Chapter 495: I Have Been Working Hard for This Responsibility

Chapter 495: I Have Been Working Hard for This Responsibility

Seeing this, He Zhiran didn’t think much of it, as Lan'er had always been diligent and perceptive, so it was only natural that she took good care of her elder brother.

She hadn’t really noticed the details.

Now, after listening to the conversation between her mother and brother, He Zhiran suddenly had an enlightening moment.

Initially, she preferred not to have people serve her closely, so Lan'er and Yu'er would only enter her room when summoned. Maybe out of concern that Mo Jiuya might change his mind, they would both avoid him whenever he appeared.

Regardless of how perceptive Lan'er was, her usual dignified demeanor and educated manner meant, in He Zhiran’s eyes—someone who held the belief in equality—there was nothing about Lan'er that didn’t match her elder brother.

A marriage based on mutual consent meant that the two people had compatible personalities, and such a marriage would definitely be better than one arranged by their parents.

Her elder brother had finally escaped the clutches of Lady Jade, and she genuinely hoped he could find happiness for the rest of his life.

“Ran Ran, do you also think your elder brother and Lan'er are a good match?” Mrs. He was now beginning to waver in her heart.

“Mother, if Elder Brother likes her, I don’t see any problem with it. Lan'er is thoughtful and handles people and situations more thoughtfully and considerately than those young ladies from noble families in the Imperial City. Though she’s just a maid to the Fourth Princess, her knowledge and insight would make her an excellent matriarch.”

He Zhiran wasn’t exaggerating. Lan'er had been with the Mo Family for a considerable time, and no one understood her nature better than He Zhiran.

He Ziming, seeing his younger sister speak up for him, immediately gained courage.

He stood up and solemnly knelt before Mrs. He.

“Mother, I have been taught by my father since I was young, witnessing all the deceit and trickery in the officialdom. I always believed you and Father wanted me to achieve academic success and bring honor to the He family.

For this responsibility, I have been working hard.

But what I truly want in life, you and Father have never known.

Since coming to the Northwest and seeing how the Mo Family lives a simple, self-sufficient life, I’ve grown to envy it.

Here, there’s no scheming or deceit—just the simplicity and diligence of the people.

Mother, I want to seek your permission to stay in the Northwest and open a medical clinic to heal the sick and live a peaceful life for the rest of my days.”

After finishing his words, He Ziming kowtowed three times heavily in front of Mrs. He and then looked up at her reaction.

He Ziming’s words indeed shocked Mrs. He; she had never known her son harbored such thoughts.

If she hadn’t come to the Northwest, she might never have understood He Ziming’s feelings. But now that she’s here, she’s also grown reluctant to leave.

Mrs. He didn’t immediately ask He Ziming to stand but instead scrutinized him solemnly.

He Zhiran hadn’t expected her elder brother to have such thoughts either. After all, from what the previous incarnation remembered, he was always diligent, studious, and obedient to Father.

He Ziming had long passed the age of youthful rebellion, and his usual composure and steadiness made He Zhiran absolutely believe that he was speaking from the heart.

Although she understood her elder brother’s feelings, she didn’t speak up to help at that moment.

Being from a well-to-do family, Mrs. He had many deeply ingrained beliefs.

It would be impossible to change her mind immediately; she would need time to sort things out on her own.

As a daughter, she didn’t want to pressure her mother and knew she needed time to think things through.

Mrs. He was indeed deep in thought, but she had not reached the point of being completely unable to accept these ideas.

She couldn’t quite figure it out herself, but if it were in the past, hearing He Ziming say such things, she would have considered him lacking ambition.

Now, however, she didn’t seem to reject her son’s words. In fact, she felt a strong urge to stay with him.

After a few minutes, He Ziming was still kneeling, with Mrs. He staring at him in deep thought, while He Zhiran stood behind her.

Lan'er came out of the kitchen with the washed grapes and saw the scene unfold.

He Zhiran understood Lan'er’s thoughts. Lan'er was utterly loyal to the Fourth Princess and only wished to see her mistress avenge her enemies. Besides, this girl was stubborn. If she refused to stay with He Ziming, wouldn’t that create an awkward situation between her mother and brother?

"Ahem... Mother, Brother is a grown man now. Even if he’s done something wrong, you can’t treat him like a kid and make him kneel as punishment!"

Mrs. He quickly put on a stern face. "I’ll forgive you this time. Get up!"

He Ziming stood up, dusting off his clothes, while keeping his head lowered.

Lan'er, not knowing what had happened, thought He Ziming had upset Mrs. He. She quickly brought over the washed grapes.

"Mrs. He, He Ziming, Ninth Madam, these grapes were picked by Yu'er and me from the mountain. Please try them."

After speaking, she placed the tray on the stone table and took another tray of grapes to the main house for the women watching the children.

After Lan'er left, He Zhiran pulled He Ziming to sit on either side of Mrs. He.

"Mother, life is short, and if possible, everyone wants to live in a way they like. It’s not just Brother; I feel the same way too.

Back in the Imperial City, I spent my days reading in the inner courtyard and never considered what kind of life I wanted. I thought I would be like you, marrying and then spending my days educating children and supporting my husband.

Since we were exiled with the Mo family, I’ve encountered more people and experiences. We live a life where we have to work for our own food and clothing. Though it’s tougher, it feels more fulfilling.

Especially here in the Northwest, through our own efforts, we’ve acquired land, reclaimed wasteland, and built homes...

I’ve realized that this is the kind of life I love. I prefer this fulfilling life over the mundane rules of the Imperial City."

Mrs. He listened carefully to her daughter’s story, and she felt a sudden clarity in her heart.

"Mother has been struggling recently and doesn’t want to return to the Imperial City.

Part of it is because I can’t bear to leave you and Zhuer, but more importantly, I like the life here."

In the Imperial City, Minister He had to go to court early every morning, and she had to get up at the same time. Although her husband often told her to sleep longer, she didn’t agree because it was a rule that had been followed since ancient times.

If a husband got up and his wife was still in bed, people would gossip, and even the servants would mock her behind her back.

Fortunately, Minister He had no elders left, so she didn’t need to greet anyone every morning and evening. There were also no concubines to cause trouble for her as the main wife.

Many noblewomen in the Imperial City envied Mrs. He’s life.