’t remarry, didn’t let her three children suffer from hunger and cold, and even raised the youngest Third place scholar in the Daxia Dynasty.
She was the Heroine of the He Family, the loving mother of He Xi!
Not to mention the original owner had already concealed her past misdeeds; even if they were exposed and despised by everyone, only the three siblings, including He Xi, had no right to disrespect Ms. Hetian!
"Mom, I understand, I know all these principles!"
Hearing the heartfelt advice from his mother, He Xi felt even more ashamed and deeply appreciative of her sacrifices.
Ah, from childhood, Mom loved him the most; now, to awaken him, she didn’t hesitate to inflict pain on herself.
The pain inflicted on the son is pain in the mother’s heart.
Mom hit him, her heart must be suffering unbearably right now.
There, Mom is crying again.
"Mom, rest assured, I know I was wrong, I will treat my wife well!"
Mom was right; he had indeed stabilized his footing in the Ministry of Rites now, but their He Family’s foundation was too shallow.
Not to mention offending the Guo family, simply without the backing of the Guo family or Princess An Kang, his small fifth-rank official status in Capital City couldn’t stir much.
Capital City is full of powerful figures; his roles as the son-in-law of the Guo family, the husband of Princess An Kang truly played a crucial role in smoothing his path in his career.
He must not lose this support easily, at least not until he reaches the zenith of his power!
He Xi was indeed very intelligent, his previous arrogance was merely a moment of overconfidence.
A tea cup from He Tiantian and a slap fully woke him up.
He Xi forcefully wiped away his tears, got up from the ground, then helped He Tiantian back to the bed, but didn’t forget to promise, "Mom, about An Kang, I’ll make amends, I definitely won’t let her hold any resentment towards the He Family."
"...Just, about the cousin—"
They had already agreed to take the cousin as a concubine, and the cousin was his mother’s direct niece; He Xi was afraid that would hurt his mother.
"Sixth Lady is indeed my direct niece, but you are my son, no one comes before you!"
He Tiantian feigned a dilemma, then decisively said, "Forget about the concubine matter. I’ll find a good family for Sixth Lady later, and prepare some dowry for her, which should be enough to do right by the Tian Family."
Clang!
A noise of a heavy object falling resounded outside the door.
"Ding! Sixth Lady Tian’s hatred value +5!"