Xu Dongsheng almost choked on Tu Haoyu's words. He had never seen anything like this before. Coveting someone else's wife, how could he not make people nervous?

On the other hand, Zhao Qingyan showed no signs of anything amiss. Looking back, she had indeed acted impulsively.

Thank God, the person she managed to marry was Xu Dongsheng. If it had been anyone else, Zhao Qingyan might not have actually married him.

Who knows how many rumors will spread?

Tu Haoyu was a spoiled child back then, and it seems a bit cruel of him to provoke people with such extreme behavior.

However, I was really annoyed by the pressure at the time.

In addition, the Tu family went too far.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Young Master Tu?" Zhao Qingyan asked.

Tu Haoyu rubbed his hands together. "It's been so many years. How have you been?"

Zhao Qingyan nodded.

"I'm fine. Let me introduce you. This is my husband, Xu Dongsheng, and this lovely little girl is my daughter."

Tu Haoyu tried hard to control his emotions, "Yes, your daughter is very beautiful."

I'm about to take up a post in Lingnan Prefecture, and I'll be the magistrate of your Qingyang County.

If the people of Zhao Family Village have any problems, they can go directly to the government office to find me.

Zhao Qingyan laughed, "Lord Tu is joking. The common people are most afraid of seeing officials, unless it is something extremely important."

Otherwise, I'll never see the authorities, no matter what.

Then I wish Lord Tu all the best for the future.

Tu Haoyu clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you for your blessing. I will strive to be a good official."

Zhao Qingyan nodded, "I believe you will."

If there's nothing else, my husband and I will take the children to eat; my daughter is hungry.

Tu Haoyu nodded and stepped aside.

Looking at Zhao Qingyan's retreating figure, his face was full of bitterness, but he quickly felt relieved.

Even after so many years, Tu Haoyu has never forgotten Zhao Qingyan.

But just now, seeing her again, he had come to terms with everything.

Why force something that isn't yours? Just offer your blessings.

That bright and beautiful young girl from back then is now a mother; it's time for him to let go.

Back then, because of his stubbornness and his mother and grandmother's domineering attitude, his father, a respectable Vice Minister of Revenue, was not only demoted but also had half a year's salary deducted.

Grandma's imperial title was also stripped.

Meanwhile, her own mother was publicly reprimanded by the Empress and confined to her home.

Back then, the loss of face was immense.

It was only after that that Tu Haoyu truly grew up.

He knew that the world didn't revolve around him, and not everyone would meet all his demands.

The days he spent copying letters and writing books at a stall were enough for him to experience the hardships of life. His uncle's coldness and indifference made him feel the warmth and coldness of human relationships.

I'm almost thirty and still don't have a family.

Seeing that Fu Nan's cuteness couldn't be hidden even though she was wearing a hat, Tu Haoyu felt that he could consider getting married.

Marrying a woman of equal social standing and having two adorable children seems like a good idea.

A person can come to terms with things in an instant.

As if all the burdens on his body had been completely lifted, Tu Haoyu walked towards the street with great ease.

Since being provoked by Zhao Qingyan and leaving, Tu Haoyu had been depressed for a long time after returning to the capital.

My mother and grandmother were like two ticking time bombs in the mansion, always ready to cry or make a scene at any moment.

She muttered to herself, "Yu-ge'er, your grandmother (mother) has become like this because of you. You must live up to her expectations."

You must study hard so that you can become a high-ranking official in the future, and then go to Lingnan to serve as an official.

That brat is so ungrateful, isn't she? Once you become their local official, I refuse to believe you can't handle her.

So what if you're engaged to someone else? So what if you're married? As long as you have enough power, there's no marriage that can't be broken up.

By then, she wouldn't even be given the status of a principal wife or concubine, let alone a maidservant.

My son (grandson) must avenge his mother (grandmother).

It's all her fault..."

These are outrageous and insane words!

Yes, those two lawless women in the inner quarters were reprimanded and confined by the Empress, and they became mentally unstable.

Tu Haoyu was driven almost crazy by his two daughters every day.

In the end, Tu Gu threw his son out of the house and sent him directly to the academy, forbidding him from returning home except for the New Year.

He was also given a page who was quite skilled in martial arts.

This page was granted special rights: if the young master didn't study properly, he had the right to punish him physically.

This form of corporal punishment is quite healthy; it involves dragging the young master around the yard in circles.

This was a very embarrassing thing, and Tu Haoyu initially resisted, but he couldn't overpower the pageboy.

To save face, he studied diligently every day, and as time went by, Tu Haoyu's knowledge gradually improved.

The spoiled brat who used to only know how to eat, drink, and have fun, and who would throw tantrums when he was unhappy, has learned to think.

At the same time, he kept thinking about what would have happened if that girl had accepted him back then, and whether he would still treat her and cherish her as he does today.

The more you think about it, the clearer many things become.

Tu Haoyu, who was dining at the restaurant earlier, saw Zhao Qingyan and her family of three through the window.

His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of his chest, and he couldn't control it for a long time.

His friends even joked that he must be lovesick.

She's so old and still not married, delaying her son from having a grandchild.

At that time, Tu Haoyu tried hard to control his emotions and forced himself not to get too excited.

As Zhao Qingyan and her family of three came out of the jewelry store, Tu Haoyu said he had something to do and rushed downstairs.

Once they reached the door, they tried to calm themselves down.

If he hadn't seen Zhao Qingyan and her family of three heading towards the restaurant, he probably would have run after them.

Fortunately, he was lucky; he met the person and was able to speak with them.

Although the meeting lasted only a few minutes, it was the most peaceful one yet. There was no resistance, no annoyance; it was as casual as talking about the weather. Yet, Tu Haoyu was satisfied.

For ten years, he was either tormented by his own mother (grandmother) or by nightmares, always the same scene at the entrance of Zhao Family Village, and then he would cry his heart out.

After a while, he wondered if he had lost his mind.

In conclusion, no one ever rejects him, even if they reject him as a person, but they would never reject his identity.

This is Tu Haoyu's confidence.

Every first time in life, no matter what it is, will probably leave a little bit of an unforgettable impression.

After today comes the warm sunshine.

Tu Haoyu has truly let go of the past.

Zhao Qingyan and her family of three went up to the private room on the second floor. First, they took care of Fu Nan's toilet needs, and then they washed Fu Nan's hands and face in the room.

That's what it means for the youngest and oldest to order food.

Actually, you don't need to order anything special, just the signboard will do.