Greetings, Ninth Uncle

Chapter 112: Everlasting Moment (II)

Cheng Yujin was a little curious. Huo Changyuan grew up spoiled by his widowed mother and had little contact with adult men since he was a child. As a result, he took women’s devotion and dedication for granted. But what about Li Chengjing?

Huo Changyuan didn’t have a father, but Li Chengjing had been missing for years. He lost his mother when he was very young and lost his father shortly after. He grew up almost by himself. Why did he grow completely different from Huo Chang Yuan?

Li Chengjing saw Cheng Yujin was staring at him strangely. He asked: “Why are you looking at me like this? If you have something in your heart, just ask me, and do not guess on your own.”

Since he said so, Cheng Yujin honestly expressed her curiosity. When Li Chengjing heard it, he couldn’t help flicking on her forehead: “Do I have to be taught by others? Cannot I grow up and become such a fine gentleman by my own?”

Cheng Yujin almost broke out in laughter. Her eyes were sparkling brightly, but she still held back herself and said with a sincere tone: “Oh, of course you can. After all, Your Highness is a rare treasure on earth, and the rest of us are just common pebbles.”

Li Chengjing laughed. Soon afterward, he seemed to reminisce something. His smile receded, and his tone suddenly turned serious: “Speaking about the grace of upbringing, I really want to thank someone. Although she is not related to me by blood, she treated me with the utmost kindness. Without her, they won’t be today’s me. This kind of grace is very deep and unrepayable, no different from a half-mother.”

Cheng Yujin also became solemn: “Your Highness, are you talking about…”

Li Chengjing nodded: “Yes, she is my foster mother Xue-shi.”

Cheng Yujin sighed. Little Xue-shi had a bit of fame in her youth, but she was implicated in the Xue family case and exiled. Li Chengjing, who survived the mountain flood, was rescued and taken in by little Xue-shi, and it was her care and kindness that saved him from falling into an extreme hatred.

That year, Li Chengjing was only five years old, but he had experienced the death of his biological mother, seen his father marry another, had his grandmother announced him as ominous and been shunned away from the palace to recuperate. If this kind of life experience was placed on another person, they would either end up giving up on themselves or hating the whole world. Li Chengjing, however, was able to preserve and grow up into the bright, talented, and wise man he was now. Even when facing a mere little girl, he was still respectful and polite.

The more Cheng Yujin thought about it, the more she believed that a good talent should not be confused with rotten wood. In the process of growing up, education from female elders was also crucial for a boy. Li Chengjing and Huo Changyuan were the most glaring examples.

Cheng Yujin suddenly felt emotional, and she sighed softly: “Your Highness, it is my luck to be able to marry you. In fact, any woman is very lucky to marry you.”

After Cheng Yujin finished speaking, she found Li Chengjing’s expression was weird. She frowned and asked: “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m flattered.” Li Chengjing said truthfully, “I always feel that whenever you said something good to me, it must be followed with additional conditions and requests.”

Cheng Yujin glared: “In your heart, am I the kind of greedy person who hides another purpose in everything I do?”

Li Chengjing nodded, then he laughed merrily and ducked back while catching Cheng Yujin’s angry fist.

“Okay, okay. I won’t tease you anymore.” Li Chengjing put back his smile and said seriously: “It’s my honor that you think of me so highly. However, I don’t know what would happen if I married someone else, because you are the only one I want to marry in this life.”

What a sweet mouth — Cheng Yujin scolded inward as she glared at Li Chengjing angrily, but there was a gleam of smiles in her eyes.

Half-joking and half-serious, Cheng Yujin asked with a smile: “Your Highness is truly talented at controlling people’s hearts. If the woman who sits next to you today is not me, Your Highness will surely say the same thing to her, right?”

Sure enough, this girl was persistent. Li Chengjing helplessly replied: “Besides you, do I still have someone else?”

“Maybe there is no one now, but who knows about the future?” Cheng Yujin raised her chin slightly. She had a slender neck and a beautiful face. The way she haughtily looked at Li Chengjing with slightly drooping eyes and a cold, arrogant glare gave her a mystifying charm. “That Marquis Jingyong’s cousin sister seems to be quite heartbroken for Your Highness. Now it’s just that one cousin sister. In a few days, who knows if other ‘sisters’ will appear.”

It was obviously a one-sided accusation, but Li Chengjing found it very pleasant to his ears. He wasn’t afraid that Cheng Yujin would make trouble; what he was afraid of was that she didn’t mind. If she didn’t care about him accepting other women, Li Chengjing would have a massive headache.

Li Chengjing’s mood was extremely pleasant now, and even his eyes were full of smiles: “My mother is the first wife. She accompanied His Majesty from the very beginning, and they were very close to each other. In my childhood memory, there is no third person between them, and it is one of the few beautiful memories I have about my childhood. After that, I was brought up by my foster mother. Although unmarried, she was an extremely proud woman and would never lower herself to become anyone’s concubine. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t have…”

Cheng Yujin held Li Chengjing’s hand, giving him a silent sympathy. Li Chengjing paused, took a deep breath, and continued: “Therefore, I never thought about taking a concubine. One’s descendants are the matter of quality, not quantity. If even the di sons are not well-educated, what is the use of having more sons? They will just add chaos to the family.”

Li Chengjing stared intently at Cheng Yujin. His gaze was deep and mature, like a jar of old wine, silently attracting people to indulge: “In my life, having one wife is enough.”

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