“Are the pitiable in this world only Jiang Wuliang?”

Chong Xuansheng retorted, “Xu Fang lived a life worse than death for eighteen years, while I became an orphan at the tender age of two!”

“Perhaps I am simply too old,” Chong Xuan Yunbo mused, his expression softening. “In recent years, when I reflect on the past, I find that the world is impermanent, and all can be forgiven. The events of that year cannot be entirely blamed on Jiang Wuliang. After all, your father was already imprisoned in the Azure Stone Palace when he died. Mingtu sought his own demise…”

Chong Xuan Futu was the name he later adopted. His original name was Chong Xuan Mingtu.

The old Marquis’s use of the name “Mingtu” clearly touched Chong Xuansheng.

However, the fatty stubbornly maintained a rigid expression, refusing to soften.

“Back then…” Chong Xuansheng tried to appear calm, “During the war between Qi and Xia, he refused to lead the army. The Emperor was furious and imprisoned him, questioning whether he harbored sympathies towards Xia. Everyone knew that the Emperor was outwardly asking if he favored Xia, but in his heart, he believed that he stood with Jiang Wuliang, supporting the pro-peace faction, and using his talent to force the palace!”

“Would such a clever man truly do something so foolish? Was this not at Jiang Wuliang’s instigation? Is Jiang Wuliang innocent? Pitiable?”

The “he” that Chong Xuansheng spoke of was, of course, Chong Xuan Futu.

“To atone for this ‘mistake’ and regain the Emperor’s favor, you, who had already retired from the battlefield for many years, had to return, leading your three sons and nephew to the front lines of Qi and Xia. In that battle, over half of the direct descendants of the Chong Xuan family were killed or injured. My third uncle died in battle! As a result, you deeply resented him and never spoke another word to him for the rest of your life.”

“Why was I so despised and bullied at every turn in the Chong Xuan family? If not for Uncle Chu Liang’s protection, I would have been accidentally beaten to death long ago!”

“And because of Uncle Chu Liang’s contribution in conquering Xia, he was not granted a marquisate for pleading on his behalf. He only received a title of Earl, with the admonishment to ‘tread carefully’.”

Chong Xuansheng looked at Chong Xuan Yunbo, “Grandfather, now you are telling me… not to hate Jiang Wuliang anymore?”

Chong Xuan Yunbo was silent for a long while before saying, “At that time, Mingtu had destroyed two kingdoms and was famous throughout the land. If His Majesty did not trust him, he would not have entrusted him with leading the army to conquer Xia. Furthermore, when Mingtu went to the Temple of Prosperity and Decay to suppress his murderous intent, he became close friends with Jiang Wuliang at first sight, encouraging each other to move forward. Now you also have close friends; perhaps you can understand his choices…”

Everyone has their own reasons. Then, can all things be forgiven?

But… those cold looks, hatred, and bullying I suffered in my childhood, why didn’t those people forgive him, didn’t “forgive” me?

Chong Xuansheng was expressionless, “Perhaps all things can be forgiven. But Grandfather, I am too young! Since the Juyuan Trading Company has betrayed me, I will surely cut it down to the roots.”

I am too young, so I cannot do it!

He spoke of the Juyuan Trading Company, but he meant more than just the Juyuan Trading Company.

Chong Xuan Yunbo sighed.

He was not asking Chong Xuansheng not to hate Jiang Wuliang. He hoped that Chong Xuansheng would no longer hate the Emperor, nor his own father, Chong Xuan Futu.

Because hating the Emperor was a path to death, and hating one’s own father was the root of lifelong suffering.

This was what Chong Xuan Yunbo, as a grandfather, could not bear to see.

But he also realized that Chong Xuansheng’s current thoughts and decisions were not something he could change with a few words.

The more outstanding a person is, the more steadfast they are in their opinions.

Chong Xuan Futu was like this back then, and so are Chong Xuan Zun and Chong Xuansheng now.

Chong Xuan Mingguang, on the other hand, was still obsequious and obedient to him even at the age of sixty, but he knew very well what kind of good-for-nothing his eldest son was.

“Let it be for today,” the old man said, sitting in his chair, wearily raising his hand, “I am tired.”

Chong Xuansheng respectfully bowed, “Grandson takes his leave.”

Jiang Wang followed suit, and Fourteen also accompanied them.

As Chong Xuansheng reached the door, the old man’s voice rang out once more.

“Mingtu came to see me before he departed, but I ignored him. To this day I never spoke a word again… It is my life’s regret.”

The old man’s voice had a hint of noticeable tremor. This was an emotion rarely seen in this old man.

