Because of the inappropriate volume incident, Xiao Xin barely paid any attention to Lin Ding for the next two days, which made Lin Ding scratch his head with Wei Shi, worried: "Xiao Bao's temper is really something else?"

After recovering, Madam Wei tried to protect her son: "Who told you to meddle in his private affairs? You embarrassed him, so naturally he's unhappy."

"I meant well," Lin Ding argued. "But what's going on with them? Why are they sleeping in separate rooms?"

Lady Wei was also a little puzzled. After observing for a while, she realized that the two hadn't quarreled, so she quietly called Xiao Xin over and asked him about it.

But it would have been better if she hadn't asked. Once she did, Xiao Xin blamed Lin Ding again. Not only did he not answer her, but when he saw Lin Ding again, he glared at him.

Lin Dingyuan's: "..."

Even more wronged, he turned around and saw that Xiao Xin was standing in front of Xu Rong, and the two of them were perfectly fine again, without any temper between them.

“It’s true that every creature has its nemesis,” Lin Dingchao complained to Madam Wei. “I think he should just be put in charge by someone more capable.”

Mr. Wei was more open-minded than him and just laughed it off.

Lin Ding soon lost his temper with his son, because the army led by the Duke of England was about to arrive.

This is a major event. According to the plan, the army will rest outside the city for one night before heading north.

Before dawn, Lin Ding went out of the city to greet the guests. All the local officials, big and small, who were able to move, followed behind, some on horseback and others in sedan chairs. Everyone knew that the Zhang family's position had been further solidified after the Duke of England's great victory. For a first-class duke who was already destined to live as long as the country, even if they couldn't squeeze in to make a good impression on him, no one dared to be negligent.

After welcoming the guests, the formalities of greeting and banquets were naturally followed. The Duke of England was strict in governing his army. Although the battle was over, his generals were not allowed to drink alcohol until they arrived in the capital to report to the emperor. Therefore, the banquet was just a simple one, and after it was over, they had to return to their tents.

The local general and prefect tried their best to persuade him to stay, but Lin Ding waited for a while and then became impatient. He stepped forward and said seriously, "Father, I have something important to tell you."

The Duke of England, now seventy, was not particularly interested in dealing with social obligations, so he took the opportunity to extricate himself and praised him with satisfaction: "You have become increasingly worldly-wise through experience."

Lin Dingdao said, "Godfather, I really have something to do."

...

Lin Ding led the Duke of Yingguo to the courtyard where he was temporarily staying in the back office, and called Wei Shi, Xiao Xin and others to come out and pay their respects.

He then introduced himself as, "Godfather, these are my long-lost wife, son, and daughter-in-law."

The Duke of England was stunned for a moment. After all, he was old and experienced. He stroked his beard and said with emotion, "Such a rare thing has happened? In the past, when I wanted to arrange a marriage for you, you always declined, saying that you already had a wife. I never thought that you would have such a day when the clouds would part."

He kindly told the three of them to get up. He didn't pay much attention to Madam Wei and Xu Rong, who were women. He mainly looked at Xiao Xin, and after one glance, he couldn't help but look at him again: "Is this your son? He looks somewhat familiar."

Xiao Xin lowered his head slightly.

How could he not be friendly? Although he had only met the Duke of England a few times, he had seen him two or three times. However, in the years after he grew up, the Duke of England had been fighting abroad, so they had lost contact.

Lin Ding didn't keep them in suspense: "Godfather, he was originally your grandson, but now he's my son and your godson."

"puff!"

This sound came from Master Zhang spitting out his tea. Because the Duke of Yingguo was getting old, one of his two sons who came with him always accompanied him. Now that Master Zhang had returned to the camp outside the city, Master Zhang had followed him here.

"How come he's your son? Where did you start counting?" Master Zhang wiped his mouth, puzzled, and asked him, then looked at Xiao Xin, "Isn't this—my elder sister's second son?"

He didn't have a deep impression of Xiao Xin, but since it had been pointed out, he could vaguely recognize him when he looked again.

