Chapter 112 Difficulty

Words : 1393 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 112: Chapter 112 DifficultyThe matters concerning Duke Chong’s Mansion were heard by Xie Jingchen from Duke Zhen. Three years ago, Old Duke Chong was poisoned, becoming paralyzed, which deeply saddened Duke Zhen. What he regretted the most was the untimely death of Duke Chong’s heir in those days. Old Duke Chong never believed that his most beloved son and grandson were killed successively. The corpse of his eldest son was brought back from the battlefield; he couldn’t accept it, yet had to. However, his young grandson fell off a cliff, leaving only a few fragments of cloth and bones, which Old Duke Chong refused to believe. Thus, for so many years, he didn’t appoint another heir until he was poisoned three years ago, unable to move or speak. The Empress Dowager intervened, allowing the second son to inherit the title, who is the current Duke Chong. At this point, a few more words must be said. The current Empress Dowager and Old Duke Chong are cousins, and Duke Chong was born to a concubine turned legitimate wife. Old Duke Chong was heroic all his life, daring and responsible, yet bedridden with illness and heartbroken, further embarrassed by his son’s manipulation. Perhaps out of anger, Old Duke Chong did not side with Duke Chong, instead asking the Emperor not to pursue the matter further. Duke Chong escorted the Emperor away. The Emperor noticed he looked well and said, "Since Duke Chong is recovering well, you should return to court soon, as I need your assistance in solving troubles." Duke Chong nodded and said, "Thanks to the Emperor’s concern, I shall return to court in a few days." The Emperor took the time to visit, partly out of respect for Old Duke Chong and also to show face to the Empress Dowager and Duke Chong. Though penalized with half a day’s kneeling, the Emperor felt the trip was worthwhile. His gaze then swept over Su Chong, unabashedly resembling his father, Marquis Dongxiang, as they were both fearless. Sitting in the Imperial Chariot, Su Chong mounted his horse. When the Heir of Duke Chong saw this, his gaze turned cold, "Isn’t Mr. Su supposed to stay overnight at Duke Chong’s Mansion?" Su Chong tightened the reins and laughed, "No need, the doors of Duke Chong’s Mansion are open for my visit anytime. If you’re free, feel free to visit Dongxiang Marquis Mansion for a cup of tea." The Heir of Duke Chong’s face turned icy, his fists clenched, bones cracking. Su Chong chuckled and said to Xie Jingchen, "Brother-in-law, I’ll head out first." Xie Jingchen nodded lightly. Su Chong tightened the reins, clamped the horse, and galloped away. Eunuch Fu held his forehead. Both father and son are so casual and unrestrained. The Emperor hadn’t even left yet, and he was already the first to leave. Thankfully, the Emperor is magnanimous and won’t fuss like a petty bandit, but this demeanor might make marrying difficult. Thinking of this— Eunuch Fu grew frustrated. Why should he worry so much? The man’s father threatened him, resulting in a half-year cut in imperial stipend; he had no business concerning himself with someone else’s lifelong matters. Even daughters can go out and snatch husbands; can’t the son find a wife? Such pointless concern for others’ business. After the Emperor left, Xie Jingchen helped Su Jin into the carriage, and they slowly departed. Duke Chong’s face was long, with a chill seeping out from him. Initially, he intended to use Old Duke Chong to pressure the Emperor to severely punish Marquis Dongxiang. However, not only did it fail, but he was also impeached by Su Chong for being unfilial. Old Duke Chong stated that the Emperor should not pursue matters with Marquis Dongxiang, and given the Emperor’s attitude towards Marquis Dongxiang, this matter would inevitably be left unresolved. He couldn’t swallow this bitterness. Killing intent flared within Duke Chong’s eyes. Su Chong rode directly back to Dongxiang Marquis Mansion. After dismounting, he headed straight inside. First to greet him was Little Black, which he ignored. Next was Su Yang calling out to him, but Su Chong ignored him too. The Young Master Su stood on a tree big enough for two people to embrace, arms around the trunk, his little face full of frustration. He climbed up and couldn’t get down. His throat was hoarse from shouting, and the maids and servants passing by refused to help. Certainly, bringing a ladder wouldn’t kill them? If they didn’t help, fine, but they made snide remarks. "Ah, Young Master, you’re amazing climbing so high, come down for dinner," a maid said. "If you can climb up, you can surely climb down; today’s meal is good," a servant belched. "I believe my son wouldn’t do something unwise; if you don’t come down soon, lunch won’t wait for you," Mrs. Tang relayed through a maid. "...." If he could get down, he wouldn’t be asking them for help. Longing and yearning, finally, his elder brother returned, but he too ignored him. Little Black barked at him from below. Little Black was bored without its only companion, who was stuck on the tree. It wished to climb up, but couldn’t. "Little Black, I’m so hungry," Young Master Su mumbled in distress. Truly speaking, father was the better one. Though father wouldn’t help him, at least he brought him food. With father sending grain and grass to the border, there was now nobody to bring him food. Inside, the maid was setting the table, while Mrs. Tang sat on a small couch embroidering. Seeing Su Chong enter, the maid gleefully said, "Madam, the young master has returned." Mrs. Tang looked over, scanning Su Chong from head to toe, and smiled, "You returned quickly, come eat." Su Chong said, "Mother, aren’t you at all concerned I’d be beaten up?" "Your sister was bold enough to storm into Duke Zhen’s Mansion with Xingxing; if you couldn’t return from Duke Chong’s Mansion, your father wouldn’t seek revenge for you," Mrs. Tang chuckled. "...." Su Chong was left speechless. Their parents were blindly confident, though indeed he hadn’t worried about not returning from Duke Chong’s Mansion. Su Chong washed his hands and sat down, "Mother, can you now tell me why you wanted me to apologize to Old Duke Chong on behalf of father?" "You visited Old Duke Chong, didn’t encounter the Emperor?" Mrs. Tang asked. "...." "Even the Emperor’s visit to Old Duke Chong is known by mother?" Su Chong was astonished. "This is the Capital City, not as straightforward as Qingyun Mountain in words or deeds. Noble families, including the Emperor, if you understand their tendencies, you can predict their actions, if not with complete certainty, then at least nearly. In future matters, think more before acting, you’ll progress with half the effort," Mrs. Tang said as she placed food on Su Chong’s plate. "By apologizing to Old Duke Chong in front of the Emperor, you saved your father from visiting when he returns to the Capital," said Mrs. Tang. "...." Mother, aside from father and sister, can’t you occasionally consider me and my younger brother too? Thinking of his brother still up in the tree, Su Chong let it slide. Back in the day, he faced the same. Facing difficulties, he had to overcome them himself. If there weren’t any, create some to overcome. He never knew when and where parents dug a pit for him. Watching Su Yang bounce around all day, Su Chong saw the shadow of his younger self. However, he was luckier, for he lived freely on Qingyun Mountain, whereas here in the Capital City, Su Yang was confined within the small Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, unable to cause much trouble. Mrs. Tang asked Su Chong about his visit to Duke Chong’s Mansion while they dined. Su Chong answered each question. Upon hearing that Duchess of Chong invited him to visit frequently, Mrs. Tang paused briefly before smiling, "Though Old Duke Chong is a good man, Duke Chong’s Mansion today is not the same as it used to be. Unless necessary, visit less." "Mother knows Duke Chong’s Mansion from before?" Su Chong asked curiously. "Why wouldn’t I know? Since your father dares to oppose Duke Chong, he’s thoroughly familiar with the past generations of Duke Chong’s Mansion, which is true knowledge of your adversary," Mrs. Tang laughed.

Chapter 112 Difficulty

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