Huo Ya was indeed Suo Lun’s birth mother, Fu Lingxi, and Suo Lun had been prepared for this outcome. He had even known about it long before.
One could guess as much when she secretly released Fu Yan’er and berated and hit her.
At the time, Suo Lun practically instinctively thought of this answer, but he did not probe further, nor was there a need to.
When everything was truly unveiled, Suo Lun still found it somewhat hard to accept.
After all, the one who truly consigned Ashi Luo to death was this very Fu Lingxi before his eyes.
All along, Ashi Luo had treated Huo Ya as the only person he trusted, and even respected her as an elder.
Unexpectedly, she turned out to be an undercover operative dispatched by the Dragon Temple.
And because she exposed the secret of Ashi Luo being a Hell Knight, she made a significant contribution, successfully ascending to become one of the sixteen leaders of the Dragon Temple Tribunal in the Rage Wave Kingdom.
Being so young, she could potentially become one of the top four leaders of the Dragon Temple Tribunal in the Rage Wave Kingdom.
Her status was so distinguished; no wonder BaiHuo City’s position was so aloof. No wonder the once betrothed family of Fu Yan’er no longer pursued past grievances and renewed their alliance with BaiHuo City.
But the Fu Lingxi before his eyes was very different from the Huo Ya of the past, younger, more beautiful, with a figure even more slender and graceful, hinting at a celestial aura and elegance.
Upon seeing her mother, Suo Ningbing’s beautiful eyes reddened, her emotions visible yet hidden, not knowing whether to approach or retreat.
Fu Lingxi first looked at Suo Ningbing with a loving gaze, but her eyes finally settled on Suo Lun’s face as she softly said, "You’re so smart, so you must have guessed long ago that Huo Ya was me, right?"
Suo Lun did not answer.
Fu Lingxi continued, "I know there must be many questions in your hearts. The biggest one is why I left without a word and ran away from home over a decade ago, right?"
Suo Ningbing finally couldn’t hold back her tears and nodded.
Fu Lingxi said, "I was born a member of the Dragon Temple, and when the Holy Temple calls, I have no choice but to go."
Suo Ningbing said, "For the Holy Temple, can you even discard your own children?"
Fu Lingxi remained silent for a long while, then said, "I originally thought I was only leaving for a few months, but it turned out to be more than a decade."
Suo Ningbing asked further, "Then, more than a month ago, when the Suo family faced catastrophe, why didn’t you even come back to look at us once?"
Fu Lingxi said, "I requested Judgment Chief Luo Ge, and he promised that after the war, he would take you and Qin Qin into the Dragon Temple for protection."
Suo Lun laughed, "In that case, you owe me half a life-saving favor. At that time in Ashi Liren Mansion, both the Judgment Chief and the Holy Priest wanted to kill me to keep me quiet, but you spoke up for me."
Though his words seemed grateful, they were in fact filled with indifference and estrangement.
Fu Lingxi replied, "That time, it was mainly owing to the grace of Saintess Ji Xiuning."
Suo Lun said, "At least, you saved Fu Yan’er and let her return."
Fu Lingxi gave a faint smile and said, "I have come as a guest, won’t you let me in?"
Suo Lun said, "Please!"
Seeing Suo Lun’s distant yet polite attitude, Fu Lingxi’s beautiful eyes dimmed, and then she followed Suo Lun into the City Lord’s Mansion.
Fu Lingxi’s arrival meant that Suo Lun’s side now had a family elder, and alongside Turing Si, she participated in Suo Lun and Gui Qinshao’s marriage ceremony.
This was Gui Qinshao’s third time bowing in a marriage ceremony, with the first also being with Suo Lun, but her heart was filled with scorn and resentment.
The second time was with Ling Ao, like walking dead.
Only this third time, was it filled with happiness, longing, and emotional glances.
No matter whether it was bowing to the heavens and earth, bowing to the high hall, or the couple bowing to each other, each moment was filled with sweetness and focused dedication.
Then, under many pairs of blessings and a pair of jealous eyes, the two entered the wedding chamber.
In the resplendent, joyous bridal chamber, Gui Qinshao sat quietly.
The engagement between Suo Lun and Zhi Yan was tumultuous, and Nai’er was very unhappy at the beginning. Even after accepting it, she felt wronged.
However, the union between Suo Lun and Gui Qinshao faced no resistance.
Both Zhi Yan and Nai’er were clear that Suo Lun’s marriage to Gui Qinshao was more about benefits and for Linhai City.
For this reason, Suo Lun was even more tender towards Gui Qinshao.
Qin Shu sat quietly there, suddenly letting out a soft giggle.
"What is it?" Suo Lun asked.
Gui Qinshao said, "I just thought of the scene where I held a knife against Zhi Li."
Suo Lun was speechless, feeling that the girl before him had a mind as wild as a heavenly steed, and then said, "Are you planning to use a knife on me later?"
"Who knows," Gui Qinshao’s voice teased, "It all depends on you, since you’re such a scoundrel."
Suo Lun gently lifted her veil, and Gui Qinshao’s eyes were like water, her face as blooming as a peach blossom, dazzling in her beauty.
Before Suo Lun could act, she gently nestled into his arms saying, "Originally, my heart was filled with darkness and hatred, set on destroying everything, on killing Gui Xingfu, killing Zhi Li, killing Ling Ao. But you’ve saved my heart. You kept me from falling into darkness and allowed me to still be a proud and headstrong lady."
"You can’t be too headstrong," Suo Lun said, "Moreover, you’re not a spoiled heiress anymore, but a noble lady."
"No, I want to be headstrong," Gui Qinshao’s voice was playful, "You have to protect and guard me for a lifetime, allowing me to be proud and unruly forever."
"Alright..." Suo Lun said.
"Let’s drink the wedding wine," Qin Shu suggested, then she poured two cups, drank one herself, and then drank Suo Lun’s cup as well, finally kissing Suo Lun on the lips and transferring the fragrant overflowing wine into Suo Lun’s mouth.