Tang Zhuyun knew very well that her father asked this question because he wanted to know what suffering her mother had endured back then.
But she also knew that these words might be perceived as a defiant provocation by Xue Shanting.
A thought lingered in her mind: she couldn't let her father know about the past.
Bringing up the details of how Madam Song abused his mother would only cause Tang Mingfan unbearable pain; what good would it do?
She could imagine all sorts of evil deeds a wicked mother-in-law would do to her daughter-in-law, but Tang Mingfan could not.
He couldn't escape the limitations of his time; how could he have imagined that his "biological mother" was so vicious?
Wasn't he a victim too?
The dead are gone, but she wants to protect the living.
Thinking of this, Tang Zhuyun gasped in surprise, then collapsed Ruanruan...
She collapsed into the arms of the Prince of Jin.
Chaos immediately erupted among the crowd.
Prince of Jin pinched Tang Zhuyun's philtrum hard, so hard that she could no longer pretend to be unconscious.
Tang Zhuyun cursed the Prince of Jin in her heart—"Is he stupid? Think he's the only one with so much strength?!"
"A-Yun?" Prince of Jin asked anxiously, his eyes brimming with concern. "What's wrong? Is it because of the realgar wine? What's wrong with you...?"
Is she really a little mermaid?
Didn't we agree that it wasn't true? But why did she suddenly faint?
She has always been in good health.
Prince of Jin began to suspect that the men of the Xue Family carried too much malevolent energy, which frightened Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun said weakly, "The room is stuffy and crowded; I feel so uncomfortable."
Prince of Jin understood immediately and said, "Old General Xue, things have been explained clearly. We can discuss the matter of recognizing relatives another day. What do you think? A-Yun is not feeling well. If what you say is true, then my mother-in-law, if she has a spirit in the afterlife, would not want anything to happen to A-Yun."
Tang Zhuyun silently gave him a thumbs up; he finally got it right this time.
Xue Shanting has no reason to randomly claim kinship, so what he said is mostly true.
The conflict between Tang Mingfan and the Xue Family still needs to be resolved by her and her elder brother.
Thinking of this, Tang Zhuyun said, "My sister-in-law just gave birth, and tomorrow is the third-day celebration. My mother will definitely be happy. Old General Xue, what do you think about discussing this after the celebration?"
Seeing a softening on Xue Shanting's face, Tang Zhuyun continued, "My father's sincerity towards my mother was unparalleled. Just think, all these years, my father never remarried, and he never had anyone to serve him..."
Xue Shanting remained silent, his expression softening slightly.
At this moment, Meng Yulan, who was bundled up tightly, came out, bowed to everyone, and said, "General, I am Madam Meng, the daughter-in-law of the Tang Family. I heard from you that the old lady is not in good health. I will take A-Yun and the child to visit the old lady another day. If there is no misunderstanding, she is your and the old lady's great-granddaughter."
Seeing Xue Shanting's further hesitation, Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but sigh, "My sister-in-law is truly amazing."
Xue Lie said, "How could it be wrong? This matter has been thoroughly investigated!"
Xue Shanting raised his hand, stopping him from continuing. He looked at Tang Zhuyun, then at Tang Baixin, and finally said to Meng Yulan, "Go and bring the child out so I can see him. I heard that Baixin has an eldest son?"
Linlin stepped forward and bowed.
Xue Shanting saw that he had delicate features, was mature beyond his years, and was poised and generous. He couldn't help but feel happy, but when he thought of his daughter who had died young, he was saddened. He was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.
Tang Mingfan wanted to ask about what happened back then, but Prince of Jin stopped him.
He said, "Father-in-law, A-Yun doesn't seem to be doing well today. Look at her face, isn't it a little swollen again?"
Tang Zhuyun: Nonsense, how could my medicine not work?
Tang Mingfan, however, was flustered by concern and asked, "Yes, A-Yun, what's wrong with you?"
Tang Zhuyun whimpered in Prince of Jin, "I'm fine, I'm just a little dizzy and want to sleep."
This dog of a man's embrace is actually quite broad and warm; I'll borrow it for now!
Xue Xian actually saw through Tang Zhuyun's intention; she was clearly trying to stop her father from speaking further.
But what's wrong with children defending their parents?
My sister is gone now, but my nephew and niece are doing well. I'll help them out more in the future. If my sister knew this in the afterlife, she probably wouldn't blame them so much.
Thinking this, Xue Xian slapped Xue Lie, who was jumping around and stirring up trouble, and then advised Xue Shanting a few words.
Holding Sister Yuan in his arms, Xue Shanting recalled how tiny his daughter looked when she was first born, and tears welled up in his eyes.
That was the daughter he and his wife had longed for for so long!
She should have been a pampered young lady from a wealthy family, but in the end... she lived a tragic life and died young.
If she could be alive now and see all of this, how wonderful that would be...
After a long pause, Xue Shanting asked, "Is tomorrow the third-day celebration?"
"Yes," Meng Yulan said. "If the old lady and the ladies of the household don't mind, please come over for a drink tomorrow."
"Come, come," Xue Shanting nodded, "How could I not come?"
Tang Zhuyun felt the Prince of Prince of Jin's embrace growing hotter and hotter, and she could no longer pretend. But when she tried to stop, the dog of a man held her down tightly, and she couldn't move.
Xue Shanting gave Tang Zhuyun a deep look and said, "A -Girl Yun, you should be all better now."
Having weathered countless storms, how could he not see through Tang Zhuyun's little tricks?
Tang Zhuyun said awkwardly, "Alright, alright, thank you for your concern."
Xue Lie: "My sister has been subdued by the Prince of Jin!"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
You have such a sharp eye.
Seeing that the Xue Family's attacks were about to target Prince of Jin again, Tang Zhuyun pinched Prince of Jin, who then let go.
"No, it's all a misunderstanding." Tang Zhuyun stood up and said, "My father is very good to me, and the Prince... is also very good. If we are truly family, we will stay in touch. We'll make up for the past later; in any case, the living are the most important. My elder brother and I also long for a maternal family, and we will fulfill our filial duties to our mother."
She paused, then continued, "I also have some medical knowledge; perhaps I can help the old lady. General, we have a long future ahead of us. We can say whatever harsh things behind closed doors, but since we're family, let's not fight amongst ourselves. We've both been doing well individually in the past; as a family now, we should be even better."
Xue Lie was about to jump up in anger, but suddenly cried out "Ouch!" and clutched his hand, cursing, "Who dares to plot against me?"
Everyone looked and saw a silver needle stuck in the back of his hand.
Nanxing, with another silver needle between two fingers, said expressionlessly, "Sorry, my hand slipped."
People are celebrating their family reunion with warmth and affection, but he's trying to sow discord between them. He's utterly despicable!
"So it was you." Xue Lie said angrily, "Come on, let's go to the yard and have a good fight!"
"Lie'er, step back," Xue Shanting said, then looked at Tang Mingfan, "For the sake of the children, I'll let it slide for now. We'll settle the score properly after the third-day celebration!"
Tang Zhuyun breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, everyone considered the children's sake, and today all the children, including herself, have done a good job.