CHAPTER 722: CHAPTER 218 REUNION_4

"Yes, Ah Li," Xue Huaiyuan also said, "Dad has been worried about you."

Just as Jiang Li had managed to stop her tears, they threatened to flow out again. She said, "Alright, then let’s all stay and not go anywhere. We’ll stay right here in Yanjing City."

"I want to live with Dad," Xue Zhao said, "Sister, that Old Master Ye the Third seems to be Miss Jiang the Second’s uncle. Could you please talk to him and let me stay at the Ye Residence, or we can move out together. It would be good for me and Dad to stay together; at least we could take care of each other."

"That’s easy to arrange," Jiang Li said. "The Ye Residence is so big, with only Cousin Shijie and uncle living there. Uncle is pretty straightforward; I don’t think he would mind if you guys stayed there."

"Ah Li," Xue Huaiyuan hesitantly said, "your brother and I are living in the Ye Residence now. I haven’t been able to tell you before, but now that I’m no longer County Magistrate, I don’t receive a salary, and your brother can no longer stand. The savings we had at home have long been taken away by Feng Yutang. We’ve been imposing on Old Master Ye the Third and haven’t paid any silver, which is... it’s really distressing."

Xue Huaiyuan was extremely proud by nature, not the kind of person to freeload. It already made him uncomfortable to benefit from others’ kindness, but there was no way to change the current situation for now. He didn’t know that Jiang Li was Xue Fangfei before, so he couldn’t talk to her about this. Now that he knew, he spoke directly.

"Dad, don’t worry," Jiang Li said with a smile, "I still have some savings. If you feel uncomfortable, I can give it to uncle on your behalf. But uncle has always been generous and never cares about such worldly possessions."

Xue Huaiyuan felt extremely ashamed: "Ah Li, how can we rely on you to support us..."

A trace of sorrow also flashed in Xue Zhao’s eyes. Providing for the family was something that he should have been doing. As the man of the Xue Family, he was supposed to uphold the entire household and protect his family. Now that his martial arts were gone and he had become crippled, he would never stand up again, and naturally, such responsibilities were no longer his to assume.

"I am originally from the Xue Family," Jiang Li said softly. "Dad, if you’re going to account for things so precisely, is it because my surname is now Jiang, that I am no longer your daughter?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Huaiyuan immediately said, "Of course not! In Dad’s heart, you will always be my Ah Li."

Jiang Li started to smile.

Xue Zhao looked at Jiang Li and then at Xue Huaiyuan, shook his head, and also smiled. Regardless, whatever had happened, the fact that the three of them could reunite was like a grand gift bestowed by the heavens. Greed extends not just to wanting too much, but to the fear of the heavens taking it all back. They ought to feel contented.

Jiang Li continued to chat with Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao for a while, and after they recognized each other, they recounted the things that had happened over the years. Jiang Li also described how she was harmed by Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning. She omitted the cruel details, speaking lightly, but even so, it was enough to leave Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao deeply aggrieved.

The conversation lasted until the afternoon.

Ye Mingyu knocked from outside, saying, "Mr. Xue, Young Master Xue, Ah Li, when are you going to come out? You’ve been talking for so long; why not come out, have something to eat, and then continue talking?"

Only then did they remember that they hadn’t had lunch yet. Reminded by Ye Mingyu, they began to feel hungry.

Jiang Li opened the door and apologized to Ye Mingyu, then asked Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao to come out and have a meal. Since none of the three had eaten, Ye Mingyu had also had to endure hunger. Ye Shijie had already returned from court, and finding out that Xue Huaiyuan’s son Xue Zhao was still alive and was in his house, he too was greatly surprised.

At the dining table, Ye Mingyu congratulated Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao on their reunion. They were unaware that Jiang Li was Xue Fangfei, only grateful for Jiang Li’s repeated help to the Xue Family. At the table, Jiang Li also mentioned the possibility of Xue Zhao continuing to stay there in the future.

Ye Mingyu agreed without hesitation, saying, "Stay, stay, it’s good for Ah Zhao to stay here. This residence is only inhabited by me and Shijie, and Shijie is hardly ever here. With you living here, I wouldn’t have to worry about County Magistrate Xue being lonely all day."

"About the matter of silver..." Jiang Li had not finished speaking when Ye Mingyu interrupted her, saying, "Ah Li, have you forgotten what our family does not lack at all? It’s silver. There is no need for Mr. Xue and Ah Zhao to worry about silver while staying at our Ye Residence. Let’s not dwell on that; it unnecessarily strains relationships!"