Chapter 218 Reunion
"Dad, I'm Ahri."

These words in the room made Xue Huaiyuan stunned.

He was seldom so surprised, but today it happened twice, first by Xue Zhao and then by Jiang Li. Both of them left him speechless one after another.

Jiang Li had a lot to say. She wanted to slowly tell Xue Huaiyuan about the past, so that he would believe that she was Xue Fangfei. But as soon as she called him "Dad", her tears started to flow, and she couldn't stop them.

A young lady who was not related to him, even though she had helped the Xue family many times, but Xue Huaiyuan knew that she was the daughter of Jiang Yuanbo, and his own Ali had been killed by Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning a long time ago. Jiang Li and Xue Fangfei were also two completely different people, but when the girl in front of him looked at him with tears in her eyes, he suddenly saw Ali as a child. The little girl had a good temper. He had just arrived in Tongxiang at that time and was dealing with government affairs, so he came home very late every day. Xue Zhao was a boy and not considerate enough, while Ali was a girl who sat in the yard and waited for him to come back after dark. At that time, as soon as Xue Huaiyuan returned, the little girl jumped up and called him "Dad" softly. Her voice was both aggrieved and happy, which made his heart melt.

When he saw Jiang Li crying in front of him, Xue Huaiyuan couldn't help but reach out and touch her head. She did so. He said in a daze: "Ali..."

Jiang Li was also stunned.

She didn't expect Xue Huaiyuan to believe it so easily, or rather, she didn't expect Xue Huaiyuan to recognize her so easily. Perhaps this was the blood relationship that could not be severed. Even if she changed her identity or face, she could still recognize her easily. It wasn't as entangled and suspicious as she had imagined. Everything just happened naturally.

Xue Zhao was looking at the two of them nervously, fearing that Xue Huaiyuan would not believe Jiang Li's words and hurt his sister's feelings. He thought that he would help his sister to prove it then, but he didn't expect Xue Huaiyuan to call out "Ali".

Jiang Li was sure that he called her "Ali" instead of "Ali" because Xue Huaiyuan always called Miss Jiang "Miss Jiang".

"Dad, you believe what my sister said!" Xue Zhao said, "That's great!"

"Ali..." Xue Huaiyuan also burst into tears. He used to be a middle-aged man with a great temperament, but now he looked as old as General Ji. He reached out and held Jiang Li's hand. He didn't know whether he was in a trance or awake. He asked, "Ali... Dad's Ali is still alive..."

Jiang Li stood up from her chair and knelt down in front of Xue Huaiyuan: "Dad, I am an unfilial daughter. If I hadn't married Shen Yurong, how could the Xue family have suffered such a disaster? It also caused Dad and A Zhao to suffer so much. It's all my fault!"

"No, no, no," Xue Huaiyuan hurriedly tried to help her up. There was no trace of blame in his tone. He only said, "How can you blame Ali for this? It's all Dad's fault. Dad was busy with official duties all day and didn't care about you... I didn't find out for you what kind of person Shen Yurong was. She would marry you to her like this. You must have suffered a lot in the Shen family, and Dad didn't even know..."

"Don't say that to each other," Xue Zhao said, "It's not my father's fault, nor my sister's. Who would have thought that Shen Yurong would be such a person? You can't judge a person by his appearance. When Shen Yurong was in Tongxiang, she was also a decent person. If it were someone else, even if they wanted to find out, they wouldn't be able to find out. People's nature will only be revealed when they face a huge choice. Before, Shen Yurong had no choice, so she was naturally good. Later, when he became rich, she changed her mind."

Xue Zhao's words seemed to slowly wake Xue Huaiyuan up. He pulled Jiang Li and asked her to sit down beside him. He looked at Jiang Li. Jiang Li's face was completely different from Xue Fangfei's. However, her expression and movements made Xue Huaiyuan feel that Xue Fangfei was still in front of him. Xue Huaiyuan was a little confused for a moment. He said, "Ali...your face, how did you become...Jiang Yuanbo's daughter?"

Jiang Li and Xue Zhao looked at each other. This matter had to be explained sooner or later. Jiang Li then explained what she had explained to Xue Zhao before. Xue Huaiyuan was surprised after listening. Xue Zhao interrupted: "Sister, you are reincarnated. I have only heard of this from storytellers in restaurants before, but I didn't expect it to happen to you. But God treated you well and turned you into the second daughter of the Jiang family. Fortunately, you didn't turn into a man. Otherwise, even if you found Dad and told him that you were a sister, Dad would not believe you and would think you were crazy."

