Ning Yao ruffled her little tuft of hair: "Really? Then Sister Ning will be waiting for you. Are you going to Licheng for the New Year?"
"Miss Ning, Miss Hua Yan, it's been a long time." Lin Qingyu's face lit up with joy, showing that she was in a very good mood.
Wen Yuan followed closely behind: "Miss Ning, Miss Hua Yan, please come in quickly. You must be tired from your journey. Please have dinner first!"
Ning Yao looked up at the two of them: "Lord Wen, Young Master Lin, it's been a long time. This is an elder of my family. As for this..."
Hua Yan exclaimed, "Lin Qingyu, lend me a set of your clothes!"
Lin Qingyu and Wen Yuan's eyes widened instantly.
"You...you...you are a man?" Lin Qingyu asked in disbelief, knowing that they had once been teammates fighting side by side.
But why is this teammate a man?
Hua Yan rolled her eyes: "What do you mean, 'you'? Can't I dress up as a woman?"
Lin Qingyu knew Hua Yan's temper and didn't mind. She quickly led him to change his clothes.
Wen Yuan was stunned. Ning Yao explained, "There's a reason for this. I know about his affairs."
Now that Ning Yao had explained, Wen Yuan quickly accepted it and invited the rest of the people inside.
After dinner, Lin Qinglan insisted on sleeping with Ning Yao, and Ning Yao had no choice but to agree.
After breakfast the next day, Wen Yuan came to find Ning Yao.
"Miss Ning, you came at just the right time last night. I have some good news to tell you."
Ning Yao asked, "Lord Wen, please have a seat. What brings you here?"
Wen Yuan smiled and said, "You know about my family's situation. The first half of my life was full of hardships. My wife and daughter died young. Later, I met a benefactor and was able to save my life."
"During the time I taught Qingyu, I discovered that this child is very intelligent. If he were to become an official, he would surely become a virtuous minister and general. Qingyu also treats me as his mentor and is very respectful and devoted to me. Qinglan is also a very sensible girl who treats me as an elder and is filial to me."
"Therefore, I not only admire their talent, but also have my own selfish desires. I want to adopt them as my godson and goddaughter. Now I will raise and protect them, and after my death, I hope that someone will break the pot and lift the coffin for me and offer incense."
Ning Yao raised an eyebrow, surprised by his idea: "This is a good thing, but have you thought it through? Teaching students is different from teaching your own children. Besides, Qinglan is still young. If you take them in, you will have many troubles in the future."
Wen Yuan shook his head: "This humble official naturally understands this principle. Even if you were not in Nanjiang City today, I would have found an opportunity to tell you about this matter."
Seeing that he had made up his mind, Ning Yao went with him: "Let's see what Qingyu and his sister think. If they agree, let's choose an auspicious day and time."
Wen Yuan was delighted: "I already mentioned this to Qingyu and her brother. Although they had no objections, they still wanted to tell you."
As they were talking, Lin Qingyu led Lin Qinglan in, followed by Hua Yan, who had changed into men's clothing.
“Miss Ning, my sister and I both agree and are willing to recognize Lord Wen as our godfather. We will definitely treat him as our own father!”
Lin Qinglan ran up to her, grabbed Ning Yao's sleeve, and looked up at her, saying, "Today is a good day! Ning-jie is having a good day in Nanjiang City!"
Ning Yao couldn't help but chuckle: "You little rascal, where did you learn all these sweet words to coax people?"
Lin Qinglan turned to look at Lin Qingyu: "It's my brother!"
"That's what my brother said to Sister Zhao Xin!"
"Sister Zhao Xin was very happy to hear that, and I think Sister Ning will be happy too!"
All eyes turned to Lin Qingyu.
Hua Yan teased, "You're quite something, kid."
Lin Qingyu blushed deeply. He never expected that his whispered conversation with Zhao Xin would be overheard by Qinglan, who then revealed it in front of so many people.
