Anlong's words elicited a low exclamation from Dora, who looked at the man quickly, for the first time since marrying into this family, she had seen the legendary heroic father-in-law for the first time.

Minna looked at the man next to her inexplicably, her father called this person, father, is he his grandfather? How can it be? He looks younger than his father! She turned her head to look at the portrait and felt that although this man was not as handsome as in the painting, he did have some resemblance, but it was painted thirty years ago!

The scene fell silent for a moment. The man, Xiao Tianjian, opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say. He knew that he owed a lot to this son, but the confused account back then could not be explained clearly in a few words.

Seeing this, An Long snorted lightly and beckoned to his daughter: "Minna, come here." Minna looked at Xiao Tianjian and ran to her father's side. An Long took his wife and daughter's hand, and a "gentle" smile appeared on his face: "First time meeting, please allow me to introduce me." I am your son Ann Long Cardo, this is my wife Dora and daughter Minna, and the child is six years old. After a pause, his smile became hideous: "They are just weak women and children, please don't sword them because of my momentary neglect!" ”

Xiao Tianjian was embarrassed for a while, 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 strangling all dangers in the cradle: "I'm sorry, I'm ...... I didn't know it was you......"

"Ah, of course." An Long was even more angry, "I would never misunderstand that you already knew that I had lived in this place for five years, and I would never misunderstand that you knew who I was beforehand." ”

Xiao Tianjian stopped talking, and he found that he was saying a lot of mistakes, so he simply closed his mouth.

Seeing that the scene was a little stiff, Dora hurriedly reached out and hugged her husband, asking him to calm down, and said with some hesitation: "Excuse me...... Have you had dinner yet? If...... If you don't mind...... You, you can come with us......" She looked at her husband's face carefully, and he did not object.

Xiao Tianjian happily accepted his daughter-in-law's invitation, Dora shook her husband's hand, pressed her daughter's shoulder, asked her to curtsy with her, and the two exited the living room.

As soon as Minna went out, she couldn't help but ask her mother, "That is the person in the portrait?" Is it grandpa? Isn't he in his fifties? Why do you look younger than your dad? Dora was also full of doubts, but she didn't bother to answer her daughter's question, so she said to the butler standing in the corridor, "Uncle Marshall, please cook a few more dishes, and let Winnie help too." My father-in-law is a famous gourmet, and my family's usual meals are afraid that they can't get into his eyes. ”

Marshall stood there silently, answering a little later than usual: "Yes, ma'am." He bowed back, but his voice was not as energetic as usual, but Dora didn't notice it, and Minna, who was aware of it, just looked at him in bewilderment.

In the hall, father and son are still facing off.

After a long time, An Long suddenly said: "Actually, I saw you once before, and my mother was still there at that time." ”

Xiao Tianjian was stunned, he remembered that when Mei Li died six years ago, he knew that he had a son, because he felt that he had no face to see the child, and he felt sad, so the father and son did not meet, when did they meet before that?

There was a hint of self-deprecation at the corner of An Long's mouth: "When Elon graduated from the Royal Noble Academy, his son had just been born, and when you rushed back to see his grandson, I followed Elon, but you probably regarded me as a follower, right?" You just let Railon go, leaving the rest of us where we are, and you didn't even look at me. I was laughed at for a long time for this. ”

Xiao Tianjian then remembered the situation back then, his memory was excellent, and he really remembered that there were several teenagers of about the same age behind his son, one of them was brown-haired and blue-eyed, which was exactly what An Long looked like in front of him, and he thought it was Yunlong's classmate or friend at the time. It's no wonder that he, who made An Long's hair color and eyes look like Mei Li? Compared to the black-haired Yunlong, it didn't look like his son at all.

He felt guilty in his heart, sighed, and said, "An Long, I know I'm sorry for your mother and son. I didn't even know there was you, I ...... When I left, your mother didn't tell me she was pregnant, and every time I went back to visit your aunt and brother, people said she was doing well, so I ......."

"Doing well? Being called a lady, but doing the work of a maid, and having to endure the ridicule and ridicule of others every day, do you think this is very good? ”

"No...... Xiao Tianjian closed his eyes and had a headache, "This is all said by others, I believe it." Actually, I had seen her from afar, but at the time...... She was with Marshall, talking and laughing, I thought ......"

