Chapter 20: He Is Not My Biological Son

Chapter 20: He Is Not My Biological Son

"A man and a woman working together, the work is never dull."

Yunniang: ......

Lu Yao: ......

You sure know how to handle things. You sure know how to pair people up.

Feng Jinyu was stunned. Xie Yan and Lu Mingchao were a match made in heaven, but they didn’t seem to care about her at all.

In all her years, she had never seen such a perfect example of 'husband leads, wife follows,' but in the most brutal way possible.

She stamped her foot and shouted, "Xie Yan, look at her!"

Xie Yan frowned, his expression cold, his icy gaze sweeping over Feng Jinyu.

Feng Jinyu felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, the color draining from her cheeks in an instant, her eyes widening in terror. That glance, it was as if she was looking at a dead object.

"I don't recall us being acquainted."

Xie Yan gave Feng Jinyu one last look, then turned to the onlookers in the courtyard. "It is I who have chosen to marry Lu family's Mingchao, it is not she who has been clinging to me."

"The nonsense from the Feng family that has smeared Mingchao's name—don't expect to get any of the game I hunt from now on."

"If you cause any more trouble, I'll have a chat with the men of the Feng family."

"As Mingchao said, we repay kindness with kindness, and grievances with grievances."

"Everyone can leave now, there will be a banquet at the wedding where neighbors and villagers will be invited, and there will be plenty of meat."

Xie Yan stood tall and imposing, exuding a cold, intimidating presence. When he put on a cold face, along with that scar, it made people shudder in fear.

No one was willing to provoke Xie Yan at this time, especially with a hammer-wielding Lu Mingchao lurking behind him.

It was clear this odd couple would seek revenge and actually fight, without any hesitation.

A young woman who knew Feng Jinyu forced a tight smile, muttered a quick congratulation, and hurriedly dragged the dazed Feng Jinyu away.

Xie Yan was the most skilled hunter in the surrounding villages.

Because he lived in Changxi village, he was willing to do the villagers a favor. After hunting large game like wild boars, he would always sell it to the villagers at a very low price, letting everyone have a taste of fresh meat.

If she offended Xie Yan just for watching the commotion, her mother-in-law would give her hell.

Feng Jinyu stumbled as she was pulled out, still defiantly shouting, "So I just take the slap for nothing?"

The young woman let go of Feng Jinyu and gave a sarcastic eye-roll. "Keep shouting, and you’ll end up with more than just a slap. Next time there's such a chaotic scene, don't call me."

Feng Jinyu burst into tears and ran home crying.

Back in the courtyard.

Lu Mingchao felt the hammer was burning hot.

"What other strange things can you pull out of this cloak of yours?" Lu Yao curiously stared at Lu Mingchao's cloak as if studying a rare treasure.

Lu Mingchao said confidently, "This is called 'the craftsman must first sharpen his tools if he is to do his work well.' If we don’t prepare properly, Feng Jinyu will tear us apart the moment we step out. How can we possibly handle the situation otherwise?"

Lu Yao replied, "That makes a lot of sense."

"Mingchao, this is Huaiqian, my eldest son," Xie Yan introduced, sounding a bit uncertain.

Though Lu Mingchao had suspected as much, at this moment, she was overwhelmed by a surging tide of astonishment and curiosity that left her unable to remain calm or composed.

She had heard the saying 'a big forest has all kinds of birds,' but nothing could have prepared her for this.

Xie Huaiqian hid his scrutinizing gaze and greeted her politely, "Sister Lu."

Xie Yan repeated, "Sister Lu?"

"You little brat, you’re getting the generations mixed up and showing no respect."

Lu Mingchao stuffed the hammer into Lu Yao's arms, her eyes and smile gentle, her voice soft, "Call me however you like."

Xie Huaiqian was slightly confused. If the earlier Lu Mingchao, holding the hammer and not giving an inch, was like a pine tree in the winter snow, then the current her, smiling brightly and intimately, was like a spring breeze, soft and warm, making one's heart feel warm.

This peaceful moment was the best way he could describe it.

Watching from the side, Yunniang, seeing that Xie Yan’s son wasn’t rejecting her daughter, let out a small sigh of relief.

From the crack of the door, Lu Xin's little head poked out, his clear eyes darting around.

"Mingchao, I have something to tell you," Xie Yan gathered his courage.

He could see that when he and Huaiqian appeared together, Mingchao's eyes were filled with shock.

Lu Mingchao nodded, then turned to Yunniang, "Mother, could you prepare some milk tea I brought back for Xiao Xin and Huaiqian?"

Yunniang readily agreed.

In the sheltered spot, Lu Mingchao looked up at Xie Yan, "About Huaiqian?"

Xie Yan's eyes flickered slightly. "More or less."

"Mingchao, I've kept myself pure and disciplined since I was young, and I'm not tainted."

The sunlight fell inch by inch, and Lu Mingchao blinked, her confusion deepening, but she didn't rush to ask, waiting quietly for Xie Yan to continue.

Xie Yan pressed his lips together and, throwing caution to the wind, said, "I am not Huaiqian's biological father."

"Not just Huaiqian, but also Ruan and Jingyi."

"Before you, I have never married, nor had any concubines or consorts."

Over the past few days, he felt like he was living in darkness, yet still clinging to the hope of reaching for the moon.

Lu Mingchao was even better than he had imagined—intelligent, resolute, brave, and kind.

A woman like Lu Mingchao, even without the support of the Yongning Marquis family, would live a life of freedom and independence.

But what about him?

Lu Mingchao was stunned, her voice returning to her only after a long pause. "Then who are they?"

"Huaiqian is the son of my cousin. Unfortunately, my cousin's family perished, and only Huaiqian survived. By right, he should call me his uncle."

"Ru'an is my second brother's son, and he calls me Fourth Uncle."

"Jingyi is my eldest sister's daughter, and she calls me Uncle."

"After what happened to my family, I've been raising them like my own kids."

Lu Mingchao's suspicion only grew. "Are you really just an ordinary hunter?"

Even though she had a hunch, she still asked.

Xie Yan's eyes held a depth of pain that Lu Mingchao couldn't quite grasp. "For now, yes."

"Do you carry a blood feud?"

Xie Yan gazed deeply at Lu Mingchao, and finally nodded.

Lu Mingchao took a deep breath. "Xie Yan, I'd actually rather you hadn't told me."

"I would have preferred to remain blissfully unaware and happily become Huaqian's stepmother."

Xie Yan, like a prisoner awaiting judgment, was extremely tense, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Judging by your speech and behavior, you must come from a prominent family. An enemy capable of wiping out your entire clan and forcing you into hiding must be incredibly powerful."

"If it was just about me, I wouldn’t have any problem marrying you."

"But I have a grandma, parents, and siblings, and I couldn’t live with myself if they got dragged into this."

"My eldest brother wants to marry the daughter of a private tutor and live a simple, peaceful life. My second brother hopes to pass the imperial exams and become an official, honoring all the years he spent studying. My youngest brother, who suffered from a high fever, is now innocent and carefree. I truly shouldn't and can't drag them into this turmoil because of me."

"I should have told you sooner." Xie Yan bowed deeply to Lu Mingchao.

At this point, Lu Mingchao steadied her heart and continued, "Would you seek revenge without being certain of success?"

Xie Yan shook his head. "No."

"Chaochao, if you want to get married, go ahead."