"I can't stand it. I just had a son, and he's been taken by another family." Huang Yu cried bitterly. Xiao Heng rubbed her head. "It's my fault. If I hadn't brought him to the market today, he should still be with us. It's all my fault."
Along the way, Xiao Heng also blamed himself. If it weren't for him, his son would still be with them. Huang Yu listened to Xiao Heng's guilty tone. She wiped the tears from her face.
"No one's to blame today. This is Xiao Xun's own fate. Okay, as long as we can see Xiao Xun again, I'm happy." Huang Yu smiled, though there was bitterness in her smile.
"Don't worry, we can meet whenever we want."
Huang Yu held her husband's hand. "I hope Xiao Xun can live a better life in that wealthy family."
"Yes," Xiao Heng replied.
______
In the carriage.
Xiao Xun stared coldly at the street. The butler noticed Xiao Xun's icy expression. Somehow, he felt a shiver run down his spine. He couldn't believe that a poor boy was unhappy when he was about to become a wealthy Young Master.
The butler smiled and said, "From now on, I'll call you Young Master. You don't need to do much at the Chun household. As long as you show affection to Madam, that's enough."
"Um," Xiao Xun replied, but didn't even glance at her. The butler sighed softly. He felt that his Young Master had truly come back to life now. They were truly alike, even in their demeanor.
The butler looked at Xiao Xun. "Young Master, we need to change your clothes. We'll stop at a clothing store for an Old Master."
Xiao Xun nodded his head and said nothing. At first, he was still hesitant to accept the offer. Suddenly, a memory surfaced: seeing a small child crying.
He was also in his father's arms. He was terrified. For a child who had never seen the cruelty of the world, a father who was so protective of him. Even destroying and killing people for the sake of his life's treasure.
Xiao Xun thought about it. If he truly wanted to be with Song Xuan, he had no choice but to become a fake Young Master. At least if he truly got his lover.
He would go out and reveal that he wasn't the real Young Master. However, he could bring Song Xuan happiness.
Xiao Xun muttered Song Xuan's name throughout their journey. Song Xuan, what a beautiful name.
Until the carriage stopped at a clothing store, and the butler announced that they had arrived. Xiao Xun nodded. Then he got out with the butler, and they entered the store.
Because this was the Chun Family's store, they knew the butler very well and welcomed them. Then the shopkeeper saw the person behind the butler and discovered that he looked exactly like their Young Master who had died two years ago.
The shopkeeper immediately widened his eyes and stared at the butler in disbelief. "I know what you're thinking. Madam is getting more and more out of control every day. The Old Master originally wanted to tell Madam that their son is dead. But with her current condition, that's impossible. The best way is to find a replacement for the Young Master. I found one that looks exactly like him. Quickly, choose the best clothes and let the Young Master wear them."
The shopkeeper was a little stunned, but soon recovered and went to find the best quality clothes. He remembered the little man's size and took a few picks for his Young Master.
He handed it to the butler, and Xiao Xun went to the changing room. The butler let Xiao Xun take a shower before changing his clothes. Xiao Xun nodded his head and finally went to the bathroom to clean himself up.
After the shower, he emerged with a perfectly clean face, revealing a very handsome man in the future. The butler nodded his head in satisfaction. Then he helped Xiao Xun put on his clothes and guided him along the way.
Xiao Xun looked at his appearance in the mirror and saw that he suited the outfit. Immediately afterward, the butler helped dry his hair and secured it with a hair tie and silver hairpin.
After finishing, the butler stepped back to examine Xiao Xun's appearance. He truly was a replica of his Young Master. He was overjoyed. He had finally found the perfect match.
Before he helped find the perfect match, he had already sent someone to say that he had finally found the perfect match for the Young Master, and now they were changing their clothes before returning.
The shopkeeper stared in awe at Xiao Xun. With his cold demeanor, he truly resembled their deceased Young Master.
The butler said, "Young Master, let's go back. The family and Lady Chun are probably waiting for us."
Xiao Xun nodded. The butler immediately led Xiao Xun into the carriage, and they returned to the street where the Chun Family was the only one on the property. It turned out that this large piece of land belonged to the Chun Family. They owned houses nearby.
The carriage soon arrived at a huge, ancient mansion. Its gates were taller than two people. As soon as the guard at the front saw the butler's carriage, he immediately opened the door and let the servant in.
As soon as the carriage entered, he walked straight to the main mansion. It turned out that everyone was already gathered there. The Grand Master and Grand Madam were waiting for their arrival.
The butler went out first, and finally, the figure they had been waiting for emerged.
As soon as he stepped onto the ground and raised his head, almost the entire family was shocked and fainted.
This truly resembled the deceased Young Master.
Madame Chun looked at her son. He immediately ran downstairs, and if it hadn't been for Master Chun's support, he would have fallen to the ground. They both went downstairs, and Madam Chun had tears streaming down her face.
"My son is finally back. Come on, don't take the exam anymore. Daddy doesn't want you to study. Don't study in the future. Stay at home." Xiao Xun could hear the pitiful cries of Ger, who was hugging him. He looked at Grand Master Chun, and the man understood and nodded his head.
Xiao Xun patted him on the back. "Daddy, I'm back. I won't study anymore."
Madame Chun lifted her tear-streaked face and immediately smiled. "Good, good."
He held Xiao Xun's face. "Let Daddy hold your face. Look, you've gotten thinner. You must have suffered. Come on, go inside, eat a lot. Then go get some rest. Your journey must have been tiring."
Everyone could see the change in Madam Chun. They couldn't help but sigh. Madam Chun immediately led Xiao Xun to the dining table. All the food was laid out on the table.
