“I was just asking casually. Even if Ye’er were truly your biological son, it wouldn’t matter.” Seeing his father’s anger, Leng Mingye felt equally helpless. For now, he could only force a smile to placate the old man.
“Child, I’ve treated both you and Minghao well. You saw Minghao born with your own eyes—your mother gave birth to him. If you weren’t my own son, who else could you be?”
The Ji Prince’s expression turned weary at his son’s questioning. Though unsure why his son would ask such a thing, he met his gaze earnestly.
“Hmm, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. Then I’ll rest now.”
Seeing that his inquiry had not only yielded no answers but also angered his father, Leng Mingye felt a pang of guilt. Though he didn’t understand why his father treated him so differently from his brother, he could only offer an apologetic look before closing his eyes.
“Rest well, and don’t dwell on such things. I’ll find a way to restore your inner strength.”
Assuming his son’s doubts stemmed from losing his martial prowess and a decade of his youth, the Ji Prince reassured him before turning to Qingfeng and Baiyu with further instructions and then departing.
“My lord, why would you ask the prince such a thing? The Fengye Prince wouldn’t spin such a colossal lie for Princess Qingya’s sake. This is…”
Though their conversation had been private, Qingfeng and Baiyu, with their keen hearing, had caught every word from outside the door. Qingfeng couldn’t hide his disapproval, questioning his master’s suspicion of his own identity and disdainfully criticizing Feng Moli’s actions.
“The Bo Kingdom and our Great Ming have long been allies, but I’ve never been there myself. I can’t verify his claims. Still, as Princess Qingya’s uncle, why would he deceive me—a half-crippled man? There’s no gain for him in it.”
Despite Qingfeng’s frustration, Leng Mingye couldn’t shake the doubts Feng Moli had planted. Though he told himself not to distrust his father, who had always doted on him, the inconsistencies gnawed at him. He spoke earnestly, laying out the oddities in the situation.
“Does my lord truly intend to investigate his own identity for Princess Qingya’s sake?”
Baiyu, seeing that their words only deepened his master’s suspicions, couldn’t hide his disbelief but asked out of curiosity.
“Yes. Before, ignorance was bliss. But now that I know, I must uncover the truth.”
Though aware of how absurd his pursuit seemed, Leng Mingye remained resolute, his gaze firm.
“Is it worth it for Princess Qingya? Even if she feels gratitude now, given her temperament and Feng Moli’s influence, would she truly remain devoted to you in your current state?”
Knowing he couldn’t dissuade him, Qingfeng pressed on bitterly, voicing his doubts.
“This isn’t about her. Even if she turns away, I must know the truth. Now, go and discreetly send someone to the Bo Kingdom to investigate. And make sure to obtain a portrait of the Nan Gong family’s patriarch as quickly as possible. I want to see just how much he resembles me.”
What had started as an offhand question to his father had unearthed a flicker of shock and displeasure in the old man’s eyes. Leng Mingye, stubborn as ever, issued his orders.
“Very well. I’ll arrange it immediately.”
Resigned, Qingfeng clasped his hands and left.
“If my lord discovers he isn’t the prince’s son, what will he do?”
Baiyu, though reluctant, couldn’t suppress his concern.
“I’ll do nothing. I only seek the truth. Even if I am of the Nan Gong bloodline, I remain a subject of the Great Ming and the heir of the Ji Prince’s estate. The only pity is that, as I am now, I may become the ruin and disgrace of the entire household.”
Leng Mingye smiled faintly, his tone resigned as he contemplated his fate.
“That won’t happen. I believe the princess will surely concoct a remedy for you.”
Seeing his master’s despondency, Baiyu swallowed his reproach and offered earnest encouragement instead.
“Will she? I hope so.”
Leng Mingye sighed, his smile tinged with resignation.
Unbeknownst to them, a maid carrying a bowl of tonic had overheard everything at the door.
“The young master isn’t the prince’s own son? This…”
Shocked by what she’d heard, the maid silently retreated, her mind racing.
She was a servant of the Ji Princess, sent to deliver the tonic as a gesture of concern after hearing of Leng Mingye’s recovery.
“What? You heard the young master say he isn’t the prince’s son? This…”
The princess’s eyes widened in disbelief at the maid’s report. After a confirming nod, her delicate brows furrowed in thought.
“Leave us. If he isn’t the prince’s son, then the title of heir no longer belongs to him.” Dismissing the maid, the princess murmured darkly, her mind already scheming for her own son, Leng Minghao, a rare glint of triumph in her eyes.
“Princess, what brings you here so late?”
Half an hour later, the Ji Prince sat restlessly in his study, lost in thought when the princess arrived with tonic. Noticing her lingering presence, he set his book aside, puzzled.
“My prince, is Ye’er truly yours and Sister Qingrou’s child?”
Though uneasy, the princess voiced her suspicion.
“…Why ask this? If he isn’t ours, whose could he be?”
The prince’s expression hardened at the question, recalling his earlier conversation with his son. His tone turned icy, a stark contrast to the warmth he’d shown Leng Mingye.
“I know I shouldn’t doubt his lineage. But if he isn’t yours and Sister Qingrou’s, what right does he have to remain the heir? Not only has he lost his martial skills and aged a decade, but have you considered his future? Worse, I sent Xiao Ru to deliver tonic, and she overheard him ordering Qingfeng and Baiyu to investigate this very matter!”
Though the prince’s anger was palpable, the princess pressed on, her resentment clear.
“Even if he weren’t my son, he’d still deserve the title. As for his condition, I’ve already sent for the Medicine Elder. With his skills, he’ll surely concoct a remedy to restore his strength.”
The prince’s grip tightened at his side, his patience thinning at her prejudice. Seeing her expression falter, he added coolly, “Leave it be.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage