Chapter 140 Heir Xie Can Now Touch Women

Chapter 140: Heir Xie Can Finally Touch Women

Ji Yuntang ran her hand through his hair, a bright smile on her lips. "Alright, it's settled then."

For the first time, she had someone she wanted to rely on.

This was also the first time someone had said they would protect her.

*

Duke of Rong's Mansion.

Xie Liuzheng swaggered in, a smirk curling at the corner of his mouth. The moment he stepped through the doorway, an orange flew straight at his face.

At the same time, a furious roar from a man rang out, "You little brat! How dare you show your face? Why didn't you bring your lover boy back with you?"

Xie Liuzheng raised his hand, fingers with prominent knuckles, and caught the incoming orange. He peeled a segment, tossed it into his mouth, and grinned cheekily.

"Father, calm down. You're getting on in years—getting angry too often isn't good for your health."

Duchess Rong, née Cai, chimed in beside him, "Indeed, my lord. You know Zheng'er's temperament better than anyone. We've watched him grow up—how could he possibly fall for a man?"

"These rumors from outside can't be trusted!"

Xie Jinrong snorted, his face dark with rage. "Precisely because we've watched him grow up, I know him best! That little rascal can't go a day without stirring up trouble. Visiting brothels is one thing, but holding a man's hand and eloping in broad daylight? With so many witnesses, where am I supposed to hide my face?"

"That old fox Ji Nanchuan must be laughing his head off by now. Just thinking about his smug expression makes my blood boil."

Initially, when the news broke, Xie Jinrong didn't believe it.

But then he thought of Xie Liuzheng's peculiar constitution, and a sliver of doubt crept into his mind.

For years, Xie Liuzheng couldn't touch women—the moment he did, he'd feel sick, or worse, he'd vomit all over them.

Over time, no woman dared to get close to him.

To outsiders, it seemed Xie Liuzheng was hard to get along with and had no interest in women.

In truth, he wanted to, but couldn't.

This wasn't exactly something to be proud of, so Xie Jinrong ordered the Rongguo estate to keep it under wraps and not let it spread.

Even so, Xie Liuzheng's marital prospects had been a constant worry.

His household didn't even have a chambermaid, let alone a wife.

Duke Rong had worried himself gray over him, but to no avail.

Today, upon hearing that Xie Liuzheng had eloped with a man, he nearly fainted from rage.

The Dukes of Rong had been a prestigious family for a century, but the family line was sparse.

By Xie Jinrong's generation, Xie Liuzheng was his only son.

He absolutely couldn't accept him bringing home a male spouse.

If that happened, he'd never be able to hold his head up at court.

Xie Jinrong's anger had somewhat subsided, and he mulled over the matter. That little brat's marriage had to be put on the agenda.

Now Xie Liuzheng couldn't touch other women, but maybe if he married one and spent time with her, he'd eventually get over his revulsion?

With that thought, Xie Jinrong picked up his teacup, took a sip, and demanded, "When do you plan to bring back a legitimate wife? Ministers my age already have grandsons reciting the Three Character Classic."

"Our Rongguo estate can't go without a madam forever. Your mother and I are getting older, and running the household is getting to be too much. And you're not ambitious. I've decided—we need a proper heir's wife for this estate."

Xie Liuzheng could see where this was going. This was the ninety-ninth time this year his father had brought up the topic of marriage. His ears were practically calloused from hearing it.

He raised an eyebrow, still as carefree as ever, and said, "Dad, isn't having a son better than having a grandson? How about you and Mom put in a little more effort and give me a little brother?"

At that, Xie Jinrong spat out the tea in his mouth.

It sprayed all over Xie Liuzheng's face.

"Outrageous!" he bellowed. "Is this how I taught you? Have you no shame? How dare you utter such nonsense?"

Xie Liuzheng wiped the tea off his face and retorted without missing a beat, "What's shameful about it? The Emperor is fifty-five and still fathered the Seventeenth Prince. You're a few years younger than him—why can't you give me a little brother?"

"Besides, Mom's health is excellent. The two of you just need to put in some effort!"

At this, a faint blush crept onto Duchess Cai's cheeks. She shot Xie Liuzheng an annoyed look that was clearly put on.

Clearly, she was long accustomed to the banter between her son and husband.

The father and son were like a pair of bickering friends—missing each other when apart, but arguing the moment they met.

Yet when serious matters arose, they stood up for each other without hesitation.

As for Xie Liuzheng's remarks, Duchess Cai had entertained the thought before.

But the Rongguo family had always had thin lines. She and Xie Jinrong had known each other since childhood, and after he wed her, he never took a concubine.

Outsiders envied their harmonious marriage, and truly, it was so. After twenty-five years of marriage, Duchess Cai and Duke Rong were still as loving as ever.

The only regret was that she couldn't have another child after Xie Liuzheng.

Despite their nightly efforts and the best medicinal tonics, they never succeeded in having another child.

So the couple could only look forward to an early grandchild.

Hearing Xie Liuzheng's words now, Duchess Cai let out a resigned sigh.

She asked softly, "Zheng'er, with so many eligible girls in the capital, is there really no one you like?"

Xie Liuzheng's mind immediately conjured up a bright, delicate face—a girl in a red dress, hands on her hips, chin lifted, laughing brightly.

He shook his head, a hint of annoyance in his eyes.

Damn it, why did Luo Qingge come to mind?

That woman was fierce and unreasonable—he definitely didn't like her!

Xie Liuzheng shook his head without hesitation. "No one. I don't like anyone."

"Then where did today's rumors come from? You're not actually into men and planning to bring home a husband, are you?"

"Let me tell you, don't even think about it! If you dare bring a man home, I'll break your legs!" Xie Jinrong roared furiously.

Xie Jinrong felt that with Xie Liuzheng's unreliable nature, he really might bring a man home.

The thought of some other man sweetly calling him "father-in-law" made Xie Jinrong's skin crawl.

If that day ever came, wouldn't the Rongguo Duke's Mansion become the laughingstock of the entire capital?

He grimaced, slapped his thigh, and said, "A family calamity, a family calamity!"

Xie Liuzheng was speechless. Could his father be a drama queen?

"Dad, even though I can't touch women, I don't like men either, okay?"

"No, wait, now I can touch women."

Upon hearing this, Lady Cai's eyes lit up. "Zheng'er, is that true?"

"Which girl is it? I'll prepare the betrothal gifts and go propose for you!"

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