CHAPTER 418: CHAPTER 418 ADMIRATION

After Mr. Su and Young Master Su finished chatting and left.

Third Master Shen squatted so long that he could hardly stand.

Marquis Dongxiang and Mrs. Tang only have three children.

Su Chong is undoubtedly not the biological child of Marquis Dongxiang and Mrs. Tang.

Su Yang, although he figured out he’s their biological child, feels he might as well be adopted, so he wouldn’t be so hurt when neglected.

Now only Su Jin remains.

Hmm.

She is also wondering whether she’s biological or adopted.

Don’t forget Xingxing told her that Marquis Dongxiang intended to marry her to one of the young masters of the Jibei Marquis Mansion.

If she were Marquis Dongxiang’s biological daughter, then the young masters of the Jibei Marquis Mansion would be her cousins.

How could cousins marry each other?

But considering Marquis Dongxiang’s mindset, Su Jin can’t fathom whether he was testing her or was serious about marrying her to one of the young masters of the Jibei Marquis Mansion.

After all, with Marquis Dongxiang’s martial arts, could Xingxing really eavesdrop so easily?

Marquis Dongxiang definitely let Xingxing hear it on purpose.

But this intention—

Was it to comfort her that she wouldn’t end up unmarried?

Or to prompt her to grab someone from the street?

Su Jin couldn’t tell.

Or perhaps Marquis Dongxiang feared others suspecting he was the second master of the Jibei Marquis Mansion, hence feigned a move.

Sitting in the carriage, Su Jin furrowed her brows.

Today is the day Marquis Dongxiang regains his ancestral roots, and also the day Duke Zhen and Old Master Xie return to the Capital.

As the first grandson, Xie Jingchen should accompany them.

So Marquis Dongxiang let Su Jin and Xie Jingchen return to the Duke Zhen Mansion.

Xie Jingchen looked at her and asked, "What are you thinking?"

Su Jin turned to him, "Do you think I am biological or adopted?"

Xie Jingchen, "...."

A few thick black lines slid down his forehead.

"Maybe you were snatched," Xie Jingchen answered.

"...."

Su Jin rolled her eyes at Xie Jingchen, resting her chin in thought.

Regardless of whether she was biological, adopted, or unreliably snatched away, she actually has no reason to question.

Even if she had emerged from a rock crevice.

She clearly remembers who she is and how she came here.

Always suspecting her parents had secrets.

Just didn’t expect the secret to be so big.

Her father was challenging Duke Chong, clearly suspecting the former Flying Tiger Army’s annihilation was caused by Duke Chong.

Her father entered the Ministry of Justice probably intending to openly interrogate Duke Chong’s loyal ministers through the case, verify his suspicions, and topple Duke Chong.

But a Three Departments Joint Trial disrupted her father’s plans, leading him to be dispatched to suppress bandits.

For fifteen years, her father must have secretly investigated the former Flying Tiger Army’s demise.

To have the court reestablish the Flying Tiger Army, its undefeated reputation must be ensured.

Perhaps finding nothing, her father decided to form his own Flying Tiger Army.

Robbing the court of grain and silver to train a Flying Tiger Army for the court—

Indeed.

Su Jin in this lifetime has never admired anyone.

Marquis Dongxiang is the first.

Without a powerful mind, such astonishing and praiseworthy feats couldn’t be accomplished.

From Capital City scamp to Flying Tiger Army Deputy General.

From rising on the battlefield to reorganizing a Flying Tiger Army.

Laying low for fifteen years, raising the brothers’ son into a man.

Not skilled in archery, risking his life to teach...

In the annals of history, there would be a significant mark of her father.

Previously at Jibei Marquis Mansion, Su Jin already learned the truth about Su Chong’s fall from the cliff that year.

Su Chong is the sole son of Heir of Duke Xian.

Heir of Duke Xian was greatly cherished by Old Duke Chong.

Of course—

Such a marvelously talented, peerless man, no matter whose son he is, would be loved by his parents.

Regarding the only son of Heir of Duke Xian, Old Duke Chong treated him with great love, considering him his treasure.

Heir of Duke Xian was a smart person; his death meant his son naturally became Duke Chong’s thorn.

Back then, Su Chong was merely three years old.

If even Heir of Duke Xian could be plotted against, how much more reason for him?

While Su Chong stayed at Duke Chong’s Mansion, Marquis Dongxiang wanted to protect him but couldn’t reach him.

Moreover, at that time, Marquis Jibei sent Marquis Dongxiang out of the Capital to search for evidence, so Marquis Dongxiang discussed with Duchess of Chong.

If Heir of Duke Xian died, how could the only son face additional misfortune?

Duke Chong’s Mansion’s main family would be left with just her.

She posed no threat to Duke Chong.

Duke Chong wouldn’t kill her.

Furthermore, he would treat her well to deceive the world.

Duchess of Chong was reluctant to part with her son.

But she knew she couldn’t protect Su Chong.

Old Duke Chong wouldn’t always stay at Duke’s Mansion, even if he did, he couldn’t perceive any harm to Su Chong if someone’s intent went unnoticed.

Duchess of Chong painfully nodded.

As long as her son lived, what did it matter if he wasn’t beside her?

She trusted Marquis Dongxiang.

To avoid alarm or deliver a blow to Duke Chong, pushing him into the spotlight, Marquis Dongxiang orchestrated a scene of Duke’s Mansion’s heir’s kidnapping and cliff fall.

At the time, everyone suspected it was Duke Chong’s doing.

Including Old Duke Chong and the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager scolded Duke Chong for being overly hasty, thinking, "A three-year-old child won’t pose a threat. What’s the rush to eliminate him?"

Even if he was eliminated, why use such an inferior method, openly broadcasting to the world his intolerance of his nephew?

Duke Chong was at his wit’s end.

He even doubted whether his subordinates acted without his knowledge, fearing his wrath and thus keeping quiet.

But he wasn’t concerned; he intended to eliminate Su Chong eventually.

Dead sooner or later, it was the same.

With early death, his mind was at ease.

However, Duchess of Chong’s suicide attempt wasn’t part of Marquis Dongxiang’s plan.

It was Duchess of Chong’s own will not to live.

Husband died in the battlefield, son taken away by Marquis Dongxiang, she couldn’t avenge her husband nor protect her son.

Rather than lingering on in suffering, why not simply follow Heir of Duke Xian in death?

Just one miscalculated stab, coupled with the Imperial Physician present at the Great Buddha Temple, saved her.

At that time, Marquis Dongxiang hadn’t left the Capital.

He secretly sneaked into Duke’s Mansion to see Duchess of Chong.

He wanted her to live.

Live well.

If she died, he would become Su Chong’s enemy who killed his mother.

He would raise Su Chong.

He would return to reclaim all that belonged to him.

He wanted her to stay at Duke’s Mansion, keeping watch for him, honoring Old Duke Chong for Heir of Duke Xian and Su Chong.

To await Su Chong’s return when he grew up, Duchess of Chong persevered for fifteen years.

For fifteen years, she spent every day waiting.

The happiest day of each year was when Marquis Dongxiang sent her Su Chong’s writings and drawings.

To avoid raising suspicion, what was sent was Su Chong’s transcriptions of Buddhist Scripture.

Although she couldn’t see her son personally, nor knew what he looked like.

She always knew her son was growing, his handwriting becoming increasingly bold and potent, reminiscent of Heir of Duke Xian’s style.

Graceful and elegant yet imbued with an air of pride and unruliness.

Like his father, also like Marquis Dongxiang.

For Duchess of Chong—

A room full of gold and jewels couldn’t compare to those few sheets of paper.