The two wanted to hug each other but were too embarrassed, so they held hands and cried about their longing for each other.

Xu Lanyin supported Qin and said, "Dad, Mom, if you have anything to say, come inside and talk slowly."

Everyone walked into the upper room, and Xu Lanyue was led in by the chess master.

Qin and Xu Lanzhou were so focused on Xu Qingyan that they didn't notice a strange child walking in.

Everyone sat down, and Xu Qingyan briefly recounted his experience as a spy for the Western Xia Kingdom and how he was rescued by Zhao Wu. Finally, he said, "It's all my fault for not telling you in advance, causing Yanmei and the children to suffer."

After hearing this, Qin cried, "No matter how hard our lives are, can they be compared to yours? Being a spy in an enemy country is like being on the brink of death. It's so dangerous, it's terrifying just thinking about it. Amitabha, may the Bodhisattva bless you and bring you back alive..."

When Xu Lanzhou heard that his father was the old demon rescued by Zhao Wu and now worked as a second-class guard in the palace, he was excited and happy, and looked at him with admiration.

After finishing his happy speech, Xu Qingyan pursed his lips, rubbed his hands, and looked embarrassed and awkward. Xu Lanyin knew that he was going to talk about Zhou Xin, so he took Xu Lanyue out and winked at Xu Lanzhou to let him come out.

Xu Lanzhou didn't want to leave, but Xu Lanyin dragged him out.

Arriving at the yard, Xu Lanyin asked Zhangqi to take Xu Lanyue to the side room to wash and eat fruit. She patted Huazi who had been circling around her feet and pulled Xu Lanzhou to the east wing.

Xu Lanzhou was inexplicably pulled to the east wing and asked, "Sister, why did you come out? Who is that girl from?" Only when he arrived in the yard did he notice the little girl.

Xu Lanyin said, "Dad has something to tell Mom alone. The child's nickname is Xiao Niuniu, and her full name is Xu Lanyue."

"Xu Lanyue?" Xu Lanzhou's eyes widened. He then asked, "Could it be that our father has another woman outside and has a daughter?"

Xu Lanyin nodded and briefly talked about the story of Xu Qingyan and Zhou Xin.

Xu Lanzhou's mouth dropped open, and it took him a long time to process what was going on. His father had returned, he was a hero, he had a woman outside, and they had a daughter, but that woman had died for her country and was named Lady Loyal and Brave by the Emperor...

His face darkened and he said, "Luckily, Dad only brought back a child. If he had brought back a woman as well, Mom would have been even more upset."

At this time, Qin's heart-wrenching cry was heard, followed by the sobbing sound with a handkerchief covering her mouth, and Xu Qingyan's gentle comforting voice.

The extremely suppressed crying was more painful and distressing than crying out loud. Both Xu Lanyin and Xu Lanzhou shed tears.

Qin and Xu Qingyan weren't like the traditional couples of ancient times, united by parental orders or matchmakers. Nor were they the kind of couples who treated each other with respect and esteem. Instead, they were deeply affectionate, each with eyes only for the other. Perhaps the time they spent together was longer than their time together, and all they saw and thought about was the good in each other. Suddenly, she found out he had another woman and a child, and how could she accept it?

Xu Lanzhou stood up and tried to run upstairs, but Xu Lanyin stopped him and said, "Let them handle this themselves."

She went out and closed the window of the upper room from the outside, and the noise became quieter.

Xu Lanzhou asked, "Sister, what if mother wants to separate from father?"

Xu Lanyin said, "No matter what choice Mom makes, I support her. If she wants to go out and live alone, I will go out with her. I just need to convince Dad and let him take the initiative to let go."

Having said that, Xu Lanyin still felt that the possibility of them breaking up was very slim.

Xu Lanzhou disagreed and said, "Sister, it's not right for you to do this. As children, we should encourage reconciliation rather than separation. I'm also angry that Dad has another woman, but it's undeniable that Mom's life will be better with Dad. You two women will be bullied if you stay out there..."

Xu Lanyin deliberately said, "Then you and Lanting have gone out with us."

Xu Lanzhou shook his head and said, "Lanting and I are sons of the Xu family. Grandpa and Dad won't let us go." Thinking of his mother and sister being wronged, he gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and said, "If it really doesn't work out, let Lanting stay and I'll go out with you. I'm the eldest son. I'm the one who protected you and got you through the most difficult times for our family. No matter how difficult the road ahead is, it won't be as difficult as before... But, sister, this is the worst-case scenario. If you can persuade us to reconcile, then so be it. It would be great if our family could be together and happy. Although Dad has let Mom down, it's not easy for him either. He's always on the line. He doesn't know if he'll have a tomorrow..."

Although his attitude was not very firm, this statement still made Xu Lanyin satisfied.

It was completely dark, and the two people in the upper room had not yet emerged. The crying had stopped, and the upper room was silent and still, with not even the lights on.

Xu Lanyue also came to the east wing and leaned on Xu Lanyin's legs, feeling even more helpless. She had a hunch that her arrival had embarrassed her father and saddened her mother. She was also afraid of her eldest brother's scrutinizing gaze.

Xu Lanyin whispered, "Don't be afraid, mother is very good."

Mrs. Lu, the chess master, and the chess bearer prepared the meal and brought it to the east wing first.

Mrs. Lu asked, "Miss, are you sending it to the master and the mistress?"

Xu Lanyin said, "Wait a little longer."

The three of them finished their meal and then sat quietly in the east wing waiting.

Around midnight, the door to the upper room rang, and Xu Qingyan's footsteps were heard. He came to the door of the east wing and said, "All of you come to the upper room. I have something to say to your mother."

His voice was hoarse, and it was obvious that he had talked too much, and he hadn't even had a sip of water.

His eyes were red, as if he had been crying. Even though he pretended to be serious, he couldn't hide his joy.

After two hours, Qin compromised.

When they entered the room, they saw Qin's eyes were red and swollen, and she looked lonely. Her eyes fell on Xu Lanyue, and seeing the big scar, her eyes softened a lot.

Xu Qingyan said, "Little girl, go kowtow to your mother."

Xu Lanyue walked over, knelt down, kowtowed and said, "I, your daughter Xu Lanyue, greet you, mother. May you be well and at peace." These were the words her father taught her.

Qin forced a smile and said, "Get up and come here." She pulled Xu Lanyue to her side, looked at her carefully, and said, "Poor girl, call me aunt from now on and get along well with your sisters and brothers." As she spoke, she took off a jade bracelet from her wrist and gave it to her.

Xu Lanyue thanked him and sat down on the chair.

Qin then said to Xu Lanyin and Xu Lanzhou, "Niuniu's biological mother is gone. You must treat your sister well."

Xu Lanyin and Xu Lanzhou agreed.

Qin pointed to a tablet on a high table and said, "Yin'er, Zhou'er, that's your second mother's tablet. She sacrificed her life for her country. She was a remarkable woman. You should go and pay your respects to her. Respect her from the bottom of your hearts."

The tablet had the words "Zhou" written on it.

Xu Qingyan was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.