Since Xue Zhao met Jiang Li and learned that Xue Huaiyuan was also in Yanjing City, he gradually returned to his former lively personality and didn't take anything to heart. Jiang Li was afraid that he would be sad and depressed because he couldn't stand up, but now it seems that she can be relieved. He can even say this in a joking tone, which shows that he is no different from before.

"That is to say, although you are A-li, you are now the second daughter of the Jiang family?" Xue Huaiyuan asked. He felt a sour feeling in his heart. She was clearly his daughter, but now she had to call someone else dad and could not recognize her openly.

"It's okay, Dad. I've already thought about it." Jiang Li said, "I will find a way to recognize you as my godfather in the future. If Prime Minister Jiang agrees, I can call you dad. Others will only think that we are godfather and goddaughter, but it's enough for us to know it ourselves."

"It's not that easy." Xue Zhao interrupted, "The government has many rules. It's not as simple as in Tongxiang to recognize a foster father. Sister, if you recognize a foster father, it's fine to recognize a high-ranking official, but to recognize a father... I'm afraid that the Prime Minister will think you are fooling around."

Jiang Li said: "I have my own way."

"Is there any solution?" Xue Zhao asked, "Do you want that gentleman to help you?"

Jiang Li was stunned for a moment, then realized that the "adult" was referring to Ji Heng. When she met Xue Zhao that night, she did not avoid Ji Heng, and Ji Heng even held her hand. I'm afraid that Xue Zhao saw it, and even a fool could guess that she and Ji Heng were not in an ordinary relationship.

"Who is that adult?" Xue Huaiyuan asked puzzledly.

"No, nothing." Jiang Li smiled and said perfunctorily, like a child who was caught doing something wrong, "He's just someone who helped us before." She glared at Xue Zhao, who turned his head away and pretended not to see Jiang Li's gaze.

"No wonder," Xue Huaiyuan didn't notice Xue Zhao's look, and just said to himself: "You will always help the Xue family..."

Jiang Li does have a deep connection with the Xue family, because she is Xue Fangfei, the daughter of the Xue family!

"What happened to A Zhao?" Xue Huaiyuan looked at Xue Zhao again: "How did you rescue A Zhao?"

Before Xue Zhao could speak, Jiang Li interrupted him and said, "It was a friend of mine. I asked him to help rescue Jiang Youyao, the third daughter of the Jiang family, from the private prison. That friend saw Ah Zhao in the private prison, and Ah Zhao asked him for help. He didn't know that Ah Zhao was my brother, so he rescued Ah Zhao. Later, when I... I went to that friend's house, I happened to see Ah Zhao, and then I realized that Ah Zhao was actually alive in the world and had been deceived by Princess Yongning before. After I recognized Ah Zhao, I decided to bring Ah Zhao to see you."

Xue Zhao winked at Jiang Li, indicating that Jiang Li had concealed too many things in her words. Xue Zhao also found it incredible. When Xue Fangfei and Shen Yurong had developed feelings for each other, Xue Fangfei had never concealed it from Xue Huaiyuan and him. Although she was shy, she was still frank. Why did she try every means to conceal it from the Duke of Su?
Xue Huaiyuan did not doubt him and only sighed: "This is really a coincidence, A Li, you should thank your friend very much, he saved A Zhao's life."

"I know." Jiang Li replied.

"That brother not only saved my life, he also helped a lot with my sister's affairs and my father's affairs." Xue Zhao raised his eyebrows and said, "I seem to have heard from the doctor who treated my injuries in his mansion that the brother also helped a lot with my father's case in Tongxiang. He can be said to be the benefactor of our Xue family."

Xue Huaiyuan was surprised when he heard this and asked, "Ali, is your friend a young master?"

Jiang Li could only say yes awkwardly, and then said: "I know him because he knows Jiang Yuanfu..."

"That brother is a good man. Dad still remembers the doctor Situ who treated you. He was asked by your brother to help. Doctor Situ saved me later. On the day when King Cheng started the rebellion, they protected me very well. I think that he even helped me so much, it must be because of my sister, and he must have helped my sister even more."

Xue Huaiyuan was not a fool. He immediately turned his head after Xue Zhao's hints, and looked at Jiang Li in surprise. Jiang Li winked at Xue Zhao, telling him not to talk nonsense. Xue Huaiyuan was even more surprised. He knew the temper of his daughter, who he raised. If there was really nothing to do with the "brother" Xue Zhao mentioned, she could deny it openly. However, she just told Xue Zhao to shut up, but did not deny it, which explained some problems.