Although everyone had already eaten, this was considered a small celebration. They ate for a while. Madam Chun stayed beside Xiao Xun, bringing him food and meat to eat.
Now Xiao Xun's bowl was almost full of meat. He looked up at Madam Chun, "Daddy, can't I eat this much?"
Madam Chun glared, but her eyes were still full of affection. "You're too thin now. The teachers are persecuting you to keep studying. Come on, eat more meat. Starting today, I'll talk to your father. You don't have to study. Your father is too strict."
Grandmaster Chun simply turned his head and nodded. "It's my fault."
Grandmaster Chun snorted, "I said I don't want my son to become a scholar. You keep forcing him."
Some people couldn't help but keep quiet. The Grandmaster raised his hand to silence everyone. He smiled weakly. "Yes, it's my fault. I will listen to my mistress from now on."
Madame Chun, seeing her husband's obedience, smiled broadly. She then looked at Xiao Xun and began to speak. "Xiao Xun, eat a lot. You need to gain weight."
Xiao Xun hadn't expected Madam Chun to address him that way. "Yes, Daddy."
Madam Chun hummed happily. She also ate a bowl of rice. It was so enjoyable.
After lunch, Chun Yanzi stood with his wife. Xiao Xun followed behind them. The two of them escorted Madam Chun to the main courtyard of the Husband and Wife House. Xiao Xun followed at Chun Yanzi's command.
As soon as they arrived in the courtyard, Chun Yanzi called Xiao Xun to his study. Madam Chun heard her husband calling her son. She immediately scolded him.
"Don't you dare force him to study again. I won't let you do that in the future." Madam Chun's eyes were red.
Chun Yanzi nodded. "I won't force him to study anymore. Xiao Xun will stay home all day. I just want to talk as father and son. What makes you so angry? Don't be angry, we just miss each other."
Madam Chun was satisfied with her husband's answer. She soon became a story. In the past, Madam Chun had a strong character, disciplined, cold, and firm. She was a Ger who had grown up in a strict family. So he naturally had that kind of behavior.
But since he lost his son, he's changed drastically. At first, he was quiet, then started laughing, and then he broke things.
Now, his personality is much more cheerful when he looks at his 'fake' son. Chun Yanzi came over and kissed him on the forehead. "Go to sleep!"
"Okay," Madam Chun hummed and went to her room cheerfully. She was very happy with the arrival of her beloved son.
The servants understood the situation in the Chun family. They all kept quiet and immediately praised the Young Master in front of Madam Chun, improving Madam Chun's mood.
She even gave red envelopes to all the servants in her courtyard.
_____
Xiao Xun followed Chun Yanzi to his work yard. He thought Chun Yanzi would lay down some rules for him. But he was actually thinking too much. Chun Yanzi called him over and spoke to him.
Chun Yanzi smiled, "Has the butler spoken to you before?"
Xiao Xun shook his head. "I didn't listen to the details. From the way he looked at you, I know he blames you for forcing your son to study."
Chun Yanzi looked at the little man. He seemed quite adept at reading the situation. He smiled, "It's not me. It's my wife. She comes from a family of scholars, so her entire family is educated. So once she had a son, she was always strict with him. I originally didn't care whether my son graduated or not, as long as he could carry on my work, I would be happy. But my wife kept insisting on a degree. She worked hard, and eventually, her health deteriorated, and she was also stressed out by the pressure from her father. In fact, she should still be alive, but she started refusing to take her medicine and even skipped taking it, so her health worsened and she eventually died."
Xiao Xun looked at Chun Yanzi. "You seem like a good father."
Chun Yanzi shook her head. "I'm not. If I had been stricter back then, Xiao Xun might still be alive today. But you don't have to worry. You just need to pretend to be Xiao Xun and make Madam feel better."
Chun Yanzi continued speaking and asked, "What's your name?"
"I'm Xiao Xun."
Chun Yanzi was a little surprised. They actually called her by her first name. "I heard you're from the Xiao Family in the village."
"Yes, those are my adoptive parents."
"So, who are you?" Chun Yanzi asked. Xiao Xun replied, "My parents were killed by bandits, and then the bandits were killed by a man. I escaped and eventually ended up in that village. Both of them were very kind, and they immediately took me in as their son."
Chun Yanzi looked at him, "You can consider the people here your family. I won't stop you from going out. If you want to go out in the future, I'll let you go. But I hope it's only when Madam's health improves."
Xiao Xun nodded his head. "Don't worry. I'll definitely go out and live my life in the future."
Chun Yanzi stared at Xiao Xun's stubborn attitude, somehow feeling as if her son had come back to life. Chun Yanzi nodded his head. Then a small head popped out. As soon as Chun Yanzi saw it, she smiled.
"Yi Er, come here." Chun Yanzi smiled.
The little ger was like a doll, walking towards Chun Yanzi. As soon as he saw Xiao Xun, he stared in awe. "Father, this is..."
Chun Yanzi smiled, "This is Yi Er Gege, who's been away in the capital for a long time. He's back, and now he's here. Come greet Gege."
Chun Meiyi stood up, waddling her chubby legs, and plopped down on Xiao Xun's lap. She smiled so wide that her eyes narrowed.
"Gege..."
Xiao Xun stared at the living little doll and pinched its steamed bun-like face. "Yes."
The chubby little doll immediately giggled and hugged Xiao Xun. "Gege..."
Chun Yanzi looked at the two of them. She smiled slightly. This was how their family was supposed to be. But seeing this good thing made her feel much better.