C227 – You Don’t Have to Worry about It
While Zuo Shaoqing amused himself with Mrs. Xue’s disconcerted demeanor, the infant in her arms suddenly erupted into loud wails, filling the parlor with an unpleasant odor.
Zuo Xiaolang, with his keen sense of smell, wrinkled his nose. “Father, he’s utterly filthy. He’s managed to soil himself with that rake. The stench is unbearable.”
In another setting, Zuo Shaoqing would have certainly scolded him. Weren’t you even messier as a child?
Mrs. Xue’s expression grew increasingly sour. Recognizing the situation, Mrs. Hoe promptly stepped forward to take charge of the child. “Madam, allow me to handle this. Your daughter-in-law will tend to him.”
Once the young mistress of the household, Mrs. Xue had always entrusted the care of infants to wet nurses. It was inconceivable for her to personally attend to her grandson’s diaper changes.
As Mrs. Hoe carried the child away, Zuo Shaoqing, feigning concern, inquired, “Mother... Aren’t you going to change into fresh attire as well?” His nose twitched, and his countenance betrayed his discomfort.
Mrs. Xue recoiled from the foul odor at his remark, flicking her sleeves as she departed, casting a significant glance at Zuo Shaoyan before leaving.
With the troublesome commotion resolved, Zuo Shaoqing made preparations to escort his children to Lu Zheng. He had no inclination to engage further with the manipulative Mrs. Xue and her son.
“Third Brother, please wait!” Zuo Shaoyan intercepted Zuo Shaoqing, expressing curiosity, “We haven’t had the chance to catch up. Why not sit down and chat?”
Zuo Shaoqing saw no reason to decline. Moreover, he was curious whether Zuo Shaoyan had truly changed during their months apart.
Retrieving a cloud jade pendant from his pocket, he presented it, “I arrived hastily and didn’t bring a proper gift. This is a token for my nephew. Would you mind holding onto it, big brother?”
Having observed various markets, Zuo Shaoyan recognized the pendant’s exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
Declining the gift, he glanced at Zuo Shaoqing, “Brother, I cannot accept such a precious offering.”
“Consider it a small token from a younger brother,” Zuo Shaoqing insisted, producing the jade pendant to counter Mrs. Xue’s maneuver of passing the child to him. If Zuo Shaoyan accepted, it would effectively bury the matter.
Understanding Zuo Shaoqing’s intent, Zuo Shaoyan hesitated briefly before accepting the gesture, “Please don’t fret, Third Brother. Mother simply adores Yu Heng. As my firstborn, I naturally wish to provide the best for him.”
Zuo Shuhui and Mrs. Xue displayed the most enthusiasm for adopting the child, swaying others with their persuasions.
Despite his own inclinations, Zuo Shaoyan had to confront reality. He pondered whether Zuo Shaoqing and Lu Zheng would accept the child and recognized that forcing either family’s hand would only strain relations further. Moreover, there remained two decades before the child reached adulthood, and the future of Liu Steel Manor was uncertain.
Even if the child eventually inherited Duke Zhen’s estate, it would be a distant prospect.
Zuo Shaoqing observed Zuo Shaoyan intently, surmising that despite Zuo Shaoyan’s personality, he still harbored deep affection for his son.
In the study, Lu Zheng engaged Zuo Yunwen in three rapid chess matches, each concluding within moments.
Zuo Yunwen, having lost three consecutive games of chess, felt a sense of embarrassment. Liu Tie had always played fairly in their matches, never intentionally losing, even when facing Zuo Shaoqing.
Lu Zheng entered, immediately greeted by a rush of activity. Powerful arms encircled his neck. It took considerable resolve for Lu Zheng to not release this small bundle of energy.
With the little one clinging to his chest, Lu Zheng strode purposefully. A quick glance revealed the scene in the hall: Zuo Shaoqing glared at Mrs. Xue while she beamed upon spotting Lu Zheng.
“Shao Qing, don’t take my words to heart. Sometimes, harsh truths are beneficial. Isn’t this for your own good?”
Zuo Shaoqing sneered, “Your idea of ‘for my own good’ involves abandoning my son and finding a partner for Master Lu. What sort of logic is that?”
“Your son? That unruly child? He scratched Yuheng’s face earlier. How can we entrust such an uncultured child?”
Zuo Xiaolang rested on Lu Zheng’s shoulder, whispering, “I just wanted to touch him, honestly!”
Initially indifferent to the child, Zuo Xiaolang observed as the child was cleaned up and carried away.
As the child lay in the cradle, Zuo Xiaolang watched intently. All infants of a few months were adorable.
Out of curiosity, he reached out to touch but forgot the baby’s delicate skin. His grip, too strong, left a red mark on the child’s face.
The child’s cries alerted him to the mishap. In the next moment, the elder woman rushed over, enraged by the scar on the child’s face, eager to punish him.
Aware she was addressed as mother by his father, he refrained from retaliation.
But how could Zuo Shaoqing stand by as his precious son was threatened? He intervened, stopping her hand. Given the chance, he would have struck her.
“It’s just a minor mark, no bleeding. There’s no need for such a commotion!”
“Hmph, if not for Yuheng’s tears, who knows what that wild child would have done? He moves awkwardly, can’t even speak properly. Adopting him would be an embarrassment to Duke Zhen.”
Mrs. Xue’s derogatory words stoked Zuo Shaoqing’s anger. “This is a matter for Wu Steel Manor. Mind your own business.”
Understanding the situation, Lu Zheng spoke calmly, “If Madam Zuo despises my son, then Zuo’s Mansion and Duke Zhen Manor needn’t interact any longer.”
Zuo Yunwen and Zuo Shuhui arrived just in time to hear this, exchanging concerned glances.
“What’s happening? Why the commotion?” As the patriarch, Zuo Yunwen was best positioned to intervene.
Lu Zheng’s statement effectively severed ties between the families. If they ceased interaction, Zuo Family would lose crucial support.
Zuo Shaoqing cared little for this family, especially when he saw trouble brewing with Zuo Shuhui’s arrival.
“Let’s go!” He tugged Lu Zheng’s sleeve, leaving without a backward glance.
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