An Long was furious: "Why do you think?!" Do you think someone else will hook up like you?! My mother has been loyal to you all her life, and Uncle Marshall has been our steward since I was born, and he has not left even if there is a better future, and he has always regarded himself as a servant. He is innocent with his mother! When you say such things, you not only insult Uncle Marshall, but also insult your mother's feelings for you! ”

Xiao Tianjian's face flushed, he naturally knew that he was wrong, but no one told him the truth, so he kept misunderstanding until six years ago, when Mei Li died, he knew that this former lover had given birth to a son for him, and he was always waiting for him: "I know...... I misunderstood her, but ...... Your aunt and brother didn't say it, I ...... I really don't know. ”

"No excuses, no quibbles! If you really want to know, you can ask, even if Madame Mirabell and Elon don't say it, will your friend refuse to give you an answer? Uncle Sherwin has always taught me swordsmanship, and he told me you never asked! It is because of your attitude that we are despised and ridiculed, saying that my mother is a shameless prostitute who seduces her master, and that I am a wild child that no one wants! An Long couldn't help choking, "It's a pity that no matter what others say, my mother still refuses to leave her love for you." She's been waiting for you, and every time she hears you're back, she always expects you to go to her, but you don't look at her even though you know she's only a few rooms away from you. Mom didn't see you again until she died, and she was in tears...... Why? Even the nobles who once offended you, you forgave them, why only mom, you have to be so ruthless to her?! ”

Xiao Tianjian clenched his fists tightly, why? Of course he knew why: "You don't understand, your mother she...... It is the woman I love the most in my life, and the only woman who can make me willing to leave all glory and wealth behind and live a stable life with her. When I was most painful and vulnerable, she was with me and comforted me, and 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 her, she wanted me to work for Kado, and she helped Kadoh force me to stay. That rotten family will only use me for profit, and when I am valuable, they will climb up, and as soon as I get into trouble, they will give up on me, and they will ask me to be incognito, give up everything, and become their secret bodyguard. If I do stay, what's the difference between me and a slave?! Your mother knows it, but she still has to speak for Kado, how can I bear it?! ”

An Long sneered when he heard this: "It turns out that persuading you to be loyal to your family is a betrayal? May I interpret your words as saying that you were not faithful to your marriage from the beginning? That's why you can say such things? My mother's family has been a servant of the Kaga family for generations, and she has been serving Madame Mirabel since she was a child, and she has always felt guilty for betraying her mistress because she was once with you. It's not a new thing for nobles to have lovers, but if you want to leave your wife and children and take your lover away, how can my mother accept it?! Not to mention that she still has parents and siblings here. You only know that if you want her to listen to you, can't you think more about her? ”

"Of course I'm thinking about her! The Carda family is kind to the servants, and her family has been serving for generations, and even if she goes with me, the Cardia family will not be able to do anything to them, and if they are really kicked out, they can go to my trading house and castle to do business. ”

"It's a pity that you couldn't protect yourself at that time, not to mention, who would give up the family of the marquis who had served for generations and run to work in the newly sealed earl's house?"

Xiao Tianjian turned his head away, bitter in his heart, "This is all in the past, I don't want to say more." If it weren't for your mother's devotion to Carda and Mirabel to me over her affection for me, she wouldn't have rejected me. Otherwise, even if she doesn't want to go with me, she doesn't need to say good things about Kado. Knowing that I value freedom above all else, she wants me to work for others against my will, which is no different from betrayal. ”

An Long sneered: "Actually, you're just making excuses for your irresponsibility." What noble house would do something that is not profitable? Although the Cardiga once relied on you to make a lot of money, they also helped you make a lot of achievements in the political and military circles, and you are fundamentally mutually beneficial. When allies bring disaster to themselves, strong men can only save their families by breaking their wrists, and they are understandable, not to mention that they have not killed you completely. How can you turn your back on them because they didn't become your dependence without complaint? Not to mention that they kindly adopted me, I have had food and clothing since I was a child, and I can still receive 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 also reciprocated over the years. I helped their caravan drive away the robbers, trained their guards, and helped them get rich, which was enough to make up for the losses caused to their family back then. But he didn't mention that now after the death of the old marquis, the head of the Kado family is already his son Yilong, that is, Xiao Yunlong.

An Long looked at him wordlessly, and after a long while, he said softly: "I don't want to talk about this anymore, it will only make me sick if I continue to talk about it." Anyway, my mother has passed away, and I have a wife and children, so you can do whatever you like, it has nothing to do with me. ”

Xiao Tianjian frowned, and was about to say something more, but at this time, 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 quickly turned around and left, Xiao Tianjian stared at Marshall silently, and after a long while, he followed him to the restaurant with a blank face.

