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墨書 Inktalez
The man was clearly taken aback, as if he couldn't believe what he saw as he looked her up and down.
He was sure he hadn't mistaken her for someone else and couldn't help but call out, "Daughter, don't you recognize your father?"
"I don't recognize you," San Chun nodded. If she had recognized him, she would have sought him out long ago instead of living off others for two years.
Kazama, watching from the side, couldn't help but roll his eyes. He had never seen a father-daughter reunion so comical. They clearly didn't know each other, yet they could cry together for so long?
The man seemed heartbroken and cried, "Daughter, why don't you recognize me? I am Ju Rong, a Senior Official of Yan State!"
San Chun had truly never heard of the name Ju Rong, but since he was being so sincere, it would be rude to dismiss him. Moreover, even if she didn't recognize her father, others might not mistake their daughter; there was no need to ruin his moment. So she nodded and said, "I understand."
Ju Rong was overjoyed and took her hand to lead her to his place while asking where she had been all these years.
From their conversation, San Chun also learned her original surname was Ju Dan. She felt fortunate that her last name wasn't Ji.
Seeing that he couldn't dissuade her, Kazama turned and ran off to send a message, secretly wondering how Zhong Xue would react upon discovering that he suddenly had a father-in-law.
San Chun admitted that she had lost her memory and had lived in Niushan Village for two years before leaving with someone named Qing and eventually arriving at Qin State.
Ju Rong pondered for a moment and asked, "Is Qing a young man around twenty years old?"
San Chun shook her head; Qing was at least twenty-four or twenty-five and hardly a youth. She didn't understand why he asked that question. When she inquired about it, Ju Rong just smiled and said, "Perhaps I misjudged."
As for how she ended up lost from home, his theory was that due to the chaos of war, she had become separated from her family and he thought she had died in the conflict. Who would have thought that fate would allow them to reunite?
This theory coincided with Zhu's speculation from years ago; she was a Noble Lady of Yan State who had gone missing while trying to escape from pursuers.
However, for some reason, there was always a trace of doubt in her heart. Even if she was lost, could it be that no one had searched for her? The "Spring" character on the waist token she wore could also be interpreted as having encountered a fallen soldier from the Wei Army, having taken someone else's clothes to wear. But how did this involve a nearly twenty-year-old boy? She certainly did not think that Ju Rong was just being casual about this. Yet no matter how much she asked, Ju Rong remained tight-lipped.
After not seeing his daughter for two years, Ju Rong was very happy and wanted to invite San Chun to dinner.
San Chun agreed, and when the banquet was set up, Ju Rong said, "Daughter, would you like to go home with your father?"
Before she could answer, there was a loud clattering sound from outside, followed by several cries of pain, and then hurried footsteps. The door was pushed open forcefully, and a Mysterious Man in Dark Robes strode in.
The first thing that caught the eye was a pair of dark, deep ice-blue eyes. Even from a distance, there was an intimidating aura about him; his evil yet handsome face wore a carefree smile.
"Lord Ju is hosting this Lord Concubine; why didn't you announce your arrival first?"
Seeing someone barging in, Ju Rong initially wanted to slam the table in anger but was instead intimidated by his presence. The harsh words he had prepared were immediately swallowed back, replaced with three words: "Who are you?"
"Wei Kingdom Chengyang Jun."
As the saying goes, a person's name carries their shadow. The name Chengyang Jun was well-known. Just like people from the Qin State might not know their king's name but definitely knew who Wei Kingdom's Chengyang Jun was.
Among the Seven Kingdoms, there were four young masters who were very famous. Zhao's Young Master Ji Xun was renowned for his exceptional musical talent; Qin State's Gongzi Qiulan was known for his swordsmanship but had mysteriously disappeared years ago. Yan's Crown Prince Yan Dan would also be considered one of the Four Young Masters if he were still alive. And then there was the Chengyang Jun before her—his reputation stemmed not from beauty or musical skill but from his unparalleled political cunning and his notorious cruelty.
If the other three young masters were protagonists, then Chengyang Jun would certainly be a textbook example of an antagonist. Yet such an antagonist had gained immense fame throughout the Seven Kingdoms; even Ju Rong, who lived far away in Yan and seldom concerned himself with court affairs, had heard of him.
Ju Rong's reaction was quite normal; first, his hand trembled slightly, then his body began to shake as if he might faint. San Chun quickly reached out to support him. She looked at Zhong Xue with curiosity, unable to fathom how he could exert such an overwhelming presence. She had known him for some time; he could be domineering at times, childish at others, wise occasionally, and foolish at times too. Yet she had never seen him commit any cruel acts. Perhaps those rumors were just exaggerated tales.
After all, he was her father; it wouldn't do to frighten him too much. She smiled and asked, "Lord Jun, why are you in such a hurry?"
Zhong Xue snorted lightly. "My woman is about to run off with someone; how can I not be anxious?" He couldn't help but glare at her—this foolish woman thought just because he was her father she could trust him?
Without waiting for an invitation, he had already knelt down in front of Ju Rong and politely snatched the wine cup from Ju Rong's hand, pouring himself a drink.
