An Long's words elicited a low exclamation from Dora. She quickly looked at the man. This was the first time she had seen this legendary heroic father-in-law since she married into this family.
Mingna looked at the man next to her with confusion. Her father called this man father. Could it be that he was her grandfather? How can it be? He looks even younger than dad! She turned to look at the portrait and felt that although the man was not as handsome as the one in the painting, he did have some resemblance, but that was painted thirty years ago!
The scene fell silent for a moment. That man, Xiao Tianjian, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. He knew that he owed a lot to his son, but the confused debt back then could not be explained clearly in a few words.
When Anlong saw this, he snorted softly and waved to his daughter: "Mingna, come here." Mingna looked at Xiao Tianjian and ran to her father's side. Anlong took the hand of his wife and daughter, with a "gentle" smile on his face: "This is the first time we meet, please allow me to introduce you. I am your son Anlong Kado, and this is my wife Dora and daughter Ming Na, the child is six years old this year." After a pause, his smile turned ferocious: "They are just weak women and children, please don't use swords against them because of my momentary neglect!"
Xiao Tianjian was embarrassed for a while, but he didn't expect that his previous actions had been seen by his son. He had never hated his good vigilance so much. He was just used to nipping all dangers in the cradle: "I'm sorry, I... I don't know It's you…"
"Ah, of course." Anlong became even more angry, "I will never misunderstand that you already know that I have lived in this place for five years, and I will never misunderstand that you know who I am in advance."
Xiao Tianjian stopped talking. He realized that he had made too many mistakes, so he simply kept his mouth shut.
Seeing that the scene was a little tense, Dora hurriedly stretched out her hand to support her husband, asking him to calm down, and said hesitantly: "Excuse me...have you had dinner? If...you don't mind...you, you can come with us..." She I looked at my husband's face carefully, but he didn't object.
Xiao Tianjian happily accepted his daughter-in-law's invitation. Dora shook her husband's hand, pressed her daughter's shoulder, and asked her to curtsy with him. The two exited the living room.
As soon as Mingna went out, she couldn't help but ask her mother: "Is that the person in the portrait? Is it grandpa? Isn't he over fifty years old? Why does he look younger than his father?" Dora was also full of doubts, but she didn't Not caring enough to answer her daughter's questions, she said to the housekeeper standing in the corridor: "Uncle Marshall, please cook some more big dishes, and let Winnie help. My father-in-law is a famous gourmet, and our family's usual meals are only I’m afraid I won’t be able to get into his eyes.”
Marshall stood there quietly and answered a little later than usual: "As you command, madam." He bowed and retreated, but his voice was not as energetic as usual. However, Dora did not notice it. Minna who noticed it was just not He looked at him with understanding.
In the hall, the father and son were still confronting each other.
After a long time, Anlong suddenly said: "Actually, I met you once before, when my mother was still there."
Xiao Tianjian was stunned. He remembered that he only knew that he had a son when Mei Li passed away six years ago. At that time, because he felt ashamed to see the child and felt sad, the father and son did not meet. When had they met before that
There was a hint of self-mockery in the corner of Anlong's mouth: "When Yilong graduated from the Royal Noble Academy, his son had just been born. At that time, you rushed back to see your grandson, and I followed Yilong, but you probably regarded me as a follower, right? You He just walked away and left the rest of us without even looking at me. I was laughed at for a long time because of this."
Xiao Tianjian then remembered the situation back then. His memory was very good. Sure enough, he remembered that there were several young men of similar age behind his son. One of them had brown hair and blue eyes, exactly like An Long in front of him. At that time, he thought he was Yun Long's. Classmates or friends? It’s no wonder that he is the one who made An Long’s hair and eyes look like Meili’s? Compared with the black-haired Yunlong, he doesn't look like his son at all.
He felt guilty, sighed, and said: "Anlong, I know I'm sorry for you mother and son. I didn't know you existed at all at that time, I... When I left, your mother didn't tell me that she was pregnant, and every time I went back I visited your aunt and brother. Others said she was doing well, so I..."
"Having a good life? Being called Madam, but doing the job of a maid, and having to endure the ridicule and ridicule of others every day, do you think this is a good thing?"
"No..." Xiao Tianjian closed his eyes, feeling a headache, "This is what others said, and I believed it. In fact, I glanced at her from a distance, but at that time... she was with Marshall, talking and laughing, I Think…"
An Long was furious: "What do you think?! Do you think others will hook up like you?! My mother has been loyal to you all her life, and Uncle Marshall has been our housekeeper since I was born. Even if there is a better future , he did not leave, and always regarded himself as a servant. There is nothing wrong between him and his mother! By saying this, you not only insulted Uncle Marshall, but also insulted your mother's feelings for you! "
Xiao Tianjian blushed. He naturally knew that he had made a mistake at first, but no one told him the truth, so he kept misunderstanding until six years ago, when Meili passed away, and he knew that his former lover had given birth to a child for him. Son, and has been waiting for him: "I know... I misunderstood her, but... your aunt and brother didn't say anything, I... I really don't know."
