Tang Zhuyun wanted to go out and take a look, but Prince of Jin grabbed her by the collar.
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
What do I do when I inexplicably think of a meme of someone kicking their legs while being grabbed by the collar?
His love was like a tidal wave, threatening to drown her.
"Don't try to show off. Do you think my guards are just for show?"
Tang Zhuyun: "I... want to go out and see what's going on."
Knowing that the Prince of Jin and his guards were there, they could watch the spectacle without any worries!
The Prince of Jin did not understand the joy of borrowing the tiger's power.
She wanted to see if Xue Lie was truly the Little Conqueror of the Silver Spear, or just a showy figurehead, hehe.
The Prince of Jin frowned, "lifted" her to his side, and said, "Stay with me, and don't run around."
"Father, I want to go too!" Yanran ran to the other side of Prince of Jin, grabbed his sleeve, and smiled at Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Mingfan said, "I'll go out and take a look."
He was happy today, with the addition of a granddaughter and his son-in-law accompanying him. The whole family was having a lively time, so he drank a few more cups than usual, and his figure became slightly unsteady.
Tang Baixin supported him and said, "Father, take it easy."
Xiu'er was quick; this gossip-loving expert had already rushed out while the family was bickering amongst themselves, and then cried out, "Ouch!"
Tang Zhuyun: "Xiu'er, what happened? Did you fall?"
Your Highness, please let go!
Xiu'er: "Your Majesty, my goodness, is the Xue Family coming to confiscate our property?"
Outside, a long line of people appeared from the Xue Family. The leader, a dozen or so, was dressed as a military officer, and the soldiers behind him carried torches, their swords still gleaming coldly in the firelight.
Tang Zhuyun was also stunned when she came out and saw it.
What, did they dig up the Xue Family graves?
This isn't just a raid; it's an attempt to wipe out the entire clan.
Judging from the age of the leader, one can vaguely recognize three generations—old, middle-aged, and young—forming a pyramid-like structure. The Xue Family truly has a large male population.
The one at the very front must be General Xue Shanting... Behind him are two men of similar age to Tang Mingfan, are they his sons? Then there are seven Calabash Brothers, all brave warriors!
Sigh, don't say the Xue Family family is powerful. When father and son fight together, they have enough manpower!
Are the Xue Family family members really here to cause trouble for the Tang Family?
Or are you looking for the Prince of Jin?
Prince of Jin grabbed Tang Zhuyun's sleeve from beneath his wide sleeves, so the latter couldn't secretly change position to see more clearly, which frustrated her.
The Prince of Jin's voice was icy. "Old General Xue, what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to show me disrespect?"
Tang Zhuyun: She's a good person; she volunteered to block the gun barrel!
Before Xue Shanting could speak, Xue Lie, that hothead, pointed at Tang Zhuyun and said, "Grandfather, Uncle, look, it's her! Doesn't she look exactly like Aunt's portrait? She must be my sister! Sister, come here!"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Xue Shanting's eyes were slightly red, his hand holding the sword was trembling uncontrollably, his gaze was fixed on Tang Zhuyun, and his lips trembled as he couldn't speak.
Tang Mingfan remained relatively calm, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture and saying, "Old General Xue, you must have misunderstood. This is my daughter. My wife is my childhood sweetheart, she is not a member of the Xue Family..."
According to rank, he didn't need to be so polite to Xue Shanting; however, the latter was older and had a good reputation, so Tang Mingfan was very polite to him.
However, sadness still lingered in his eyes when he thought of his deceased wife.
"Shut up!" Xue Shanting roared angrily, striding forward and raising his hand to strike Tang Mingfan.
Tang Baixin stood in front of his father, but Prince of Jin had already intervened to stop him.
"Old General Xue," the Prince of Jin's voice was as cold and piercing as if it had been tempered with ice, "Let's talk this out."
Xue Lie said, "Grandfather, don't listen to his nonsense! He harmed my sister before, I've found out everything! My sister never wanted to marry him, he forced her into it!"
Tang Zhuyun: He keeps calling me "sister," are you sure it's me?
Why does she look so lost?
Xue Lie was already looking at her. "Sister, what happened to your face? Did the Tang Family abuse you or Prince of Jin? Damn it, what are you waiting for? Beat him! If you kill him, I'll take responsibility!"
Tang Zhuyun: Does your grandfather agree?
Xue Lie was pulled back by his two elder brothers, one of whom scolded, "Fourth Son, don't be so impulsive!"
"They're all bullying my sister!" Xue Lie was furious, his chest heaving, his face flushed red, filled with both anger and resentment.
Since everyone was coming for her, Tang Zhuyun felt she should step forward.
She tried to shake off the Prince of Jin's hand but couldn't.
Prince of Jin: "Speak if you wish."
Why are you touching me?!
Tang Zhuyun clearly understood the latter part of the sentence and wanted to roll her eyes.
She said, "Old General Xue, General Xue, young General Xue, today is still the Dragon Boat Festival. Let's come inside and talk things out. Making such a fuss and getting back to the Emperor won't be good for anyone."
Xue Lie wanted to speak, but his elder brother covered his mouth.
Xue Shanting looked at Tang Zhuyun, then at Tang Baixin, his gaze filled with sorrow and heartache. "You, are you A-Yun? Then you, are Baixin?"
The brother and sister both nodded.
"I... I am your maternal grandfather," Xue Shanting said, tears streaming down his face. "Your poor mother..."
Tang Zhuyun interrupted him, "Old General Xue, please come in and have a cup of tea. We can talk things out slowly. The rest of you can leave. The Tang Family isn't a den of dragons or tigers; there's no need for that."
As for the matter of recognizing relatives, that certainly needs to be handled with caution, but in any case, it is a matter of privacy.
Xue Lie finally broke free from his brother's control and said with exasperation, "Sister, come here! And cousin! Don't you dare mistake a thief for your father! Don't you dare mistake a thief for your husband! When we get back to the Xue Family, whoever you fancy, I'll take them home for you!"
Tang Zhuyun was speechless. It seemed that Xue the Blockhead had investigated her quite a bit, even uncovering her history of being a lovesick fool.
She glanced weakly at the Prince of Jin and, as expected, found his face as black as iron.
Prince of Jin's apple bobbed slightly, his voice icy. "This is my queen consort. It seems the Xue Family is trying to impersonate royalty?"
"Let's all keep quiet," Tang Zhuyun said. "If you have something to say, come inside and sit down to talk it out. There's no need to give others something to gossip about."
These are all important officials of the imperial court, plus a prince; isn't this just like giving someone free melons (a metaphor for offering something meaningless)?
"A-Yun is right," Tang Baixin added. "Generals of the Xue Family, let's go inside and talk slowly."
Xue Shanting hesitated for a moment, glanced at Tang Zhuyun and her brother, and then went inside first.
A moment later, everyone gathered in the flower hall.
Prince of Jin sat at the head of the table, followed by Xue Shanting, then Tang Mingfan, and the rest stood.
Putting aside others, the ten men of the Xue Family alone are almost enough to fill this humble abode...
Tang Mingfan began, "I wonder why Old General Xue said that my daughter is your granddaughter?"
Xue Shanting said to his eldest son, Xue Xian, "I don't want to talk to him. You speak!"
Xue Xian bowed respectfully to the Prince of Jin, then coldly began, "For over forty years, the Xue Family was implicated in the rebellion of the Prince of Prince of Wu and exiled to Liaodong..."