At the dinner table, An Long never spoke, even with his wife, there were only a few words. Seeing that the scene was a little stiff, Dora took the initiative to talk to Xiao Tianjian: "Since you don't know that we are here, why did you come here?" It's not much of an interesting place, the only thing that's special is that there are dwarf settlements, but that's in the mountains. ”

Xiao Tianjian smiled: "I just left Ito, and I was planning to visit a friend in the Toure Mountains, and I just passed by here. ”

Dora rolled her eyes: "I wonder if you will pass by Merton?" It just so happened that a young lady whom An Long knew was going there, perhaps, you could ......" Before she could finish speaking, An Long interrupted her: "Veronica is going to do personal business, and it is inconvenient to find someone else to accompany her." ”

Without waiting for Dora to refute, Xiao Tianjian spoke first: "Veronica? Is it Sherwin's daughter? I still remember her, Pepper. I wasn't going to go to Merton, but it doesn't matter if you take a turn. Could it be that Veronica is the "vicious woman" who caused her son and daughter-in-law to quarrel in the mouth of her little granddaughter? I remember that she is very beautiful, and it seems that her son is quite a father.

An Long replied dryly: "No need, she has no problem alone." ”

Xiao Tianjian was originally very enthusiastic to help, but when he saw his son's uncertain face, he stopped.

Seeing that the scene froze again, Dora hurriedly changed the subject: "Father...... You saw Elon and them in Ito Castle, and I wonder if they are well? Lilith's brother just came here and heard that she was pregnant again? It's really gratifying. ”

Xiao Tianjian was also very happy when he talked about it: "Yes, both of them are very happy. I just sent Bevin back, so it can be said that it is a double happiness. ”

"Bevin ? Do you mean Elon's eldest son? Dora's heart was a little sour, "I heard that this child was taken away by you when he was very young, and you taught him swordsmanship yourself, but I didn't expect that he had already returned from learning?" He must be very promising, right? ”

Xiao Tianjian smiled: "It's still early, how old is he?" If it weren't for the insistence of his parents and grandmother that he come back for some aristocratic education, I wouldn't have sent him back so quickly. He has only learned swordsmanship for six years, and he is not promising, but it is true that he is stronger than boys of the same age. ”

An Long interjected coolly: "It's really good, the personal disciple of the epic hero." "He didn't have this blessing back then, and even his brother Elon's swordsmanship was taught by Uncle Sherwin.

Xiao Tianjian coughed lightly and looked at his little granddaughter: "Minna, is the food delicious?" Minna was biting a chicken leg, nodded hurriedly when she heard the words, and said vaguely: "It's delicious, I like to eat chicken leg the most." "It's not a lot of time to eat that much meat.

Dora's eyes widened and she whispered reproach, "How can you talk while eating?" Swallow the food in your mouth and answer Grandpa's question clearly. ”

Minna pursed her lips, and Xiao Tianjian hurriedly said, "It's okay, it's okay, what does the family do so much?" The child is still young. When Minna heard this, a big smile appeared on her face, and she specially handed the other chicken leg on the plate to her grandfather and invited him to eat, Xiao Tianjian touched her head lovingly, took a bite of her hand, and still let her eat.

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. An Long just watched the interaction between his father and daughter and didn't say anything.

Unexpectedly met his son's family, Xiao Tianjian planned to stay for a few days. After the meal, Dora cleaned up a bed in the study and made a bed for him to spend the night in the study. She kept apologizing for the poor hospitality, Xiao Tianjian finally sent her away, and then secretly had a headache Why did her son marry such a wife, virtuous is virtuous, but it's a pity that it's too verbose.

Early the next morning, Anlong went to Veronica and told him about his decision. Veronica raised an eyebrow: "Okay, anyway, without you, I just stepped on Gama a few more times." But I'm afraid it will take a few more days on the dwarf's side, so you're not afraid that your wife will worry that you will hook up with the little beauty there? ”

An Long couldn't cry or laugh: "Okay, you don't have to say a few words, when it reaches her ears, it's going to be troublesome again." There's one more thing I want to tell you. He told her about his father's visit.

Veronica just pouted, "Ah, it's the epic hero who has visited, and I don't dare ask him to accompany me." As long as he shows up, even if he doesn't cause trouble, trouble will automatically come to his door. I'm already conspicuous enough, and with him, isn't it a clear sign that we have a problem? ”

Her father, Shewen, was Xiao Tianjian's adventurous friend when he was young, and he also learned a few swordsmanship techniques from him. After Xiao Tianjian left Ito City, several friends who were close to him were implicated and suffered a lot of losses. Sherwin and his family lived a few years of exile, and it was not until he was hired by the Security Department as a professor of swordsmanship that he lived a stable life, so Veronica has never had a good impression of Xiao Tianjian.

An Long knew the inside story, so he could only smile bitterly at this. Veronica saw his smile and pulled the corners of her mouth: "But it's a good thing for you." You've never lived with him, and even if you say you hate him, you're actually happy, right? ”

An Long was stunned and silent.