Chapter 364

Jiang Sheng did not dare to ask aloud. She did not even dare to continue thinking, sitting down and lowering her head to eat the pastries. She ate until her mouth was full of fragrance, she ate until she was intoxicated and forgot herself.

It was not until the wooden door was knocked that she immediately raised her head to look over ardently. It turned out that the Master Chef had come to find Auntie Zhang.

She lowered her head, not knowing whether she felt disappointed or sad, only feeling that her heart was heavy and she did not want to speak.

Her brothers came over laughing and joking, the fragrant pork elbows were also taken out of the pot, and the eight Jiang's were shouting that they wanted to eat. Auntie Zhang and the Master Chef had smiling faces, as if they were feeding pigs.

The small courtyard was as joyful as usual, even more lively.

Everyone was familiar, pushing cups and changing cups, wishing each other well. Some even dared to tease the Master Chef, and every shout of “uncle-in-law" left the Master Chef blushing and moved to tears.

“The way I see it, after Eldest Brother passes the exam, Auntie’s matter should also be settled.” Zheng Ruqian was the most uninhibited, and also liked liveliness the most, “By then, this would be double celebrations for our household!”

“Good, not bad.”

“Double celebrations would be great, it must be done.”

Everyone chimed in words, leaving Zhang Xianglian extremely embarrassed, unable to speak for a long time.

On the contrary, the Master Chef was long used to being in the nobility circle, blushing as he said, “Then let’s settle it as such, I will go prepare the gifts, and will need everyone’s help in reviewing them in the future.”

“Of course.”

“We would definitely help with uncle-in-law’s matters.”

Everyone laughed again happily, only Zhang Xianglian was so embarrassed she could die, slapping the Master Chef's plump back with her palm.

She really had not thought through the matter of marriage.

Although the lychee incident had brought the two of them much closer, and she realised the Master Chef's worth during the goat slaughter, the wounds from the past were too deep, and Zhang Xianglian always did not dare to take that step.

Even if everyone around could see that it was an eventual thing for the two of them.

But for Zhang Xianglian, better late than early, better to maintain status quo than change things.

She was truly afraid.

“Auntie, once the exam ends, Third Eldest Brother will probably leave.” Chang Yan laughed as he said, “Eldest Brother and the others won't be around either, no one can support Auntie.”

That one sentence changed her thoughts.

Zhang Xianglian was still hesitating earlier, but when she looked at Fang Heng she immediately hardened her heart, “Let’s do it, let’s settle this now.” Nothing was more important than having these children gathered. The frontier was so far, they definitely could not keep making the trip back.

Even if there was still some apprehension deep down, as long as the children were around, she would have the courage to step forward.

“I didn’t expect it’s still Third Younger Brother’s prestige at work here.” Zheng Ruqian joked, “Uncle-in-law owes you one.”

Fang Heng smiled with pursed lips.

The Master Chef also cast a grateful look over.

Chang Yan even went over to Wang Xiaosong’s ear to whisper something.

Everyone was happy, everyone was joyful, only Jiang Sheng was not.

She did not eat the pork elbows, nor the pastries, just sitting there quietly in a daze.

“Younger sister, what’s wrong?” The most perceptive Wen Zhiyun looked over and asked softly, “Are you feeling unwell from not eating, Fourth Elder Brother will make you digesting tea.”

“I’m fine.” Jiang Sheng shook her head. “I’m full.”

But normally even when full she would still eat a little more.

Wen Zhiyun wanted to say something more, but Jiang Sheng suddenly revealed a smile, seriously picking up pork elbow skin and red braised fish, swallowing them with the fragrant flower cakes.

It was as if her earlier gloom was an illusion.

He did not quite understand, only feeling that something was a little strange, like something weighing down on her that she could not say, yet also like something being concealed.

And this feeling persisted until the next day.

Xu Mo was still at the exam, only ending late afternoon the day after, so other than continuing to eat and drink, everyone did not have much to do.

Jiang Sheng mingled among her brothers, occasionally saying something or revealing a smile, concealing things aptly.

