Chapter 271: The Truth After Drinking

Xu Qingyan was delighted by his daughter's praise and said with a smile, "If it weren't for Wu'er, no matter how powerful Daddy is, he wouldn't be able to pass on the information. Wu'er is a good boy. In order to save me, his future was delayed and he suffered some injustice."

He felt very sorry. If it weren't for saving him, Zhao Wuke would not only be a minor official, but also be scolded by Grand Tutor Zhou.

Xu Lanyin smiled and said, "Compared to his future, Dad's life is more important. He did the right thing."

Xu Qingyan briefly recounted the story of how, after King Wu Liu Zhaoyin's left arm was severed, he was ordered to take a subordinate to the Western Xia Kingdom. His official identity was a hunter, but due to a murder case during the Daming Dynasty, he was forced to flee to the Western Xia Kingdom, where he continued to make a living by hunting. He "accidentally" rescued the captain of the Zhou Palace's guards while he was out hunting in the mountains. Because of Xu Qingyan's martial arts skills and exceptional sense of smell, he was noticed by the guard and introduced to the Zhou Palace...

He spoke simply, but Xu Lanyin could imagine the difficulties and twists and turns involved. While listening, she looked at him with great admiration.

Xu Lanyan also said that although the reward had not yet been issued, the King of Wu had already said that he would be sent to the King of Wu's Palace as a second-class guard.

The second-class guards of the palace are fourth-rank military officers.

From what Zhao Wu had said, the King of Wu would definitely become the Crown Prince or the Crown Prince's father. In other words, after the current Emperor died, my father would either be the Emperor's bodyguard or the Emperor Emeritus's bodyguard...

Xu Lanyin was happy for her stepfather at first, but then she thought of Qin's special background and her resistance to moving to Beijing, and said, "My mother won't be willing to live in the capital."

Xu Qingyan sighed and said, "I had no choice but to let her live in Ningzhou Prefecture first and bring her to the capital after some things were settled. Alas, I have let her down. After getting married, we were apart more than together. We have only been together for less than four months. I chose to stay in the capital, not only because of my future, but also because I want to investigate some things thoroughly."

Xu Lanyin guessed that the "something" he was referring to was Qin's life story. She also hoped that Qin could live an upright life, so she didn't say much. But she felt pity for Qin, who had finally hoped her husband wouldn't die, yet still had to live apart.

Xu Qingyan smiled again and said, "The prince rewarded me with two thousand taels of silver and a house in the capital, and the old master rewarded me with two thousand taels of silver and five hundred acres of land in the suburbs of Beijing. The emperor will also give rewards in a few days. Dad can make our family live a good life, buy a large dowry for Yin'er, and find a good family."

He had always felt that Zhao Wu was a good choice for a son-in-law. Although Zhao Wu kept calling his daughter "sister," seemingly treating her only as a benefactor, the terms "sister" and "benefactor" formed the best emotional foundation, and his daughter would certainly not be wronged by marrying Zhao Wu. This matter would be discussed after meeting Qin.

Xu Lanyin smiled and said, "I have money, so I don't need Dad to buy me a dowry. I still have to be filial to Dad and Mom."

At the end of noon, the food and wine were ready and the three of them ate at the same table.

Xu Qingyan took the wine cup away from him, pointed at the large bowl, and said, "Pour it here. The last time I drank a lot was before I went to Xixia. It's been eight years. I'm afraid of making mistakes, so I dare not drink even a sip. I wish I could sleep with my eyes open..."

After he came out of the Dali Temple, he had dinner with the King of Wu, the old Grand Tutor Zhou, the Duke of Zhou and others, but he did not dare to drink too much.

After hearing this, Xu Lanyin took the wine jug from Zhao Wu, poured a large bowl for Xu Qingyan first, then poured another large bowl for Zhao Wu, and poured herself a small half cup.

Xu Qingyan picked up the bowl and drank it all in one gulp, and Xu Lanyin filled it up again for him.

Xu Qingyan drank bowl after bowl, finishing both jars in no time. At first, Xu Lanyin thought he was suffering from depression from his long career in espionage, and was drinking to relieve stress. But then she felt something was wrong. He seemed more like someone who was thirsty and had an unspeakable bitterness in his heart.

Xu Lanyin didn't want him to drink anymore, so she stopped him and said, "Dad, drinking too much is bad for your health. Drink it at night."

Xu Qingyan said, "My daughter, Daddy is feeling uncomfortable..." He shook his head, realizing he had spoken out of turn, and quickly stopped talking, adding, "Daddy still wants to drink, my daughter, Daddy begs you."

Xu Lanyin couldn't persuade him any further, and watched Zhao Wu pour him bowl after bowl of wine, and he drank it bowl after bowl. He got drunk before he finished his meal, so Xu Lanyin and Zhao Wu had no choice but to help him to the kang in the east room.

Xu Lanyin covered him with a thin blanket. Just as she was about to leave, Xu Qingyan grabbed her hand and said, "Sister Yan, I'm sorry, I broke my promise..."

Xu Lanyin was stunned for a moment, broke free from his hand, wiped his face with a wet towel, and then pulled Zhao Wu to the west room.

As soon as Xu Lanyin closed the door, she glared and said, "I knew you were hiding something from me since you came back from Xixia. It really is something." As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed Zhao Wu's ear, pulling it several times without letting go, and asked, "Tell me, what is it?"

Xu Qingyan was in a bad mood when he drank, and after drinking, he revealed what he had done to offend Qin.

The fact that Zhao Wu has been hiding something from me might be related to this.

Zhao Wuwei was extremely embarrassed and said, "Sister, I promised Uncle Xu that he would personally talk to your mother and you about that matter. I think we should respect his opinion."

Xu Lanyin's heart sank, she let go of his hand and asked, "Could it be that my father has another woman?"

Zhao Wu saw that Xu Lanyin had guessed it, so he could only say, "Sister, it's not Uncle Xu's fault. He had no choice."

It really is.

She had heard Qin say that she had only one condition for marrying Xu Qingyan: that he not have other women. Xu Qingyan agreed and even swore an oath.

But he broke his oath.

Regardless of whether he was forced or not, he still broke his promise.

Xu Lanyin, who had been excited, was suddenly poured with a basin of cold water, and her mood instantly plummeted to the bottom.

She sat down at the table weakly, muttering, "My mother was married to my father for so many years, but they were actually together for only three months. The rest of the time, before my father's accident, my mother counted the days in longing and waiting; after my father's accident, she wasted her time in longing and memories... She was almost dying in pain, thinking every day about this man and all the good times they had together. But it turns out that this man is still alive, living with another woman..."

Xu Lan was so upset that her chest ached with anger.

Zhao Wu sat down next to her and said, "Uncle Xu can't do anything about this. A grown man living alone would arouse suspicion. Besides, some things are easier to resolve if a woman steps in."

Xu Lanyin sighed deeply, feeling helpless. Xu Qingyan had another woman for the greater good, and she couldn't openly say he was wrong. In the spy dramas of her past, many underground members would bring a spouse to conceal their identities...

When I was watching the drama, I thought it was supposed to be like this, but when it happened to me, I felt bad.