Chapter 557 - 208: Acknowledging Kin (Part 3)

Chapter 557: Chapter 208: Acknowledging Kin (Part 3)

Chen Song stood to the side, watching Xu Yanlin squat by the bed and speak to his wife like a devoted son. A bitter taste soured his heart.

He felt terribly stifled, as if there was no longer a place for him in the room.

His unfilial son, De’an, noticed his father’s mood and deliberately ran over, repeating what Xu Yanlin had said upon his arrival.

He finished by nudging his father’s shoulder. "Why the long face? You should at least smile a little."

Chen Song was silent. He couldn’t bring himself to smile.

He had long been mentally prepared, knowing his wife was no ordinary woman. Marrying her had been an absolute windfall, like catching a gilded pie that had fallen from heaven.

’But she’s my wife now. Whether she’ll still be mine in the future... that’s truly hard to say.’

’What if her family looks down on me and forces me to leave her?’

’What if I get to the Capital City and lose my nerve, backing down before they even do anything?’

’What if...’

"Chen Song, are you just going to stand there like a statue? Yao’an isn’t back yet. Hurry up and go get him from the private school!"

All of Chen Song’s gloomy thoughts vanished. He bolted for the door.

"Ah, I’m on my way."

When he reached the main gate, a draft blowing through the alley hit him, and his head cleared in an instant.

’To hell with it!’

’As long as my wife doesn’t despise me and doesn’t try to send me back to my hometown, no one can separate us.’

’So what if I come from humble beginnings?’

’So what if I have a lowly birth?’

’I had no mother to dote on me and no father to love me, but didn’t I grow up just fine? Didn’t I work my way up, step by step, to become a Sixth Rank official?’

’Life is full of possibilities; your birth doesn’t determine everything. If I work hard, what I can give my wife will be no less than what her family can provide.’

Chen Song went to pick up Yao’an. Only after he left did Xu Yanlin realize that was his uncle.

’I didn’t get a clear look at his face,’ he thought, ’only vaguely remembering a tall, sturdy man with the air of a great, righteous hero. His features weren’t bad, but is he a match for Aunt... Never mind. I’m of a younger generation; it’s not my place to comment on the affairs of my elders.’

"Aunt, it’s getting late. Please get some rest. I’m going to go back to write a letter to my parents. I’ll also bring over the special restorative medicine I brought from the Capital City for you."

The moment Xu Suying heard the word "medicine," she sat bolt upright.

’A healthy person like me needs medicine?’

She threw off the covers and hopped out of bed.

"Aunt, please lie back down—"

"I can’t lie down, and I’m not taking any medicine. It makes your whole body smell like bitter dregs, and the scent makes me want to vomit. Oh, right! I just remembered, I have to go to the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office tomorrow. Oh, and De’an’s marriage prospects are looking up! I’m so happy right now. Why would I lie down? I’m bursting with energy—I feel like I could go hunt a tiger on a mountain!"

Xu Yanlin: "..."

Xu Yanlin lingered at the Chen family’s home for a while. He waited until Chen Song returned with Yao’an and he had formally met every member of the household. Only then did he bow and head for the door.

He had actually hoped his aunt would ask him to stay the night, but she clearly had no such intention. Thus, Xu Yanlin could only leave the Chen family’s home with regret.

Zhao Jing and De’an saw him out, walking him to the mouth of the alley. Zhao Jing suddenly spoke up, "Regarding this matter, Mr. Xu, it would be best to give your superiors a heads-up. If possible, you should also submit a written memorial to the throne."

Xu Yanlin paused, then realization dawned on him.

He had been so immersed in the joy of finding his long-lost relative that he had completely forgotten he was one of the examiners for Heyuan Province.

While he was serving as an examiner, Zhao Jing had become the top scorer in the provincial examination. Even though their relationship as in-laws was only discovered after the results were posted, the imperial court was full of political enemies and nitpickers. He had no control over what they might think.

To prevent them from hearing the news and reporting it to the throne with all sorts of embellishments and fabrications, it was best for him to inform the relevant parties in advance.

De’an realized this as well and quickly said, "You should tend to your business first, sir. Come visit again after this matter is settled."

Xu Yanlin smiled and patted both their shoulders. "Why are you calling me ’sir’? From now on, call me Cousin."

The two of them answered vaguely, "We’ll change how we address you after your father, Mr. Xu, arrives and confirms that Mother is indeed the lost daughter of the Xu family."

After watching Xu Yanlin depart, Zhao Jing and De’an walked home together.

"Who would have thought? Mom is actually a daughter of the Xu family from the Capital City."

De’an sighed dramatically, but his voice was filled with delight.

’I used to think we had no powerful backer, that we could only advance by working our way up slowly, one step at a time.’

’But then a golden goose appeared out of nowhere! If we can hold on tight, what do we have to worry about our future prospects?’

De’an was beaming with joy, as if he could already see himself as a First-Rank official, swaggering about the imperial court.