1699 Final Decision
Situ Mingye looked at the table and picked up a photo with trembling fingers. In the photo, a young man and a woman were standing together. It was the noble young master of the Situ family, Situ Yu, and the talented woman, Xia Yunqiu, who stunned the entire capital.

They were the most compatible couple in the capital. Later on, one of them passed away, while the other’s whereabouts were still unknown.

Situ Mingye handed the photo to Qiao Xi and said in an old and hoarse voice, “Xi… Xi Xi, keep this photo as a memento.”

Qiao Xi took it with both hands and looked at the smiling young man and woman in it. Her eyes could not help but turn red.

“All these years, we’ve sent people everywhere to look for Yu’er, but there are no clues. I think he must have found out about Yunqiu’s death, so…” Old Master Situ’s voice was a little strained.

No one was willing to believe that Situ Yu was dead, but after so many years, there was no news at all. It was enough to explain everything.

“Then do you know how my mother died?” Qiao Xi asked in a hoarse voice.

Old Master Situ sighed and said, “According to what I know, your mother was chased by the three major families and died in Li City. However, there was actually something else going on. Perhaps the four major families did something, or it’s also possible that the Qiao family attacked her. In the end, only she knows the truth. If she didn’t leave any clues for you in the things she left behind, it means that she didn’t want you to bear all of this.

“Rumor has it that your mother knew a secret involving the four great families, so she was chased after by them. However, with my understanding of Yunqiu, regardless of whether she knew a secret or not, she wouldn’t have told you.”

Qiao Xi’s eyes were filled with shock. She seemed to understand her mother’s intentions. If she told her, it would mean that she would have to bear more things.

Old Master Situ picked up a document on the table and handed it to Qiao Xi. “Go back and take a look at it. You’ve already grown up and can make your own decisions. No matter what your plans are in the end, the Situ family will support you.”

Qiao Xi brought the document back to the villa in a daze. As soon as she entered, she saw Gu Zheng sitting on the sofa and looking at her with a burning gaze.

The moment she saw Gu Zheng, Qiao Xi’s eyes instantly turned red as she flew into Gu Zheng’s embrace like a butterfly.

Gu Zheng opened his arms and hugged her, gently caressing her back. “What’s wrong?”

Qiao Xi repeated what had happened in the Situ family with a sobbing tone. Then, she took out the document Old Master Situ had given her and slowly opened it in front of Gu Zheng. The first thing that came into view was a few large words, ‘Paternity Test Report’. It confirmed that Qiao Xi and Xia Jingan were siblings.
No wonder… She kept feeling an affinity with Xia Jingan. It turned out that they were biological siblings. Xia Jingan must have guessed it a long time ago, but he never confirmed it. It was because regardless of whether they were related by blood, Xia Jingan would still treat her sincerely.

“There’s something else behind it,” Gu Zheng reminded her.

Qiao Xi took out a photo from the back. It was of a man in his 30s. He looked gentle, elegant, and handsome.

“Don’t you think this man looks very familiar?” Qiao Xi asked thoughtfully.

“He looks like Gu Yao,” Gu Zheng said indifferently.

The two of them looked at each other and confirmed one thing. Old Master Situ would not have given her the photo for no reason. He was telling them that Gu Yao was Yue Tangqing’s child. This could explain why Gu Yao was born with superb piano talent.

“Back then, when the capital was in chaos, the Situ family relied on their hundred years of foundation to protect their last bit of bloodline. However, the Yue family was almost wiped out. Gu Yao might be the only descendant of the Yue family, but if we tell him the truth, he’ll have to bear invisible shackles for the rest of his life, so…” Gu Zheng’s voice was low with a trace of helplessness.

“Let’s not tell him! It might be a good thing for him to not be able to find his biological parents. After all, he still has us and his girlfriend. He’ll be very happy in the future.” Qiao Xi sighed lightly.

“Girlfriend?” Gu Zheng was a little surprised.

Qiao Xi smiled. “Yes! Don’t you know that Gu Yao and Li Xing’er are together? As Gu Yao’s brother, why aren’t you paying attention to him at all?!”

Gu Zheng laughed. “I only pay attention to you. I don’t have time to think about him!”

“By the way, there’s something else I want to tell you. It’s about Meng Fan.” Gu Zheng’s expression instantly turned serious. “I’m guessing that Meng Fan’s father is the young master of the Yan family in the capital. Back then, when your mother was chased by the three big families, Mr. Yan sacrificed himself to save her. However, he was seriously injured from that incident and passed away. After that, the Yan family suffered the revenge of the three big families, resulting in Mr. Yan’s wife and children leaving the capital to earn a living. This can also explain why Meng Fan hates your mother so much.”

Qiao Xi had complicated feelings. She could understand Meng Fan’s hatred for her. In order to save another woman, his father abandoned the mother and son. After leaving the capital, his life must have been very painful, so it triggered such monstrous hatred.