Chapter 755 Son

Marquis Pingxi had finally returned to Fengxin City, which was loyal to him.

However, considering the current state of health of Marquis Pingxi, his entry into the city was deliberately handled with discretion.

Firstly, Zheng Fan was simply too lazy to stand outside and greet the surging crowd of people. Secondly, he didn't care about his own image, but he couldn't ignore the potential unrest it might cause if the people saw how weak he was.

Currently, Marquis Pingxi was the core of the entire Jindong military and civilians, especially in the absence of a clear successor. The health of Marquis Pingxi directly and visibly impacted Jindong.

Everyone had just started living a stable life and survived the most difficult year of reconstruction. This year's harvest had also been stored in the warehouse. Next was the hopeful anticipation of the future.

At this juncture, if they knew that Marquis Pingxi had become sickly, the morale of the military and civilians would immediately be disrupted.

Furthermore,

Among the devils, Liang Cheng was the only one truly involved in military affairs. The various military leaders in Jindong were loyal to Marquis Pingxi.

Unlike the death of the Yan Emperor, where at least the structure of the court remained, the so-called shifting of loyalties only affected the local areas' respect for the central government, or the central government's suppression of the local areas.

But in Jindong, if something happened to Marquis Pingxi, this framework would simply collapse and fall apart.

In recent years, Zheng Fan and the devils had worked together to build him into a "god," which naturally had both advantages and disadvantages.

Of course, as far as the devils were concerned, they didn't care about the disadvantages, because it was very likely that they would die along with Zheng Fan. What was the point of discussing arrangements in case Zheng Fan met with an accident?

When the carriage was near the Marquis's mansion, the Sword Saint decided to get off.

The previous day, a messenger from Fengxin City had informed him that his wife had given birth. Yu Huaping also knew that he had a son, a son of his own bloodline.

Marquis Zheng waved to the Sword Saint,

reminding him:

"Remember to see your wife first when you get home, then your son, preferably acting like you don't care about your son at all."

The Sword Saint shook his head and said, "You certainly have a lot of experience."

"Apologies to your wife on my behalf; you could have made it back in time."

"You're too kind. It was I who almost caused you trouble."

"Alright, alright, I'll go see my godson after I've rested for a few days."

"Okay."

The Sword Saint went home.

Marquis Zheng's carriage went directly into the Marquis's mansion.

The Marquis's mansion was very quiet now.

Si Niang was in Shengle City investigating matters, and the princess and Ru Qing hadn't had time to return from Chu. Marquis Zheng, who was used to back pain, suddenly felt a little unaccustomed.

As the nanny in the Marquis's mansion, Ke Shi personally served Marquis Zheng as he took a bath.

It was deep winter, and it was snowing outside.

After being helped into bed by the maids, they withdrew, and Ke Shi took off her coat, got into the quilt, and placed Marquis Zheng's feet on her chest to warm them.

With the three mistresses not at home, she could be more casual.

Marquis Zheng half-closed his eyes. He had slept enough in the carriage and couldn't fall asleep now, but he still enjoyed this decadent and lazy feeling.

This evil and condemned old society.

The blind man had left the city yesterday and met Zheng Fan along the way to hand over matters.

Next, the blind man would go to Shangchuan County to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter of Fan the Little Monk.

This matter must be thoroughly investigated.

Once the matter was clarified and the specific location was known, there might be a need for military action.

Fighting the Qian Kingdom was still a bit far off, but fighting the Snow Country could happen at any time.

As for the other devils, they were all busy with their own affairs. Zheng Fan had told them in advance that he would be resting for a few days after returning, and not to bother him unless it was important.

"Child... comes to see Father."

Hearing that his godfather had returned, Tian Tian immediately trotted over to see him.

The little one,

respectfully bowed outside the door, with the black cat and fox crouching behind him.

Hearing this, Ke Shi immediately got up, put on her clothes, put a quilt behind Marquis Zheng, and then went over to open the door.

"Greetings, Little Master."

"Hello, Nanny."

"Son!"

Marquis Zheng, lying in bed, called out.

A smile appeared on Tian Tian's face as he stepped over the threshold, entered the room, and came to Zheng Fan's bedside.

"Father."

Tian Tian bowed to Zheng Fan.

No one had actually taught him these manners.

Marquis Zheng had always cherished this godson of his. Even if he raised a纨绔子弟 (wanku zidi, good-for-nothing son), a little demon, Marquis Zheng wouldn't care.

Between his real father and his godfather, the family had a great legacy. Wasn't it all for him to squander?

Could it be that he, Zheng Fan, couldn't afford to support a spoiled brat?

But this child, from birth, was accompanied by either ghosts, zombies, or demons, yet he was able to learn etiquette from the servants in the Marquis's mansion, and he did it meticulously.

Most importantly, he was obedient and sensible.

