However, Xue Shanting changed the subject and said, "A -Girl Yun, you're coming with me tonight."
Tang Zhuyun: "Huh?"
Xue Lie: "Sister, come with us, let's go back to the Xue Family, we're not going to put up with this nonsense anymore!"
Xue Xian slapped him on the head again.
This isn't a family reunion; it's a revenge trip! This unlucky kid just wants to stir up trouble.
Xue Lie: "Uncle, why do you keep hitting me? Didn't we agree to come and demand an explanation for taking my sister away?"
Tang Baixin is unwanted; a son resembles his father and will definitely side with Tang Mingfan.
But my sister has to.
The Xue Family is dominated by males and lacks females; he has no sisters in his generation, and so far the next generation consists of three boys, with no nieces whatsoever.
Tang Zhuyun: Something must be wrong.
Didn't she say before, in her usual cheeky way, that she wanted all seven of her brothers to dote on her?
Although there's a slight discrepancy now, it seems there really are seven brothers, plus Tang Baixin. Has this darn heaven even exceeded its target?
Xue Shanting said, "After your maternal grandmother heard that Lie'er had a chance encounter with you, she was eager to see you and your brother. Since Baixin's wife has just given birth, you should come with me to see your maternal grandmother first, and then bring her to Sister Yuan's third-day celebration tomorrow."
This... isn't appropriate, after all, it's the middle of the night, and making such a fuss, people who don't know the situation might think the Xue Family has come to kidnap her!
But how do I refuse?
"A-Yun, I'll go with you," said Prince of Jin. "And we'll also pay our respects to the old lady."
Tang Mingfan was so shocked today that words could not describe it; he was still sitting in his chair, unable to recover.
Tang Baixin to accompany his wife and daughter, and besides, he wasn't a very eloquent person, so Tang Zhuyun was the most suitable person to go.
Since that's the case, he'll stay with him.
Before Tang Zhuyun could speak, Xue Lie exploded again. "Who do you think you are, going to the Xue Family! Do you think our Xue Family is as unruly as the Tang Family? This marriage isn't even settled yet, don't pretend to be my brother-in-law! Whether it will work out or not is still up in the air!"
The Prince of Jin clenched his fists so tightly they cracked.
He had tolerated Xue Lie for a long time, but he could no longer tolerate it.
He beckoned to Xue Lie, then pointed outside. "Let's go."
Since he keeps talking about how great his sister is, let him know whether he's even worthy of being his brother-in-law!
Tang Zhuyun thought everyone would try to dissuade her, but to her surprise, the Xue Family members all looked expectant, leaving her completely bewildered.
Xue Xian patted Xue Lie on the shoulder. "Don't embarrass the Xue Family, or you'll get a beating later."
Xue Lie: "Alright, don't worry, watch me!"
Look at him... how did he get beaten black and blue by the Prince of Jin?
Xiu'er tugged at Tang Zhuyun's sleeve. "Your Highness, aren't you going out to see?"
Tang Zhuyun: "Just go and take a look and let me know."
She felt that tonight's trip to the Xue Family was probably inevitable, and she wanted to say a few words to Tang Mingfan.
Xiu'er said, "Alright, then I'll go and support the Prince!"
Tang Zhuyun:???
Why is she suddenly siding with Prince of Jin today? Has the sun risen in the west?
After everyone had gathered in the courtyard, Tang Zhuyun gestured to Tang Baixin to help Meng Yulan inside to rest—it was unacceptable for the Tang Family to put so much strain on her on the day of childbirth; they weren't the kind of family that exploited others.
Then she sat down next to Tang Mingfan, and after a moment of hesitation, she said, "Father—"
"A-Yun, did Old General Xue mean something like your grandmother tormenting your mother?" Tang Mingfan asked, his eyes red.
Tang Zhuyun sighed, "Father, don't you understand how Grandmother was when she came last year?"
In truth, Tang Mingfan had his suspicions, but he was merely deceiving himself.
By the time he realized it, it was too late.
Today, Xue Shanting has merely pierced through that thin layer of paper.
No wonder Madam Song suddenly came to the capital last year. It must have been because the Xue Family family inquired about what happened back then, which alarmed her, and she came to the capital to avoid trouble.
Even so, after she arrived, she still wanted to act like an ancestor and disgusted them with everything she did.
"I know, I should have known." Tang Mingfan covered his face with his hands and wept uncontrollably, "Huainiang, Huainiang, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!"
Tang Zhuyun felt a pang of sorrow in her heart, silently handing him her handkerchief and letting him cry.
After his sobs subsided, Tang Zhuyun slowly said, "Father, you did fail to investigate the past, but you also don't know that you are not his biological son..."
He was studying away from home, and within his means, he had already tried his best to be good to his wife and children.
Was I wrong? Yes, I was wrong!
Is it an unforgivable crime? Far from it.
Who wasn't at fault? Wasn't the Xue Family also acting rashly, handing their daughter over to the tiger's den?
Liaodong is harsh and cold, but it wouldn't have been right to send the child away so simply and crudely; thinking about it carefully, Xue Shanting probably acted out of brotherly loyalty and felt he couldn't break off the engagement, so he made such a foolish move without much consideration...
A grave mistake has been made; what good is regret now?
"Marry me, and you'll ruin your mother's life." Tang Mingfan wept bitterly.
"Father, you always say how good Mother was to you. If she didn't love you, she wouldn't have acted that way. If Mother could know this from beyond the grave, she wouldn't want you to suffer like this now."
"A-Yun, your father is confused, your father is so confused!"
"Father, you've suffered alone for over twenty years," Tang Zhuyun said. "Even if someone else married Mother, they might not be able to do what you have."
"What's the use of all that? I should have known, I should have known she wasn't doing well. Actually, I knew, I just didn't know your grandmother would be so cruel. I was thinking that after I finished high school, I would take her to Beijing to live alone; but then I couldn't afford to rent a place, and I waited for two more years, and then... I never had the chance again."
Tang Zhuyun felt heartbroken seeing him cry.
Tang Mingfan did make a mistake, but no one is a saint. How can we expect him to transcend his time and society and act like a man of the 22nd century?
According to future standards, all the men here should remain single.
Tang Zhuyun was now glad that she hadn't let Xue Shanting reveal more details; once she arrived at the Xue Family, she would try to persuade Old Madam Xue.
Mother is gone. If Father also gets into trouble, this family will fall apart.
"A-Yun, Father is also going to the Xue Family," Tang Mingfan said. "Father wants to get some answers."
"Father, it's too late. You have to attend court tomorrow. The Xue Family has just arrived in the capital and won't be leaving immediately. There will be plenty of opportunities to talk."
"Well done, Your Highness!" Xiu'er cheered from outside.
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Xue Lie was indeed dealt with by the Prince of Jin.
When he came back in, he was embarrassed to see Tang Zhuyun and said, "Sister, I... I was careless today... Don't worry, if he bullies you again, I'll definitely stand up for you!"
Tang Zhuyun suddenly felt that Xue the Blockhead was quite Lovely.
The Prince of Jin walked towards her, his face calm, but his eyes clearly read, "Seeking praise."
Tang Zhuyun chuckled, looking at the bruise on his forehead, and said, "Your Highness, I'll go find some medicine for you."
Give this to Xue the Blockhead as well.