Standing at the entrance of the Shi'an Courtyard, Zheng Wei instructed Kong Huangwei, "Once we go in, don't be surprised by anything, understand?"
Kong Huangwei nodded seriously, assuring him she would comply.
Seeing her resolve, Zheng Wei led her further in.
As they walked into the courtyard one after another, they saw Huo Fen standing by the east wing room, her door ajar.
Hearing footsteps, Huo Fen instinctively turned her head. Upon seeing Zheng Wei return, her face lit up with surprise.
However, her expression froze the moment she spotted Kong Huangwei behind Zheng Wei.
Following that, Huo Fen frowned, looking at Kong Huangwei.
Hadn't Master Zheng gone to Prince Duan's manor for some banquet?
How could he have brought back a stunning beauty after staying there for a night?
Was this beauty someone the Prince Duan had gifted to Master Zheng?
Hadn't Master Zheng been deeply devoted to Madam Shen before?
How could he now bring another outsider back?
Huo Fen was so lost in her own thoughts that she even forgot her manners. It wasn't until Zheng Wei and Kong Huangwei reached her that she snapped back to reality.
Looking at Zheng Wei before her, Huo Fen quickly knelt down, "Greetings, Master Zheng."
Regardless of who the person before her was, it was none of her business.
She only hoped that Master Zheng was truly devoted to Madam Shen and wouldn't find a new companion so soon after Madam Shen had fallen unconscious.
If Madam Shen were to wake up then, how would she cope?
Would she be the one to be forgotten while the new one was celebrated?
Zheng Wei had no idea that in that short moment, Huo Fen had already thought so much.
If he had known what Huo Fen was thinking, Zheng Wei would have likely let out a wry smile.
After all these years, was this the impression he had left on Huo Fen?
However, for now, Zheng Wei merely asked, "Who slept in the east wing room last night?"
Huo Fen replied, "It was Lord Grand Tutor and his Madam."
Ever since they learned of Yi Zhixie's identity, the servants had grown accustomed to addressing him as Lord Grand Tutor and Na Mu Zhong as Madam Grand Tutor.
This wasn't intentional distance; it was simply that Lord Grand Tutor Yi Zhixie's reputation was too prominent and he commanded too much respect, making it difficult for them to address him as before.
Yi Zhixie and Na Mu Zhong had no objections to this. What mattered most was their feelings for each other, not the title.
Since the individuals concerned had no objections, Zheng Wei and the others naturally had nothing to say, and so the appellation continued to be used.
Upon hearing Huo Fen's answer, Zheng Wei nodded slightly and motioned for her to stand up.
But then, a familiar voice suddenly boomed nearby.
"Zheng Wei is back? So early? Did Prince Duan not even let you eat breakfast?"
Hearing the voice, Zheng Wei instinctively turned his head.
Standing at the entrance of the Shi'an Courtyard was Yi Zhixie, his face full of laughter.
As he saw Zheng Wei's darkening expression, Yi Zhixie's smile gradually faded.
"That... that... actually, I was inside last night, it was just... but don't worry, I stayed outside. I only went back this morning to wash up. Mu Zhong was also inside the room. Those little ones are definitely fine."
Yi Zhixie quickly explained.
Hearing these words, Zheng Wei's expression improved slightly.
However, he was more curious about what had happened last night and why Yi Zhixie had been forced to stay outside.
Unfortunately, before he could indulge his curiosity, he saw Kong Huangwei stride quickly towards Yi Zhixie.
"You... you are Grand Tutor Yi Zhixie?"
Kong Huangwei asked, her large eyes wide with curiosity as she looked at Yi Zhixie.
Yi Zhixie felt a little embarrassed by Kong Huangwei's gaze. He scratched his head to ease his awkwardness, then nodded and said, "I am..."
After speaking, Yi Zhixie quickly moved to Zheng Wei's side, cautiously glanced at Kong Huangwei, then quickly averted his gaze before whispering in Zheng Wei's ear, "So, who is this?"
Zheng Wei looked at Yi Zhixie and said, "My mother."
"Oh, your mother, I thought it was someone else. Luckily, you didn't find... what did you say? Your mother?"
Yi Zhixie had been speaking for a while before he realized what he had said and looked at Zheng Wei with disbelief.
Seeing Yi Zhixie's dumbfounded expression, Zheng Wei chuckled helplessly. Was it really that surprising?
He had just found his mother, brought her back, and she was young and beautiful.
Was there really a need to be so astonished?
Look at Yi Zhixie's mouth, it was so wide it could fit an egg.
Zheng Wei shook his head, thinking that being a Grand Tutor wasn't enough; he hadn't even mastered the art of maintaining a poker face.
He really needed to improve.
While Zheng Wei's mind raced, his expression remained perfectly calm.
"Yes, she is my mother."
Then, Zheng Wei walked slowly to Kong Huangwei's side and smiled gently at her, "Mother, this is Grand Tutor Yi Zhixie. As you can see, he's just a young man with a bit of a slow mind."
Hearing Zheng Wei introduce him like that, Yi Zhixie's mind instantly cleared.
"I say, Zheng Wei, is that necessary? I was just a little surprised, do you have to say that about me?" Yi Zhixie roared, his eyes wide.
After roaring, he didn't wait for Zheng Wei's explanation. He sighed and said in an indescribable tone, "Well, I won't argue with you. Look, it's been so long, and you're finally happy and willing to joke with me. I'll be magnanimous and not hold it against you."