Now, Tian Tian no longer called him godfather or adoptive father, but directly called him "Father."

Of course, he knew who his real father was, although he had no impression of him.

Calling Zheng Fan "Father" was a sign of affection. Adding "god" was like the "grand" in "grandparents," which seemed a bit distant.

In fact, in many places in later generations, children no longer call their maternal grandparents "grandparents," but instead call them "grandma and grandpa."

Marquis Zheng reached out and touched Tian Tian's face.

"Is Father sick?"

"On the way home, I was assassinated, but your father is very capable. The person who assassinated me has been killed by me."

Ordinary elders wouldn't mention fighting and killing in front of children.

But Marquis Zheng didn't have that kind of concern, and Tian Tian's psychological endurance was much higher than that of ordinary children.

"Father is the most powerful."

Tian Tian had always admired Zheng Fan.

"Yes, saved by your real father."

"Did Real Father come?"

Godfather, omitting the "god," Real Father, adding the "real."

You can't blame the child for this.

Zheng Fan never minded saying good things about Lao Tian in front of Tian Tian, how powerful Lao Tian was and so on. He, this godfather, really didn't need to be jealous of that real father.

Furthermore, Zheng Fan also hoped that Tian Tian would always remember the deeds of his real father and know what a great existence his biological father was.

"Your real father has gone to the west, a very far west, where people's hair and eyes are not black, and there are many interesting things.

Your real father has gone to help us explore the way. When Tian Tian grows up, Father will take you to the west to find your real father."

"Okay."

"Where's Sister?" Tian Tian asked.

Zheng Fan pointed to the red stone on the coffee table, "She's tired and sleeping."

On the Wangjiang River, the magic pill had been overused and entered a brief period of rest. It wasn't a big problem; like himself, it needed some time to recover.

"Cough cough..."

Zheng Fan coughed.

"Father, your body..."

"It's okay, I'll be fine after resting for a while."

"Then... I won't disturb Father."

"Stay here and keep me company. After Father left home, I've been thinking about you."

Hearing this,

a happy smile appeared on Tian Tian's face,

and he said:

"Tian Tian also misses Father."

"When you grow up a little more, I'll take you with me when Father goes out in the future."

"Is fighting... okay too?"

"Yes, Father will hand the military flag over to you to hold, and stand with Father on the chariot, watching Father command the army."

Just like,

the way your real father brought me.

"Hehe, Brother Hu Zi has been dreaming of going on expeditions with you, Father. Next time, can Tian Tian bring Brother Hu Zi with me?"

"Of course, how could I not give face to my son?"

If he went, the Sword Saint would naturally go too.

"Father, it's time for me to practice writing."

"Practice here."

"Yes, Father."

Next,

Tian Tian sat in Zheng Fan's bedroom to practice writing.

The calligraphy copy was on the small coffee table, he sat on a small bench, his back straight, the writing was slow, but quite neat.

The red stone was pressed on the calligraphy copy. As before, the magic pill liked to supervise Tian Tian's writing, although she was still sleeping, Tian Tian was used to it.

Marquis Zheng lay on his side on the bed, watching his godson practice writing.

The current atmosphere made Zheng Fan very enjoyable.

After watching for a long time, he fell asleep unknowingly.

After Tian Tian finished practicing his writing, he turned around and saw that his godfather was asleep.

He gently rubbed his small wrist, picked up the red stone, and tiptoed out of the bedroom.

Tian Tian came to his room, put the red stone in his stash of snacks.

Then,

he put two teacups from his room into his pocket, took a few snacks, stuffed them in as well, and finally, picked up the teapot from the coffee table and left his room.

The fox and the black cat followed closely behind, afraid that the cherubic Little Master would bump into anything.

Tian Tian walked behind the rockery and entered the secret room.

Walking down the steps to the bottom, he saw the black coffin lying there quietly.

Tian Tian put down the teapot, then took out the small teacups and snacks from his pocket, and poured tea.

He had seen his godfather bring wine and food in here before; children, after all, have an instinct to imitate adults.

The teacups were set,

three pieces of Sachima were stacked,

Tian Tian sat down in front of the coffin.

"Grandpa, Father came back today."

The coffin was silent.

"Father met bad guys on the way home."

The coffin remained silent.

"Father said that my Real Father saved him."

The coffin was still silent.

"Father said my Real Father is very powerful, and that it seems like there's no one in this world who can beat him.

Grandpa, have you fought with my Real Father?"

In Tian Tian's mind, the most powerful person in this world was his godfather Zheng Fan, and the second most powerful was his... godfather-grandfather, who had been with him almost every step of the way.

"Buzz!"

The coffin trembled.

He,

had been beaten.

——————

Today is a bit short because I need to pause and sort out the ideas for the following plot. After all, the focus of the next plot is undoubtedly the devils, and there are many things that need to be considered.