Chapter 109: A source of trouble!

Although he knew the only outcome would be compromise, that didn't stop his father-in-law from continuing to find fault.

Despite the gruesome bluish bruises around his neck, Liu Min served tea to his father-in-law, and of course, his uncle as well. With his father-in-law and uncle already served, he couldn't forget his own father, so he offered him a cup as well. After serving the tea, he returned to his original spot and stood obediently.

There were five people: the father-in-law and the uncle sat on chairs, the father sat on a stool below the uncle, and he stood in the open space, still standing with his hands clasped, his back bent and his head bowed, looking just like a prisoner on trial.

Three people: a former minister, a current governor, and a member of the imperial family…

If word got out, those unaware of the situation would inevitably wonder: with so many important figures sitting together, what kind of major case must it be? Was it treason? Wouldn't a lot of people have died?

No one will die.

Ultimately, it's a minor matter.

Of the three, only the Governor actually drank the tea. After finishing, he urged the other two to drink quickly as well, explaining that it was cold and the tea would cool down quickly, making it unsuitable for drinking cold tea at this time of year. The Governor was a man of great importance, and since he had spoken, it was only natural for the others not to give him face. However, the Minister merely held his teacup and smiled politely, not daring to actually put the tea to his lips.

Because the royal family hasn't moved yet.

Gu Huangqin squinted, staring intently at the person, determined to uncover the truth.

The Minister found it difficult to speak, and the Governor-General had already done his best; in this situation…

"Why isn't Dad drinking his tea? If he doesn't drink it soon, it'll get cold."

Another person standing on the table took two steps to the table and picked up the tea.

"Father, have some tea."

This is his daughter, the daughter he finally found after going through countless hardships, his most precious treasure.

There's really no other way.

He took the bowl, took a sip, put it back on the table, and then sighed.

"I really don't understand, what's so good about him? He just stands there like a block of wood, and he has no other skills besides making people angry. If he wants me to have his way, why doesn't he try to find a way himself? What's the point of hiding in the back? Can he hide forever?"

His daughter nodded and said, "I would love to stand in front of him for the rest of my life."

Unfilial daughter, this daughter is unfilial, she's siding with outsiders.

My father-in-law was so angry he could hardly breathe.

However, the culprit continues to act like a block of wood.

This is terrible! This could kill him!

His daughter spoke up again, "I told you not to bully him, so why is he just standing there like a block of wood? Isn't it because you, Dad, won't give him a chance?"

Fallacy!

"I may not give it, but he can't give up! Should he shrink back just because of a small setback? A person can't be so useless! If it really comes to that, he might as well die!"

His daughter nodded and hummed in agreement, "He really was almost strangled to death by you."

So what if he strangled him? Even if he had actually strangled him, he wouldn't feel guilty. In fact, he would praise himself for handling the matter so well!

They weren't guilty at all; they were completely self-righteous!

Seeing him like this, Shan felt truly helpless and couldn't help but sigh.

She wasn't worried at all about her and Liu Min being separated. No matter how much her father made a fuss, it was all in vain. However, he had the right to make a fuss, and she couldn't stop him. If he wanted to, she could let him do as he pleased, but if he kept making a fuss like this, Liu Min's mood wouldn't improve...

She couldn't bear to part with it.

"We two exhausted all our strength to finally come together. It wasn't as difficult as climbing to the heavens, but it was definitely a case of many trials and tribulations... He didn't wrong me. When I was a slave, he said he would marry me, take me away, and never let me suffer again. He studied very hard, both for his deceased grandmother and mother, and for me... Later, when I was no longer a slave, he came here... When I heard about it, my heart ached terribly... I came to find him, but he forced me to leave, not wanting me to suffer with him... But being with him is not suffering at all!"

"Leaving him is the best solution."

"He has really done everything he could for me, even if it meant suffering himself... Otherwise, why would he stand here and let you scold him? Others have said the same things to him before. He had a life-or-death struggle with that person. You almost strangled him to death, but he still served you tea and stood here listening to your scolding without saying a word back. What do you think is the reason for that?"

"You're just bullying him...bullying him, hurting my feelings, is this really for my own good?"

As she said this last sentence, tears streamed down her face.

She herself said that she didn't mean to hurt you; she knew her words would hurt you.

Gu Fang's heart was broken.

It wasn't his daughter who hurt him, it was fate.

The daughter did nothing wrong; it's all God's fault. God separated the father and daughter, which is why things turned out this way...

The father feels even more pain than the daughter, and sheds even more tears.

She started crying again.

