Facing Zheng Xiang's change, Zheng Wei felt extremely strange. He vaguely felt that Zheng Xiang must have misunderstood something, and it was definitely related to himself, but he shook his head in his heart. No matter what he misunderstood, as long as he didn't pose a threat to him, it was fine.
"Awei, I want to talk to you about your mother. Shall we find a place to talk privately?" Zheng Xiang said this not because he was afraid of Sima Han and Yi Zhixie overhearing, but because he might break down in tears later, so he didn't want to do it in front of anyone other than Zheng Wei. That would make him extremely embarrassed.
Unfortunately, Zheng Wei was not cooperative at all. After he was stunned and came back to his senses, Zheng Wei said, "If you want to say it, say it here. If not, then don't say it." After speaking, Zheng Wei impatiently glanced at Zheng Xiang. This was not an act, but he was genuinely annoyed. He still wanted to go back quickly to see if Shen Xiaoyan would wake up again. But he also wanted to see what Zheng Xiang's intentions were. After all, only by knowing oneself and the enemy could one win a hundred battles.
Zheng Xiang glanced at Zheng Wei, then at Yi Zhixie and Sima Han who were looking at him curiously, and decided to change his prepared speech in his heart. He was a prince after all; no matter what, he could not allow himself to appear in tears in front of others, even if it was for a certain purpose. Zheng Xiang stopped himself internally before finally speaking.
Zheng Wei and the other two initially listened with great interest. It wasn't until Zheng Xiang had spoken for half a day that the three of them reacted. "Prince Duan's story is well told," Yi Zhixie gave a very pertinent evaluation. "More than well told, it was truly moving. If you had wept while telling it, it would have been even better," Sima Han also nodded. Only Zheng Wei remained silent throughout, keeping his head down.
Zheng Xiang waited for a long time for Zheng Wei's response and felt a little anxious. This shouldn't be the case. Even if he didn't shed tears while speaking, a young man, upon suddenly hearing his father recount stories of himself and his mother in such a sorrowful tone, shouldn't he be moved to tears?
"Awei, if you feel uncomfortable, cry it out. After all, she was your mother. It's only right for you to cry for her." Zheng Xiang's words actually carried a probing intent. Since Zheng Wei kept his head down, Zheng Xiang couldn't see his face. After waiting and waiting for Zheng Wei's reply, he could only try to probe himself.
Hearing this, Zheng Wei finally looked up, gazing at Zheng Xiang with surging anger in his eyes. "How was your mother burned to death? Can you only shed tears years later and consider your duty fulfilled?" Zheng Wei's words were grand and righteous, even surprising Sima Han and Yi Zhixie. They knew that Kong Huangwei was in the backyard right now. But looking at Zheng Wei's angry and accusatory tone and gaze, they couldn't help but suspect that perhaps there was no Kong Huangwei before.
Zheng Xiang clearly hadn't expected Zheng Wei to suddenly attack him. This was completely different from the reaction he had anticipated from Zheng Wei. After looking at Zheng Wei in surprise for a while, Zheng Xiang said, "Awei, it's not what you think. I was too busy at the time." Zheng Xiang was indeed eloquent. In no time, he had turned the tables and painted himself as a devoted husband who was also on his way home.
However, Zheng Wei no longer wanted to listen. His head was already aching. "Alright, Prince Duan, you should leave quickly. I also need to go back and rest well." Hearing this, Sima Han and Yi Zhixie stood up together and walked towards Zheng Xiang. Zheng Xiang looked at the approaching figures of Sima Han and Yi Zhixie, then at their seemingly remorseful and distressed expressions, and dared not leave directly. Swallowing his saliva, Zheng Xiang said, "Forget it. After hearing so much, your mind must be a mess, Awei. So, I'll leave first. You can come find me after you've sorted yourself out." Finally, Zheng Xiang added, "I'll go back and think properly. Perhaps I can recall more about your mother, and I can tell you next time."
Zheng Wei raised his eyebrows at this. This guy was truly something. Did he really think this could bring them closer? He was simply dreaming. "Farewell, I won't see you out." Zheng Wei no longer greeted him and directly asked him to leave. For a moment, Zheng Xiang's face clearly showed his hurt. However, after seeing Zheng Xiang turn and leave, Zheng Wei's spirits immediately improved considerably. It seemed this Zheng Xiang was truly disgusting to him.
"Awei, why were you expressionless just now? Even if you knew what happened later, he's still your father." It was Yi Zhixie who said this. He clearly wanted to get closer and understand Zheng Wei. Zheng Wei's lips curved slightly, and his voice drifted out with a hint of a smile, "Because he is not my father at all."
"What?" "What do you mean?" Yi Zhixie and Sima Han, uncharacteristically, spoke in unison, clearly surprised by Zheng Wei's words. Zheng Wei smiled wryly, "It means very clearly, I am not Zheng Xiang's child at all." Zheng Wei's certainty in saying this had his own considerations. Although he had said he wasn't Zheng Xiang's son from the first time he met him, most people at the time thought it was because he was dissatisfied with Zheng Xiang. But he couldn't explain the reason, so he could only let it be. However, it was different now. He had brought his mother, Kong Huangwei, back. Now that he said this, if others asked curiously, he could completely say that Kong Huangwei had told him.
