The two of them hadn't expected that after Zheng Xiang arrived, he wouldn't first inquire about their well-being or ask about any matters, but would first acknowledge a son.
Zheng Fan's brows furrowed as he slowly walked to Zheng Xiang's side.
"Royal Father. What is going on? You can't have mistaken someone, can you?"
After speaking, he carefully examined Zheng Wei for a moment before turning back to Zheng Xiang and saying, "This young master bears no resemblance to you, Royal Father, nor to me. Royal Father, you..."
The crisp sound of a slap interrupted Zheng Fan's unfinished words, simultaneously drawing the attention of everyone present.
Shen Xiaoyan's mind was filled with these two words.
This Zheng Xiang was certainly willing to go to great lengths.
He struck without hesitation in front of so many people.
Although she greatly enjoyed the slap, it brought her immense satisfaction.
However, it wouldn't change her thoughts.
She didn't believe that someone who would slap his own son at the slightest disagreement would wholeheartedly care for another's son.
Such a person only had themselves in their heart, no one else.
"Royal Father, what are you doing? Elder Brother merely said something, how could you hit him? You've never hit us since we were little."
Zheng Caiying, recovering from her shock, rushed forward and accused Zheng Xiang.
However, her seemingly petulant accusation did not elicit the doting explanation from Zheng Xiang that she usually received.
What she received was only Zheng Xiang's icy gaze.
Seeing Zheng Xiang like this, Zheng Caiying uncontrollably took a step back.
"Run'er, do you know you were wrong?"
Zheng Xiang withdrew his gaze and asked Zheng Fan in a deep voice.
Zheng Fan lowered the hand supporting his cheek and said softly, his head bowed, "Son knows he was wrong."
Hearing this, Shen Xiaoyan helplessly covered her forehead.
Knew he was wrong, my foot.
Do you even know what you did wrong, young man?
Shen Xiaoyan wanted to continue watching the show and see what Zheng Xiang would say next, but she felt a pull in a certain direction.
Shen Xiaoyan quickly withdrew her gaze and realized.
It was Zheng Wei who was pulling her.
Although she didn't understand what Zheng Wei was doing.
Shen Xiaoyan still obediently followed Zheng Wei, preparing to leave.
Zheng Xiang and his son also noticed the actions of Zheng Wei and Shen Xiaoyan. Their faces showed expressions of surprise.
"Wei'er, where are you going?" Zheng Xiang quickly said.
"You've mistaken me. I don't know you." Zheng Wei stopped and said to Zheng Xiang indifferently.
"How could that be? Royal Father wouldn't be mistaken. You are Royal Father's Wei'er."
As Zheng Xiang spoke, he walked towards Zheng Wei.
"Your name is Zheng Wei, isn't it?"
"Do you have a jade pendant?"
"The jade pendant is purple, with a 'Zheng' character on it?"
With each step, Zheng Xiang would ask a question. Judging by his confident demeanor, almost everyone around believed his words.
However, Zheng Wei's brows furrowed. "What are you talking about? What jade pendant? I don't have any jade pendant."
"Don't you go by the name Zheng Wei?" Zheng Xiang clearly hadn't expected Zheng Wei's reaction and asked with some suspicion.
"My name is Zheng Wei, but there really is no jade pendant," Zheng Wei said.
Hearing Zheng Wei say this so earnestly, Zheng Xiang began to believe him.
However, he was even more puzzled.
Although the report he received earlier stated that Zheng Wei had an injured face, Zheng Wei's face was now spotless.
But regardless of whether there had been an injury or not.
The features of the Zheng Wei in front of him were identical to that of the child from back then.
He absolutely couldn't be mistaken.
As for why he adamantly claimed he had no jade pendant, could it be that he had discovered something?
Zheng Xiang's mind raced with possibilities, but on his face, a comforting smile appeared.
"Whether you have the jade pendant or not, you are still my son."
"We are connected by kinship; how can a jade pendant prove it?"
Listening to Zheng Xiang's increasingly emotional words, Shen Xiaoyan felt like laughing.
Has he gotten addicted to acting?
Zheng Fan looked at Zheng Wei, then at Zheng Xiang, his lips tightly pursed.
"Young..."
Zheng Fan opened his mouth to speak to Zheng Wei, but didn't know how to address him, so he could only pause.
"Since Royal Father has recognized you, don't say anything that would make Royal Father sad."
Zheng Fan finally said.