"Ali..." Xue Huaiyuan said.

"Dad, Ah Zhao is talking nonsense. My friend did help me a lot, and I will thank him in the future."

Xue Huaiyuan looked at Jiang Li and sighed in his heart. When she was Xue Fangfei, she was so beautiful that people from all over the country came to inquire about her and wanted to marry Ali home. However, Xue Huaiyuan felt that those families were not the best, and Ali was a girl with her own ideas. In the end, he found out that Ali liked Shen Yurong, and when the Shen family came to ask for her hand in marriage, he agreed. Xue Huaiyuan was quite satisfied with Shen Yurong. This young man was talented, and it was only a matter of time for him to succeed. It seemed that he was also good to Ali. The only thing that made Xue Huaiyuan feel wrong was that the Shen family was in Yanjing City. In a place like Yanjing, the Shen family had no official position, and Ali was too beautiful. If someone had bad intentions, the Shen family might not be able to protect her.

However, Shen Yurong stood in front of Xue Huaiyuan and promised solemnly that she would definitely pass the imperial examination and become an official, and protect Ali for the rest of her life. Xue Huaiyuan accepted his sincerity and agreed. The person Ali likes must be a good person.

When the news that Shen Yurong passed the imperial examination and became an official reached Tongxiang, the people came to congratulate him, saying that A Li was very lucky and had good vision, and that he would be able to live a luxurious life as an official's wife. Xue Huaiyuan smiled, but he was always worried. Sure enough, in the end, his worries came true. It turned out that Shen Yurong could pursue a career in officialdom for Xue Fangfei, but he could also sacrifice Xue Fangfei in order to achieve higher goals.

Although Ali didn't say anything at the moment, Xue Huaiyuan could imagine how much grievance Ali had suffered in the Shen family. Although she was still pretty now, she was not as eye-catching as Xue Fangfei was. Moreover, she was now the daughter of an official, so ordinary people would not dare to make plans for Jiang Li.

Xue Huaiyuan knew that Ali's marriage to Jiang Li would naturally bring benefits to the Jiang family, but it would also bring disadvantages. Putting aside the intrigues among the rich and powerful families, Xue Huaiyuan could not make the decision on Ali's marriage. Parents' orders and matchmakers' words were the final word. The more powerful the family was, the less likely it was that their children would marry according to their wishes. There were many things to consider, such as whether the marriage would bring bargaining chips for official career. Marriage was no longer just marriage. Xue Huaiyuan understood how difficult it was for Ali to marry someone she liked in the Jiang family.

Xue Zhao's hints and Ali's reactions now indicate that Ali may have a lover, the "brother" who saved Xue Zhao.

Xue Huaiyuan didn't know whether to be happy or sad. He was happy that Ali didn't lose faith in people because of Shen Yurong's incident, and stopped trusting others. He was worried that the person Ali loved might not be able to be with Ali. But no matter what, Xue Huaiyuan was not unhappy at all about the fact that Ali had someone she liked.

His daughter was a rare good girl in the world, and it was common for good men to want to marry her. Even if Ali had chosen the wrong person before, it was not her fault. If she still fell in love with another person again, Xue Huaiyuan would only be happy for her.

He was even proud of her. This was the girl from the Xue family, who dared to love and hate, and always had courage and hope.

He was thinking a lot, but a kind and gentle smile appeared on his face. He said, "I know. When there is a chance in the future, Ahri will let me see your friend. I also want to thank him in person for taking care of you."

Jiang Li was stunned, her cheeks were hot, but her heart was warm. This was her father, who would always stand behind her. No matter what decision she made, she would have the support of her family. All the confusion, worries and entanglements would disappear in the warmth of her family.

Because there's nothing to be afraid of.

Xue Zhao asked Jiang Li: "Sister, what are your plans next?"

The reunion of the Xue family was a pleasant surprise to Jiang Li. Jiang Li hesitated for a moment and said, "I am in the Jiang family now and cannot leave Yanjing. I am afraid I cannot go back to Tongxiang. Ah Zhao, Dad, do you want to stay in Yanjing or go back to Tongxiang?"

"What are you going back to Tongxiang for?" Xue Zhao said, "Dad is no longer the county magistrate. And how can we let you stay in Yanjing City alone? It was because you left me alone in Yanjing City that you were killed by that beast Shen Yurong. We stay in Yanjing City so that we can at least protect you." "Yes, Ali," Xue Huaiyuan also said, "Dad is worried about you."