Gu Xun knew he had to comfort his niece first, so he quickly went over. Although she was his niece, the brothers treated her no differently than their own daughter, and even treated her better than their own daughter. So he took her hand and personally wiped her tears with a handkerchief, saying as he did so, "Your father is just stubborn but soft-hearted. Don't take it to heart. You know he's doing this for your own good."

Liu Shen also got up. He was trying to persuade Gu Fang, speaking with great humility and sincerity: "Third Master, my son is a good-for-nothing. He's made you angry, and that's his fault. But he's not without his good points. Just give him time, and he'll show you... I can't blame him for this; it's my fault... I grew up without a father, so I don't know how to be a good father. Not only have I failed as a father... He's been dragged down by me... He'll definitely change his bad points... I owe him both of them, and I'll definitely make it up to him. I'm not afraid to risk my life. Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it without question..."

Of the five people, four were moving, and Liu Min stopped being a wooden figure.

It was Shanlai who was crying.

He stepped forward and whispered to Gu Xun, "My lord, give me the handkerchief..."

Gu Xun truly treated him as his nephew-in-law. In such a situation, if he asked for it, how could he refuse?

There were tears in Liu Min's eyes as well.

How could there be no tears? Those were all from the bottom of my heart! Your heart, my heart…

"Don't cry..." He wiped her tears. "If you keep crying, you'll become a withered person... Don't be afraid, I'm here... Please stop crying, okay? I still have things to say to my father-in-law, and if you keep crying, I can't go over..."

When he said that, she couldn't cry anymore, and gradually she stopped crying.

Deep down, I was afraid things wouldn't end well.

Seeing that she had stopped crying, Liu Min tucked her eyes with his fingers, stroked her face, and then turned and walked towards Gu Fang.

He still had that same hunched-over, bowed head and bent back posture.

His words, however, were clear and forceful.

"Father-in-law, please calm your anger. Father-in-law, you are wise. I know I have many faults, but I am truly inseparable from her. Please, for my sake, give me a chance to correct my mistakes... I will obey your every command without fail..."

The father and son, the older one said this, and the younger one said the same thing. They had given their all, and even if they wanted more, they didn't know where to ask for it.

Shanlai then walked over and stood with Liu Min. He said to his father, "This is how my life is. There's no way to change it. Father, please grant my wish. I know you love me... But if you don't love me, I really don't know what I'll do."

If I cry after saying all this, it means I truly don't care about my daughter.

Well, who told her to love him so much? She was just blinded by love for a moment. As long as she's happy, anything goes. So what if she's pathetic? If her son-in-law isn't pathetic, then he, the father-in-law, won't be able to show off his abilities! "I won't say any more. Pack... don't pack anymore. There's nothing worth taking. Take your valuables with you. Come home with me tomorrow. Grandma is looking forward to seeing you."

They've given in.

Unexpectedly, Shanlai said, "He's not going back with us."

This statement is truly incomprehensible. Isn't it about loving someone so much that you can't live without them?

"He still has a stigma, we can't..."

He was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

"What's so special about that? Aside from ascending to immortality and achieving eternal life, is there anything in this world that we can't do? It's just a matter of saying a few words in the palace."

Shanlai certainly knew this.

Not only did she know, but others did too.

"That's why we can't take him back. People will definitely say he's using his in-laws' influence. He didn't kill anyone. If he comes back with us, even if he's cleared of his name, people will still say he really did kill someone. Once he gains power, he'll try to distort the truth... I don't want anyone to say that about him."

It doesn't really matter. As long as you have power, who would dare to openly offend you? At most, they'd just say a few words in private, it's really no big deal.

However, the daughter meant that no one was allowed to talk about it in private.

That's how much I love him; I don't want him to suffer even the slightest grievance.

It makes people feel depressed.

But we can't ignore it.

"Okay, whatever you say, we'll do it."

They're all minor matters.

Getting home is the most important thing.

A group of people have been waiting for this for so many years.

Unexpectedly, Shanlai then said, "I'm not leaving tomorrow; I want to wait until after the New Year."

Gu Fang had no choice but to glare at him.

"After the New Year?"

"...I don't want to spend the New Year on the road."

Is that a reason? Do you really think I don't know what you're thinking?

"So what if I spend the New Year on the road! Ever since you got lost, I've spent every New Year on the road!"

Shanlai is genuinely unafraid of his father; he has no reason to be afraid and is truly fearless.

"See, you also think it's not good to spend the New Year on the road, otherwise why would you bring it up in such a distressing way?"

Fallacy!

And how unfilial! For a man, she even neglects her grandmother! How can she face her grandmother?

What a jinx! What a jinx! No wonder I can't stand him!