Zheng Wei sat in his seat, fiddling with a jade wine cup, a faint smile playing on his lips.
At this moment, a discordant voice came from the head of the table. "Those who grew up outside are indeed different. Look at their attitude. Not only are they late, but they don't even greet their elders. They've been sitting here for half a day, and all they do is lower their heads and drink wine. What kind of attitude is that?"
The speaker was none other than Princess Consort Lian Qing.
Although Zheng Xiang was very displeased with Zheng Wei's behavior, he ultimately endured it and gently comforted Lian Qing beside him.
Lian Qing frowned even more as she listened to Zheng Xiang's comfort. "I don't know why you're protecting this brat like this. He's not even your..."
"Silence!"
Lian Qing's unfinished words were instantly cut off by Zheng Xiang's low roar.
Lian Qing's face froze for a moment, and a vicious glint flashed in her eyes.
Of course, this fleeting viciousness was directed at Zheng Wei, who was seated below.
At the same time, she secretly thought, this little bastard, who knows what kind of magic potion he's poured into the Prince's ears, to make the Prince disregard his own flesh and blood and dote on him entirely.
The Prince Duan's mansion was supposed to have many people. Apart from Prince Duan Zheng Xiang, Princess Consort Lian Qing, his legitimate son Zheng Fan, and legitimate daughter Zheng Cai Ying, there were also Zheng Xiang's many concubines and the children born to them.
When put this way, one might think Zheng Xiang had many children.
But the reality was the opposite. Zheng Xiang only had two illegitimate sons, and not a single illegitimate daughter.
Moreover, these two illegitimate sons were only around ten years old. Regardless of their excellence, they posed no threat to Zheng Fan.
Therefore, if Zheng Wei had not returned to the capital, Zheng Fan's succession as the next Prince would have been secured.
However, fate does not allow anyone to live a life of perfect peace.
As soon as Zheng Wei returned, he could no longer gain any attention from Zheng Xiang.
Even if Zheng Xiang occasionally paid attention to him, it was mostly scolding.
What's more, Zheng Xiang kept comparing Zheng Wei to Zheng Fan, saying how incompetent Zheng Fan was.
Zheng Fan and Zheng Cai Ying were currently sitting opposite Zheng Xiang.
Since the banquet began, the two of them had not said a word. They had only been watching Zheng Wei opposite them.
Zheng Wei sighed inwardly. If looks could kill, he would have died countless times over, leaving not even a speck of dust behind.
With this thought, the playful expression on Yi Zixie's face deepened.
He raised his eyes, scanned across to the opposite side, and then lowered his gaze again.
Compared to the last time he saw him, why did Zheng Fan seem so much more drained?
Just looking at his face, Zheng Fan's complexion was no longer ruddy.
Now, Zheng Fan had dark circles under his eyes, his gaze was distant, and although he hadn't seen him walk, it could be inferred that his steps were unsteady.
The reason for all this... excess.
To have turned himself into this state in such a short period, it seemed Zheng Fan had great potential as a playboy.
Thinking of this, the playful amusement on Zheng Wei's face intensified.
"Wei'er, it brings the Prince great comfort that you are able to come to the mansion for this family banquet today. It seems that you still have the Prince and this family in your heart."
After speaking, Zheng Xiang's face showed more comfort, and he smiled, continuing, "Since this is the case, I think you should live in the Prince's mansion from now on. After all, you lack nothing in the Prince's mansion, and the Prince can take care of you nearby. This way, the Prince can be at ease."
After speaking, Zheng Xiang looked at Zheng Wei expectantly, waiting for a response.
But to his surprise, Zheng Wei put down the wine cup, tilted his head, and said, "It seems the Prince's tendency to be self-indulgent hasn't been cured. I know the Grand Tutor's medical skills are excellent. Why don't I ask him to come and examine the Prince later? For my sake, and given the Prince's status, the Grand Tutor shouldn't demand too much for consultation fees."
Zheng Wei's voice was light, mixed with the melodious sounds of various instruments in the air, making it very pleasant to hear.
However, upon hearing Zheng Wei's words clearly, Zheng Xiang's smile froze instantly, and his facial muscles twitched uncontrollably.
He looked exactly like someone having a stroke.
At this moment, Zheng Wei continued, "Is the Prince having an acute stroke?"
After speaking, Zheng Wei eagerly called out to the butler outside the door, "Why are you still standing there? Hurry and find someone to invite the imperial physician! It's best to find a few more people to find the Grand Tutor. This way, you might even be able to save your Prince."
"Zheng Wei, I'm telling you, don't think that just because the Prince favors you, you can push your luck. If you continue like this, believe it or not..."
Zheng Wei looked up at Zheng Cai Ying, who was giving him a warning look opposite him, and interrupted her endless chatter, "Believe it or not what?"
His seemingly simple words, however, contained an imposing aura.
As Zheng Wei's eyes met hers, Zheng Cai Ying felt a chill run down her spine and broke out in a cold sweat.
She involuntarily leaned back, her tongue trembling, but she still tried to maintain her composure and said, "You, you, you, I'm telling you, don't push your luck."
Zheng Wei chuckled upon hearing this, "You've already said that earlier. Don't you have any new phrases?"
Zheng Cai Ying was taken aback. What did he mean?
This was the first time she had met someone like him. No matter what she said, he remained indifferent, as if she weren't talking about him.