Jiang Li's tears, which she had just managed to hold back, were about to flow out again. She said, "Okay, then we won't leave and will stay in Yanjing City."

"I want to live with Dad," Xue Zhao said, "Sister, that Mr. Ye San seems to be Miss Jiang Er's uncle. Can you tell him to let me stay in the Ye family, or we can move out together. If I stay with Dad, at least we can take care of each other."

"That's easy." Jiang Li said, "There are only cousin Shijie and uncle in such a big house like the Ye Mansion. Uncle is a very straightforward person. I think he won't mind you living here."

"Ali," Xue Huaiyuan said hesitantly, "your brother and I are now living in the Ye Mansion. I haven't been able to tell you before. Now I am no longer the county magistrate and have no salary, and your brother can't stand up. The original family savings have long been taken away by Feng Yutang. We live here and bother Master Ye San, but we don't spend a penny. It's really... really bad."

Xue Huaiyuan was extremely proud, and was definitely not the type to eat and drink for free. He felt uncomfortable taking advantage of others, but he couldn't change the current situation. He didn't know that Jiang Li was Xue Fangfei, and he couldn't tell Jiang Li this. Now that he knew, he said it directly.

"Dad, don't worry," Jiang Li said with a smile, "I still have some savings on hand. If you feel uncomfortable, I can give it to my uncle. But my uncle has always been generous and never cares about these worldly things."

Xue Huaiyuan felt extremely ashamed: "Ali, why do we still need you to support us..."

A trace of sadness flashed in Xue Zhao's eyes. It was originally his job to support the family. As a man of the Xue family, he should support the whole family and protect his family. Now that his martial arts skills are all gone and he has become a cripple, he will never be able to stand up again in the future. Naturally, there is no way for him to talk about these things.

"I am originally from the Xue family." Jiang Li said softly: "If Dad wants to calculate it so clearly, is it because I am now surnamed Jiang that I am no longer your daughter?"

Xue Huaiyuan heard this and immediately said, "Of course not! In my heart, you will always be my Ali."

Jiang Li laughed.

Xue Zhao looked at Jiang Li, then at Xue Huaiyuan, shook his head, and smiled. Never mind, no matter what happened now, the three of them could still be reunited, which was like a gift from God. If they were too greedy, what would happen if God took it all back? They should be content.

Jiang Li talked with Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao for a long time. After the three of them recognized each other, they told each other about the things that they didn't know over the years. Jiang Li also told how she was harmed by Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning. She skipped the cruel details and spoke lightly. Even so, Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao were still sad and heartbroken.

This conversation lasted until the afternoon.

Ye Mingyu knocked on the door outside and said, "Mr. Xue, Master Xue, A-Li, when are you going to come out? We have been talking for so long, why don't you come out and eat something before continuing."

Only then did they remember that they had not had time to eat lunch until now. After being reminded by Ye Mingyu, they felt hungry.

Jiang Li opened the door and apologized to Ye Mingyu, asking Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao to come out for dinner. Since the three of them hadn't eaten, Ye Mingyu had to go hungry with them. Ye Shijie had already left the court, and was greatly surprised to learn that Xue Huaiyuan's son Xue Zhao was still alive and in his house.

At the dinner table, Ye Mingyu congratulated Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao on their reunion. They didn't know that Jiang Li was Xue Fangfei, but the Xue family was grateful to Jiang Li for her repeated help. At the table, Jiang Li also mentioned whether Xue Zhao could continue to live here in the future.

Ye Mingyu agreed without thinking and said, "Stay here, stay here. It's good for Ah Zhao to live here. There are only Shijie and I in this mansion, and Shijie is often away. If you live here, I won't be afraid that County Magistrate Xue will be lonely all day."

"The money..." Jiang Li was interrupted by Ye Mingyu before she finished her words. Ye Mingyu said, "Ali, have you forgotten that what our family lacks the most is money? Mr. Xue and A Zhao live in our Ye family, so why would they need money? Don't do that. It hurts feelings for no reason!"

He had said so much, it would be a bit strange to force it. Jiang Li had no choice but to hold back her words, but seeing the expressions of Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan, she felt a little relieved.

Xue Zhao liked talking to Ye Mingyu very much. Knowing that Ye Mingyu had traveled a lot, he asked him many things. Ye Mingyu felt very sorry when he knew that Xue Zhao's martial arts skills had been ruined by Princess Yongning's men and his legs were broken. But he said that he could teach Xue Zhao to practice swordsmanship again, the kind that requires sitting on a chair without moving. Xue Zhao immediately agreed happily.