He then looked at Wei Shi, and Lin Ding said that she was his wife and son. Doesn't that mean—?

Wei was timid, and when he looked at her with a sharp gaze, she became intimidated and shrank back. Lin Ding said with dissatisfaction, "Second Brother Zhang, why are you scaring my wife?"

Master Zhang pointed his finger and said, "No—is this your wife? You've abducted a concubine, haven't you? And how can you lay a hand on your own family? How are you going to explain this to your brother-in-law when you get home?"

"He should give me an explanation!" Lin Ding sneered. "Godfather, Marquis Xiao Yuanhong of Changxing has been taking my wife for many years and even sent assassins to hunt down my wife and children. I beg you, Godfather, to do me justice!"

With a thud, he knelt down.

"..."

The Duke of England remained silent for a while. Afterward, the weariness from the march disappeared from his eyes, replaced by a bright and clear light. He then spoke, "You, explain yourself clearly."

Lin Ding began to recount everything in detail. He was naturally eloquent and had prepared his speech in advance. He was extremely familiar with the cause and effect, and his deep sorrow came from his heart. Throughout the process, he never uttered the words "Xiao Yuanhong is an old bastard." It was precisely because of this that his pain of being separated from the Wei family was all the more evident.

Master Zhang listened from the side, his mouth gradually closing in disbelief.

"Brother-in-law, what a scoundrel," he muttered to himself.

The Duke of England sat there, neither responding to him nor stopping him.

Lin Ding finally finished speaking, his narrow eyes slightly red: "--That's how it is. If it's difficult for you, Godfather, to make a decision for me, then I will go and reason with Xiao Yuanhong myself. But if I accidentally kill him and cause my younger sister to become a widow, I beg you to understand."

Master Zhang interjected, "My younger sister is always arguing with him. If you really killed him, maybe my younger sister would be more comfortable."

"Second son, how old are you? How can you still spout nonsense?" The Duke of Ying stopped him this time, frowning as he said, "Ding'er is in a bad mood, so it's inevitable that she'll speak without thinking. Are you the same?"

Master Zhang bowed and begged for forgiveness, then shut his mouth.

The Duke of England then said to Lin Ding, "Once we return to the capital, we're no longer on the battlefield. Stop talking about fighting and killing all the time, or people will find fault with you and you'll lose your case."

Lin Ding wiped his eyes: "Yes, Godfather."

He was over thirty years old, and seeing his condition, even the Duke of England felt a pang of sympathy and said, "Alright, stop crying. It's always a joyous occasion that you've regained your wife and children."

However, his own son-in-law was involved, which made the Duke of Yingguo feel somewhat troubled. If it were a complete outsider, as Lin Ding said, he could just storm into the house and make a big fuss, even taking the matter to the imperial court. But it was a family member, so it became difficult to handle. Regardless of the relationship between Madam Xiao and Marquis Xiao, once she married into the Xiao family, she was a member of the Xiao family. The Duke of Yingguo had to consider his eldest daughter.

Unable to make up his mind, the Duke of England's gaze lingered in the room. When he saw Xiao Xin again, and saw that his life had been so tumultuous, yet he stood there with a cold and indifferent expression, he was somewhat surprised and intrigued. He said, "Come closer."

Xiao Xin did as he was told and went forward.

"This matter is also closely related to you. What are your thoughts on it?" the British duke asked.

“My lord forced my mother into marriage, causing my birth parents to separate. This is an immoral and unjust act. However, I was raised in the Xiao family and received their kindness in providing me with food and drink. If my lord can let go of this and allow me to restore my original surname and reunite with my birth parents, then the debts of gratitude and resentment will be settled, and I will ask for nothing more.” Xiao Xin bowed and cupped his hands.

The Duke of England nodded in approval: "You child, you are indeed shrewd and kind-hearted."

“If that’s all we ask for, it shouldn’t be difficult,” the Duke of England pondered again.

