"Father, on this joyous day, please don't talk about anything unpleasant, otherwise my elder brother will say I'm being inconsiderate!" Xiao Huai leaned against Old Master Xiao, looked up at him earnestly and said, "Father, let me tell you, I've prepared a big surprise for you!"
Old Master Xiao glanced at Xiao Huai helplessly.
From childhood to adulthood, Xiao Huai was the most unruly and the most troublesome.
But among his children, only he would call out "Dad"; the others would call him "Father".
"Third brother, don't be so unruly!" Xiao Han scolded.
Xiao Huai didn't take it seriously, closed his fan, and tapped his palm. "Come in quickly, or my older brother will beat me up!"
Come in quickly?
Everyone couldn't help but wonder if the surprise Xiao Huai had prepared could actually happen on its own.
Just then, a man in his early twenties walked up to the gate of the courtyard.
His features bore a resemblance to Xiao Huai's; he had delicate features and wore a simple brocade robe, giving him a refined and dignified appearance.
When Old Master Xiao saw the approaching person, his eyes trembled and his eyes reddened slightly.
The man walked up to Old Master Xiao and knelt down, saying, "Zheng'er greets Father!"
This person was none other than the son of Old Master Xiao, who was an official in the capital, and also his youngest son.
Officials in the capital are not allowed to leave the capital without an imperial edict.
For two consecutive years, Old Master Xiao had not seen Xiao Zheng. Today, seeing him again felt like a lifetime had passed.
He helped Xiao Zheng up with trembling hands.
Xiao Zheng's eyes also reddened slightly, and tears welled up in them.
"Father, do you like this birthday gift?" Xiao Huai asked, looking for praise.
"Good! Good! I really like this gift." Old Master Xiao beamed, pulling Xiao Zheng aside and asking, "You came back without permission, didn't you?"
"Old Master Xu advocates filial piety in the capital. His Majesty, upon hearing of your birthday, granted me special permission to return and accompany you," Xiao Zheng said in a trembling voice.
He was extremely grateful to Old Xu. If it weren't for him, he might not have made it back today!
"It's good that you're back!" Old Master Xiao hadn't wanted to go to the birthday banquet, but now he suddenly became interested. "Let's go to the front hall together, so as not to keep the guests waiting."
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