Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 361

Ge Zhu shook her head and gently chided him, “You may be the eldest son now, but if your grandmother and father reject me, your father might take another concubine or even remarry to have more sons. You won’t have me by your side then. Do you understand what you might have to face?”

Feng Yu raised his chin confidently, “Are you  looking down on me?” 

Ge Zhu said of course not. 

Feng Yu continued, “I studied literature at the age of four, and martial arts at the age of six. Whether it was in the military camp or under the guidance of the teacher my grandmother invited, they were full of praise for me. I have no competitor among my peers…”

He paused, then chuckled, “Well, of course, I wouldn’t say this in front of Ye. He’s quite talented and skilled in martial arts too, but he’s a few years younger than me. If we’re talking about our generation, there’s no one who can compete with me. I can say that much.”

“In short,” Feng Yu continued, “I have the confidence to excel in whatever I choose. Even if my father and grandmother favor other children, I’ll stand on my own. Whether it’s in literature or martial arts, there are always ways to earn recognition. I don’t care about being a Duke.”

Ge Zhu’s eyes sparkled with emotions.

After being separated for many years, her parents who were thinking about her in every aspect had a capable and ambitious grandson. If she couldn’t stand up for herself now, she wouldn’t deserve such a family.

When the mother and son returned to Duke Lu’s mansion, Ge Zhu didn’t immediately go to see Mrs. Qin. The excuse for leaving the mansion had been fabricated, and Gu Yin had shown kindness to their family. Ge Zhu had no intention of doing anything that might harm Gu Yin or inquire about Food of Heaven’s business secrets.

If she went, she would definitely be scolded by Mrs. Qin. 

On the pretext of having consumed too much alcohol, she told someone to inform Mrs. Qin and then went to her small yard. 

Not long after, Feng Yuan came back from outside. 

He was a filial son. The first thing he did when he came home every day was not to see his wife and son, but to see his old mother who was still sick. 

After his conversation with Mrs. Qins, Feng Yuan naturally heard yet another complaint about his wife. 

Arriving at Ge Zhu’s place, Feng Yuan rubbed his weary temples and expressed his concern, “Ah Chen, my mother’s health is delicate. I’ve repeatedly emphasized the importance of taking care of her. This morning, you mentioned going out to gather information, but when you returned, you didn’t respond, and she grew upset again… I heard rumors about you being out drinking and enjoying yourself. How could a woman be so reckless? It’s as if you’re behaving just like the Duke Ying’s household.”

For over a year, Ge Zhu had to explain herself to him every time this matter arose.

However, these explanations usually escalated into arguments, ultimately causing Feng Yuan to walk away in frustration.

On that particular day, Ge Zhu chose not to engage in an argument. Instead, she gazed at him silently.

Seeing her calm demeanor, Feng Yuan finally acknowledged what he couldn’t put into words. Ge Zhu stated, “My name isn’t Ah Chen; it’s Ge Zhu.”

Feng Yuan furrowed his brow, “Didn’t you mention not remembering your early years? What has changed?”

“I couldn’t recall before, but recently, when I ventured out, I crossed paths with my parents a few times,” Ge Zhu revealed. “They’re still running a stall at the pier, waiting for my return. They only arrived in the capital recently…”

Feng Yuan interrupted, “How could such a coincidence occur? Someone must have heard the rumors and posed as relatives to deceive you.”

A sardonic smile played across Ge Zhu’s lips, “Feng Yuan, I may be soft-spoken, but I’m not naive. I was kidnapped when I was five or six years old. I didn’t forget everything about my parents, allowing someone to deceive me.”

When genuinely angered, her eyes took on a cold, resolute gaze that Feng Yuan rarely witnessed. Consequently, he changed his words and said, “I didn’t mean that. It’s a fortunate event that you’ve reunited with your parents. You’ve been residing in the capital for some time now, and your true last name isn’t common knowledge. Changing from Chen to Ge isn’t a significant issue.”

Ge Zhu listened quietly before inquiring further, “Is that the only concern—our last name?”

Feng Yuan furrowed his brow, “What more do you desire? To announce it to the world? To reveal to everyone that our A Yu has grandparents who were once street vendors?”

Ge Zhu finally felt exasperated with his attitude.

At this point, Feng Yu approached, and upon hearing the conversation, he immediately chimed in, “My mother used to be a cook, and my grandfather ran a stall. They earned their livelihood through hard work. Without them, there would be no me. I see no shame in it. Why shouldn’t I share it with the world?”

Facing his exceptional eldest son, Feng Yuan restrained his temper and said, “Don’t utter such childish words. Even if our family doesn’t object, what about the palace? The noble concubine’s son, the prince, is about to commence his studies. Your father is preparing for you to enter the palace as his companion. For your future, you can’t make such reckless remarks.”

It was common knowledge that Emperor Zhengyuan had established a school in the Wenhua Hall, and although Concubine Feng and others were aware of this, they remained unaware that Gu Ye was already attending classes daily. Emperor Zhengyuan was planning to have the other two princes begin their studies as well.

Feng Yu didn’t take these concerns to heart and replied, “I’m afraid that won’t be possible. I’ve already promised a friend that I will accompany him in his studies.”

These words struck a nerve with Feng Yuan. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, shouting, “That’s your cousin, and he’s the future… This isn’t child’s play, do you comprehend?!”

Feng Yu countered, “I understand what my father is saying, but reversing a decision can be challenging. Moreover, not going to the palace to be the prince’s companion won’t necessarily mean I have no future.”

Feng Yuan raised his hand as if to strike Feng Yu. Ge Zhu attempted to intervene, but her movements were naturally slower than Feng Yuan’s, who had years of martial arts training.

She could only position herself in front of Feng Yu, glaring at Feng Yuan with disdain.

Feng Yuan pointed at them both, his face turning ashen, and said, “You two are causing me undue worry. Stay at home, and I forbid you to see any street vendors, friends, or anyone else again. If you behave like you did today, then…”

“So be it,” Ge Zhu retorted with a calm smile. “Feng Yuan, let’s get a divorce. If you don’t want Ah Yu, he’ll come with me. We, mother and son, don’t need anything else.”

Feng Yuan took two steps back, his surprise evident. “You’re insane!”