Chapter 350 Aunt and Nephew Recognize Each Other

"Alright then."

"Father and elder brother, just remember to come back in time for supper."

"Hmm." Qin Dahu quickly agreed.

"Also, tomorrow, I need to go to the military camp. Elder brother, would you like to come with me?" Qin Xiaoyao added.

"Sure!" Qin Dahu responded without hesitation.

After that, Qin Xiaoyao resumed eating her meal.

She didn’t forget to remind the others to eat more.

After the meal, and a short rest, Qin Xiaoyao took the young princess, Song Yun, and Song Ye out.

The three children were roughly the same age. After sitting in the same carriage, it didn’t take long for them to become familiar with each other.

The young princess even took Song Yun’s hand, constantly calling her "young aunt" non-stop.

Song Yun, who was easily embarrassed, blushed at being called "young aunt" repeatedly.

She was only a month older than the young princess, yet here she was being called "young aunt."

As for Song Ye, when he heard the young princess call him "young uncle," he responded quite naturally.

Once they arrived on the street, the young princess led the two siblings around the shops, with Qin Xiaoyao following behind to handle the payments.

Watching the three lively youngsters, Qin Xiaoyao didn’t mind being the one footing the bill.

On the other side, after the old lady was escorted back to her courtyard by the maid, she didn’t stay there long.

Instead, she left her own courtyard and made her way to find Liu Ling’s courtyard.

Liu Ling was just about to leave for the workshop. Seeing the old lady being supported by a maid into his courtyard, his expression was one of surprise.

"Greetings, Matriarch," he immediately bowed to her.

The old lady’s gaze fell on Liu Ling, her eyes lingering on his face for a long moment without speaking.

Just as Liu Ling was about to speak, the old lady finally said, "You’re too formal, Liu Ling."

"I have some matters I’d like to discuss with you. Could you spare a moment to talk privately?"

Liu Ling’s expression shifted.

After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Of course."

He then walked to the side.

"Please wait outside," the old lady said to the maid beside her.

Though confused, the maid left the courtyard.

After the maid left the courtyard, Liu Shi approached Liu Ling.

"Aunt, what would you like to ask me?" Liu Ling bowed to Liu Shi.

Liu Shi stared at Liu Ling intently, her eyes fixed on his face.

Under her intense gaze, Liu Ling shifted uncomfortably.

"Do you know someone named Liu Hui?" Finally, Liu Shi asked.

She continued to stare at Liu Ling without looking away.

Liu Ling's expression froze.

"Why do you ask about him?" He then countered, questioning Liu Shi.

A glimmer of excitement flashed in Liu Shi's eyes.

"Because—Liu Hui is my brother."

"Years ago, both my husband's family and my own were struck by disaster. My sister-in-law and her two children disappeared."

"Could you be my lost nephew?" Tears welled up in Liu Shi's eyes.

The same name, and a face that bore a seven-tenths resemblance to her elder brother. She couldn't be wrong.

Liu Ling's expression froze again.

"Ling'er, is it really you? Where are your mother and sister? Are they safe?" Liu Shi couldn't wait any longer.

She immediately stepped forward and took Liu Ling's hand.

Liu Ling didn't evade but felt a wave of helplessness in his heart.

He had known that his identity couldn't be hidden from his aunt for long.

But he hadn't expected that she would guess it the moment she saw him.

"Aunt..." Finally, Liu Ling spoke.

At these words, Liu Shi's body stiffened.

Then, with sudden joy, she looked up at Liu Ling.

"It's really you! Ling'er! Oh, I've found you!" She exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes." Liu Ling quickly responded.

Then, he supported Liu Shi.

"Aunt, let's sit down and talk." He suggested.

"Yes, yes! Let's sit and talk." Liu Shi's face beamed with joy as she looked at Liu Ling.

With Liu Ling's guidance, they moved to a nearby stone bench and sat down.

After helping Liu Shi sit down, Liu Ling also sat down.

Then, he looked at Liu Shi, who was gazing at him with a loving expression.

"I didn't expect to be recognized by you, Aunt, the moment we met." Liu Ling said.

A smile appeared on Aunt Liu's face.

"How could I not recognize you? You look just like your father."

Liu Ling smiled as well.

"Do you still remember Father's appearance? He's been gone for more than ten years, and my memory of him is already fading."

The smile on Aunt Liu's face immediately disappeared.

"How could I forget?"

"When your father was around, he doted on me the most. It's just a pity..."

Recalling the past, Aunt Liu wiped the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief.

Seeing this, Liu Ling gently patted her back.

"It's been so many years since then, Aunt. Please take care of your health and try not to be too sad."

Aunt Liu looked at Liu Ling and nodded through her tears.

"What about your mother? And Yun?" she then asked.

Liu Ling fell silent.

After a moment, seeing Aunt Liu's eyes turn anxious, he said, "After Mother took us away from the Liu family residence, she passed away from illness not long after."

"Elder Sister is still alive. She's also in the capital."

Hearing the first part, Aunt Liu's heart trembled.

But upon hearing that Liu Yun was still alive and in the capital, she felt much relieved.

"When the time is right, Ling'er, bring Elder Sister to see me." Liu Ling added.

Aunt Liu quickly nodded.

"Good!" She also held Liu Ling's hand.

Liu Ling felt a warmth in his palm.

"The situation in the capital is complex. There are many reasons why I'm staying at the marquis's residence. My cousin's wife doesn't know my identity yet."

"Aunt, can you keep it a secret for me for now?" Liu Ling soon said.

Aunt Liu was startled.

"I will." She quickly agreed.

Both the Song family and the Liu family were still suffering from false accusations.

Her daughter-in-law had struggled to rise to her current position, and it was best not to let her know too much.

It would also prevent things from being exposed and implicating her.

Liu Ling finally felt relieved.

He started chatting with Aunt Liu.

He listened to Aunt Liu talk about her situation over the years, and then he told her about his own life and what Liu Yun had been up to.

Of course, he didn’t mention anything about Yunxiang Fang, not wanting Aunt Liu to know that he and his sister had worked in a brothel.

"It’s great that you’re helping San Ya run the workshop now."

"San Ya used to do really well with her preserved egg business and porridge shops in Lingquan Town."

"Once the preserved eggs are ready, you’ll definitely turn a profit," Aunt Liu said with a smile.

Liu Ling nodded in agreement.

"I’m also really optimistic about the Marquis’s business."

Aunt Liu smiled and gave Liu Ling’s hand a reassuring pat.

She added, "If your sister has some free time, she could come over and help out too."

"It’s always better when family handles family business—it’s more trustworthy that way."

Seeing Liu Ling’s expression freeze, Aunt Liu continued, "Don’t worry. I’ll talk to your cousin’s wife, and she’ll agree."

Liu Ling: ——

Wow, Aunt Liu’s enthusiasm caught him off guard.

"Um, my sister’s pretty busy with her own stuff, so she probably won’t be able to come," Liu Ling quickly said.

Aunt Liu looked disappointed.

"Alright. We’ll talk about it again later."

Then, she steered the conversation back to other topics.