Li Zheng ignored Mother Jiang and instead asked Father Jiang, “Old Master Jiang, in your household, does your mother make the decisions, or does your wife?”
Father Jiang shot a quick glance at Old Madam Jiang, and under her glare, he stammered, “Of course—of course my mother makes the decisions.”
“In that case, keep the people in your house in line. Don’t make things ugly for everyone.” Li Zheng rebuked.
Father Jiang responded submissively, “Yes, yes… Li Zheng, I understand now.”
Mother Zhou snorted, took Jiang Tingting’s hand, and turned to leave. At the same time, she lectured Jiang Tingting, “Remember this: you are a member of the Zhou family now. Whatever happens in the Jiang family has nothing to do with you.”
“Don’t forget your place.”
“Mother, I know.” Jiang Tingting replied obediently.
Mother Zhou was truly kind.
Mother Zhou had come in person and even had Zhou Qingrui invite Li Zheng over—all to sever Jiang Tingting’s ties with the Jiang family completely.
“You’ve gone to so much trouble, Mother.” Jiang Tingting said softly.
“We’re family; there’s no need for such formalities.” Mother Zhou sighed and patted Jiang Tingting’s rough hand. “Come, let’s go home and have our meal.”
“Yes.” Jiang Tingting followed Mother Zhou home happily.
In the neighboring courtyard, Zhou Qinghao, who had been observing the situation, carried his meal inside and said in a low voice, “Mother seems to be getting along quite well with Jiang Tingting.”
Father Zhou wasn’t worried: “Your mother won’t be easily deceived.”
If Jiang Tingting really were a pawn sent by the imperial court, his wife would surely notice.
The reason his wife was pretending not to notice anything now was to keep Jiang Tingting steady.
Zhou Qinghao nodded. His mother was wise; she wouldn’t be fooled by the court’s lackeys.
If Jiang Tingting really was placed by the court to watch his mother, she wouldn’t last long.
All he needed to do was gradually get close to his mother, earn her trust, and then reveal his identity.
However, for now, he couldn’t expose himself.
He trusted that his mother wouldn’t let anything slip, but he couldn’t guarantee his younger brother would stay tight-lipped forever.
With even the slightest risk of exposure, he couldn’t take that chance.
He had to ensure the absolute safety of his family, and once his plans outside were complete, moving his mother and brother away would be the safest course.
For now, he could only endure and approach his mother under a different identity.
“Father, after a while, once Mother discovers Jiang Tingting’s true nature, I’ll tell her then.” Zhou Qinghao said with great confidence.
She was his mother; he was confident in how to earn her trust.
“Hmm.” Father Zhou nodded slightly. “How’s your health?”
“Fine.” Zhou Qinghao smiled nonchalantly.
Father Zhou studied his son. “Your martial skills seem to have improved considerably.”
Back on the battlefield, he had been surrounded by enemies and thought he was doomed. Unexpectedly, at the critical moment, his son had charged in alone on horseback.
In that instant, he felt an overwhelming killing intent crash down like a towering wave.
He had never seen Zhou Qinghao like that—like a god of slaughter.
At that moment, Zhou Qinghao on horseback bore no trace of the familiar figure he once knew. All he felt was an icy murderous aura that seemed capable of destroying everything in the world.
On Zhou Qinghao’s face, he saw not a hint of human emotion—only a stillness bordering on deathly calm.
Zhou Qinghao stood aloft, like a deity looking down upon all living beings.
Everything in the world seemed like mere ants and dust in his eyes.
Zhou Qinghao’s horse leapt over the enemy ranks, and wherever he passed, blood splattered, corpses littered the field, and not a single soul survived.
So many enemy soldiers—all killed by Zhou Qinghao’s hand.
A drop of crimson blood splashed onto the corner of Zhou Qinghao’s eye, like the deadly cinnabar on the underworld judge’s brush—stunning and heart-stopping.
The soldiers under his command were all struck dumb, unable to snap out of it for a long time.
After that battle, Father Zhou knew that in the hearts of the troops, Zhou Qinghao’s standing had already surpassed his own, becoming an unassailable presence.
So when Zhou Qinghao issued order after order afterward, no one raised any objection—all obeyed without question.
To have a son like this, Father Zhou felt nothing but immense relief, even pride.
The emperor wanted to destroy the Zhou family, but he had a fine son. He knew the Zhou family would not fall!
Sooner or later, they would rise again!
Zhou Qinghao nodded and said hesitantly, “I don’t know why my martial skills improved either.”
In his previous life, he had died on the battlefield, then been reborn at the start of the war. In between…
“Father, it seems I’ve forgotten some things.” Zhou Qinghao didn’t hide anything from his father.
Father Zhou asked, “Do you feel any discomfort?”
Zhou Qinghao slowly shook his head. “No, not at all.”
“Rebirth is a mysterious thing. If you’ve forgotten some matters, that too is heaven’s will. Let things take their course—when the time comes to remember, you’ll remember naturally.” Father Zhou advised.
Zhou Qinghao nodded, turned his head, and looked at the neighboring yard with worry: “I wonder how long it will take Mother to figure out Jiang Tingting’s background.”
“Your mother won’t be fooled.” Zhou’s father had great confidence in his wife.
In the neighboring yard, Zhou’s mother and the others had finished dinner and cleaned up. When Zhou’s mother was about to sleep, a knock came at the door.
“Mother.” Jiang Tingting called softly.
Zhou’s mother got up in confusion and opened the door: “Tingting, it’s this late, is something wrong?”
“Mother, I have something I need to tell you.” Jiang Tingting said.
“Come in.” Zhou’s mother let Jiang Tingting inside and lit the oil lamp.
On ordinary days, Zhou’s mother was reluctant to light the oil lamp; she usually went to bed once it got dark and saved any chores for after dawn.
Even with the oil lamp now lit, the room remained dim and murky.
Jiang Tingting sat down and asked directly: “Mother, aren’t you curious why I have five taels of silver?”
Zhou’s mother was taken aback. She had been curious, but she hadn’t asked.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Tingting had come forward on her own to explain.
Jiang Tingting didn’t give Zhou’s mother time to guess, but instead dropped another bombshell: “Mother, I know you are the wife of the Marquis of Wu’an, and my husband is the heir to the Marquis of Wu’an.”
Zhou’s mother’s eyes flickered.
Could it be that Jiang Tingting really had been bought off by the court to spy on them?
Jiang Tingting’s identity was without issue, and she had also considered that the court might not trust them.
Rather than sending a stranger to the village, it would be better to buy off a villager to get close to them.
Now it seemed that person should be Jiang Tingting.
But Jiang Tingting was kind-hearted and couldn’t bear to be the court’s lackey, so she had come to confess.
“Mother, do you know how I found out all of this?” Jiang Tingting stared steadily at Zhou’s mother.
Zhou’s mother took a deep breath, but before she could speak, she heard Jiang Tingting say: “It was all told to me by the heir himself.”
Zhou’s mother: “…”
Friendly reminder: The website is about to undergo a redesign, which may cause loss of reading progress. Please save your “bookshelf” and “reading history” in time (screenshots are recommended). We apologize for any inconvenience caused!