Zheng Wei scoffed at his words. "It's best not to have delusions. He claims I'm his son, where's the evidence? I don't have the habit of just acknowledging fathers casually."
Zheng Wei's words left Zheng Fan speechless.
He also didn't know where Zheng Xiang had concluded that this person in front of him was his son.
Furthermore, even if he were his son, was there a need to acknowledge him back?
Were the people in the manor not enough? And now he was so eager to bring back another brother for him.
Could it be that Royal Father was displeased with him now?
Various possibilities flashed through Zheng Fan's mind, but in the end, he still persuaded:
"You don't have the habit of casually acknowledging a father, and Royal Father doesn't have the habit of casually acknowledging sons either. Since Royal Father has spoken this way, it must be the truth. Otherwise, do you think with your penniless appearance, there's anything about you that's worth Royal Father's scheming?"
"Zheng Fan!"
As soon as Zheng Fan's words fell, Zheng Xiang's face darkened again.
Hearing Zheng Xiang's enraged voice, Zheng Fan was truly confused for a moment.
What was wrong with what he had just said?
But when he turned around, he only saw Zheng Xiang's eyes, suppressing his rage.
"If you can't speak, then shut up for this King."
Zheng Xiang's reprimand once again caused Zheng Fan's face to turn crimson.
Each word of this scolding felt like a slap, fiercely striking his face.
His hands clenched into fists within his sleeves, and his lips were almost bitten to the point of bleeding before Zheng Fan could restrain the urge to turn and leave.
He knew.
He couldn't leave.
If he left now, he would never be able to return to Zheng Xiang's heart.
Seeing Zheng Fan finally stand there with his head bowed obediently, Zheng Xiang shifted his gaze back to Zheng Wei.
"Royal Father doesn't know if you've forgotten the past, or if Royal Father failed to protect you, which is why you're unwilling to acknowledge Royal Father. But, child, you must know that Royal Father is waiting for your return forever. The gates of the Prince of Duan's mansion are always open for you."
After speaking, Zheng Xiang looked at Zheng Wei expectantly. After waiting for a long time and seeing no reaction from Zheng Wei, he lowered his head in disappointment.
This scene, in the eyes of the surrounding people, was incredibly sympathetic.
Instantly, murmurs of discussion spread through the crowd.
Most of them were saying that Zheng Wei was unfilial. His father was a Prince with significant military power, and he was here, under such circumstances, meekly apologizing and trying to persuade him, yet he remained indifferent.
Hearing the crowd's discussions, Shen Xiaoyan rolled her eyes. Where did these people get that impression?
Just based on what they saw and heard, they thought Zheng Xiang was so benevolent and great.
Indeed, no matter where you are, the ignorant are always so ignorant.
"Long time no see, Prince of Duan's eloquence has improved."
Zheng Xiang looked up in surprise and saw Yi Zhixie standing in front of him at some unknown time.
As a Prince of a different surname whom the Grand Emperor trusted, Zheng Xiang had naturally met Yi Zhixie before.
Therefore, the expression on his face at this moment was truly marvelous.
He had believed that after so many years, he had maintained himself well and didn't show too much old age.
But looking at Yi Zhixie in front of him, he was still exactly the same as when they first met.
When they first met, the two of them standing together looked like brothers.
Now, standing together, they looked like father and son.
And it was an old father and a young son.
This was because Yi Zhixie looked even younger than Zheng Wei.
"So many years have passed... I never imagined... you are still as graceful as ever."
For some unknown reason, Zheng Xiang did not expose Yi Zhixie's identity directly, but vaguely used a "you" to refer to him.
Zheng Fan, Zheng Caiying, and the onlookers all looked at Yi Zhixie in surprise.
How could such a young boy be addressed as "you" by the Prince of Duan?
Could it be that this young boy had an extraordinary background?
Earlier, this young boy had been in the same carriage as the Fifth Prince and others. Could it be that he was actually the Grand Emperor's illegitimate son?
Otherwise, they couldn't imagine what other status could warrant such respect from Zheng Xiang to a young boy.
After all, in the court, even those of the same rank were only addressed as "Sir."
Therefore, sometimes, attempts to conceal something can lead to more curiosity and uncover facts that you don't want others to know.
An elderly person in the crowd, after thinking for a moment, pointed a trembling finger at Yi Zhixie and opened his mouth to speak, but due to excitement, he couldn't utter a word for a long time.