Lu Heng stared blankly at Grand Secretary Lu's eyes that were losing their luster. Black blood was dripping down from Grand Secretary Lu's nostrils and mouth. Grand Secretary Lu's eyelids were half-opened and his pupils were dilated. Grand Secretary Lu's skinny hand was loosening its grip on his sleeve …
Lu Heng felt as if someone had dug out a piece of his heart with a knife. His eyes were sore and his head was buzzing.
"Grandfather, grandfather …"
His voice was so hoarse that it sounded as if it had been rubbed by rough stones. His lips were moving as he called Grand Secretary Lu's name.
Had he done something wrong?
Had he really done something wrong?
"Second Master, don't be too sad."
"Yes, Heng 'er, your grandfather is old and he will die of old age. I'm sure your grandfather will be glad to see you come home safe and sound. "
His family members were all trying to comfort him.
But Lu Heng was still in a daze.
If they had known what his grandfather had said before he died, they would not have comforted him like this.
He did not know if he had done the right thing by breaking the rules of the Lu family. But the assassination attempts that he had suffered since he came back with Cao Yuqing were real.
He had been hesitant at first. But after he was almost poisoned to death by the red crane and his throat was almost slit by the assassin's knife, his hesitation disappeared.
He had had enough of being a stray dog these days. Ever since he left the capital to search for the treasure, he had not been able to live a peaceful life. When the Tatan people were hiding here and there, driven into the desolate desert in the no man's land, and even fell seriously ill and could die at any time, he asked himself, did he not feel any resentment at all?
Why did he have to be the sacrifice?
Why did his second uncle not let him go when he was already the head of the family?
He had been wavering at first, but after being assassinated without hesitation and betrayed several times by his servants, he had finally become firm.
Money and power were the only things in the world that would not betray him.
Why did his grandfather have to be so angry?
He had not sacrificed himself as per the rules of the family. Instead, he had taken down his second uncle and become the head of the family. But everything he had done had the family's interests at heart. He had reached an agreement with Li Qitian. On the premise that the family's interests were guaranteed, he could gain a more stable position. What was wrong with that?
Lu Heng's mind was in a mess. He kept asking himself if he had done the right thing. But every time he asked himself a question, another voice would jump out to refute him.
Kneeling in front of Grand Secretary Lu's coffin and burning paper money mechanically, Lu Heng's tears flowed down uncontrollably like a broken thread.
Those who flattered him were praises for his filial piety and how sad he was for his grandfather's death.
He was indeed.
But what was even more heartbreaking was that he was also doing this for his own foggy future.
The woman he loved was now pregnant with another man's child. He kept telling himself that he shouldn't force her, that he shouldn't fight for her, and that he should just watch her silently. But when he got the news that Qin Yining was pregnant, who could understand his confusion and sadness as if he had been struck by lightning?
He had spent time with Qin Yining on the run. Because he could see her often, he had been able to persuade himself not to force it. He wanted to let go of everything and let her live a happy life with her husband.
But when he was separated from Qin Yining and realized that he would probably have to live like this for the rest of his life and that he would only be able to see her occasionally at the New Year's banquet, he was heartbroken.
Maybe his grandfather was right.
Bastard.
He was indeed a bastard.
He thought that he had gotten over it, but in the end, he still couldn't. He even wanted to stay by Qin Yining's side and look at her. But how could Pang Xiao allow that?
He couldn't have the woman he loved.
He couldn't have real family love.
He had even lost his grandfather, who loved him the most.
Lu Heng closed his eyes and allowed his tears to wet his face.
The only things that could keep him company in this life were power and money.
The funeral of the Lu Family was very grand. Qin Yining was pregnant, so she couldn't attend the funeral in person. Pang Xiao, however, came in person.
It was July and the weather was getting hotter. Lu Heng had lost a lot of weight and his face was pale.
Compared to Pang Xiao's high-spirited spirit, Lu Heng's desolation seemed to have been brought back from the desert and had not disappeared.
"Wang Ye." Lu Heng bowed.
Pang Xiao sighed and returned Lu Heng's greeting. "Brother Lu, my condolences."
Lu Heng sighed. "Thank you, Wang Ye."
"You've lost a lot of weight. Although you've been working hard for the family and are sad about Grand Secretary Lu, you have to take care of yourself. The Lu family will depend on you in the future. " Pang Xiao could sense Lu Heng's feelings for Qin Yining. However, Qin Yining was his wife and she was pregnant with his child. Lu Heng had never crossed the line and had even saved Qin Yining's life in Tatan. His concern for Lu Heng was genuine.
Lu Heng smiled at Pang Xiao. Blood oozed from his pale and cracked lips. "Thank you, Wang Ye. I'll take care of myself."
Pang Xiao nodded. He didn't mention anything about Lu Heng being at Your Majesty's place.
Lu Heng looked at Pang Xiao. He couldn't resist his concern for Qin Yining. "How is the Princess Consort?"
Pang Xiao narrowed his eyes and smiled. "She's fine. Her mother and grandmother have moved in with us. Auntie Cao has found two good nannies to accompany her. Although she's a little overweight now, everything is fine."
