Meng Yao was silent, fully understanding her grandfather’s intentions.
Now, the Gelle tribe is considered a vassal state of Zhou Country, offering tribute every year and seeking Zhou Country’s protection, which cannot be easily disrupted, or it would cause trouble.
"Good child, let’s not speak of those matters, they are in the past."
It’s not that he doesn’t want revenge, but he can’t let personal grudges endanger the peace of Zhou Country’s citizens.
"Are you the Duke of Qi?" Zhao Ting hesitantly asked.
It wasn’t that he didn’t recognize him, but the Duke of Qi had retired decades ago.
However, he knew that the Duke of Qi’s only daughter married someone from the Gelle tribe to promote friendly relations between Zhou Country and the Gelle tribe.
This is recorded in Zhou Country’s history books.
However, the reason for their deaths was not recorded.
He never expected that Ayao was the extraordinary woman praised by his father the emperor.
The Duke of Qi nodded, "It’s been years since someone called me that. Are you the young lad from the Zhao Family? Your father was a formidable general of our Zhou Country back then."
Old General Zhao died early, and Zhao Ting’s memories of him mostly came from Lady Zhao’s recollections.
As for him, his impression of Old General Zhao was even less clear.
So Zhao Ting spoke honestly, "I don’t remember what kind of person my father was."
"What kind of person your father was does not matter; what’s important is what kind of person you are." The Duke of Qi’s eyes sharply focused on Zhao Ting, even Zhao Ting, who was accustomed to grand scenes, couldn’t help but feel a few nervous flutters, "Ayao is my only granddaughter. In the past, she was adrift and experienced things beyond my reach. Now, fortunately, I’ve recognized her back, so naturally, she shouldn’t suffer any grievances in the future."
"Grandfather is right, nobody should let Ayao suffer grievances," Zhao Ting said ingratiatingly.
Zhao Ting was truly anxious; the Duke of Qi was someone even his own father, the emperor, respected.
In his presence, he wouldn’t dare to act brashly in the slightest.
"Who wouldn’t speak nice words? You say you won’t let my sister Yao suffer grievances, but in reality? You got involved with the Eldest Princess, even if it wasn’t your intention, didn’t it still cause my sister Yao grievances?" Qi Yunye snorted.
"I swear, I have never responded to the Eldest Princess," Zhao Ting quickly said.
"Respond or not, the involvement was your doing."
"Rest assured, Grandfather and Cousin, my marriage with Ayao, is an adoption marriage."
Qi Yunye had gathered much information about Zhao Ting’s past, but he didn’t know Zhao Ting was in an adoption marriage.
This revelation was shocking.
The Duke of Qi and Qi Yunye’s eyes simultaneously turned to Meng Yao.
Meng Yao nodded, "It is true."
"That’s good, that’s good. Sister Yao, if he ever displeases you, just write him a letter of divorce," Qi Yunye said excitedly, "Don’t overthink, with Grandfather and I supporting you, you can divorce however you like."
Zhao Ting awkwardly said, "Cousin, the old saying goes, it’s better to demolish ten temples than a marriage. How could I ever upset Ayao, I’m too busy trying to please her."
Qi Yunye sought confirmation from Meng Yao, and Meng Yao stated truthfully, "He hasn’t upset me."
"Alright, let’s not talk about that. Ayao, where are the children? Let’s go, take the kids and visit your grandfather’s home." The Duke of Qi said.
Zhao Dahe, Zhao Xiaohua, both stared wide-eyed.
Goodness, their father was a proper third-rank general, and finding that out was shocking enough at the time.
Now, their mother has suddenly become the granddaughter of the super-rank Duke.
The news was too sudden; they were a bit dizzy.
"Mother, is this true?" Zhao Dahe subconsciously asked.
"It should be true. My grandfather said I look almost exactly like your grandmother. Also, that lock piece was handcrafted by my grandfather," Meng Yao said.
Moreover, she also verified with the system, which confirmed that she was indeed related to the Duke of Qi by blood.
"Then, then—" Zhao Dahe glanced at Zhao Ting.
This is a bit tricky; their useless father hasn’t managed to appease her yet, and now, besides them, their mother has other support. If she decides to have any plans, who could stop her?
"What?" Zhao Ting glared at Zhao Dahe, "What kind of look is that? Do you think your mother would be someone who looks down on the poor and loves the rich? Your mother is beautiful and kind. Even if I’m a nobody now, she wouldn’t despise me!"
Speaking these words, Zhao Ting felt no real confidence.
Meng Yao ignored them and handed over the jewelry Qi Yunye gifted to Zhao Xiaohua, "Look, do you like it? It’s from your uncle."
The gifts Qi Yunye brought were more exquisite than those displayed in the Yun Bin Shengxiang shop.
Zhao Xiaohua’s eyes lit up at the sight.
"Choose a few pieces, then set aside some for your sister-in-law; when she arrives, give them to her," Meng Yao said.
By this time, Zhao Dajiang and Song Xiu’er should be arriving soon.
"When sister-in-law arrives, let her choose first," Zhao Xiaohua said.
Meng Yao approvingly glanced at Zhao Xiaohua, "Then put them away first, and when your sister-in-law arrives, the both of you can choose together."
Compared to the nervous excitement of Zhao Ting and his children, Meng Yao was very calm.
Finding the relatives of the original body was a way of settling the original body’s account.
For her, it was like icing on the cake.
The Duke of Qi seemed to want to compensate for all that Meng Yao had been missing for over thirty years, sending over valuable items in an endless stream.
There was so much food, supplies, and clothing that Meng Yao had to convert two side rooms into storerooms, yet they still couldn’t hold it all. Googlᴇ search 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝗂𝗋𝖾⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
She told Qi Yunye to stop sending things, but Qi Yunye seemed troubled, "I dare not stop; Sister Yao, you are now Grandfather’s precious one. I only mentioned that too much food was sent and would spoil, and Grandfather said I had my eye on his estate and called me mean. I dare not say it again. If you want it said, you have to say it yourself."
Unfortunately, even when Meng Yao said it, it was useless.
The Duke of Qi merely agreed verbally.
Moreover, he said that many of the items sent were her parents’ belongings, and this was just a fraction; the main part would be organized and sent later.
Moreover, the Duke of Qi also specially went to the palace to meet with Emperor Jing once.
He said, Emperor Jing listened.
Upon hearing it all, besides shock, he had only one thought left: Can ATing still win his wife back?
The Duke of Qi seemed eager to give the best in the world to the Meng family; ATing was good, but perhaps still not up to the Duke of Qi’s standards of the best?
He had heard about the happenings back then, and ultimately, the Court owed Meng’s parents.
Or rather, the Zhou Family owed the Qi Family.
If the Duke of Qi truly didn’t favor ATing, even if he wanted to support ATing, he would have no standing.
All he hoped for was that ATing could exert more effort, ensuring that the Meng clan couldn’t do without him.