Indeed, after Yi Zhixie and Sima Han pondered for a while, they said, "Since you are not his son, why does he always keep pestering you? Is it because he has a masochistic tendency and deliberately seeks abuse?" Yi Zhixie's words were indeed harsh, but Zheng Wei said earnestly, "Yes, many people, despite having good appearances, don't speak a single truthful word. More often, they do things for their own benefit." Yi Zhixie and Sima Han nodded. "You're right. If that's the case, why didn't you just clarify it with him? That way, he wouldn't bother you anymore."
Zheng Wei shook his head. "If he doesn't come, how will I know the extent of his wicked intentions? Some people, if you don't suppress them properly, will retaliate very strongly." The three of them chatted for a few more sentences and then walked towards the backyard together. In the backyard, they saw Kong Huangwei in the garden not long after entering. How could she have such an expression in front of Kong Huangwei?
"Awei, did you kill that old guy directly? This person doesn't give us any respite. He'll be quiet for a few days at most, and then he'll come to bother us again. It's better to just kill him and be done with it." Zheng Wei had completely not expected Kong Huangwei, who looked so delicate and frail, to say such terrifying words. Even Sima Han and Yi Zhixie looked at Kong Huangwei in surprise. Kong Huangwei ignored their surprise and continued, "This person who speaks nonsense and ruins my reputation, as long as he lives, is a waste of air. It's better for me to kill him now." As she said this, Kong Huangwei actually intended to leave.
Seeing this, Zheng Wei quickly stepped forward to stop Kong Huangwei. "He still has some use alive. Let's not kill him yet. It won't be too late to kill him after we've had our fill." Zheng Wei's words were said very reasonably, and his tone was light, which made Sima Han and Yi Zhixie look at him in surprise again. How could Zheng Wei casually say that he would kill someone later? This Zheng Wei truly shocked them, and they couldn't help but ask. It was Yi Zhixie who spoke, "Awei, why would you say that?" Although he also disliked Zheng Xiang, Zheng Xiang didn't seem to have done anything deserving of death yet.
Zheng Wei hadn't intended to talk about this matter now, but since Yi Zhixie asked, if he didn't say it, he estimated that these two would be too curious to sleep. So, he said very frankly, "Because he has always wanted to kill me." After Zheng Wei finished speaking, he indeed saw the surprised expressions on Yi Zhixie and Sima Han's faces, looking at him with disbelief.
Zheng Wei continued, "Don't doubt it. My instincts tell me that Zheng Xiang has always been thinking of ways to kill me, and he has the ability to succeed without anyone suspecting him." Yi Zhixie and Sima Han recalled and felt that Zheng Xiang in their memory was indeed like this. Although he often gave people the impression of being weak and pretentious, precisely because of this, coupled with his usual kindness towards Zheng Wei, and if he later put on a heartbroken appearance, no one would suspect him. At this thought, Yi Zhixie and Sima Han's faces turned solemn. They hadn't expected Zheng Xiang to be so deep-minded.
Seeing their expressions, Zheng Wei knew that they had probably understood. He then said, "Zheng Xiang seems to be interested in something I have, which is why he keeps clinging to me." Yi Zhixie frowned upon hearing this. After thinking for a moment, he said uncertainly, "I remember the first time we met, you repeatedly asked him for the jade pendant that proves your identity." Zheng Wei smiled. "You're right, he wants the jade pendant on me, which is why he keeps following me, even coming to find me time and again. Even if I speak harshly, he doesn't care. Isn't this a huge question?"
Sima Han pondered and immediately understood the abnormality. A normal person, even a father, after being repeatedly humiliated by his child, would surely feel hurt. Even if he still went to find his child, he would instinctively protect himself, and the slightest sign of trouble would cause him to protect himself and seize the opportunity to escape. But Zheng Wei was different. Every time, no matter how cold Zheng Wei was or how sharp his words were, he remained sincere and concerned. At first glance, he seemed like a good brother who cared for his sister or lover. But upon closer thought, there was definitely something wrong. Unless he had a masochistic tendency, he wouldn't always maintain such an attitude. Especially today, Zheng Wei was incredibly ruthless. Hearing his father sadly talk about his mother, Zheng Wei remained indifferent. A normal father would probably have exploded in anger on the spot. But Zheng Xiang still smiled and told Zheng Wei to rest well before leaving. This clearly showed that Zheng Xiang had been hiding it very well. Therefore, apart from Zheng Xiang occasionally sending wrong signals, they had to endure his harassment, but their lives had always been relatively peaceful.
Understanding everything, Yi Zhixie and Sima Han simply left. This mother and son, one more than the other, had their own plans and didn't need them to worry at all. After they both left, Zheng Wei said, "Alright, the show is over. Let's go back." Kong Huangwei gave Zheng Wei a playful look. "What show? This is my genuine emotion." Zheng Wei chuckled and nodded. "Genuine emotion? Then when we have time, we'll go kill Zheng Xiang and be done with it, so he doesn't keep causing trouble while he's alive." Kong Huangwei thought seriously for a moment and looked up at Yi Zhixie. "Do whatever you want, I will always support you."