"good."
Xie Lingqin didn't press the matter further; she knew when to stop and left the study with Xie Danling and Ning Yi.
Those surrounding them stepped back at General Xie's signal.
"Xie Danling, you shall return to the academy immediately. You shall not take leave, nor shall you return to the manor without my permission."
As soon as they left General Xie's courtyard, Xie Lingqin whispered to Xie Danling.
Xie Danling was somewhat puzzled. "Big sister, don't be so paranoid. Father was obviously angry just now. As long as I don't provoke him, he won't do anything to me."
Xie Danling had grown another head, and was now more than half a head taller than Xie Lingqin. Looking at her now, she smiled, revealing her white teeth, and her eyes were bright. "Don't worry, I will protect you and will never let you suffer in anything."
The boy's words were clear and resonant, each one heartfelt.
At this moment, Xie Lingqin felt a stirring in her heart and was inexplicably moved.
After all this time, Xie Danling has finally grown up.
But……
She was afraid. She was afraid that one day General Xie would find out the truth. He had almost killed his own son Ning Yi today, so what would he do if he found out that Xie Danling was not her biological son?
"Danling, let's take Ningyi back to Scholar Ning's place together first."
Xie Lingqin suddenly changed the subject.
Xie Danling had no doubts. Looking at Ning Yi, she immediately nodded, "Okay."
Ning Yi, on the other hand, extended his affection to Xie Lingqin, his older sister. He liked anyone who was kind to her, so he also liked them. Therefore, he didn't give Xie Danling a dirty look in the carriage.
Xie Danling and Ning Yi got along quite well.
Ning Xiucai had been peering out from the doorway, looking worried. When he saw Xie Lingqin arrive safely with Ning Yi, he breathed a sigh of relief and hurried over to greet her, "Is everything alright?"
"Don't worry, it's fine. You take Ningyi inside. I still have some things to take care of."
"Why don't you come in and sit down? I had the kids pick some fresh vegetables from the field today."
Ning Xiucai awkwardly extended the invitation, "Besides, I've also invited Lord Liu; he'll be arriving later."
"Is Liu Yunzhou coming? Well then, I'll give you an address. Go and invite Miss Lanxiang over as well."
Ning Xiucai was taken aback for a moment, then understood what was going on and immediately replied, "Alright, I'll go and make the preparations now. I also have something I'd like to discuss with you."
"good."
After watching Xie Lingqin leave, Ning Xiucai took Ning Yi's hand and walked into the house.
Xie Lingqin and Xie Danling walked out of the long alley and looked back at Ning Xiucai's residence, where fallen leaves were fluttering.
Everything was peaceful and serene.
Xie Lingqin suddenly smiled silently.
This scholar Ning has finally become more resourceful; he even knows how to hold a dinner party now.
"Sister, you have something to tell me."
As soon as they boarded the carriage, Xie Danling spoke first.
Xie Lingqin looked at Xie Danling with a serious expression and asked earnestly, "If what I'm about to tell you is something you've never prepared for, can you accept it?"
"If a father can even have the heart to kill his own son, I think there's nothing I can't accept."
Some growth really happens overnight.
“If I could, I really wouldn’t want you to see this today, but, Xie Danling…”
Xie Lingqin stared at him intently, the young woman speaking in a clear and cheerful tone, "General Xie, Xie Chongming is not your biological father."
Xie Lingqin said, looking at the boy's increasingly bewildered and shocked face, she slowly recounted the truth she knew.
Time passed slowly, and as the sun set, Xie Lingqin escorted Xie Danling to the outside of Huangshan Academy.
When the boy stepped down from the carriage, he was almost like a wooden sculpture, looking utterly dejected and forlorn.
"So, big sister, that day in Sanlitun, that man, that chieftain, he... Prince Yong, is my biological father. It's true, you didn't lie to me at all."
"Thank you, Danling."
Xie Lingqin patted Xie Danling's arm, "You've grown up now. You need to learn to accept everything and face reality. So, you should understand more about what happened in your father's study today, and you should also understand why I'm restricting your holidays, letters from me, and visits home less often."
Xie Danling's lips trembled, all the words stuck in her throat after the shock.
“Our mother, you should understand how much she endured hardship and how outstanding she was. You should know that all these years you have been able to live so happily, practicing calligraphy, martial arts, painting, reading, and making friends. You have beautiful poetry and distant places. Please remember that it is not because you are lucky, nor because you were born noble, nor because you are powerful enough, but because someone has been carrying the burden for everything you have. And that person, until their death, did not want you to know the truth, but instead asked me to protect you.”
After Xie Lingqin finished speaking, she instructed Tinghai, who was hiding in the shadows, "Go and inform Tianxing and the others that from today onwards, they should keep watch over the young master in the shadows at Huangshan Academy and ensure his safety."
"yes."
After the sound came from the shadows, there was no further movement, indicating that Tinghai had already gone to deliver the message.
"elder sister……"
Xie Danling looked at Xie Lingqin, her eyes suddenly reddening. "You don't know, I'm not sad. What makes me sad is why we don't share the same father."
"Hehe, even if we don't have the same mother, we'll always be siblings, don't worry."
Xie Lingqin patted Xie Danling's head, "Alright, stop crying. Next year, Jidi will be the one to get married."
"elder sister……"
"Oh my, Xie Danling can actually be embarrassed sometimes."
Suddenly, a few elegantly dressed young men walked over from the side, not far away.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
