Shen Baozhu's answer gave Shen Heqing a start. Meanwhile, Su Qian murmured softly, "Well, Brother Heqing, I'm quite confused about something and would like your advice."
Su Qian briefly explained the relationship between Su Ming and Sujiacun. He was in a real quandary. "Brother Heqing, do you think I should tell my elder brother about his background? I'm afraid he'll regret it once he learns the truth."
Shen Baozhu saw things simply. She believed they should tell Su Ming the truth, while Shen Heqing held the opposite view.
He gave Su Qian a rap on the head. "You really have a bad memory! Su Yue tried to kill you, and you still want to help her?"
"If it were me, I'd definitely keep it a secret."
Su Qian took a few steps back, covering his head. "I'm not trying to help Su Yue. I just think Su Ming might regret what he's done."
"And then?" Shen Heqing looked at Su Qian seriously.
Su Qian was taken aback by the question. His voice weakened a bit. "Then let Su Ming make his own choice?"
Shen Heqing was so amused by Su Qian that he couldn't help laughing.
[Just say it if you want to. Why is this idiot so angry?]
Shen Baozhu repeated this thought, only to get a pat on the head from Shen Heqing. "When grown - ups are talking, kids should keep their mouths shut."
Shen Heqing asked Su Qian, "Do you have the right to make that choice?"
"The people who suffered the most from Su Yue's actions were not you, not Su Ming, but the villagers of Sujiacun."
"Su Yue used Sujiacun as a part of her love story. You only lost some of your wealth, while the villagers of Sujiacun lost their loved ones. Su Dazhuang became an orphan, and only Su Ming benefited."
"Originally, he was the son of a bandit, despised by everyone, and the village heads of the neighboring villages hated him to the core. Now, he not only has enough food and clothing but even has his own shop."
"You're not the only one who knows the truth. Why don't the villagers of Sujiacun tell him?"
Shen Heqing made it even clearer. "The current situation is that the villagers of Sujiacun want to use Su Ming for revenge. You're Su Yue's younger brother. You should only atone for your sins. How can you undermine their plan?"
Su Qian's muddled mind seemed to be struck by a hammer and gradually cleared up.
[Makes sense. So this idiot is actually quite smart.]
"Moreover, do you think he wants to know?"
Shen Heqing said this meaningfully.
In Su Qian's confused gaze, Shen Heqing called Su Ming over. "Su Ming, do you want to know who your biological parents are?"
Su Ming replied without hesitation, "Do they have money? If not, I don't want to recognize them."
Su Qian's eyes widened. "But they're your biological parents..."
"Did they raise me? If they're poor, I'll have to support them. Su Qian, you're not a kid anymore. Can you be more realistic?" Su Ming was disappointed with Su Qian.
He counted the family expenses. "I'm going to get married. I need money for the betrothal gifts for your sister - in - law, for the wedding banquet, and for restocking the shop. All these cost money."
"Your studies also cost money, as do the family's social interactions, food, and clothing..."
"Let's not even talk about whether I have biological parents. Assuming I do, what do you want me to do? Change my surname and support them in their old age?"
Under Su Ming's calculations, Su Qian finally calmed down. He sighed and decided to stay out of this matter.
Seeing that Su Qian was in a low mood, Shen Heqing invited him to a restaurant in the city to cheer him up.
Shen Baozhu immediately hugged Shen Heqing. "Brother, let's go to Zuiyinlou. Their sweet soup is delicious! Baozhu won't eat pastries today. I'll drink sweet soup!"
Shen Heqing pinched Shen Baozhu's nose affectionately. "Little glutton. This is a one - time thing."
"Su Ming, you can come too."
Su Ming waved his hands hurriedly. "No, thanks. I have a lot of things to do. The kiln will start firing porcelain tomorrow, and I'm busy designing the patterns!"
Shen Heqing glanced at the vase on the ground imperceptibly, then picked up Shen Baozhu and got into the carriage.
After the carriage had traveled some distance, Shen Heqing said with certainty, "He knows."
Su Qian lowered his head and didn't hear clearly. "What?"
"Nothing. I remember you like sweet food too. I'll order a bowl of sweet soup for you." Shen Heqing casually perfunctorily.
Su Qian said happily, "Great! I didn't expect Brother Heqing to remember my preference."
Just as Shen Heqing had expected, Su Ming indeed knew his own background. Su Dazhuang told him when his biological father was sentenced to immediate execution by the yamen.
Different from what Su Qian thought, after learning his background, Su Ming was filled with hatred.
Previously, he was only bullied by Su Yue. At most, he just said some bad words, and it wasn't to the point of extreme hatred.
But now, Su Ming hated Su Yue and her accomplice.
He hated Su Yue for being so shameless. She had an affair and gave birth to him, then abandoned him to his parents and married off care - free.
Even when his mother was seriously ill and Su Qian was studying in the academy, when Su Ming was only thirteen and had to support the Su family workshop, Su Yue came back just to ask for money.
Su Ming hated his so - called biological father even more. He lured young girls and took lives lightly. He was simply a brute.
It was because of this hatred that Su Ming had the idea of inviting a Taoist priest.
Standing at the door of the workshop, watching the departing carriage, Su Ming felt weak all over. He sat on the ground, covering his face and crying. His heart was filled with joy at having survived a disaster.
Fortunately, Su Qian didn't tell the truth. He could still deceive himself and stay in the workshop as the eldest son of the Su family.
...
In the Yong'an Marquis Mansion.
Chen Miaochun happily carried a red bottle back to her room.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Chen Miaochun was itching to try. She went to the kitchen to fetch some hot water to wash her face. After washing it clean, she applied the lotion from the bottle.
Shen Heqing didn't have the habit of hitting people. He slapped Chen Miaochun only because he was afraid she would say something vulgar. So there was no palm print left on her face.
Chen Miaochun looked at herself in the mirror again and again. Maybe it was just psychological, but she felt that her skin had become a bit fairer.
Seeing that the lotion worked, Chen Miaochun felt a bit regretful. She should have controlled her temper. Maybe that white porcelain bottle could really remove the scar.
"Miaochun, what are you doing here?"
Chen Linchun's tone was a bit surprised. He walked in from outside with some pastries in his hand.
If it were someone else saying this, Chen Miaochun would definitely think they were嫌弃ing her and get angry. But since it was Chen Linchun, Chen Miaochun suppressed her discomfort and replied obediently, "I just came back."
Seeing that Chen Miaochun didn't get angry, Chen Linchun smiled. "I just bought the pastries that Ruxia likes. When I went to deliver them to her, I saw the maid who serves you in her yard. I thought you were there too.没想到 you came back early."
Then Chen Linchun put the pastries heavily on the table.
Chen Miaochun's face started to turn bad. But since she had been taught a lesson by Shen Heqing today and was also annoyed at missing out on the ointment, she managed to control her temper with difficulty. She just forced a smile and asked, "Brother, what's this?"
"I bought this for you when I was buying pastries for Ruxia. It's a new kind of pastry with peanuts in it..." Chen Linchun's words hit three of Chen Miaochun's sore spots.
He bought the pastries specifically for Chen Ruxia, and she was just an afterthought. Moreover, Chen Miaochun couldn't eat peanuts.
When Chen Miaochun was a child, she often went hungry. Once, she couldn't resist and stole some peanuts from the kitchen. After being stripped naked and beaten in public, she couldn't eat peanuts anymore. She couldn't even bear to hear the word "peanut".
She overturned the table and vented her emotions with the most venomous words.
Amid the scolding, Chen Linchun curled his lips. His plan was about to succeed.