Ye Shijie was a little strange. He felt that there was an invisible sense of naturalness between Jiang Li and Xue Zhao. And Jiang Li's smile when facing Xue Zhao was a tolerant smile, as if she was used to it, and it was also a sincere smile. He kept paying attention to Jiang Li, and wanted to say something several times, but in the end he said nothing.

It was dark that day, and Jiang Li had to go back to the mansion. Ye Mingyu and Ye Shijie wanted to take her to the gate of the mansion, but Jiang Li refused. Xue Zhao said he had something to say to Jiang Li, and Jiang Li agreed.

Ye Shijie looked at them going away with a strange expression.

On the way out of the house, Jiang Li kept pushing Xue Zhao's wheelchair, and Zhao Ke followed behind from a distance. Xue Zhao sat in the wheelchair, picked up a piece of grass from the road and played with it in his hand. He whispered, "Sister, that Young Master Ye was watching us while we were eating."

"Maybe they are surprised at the relationship between you and me." Jiang Li didn't think much about it and just said, "After all, in their opinion, you and I seem too familiar with each other, which is a bit strange."

"Tsk..." Xue Zhao laughed, "He has other intentions than drinking. What is our relationship? What does it have to do with him? From his attitude, it is clear that he is hostile to me."

"Nonsense," Jiang Li replied, "Why would he be hostile to you for no reason?"

"That depends on what my sister has done," Xue Zhao said with a mischievous smile, "When my sister was in Tongxiang, many young masters always climbed over our wall. If Young Master Ye was in Tongxiang, I'm afraid he would be the one who climbed the highest."

Jiang Li knocked his head unhappily: "I think your injuries have all healed, you don't feel the pain, and you dare to say anything."

"It seems that the flowers have feelings but the water is not—" Xue Zhao deliberately dragged out his voice. It's nothing. In the past, many young masters, including his good friends in Tongxiang, always asked Xue Zhao to bring something to Xue Fangfei. Sometimes it was cosmetics, sometimes it was a kite. Xue Zhao was beaten by Xue Huaiyuan every time he brought it back. Later, Xue Zhao stopped bringing it. If anyone coveted his sister again, he just wanted him to be beaten, but Xue Zhao ignored them all.

Now it feels like going back to the past.

Even though his sister had changed her appearance, there was still no shortage of people who were attracted to her.

"Sister, let me ask you something. It seems that you don't like the eldest young master of the Ye family anymore?"

Jiang Li was both angry and amused, but Xue Zhao was as detached as ever, so she said, "Cousin Ye is your cousin, don't use him as a scapegoat."

Xue Zhaocai was not moved by Jiang Li's words. He suddenly asked, "What is your relationship with Duke Su?"

Jiang Li was startled, and she pushed Xue Zhao's wheelchair, unconsciously slowing down. She knew Xue Zhao would ask this question sooner or later. When facing Xue Huaiyuan, the words Xue Zhao said showed that Xue Zhao had already noticed the intimacy between her and Ji Heng that night.

But she really didn't know how to tell Xue Zhao.

She had been married before, and was hurt by Shen Yurong, and then fell in love with someone else. Others might say that she was fickle, but that was fine. Jiang Li knew that Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan would never do that. They would think of her and be happy that she had found someone she loved.

What worries Jiang Li is that this person is Ji Heng.

Just like what the Jiang family thought of her marriage, Yin Zhili was an excellent choice. He had good looks and talents, a gentle temperament, and a kind heart. If others were to choose a son-in-law, they would also think that Yin Zhili was an excellent choice. But Ji Heng was different. Although he had a good appearance, he was too gorgeous. His temperament was even more erratic. Rumor has it that he was ruthless and murderous. Such a person was full of danger no matter how you looked at him. The Jiang family advised her not to get too close to Ji Heng, and Ye Mingyu also advised her in this way.

She was really afraid that Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan would also comfort him in the same way.

After all, he is not a good person in the eyes of others, but there is no cause and effect when it comes to liking this kind of thing.

"Sister, you like Duke Su, right?" Xue Zhao asked.

Jiang Li's footsteps completely stopped. She heard her own voice and asked softly and uncertainly, "If I say yes, will Ah Zhao stop me?"

"Stop?" Xue Zhao was stunned and couldn't help turning his head.

In the summer evening, when the sunset faded, her face became blurred, just like her voice, or her mood, anxious, careful and cautious.

Xue Zhao turned around again, with his back to Jiang Li, smiled, and said straightforwardly: "Why should you stop him? It's not like he doesn't like you. He even wants to be my brother-in-law."

(End of this chapter)