When the Fifth Prince addressed the old man as "Sir," everyone had already guessed his identity.
Unexpectedly, the highly respected Mr. Li also came here.
Even more unexpectedly...
Xiangling looked at the old man and then at Brother Li; their features were identical.
With her lips trembling, she looked both surprised and frightened, "Brother Li..."
The man's expression shifted repeatedly. After much deliberation, he took Xiangling's hand, walked to Old Master Li's side, and whispered, "Father..."
boom--
All around was silent.
The Fifth Prince was the first to react. His expression changed, and he immediately put on a gentle smile and cupped his hands, saying, "I didn't know this was your son, sir."
"I will definitely give you and the young master a satisfactory explanation for this matter!"
The Fifth Prince spoke firmly and waved to the guard beside him.
Upon receiving the order, the guards immediately stepped forward, lifted Young Master Yuan up, and ruthlessly pressed him down in front of Old Master Li and Young Master Li.
Xiangling, the little girl, was already frozen in fear, unable to recover for a long time. She gripped the hand of the person next to her tightly, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Young Master Yuan began to struggle desperately, but all his efforts were in vain. Under the powerful aura of the guards, he even felt a chilling killing intent, which instantly made his legs go weak, and he involuntarily collapsed to the ground.
"I'm...I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I won't do it again, I'll never do it again..."
Young Master Yuan begged for mercy in utter terror.
He never dreamed that this seemingly ordinary restaurant guard was actually the son of Old Master Li. After all, Old Master Li had a mentor-student relationship with the current Emperor!
Now, everyone in the capital knows that several princes, including those of noble birth, are studying under Master Li. Young Master Yuan, realizing he's in deep trouble, is filled with regret and fear.
Young Master Li's expression shifted as he watched the scene unfold before him, showing anger and resentment.
His father and reputation, which he had always wanted to escape, have now become his shield once again.
He made a scene, he ran away.
If he were alone, he could have simply turned around and left, just like before, making his home wherever he went.
But……
He met Xiangling.
He held her trembling little hand tightly, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up inside him. Her hand was so small, so soft, so fragile, as if it would break at the slightest touch.
He couldn't bear to see her suffer, couldn't bear to see her get hurt in the slightest.
He knew he could no longer run away; he had to make a choice, even though it might leave him feeling resentful. But he had made his decision.
As long as we can protect her safety and happiness.
He hoped she would never have to worry about food or clothing, or have to serve others with a subservient attitude; he hoped her smile would be like the spring sunshine, bright and radiant, without any worries or troubles; he hoped she could cry freely when she wanted to cry, laugh loudly when she wanted to laugh, and playfully fight when she wanted to fight.
Just like Miss Jiang, she lives as brightly as the sun.
To achieve this wish, he was willing to pay any price, when he suddenly sensed the envious gaze of Young Master Li.
Jiang Jiaojiao blinked and returned a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with joy.
He secretly rejoiced that his efforts had not been in vain. Seeing the scene before him, Mr. Li and his son were finally reunited.
Recalling their tragic end in their past life...
In an act of impulsiveness, he accidentally injured the Fifth Prince's brother, the young master Yuan, who was standing before him. As a result, he was imprisoned and lost his freedom.
However, the wheels of fate did not stop turning. Jiang Xue somehow learned of his true identity and, in exchange for Young Master Li's life, persuaded Old Master Li to accept the Fifth Prince as his last disciple and begin to fully support the Fifth Prince's struggle for the throne.
It's lamentable that Xiangling willingly became Yuan Gongzi's concubine in order to save Young Master Li, but after only three days, she was ruthlessly wrapped in a straw mat and abandoned in a mass grave.
It was Peony, the maid who had served Xiangling with all her heart, who took pity on her and generously bought her a simple coffin, giving Xiangling a final shred of dignity so that she could be buried in peace.
After enduring countless hardships to be released from prison, Young Master Li searched everywhere for Xiangling's whereabouts. Ultimately, he received the devastating news that she had already passed away. Overwhelmed with grief and unable to accept this fact, he stormed into Yuan's residence and committed suicide alongside Young Master Yuan.
Mr. Li remained completely unaware of the truth, wholeheartedly assisting the Fifth Prince in ascending to the position of Crown Prince, who eventually became Emperor.
But……
When he retired and returned to his hometown, he learned that his son had long since died. His elderly mother, who had been waiting for her grandson, also passed away. Even his wife, who had been with him since childhood, died of a hemorrhage on the day she learned of her son's death.
All of this...
He was completely unaware!
She thought her son had already returned home, and that once he had achieved his goal and retired, the three generations of her family could enjoy a happy family life together.
But……
Having achieved their goal, they retired, leaving behind only three graves for three generations of their family—a truly desolate sight.
"Brother Li... Brother Li?"
Xiangling blushed, her voice trembling, and tried to pull her hand away and hide.
But they were held even tighter.
“Father, Xiangling is my savior and the woman I admire. I want to marry her.”
Young Master Li stared intently at Old Master Li, his eyes revealing a firm and resolute determination. His voice was strong and clear, as if every word carried weight: "This matter is settled!"
The decision was made in a resolute tone.
Hearing his son's decisive words, Mr. Li felt a tightness in his chest and as if something was blocking his throat.
This unfilial son, he really doesn't show him any mercy!
Looking into the familiar stubbornness in her son's eyes.
My own flesh and blood, my own flesh and blood.
Mr. Li suppressed his anger, looked at the frightened little girl, and forced a smile, trying to appear kind.
He had naturally seen what had just happened.
Although he looked down on the girl's status, it was clear that... his opinion didn't count. If he hadn't happened to come today, they would probably have been a pair of star-crossed lovers.
Although he was a great Confucian scholar, he was not a pedantic one.
Back then, when Consort Yun entered the palace, he couldn't stand seeing a group of grown men verbally bullying a weak woman. He debated with the scholars, scolding them so much that they stayed at home for three days, too ashamed to show their faces.
Cough cough...
We've gone off on a tangent.
Seeing that her unfilial son seemed ready to turn around and leave at the slightest provocation, she glared at him fiercely.
"Hmph! You have no merit or fame, what right do you have to marry that girl? Just because your surname is... and you're good-looking?"
I almost touched this rebellious son's sore spot again.
He hated his own surname the most. In the past, when the two argued fiercely, the unfilial son even took a knife and wanted to cut off his bones to return to his father and his flesh to return to his mother.
If his name hadn't been on the travel permit, he probably would have changed his surname long ago.
That's enough.
An old father won't argue with his stubborn son!
Seeing that Mr. Li did not jump up and curse.
The rebellious son re-examined the situation and suspected that he was possessed by a demon, until his father's temples throbbed, his face darkened, and his eyes widened, and the familiar feeling returned.
"Cough cough..."
A familiar cough reached Jiang Jiaojiao's ears. Around the corner... a handsome, otherworldly being slowly walked out.
"Teacher, rest assured, Senior Brother Li has been intelligent since childhood, and he is destined to become an official or general in no time."
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