Nan Shu Cheng furrowed his eyebrows when he heard his son's impoliteness. His eyes turned sharp. "Is this how you treat your father, Nan Luo?"
"I have no intention to acknowledge a man who couldn't keep his pants for a whore as my father." Nan Luo smiled mirthlessly.
Nan Shu Cheng nearly vomited blood when he heard how Nan Luo addressed him. It was the same as saying that he was a man without integrity.
By his side, Concubine Qu's expression was not any better. She was thinking for a method to make sure that they would want to return under her order and yet they were attacking her and their own father the moment they see them.
Why did this brat even slandered her the moment she came?
"You…"
"Husband, please be patience."
"Right." Nan Shu Cheng took a deep breath. He looked at the two children in front of him. "Father is not here, so it wouldn't be good for you two to stay here. Why don't you return to my place?"
Nan Luo sneered. "What makes it not good? Even without Grandpa, there are enough servants to take care of us."
"Servants are different from your mother…."
"Concubine Qu is not our mother," Nan Hua interrupted. "Do you really think that this woman will take care of us, Mr. Nan?"
Nan Shu Cheng's heart faltered when he saw Nan Hua's indifferent look. The same look that she had given to him in the past. He thought that without his father here, he would be able to deal with the two children easily. Who would have thought that they would be so adamant and ignorant?
That hateful gaze… only reminded him of his annoying wife.
He gritted his teeth. "Do you really think that I wouldn't be able to force you to return?"
Nan Hua tilted her head and her expression deepened. There was an eerie gaze within her eyes when she looked at the two of them, sending chills down their spine even from a gaze. "Would you like to try whether you'll be kicked out by the servants or you managed to pull me back to the residence?"
"You…"
"The court is too busy lately with the matters of rebellions. Who would pay attention to your trivial matter?" Nan Hua looked at Nan Shu Cheng and said in a low tone.
Since the rebellions and war had been raging on, the other matters were not discussed as much in the court. How could he possibly bring up the matter of bringing his children back from their grandfather's residence without alerting them and made them mock him?
Even now, some of his friends had already pointed out that his children were not in his residence and mocked him. It made him a bit desperate. However, he knew very well that within Nan Family Residence, he couldn't possibly force these two to follow him.
The sheer number of soldiers here was already enough to deter him.
"Be good, Nan Hua, Nan Luo. What good would it be for your reputation if you stay here and not follow your father and mother's words?" Nan Shu Cheng asked while maintaining his breath. He was annoyed and angry, but he couldn't lash out.
Not when there was a soldier watching his movement from nearby.
"Our mother had died," Nan Hua looked at Nan Shu Cheng. "We'll never acknowledge another woman as our mother."
"You…"
"Shu Cheng, forget it." Concubine Qu looked pitiful as she tugged Nan Shu Cheng's sleeve. Right now, she was the perfect picture of a bullied woman who was also very weak. It could easily invoke one's sense of pity to protect her.
"They've just lost their birth mother. I know that I can't be compared to their real mother, so you shouldn't force them."
"Nonsense! You're my wife, so of course they had to acknowledge you!"
Concubine Qu smiled faintly at her husband's words. She knew very well that it was very easy to affect Nan Shu Cheng's emotion as long as she used the correct words to coax him. Right now, it was proven to be true.
"But…"
"Nan Hua, Nan Luo! She's your mother, understand?"
Nan Luo snorted. He crossed his arms as if saying, 'Make me.' His defiance stance only made Nan Shu Cheng even angrier. In the past, Nan Luo was a very obedient child who would follow whatever he asked him to do.
But now, Nan Luo was standing on the opposite side of him. It was as if no matter what he said, Nan Luo would counter it.
On the other hand, Nan Hua didn't even have any reaction. She was merely staring at the two people in front of her with an indifferent gaze. The coldness within her dark obsidian eyes were apparent.
Concubine Qu turned to look at the two children and walked towards Nan Hua. She crouched slightly. "If you return, your mother's residence will be yours. Have you forgotten what you usually do there? How is it, Nan Hua? Would you like to return?"
Nan Luo nearly sprang into rage if not for Nan Hua tugging his sleeve. He knew very well that the residence where they stayed back then was nothing more than a small residence that was not befitting of their status. Back then, their mother tolerated their father and stayed there.
But who knew how much his mother and sister had to suffer there while he enjoyed the status of the first son and had a much better residence?
Nan Luo couldn't imagine it. if not for him coincidentally returned to see them, he would have never stumbled upon that scene and found out the bitter truth. It was also from then he realized that his sister had closed her heart up.
Just like that of a frozen glacier.
Nothing could thaw the thick ice wall around her.
Nan Hua looked at Concubine Qu.. She then turned to look at Nan Shu Cheng. "Is that really the only thing you have to say?"