Shao Dengyun's old tears streamed down his face in an instant. Back then, he should never have listened to his son. Was the Shao Family lacking food or necessities? Why had they sent his daughter down that road to wealth and glory? He bent down to help her up. "Get up, get up. It was Father who wronged you. Hurry, let Father take a good look at you."
After helping his daughter up, father and daughter both wept bitterly. The generals nearby knowingly withdrew.
"It's all right as long as you're safe. It's good that you've come home." Shao Dengyun himself was crying, yet he kept consoling his daughter.
Seeing her mother cry, the child could not hold back either. He ran over and wrapped his arms around his mother.
Hearing him, Shao Liu'er turned back, wiped away her tears, and hurriedly pulled the child over. "Zheng'er, this is your maternal grandfather. Quickly kneel and pay respects to him. Father, this is my son—your grandson."
The child knelt down properly, kowtowed, and said through tears, "Zheng'er pays respects to Grandfather."
"Good child, get up quickly." Shao Dengyun wept with joy. His once-thriving household had turned upon itself, siblings killing siblings, and after that great upheaval, it had become cold and desolate. Now there was another family member. He was truly overjoyed. In his delight, he actually picked the child up and kissed him again and again.
Shao Liu'er then called over Hao Zhen's other two sons and likewise had them pay respects to their grandfather.
The two youths followed proper etiquette and bowed. Shao Dengyun repeatedly praised them.
Hao Zhen, who was not old yet already looked aged beyond his years, finally stepped forward and cupped his hands in salute. "This son-in-law, Hao Zhen, pays respects to Father-in-law!"
For Shao