"No excuses, no quibbles! If you really want to know, you can ask. Even if Mrs. Mirabell and Elon don't tell, will your friends refuse to give you the answer? Uncle Sherwin has always taught me swordsmanship. He Tell me you never asked! It is because of your attitude that we were despised and ridiculed. You said my mother was a shameless prostitute who seduced the master, and I was a wild child that no one wanted!" An Long couldn't help but choked up. "It's a pity that no matter what others say, my mother will never give up her love for you. She has been waiting for you. Every time she hears that you are back, she always hopes that you can go to her, but even if you know She was only a few rooms away from you, and I didn’t even look at her. My mother never saw you again until she died. She died in tears... Why? Even the nobles who had offended you, you forgave them. , why do you have to be so callous to your mother?!"
Xiao Tianjian clenched his fists tightly, why? Of course he knew why: "You don't understand, your mother... is the woman I love most in my life. She is the only woman who can make me willing to leave behind all my glory and wealth and live a stable life in seclusion with her. In my last days She stayed with me and comforted me when I was in pain and most vulnerable. At that time, I really felt that as long as I had her, I would not be afraid of any difficulties. But... when I proposed to her, she betrayed me. She asked me to work hard for the Kado family, and even helped the Kado family to force me to stay. That rotten family would only use me for profit. They would come after me when I was valuable, but they would give up once I got into trouble. Me, they want me to remain anonymous, give up everything, and become their secret bodyguard. If I really stay, how will I be different from a slave?! Your mother knows clearly, but she still wants to speak for the Kado family. How can I bear it? !”
An Long sneered when he heard this: "So persuading you to be loyal to your family is betrayal? Can I interpret your words to mean that you had no intention of being loyal to your marriage from the beginning? That's why you can say this?" My mother's family has been a servant of the Cardiff family for generations. She has served Lady Mirabell since she was a child. She has always felt guilty for betraying her mistress because she was with you. Nobles have lovers. This is nothing new, but you How can my mother accept leaving her wife and children and taking her lover away?! Not to mention that she still has her parents and brothers and sisters. You just want her to listen to you, can't you think more about her? "
"Of course I think about her! The Cardo family is quite kind to their servants. Her family has been serving for generations. Even if she leaves with me, the Cardo family will not do anything to them. If they are really kicked out , you can also go to my business and castle to do things."
"It's a pity that you couldn't protect yourself at that time. What's more, who would give up the Marquis's house where they have served for generations and go to work in the newly created Earl's house?"
Xiao Tianjian turned his head away, feeling bitter in his heart, "This is all in the past, I don't want to say more. If your mother wasn't more loyal to the Cardo family and Mirabell than she is to me, she wouldn't have rejected me. . Otherwise, even if she doesn’t want to leave with me, she doesn’t need to say a good word for the Kado family. Knowing that I value freedom the most, she wants me to work for others against my will. This approach is no different from betrayal."
Anlong sneered: "Actually, you are just making excuses for your irresponsibility. Which noble family would do something without profit? Although the Card family once relied on you to obtain huge wealth, they also helped you gain political and military status. You have made a lot of achievements in the world, and you are basically mutually beneficial. When allies bring disaster to themselves, a strong man can save his family by cutting off his arms. Their actions are understandable, not to mention that they did not kill you all. How can you blame them for not having no resentment? Why did you abandon them after being your support without regrets? Not to mention that they were kind enough to adopt me. I have had enough food and clothing since I was a child, and I have received a good education, all thanks to their kindness."
Xiao Tianjian had nothing to say about this: "At this point, I am also very grateful to them, so I have repaid them in return over the years. I helped their caravan drive away bandits, trained guards for them, and helped them build He has found several ways to make a fortune, and these are enough to make up for the losses caused to their family back then." But he did not mention that now, after the death of the old Marquis, the head of the Card family is already his son. Long, that is, Xiao Yunlong.
Anlong looked at him speechlessly, and after a while, he said softly: "I don't want to talk about this anymore, it will only make me sick. Anyway, my mother has passed away, and I have a wife and children. You love Whatever happens, it has nothing to do with me."
Xiao Tianjian frowned and was about to say something more, but at this moment Marshall quietly appeared at the door of the living room, respectfully reported that dinner was ready and asked them to move to the dining room. An Long turned around quickly and left. Xiao Tianjian stared at Marshall silently, and after a while, he followed him to the restaurant expressionlessly.
Anlong remained silent at the dinner table, even with his wife, there were only a few words. Dora saw that the scene was a little tense, so she took the initiative to talk to Xiao Tianjian: "Since you don't know that we are in Qidon, why did you come here? This is not an interesting place. The only thing that is special is that there is a dwarf settlement. , but that’s in the mountains.”
