Chapter 1651 – Seizing Nansheng, Killing An Huan (61)
Prejudice and hatred accumulate over time. Even if Lü Zheng spoke until his throat was dry, Kang Xintong wouldn’t immediately grasp her mother’s intentions. However, her willingness to consider things from her mother’s perspective with an open mind was already a significant improvement.
Thoughts of her mother could wait for another day; right now, Kang Xintong was more concerned about something else, like—
“Does the gentleman wish for me to become your concubine?”
Children are different from adults; when adults discuss such matters, they often do so cautiously, knowing these topics aren’t to be aired openly, even whispering about them is considered shameful. Children, however, don’t have such reservations and tend to be more honest and direct.
Lü Zheng slapped his palm against her forehead, clicking his tongue, “Little yellow-haired girl, not even tall enough to reach a man’s armpit, do you really think you look like a celestial beauty? Not every man is like your stepfather, unrestrained in his desires. If you were eighteen or nineteen and asked that question, I might consider it. But you’re just an eight or nine-year-old; any somewhat normal man wouldn’t give you a second glance.”
Kang Xintong’s cheeks turned pink as she huffed out, “I’m already twelve.”
Lü Zheng ruffled her hair.
“The wind’s picking up; let’s head back.”
“…Yes.”
Kang Xintong couldn’t help but bury her emaciated, flushed cheeks in her cloak, her eyes glistening with a hint of red.
Lü Zheng’s residence was much larger than her stepfather’s, but also far simpler; neither the main gate nor the welcoming hall had any decorations. It was quite basic, with only a few carved flowers adorning the walls, which appeared plain yet exuded a comforting elegance. In contrast, Kang Xintong’s stepfather seemed to want to display all his war spoils for everyone to see just how rich his loots were.
With these thoughts, Kang Xintong couldn’t help but drift into daydreams.
If Master Lü said her mother was a trophy of sorts, then her stepfather’s insistence on having her dress beautifully and attend those gossiping ladies’ gatherings—wasn’t that just a form of flaunting? Showing off that his trophy was a noblewoman from a prestigious family—charming, cultured, perfect in every aspect. Meanwhile, those ladies were always being overshadowed by her mother…
“Starting tomorrow, you will live in my residence as my adopted daughter,” Lü Zheng declared as he accepted a warming stove from a servant, the warmth driving away the chill from his fingertips. “In this house, it will only be you and me, no one else. If you ever find something lacking, just go directly to the steward. Besides the cleaning women, the place is mostly filled with men; since you’re a lady, you should have a few maidservants to attend to your needs. Tomorrow, I’ll have the steward pick a few from the Tooth Shop, and you can choose two to keep by your side…”
Kang Xintong stood there, her hands, cold and covered with red-purple frostbite, clutching her clothing tightly.
“Why are you being so kind to me, sir?”
She harbored no suspicions about Lü Zheng’s intentions but couldn’t quite understand why he treated her this well. After all, people in this world—even parents who raise their children—mostly do so to continue their bloodlines. Truly selfless individuals are a rare breed.
Lü Zheng replied, “There’s no special reason, if I had to say, it’s probably just because I’m bored lately.”
Kang Xintong appeared astonished. What kind of reason was that?
Even if she didn’t know Lü Zheng’s status, it was clear that even someone like her hot-tempered stepfather treated him with utmost respect after getting drunk—this implied Lü Zheng must be someone significant. Significant people shouldn’t have time to be all casual, right?
Lü Zheng continued, “Why worry about so much? Ultimately, this isn’t bad for you, and you don’t have anything worth scheming over.”
Kang Xintong, feeling embarrassed, stammered, “I’m unworthy; I apologize for making you laugh.”
Lü Zheng had the steward prepare a guest room for Kang Xintong to temporarily stay in.
Noticing he hadn’t left, Kang Xintong couldn’t help but be curious and began to ask more questions.
“You mentioned you already have a family?”
Lü Zheng slowly cooled the freshly brewed tea while pouring a cup for her as well.
Kang Xintong had lived a hard life over the years, but she had been pampered in her early childhood—sitting there, her demeanor revealed she had received exceptional education. Lü Zheng casually remarked, “Yes, but they aren’t here; it’s too chaotic, and I can’t be at ease.”
Kang Xintong relaxed her guard, noting how quiet he seemed with an added fondness for conversation.
Lü Zheng couldn’t help but think of someone.
Kang Xintong knew her limits and didn’t pry further about Lü Zheng’s situation, instead shifting the topic to Jiang Ji.
She clutched her tea bowl anxiously and asked quietly, “Could you tell me more about that Liu Xi?”
Lü Zheng wasn’t surprised.
“She was my classmate.”
Kang Xintong’s eyes widened, now rounder from shock.
“Classmate? But isn’t she a girl? How could she be your classmate?”
Lü Zheng explained, “She was dressed as a boy by her father since childhood, and it wasn’t until many years later that her true identity was revealed.”
“Is everyone else blind? How did they not see she was a girl…” Kang Xintong blurted out before noticing Lü Zheng’s difficult expression, quickly backtracking, “…Sir, I didn’t mean to imply you…”
“Not recognizing her is normal, considering… no other girl would dress like her…”
Back then, it was popular for men to adopt softer appearances, and Jiang Ji blended in quite harmoniously.
Little did anyone know, she was the dream girl of many naïve noble daughters.
Lü Zheng seemed to recall something, his expression twisting for a moment.
Although his time with Jiang Ji was brief, she had left a nightmarish shadow on him.
Despite the damage done, Lü Zheng didn’t deny Jiang Ji’s worth.
“Liu Xi didn’t have much of a reputation as a child, but after inquiring around Hejian County, most people only vaguely knew of a young master living in seclusion. His teacher was the renowned scholar Wei Yuan from Dongqing; beyond that, no one knew much. At twelve, he began to make his mark, training troops, clearing bandits, and studying under Yuan Jing. Three years later, with frequent unrest in Dongqing and the northern tribes pressing hard, Liu Xi’s half-sister was given in marriage to the fourth prince of Dongqing, Wu Ma Jun, and she took her father Liu Zhi’s place to deliver the marriage proposal. Shortly after, she was placed under house arrest in the capital.”
“Under house arrest?”
Kang Xintong exclaimed.
“This involves the internal power struggle within the Dongqing court, and the reasons are quite complex… To stabilize his power, the Emperor of Dongqing ordered noble families to send their younger members to the capital as hostages, effectively restraining various factions. If you’re interested later, you could research this…”
“And how did she escape?”
Lü Zheng replied, “I don’t know how she managed to escape because she didn’t seem to take any action before the capital experienced an earthquake.”
The capital’s earthquake led to the royal family relocating, abandoning the decaying city for Chenzhou, and forsaking the inhabitants of that land.
Before, it had just been trivial matters, but the capital’s earthquake marked the starting point of Liu Xi’s fame across the land.
