HLnovel Chapter 316 Secret Message
Chapter 316 Secret Message
Xiao Zhixue quickly stood up and introduced: "Sister-in-law, you're here just in time. This is the heroine of today's wedding banquet, Teng Yuyan, who is also Brother Kai's partner."
Li bowed and said gently, "Sister-in-law, nice to meet you. I am Xiao Yutao's wife. You can call me sister-in-law like the children."
Teng Yuyan also quickly returned the greeting, her voice full of respect: "Hello, sister-in-law, please take care of me in the future."
……
In the winter in Chengyang County, Kangzhou, although it is a bit more bitingly cold compared to Huzhou, due to its proximity to the north, the climate is relatively dry, making Pan Zhuoqing and his wife from the south feel unprecedented comfort. Their long-suffering old cold legs are not as painful as usual this winter.
At this moment, Pan Luonan stepped into the courtyard, bowed first, and greeted his father: "Father, are you in good health these days? The environment in Kangzhou is more suitable for you and mother to spend your old age than in Huzhou."
"Hey, it's not bad. It's indeed much more comfortable than Huzhou. I came here specially today, but is there any new news from the capital?"
Pan Zhuoqing's eyes were gentle, but he seemed to have guessed something.
Pan Luonan frowned when he heard this, and was unable to speak for a moment. The news from the capital was a complicated and delicate topic for him.
How could Pan Zhuoqing not see his son's hesitation?
"Well, since you've done something wrong, you have to face it calmly. Ever since your sister abandoned that child, our fate has been sealed. That child isn't stupid, how could he be easily deceived?"
His tone was mixed with helplessness and self-blame.
"Don't you think about it carefully? I have lived in the capital for so many years. Do you think that child doesn't know where I live? She didn't come to recognize me, which means she has no interest in the blood relationship between us."
"I asked you to write a letter to test the waters before, and you did so. But there has been no response so far, which is enough to prove that they have no interest in establishing contact with us. From now on, let's just treat each other as strangers."
After he finished speaking, Pan Zhuoqing's originally upright figure seemed to be slightly bent, and the lines of his shoulders were no longer as firm as before. The pressure of time and reality made him look a little tired.
Pan Luonan looked up at his father, his eyes flashing with complex emotions, both unwillingness and helplessness.
He was indeed filled with resentment in his heart. It was undoubtedly a great regret that he had such a talented niece but could not contribute to his career.
However, every word my father said was golden advice that could not be refuted.
Pan Zhuoqing keenly caught the unwillingness in his son's eyes and advised him earnestly:
"Don't be unwilling to give up, and don't try to please that girl anymore. Don't let it backfire and ruin your future, and it may even cause more trouble."
"You must know how the royal family will view you if you really do that. Not only will you not win their favor, but it may make the royal family feel embarrassed, and the result may be a disaster that our Sun family cannot bear."
Pan Zhuoqing's words revealed an unquestionable seriousness and worry, as if he was giving a warning, or as if he was deeply worried about the future.
Pan Zhuoqing's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting everyone's heart heavily. The warning not only penetrated the air, but also directly touched the depths of the soul.
Pan Luonan's heart was in turmoil, and all the political calculations that had been circling in his mind seemed to have lost their weight at this moment.
He knew that the road to establishing contact with the child and seeking promotion from him was already paved with thorns. Now, the child's firm attitude was like an invisible wall, completely blocking his attempts.
Meng Luo Ning's steps seemed particularly heavy. Ever since her daughter passed away, her world seemed to have lost its color. Her spirit, which had only slightly recovered in recent days, became fragile again in the face of this heavy topic.
She slowly walked to a chair beside her and sat down, her back revealing an unconcealable sadness.
"Mom, you just got better, you should rest more, why did you come out?"
Pan Luonan's tone was full of worry and concern for his mother.
Meng Luoning looked up at Pan Luonan, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes, and she shook her head gently: "What happened to you and your sister is ultimately due to our poor upbringing. We made you too obsessed with fame and fortune, and ignored family affection and kindness. Your father and I have already suffered the punishment of losing our children. This is God's warning to us."
"What about you, son?"
Her voice trembled slightly, with unspeakable pain, "Look, now, for the sake of an official position, you actually want to ask that child for help. Do you really think she doesn't understand the suffering her mother has suffered? Although your sister didn't do it directly, she was indirectly involved in the dispute. If you ask her for help, wouldn't you be courting death?"
Pan Zhuoqing, who was standing by, heard this and glared at his wife in dissatisfaction. Then he said to Pan Luonan in a stern voice, "Don't listen to your mother's nonsense. What does she, a woman, know?"
Meng Luoning's expression instantly turned into anger. She looked directly at Pan Zhuoqing, her voice full of unquestionable power: "You old man, I know these things as clearly as a mirror, and so do you! Check your conscience, which of my words are not the truth?"
Pan Zhuoqing was irritated and retorted angrily: "What's the point of saying this! If you really want to destroy this family, just go ahead and do it. I won't stop you. We'll just sit here and wait for them to come to us!"
These words left Meng Luo Ning speechless for a moment. The atmosphere in the room was solemn and filled with a tension that was about to explode.
Seeing this, Pan Luonan quickly stood up and tried to calm the family dispute: "Dad, Mom, stop arguing. I understand that Dad's worries are justified. I have figured this out. Let's live peacefully in Chengyang County."
When Pan Zhuoqing saw his son’s statement, the stone in his heart finally fell to the ground.
It's not that he doesn't want to see his son succeed, but the situation in Kyoto is complicated and his son's career in officialdom might not be smooth.
However, they never expected that Xiao Zhixue didn't take them seriously at all and had no intention of causing trouble.
The previous surveillance was only because of the fear that they would cause trouble and bring unnecessary trouble to themselves.
Soon, Xiao Zhixue learned the content of their conversation.
She calmly read the secret letter presented by the secret guard and handed it to An Lan beside her: "Destroy it and continue to monitor it. It's fine if they don't cause trouble, but if they act rashly, I will not tolerate it."
Fan Yanmu took the letter curiously and read it through. "Pan Luonan's ability to do things is pretty good. He was responsible for preparing military supplies during the war at the beginning of the year, and his performance was acceptable."
"The results of the official assessment of the Ministry of Personnel have recently come out. Although Pan Luonan passed, his rating is not high due to the impact of the events of the past two years."
Xiao Zhixue raised her eyebrows, and heard the hidden meaning in Fan Yanmu's words, which was clearly referring to the past when her grandfather was forced.
"Pan Luonan has now completed his twelve-year term. According to Dayan's assessment system, he advances to a higher level every three years, and three levels, or nine years, is considered qualified. Therefore, the Ministry of Personnel has assessed him as an upper-middle level."