Chapter 296: Reunion with Family

Chapter 296: Chapter 259: Reunion with Family

Zhou Wangshu had just come out of the government office, and Marquis Cheng’an was waiting there. Seeing him come out, he strode over to meet him.

“Mr. Zhou…”

Zhou Wangshu scrutinized Marquis Cheng’an and said lightly, “Does the Marquis have some business?”

“Today, I’d like to invite Mr. Zhou for a drink. Please do me this honor!” Marquis Cheng’an said with a smile.

“Today, I’m afraid it’s not convenient.”

“Then, when would it be convenient for you, Mr. Zhou?”

“It’s never convenient,” Zhou Wangshu said lightly, “Marquis, though I am a minor official, I dare not betray the emperor’s kindness. If the Marquis wishes for me to do something that violates my principles, I’m afraid I cannot assist.”

Marquis Cheng’an: “…”

Zhou Wangshu walked past him.

Seeing he was about to leave, Marquis Cheng’an quickly grabbed him.

“Mr. Zhou, I’m looking for you for a personal matter, unrelated to official business.” Does this minor official still worry about him seeking favoritism?

Originally, he thought this young boy was quite clever, but now he seemed a bit rigid, which posed a problem.

He remembered Jing’er wasn’t this rigid when he was younger. How did he grow up to be this way? It must be because he grew up in the countryside with limited perspective.

“Then there’s nothing more to discuss. I’m not familiar with Marquis Cheng’an and have no personal matters to discuss.”

“Mr. Zhou, do you have any impressions of your ancestry?” Marquis Cheng’an asked.

“I once suffered a grievous injury and lost my memory. I don’t know where I come from; I only remember after being saved from the water. Is it possible that the Marquis knows my origins or identity since you want to discuss personal matters?”

“Let’s find a place to talk slowly. Please, Mr. Zhou, this way.”

Zhou Wangshu hesitated for a moment, then followed Marquis Cheng’an.

The colleagues coming out of the government office watched the direction the two left in, wondering what personal matters they were going to discuss.

“The Young Master of Cheng’an Hou Mansion really is a disgrace. Instead of handling his family’s mess, why is the Marquis concerned with Mr. Zhou’s ancestry?”

“Indeed…”

These folks were seasoned officials, and after a few words, they realized something was off, each showing a gossipy expression.

“Are you curious to know?”

“Mr. Wang, where do you think the Marquis will take Mr. Zhou for drinks?”

“The place must be quiet and suitable for discussions, and such a quiet place can only be Zhang’s Tavern.”

“Let’s go. I’m inviting my colleagues to Zhang’s Tavern for a drink.”

Zhang’s Tavern. Zhou Wangshu poured a cup of wine for Marquis Cheng’an and said, “Marquis, go ahead, do you know my ancestry?”

Marquis Cheng’an took out a jade pendant and looked at Zhou Wangshu expectantly, “Do you recognize this item?”

Zhou Wangshu took it and caressed it affectionately, saying, “This is mine. How did it end up in the Marquis’s hands?”

“Please forgive me, Mr. Zhou. Last time you accidentally dropped it, and I picked it up, intending to return it to you. However, I found it somewhat familiar and kept it to investigate. I can now confirm that this jade pendant is the same one my late wife gave to our son.”

“What do you mean, Marquis?”

“I once had a legitimate eldest son, a child with my wife. Even at a young age, he showed signs of intelligence and courage. He was someone I was proud of and wanted to rely upon. Unfortunately, heaven had other plans, and he met with an accident. I thought he was dead because the child from the water wore identical clothes to his, and after being soaked for several days, the body was bloated, unrecognizable except through his clothing.”

“How can you be certain I’m that child, Marquis?”

“Based on this jade pendant.”

“I have no memory of how this pendant came into my possession, so it might have been picked up from someone else.”

Marquis Cheng’an: “…”

He thought upon hearing this news, Zhou Wangshu would eagerly want to return to Cheng’an Hou Mansion and acknowledge him as his father. Instead, he remained indifferent and even sought to prove he wasn’t that child.

Is the title of Cheng’an Hou Mansion not attractive?

Or is it because he’s now the son-in-law of the National Guardian General Mansion, and he looks down upon Cheng’an Hou Mansion?

If that’s the case, then he’s truly ridiculous. How long can the National Guardian General live, and how long can he protect him? But the title of Cheng’an Hou Mansion is hereditary; as long as he doesn’t commit the crime of extermination, their family lineage can continue eternally.

“Marquis, if there’s no other evidence, I’ll be returning home.”

“Your appearance is evidence too,” Marquis Cheng’an said, “You bear a striking resemblance to your mother.”

Zhou Wangshu sighed lightly, “Marquis, I understand you’ve recently been through a lot of distressing events and are urgently trying to break out of that vicious cycle. However, you should calm down a bit and avoid jumping to conclusions. Without more evidence, I can’t accept a stranger as my father. In fact, even if you prove you’re my biological father, I have no intention of returning to Cheng’an Hou Mansion.”