Chapter 358 If I Could Choose

Chapter 358 If I Could Choose

Her eagerness was overwhelming.

Hegen was completely stunned when he heard this.

"No way, no way! How could you!"

"I’m your father!"

"Pandi, you’re being unfilial, you wretch! You can’t do this!"

No one even acknowledged him.

Hegen realized she was serious and finally panicked, losing all composure.

"Pandi, Father knows he was wrong. He shouldn’t have abandoned you."

"There’s no lasting grudge between father and daughter. From now on, Father will cherish you and treat you like a son."

"Hurry, tell them to let me go! I don’t want to go to the yamen!"

Xiner covered her ears and told the maid, "How can you be so clueless? Hurry up and gag him—his shouting is driving me crazy."

"I’m such a filial daughter—hearing him beg like that is just too much~"

"So if you gag him, I won’t have to hear it, and I won’t feel bad."

She batted her sparkling eyes and asked the maid, "Aren’t I just the most filial? And so clever too?"

The maid stifled a smirk and replied, "The county lady’s filial piety moves heaven itself."

Hegen, now gagged, could only mumble, "Mmm mmm mmm!"

Xiner reassured him, "Don’t worry—when it’s time for your execution, I’ll come see you again."

"As your child, I should remember how you look when you die, so I can reminisce about it now and then."

To reminisce—or to savor?

Can’t say, can’t say.

Hegen kept mumbling, the muffled sounds fading as he was dragged further away.

Yuan Mouren remained kneeling, too scared to stand. Xiner smiled, "What’s this, Elder Yuan? Trying to make me look like a bad host—or some kind of tyrant?"

At that, the man didn’t dare kneel any longer and scrambled to his feet.

Xiner lectured, "I miss my birth father dearly and want to be filial to him forever, but even that can’t outweigh the laws of the state."

"So, my loyalty and patriotism are truly commendable, don’t you think?"

The man wiped his brow, forcing a smile, "Yes, yes, of course."

Xiner rolled her eyes, "Your sleeve wipes tears and sweat—such a versatile fabric. Not a single thread wasted."

He froze mid-wipe, not daring to say a word in response.

Xiner plucked a grape and popped it into her mouth, the sweet-tart juice bursting on her tongue.

Every flavor was so intense it was suffocating, much like the weight of her years.

She sent the man back.

"Your intentions were good, but your actions were misguided. I will show my gratitude properly, beginning with an investigation into the Yuan family."

"An early death leads to an early rebirth, doesn't it? So, thank me quickly."

The man forced a smile, his voice choked with tears: "Thank you... thank you, County Mistress."

When he returned home, his despondent demeanor worried his wife.

The man muttered to himself: "It's over, everything is over now."

Xiner turned and headed to the yamen, where she was led to the cell holding Hegen.

When Hegen saw her, his eyes lit up, and he scrambled to the bars.

"Pandi, have you come to save your father? Have you forgiven me?"

"Let me out, and I'll stay with you from now on, be a good father. I won't need your support anymore, just give me a meal."

He extended his palms and added: "Just a meal might not be enough; give me one tael of silver each month to spend."

"I heard you receive a stipend from the court. I don't want much, just one tael."

Once in the cell, Hegen realized the true power of the County Mistress and immediately became humble.

But his greed was still evident.

For Xiner, one tael of silver was insignificant, but his attitude was repulsive.

She would rather donate it to charity or give it to the needy than spend it on him.

Why... Why is her Mother gone, while this person still lives on in this world?

She tilted her head slightly and asked: "The court's stipend? Do you really want it? Are you envious? Do you know how it came to be?"

"It was my Mother, who sacrificed her life to save the Crown Prince, that earned it!"

She pointed at herself, her arm shaking.

"It was because they saw me alone in this world, without a father or mother, and took pity on me, that they bestowed it upon me!"

"If I had a choice, I would rather remain a commoner forever and have my Mother back!"

Her voice softened, her breath faltered, and she murmured: "But I have no choice, I can't."

"I should hate her, but I can't; she's all I have. I hope she lives a long life, staying with me for years to come. I can't bear to lose another family member."

"Oh, you don't qualify as my family."