"Qinglan, shut up! Don't talk nonsense!"
Lin Qinglan ignored him and continued, grabbing Ning Yao, "Sister Ning, let's do it today!"
Ning Yao lowered her head and said, "Okay, today it is."
Then she looked at Wen Yuan: "What do you think, sir?"
Wen Yuan: "I couldn't be happier! I'll arrange it right away!"
The Lin siblings' reunion and Lord Wen's adoption of a godchild were all successfully held with Ning Yao as a witness.
Although there weren't many people who came, they were all people I was close to.
Not only did he acknowledge Wen Yuan as his father, but he also went with him to pay respects to Wen Yuan's deceased wife and daughters, informing them of the good news.
After the family reunion, Lin Qingyu shared another piece of good news.
"Father, I would like to propose marriage to Xin'er, and I will have to trouble you."
Wen Yuan was overjoyed. He had just become a father and was about to become a grandfather. This was an incredible event, and no one could disagree.
"Don't worry, Qingyu! Leave this to your father. I'll definitely help you win over your future father-in-law!"
Wen Yuan had also heard about the hardships Lin Qingyu and Zhao Xin had faced.
He had met Zhao Xin before; she was a very good woman, so he had no reason to disagree.
The marriage proposal team and procedures were finalized on the day of the family reunion.
Led by Wen Yuan, with Lin Qingyu as the main person in charge and Ning Yao as her companion, they invited a famous matchmaker from Nanjiang City, and prepared the betrothal gift list that very night.
The next morning, the marriage proposal team set off for Songyang City in a grand procession.
The natural barrier outside Songyang City was connected long ago when the water source was discovered at Bailong Ridge.
Later, when the Kunlun Mountains received rainfall and the people of the two cities gradually resumed their daily farming, the officials of the two cities rebuilt the passageway.
They found skilled craftsmen and built a bridge made of both stone and wood that was wide enough for horse-drawn carriages to pass through.
Soldiers from two cities were stationed at each end of the bridge to guard it and ensure the basic safety of pedestrians.
When the marriage proposal procession set off from the prefect's residence, it was adorned with red silk ribbons. Although it was not a formal wedding procession, it was still a significant event.
When the group arrived at the Songyang City Lord's Mansion, Zhao Ze had just finished his daily duties and was preparing to have lunch.
A burst of firecrackers went off outside, followed by the steward announcing, "My lord, Lord Wen has come to propose marriage on behalf of Young Master Lin!"
Zhao Ze's face immediately darkened: "What? Where is Miss?"
The butler replied, "Miss is in the backyard; she probably doesn't know yet."
Zhao Ze said, "Go to the front hall and invite them in."
The butler left first, and Zhao Ze followed with a dark expression.
He couldn't quite describe how he felt right now; he had a son and a daughter, which was considered a perfect family.
Unfortunately, his son was a disappointment and dared to collude with rebels to burn down the dragon vein. No matter how unwilling Zhao Ze was, he had no choice but to take action.
After the last incident, Zhao Ze personally submitted a memorial to Shen Ce, who ordered Zhao Heng to be bound and sent to the capital.
Although Zhao Heng had committed a capital crime, Shen Ce spared his life because Zhao Ze had not abandoned the city during the disaster and had defended Songyang City, in addition to Zhao Ze's righteous act of sacrificing his own family, and because officials like Zhao Heng were still needed after the disaster.
Ultimately, Zhao Heng was imprisoned in the capital's death row until his death.
Zhao Ze lost his son and only had one daughter, Zhao Xin. Moreover, Zhao Xin's performance exceeded his expectations. If he could raise her well, Zhao Xin would definitely be a hundred times better than Zhao Heng.
Zhao Xin is now not only his precious daughter, but also the future of the Zhao family.
Lin Qingyu wanted to marry Zhao Xin, but Zhao Ze's first reaction was to refuse.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