Until the sun started to set in the west, the wooden door was knocked again.

Wang Xiaosong had gone somewhere, it was Jiang Yi who opened the door. Seeing the person outside, he was first stunned, then quickly gave way.

The sturdy and upright man had rushed over covered in dust. In two to three steps he arrived before Jiang Sheng, revealing a faint smile, “My daughter, Daddy has returned.”

So he had not disappeared.

So it was not a dream.

So it really was Daddy!

Jiang Sheng put down the wisteria flower in her hand, raising her head blankly, her large eyes somewhat red, still a little stunned.

“What, can’t recognise me after a day?” There was some apprehension in Jiang Jizu’s heart too, his daughter had yet to recognise him after all, “If you don’t welcome me, I’ll leave.”

He made a show of turning to leave, his sturdy figure appearing and disappearing, as if he might vanish from sight any time, turning into nothingness.

A wandering child simply does not have a father, they were all fake.

But Jiang Sheng still could not bear to see him leave, even knowing it was false, she still wanted to pounce over, grabbing forcefully at his robes, burying the broken thread of beads within. “No, don’t leave.”

The little girl’s muffled sobs rang out, carrying twelve years of grievances, the bitterness of fighting dogs for food, as well as the sorrow of being neglected by her mother, “Are you really my Daddy? Do I really have a Daddy?”

“I truly am, you truly do.” Jiang Jizu could barely suppress the tremors in his voice, “This is real, all of this is real.”

There would no longer be any deception, no longer any bullying or harm, no longer any saying one thing but doing another.

Do not be afraid, the people who love you have always been here.

Some in the courtyard turned their heads away, some lightly dabbing at the corners of their eyes, some thinking of their own fathers and mothers.

If they could, who would not want maternal love and filial piety, who would not want both parents around, who would not want happiness and peace?

But there were always ups and downs in life, what one sought was not obtained, what one wished for lingered at the horizon. Thus, the only thing left was to cherish the present, treasure the now.

Jiang Sheng did not eat dinner that night.

All she remembered was her blinded sobbing, not forgetting to look up at the thick bearded man between her sobs and vent her frustrations, “You liar, my Daddy doesn’t have a beard, my dream Daddy had no beard.”

Then she fell asleep, successfully missing the red braised meat for dinner that day.

When she awoke she was fully regretful, her eyes also feeling a little uncomfortable.

Fortunately Auntie Zhang smilingly walked in with a hot towel, instructing her softly to close her eyes and it would feel better after the compress.

“Quickly get up, the General is waiting for you outside.” She gently urged.

Jiang Sheng nimbly put on her clothes and rushed outside, only to see a pale-faced, beardless handsome middle-aged man, without any trace of her thick-bearded father.

A fraud, definitely a fraud.

She was furious, stamping her feet before she realised the middle-aged man had picked her up by her armpits. It was that way of carrying used for children again, spinning her in a circle before putting her back down on the ground.

Jiang Sheng did not even have time to pout before hearing the middle-aged man say, “You’re finally awake. The Jiang Family is going to Famen Temple to worship our ancestors today, want to come along?”

Jiang Family, Famen Temple, worshipping ancestors.

She finally realised belatedly that the middle-aged man before her was really General Jiang, her bearded father.

“Haven’t shaved for many years. ” Jiang Jizu stroked his smooth chin, also feeling a little unaccustomed. “I deliberately grew it back then to intimidate the army.”

Yet now for the sake of his daughter’s one line he had shaved till midnight with a knife.

When he woke up in the morning his chin had shocked away all four of his guards, who almost thought the General had been ambushed by enemies at night who specialised in shaving off beards.

Only Jiang Sheng pursed her lips, both embarrassed yet moved, taking a long while before recalling his earlier words, “Worship ancestors? What worshipping of ancestors?”

Jiang Jizu’s smile faded, his gaze turning sharp.

There was no such thing as ancestral worship.

This trip to Famen Temple was specially meant for the Liao Family.