After the truth came out, this was the most basic thing to do: Xiao Xin could no longer return to the Xiao family as a member of the Xiao family, and Lord Xiao Hou could no longer acknowledge him.

"Ding'er, what do you think?" he asked Lin Ding.

Lin Ding's expression was peculiar, a mixture of joy and anger. He was joyful because Xiao Xin had acknowledged him as his biological father and even said he would restore his original surname, which showed that he was indeed his son. No matter how much he argued with him, he was still on his side. He was angry because he was unwilling to let Lord Xiao go like this.

"Godfather, he even sent people to hunt him down. Those two stupid assassins are tied up in the room next door right now."

"Then he raised your son for twenty years." The Duke of Yingguo rebuked lightly, but the accusation in his tone was not directed at Lin Ding, but at Marquis Xiao.

“My brother-in-law is really stupid.” Second Master Zhang voiced what he hadn’t said, “He’s so muddle-headed about matters of having children. He deserves it.”

Bang.

But the Duke of England finally couldn't contain his anger and slammed his hand on the table beside him.

Marquis Xiao's son-in-law was a major blunder in his life. His eldest daughter had been arguing with him constantly since she married into the family. He had even considered asking Madam Xiao to divorce him, but Madam Xiao was a first-class noblewoman in the capital. The higher her status, the less she could accept the reality of her failed marriage. She insisted on entangled with Marquis Xiao, and this struggle lasted for half a lifetime. It was impossible for them to separate now.

“Godfather, don’t be angry,” Lin Ding comforted him. “If you’re really angry, why don’t you go back to the capital and beat up Xiao Yuanhong?”

Xu Rong remained silent. She could tell that Lin Ding had a lot of influence in front of the Duke of Ying and spoke without much restraint. In that case, there was no need to rush to reveal Xiao Shan's matter. If they could break away from the Xiao family without using Xiao Shan's connections, it would actually be safer.

As for what changes might occur in the Xiao family because of Xiao Shan, that's none of their business.

"Enough." The Duke of England suppressed his anger and made a decision. "Stop saying those useless words. Since they are your wife and children, they should be returned to you. After returning to the capital, I will discuss this with Yuan Hong."

“I’m afraid my brother-in-law might not be willing,” Master Zhang reminded him from the side. “Although he was the one who acted unjustly first, it’s still too embarrassing for him to make a scene like this today.”

The Duke of England considered for a moment: "Then let the child leave the capital for a few years to avoid the rumors. He can return when the gossip subsides. That way, he'll be somewhat at peace with himself—"

"Godfather, no, Xiao Bao has to take the imperial examination, how can he leave?" Lin Ding interrupted him anxiously.

The Duke of England was surprised and didn't even have time to reprimand him for his rudeness, saying, "What imperial examination? Are you referring to next year's spring imperial examination?"

Lin Ding nodded quickly: "Xiao Bao just passed the provincial examination with top honors, otherwise I would have come to ask my godfather to make the decision."

If it were up to his temperament, he would have stormed the capital immediately after arriving and caused a huge uproar. He didn't care about his reputation or the consequences. However, because Xiao Xin needed a clean and unquestionable identity for the imperial examination, and this identity could not be bypassed by Marquis Xiao, so he had to be pressured to agree. Therefore, he had no choice but to ask the Duke of Yingguo to intervene.

The Duke of England relaxed, but his attitude became serious. He turned to Lin Ding and said, "Why didn't you say so sooner about something so important?"

Lin Ding scratched his head: "I was just about to say that, but I haven't had a chance yet."

"I think you can't distinguish between what's important and what's urgent." The Duke of England pointed at him. "Is the child's future more important or venting your anger by beating someone up? You just keep talking about those things."

Lin Ding said with a forced smile, "Godfather, I was wrong. Wouldn't that mean Xiao Bao would leave?"

The British Duke nodded steadily.

Master Zhang smacked his lips and sighed, "Brother, if I were you, I wouldn't blame my brother-in-law. I've given you a top scholar son for free, what more could you want?"

"The one who should be coughing up blood right now is my brother-in-law."