Zheng Xiang, who was seated at the head of the table, had a change of expression during their brief exchange. In the end, he sighed, with a hint of sorrow on his face.
"The Prince knows that you are still resentful of the Prince. Although you don't say it, your heart likely harbors some bitterness. This is not your fault, it is all the Prince's fault..."
"Enough. I won't force you. If you don't want to come back and live here, then so be it. However, it's already late tonight, and I heard from the servants that you didn't come by carriage. Why don't you stay at the Prince's mansion tonight and leave tomorrow? What do you think?"
After speaking, Zheng Xiang looked at Zheng Wei expectantly, his eyes showing a hint of pleading.
To outsiders, that is, to the servants, this was incredibly astonishing.
Who was Prince Duan that he could look at a young man like this?
Moreover, this young man, by seniority, was Prince Duan's son.
Since ancient times, when has a father spoken to his son in such a manner?
Even the current Emperor, the ruler of Da Chu, whose words were as weighty as gold, treated the Grand Empress Dowager with gentleness and politeness.
As long as it wasn't a major issue, he would still heed the Grand Empress Dowager's opinion.
That is what a good son should be, an example for the entire Da Chu.
And look at the person in front of them, who kept talking about illness, wishing Prince Duan would fall ill quickly and die promptly.
Is this still a son?
Even an enemy would probably not be so cruel.
At least, they wouldn't show such intentions on their faces.
Zheng Wei looked at Zheng Xiang indifferently, naturally noticing the faint pleading in his eyes.
Unfortunately, he was no longer an ignorant person who knew nothing. He certainly wouldn't change his perception of Zheng Xiang because of this, let alone trust him.
However, Zheng Wei had other plans for tonight, so he naturally wouldn't refuse Zheng Xiang.
Thus, Zheng Wei smiled lightly, "Of course. Tonight, I will stay."
Upon hearing Zheng Wei's agreement, Zheng Xiang's expression was one of slight bewilderment. He looked at Zheng Wei in disbelief.
Just now, he had been speaking sarcastically and infuriatingly, and now, in the blink of an eye, he agreed to stay overnight. The change was too rapid.
Zheng Xiang, however, did not think in any other direction.
Although Zheng Wei's attitude towards him had always been poor, Zheng Xiang always believed that it was because he had suffered hardships and endured hardships while living outside for many years, so it was not surprising that he had such resentment and attitude.
When Zheng Wei agreed to stay tonight, Zheng Xiang felt a faint sense of joy after his surprise.
Did this mean that Zheng Wei was beginning to try to accept him?
With this thought, Zheng Xiang's smile could no longer be contained.
Zheng Fan and Zheng Cai Ying watched Zheng Xiang's uncontrollable joy and the satisfaction hidden in his laughter, and their hearts were filled with bitterness.
When had their father, who used to be so gentle with them, ever bestowed such warm smiles upon others, while all they received were his angry glares and endless disappointment?
While the two of them felt a mix of emotions, Zheng Wei inwardly scoffed.
Although he didn't know what Zheng Xiang was thinking at the moment, he could roughly guess it from his expression.
He felt that he was playing hard to get, and now, faced with Zheng Xiang's renewed overtures, and having witnessed the splendor of Prince Duan's mansion, he could no longer resist and wanted to stay.
Although Zheng Xiang's thinking distorted his original intention.
However, Zheng Wei had no desire to explain.
What Zheng Xiang thought had nothing to do with him.
He was staying tonight, as long as he could achieve his goal smoothly.
After a satisfying meal, everyone dispersed.
Zheng Xiang fully played the role of a good prince and father.
Not only did he keep asking people to serve him food during the banquet, but he also personally escorted him to the room arranged for him after the banquet.
Zheng Xiang and Zheng Wei walked side by side in front, followed by Zheng Fan and Zheng Cai Ying.
As the two of them looked at the figures of the two in front, Zheng Fan and Zheng Cai Ying's eyes were filled with venom.
Why?
Why should a bastard who appeared out of nowhere, whose birth mother was unknown, be so favored by the Prince?
Zheng Fan and Zheng Cai Ying maintained calm expressions, but their hearts churned with anger.
The group soon arrived at the entrance of a small courtyard. As it was very dark, Zheng Xiang did not walk in with Zheng Wei. He pushed open the door from the side and stepped aside.
He had originally intended to wait for Zheng Wei to apologize to him, even if it was just a slight hint of regret.
But after waiting for a long time, he still heard no sound.
Zheng Xiang looked up in surprise and found that the doorway was empty.
Zheng Xiang was stunned for a moment, then, suppressing his voice, he uttered, "Let's go. We should tidy up and go to bed."
If Zheng Cai Ying had been envious and upset earlier because of Zheng Xiang's kindness to Zheng Wei, then now she felt nothing.
Because she had inadvertently glimpsed it, she discovered that in Zheng Xiang's gaze as he watched Zheng Wei's disappearing figure, a terrifying brilliance was burning.
It was only then that she belatedly realized that her father, the Prince, was never a good-natured person.
Since he was not a soft-hearted philanthropist, why would he suddenly be so enthusiastic about a child who appeared out of nowhere, even glaring at his own son and daughter whom he had raised by his side, let alone others?
In an instant, Zheng Cai Ying understood some of Zheng Xiang's thoughts, and her face turned pale.
This scene was clearly seen by Zheng Xiang, who had suddenly turned around.