Jiang Shan felt her scalp tingle from that one "Dad." She silently covered her face, and after peeking through her fingers at Fu Qiyuan's slightly upturned lips, she couldn't help but ask, "Did you teach him to say that? He doesn't even know how. Don't teach him to shout it out loud!"
"Who else did he call out to?" Fu Qiyuan raised an eyebrow slightly, a strange emotion flickering in his eyes.
Jiang Shan wasn't going to continue the topic and asked about the purpose of his trip, since it wasn't specifically to celebrate Jiang Huai's birthday.
Fu Qiyuan looked at her intently and asked, "Do you still blame me?"
Jiang Shan lowered his head slightly. "What do I resent about you? Do I resent that you didn't tell me anything? Do I resent that you were so decisive in handling things? Do I resent that you made a mess of things and caused so much trouble? Since you weren't willing to say anything back then, I don't think you'll explain things to me clearly now, do you?"
Fu Qiyuan smiled helplessly, "Shan'er, you are smarter than I thought! I didn't mean to hide it from you. This matter is not just yours alone. In my eyes, you are the people I must protect. The Pei family's actions against you are tantamount to going against me. If I weren't Fu Qiyuan, I would have risked my life to protect you. But now I am Fu Qiyuan, the son of the Minister of Works. Even if the world turns upside down, I don't need to worry about losing my life. You can rest assured!"
That's true. Jiang Shan hasn't forgotten why the Pei family sent people to make things difficult for her. Wasn't it just because she got a little closer to Fu Qiyuan? Now she can't just stop playing with him, can't she?
Thinking of this, Jiang Shan said with a hint of self-deprecation, "You big and powerful families like to treat human lives like dirt. I'm just a commoner, I can't afford to play that game. It's better to stay away. The evildoers in the Pei family are already dead. Just express your stance to them and let it go. There's no need to confront them head-on."
Fu Qiyuan's eyes flickered, and he lowered his gaze, saying in a low voice, "Shan'er, is this... going to abandon me?"
He didn't know there was a modern saying, "to put up a load of dust," but that's exactly what Jiang Shan meant at that moment.
Her gaze flickered. "That's not how it works. I'm grateful that you helped me get revenge, but you also need to understand that you're not someone I can mess with! When I was pregnant with Jiang Huai, we were still nothing, but your family had already sentenced me to death. If they knew that I had a child out of wedlock and still wanted to get close to you, it wouldn't be as simple as drowning me in a pig cage!"
That's how cruel the ancient mindset was. She couldn't do anything about local gentry, let alone the relatives of a high-ranking official in the imperial court!
If she were truly forced by circumstances, she wouldn't have the courage to fight a losing battle; she can't afford to lose right now!
It's not abandonment, it's giving up.
Upon hearing Jiang Shan's words, Fu Qiyuan seemed to have thought of something. His eyes flickered, and he said, "Shan'er, the relationship between you and me is a matter between the two of us. It depends solely on our wishes. You don't need to concern yourself with other people and matters; leave them to me. With that in mind, what else could you possibly worry about?"
It's as if the two of them really made some kind of vow of eternal love!
"Darling!" Jiang Huai suddenly shouted, as if by divine inspiration, leaving Jiang Shan's attempts to explain seeming pale and powerless.
After listening for a while, Sanlang slowly began to understand what was going on. He pointed to his fingers and whispered, "Sister was already engaged to brother, so we're family!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Shan flicked his forehead: "He's my sworn brother! His surname is Fu, not Jiao, understand?"
If this person really was Jiao Erlang, although it was a bit unsettling, she could accept this person and the marriage for the sake of this family. But the problem was that he wasn't Jiao Erlang, but just an adopted son! He was Sanlang's adopted brother!
Jiang Shan reminded Sanlang of a cruel reality: this is someone else's son, not his mother's son!
Sanlang's mood immediately plummeted. He looked at Fu Qiyuan with infinite grievance, his eyes filled with accusation!
He's clearly his elder brother, so why is he being called someone else's son!
Fu Qiyuan patted Sanlang's head tenderly and gave Jiang Shan a meaningful look. "The future is long and uncertain. You've just arrived in Yuzhou and it hasn't been easy for you. Just take good care of yourselves. As for the Pei family, someone will deal with them!"
For some reason, Jiang Shan felt that Fu Qiyuan was still holding back some big move, but she couldn't ask.
We agreed not to talk about love, but knowing too much makes me unable to let go of it, so it's easier to pretend to be ignorant.
Liangchen knocked on the door from outside, saying that An Jing wanted Jiang Shan to go down and check if anything was missing from the banquet. Jiang Shan, without suspicion, went down quickly.
“That Young Master An…” Fu Qiyuan narrowed his eyes and turned his gaze to Sanlang, the only person in the know.
Sanlang went on and on about An Jing's story, and finally came to a few conclusions:
Brother An is extremely kind to them!
Brother An really likes Huai'er!
Huai'er called Brother An "Darling"!
They were definitely up to no good!
Fu Qiyuan's lips curved slightly, revealing a stunningly beautiful demeanor.
"Sanlang, I need your help, brother! It's a very, very important favor!"
The banquet was set up on six tables, and it officially began after An Er accompanied Mr. Xunmei over.
When Fu Qiyuan saw Mr. Xunmei, he unexpectedly performed a grand salute before Mr. Xunmei, the highest form of courtesy a student would show to their teacher.
"This junior, Fu Qiyuan, greets Mr. Xunmei."
Mr. Xunmei looked at Fu Qiyuan without showing any emotion, but his feelings were extremely complicated.
This is the child of his student, the elder brother of his most outstanding disciple, and his great-nephew. Both in terms of sentiment and reason, he should show the respect and care that an elder should have for his juniors.
But it was also this child's mother who caused him to lose his daughter, who remains missing to this day.
It's impossible that he didn't harbor any resentment.
"No need for formalities," Mr. Xunmei said casually, flicked his sleeves, and strode away with his head held high.
The crowd watched this scene with a puzzled look, wondering why Mr. Xunmei, who could be so kind and courteous to a beggar, would turn his back on the dignified county magistrate. What was the explanation?
Jiang Shan tugged at Sanlang, who scratched the back of his head, looking completely bewildered.
However, when they took their seats, Mr. Xunmei and Fu Qiyuan were still seated together.
A high-ranking official, a respected figure—both are considered "great."
This time, Mr. Xunmei was not pretentious. He greeted everyone at the table with a kind and gentle expression, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Fu Qiyuan's gentle and handsome face was adorned with a perfectly timed smile, so perfect that not a single thing seemed out of place.
It wasn't until Jiang Huai was held by Xi'er that the little guy opened his arms and called out to Fu Qiyuan in a clear voice, "Dad!"
The next second, a smile as beautiful as spring flowers bloomed on Fu Qiyuan's face, and the whole room seemed to brighten up because of his smile.
An Jingxin was so angry she almost swelled up!
This little ingrate is usually so hard to coax into calling someone "Darling," but now he's hooked on calling others that instead. All that pampering he's got to do for nothing!
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