Chapter 749: Chapter 748: 748: Lingnan's Encounter

Wei Zangxiang’s tears fell onto the paper, “Have you decided that the Prince of Zhao is going to lose? If so, why put yourself through this? Is it because the Prince of Zhao brought you back from Lingnan? Thirteen, are you so desperate for wealth and pleasure that you side against your benefactor, Ning’er?”

Wenren Zong wiped away his mother’s tears and gently said, “Mother, you should know that your son is not a person who cannot endure hardship or indulges in luxury.”

“What exactly are you trying to achieve by helping the Prince of Zhao?” Wei Zangxiang couldn’t understand no matter how hard she tried, she wept, “I’d rather see you suffer in Lingnan than to see you act like this!”

Wenren Zong remained silent.

Wei Zangxiang sighed, “Do you know that Ning’er came to see me several times? Every time, she said she would vindicate the Wenren Family and fetch you from Lingnan when she was capable enough. She always told you to hang on in Lingnan, that survival was the only way to hold onto hope of return. But what about you?”

She stood up, pointing at the surroundings, “Look at this house, all arranged by Ning’er. Look at this furniture, also bought by Ning’er. She truly cares for you, for our family… you are not only ungrateful, but also confront her. Tell me why! If you can’t give a good explanation, I will not tolerate it!”

Looking at his mother’s determination, Wenren Zong sighed deeply.

“Mother, please sit down.” He said softly, “Let me tell you what I experienced in Lingnan.”

“Speak. I’m listening!”

“Not long after I arrived in Lingnan, I fell ill due to overwork and inability to adapt. Being a criminal in exile, I could not expect to rest or get treated.” Wenren Zong’s tone was calm, like he was recounting someone else’s story, “However, I met a local girl who saved me with her herbal medicine.”

Wei Zangxiang looked up, “You and that girl…”

Wenren Zong shook his head, “Nothing happened between us. I knew my status and I wouldn’t drag others down. But she was very good to me. I knew she loved me, and she wanted me to marry her. After I explained everything to her, she gave up that idea, but did not alienate me. She treated me like a brother, and took good care of me. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have made it through in Lingnan.”

“That sounds good.”

“If it continued like that, perhaps, one day, I might have survived until the day the Wenren Family was pardoned.” Wenren Zong’s eyes became a little unfocused, “Then, a local bandit took a fancy to Linghua, ah, Linghua was the name of that girl. Linghua refused to submit, angering the bandit. In front of Linghua, he murdered her entire family.”

Wei Zangxiang shuddered.

She was reminded of the past of the Wenren Family.

“I rushed over upon hearing the news, but it was too late. The bandits were overwhelming, and they also captured me.” Wenren Zong gave a bitter smile, “Somehow, the bandits came to know that Linghua had always loved me. They thought Linghua refused to marry because of me.”

“The bandits wanted to kill you?”

“They couldn’t kill me. Apparently, someone was there to save my life.” Wenren Zong said quietly, “I don’t know whether it was the Crown Prince or the Princess Consort. But they were in Chang’an, far from Lingnan, so they could not control everything. The local officials only cared if I was alive, they wouldn’t interfere with bandit matters.”