When Zhen Shicheng heard about the incident, he scolded Zhen Heng: “Young and reckless!”
Zhen Heng quickly lowered his head and admitted his fault: “Son had too much to drink.”
He acknowledged that Jiang Cang, the eldest son of Duke Dongping’s household, was indeed knowledgeable, but he couldn’t tolerate being overshadowed by him.
He had worked hard to achieve the title of First Place Scholar. If years later, people were to say he only got it because Jiang Cang didn’t finish the exam, wouldn’t that be utterly frustrating? If he didn’t seize this moment to establish his reputation, would he have to feebly defend himself in the future?
Moreover—thinking of Duke Dongping’s household, Zhen Heng’s heart stirred slightly.
He had stubbornly claimed the First Place Scholar title, hoping she would see his brilliance.
Perhaps she might change her mind.
After that rejection, Zhen Heng had decided to silently put away all his thoughts, but for a young man experiencing his first taste of love, forgetting that initial heartbeat was no easy task.
At the core, there was a hint of unwillingness.
Zhen Heng had the pride to make himself more outstanding, so outstanding that even if she didn’t like him, she couldn’t ignore his brilliance.
“Father, why don’t you take me to Duke Dongping’s mansion to apologize?”
Zhen Shicheng thought his son’s suggestion was not bad.
That young lady called him Uncle, and he got along well with Duke Dongping, now even addressing each other as brothers. So they couldn’t turn a blind eye to his son’s drunken boast at the Deer Cry Banquet. Taking his son to Duke Dongping’s mansion to make amends was the right thing to do.
Seeing his father’s expression, Zhen Heng knew he had a chance, and the corners of his mouth slightly curved upward.
Zhen Shicheng was about to nod when he caught a glimpse of that faint smile on his son’s lips. He suddenly realized something and huffed, his beard quivering: “You rascal, are you going to the Duke’s mansion to apologize or to flirt?”
“Cough, cough, cough.” Zhen Heng coughed violently, his jade-white ears quickly turning bright red. He said, both amused and exasperated, “Father, what are you saying?”
Is that the kind of person he was?
“Besides, your son is such a well-behaved person, how could I possibly flirt?”
Zhen Shicheng stroked his beard leisurely: “Is that so? Then I’ll just invite Young Master Jiang out privately. After all, it’s best not to make a big deal out of this apology.”
Originally, the eldest son of Duke Dongping’s household had already lost face. If word got out about their visit, it would be even more embarrassing for Duke Dongping’s family. So Zhen Shicheng had already planned to handle this discreetly.
Of course, saying he’d meet Second Master Jiang privately was purely to tease his son.
“Father, visiting in person would show more sincerity,” Zhen Heng said anxiously.
He had never thought he’d have another chance to go to her home, this time with a legitimate identity.
Zhen Heng wasn’t afraid of people recognizing him as the servant who had accompanied Zhen Shicheng on that previous visit.
At that time, he was dressed as a servant, standing properly behind his father, and no one would have paid attention to him. The only one who might recognize his true identity would be Fourth Miss Jiang.
Was Zhen Heng afraid of Jiang Si recognizing his true identity? Of course not!
He considered himself not bad-looking, and now his reputation was decent. He thought it should be quite easy to win a young lady’s favor, right?
Thinking of that peerlessly beautiful young lady, Zhen Heng suddenly felt uncertain again.
Seeing his son’s ever-changing expressions, Zhen Shicheng lightly tapped his head with a folding fan and sighed, “You silly boy!”
Since his son’s heart was still set on her, as a father, he should lend a hand, especially since he had dug this hole for his son himself.
Zhen Heng’s face flushed red, but he tried to maintain his composure: “Just let me know when you’re going, Father.”
“Don’t you have one banquet after another with your fellow scholars?”
“Those can all be canceled,” Zhen Heng said, but at this point, he could no longer keep up his facade. He hastily made an excuse and ran off.
Watching his son’s retreating figure, Zhen Shicheng sighed.
Well, he might as well help his son try again.
Young people, what’s a setback or two? Keep at it, and who knows—them, they might succeed eventually?
When Madam Zhen heard that Zhen Shicheng was going to take their son to Duke Dongping’s mansion, she quickly grasped the underlying meaning. She immediately grabbed Zhen Shicheng’s ear and angrily said, “Well, well! Not content with hurting our son once, you want to do it a second time? Zhen Shicheng, what are you thinking? Did that girl bewitch you or something?”
If they hadn’t grown up together since they were in diapers, she would have suspected this old fool wanted to marry the girl himself.
“Let go quick, at least wait until the maids leave!” Zhen Shicheng’s old face turned bright red.
Madam Zhen noticed two maids still standing in the room and quickly let go, her face stern: “Why are you still here? Have you no sense? Get out!”
The two maids scurried away eagerly.
With only the couple left in the room, Madam Zhen sat down on the chaise lounge, her face set: “Zhen Shicheng, I’m telling you, I won’t allow you to hurt our son again!”
She had tasted the flavor of youthful love. If it was mutual, that was fine, but if it was one-sided, it could be unbearable.
Just thinking that her excellent son was in such a situation made her heartache.
“Heng is not a frivolous child. He’ll put away these thoughts after being rebuffed and slowly get over it. In the future, we’ll choose an outstanding girl for him, and this will be nothing. But you keep stirring up his feelings again and again. Aren’t you hurting him?” The more Madam Zhen spoke, the angrier she became. She wished she could bring out the washboard right now and make Zhen Shicheng kneel on it.
Just then, a clear young voice came from outside the door: “Father, Mother, may I come in for a moment?”
The couple looked at each other, and Madam Zhen composed herself before saying, “Come in.”
The door creaked open, and Zhen Heng walked in.
“Heng, do you need something?” Madam Zhen asked, seeing Zhen Heng close the door behind him.
Zhen Heng bowed to Madam Zhen: “Mother, I accidentally overheard your argument with Father just now outside the door.”
Zhen Shicheng’s beard quivered.
Accidentally overheard? Not bad for a First Place Scholar, his choice of words was as good as his own back in the day.
Madam Zhen stared at her son, not understanding his meaning.
“Mother, please don’t blame Father. It’s me… I want to go there once more…” As he spoke, even the young man’s ears turned red.
It was impossible not to feel embarrassed exposing his feelings so directly in front of his parents, but for that slim chance, what did this matter?
“Heng!”
“Mother, please hear me out.” Zhen Heng looked up, meeting Madam Zhen’s gaze without flinching. “You want what’s best for me, and I understand that completely. But… while giving up easily might spare me a lot of pain, wouldn’t it also leave me with many regrets? Mother, I don’t want to live with regrets.”
He had to try once more, with his rightful identity.
At least he wanted her to know who he was, at least he wanted the first girl to make his heart flutter to know what he looked like.
Even if he was destined to be just a passerby in her life, at least that was better than never having passed by at all.
Zhen Heng never regretted that chance encounter with that fairy-like young lady in that quiet, secluded grove, even if it meant enduring torment ever since.
“Mei Niang, it’s good that young people know how to persevere. Remember when we were young?” Zhen Shicheng said.
Madam Zhen’s expression changed, and she finally nodded slightly.