The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 664 - 663 Just Like You?

Chapter 664: Chapter 663 Just Like You?

Song Hong had become increasingly excited as he planned, the more he spoke, the more feasible it seemed.

Lady Gao had injured her body and could no longer have children; she had always been indifferent towards her concubine-born children, treating them all equally.

If he were to bring Chongjin back, it would definitely require her consent. Since Chongjin no longer had a birth mother and Lady Gao could no longer give birth, it would be appropriate to register Chongjin under Lady Gao’s name. That way, Lady Gao would have someone to rely on in her old age and would not have to defer to the children of concubines.

And Chongjin, this child, would be able to return legitimately. Since he would be registered under Lady Gao’s name, he would be a legitimate heir, and perhaps in the future, the Duke Weiguo Mansion could even be passed on to him.

If this really came to be, when he met Qi Huan in the afterlife, he would have a face to show.

With these thoughts, Song Hong looked at Song Chongjin with a fervent gaze.

Song Chongjin remained unmoved, quietly watching Song Hong, without saying a word, without showing any expression, causing Song Hong’s voice to gradually fade.

Taking a deep breath, Song Hong calmed himself down, "You do not agree?" There was a terrifying calm in his tone, as though a storm was about to break.

Those personal soldiers who knew Song Hong were aware that this was a sign of him being very angry.

Others might rage when they are angry, but Song Hong, the angrier he got, the calmer he became.

Instantly, those personal soldiers couldn’t help but retreat a few steps, directing sympathetic glances toward Song Chongjin.

They were Song Hong’s personal soldiers who had overheard the conversation; they all understood that this young man, who bore such a resemblance to their own master, was in fact, their master’s own flesh and blood.

It was a pity that, after years of separation, he was not familiar with the master’s temperament. Had it been any of the young masters at home, they would have already knelt down and begged for forgiveness upon seeing such an expression from the master.

A few of the personal soldiers who had taken a liking to Song Chongjin thought that he truly resembled the master’s offspring; his bearing, his looks, the tone of his speech, he was exactly like the master in his youth.

They felt a sense of closeness to him.

Moreover, after listening to everything, though the personal soldiers did not say it out loud, they felt a pang of sorrow in their hearts, thinking that this young master had had too hard a life.

Those who were straightforward in nature made desperate gestures at Song Chongjin, trying to get him to soften his stance and provide the master with a way out, fearing the consequences otherwise would be unbearable.

Yet Song Chongjin stood up as if nothing had happened, "Many thanks to Lord Duke for his kind intentions and for informing this student of my origins. I thank you and bid you farewell!"

Having said that, he proceeded to leave.

Song Hong’s heart was conflicted, thinking how infuriating this little brat was, ignoring him while he painstakingly planned such a bright future for him. You don’t have to be grateful, but at least show some enthusiasm, right?

With a face as stern as a corpse, who knew who he was dissatisfied with?

His heart wavered for a moment, thinking that this son had grown up, and considering the years of neglect on his part, he truly was at fault. Perhaps, he should just let it be.

On the other side, there was another huff, this stubborn temperament clearly followed Qi Huan. In that moment, his heart was annoyed, then pleased, then again guilty, an indescribable taste.

The personal soldiers beside saw that Song Chongjin really intended to leave and also noticed that their master’s face was changing unsettledly. They were unwilling to let him go, and they stood at the doorway, trying to persuade him with good words, "Young Master, the Lord Duke is doing this for your own good. Why don’t you apologize and humble yourself before him?"

Song Chongjin snorted coldly, "I dare not accept the title of ’Young Master’ from all of you soldiers! After all, I am the descendant of a disgraced official and dare not involve myself with the Lord Duke!"

"You—you unfilial son!" Among Song Hong’s seven or eight children, which one didn’t treat him with the utmost respect, eager to please him?

Song Chongjin raised an eyebrow, "Lord Duke must be jesting."

Still, Song Hong managed to suppress his anger, speaking earnestly and patiently, "I know you’re not happy, feeling that I abandoned you for twenty years, and you resent me, your father! But as a man, you must know what to choose! What’s the use of being stubborn now?"

"If you come with me, all those years of neglect, I naturally need to compensate you for them! You are the son of Lord Duke, the gap between that and a mere countryman, don’t you clearly understand it in your heart?"

"Not to mention anything else, just take Gao Jin of Qi City, a mere County Magistrate, he has made you at your wit’s end. If you follow me back, what’s a County Magistrate? Even a Magistrate would have to be careful and respectful in front of you! Just think about it, if you follow me back, I can order someone to arrest Gao Jin right now!"

Song Chongjin finally looked directly at Song Hong, a nameless dark light flickering in the depths of his eyes.

Seeing Song Chongjin finally reacting, Song Hong thought he had found a breakthrough.

"You are still young, never having tasted the flavor of power. In this world, a man cannot lack for power! With power, wealth and splendor, and beauties are all within easy reach! Don’t tell me you want to spend your entire life hiding away in some poor mountain valley, living an obscure life?"

Song Chongjin spoke methodically, "Just like you? For power, you abandoned my mother?"

At the last word, Song Chongjin’s voice was a bit hoarse.

Song Hong’s previously enthusiastic face suddenly stiffened, and after a while, he managed to speak with difficulty, "...The situation at that time was beyond my control—"

"No need to make excuses! I understand perfectly! It’s just that my mother and I were not important enough in the eyes of Lord Duke, easily abandoned! I understand! To use the words of Lord Duke, a man indeed cannot lack for power! Once he has power, naturally, there will be no lack of women throwing themselves at him!" Song Chongjin interrupted Song Hong.

"Over these years, I’ve managed quite well on my own! Since Lord Duke made the decision to abandon us, wouldn’t it be better to abandon us completely? I am nothing but a crude country man, I cannot compare to the precious sons of Lord Duke, so you’d better not waste your time on me," said Song Chongjin indifferently.

Having said that, he attempted to leave again. The personal soldiers didn’t dare to stop him anymore and could only look towards Song Hong.

Song Chongjin had already reached the doorway when Song Hong finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "Without power, you can’t even protect the lady you love! Am I not a living example? Now that you and Gao Jin, along with Wang Yongan, are implacable enemies. If Gao Jin knows you have evidence against him, do you think you can leave Qi City? When the time comes, not only will you not be able to escape, but you’ll also implicate the family of the girl you like—"

These words successfully made Song Chongjin stop in his tracks, and he turned around with a dark expression to look at Song Hong.

Song Hong smiled nonchalantly, "If you are willing to agree to come with me, I can turn Qi City upside down for you! Then, however, you wish to deal with Gao Jin is up to you! That’s the power of authority! I know you like the Wang Family Young Lady, but her status is too low. How can she be your wife? You were foolish to swear before the heavens with her."

"However, seeing that you truly love her, I can take her along this time, let her follow you and serve you for a few years. After you become a Graduate and return to the Capital City, I will find you a proper wife. As for the Wang Family Young Lady, you can take her into your home later as a prestigious concubine, thereby honoring your affection for each other."