Chapter 158 Shedding the Shell
"How are you doing now at the Princess's residence? The Princess is a very kind and chivalrous person, and I imagine she has been taking good care of you."
Lin Kuangzheng then turned to her and began to talk about his days at the Princess's residence.
"By the way, were your father and mother happy when they first heard about this? Did they send someone to see you?"
When he asked about this, Xiao Yuxuan's expression turned indifferent.
The forced smile on her face was so obvious that Lin Kuangzheng's heart skipped a beat.
"Uncle knows me. Although I am fortunate to be able to return to the Xiao family, my fourth sister is a shining example... I am not afraid of being laughed at by my uncle. Actually, I am afraid of incurring the displeasure of my father and mother. Therefore, I am grateful for the favor of the Princess and always run to the Princess's residence."
“Father, Mother, and three older brothers… They already have a sweet and obedient daughter and a younger sister. Sometimes I wonder if they would be better off if I hadn’t come back, and if the Xiao family wouldn’t have had so many controversial incidents…”
She looked up, and beneath her tear-streaked eyelashes, her eyes, filled with bitterness and sorrow, were clear and bright, yet also possessed a tenacious resilience.
Lin Kuangzheng gritted his teeth, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, wishing he could rush to the Xiao residence to find Xiao Su and expose everything to the world, and seek justice for Xiao Yuxuan.
But he can't do that.
He wasn't an impulsive young man in his twenties.
The Lin and Xiao families are too intertwined; he cannot act rashly and recklessly.
Hui'er is in poor health and has been suffering from various ailments lately. This incident must be a huge blow to her, and he dares not gamble.
And there are also four children from the Xiao family... Based on this alone, he cannot go.
If parents divorce, their children's marriages will definitely be affected. And if Xiao Su's official position is affected, causing him to give up and bring his mistress into the house, or marry another woman, how can his stepchildren have a good life?
He could only convince himself that, fortunately, Yu Xuan's suffering had come to an end, and besides his uncle, there was also the Princess who could support her.
"No, that's not true. We're all happy you're back."
"Then why won't Mother even see me? She only asks about my fourth sister and my uncle. I don't understand."
"Uncle, am I really that annoying?"
These words made Lin Kuangzheng's eyes widen.
"Your mother doesn't want to see you?"
He could endure it for the sake of the Xiao family's children, pretending that the incident with Xiao Su never happened, but Hui'er, how could Hui'er push away her own flesh and blood to pity a concubine's daughter?!
No, it's because she was unaware of it.
But if she knew, I wonder how grief-stricken and heartbroken she would be.
Lin Kuangzheng was struggling with his inner conflict, and so was Xiao Su.
Gu Linyan's attempt to enter the Xiao family failed, and upon their reunion, she surprisingly told him that she wanted to end this inappropriate relationship and leave the capital!
“You are just a weak woman, where can you go if you leave the capital? What’s wrong with staying here? At least I won’t let you go without food and clothing. Even if you can’t come back with me, it’s better than the hardship of eating and sleeping in the open.”
"Besides, it's quiet and peaceful here, with no one to bother you. Isn't that exactly what you like?"
Xiao Su didn't understand. In his eyes, there was no difference between a mistress and a concubine. Besides Lin Hui and Gu Linyan, what else could she possibly want?
Over the past ten years, he has done so much for Gu Linyan and Xiao Yuyao. Even now, the Lin family still doesn't know about Xiao Yuyao's background.
How could Gu Linyan be so unreasonable? Just because she couldn't enter the Xiao residence, she threw a tantrum at him?
She's not a teenager anymore, why is she being so willful?
Xiao Su looked completely bewildered, while Gu Linyan sat opposite him, tears streaming down her face.
She held a silk handkerchief in her hand, gently pressed it against her cheeks, and said haltingly:
"Xiao Lang, it's not that I don't understand you, it's just that I've really had enough of this kind of life. From now on, let's cut ties and never have anything to do with each other again."
"I've thought about it a lot lately, and I still don't want to be a concubine, let alone have such a shameful identity... Yuyao certainly wouldn't want to have a mother like that either. I'd rather leave now and go somewhere where no one knows me, and live out my remaining days in peace."
Xiao Su grabbed her hand, still refusing to accept this explanation, his attitude firm.
"I won't allow it!"
"You are already my woman, and I will not allow you to leave alone like this. It was my fault for not being able to bring you into the manor, but we have been through more than ten years together. Lin Hui will give in sooner or later. Do you know that you are forcing me by doing this?"
His seemingly precarious and affectionate demeanor drew a flash of disdain from Gu Linyan. Suppressing the urge to pull her hand away and her annoyance, she softly said:
“Xiao Lang, of course I know you can’t let me go, and I didn’t mean to force you. Sister Lin Hui… I’m the one who’s wronged her.”
"Xiao Lang, please let me go, and let yourself go too. Let's end things here."
In the past, it was one thing; she had no one to rely on and always needed to find a strong tree to lean on. But now that Tanlang is still alive, even if she doesn't think about herself, she should think about Tanlang and her child. Yuyao... can't stay in the Xiao family forever.
She was determined to leave, no matter what Xiao Su said, she still used the same soft yet firm words.
Xiao Su was also surprised to learn for the first time that Yan Niang, who seemed as gentle and tender as a dodder vine, could also have such a resolute side.
"Have you thought this through? Once I leave here today, we'll have nothing to do with each other anymore! You'll never see Yuyao again!"
Xiao Su finally threatened her, trying to evoke a bit of reluctance in her by using Xiao Yuyao.
"My dear Xiao, this parting today may be the last time we meet. Please take care of yourself and do not worry too much..."
Gu Linyan did manage to say a couple of conciliatory words.
Leaving a way out for others is her principle.
If she hadn't said some ambiguous things to Xiao Su when she was bored back then, she wouldn't have been able to find Xiao Su to take shelter from her so easily fifteen years ago.
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but although Gu Linyan's words sounded nice, her expression became increasingly firm, showing no sign of wavering.
Xiao Su's face darkened, a surge of anger rising to his head, but his years of self-control only allowed him to stand up, his eyes bloodshot.
"Alright, since this is your wish, I'll grant your request!"
Xiao Su had always thought that Gu Linyan's place was somewhat of a safe haven for him, a place where he could relax when he was tired of his wife and children at home.
Unexpectedly, even Gu Linyan is now abandoning him.
The Lin family study.
Qin Yuan, standing beside Xiao Yuxuan, said:
"Actually, the reason why the young lady recognized His Highness as her godmother was because Master Xiao and Madam Xiao were too biased. They said that the troubles in the family were all because of the young lady's return, and they wanted to send her to Jiangnan. His Highness felt sorry for the young lady having to leave her hometown at such a young age, so he offered his help..."
"Qin Yuan, how could you say such things in front of your uncle!"
Xiao Yuxuan hurriedly interrupted her, but her attempt to cover up the truth only made Lin Kuangzheng feel even more heartbroken.
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