“It was at that time when the empress suddenly fell gravely ill, and the edict for establishing the heir had not yet been drafted. The various factions in the court began to stir, secretly vying for power and authority. In order to ascend to the throne, huh! They were ruthless and unscrupulous, even plotting against their own blood relatives.”

“Later, the ninth princess secretly sent a letter, wishing me to return to the capital to assist her. I originally carried a deep blood feud, irreconcilable with the current empress. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to take revenge.”

“Moreover, I owed the ninth princess a life-saving debt. Without her, I wouldn’t have survived until today. Helping her seize the throne was killing two birds with one stone.”

“To ensure the safety of father and son, to keep them out of danger, I made long-term and meticulous plans, steeled my heart to leave them, while arranging many martial arts-skilled servants to protect them.”

“Then I left a farewell letter. I knew that even if I didn’t explain my intentions to him, he would know where I had gone.”

“Afterwards, I disguised myself as the ninth princess’s guard, devising strategies and clearing obstacles for her. Unfortunately, someone still caught onto a weakness, saw through my identity, and informed the eldest princess that I had already started a family, intending to use them to threaten me.”

At this point, Su Bai’s body trembled painfully, showing extreme sorrow. Her gradually cold tone carried a choked voice. She closed her eyes tightly, “By the time I realized, it was too late. Changyi’s in-laws were also harmed, none survived. The estate was the same, no one survived except for Qingwan. At that time, he had just hidden Qingwan in the secret room of the study, but unexpectedly, assassins suddenly broke in.”

“In the emergency, to protect Qingwan, he quickly closed the secret room door. He didn’t want me to be threatened, so in the end, he chose to take his own life.”

Lu Yuner had been quietly listening as Yun Qinwang retold the scene from years ago. She knew that this painful memory was undoubtedly an agonizing past for Yun Qinwang. She had an irreparable debt to both her husband and Qingwan.

It was clear that guilt and grief had been tormenting her all these years. If it weren’t for Qingwan, she probably would have followed her husband long ago.

After a moment, Su Bai’s tightly closed eyes suddenly opened. Her moist eyes had returned to their usual calmness. She said in a solemn tone: “I’m telling you all this today not because I want you to say anything to Qingwan for me. Since you are the person Qingwan has decided to spend his life with, you should understand his past.”

“Qingwan is very much like his father, very similar. Equally persistent, willing to throw himself into the fire for love, without hesitation.”

“They both deserve to be loved and cared for by the best women in the world, to be given a lifetime of stable happiness. But I failed to do so.”

“For Qingwan, I hope he can truly meet a woman who is willing to protect him for a lifetime and treat him sincerely.”

“For this, I have also sought many different types of women for Qingwan, but he doesn’t like any of them, and even shows some aversion. Perhaps… in his eyes, all women in this world are untrustworthy and unfaithful!”

At this point, a flash of pain crossed Su Bai’s eyes. She suddenly turned to look fixedly at Lu Yuner, “Unexpectedly… Qingwan would fall in love with a woman who saved his life but had never met. Have you ever been curious or confused about why Qingwan suddenly likes you?”

“Actually, before meeting you, Qingwan had long admired you whom he had never met, because after you left without saying goodbye, he searched for you everywhere regardless of everything, painstakingly.” Of course, this also caused her to search for her for a long time.

“As for why he would search for you? I think… it must be because you have his father’s shadow on you.”

Hearing this, Lu Yuner’s brows suddenly moved, and thoughts began to surge in her mind.

Su Bai continued: “I’m not trying to say anything between you and Qingwan. You’re a smart person. I just hope you won’t do anything to hurt Qingwan afterwards, and I won’t allow it either!”

“Qingwan has been by his father’s side since childhood, particularly dependent on his father, liked to stick close to him. And he witnessed his father die to save him, so the only support in his heart was gone.”

“You accidentally saved him, just like repeating how his father saved him regardless of everything. His liking for you is not so pure.”

“You’re wrong!” Lu Yuner suddenly interrupted her.

Su Bai paused, slightly stunned.

Through these days of interaction, she knew that no one loved her more than him, even disregarding death.

Lu Yuner said: “Although you are Anwan’s mother, you may not understand him. Perhaps what you said is not wrong, Anwan’s initial liking for me indeed had other reasons.”

“But, after such a long time of interaction, I can feel that his liking for me is very sincere, very pure. No one likes me more than him, and I will give him the same love in return.”

“So, you don’t need to worry about things that can’t possibly happen. Anwan and I will live well together, we won’t separate.”

Lu Yuner suddenly knelt down again with respect, saying with utmost sincerity: “Although you said you won’t interfere in our affairs, but there’s the saying ‘parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words’. My parents have passed away, you are our only elder. Anwan and I sincerely ask you to take the trouble to arrange our marriage.”

After she finished speaking, Su Bai silently looked at her for a long time, while Lu Yuner showed sincerity and silently returned her gaze.

After this eye contact for a while, a hint of a smile flashed in Su Bai’s eyes, her whole person looking much softer. She suddenly said: “You two will get engaged this month. Qingwan will finish his studies next month. Choose an auspicious day and you two can get married.”

“Anwan and I will follow all your arrangements.”

Lu Yuner was delighted in her heart. She knew that if her words included the young master Su’s intentions, Yun Qinwang would definitely agree, at least her mood would be pleasant.

Yun Qinwang actually looked like a strict mother. Having experienced too many hardships and bitterness, her whole person wore a hard shell on the outside, but her heart was actually very soft.

If she changed to a softer way of communication, and the young master Su chose to calm down and talk, the relationship between this mother and son would ease a lot.

Fortunately, everything was developing in a good direction.

Although Su Bai’s face was as calm as water, there was an almost imperceptible smile at the corners of her eyes. “Get up! Stay at the mansion for dinner today.”

Lu Yuner stood up and replied: “Yes.”

Su Bai suddenly remembered something and asked: “If that’s the case, then our previous chess appointment is cancelled. If you have nothing to do usually, come to the mansion to play a few games with me.”