“If he could hear these words, he would surely be gratified, Grandfather,” Chong Xuansheng said.

But at the same time, he thought, “Unfortunately, he cannot hear them.”

So, who cares whether he is gratified or not?

After Chong Xuansheng and the others left, a slightly chubby figure emerged from the inner room.

Chong Xuan Yunbo sighed, “Chu Liang, you have suffered all these years.”

The newly ennobled Marquis Chong Xuan Chu Liang said in a deep voice, “It was Second Brother who guided me into the path of cultivation, and my military tactics were also personally taught by Second Brother. If not for Second Brother, I would have died many times over in my early years. Whatever I do is only right. I only regret that I have failed to live up to expectations in these years and have not taken good care of Sheng’er.”

Among Chong Xuan Yunbo’s four sons, Chong Xuan Futu ranked second. Chong Xuan Chu Liang was younger than the third child, Chong Xuan Mingshan, and older than the fourth, Chong Xuan Minghe. Therefore, he also called Chong Xuan Futu Second Brother.

Chong Xuan Yunbo’s expression was sorrowful. Perhaps only in front of Chong Xuan Chu Liang could he reveal these true and subtle emotions: “Sheng’er is what he is today. Mingtu, if he is in heaven, should be able to rest in peace.”

Chong Xuan Chu Liang said, “Back then, as soon as Second Sister-in-law showed signs of pregnancy, Second Brother named the child ‘Sheng,’ regardless of whether it was a boy or a girl. He told me that because of his own life of failure, he did not want the child to repeat his mistakes. Hearing these words, my heart bled. What a proud person Second Brother was! Yet he considered his life a failure.”

“At that time, Jiang Wuliang had already been deposed. The Chong Xuan family was implicated, and the situation was difficult, with years of hardship.”

“When Sheng’er was born, Second Sister-in-law died in childbirth. Second Brother was heartbroken as a result. It was also in this year that he changed his name to Futu to show his devotion to Buddhism.”

“Two years later, the Imperial Censor accused the deposed Crown Prince of harboring resentment. The Emperor was furious and imprisoned him in the Azure Stone Palace, ordering him to die there. The court was silent, but Second Brother left his meditation chamber and went to the Imperial Presence to plead for mercy.”

“The Emperor was so enraged that he even asked him: ‘Why does Chong Xuan Futu only know the Crown Prince and not his sovereign father?’ Implicitly hinting that the Chong Xuan family was plotting rebellion.”

“To prove his innocence and not implicate the family, Second Brother entered the sea alone, fighting to the death.”

“Because of the intensity of this battle, the Chong Xuan family was able to safely overcome the crisis. That year, Sheng’er was two years old.”

“Many people in the Chong Xuan family resented and hated him, thereby venting their anger on Sheng’er. But they had already forgotten how much glory Second Brother had brought to the Chong Xuan family. They only remembered the bad, not the good.”

There was no small amount of complaint in Chong Xuan Chu Liang’s words.

Chong Xuan Yunbo naturally understood, so his voice was also very heavy: “Even now, Sheng’er does not know where Mingtu died. He only knows that he was surrounded on the battlefield and died of exhaustion.”

“If this child were not capable of being molded, then so be it. But since he can seize opportunities, I will support him in becoming the head of the Chong Xuan family,” Chong Xuan Chu Liang said, “After all, that position should have belonged to Second Brother.”

“Mingtu was originally the head of the family, but he did not care, so it passed. Sheng’er and Zun’er are like the back of my hand; I cannot tell who is closer to me. If they are willing to compete, I will give them the opportunity and let them compete on their own. I will only control the extent, so that no one is in mortal danger,” Chong Xuan Yunbo said.

“I think they have a sense of proportion,” Chong Xuan Chu Liang only said.

In fact, after being ennobled as a marquis, he was increasingly able to understand some of Chong Xuan Yunbo’s decisions. Managing such a large family was laborious, and many things could not be considered simply or done as one pleased.

Chong Xuan Yunbo sighed for a long time: “I am projecting myself onto others. Mingtu has been gone for so many years, and although I deeply resent him, I also deeply love him. Being a parent myself, I think His Majesty should be the same. Sheng’er’s use of the deposed Crown Prince as a pawn this time may lead to disaster.”

Chong Xuan Chu Liang said, “This matter has been handled very cleanly. There should be no clues… Seven Fingers has also committed suicide.”

“Seven Fingers was from Mingtu’s old unit, right?”

“Yes. Sheng’er always thought that those old soldiers who helped him were my people. If he knew they were from Second Brother’s old unit, he probably would not have used them.”

Chong Xuan Yunbo was lost in thought for a long time before saying, “They must be buried with honors.”