Chapter 250 - 235: Burdened Hearts
Chapter 250: Chapter 235: Burdened Hearts
Su Yaoguang nudged Zhou Wangshu, signaling him to look at Zhang Zhaodi across the room.
Zhang Zhaodi had been poking at her rice grains for a long time, without eating a single mouthful of food, looking deeply troubled.
"Mom, are you feeling unwell?" Zhou Wangshu asked.
Zhang Zhaodi shook her head: "No, I was just thinking that business has been quite good lately, and was wondering whether to invest in some farmland."
"Instead of buying farmland, why not open more branches?" Zhang Pandi suggested, "A merchant Hu was very interested in our business today and said if they had such a shop there, business would definitely thrive."
"Where Merchant Hu is, it’s too far, but we can consider nearby big cities. We have many loyal partners, let’s develop these old partners to manage new stores and give them a thirty percent share of the profits. I believe many would jump at the chance."
"That’s a good idea..." Zhang Pandi said, "I’m willing to go! You all can keep an eye here, while I oversee the branch."
While Su Yaoguang and Zhang Pandi talked business, Zhou Wangshu kept watching Zhang Zhaodi. Seeing her head out, he followed her.
"Mom..." Zhou Wangshu caught up with her. "You’re troubled. Can’t you share it with us? No matter what happens, our family can face it together. If you hide things by yourself, we’re all worried for you, doesn’t that make everyone unsettled?"
"Wangshu, indeed there is a doubt in my heart, but this doubt is too hard to believe, I don’t know how to say it."
"No matter what Mom says, we are willing to listen. No matter how unbelievable the matter is, we can accept it."
Zhang Zhaodi turned around, seeing others standing at the door, all looking toward this side, evidently realizing her abnormality, now all waiting for her to speak.
"Alright, I’ll say it." Zhang Zhaodi returned to the dining hall. "Do you still remember General Su?"
"Of course!"
"Pandi, Yingdi, do you remember your brother-in-law’s appearance?"
Zhang Pandi and Zhang Yingdi exchanged a glance, both shook their heads.
"When you got married, we were still young, and we didn’t see him many times."
"That General Su looks exactly like Yaoguang’s father." Zhang Zhaodi said, "I originally wanted to test if he was that scoundrel, but General Su’s body is covered in scars, I couldn’t tell if he originally had a birthmark. When he enlisted, I made him several pairs of shoes but didn’t have time to finish one pair and left it at home, later I completed it slowly. I compared the shoes, the size didn’t match. My husband’s shoe size was smaller than General Su’s by one size. So, I think it might just be me overthinking."
"Mom, is he really that similar?" Su Yaoguang was curious.
"Actually, not especially similar!" Zhang Zhaodi said, "Your father doesn’t have the same presence as him."
Su Yaoguang thought about events from her past life. In her past life, she had no chance to meet that General Su. Thus, she hadn’t experienced these, and there’s no way to investigate.
In her past life, Zhang Zhaodi didn’t have the chance to go to the capital and died halfway. If General Su really was her father, had Zhang Zhaodi the chance to enter the capital in her past life, wouldn’t she have had the opportunity to meet a husband she thought long gone, and wouldn’t she have died so miserably?
No, that’s not it. These are all speculations, perhaps Zhang Zhaodi is overthinking. There are many resembling people in the world, and since Zhang Zhaodi and her husband separated over ten years ago, even memories could be blurred, maybe she remembered wrong.
"Whether it is or not, just a check would reveal it." Zhou Wangshu said, "Leave this matter to me, I will investigate it."
"You boy, such bold words. He’s had a severe head injury, doesn’t even remember his own identity, can you figure it out?"
After Zhang Zhaodi shared her concern, although not solved, she felt much more comfortable. Originally, when not bearing it alone, even the biggest problem isn’t a problem. Her greatest comfort was having so many family members to share the burden with.
General Mansion. Su Rende sat in the main position, with Pang Family and the Tang Pozi who should have left but hadn’t standing below.
"General..." Pang Family felt guilty, not daring to meet Su Rende’s eyes.
Su Rende gently tapped the table, his gaze resting on Pang Family, speaking: "I now give you two options. One, I’ll provide a dowry and marry you off, at least giving your husband an explanation. Two, you move out of the General Mansion and live on an estate in the countryside."
"General..." Pang Family looked at him mournfully, "Why treat me like this? What did I do wrong?"
"What you did requires the Great General’s reminder?" Su Rende looked sharply at Pang Family, "Considering your husband, I’ve supported you and your daughter these years, ensuring a life of luxury, and even when you bullied others under my name, I cleaned up your mess. But now, you’re openly scheming against me. Haven’t I said you’re just a guest here?"
"Since you’re not content, have wealth and still want recognition, then don’t stay in the General Mansion. Come..."
"General..." Pang Family knelt on the ground, kowtowing to Su Rende. "I was wrong, I won’t dare again, please don’t drive me out. I’m just too worried, afraid living in the General Mansion without proper status might cause gossip. I won’t make mistakes again."
"I have an adjutant, about your age. If you’re willing to marry him, wouldn’t that make you a legitimate wife?"
"I’m unwilling." Pang Family wiped her tears. "My heart belongs to my late husband. Before, even making such foolish acts was out of fear. The General said you’d always support the two of us as repayment for my husband’s kindness. I won’t act foolishly anymore."
"If it happens again, what will you do?"
"If it happens again, I’ll leave with Qing Yan."
"Alright, I’ll give you another chance." Su Rende frowned, "Unless instructed by me, don’t seek me out deliberately."
"Yes."
Pang Family wiped her tears and left with Tang Pozi.
Su Rende said: "This Tang Pozi must be sent away, if you don’t send her, I’ll sell her."
"Calm down General, this old servant will leave soon." Tang Pozi quickly said.
When Pang Family and Tang Pozi exited, Pang Family’s legs went weak, Tang Pozi quickly supported her.
"Are you really willing to let things end like this?" Tang Pozi said, "If you become pregnant, he’ll have no choice but to be responsible."
"But you saw, I gave him such a strong dose but he’d rather push me away and run than touch me. These days, I don’t know where he went and now he acts like nothing’s wrong, surely indulging some vixen." Pang Family said angrily.