"Tell me what's going on first," Wu Caiwei said calmly, having anticipated this situation.
Upon hearing his mother's question, Hesheng's face immediately showed a look of shame. It all started a few days ago. He had dozens of people to support, and the steward constantly demanded money from him. His heart grew anxious. Walking on the street, seeing others' businesses thriving, he felt a pang of envy.
However, not everyone in this county lived comfortably. There were many beggars by the roadside, and numerous commoners struggled to survive.
Suddenly, he had an epiphany. He realized his current life was beyond his wildest dreams. He had merely encountered some setbacks. With a house and land, he could always make a living. His heart felt much more open.
But his good mood didn't last long. When he returned home that day, Zhang Dashan and his two sons' families were waiting at the entrance, looking at him with expectant eyes.
After some time together, Hesheng understood their unspoken plea. Unfortunately, he had to disappoint them. He hadn't asked his mother for money at all. His mother had raised him, taught him skills, and given him so much land and property. He wasn't that thick-skinned.
Seeing Hesheng's expression, Zhang Dashan, feigning disappointment, began to reason with him, "Although it's not honorable for us men to ask a woman for money, what is your mother doing holding onto so much? Is she subsidizing that pretty boy? Or is she planning to have another child with him? Where will you stand then? While they don't have other children yet, their hope rests on you. Ask for a little, get a little."
His words caused Hesheng, who had been resolute about not bothering his mother again, to waver. Just as his father said, what was his mother doing with so much money? Was she really going to have another son for him? It wasn't impossible.
His mother wasn't young but was under forty. Especially recently, she had been getting younger at a visible pace and looked more and more like Chen Renjie. Moreover, her medical skills were excellent, so she might indeed be able to have a child. This gave him a sense of urgency, making him feel his father was right, and he decided to act.
As he reached the entrance, his elder sister-in-law called him over and handed him a pouch. He didn't want to accept it at first. Although they didn't interact much, she always asked him for money. He didn't want to argue with them, but he didn't like them either.
Perhaps it was his imagination, but as soon as he smelled the scent of the pouch, he felt refreshed. Especially when his elder sister-in-law said the spice inside was refreshing, his hand paused before returning the pouch.
Thinking about how he usually took good care of them, taking her pouch wouldn't be too much. He let it slide. The moment he turned, his elder sister-in-law seemed to reveal a triumphant smile. When he looked back to examine her closely, her face was calm again. He thought he had misread and dismissed it. Now, looking back, perhaps he hadn't imagined it. Seeing her scheme had succeeded, her emotions had leaked out.
Listening to the other person's indignant words, Wu Caiwei showed a thoughtful expression. In her opinion, her sister-in-law, being so foolish, wouldn't have come up with such a clever scheme. Someone must have prompted her.
Listening to his mother's speculation, Hesheng's jaw dropped. The recent events had shattered his worldview. However, he knew he was somewhat slow-witted compared to his mother's sharp mind. His mother would never lie to him about this. Clearly, someone had instructed his elder sister-in-law. Who was the mastermind? He dared not dwell on it. Only a few people could command her: either his elder brother or his father.
He leaned towards the former. His elder brother wasn't from the same mother and had a rift with him since childhood. As for him, he was still his father's blood. Even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. He didn't believe his father would resort to such vicious tactics.
Wu Caiwei thought for a moment and gave him an antidote pill. Trusting his mother's medical skills, Hesheng swallowed the pill without question. Instantly, a warm current flowed from his stomach throughout his body, feeling incredibly comfortable.
"I've heard about your situation. You're here today probably because you want money from me. I've already told you, don't bother me again. You're an adult, not a three-year-old child who can depend on me forever. Leave."
Hearing his mother's unceremonious words, Hesheng felt his pride severely wounded. He had been hesitant earlier, but he hadn't expected her to see through his every move. What's more, in his current predicament, she uttered such words, making him feel his mother was rather heartless.
However, he didn't want to fall out with his mother completely. He could only plead, "I've encountered some difficulties for now, but Mother, I'm your only son. When you're old and can't move, I'll be the one to serve you. Please, Mother, lend me some. I'll repay you later."
Wu Caiwei looked at him with a half-smile and said mercilessly, "As long as you stay with them, you'll never be able to repay the money. As for me getting old, you don't need to worry about it. At worst, I'll adopt a child. You're useless anyway."
Although he was indeed somewhat disappointing, unable to manage life without his mother, there was no need to belittle him to nothing. At this moment, he felt exceptionally indignant.
"It's just money, isn't it? I don't believe I can't earn it in this lifetime. Mother, just wait and see. Don't bully a poor young man." Hesheng wasn't originally short-tempered, but the recent life blows had made him restrain his emotions. His mother's belittling made him furious. He couldn't help but vent his anger and left in a huff.
If he had looked back at that moment, he would have seen a look of relief on his mother's face. Yes, for the first time in so long, seeing his resolute words made Wu Caiwei feel that the familiar Hesheng had returned, anticipating his change.
Recently, Wu Caiwei and Chen Renjie had been constantly shuttling through the army secretly trained by Prince Yang. These were people they had poured all their effort into cultivating. Because no one had ever thought highly of the father and son, and their funds were limited, the army they painstakingly trained seemed like a disorganized mob to Wu Caiwei.
Seeing the other party constantly shaking his head, Prince Yang and Yang Hanye exchanged glances and quickly showed humility, requesting their guidance.