Zhang Qi knelt down and replied: "Father, I want to bring A Lu with me."

  At this time, she had already thought it through. Being so quiet and ignored by everyone all the time, when it came to marriage, she might not even be able to find a decent match. She needed to make an appropriate appearance.

  Seeing Zhang Shier nodding ambiguously, Zhang Qi raised her small face and looked at him with a childlike gaze, her voice trembling as she called out: "Father, you... are really Ah Qis father?" Her eyes were filled with tears, her small lips quivering, with an expression of utmost longing, yet not daring to believe that she could have this.

  This Zhang Gui, attracted everyones attention. A black-skinned boy exclaimed: "Wow, Twelfth Uncle, this little girl of yours is quite pleasing to the eye!" With her face raised, Zhang Guis delicate and transparent features were revealed without a doubt, making it easy for people to have a good impression of her.

  Zhang Shi-er Lang was originally a gentle person, seeing Zhang Qi in this state, his heart softened, he looked at Zhang Qi gently and said in a low voice: "I am naturally your father."

  This time, as soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Qi had already run to him with quick steps. She ran in front of him and still looked up at him with a cute face. Slowly, she tentatively stretched out her small hand. Finally, her small hand grasped his sleeve, and she held it very tightly, her fingers were pale white due to the excessive force used, but the expression on her face was so cautious, as if she was afraid that her father would be dissatisfied with her and push her away abruptly.

  His heart ached, Zhang Erlangs right hand rubbed Zhang Qis hair, and his left hand stroked her shoulder. Gently patting Zhang Qis back, he said in a low voice: "Good child, its not your fathers fault that youve suffered." Lowering his head, he looked at Zhang Qi, who was dressed as a maid, wearing old but spotlessly clean clothes, and his voice became even softer. "Come, Ah Qi, follow Father."

  "En." Zhang Qi snuggled up to Zhang Shierlangs arm like a little cat, and even rubbed against him like a child when she was holding him. In Zhang Shierlangs eyes full of tender smile, Zhang Qi stretched out her hand to Ah Lu.

  Lu had been in a daze, and upon seeing this, she hastened her pace. Zhang Qi tightly grasped her hand for a moment before gently releasing it, signaling her to follow behind. Zhang Qi once again devotedly held onto his fathers arm, with tears still shining in the crescent-shaped eyes that smiled with an air of innocence and satisfaction.

  Zhang Erlang had several sons and daughters, but which one of them had ever treated him like this? At that moment, his heart turned into a ball of soft water. As he allowed Zhang Qi to hold onto his arm, he smiled at the crowd of young people and said: "This foolish child of mine has made a spectacle of himself in front of all of you."

  A young man sighed and said: "Who in this world is not foolish? The reunion of the twelve uncles and aunts is indeed a fortunate event."

  "Yes, this lady is also a romantic at heart. Her deep affection for her uncle is truly enviable."

  Among the sighs, Xiao Mo suddenly said: "Are you Ah Qi? Zhang Qi?" The voice was very low, only Zhang Qi could hear it.

  Zhang Qi shyly avoided his gaze and nodded softly.

  She seemed to be afraid of herself, Xiao Mo revealed his snow-white teeth and smiled suddenly. He no longer looked at Zhang Qi, but instead quickened his pace and stepped into the crowd of young men.

  At this moment, it suddenly brightened up, and he walked out of the woods.

  From ahead came a burst of clear and cheerful laughter. Seeing that scene from afar, Zhang Gui lightly withdrew her arm from Zhang Shiers grasp.

  At this time, Zhang Shierlang had already shifted his attention away from her. When she left, he didnt even notice.

  At this time, a beautiful girl about Zhang Qis age came running, she saw Xiao Mo at a glance, and her face turned red. With a shy and timid look, the girl saluted Zhang Twelve Lang and called out: "Father."

  Zhang Erlang nodded and said, "Is it Ah Jin? Let me introduce you, she is your..." At this point, he suddenly discovered that Zhang Qi was no longer leaning against him, so he turned his head back.

  After falling behind by two steps, Zhang Yi pointed to Zhang Twelve Lang and continued: "This is your sister, named A Qi. A Jin, take her to see your mother."

  Zhang Jin raised her head, and on her delicate face, a pair of slender and long eyes that she liked the most at the moment, rolled towards Zhang Qi. Just one glance, she withdrew her gaze. Pouting, Zhang Jin somewhat unhappily replied: "Got it."

  She beckoned with her hand and called out, "A Lan, come over here and take her to see my mother." After settling this matter, she ran towards Xiao Mo, lifted up her small face, and gazed at him with affectionate eyes. Zhang Jin bit her lip and softly whispered, "Xiao Lang, youre also here?"

  Xiao Mo smiled slightly, but didnt respond. Instead, Zhang Erlang glared at his daughter, yet didnt scold her, and merely nodded towards Zhang Qi before saying in a warm tone, "Child, go with this servant for now, Father will come find you later."

  Zhang Qi elegantly bent her knees and curtsied, softly responding with a "yes". There was no hint of resentment on her face; she, like everyone else here, was well aware of her own status. With a status like hers, there was no right to feel resentful. In fact, after Zhang Shierlangs words, she didnt hold out any hope that he would come looking for her again.

  As the legitimate second son of the Zhang family, he might turn his back on this little illegitimate daughter at any moment. Children born out of wedlock, no matter which dynasty they were in, could never be acknowledged publicly and would always be looked down upon by others. This contempt was deeply ingrained, and even their own parents couldnt avoid it. How much more so now, when the social hierarchy was still strict and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children was as clear-cut as heaven and earth?

  But todays efforts still have an effect. Maybe when needed, mentioning himself to this father, he will still remember and cherish him.

  Stealthily retreating, Zhang Qi led A Lu to follow that delicate and pretty A Lan, who had her chin held high, and turned around to leave.

  Just as she turned around, somehow, she looked back and gazed at Xiao Mo.

  This Xiao Mo seems somewhat familiar...

  Just as Zhang Qi looked at Xiao Mo, Zhang Jin also looked over here. Catching sight of Zhang Qis gaze, Zhang Jins pretty face sank, pouting her lips, and coquettishly hummed: "Xiao Lang, that cheap girl is looking at you! Being liked by this kind of person, Ah Mo must be feeling suffocated."

  Xiao Mo was taken aback, he turned his head to look at Zhang Qi. With her lowered eyebrows and quiet demeanor, Zhang Qi looked obedient, and involuntarily, a feeling of pity arose in his heart. From then on, he didnt glance at Zhang Jin again, and walked away with large strides.