After the zombies traveled through time, they were tricked by the villain into becoming a stepmother

"I know."

Wu Zhongzhao answered as a matter of course.

"Then why is no one in charge?"

Lin Youan didn't understand. Even the country folk knew that family disgrace should not be made public. If someone in a family abused their children, others would criticize them. Why didn't the nobles in the capital care so much?

"Why bother?"

Wu Zhongzhao sighed, lifted the curtain and looked outside out of habit. After making sure that there was no one else, he turned back and looked at Lin Youan with extreme caution.

If it weren't for the fact that he and I had a life-and-death relationship, there are some things that I really shouldn't say directly. But I have to say it, for fear that one day my brother will be tricked by others and fall into a pit and die!

"Youan, although I am not as good at studying as you, the education and perspective I received since childhood are completely different from yours. Listen to what I am going to say next, and then analyze it yourself. In the future, if there is anything you should or shouldn't say, try to think it over several times in your mind before you say it."

It was rare for the other party to look so serious and solemn, and Lin Youan couldn't help but sit up straight and nodded in response.

"Please teach me, brother."

“It’s not really an education, I’m just telling you some of the inside story.

In fact, people in our circle used to ignore Pei Dingyang, no matter they were from noble families or upright families, even though he was the legitimate son of Prince Ding.

At that time, I didn't quite understand why the legitimate son of Prince Ding's Mansion was not valuable. Later, my father mentioned it to me a few times.

Because when Prince Ding married Princess Ding, the late emperor did not agree at first. But he could not resist the fact that his beloved son was trying to commit suicide, so he finally agreed in a fit of anger. But at the same time, he also granted the marriage to Zheng's daughter as the concubine who managed the household.

To put it bluntly, the late emperor looked down on Pei Dingyang's mother. The Princess Ding that the family preferred was originally a noble lady of the Zheng family. In order to save the Zheng family's face, they created a situation where the concubine was welcomed into the house with the etiquette of the main wife.

I guess even the late emperor never thought that the Princess Ding, who was born as a peasant girl from the countryside, could survive for so many years with her child under the control of the Zheng family girl. "

These words were spoken in a very low voice, but Lin Youan's eyes widened instantly.

"...So Pei Dingyang was the one who was allowed to give up from the very beginning?"

"That's about right. You probably don't know that his elder brother Pei Haoyang has been with the legitimate son of Prince Kang since he was a child. He is recognized by everyone as the future prince of Prince Ding."

"Well, didn't the Master say that the most important thing for these wealthy families to do is to abide by the rules of hierarchy between legitimate and illegitimate children?"

Lin Youan felt that the education he had received since childhood was challenged at this moment.

Wu Zhongzhao looked at the poor little bumpkin and patted his shoulder with his fat paw with great brotherly love. Then he put on the earnest expression that his father often put on his face and sighed.

"Rules are made by people. The place with the strictest rules in the world is the royal family. But the same is true in reverse. The place with the least rules in the world is the royal family."

Wu Xiaopang's words were from the bottom of his heart. It was because his father Wu Dapang was not around, or else he would have given his filial son a good beating.

I have worked so hard to sum up my life experience and teach you, do I want you to just pass it on to others so easily?

Although it is true that you are the only one left in our family after all the children died, but I am not tired of living yet and I don’t want to live in fear under your mouth that can open at any time.

"So you understand?"

"Maybe."

Lin Youan nodded, and couldn't help but feel a little sad for Ye Xiaoer who had a sour face every day. No wonder he was unhappy all day long. With such a hard life, no one would be happy!

"This is actually unfair to Pei Dingyang, isn't it? It's obviously not his fault, why should he have to bear the consequences?"

Yes, why?!

The people who were in confrontation in the palace were so eager to roll up their sleeves, pinch their waists, bang the table and curse while discussing this issue.

"Pei Dingyang actually dared to bring thieves to our house, and he was so cruel to hurt his own father and mother. He is really treasonous and unfilial! Your Majesty, please punish him severely to correct the atmosphere.

If we just pick it up high and then put it down lightly, I don't know how many children will follow suit and do unfilial and unfraternal things like this bad boy. Wouldn't that disrupt the order of heaven and earth?"

The Minister of Rites Zheng Kecheng opened his mouth and threw out a big hat, which slammed poor Ye Xiaoer under it.

This man is Zheng Nianwei’s biological father and the uncle of the third prince, Prince Kang Pei Changyu.

"Master Zheng, what are you saying? I, Old Wu, can't stand it any longer! You are a civil servant, why are you talking nonsense?

What do you mean by bringing a thief to your door? Who is the thief? I, Old Wu, am obviously a very good person!"

Duke Wu's reaction was definitely not slow. If you were to talk about playing tricks, he might not be able to beat these civil servants who were so timid that they wanted to grow eighteen holes in their hearts. But if you were to talk about playing tricks, those were all inherited skills, the ability to keep the family!

He has risen from a soldier to a Duke, what kind of skin can't he get? He can still force himself to do something even if it's unreasonable, not to mention that he is right this time!

"I told you when I came in just now that my son was kidnapped by a beggar. By coincidence, he ran into Pei Dingyang, the legitimate son of Prince Ding, who was also kidnapped by someone.

Then, by chance, these two guys were lucky enough to be rescued by someone. Was that why they were kindly escorted back to the capital?

Well, you say, Old Wu, I’m not that kind of person who doesn’t care about things. Since the child has come to my door, I must also see him off!

How did this lead to the thieves knocking on the door?

It was clearly our kindness to send the child back to Prince Ding's Mansion, but your Zheng family turned out to have an unreasonable daughter, oh, that Concubine Zheng, who came up with people and wanted to beat us without any reason.

So we were forced to do this to protect ourselves, so no matter how you look at it, we are right!

Your Majesty, I am innocent! I am absolutely not the thief that Zheng Da said I was. I am a poor man who almost lost his son!

Please be careful, Your Majesty, and do not be deceived by the treacherous villain, my wise emperor!"

Crying and shouting, this is a skill that has been trained since childhood. No matter whether it is near or far, the Duke of Wu's shouting instantly suppressed Zheng Kecheng's fierce voice of criticism.

"You, you vulgar fellow, when did I ever call you a thief? I was referring to the crazy woman Pei Dingyang brought with him. Who asked you to be scolded here?"

Knowing the importance of the loyal and brave Duke Wu in the eyes of His Majesty, Zheng Kecheng quickly changed the subject.