Seeing that Xiao Yunying's expression was not good, Luo Sheng said, "If you want to know, I can tell you about the Luo family's past."

Xiao Yunying thought for a moment. Since she couldn't sever the relationship now, it would be good to learn more about each other: "Go ahead and tell me."

Luo Sheng slowly began to speak: "My great-grandfather was the top military scholar at the time. Later, he went to war with the army and, relying on his own strength, rose from a minor officer to the position of general."

From then on, the descendants of the Luo family have practiced martial arts from a young age and followed the path of military generals, and each generation has made outstanding military achievements.

On the occasion of my grandfather's fiftieth birthday, the late emperor, to show his respect, bestowed upon my grandfather the title of Duke Zhenguo.

Later, my grandfather died in battle. My father had no time to grieve. He led his troops to the north to guard the border and drive away the nomadic tribes that invaded from the south.

Six years ago, my father was ambushed by enemy troops because of the betrayal of his subordinates. He was seriously wounded and bled profusely, and eventually died.

My great-grandfather had only one son, my grandfather, and my two uncles died for their country before they were married and had children. My eldest brother was weak from childhood and not suitable for martial arts, so in this generation, only I was able to go to the battlefield with my father.

Xiao Yunying exclaimed in surprise, "Six years ago, how old were you back then?"

If Luo Yang remembered correctly, Luo Sheng was only three years older than him, and was only twenty-one years old at the time.

Luo Sheng said calmly, "I grew up in the army with my father since I was a child. I went to the border when I was twelve and went to the battlefield when I was fourteen."

I was only fifteen when my father passed away. I was too young and had no military achievements to become a general. I could only start as a captain.

It took me three years to climb from the rank of captain to the rank of general. A lot happened during those three years: the late emperor passed away, and the court was in turmoil due to factional strife.

The Luo family has never taken sides, but it is precisely because they are too upright that they have aroused the dissatisfaction of various forces. As a result, not long after I returned to the capital, they were falsely accused of embezzling military funds.

At that time, the evidence appeared conclusive. However, the current emperor, mindful of the Luo family's loyalty and contributions to the country, refrained from severe punishment, only sentencing them to confiscation of their property and a year of exile.

As Xiao Yunying listened to Luo Sheng's story, she was deeply moved, and her gaze towards him involuntarily turned to one of pity.

"A family of loyal martyrs"—what a heavy phrase, all earned with the lives of the fine men of the Luo family.

At that time, the Luo family was like a sharp sword; using it for one's own benefit or for the enemy's benefit made a world of difference.

If it cannot be used for one's own benefit, it is better to destroy it, lest things get complicated.

Xiao Yunying asked nervously, "Aren't you afraid the Empress Dowager will find you now that you've come back so openly?"

Luo Yong explained, "After pacifying the border, I returned to the capital in a high-profile manner and presented the evidence I had found over the past two years. His Majesty has cleared my Luo family of the injustice and is no longer afraid of the Empress Dowager making a fuss about this matter. She also dares not do anything to my Luo family in front of everyone."

Thinking of the original owner's miserable life, Xiao Yunying couldn't help but complain, "Do you know how many scornful looks I suffered, how much hardship I endured, and how much suffering I endured when you left without a word?"

Luo Sheng felt Xiao Yunying's gaze, lowered his eyes to look at the table, and continued, "This matter... was due to my lack of consideration. There are some things... I don't know whether I should tell you."

Xiao Yunying really wanted to know the reason: "I want to know the reason."

Seeing her serious expression, Luo Sheng decided to tell her some things.

He whispered, “The current emperor is not the empress dowager’s biological son. The empress dowager wants to seize power for her own son, and the first family she wants to get rid of is the Luo family, who support the orthodoxy and only obey the emperor.”

Xiao Yunying opened her mouth slightly, as if she had heard something extraordinary.

Luo Sheng continued, "During our exile, the Emperor and various forces kept an eye on the Luo family, making it difficult for the Empress Dowager to eliminate us."

When the year is up, we will be free, ordinary civilians. But as long as I am alive, the Empress Dowager will not be at ease. She has sent several groups of assassins, but they have all been repelled by the Emperor's men and my own.

For the safety of my mother and children, I have no choice but to take them away from the place of exile, hide our tracks, and find another place to live.

Later, he received a secret summons from the emperor and returned to the border to guard the frontier, concealing his identity.

The Empress Dowager was not stupid. She couldn't find any trace of us, and when she learned that a young general had appeared out of nowhere, she suspected it was me. She kept sending people to test us, but I managed to deflect all of them.

Two years ago, His Majesty suddenly fell seriously ill, and various political parties began to stir again. The Empress Dowager couldn't spare much energy to keep an eye on me. Moreover, in the past two years, nomadic tribes on the border have been invading us constantly, and it is indeed necessary to have someone lead troops to suppress them. She didn't want to really anger me, so she restrained her overt actions.

But the Empress Dowager never gave up searching for us. To her, regardless of whether the young general on the border was me or not, as long as she found the Luo family's descendant and my mother, she could make me work for her. That's why I dared not send any messages back.

Xiao Yunying felt a mix of emotions upon hearing Luo Sheng's description of the situation.

She was not an ignorant peasant girl; she could imagine how much bloodshed and turmoil was hidden beneath this seemingly calm narrative.

Luo Yong softened his voice: "It was a last resort to involve you. It was... I didn't think things through. If you hold a grudge, I understand."

Xiao Yunying avoided his gaze and lowered her eyes.

Even if he had his own unspeakable difficulties, the original owner who was implicated by him was no longer alive, and this could not be made up for with just an apology.

I am not the original owner of this body, so I have no right to forgive him on behalf of the original owner.

But after hearing his reasons, I felt that he couldn't be entirely blamed for this.

He wouldn't have handed his children over to others to raise if he hadn't truly been desperate.

If he misjudges people, there's not much difference between the children falling into the hands of outsiders and the Empress Dowager; neither will end well.

After thinking for a long time, Xiao Yunying said in a deep voice, "I'm sorry, I can't forgive you."

Regardless of Luo Sheng's reasons, the fact remains that the original owner died because of his irresponsibility.

She actually had many questions: why was he able to take his mother away but not his children?

Did he marry the original owner of this body only to take care of the children?

But asking these questions now is pointless.

A faint sadness flashed in Xiao Yunying's eyes: "Luo Sheng, your Luo family are indeed great heroes who protect the country, there is no doubt about that, but... don't look at me sitting here perfectly fine now... anyway, what you owe Xiao Yunying is more than just the suffering and hardship of these two years."

There were things she couldn't say, and she just felt frustrated.

Luo Sheng's voice was low and deep: "I know."

Xiao Yunying shook her head: "No, you don't know."

The two remained silent for a while before Xiao Yunying finally spoke: "Luo Sheng, I am very grateful that you are willing to tell me the truth, but I cannot forgive you for this matter."

But I'm not an unreasonable person. Since we can't easily break off our relationship now, let's just treat each other with respect and live our lives well together.

I have only one request: please don't involve me in your affairs, and especially don't involve my family. If things get out of control, I hope you can do everything in your power to protect them.

Besides that, I'll try my best to cooperate with anything you want me to do.