Who would have thought that as soon as Yi Zhixie finished speaking, Zheng Wei's expression turned cold.
This made Yi Zhixie, who had been watching Zheng Wei, pause again, then exclaim in shock, "No, no! I was wrong, okay? I misspoke just now. Please be forgiving and don't hold it against me."
Seeing Yi Zhixie constantly playing the clown, Zheng Wei couldn't help but break into a smile again.
Seeing Zheng Wei smile, Yi Zhixie finally felt relieved.
"Ah, you scared me to death," Yi Zhixie said, breathing a sigh of relief and patting his chest repeatedly.
After speaking, Yi Zhixie looked at Kong Huangwei with a smile, his expression shifting to one of sickening sweetness.
"Auntie, please don't mind what just happened. We're used to joking around. Besides, I'm older than Zheng Wei, so it's natural for me to tease him. Who told you I'm the elder brother, right? By the way, Auntie, where are you from? Were you tired on your journey? Are you hungry? Have you eaten breakfast? Huo Fen, what are you still standing there for? Hurry and prepare something to eat!"
Yi Zhixie's string of questions left Kong Huangwei stunned and bewildered.
After regaining her senses, she couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
Indeed, he was worthy of being the Grand Tutor; his tongue was certainly silver.
Meanwhile, Huo Fen, upon hearing Yi Zhixie's command, had already hurried off to have her mother prepare something to eat.
She never expected that Master Zheng's mother would come.
Even more unexpected was that Master Zheng's mother would be so young.
Regardless of what Huo Fen was thinking as she left, Yi Zhixie, despite his voluble chatter, was secretly scrutinizing Kong Huangwei.
Kong Huangwei was a person of what caliber? Although she was injured now and her strength was basically gone, as an old demon who had lived for over a thousand years...
No, as an elder who had lived for over a thousand years, she could easily see through the little tricks of a junior in front of her.
Moreover, Zheng Wei's gaze was so undisguised.
From the conversation between Zheng Wei and Yi Zhixie just now, she had also learned that their relationship was very close.
Therefore, Kong Huangwei didn't feel any aversion to Yi Zhixie's scrutiny. Instead, she directly answered Yi Zhixie's barrage of questions.
"I met Ah Wei last night, in the secret chamber beneath Zheng Xiang's study. I've been there for twenty years. It's a rare chance to come out and relax, I don't feel tired at all. As for being hungry, I am a little. After all, I've barely eaten anything in these twenty years..."
Yi Zhixie and Zheng Wei listened quietly to Kong Huangwei's words.
The former's eyes grew wider as he listened, while the latter's narrowed.
Although he already knew that Zheng Xiang had captured Kong Huangwei to obtain cultivation methods and her magical treasures, he hadn't expected Zheng Xiang to treat Kong Huangwei so cruelly when he needed something from her.
Not only had he imprisoned her for over twenty years, but he had also made her eat very little during that time.
If Kong Huangwei hadn't been strong enough, wouldn't she have starved to death during those twenty-odd years?
Even if she hadn't starved to death, she would have been suffocated.
Being confined underground for decades, who could tolerate such loneliness and fear?
Just imagining it, even he, a grown man, would likely not be able to endure being locked up for twenty years under such circumstances.
And for Kong Huangwei, a woman, to be imprisoned for twenty years and still be lively now, it was truly a miracle.
At this moment, Zheng Wei had completely forgotten that his mother, Kong Huangwei, was no ordinary woman.
Let alone a man, even a group of men would likely be insignificant in front of her, let alone comparable to her.
At this point, Kong Huangwei continued, "Although I'm used to staying underground and it doesn't feel like anything, now that I'm out, the outside world feels so much better. Not only is the air good, but there are also many people and it's lively, making me feel young again."
Kong Huangwei said, a look of enjoyment on her face.
Yi Zhixie had finally digested Kong Huangwei's words and looked at her with disbelief, stuttering, "You said you were imprisoned by Zheng Xiang for twenty years? This... what exactly happened?"
Seeing Yi Zhixie's bewildered expression, Zheng Wei was about to explain when the door of the east wing room suddenly opened.
Along with the opening of the door, the sound of children crying and Na Mu Zhong's low reprimands could be heard.
"I say, Yi Zhixie, Lord Grand Tutor! Why aren't you going back to sleep this early in the morning? You've woken up all the children now. Are you going to coax them yourself or what?"
Na Mu Zhong's voice clearly carried from inside the room, though she herself was not visible.
Zheng Wei thought for a moment and understood.
Na Mu Zhong was definitely inside, coaxing the three children and helping them get dressed.
After all, dressing the triplets was like fighting a battle every time.
Now, although there were only two, adding Si Ma Shui Rong, it was still three.
With the three children together, and Na Mu Zhong not being particularly skilled, it was estimated that she would be sweating profusely dealing with them.
The three of them walked in and indeed saw Na Mu Zhong kneeling by the bed, with Zheng He in front of her.
It was evident that she was trying to quickly dress the three children, but she was struggling.
Seeing this, Zheng Wei did not delay any further and walked forward.
Extending his tall and strong arms, Zheng Wei gently lifted Zheng He into his arms.
Upon seeing Zheng Wei, Zheng He was overjoyed. Nestled in Zheng Wei's arms now, he was even more delighted, his small body wriggling continuously.
Seeing Zheng He like this, Zheng Jiang also extended his hand, looked at Zheng Wei, and continuously made "ya ya ya ya" sounds.