CHAPTER 718: CHAPTER 217: ELDER BROTHER_5

Xue Huaiyuan stared straight at Xue Zhao, gradually, his lips began to quiver, and his hand trembled as it reached for Xue Zhao’s shoulder. He was shaking, as if afraid that this was all a dream, cautiously not daring to step forward, for fear of breaking this hard-won beautiful dream—and upon waking, he would no longer be able to see Xue Zhao.

It was Xue Zhao who took the initiative to grasp Xue Huaiyuan’s hand, saying, "Father! It’s me, I’m back, I didn’t die!"

When Xue Zhao grasped his hand, the warmth and solidity told Xue Huaiyuan it wasn’t a mere illusion from a dream. It seemed that only now did he dare to believe it, and he called out "Ah Zhao" with tears streaming down his face.

Xue Zhao also couldn’t stop crying, saying between sobs, "It’s all my unfilial behavior that caused you to worry. If only I had seen you sooner, Father, you wouldn’t have had to suffer the torment of that venomous woman from Yongning."

"Ah Zhao," Xue Huaiyuan said, "what happened to your leg?"

Looking at his own leg, Xue Zhao smiled faintly and replied, "Father, I can’t walk anymore, but it’s alright, I’m still alive!"

He spoke as if it was nothing, but Xue Huaiyuan instantly understood the gravity of the situation. He knew his son’s lifelong dream, how he had always hoped to make a name for himself in the martial arts world. A youth in the prime of life, now consigned to a chair, unable to move freely—what a profound pain this must be for him. Xue Huaiyuan’s lips turned pale. He had always been strict with Xue Zhao, but this time, he couldn’t help but pat his hand, saying, "It’s okay, Ah Zhao, it’s okay."

Everyone in the room felt a piercing heartache, finding the sight of the father and son’s reunion incredibly moving, and even the eyes of onlookers grew moist.

"Ah Zhao, where exactly have you been? Miss Jiang said you were dead, and I even visited your grave. To my knowledge, you were indeed..."

"Father, that was a trap set by Princess Yongning. I wasn’t killed; I was just locked up in Princess Yongning’s private prison. She tortured me, using news of my death to provoke my sister and you. I thought I’d never escape, but I never expected to still be alive," Xue Zhao explained.

Xue Huaiyuan’s gaze fell on Jiang Li; he said, "You mean... Miss Jiang saved you?"

"Yes," Xue Zhao answered.

Xue Huaiyuan then looked at Jiang Li with confusion, and Ye Mingyu was also puzzled. Everyone knew that the Princess’s Mansion’s private prison had been found by accident, and at the time, no one had seen Xue Zhao. How did Jiang Li find Xue Zhao, and moreover, immediately recognize his identity? Reflecting on Jiang Li’s numerous past helps to the Xue Family, Xue Huaiyuan’s suspicions grew even stronger.

"Father, there’s a long story behind it, I’ll tell you all about it slowly," said Xue Zhao. He turned to Ye Mingyu and the others: "Elder Master Ye... Sorry, could the rest of you please step out for a moment?"

Ye Mingyu shrugged his shoulders and walked out, knowing that it wasn’t appropriate for an outsider to listen in on a private conversation between father and son, especially if Xue Zhao might reveal some confidential family matters. Hai Tang and Zhao Ke also left the room. Turning around, Ye Mingyu noticed Jiang Li still standing behind Xue Zhao’s wheelchair and asked her, "Ah Li, why aren’t you coming out?"

"Miss Jiang the Second, please stay," said Xue Zhao. "I also have some words I’d like to say to Miss Jiang the Second."

Ye Mingyu was taken aback as Zhao Ke closed the door. Dumbfounded, he muttered, "What’s this? Ah Li belongs to our family; why has she become so familiar with them, as if it’s perfectly natural? It’s rather strange!" Without knowing why, Ye Mingyu felt particularly uneasy seeing Jiang Li with Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao. Although Jiang Li had no familial ties to the Xue Family, their interactions seemed so natural, as if it had always been meant to be. In contrast, he didn’t feel like Jiang Li’s uncle, but rather like an outsider.

Zhao Ke looked down at the ground, absorbed in thought. He understood why Xue Zhao would want Jiang Li to remain. Xue Zhao was already calling Jiang Li "older sister," seeking to establish a closer relationship to encourage her good feelings toward the Xue Family. "This kid," Zhao Ke thought to himself, "turns out to be quite adept at flattery, a skilled charmer when it comes to women."

Inside the room, Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao were seated, and Xue Zhao said to Jiang Li, "Sister, please take a seat."

At the word "sister," Xue Huaiyuan was startled, remembering that Xue Zhao had only called Xue Fangfei "sister" before. Why was he so affectionate with Jiang Li now?

His gaze turned to Jiang Li; in his excitement at Xue Zhao’s return, Xue Huaiyuan hadn’t really looked closely at Jiang Li. But now, upon closer inspection, he realized just how much Jiang Li resembled Fangfei.

They had entirely different faces, but the way they sat, their dress and adornment, even their subtle frowning expressions if not for the different faces, Xue Huaiyuan could almost believe that Fangfei had returned.

"Mr. Xue," Jiang Li began after sitting down, addressing Xue Huaiyuan, "you have frequently asked me why I have extended assistance to the Xue Family repeatedly, from Tongxiang to Yanjing, taking revenge on Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong, and now saving Xue Zhao. I told you that it was because of a past connection with the Xue Family, but you have never known what that connection is, nor have I told you, because I genuinely didn’t know how to say it, and I feared you wouldn’t believe me, thinking I was spouting nonsense."

"But now that Ah Zhao is back, I have nothing to fear, and I can finally speak out."

Xue Huaiyuan stared at Jiang Li, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid.

"Father, I am Ah Li."