Lu Heng lowered his eyes to hide his longing and jealousy.
If only Qin Yining was his woman and was pregnant with his child.
"Congratulations. You'll be a father in five months."
Pang Xiao smiled. "Thank you. As her uncle, don't be stingy with a big red packet."
Lu Heng's heart skipped a beat. He understood what Pang Xiao meant. He couldn't help but be impressed by this man's shrewdness.
He purposely said that he was the child's uncle. He was treating him and Qin Yining as siblings. This was to remind him not to have any improper thoughts about Qin Yining.
Lu Heng also smiled at Pang Xiao. "Of course."
The two chatted for a while more and then said their goodbyes. Lu Heng looked at Pang Xiao's departing figure. His smile gradually disappeared.
When Pang Xiao returned home, he first went to the study in the outer courtyard. He ordered someone to prepare hot water for a thorough wash. He changed into a new set of robes before returning to Si Qing Garden.
It was already early summer. Qin Yining was wearing a warm, light honey-colored jacket. She had one hand on her bulging abdomen, and the other hand was pulled by Ma shi. Behind them were several servant girls. They were strolling around the Siqing Garden's handrail corridor.
Ma shi nagged, "… You should listen to your grandmother. Even though your mother really cares for you, it's not right to not let you move. Look at the women of those large families. They often have difficulties giving birth. Otherwise, they will have no strength in the middle of giving birth. Why? Isn't it because those women live like princes all day? They aren't even willing to walk a few steps. They often want to sit in palanquins. Look at the women in the countryside. It's not that difficult to give birth. They are usually seven or eight months pregnant and still have to do housework. You should follow me. Walk every day. It's good for your body. "
Qin Yining smiled and nodded. A breeze accompanied by the fragrance of the trees blew. It brushed the loose hair that had fallen from her bun to her face. She raised her hand and pushed it aside.
"Grandmother is right." Pang Xiao smiled and walked closer. She held Qin Yining's other arm and said, "In the future, I will teach you a few sets of fist techniques. You can practice them when you have nothing to do. They can also strengthen your body."
Ma shi also said, "That's right. Once you learn them, you won't have to worry about not being able to teach Dai Fu a lesson when he is disobedient."
Qin Yining was so amused that he couldn't help but laugh. Bing Tang, Lian Xiaozhou, Ji Yun, and Xian Yun, who were following behind him, also laughed.
Qin Yining asked, "Did you go to see Second Master Lu today? How is his family? "
Pang Xiao said, "Second Master Lu's body is fine, but he has lost a lot of weight. I can see that he has a lot of things on his mind. It seems like he is hiding a lot of things. "
Qin Yining nodded and said, "Their family's situation is also difficult to deal with."
Seeing Qin Yining frown slightly and worry on his face, Pang Xiao couldn't help but say with some jealousy, "You seem to be very concerned about him?"
Qin Yining smiled and said, "I am a little worried. After all, we are good friends who have gone through thick and thin together. Moreover, I feel that perhaps his grandfather's death this time also has something to do with his return to the capital. If he hadn't seized the position of family head back then and cut off the supplies, I'm afraid that we would have lost some bargaining chips during the court meeting. Regardless of whether he did it on purpose for us or not, even if he did it in passing. I also owe him a favor. "
Pang Xiao thought of Lu Heng's handsome and refined face, then thought of his deep affection for Qin Yining, and felt an indescribable unhappiness in his heart. However, Qin Yining was magnanimous, and it wasn't good for him to express his unhappiness, so he could only nod silently.
Ma shi listened to their conversation. Although she could guess who they were talking about, she didn't know much about the matter, so she didn't say much. She only held Qin Yining's hand and observed Pang Xiao's expression. Seeing that Pang Xiao was also silent, Ma shi felt that the atmosphere was awkward and took the initiative to ask, "Oh right, that extremely beautiful aunt of yours is going out again?"
"That's right." Qin Yining smiled and nodded. Cao Yuqing returned home last month, but the Sun Clan didn't like her. After all, she felt awkward. In addition, Jing Zhe and Xiao Xue were recuperating at the farmstead outside, and their injuries were mostly healed. Cao Yuqing said that she was going to look for these people. She didn't know if Qin Huaiyuan had arranged something for them to do.
Ma shi smiled and said, "That's really a pretty girl."
Qin Yining nodded and said, "That's right, and she's very skilled. She's an extremely loyal and chivalrous woman."
"Is that so? I really didn't see that. " Ma shi was surprised, and then she was eager to give it a try. "When she comes back, I'll let her spar with this old woman. I have nothing to do, and my bones are getting lazy. There's no point in fighting with the people around Dai Fu. "
The people around Pang Xiao were only accompanying Ma shi to spar with her. Who would dare to fight with her?
Qin Yining couldn't help but smile and nod. "If grandmother likes it, I'll tell Aunt Cao later."
As the two of them chatted, Pang Xiao, who was listening from the side, felt less conflicted.
At this moment, Huzi strode to the entrance of the courtyard and bowed to Qin Yining. Then he said, "Wang Ye."
Pang Xiao knew that Huzi had something to say, so she took the initiative to walk out of Si Qing Garden.
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