Ju Rong wanted to mock him a bit, but seeing his expression, he hesitated and only asked, "What brings Lord Jun here?"
Zhong Xue sneered, "This Lord wants to ask what the esteemed official intends to do?"
Ju Rong replied, "If she is indeed my cherished daughter."
"What proof do you have?"
"Her appearance is indistinguishable from that of a cherished daughter."
He snorted coldly, "There are many who share similar looks; how can the esteemed official be so sure it is your daughter?"
"The cherished daughter has thick earlobes with a red mole on one of them."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Xue immediately crossed the table to check her hair. The two were separated by a large table that held a roasted chicken, a plate of beef, a jug of wine, a bowl of fish soup, and several dishes—an abundant feast. However, as he took a big step forward, he knocked over the wine jug and kicked the fish soup over with his toes, causing the roasted chicken and beef to tumble to the ground as well.
San Chun was quick to react and rolled aside to avoid the bowl of fish soup, but Ju Rong was not so lucky; the entire bowl of fish soup spilled onto him, and the jug of wine also crashed onto his head. Following that came a series of loud crashes as everything on the table shattered.
San Chun was splattered with quite a bit of soup herself. Just as she was about to get up, Zhong Xue had already reached her side. He lifted her hair and examined her ear repeatedly. There it was—a mole on her earlobe, a red one that was hard to notice unless looked at closely.
San Chun winced in pain as he tugged at her ear and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. If he wanted to see the mole, all he had to do was ask; why make such a fuss?
After checking, Zhong Xue helped her up and turned to look at Ju Rong with an indifferent expression. "Lord Ju is not mistaken; she really is your daughter." At least physically.
Looking at Ju Rong again, he sat there dumbfounded and motionless, probably startled by this sudden commotion.
Zhong Xue asked again, and he replied, "Yes, yes."
His heart had not yet calmed down when he saw Zhong Xue suddenly bowing deeply, saying, "In that case, please allow me to betroth my daughter to This Lord."
He had never seen anyone propose on their first meeting; just now, the way he looked at San Chun's earlobe was so rude, so dismissive of him. Looking at his own dirty appearance, Ju Rong truly felt he might explode with anger. He was filled with rage and pointed at the door, shouting, "Please leave."
Zhong Xue didn't mind at all; instead, he smiled and bowed to him before stepping out.
It seemed he had indeed been too eager today; no wonder he had angered the usually kind old man like this. However, it was a good thing that San Chun could reclaim her identity. The Daughter of Ju Rong from the State of Yan? As a Noble Lady, it would be easier for him to marry her.
He initially wanted to take her away but decided to let them have one night together since they had just recognized each other as father and daughter.
※
San Chun never expected to reunite with her biological father one day; she felt immense joy, especially when Ju Rong publicly introduced her as "this is my daughter," that sweetness instantly filled her heart.
How many times had she dreamed of being together with her parents, eating food, drinking wine, chatting, with their laughter echoing throughout the hall? Such a scene would make anyone smile even in their sleep. Unfortunately, her wish to become a heroic woman and return home with military achievements was completely dashed.
The next day, Zhong Xue came to pick her up. Returning to his residence, her heart was still sweet, and whenever she had the chance, she would run over to see Ju Rong.
Ju Rong had mentioned several times that he wanted to take her back to the State of Yan; after all, she was a Noble Lady, and it was inappropriate for her to follow Chengyang Jun without any status.
San Chun also wanted to go home to see her mother and siblings. However, Zhong Xue was not someone easy to deal with unless she could bring him along. But she knew that with his notorious reputation, if he suddenly appeared in a household in Yan, it would be hard not to scare a few people to death.
After discussing with Ju Rong, she would find a way to win him over; as for how exactly that would happen, she had not yet figured it out.
As she walked back from Ju Rong's place and passed by Zhong Xue's room, she suddenly heard someone talking inside.
Curiosity is a woman's nature, and obedience is one aspect of it. In fact, she usually doesn't listen, but today, out of Divine Intervention, she wanted to eavesdrop on whom he was talking to.
She pressed her ear against the crack of the door and heard just one sentence, which instantly froze the blood in her veins. It was Qing; the one speaking was actually Qing...
His words, "If Lord Jun wants any conditions, feel free to mention them," brought her more than just shock.
Qing, someone who had left Niushan Village with her, when did he gain the ability to make Chengyang Jun propose conditions?
Startled, she accidentally kicked a flower pot in front of the door. With a crash, the pot shattered, and in an instant, two figures rushed out of the room. Two swords aimed at San Chun's neck, and she was so frightened that her soul nearly left her body; she completely forgot whether to call for help or plead for mercy.
Qing's sword came too quickly; by the time she realized this person was San Chun, it was already too late. It was Zhong Xue who reacted in time, deflecting the tip of his sword with hers. The two swords pierced through her hair and struck the door frame with a force that could penetrate wood three inches deep.
It's truly remarkable that San Chun could still smile at this moment; not wetting his pants on the spot showed incredible composure.
Qing dropped her sword and helped her up. "What are you doing here?"
San Chun forced a smile. "That's what I want to ask you."
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