Xiao Tianjian smiled and said: "I just left Yidong and was planning to visit a friend in Tulei Mountain. I just stopped by here."
Dora rolled her eyes: "I wonder if you will pass by Mayton? It just so happens that a young lady An Long knows is going there. Maybe you can..." Before she could finish speaking, An Long interrupted her. : "Veronica has to go do some personal things, and it's not convenient for her to find someone else to accompany her."
Before Dora could refute, Xiao Tianjian spoke first: "Veronica? Is she Sherwin's daughter? I still remember her, a little pepper. I didn't plan to go to Mayton, but I just took a turn and went there. It doesn't matter." Could it be that Veronica is the "vicious woman" that her granddaughter said caused the quarrel between her son and daughter-in-law? I remember that she was quite beautiful, and it seemed that her son was quite a father.
Anlong replied dryly: "No, she'll be fine alone."
Xiao Tianjian was originally very enthusiastic about helping, but when he saw his son's expression hesitant, he stopped talking.
Seeing the scene, Dora stiffened again and hurriedly changed the subject: "Father... you saw Yilong and the others in Idong City. Do you know how they are in good health? Lilith's brother just came here and heard that she is pregnant again? It’s really gratifying.”
Xiao Tianjian was also very happy when he talked about this: "Yes, the couple were very happy. I happened to send Beiwen back. It can be said to be a double happiness."
"Bevin? Are you talking about Elon's eldest son?" Dora felt a little sad, "I heard that this child was taken away by you when he was very young, and you personally taught him swordsmanship. Unexpectedly, he has returned after learning it. Yes? He must be very promising now, right?"
Xiao Tianjian smiled: "It's still early. How old is he? If his parents and grandma hadn't insisted that he come back to receive some kind of aristocratic education, I wouldn't have sent him back so quickly. He has only learned swordsmanship for six years, and it can't be said that he has any He’s promising, but it’s true that he is stronger than boys his age.”
Anlong interjected coolly: "That's great, you are the direct disciple of an epic hero." He did not have such a blessing back then. Even his brother Yilong's swordsmanship was taught by his uncle Sherwin.
Xiao Tianjian coughed lightly and looked at his granddaughter: "Ming Na, is the food delicious?" Ming Na was biting into a chicken leg. When she heard this, she nodded hurriedly and said vaguely: "It's delicious. I like it best." Chicken legs." There are not many opportunities to eat that much meat.
Dora's eyes widened and she scolded in a low voice: "How can you talk while eating? Hurry up and swallow the food in your mouth, and then answer Grandpa's question clearly."
Ming Na pouted, and Xiao Tianjian hurriedly said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. Why do a family pay so much attention to it? The child is still young." After Ming Na heard this, a big smile appeared on her face, and she specially put the other one on the plate. The chicken drumstick was handed to Grandpa and asked him to eat it. Xiao Tianjian touched her head lovingly, took a bite from her hand, and let her eat it anyway.
Dora was about to faint, but she couldn't blame her father-in-law, so she had to signal her husband to take care of it. Anlong just watched the interaction between his father and his daughter and said nothing.
Meeting his son's family unexpectedly, Xiao Tianjian planned to stay for a while. After dinner, Dora followed Anlong's wishes and prepared a bed in the study for him to spend the night. She kept apologizing for the poor reception. Xiao Tianjian finally sent her away, but he secretly had a headache as to why his son married such a wife. She was virtuous, but she was too wordy.
Early the next morning, Anlong went to Veronica and told her his decision. Veronica raised her eyebrows: "Well, since you're not here anyway, I just want to step on Gama's feet a little more. But I'm afraid it will take a few more days for the dwarves, so you don't have to worry about your wife worrying about you hooking up with the little one there. beauty?"
Anlong couldn't laugh or cry: "Okay, please stop saying a few words. If it reaches her ears, there will be trouble again. There is one more thing I want to tell you." He told her about his father's visit.
Veronica just curled her lips: "Ah, it turns out that the epic hero is here. I don't dare to ask him to accompany me. As long as he shows up, even if he doesn't cause trouble, trouble will come automatically. I'm enough It’s so conspicuous, and adding him, wouldn’t it be obvious to others that we have a problem?”
Her father, Sherwin, was Xiao Tianjian's adventurer friend when he was young, and he also learned several sword skills from him. After Xiao Tianjian left Yidong City, several close friends were implicated and suffered a lot. Sherwin and his family lived a homeless life for several years. It was not until he was hired as a swordsmanship professor by the Security Agency that he lived a stable life. Therefore, Veronica has never had a good impression of Xiao Tianjian.
Anlong knew the inside story and could only smile bitterly. But Veronica saw his smile and raised her lips: "But it's a good thing for you. You have never lived with him. Even if you say you hate him, in fact, in your heart Are you happy?"
Anlong was stunned and fell silent.