569 The Secret About the Past 187 (2/2)
She believed that her husband's misunderstanding toward her would just be temporary and that things would return to their original state very soon.
—
It was the 15th of July.
The start of the Hungry Ghost Festival.
The weather was gloomy and the sky was covered by gray clouds, not allowing a single ray of sunlight to penetrate at all.
Tuoba Shuo and Tuoba Rui were sitting opposite each other in the latter's study.
”What's the important thing you wanted to tell me about?”
Remaining calm and composed, Tuoba Shuo took out a photo from his pocket and placed it onto the table. ”I saw this online. Have a look.”
Tuoba Rui picked up the photo and was unsurprised at all to see the woman on it. ”Isn't this the Young Madam of the Jin family?”
Tuoba Shuo knew immediately that Tuoba Rui must have seen photos of An Xiaoning before and was aware of her existence.
”Don't you think she looks a lot like Qingzhou?”
Tuoba Rui chuckled and said, ”There are plenty of people who look alike. What's the big deal?”
”I find it way too strange. It's my first time seeing two people who resemble each other so much. Brother, did you get a shock when you first saw the Young Madam of the Jin family?”
Tuoba Rui nodded and said, ”Yes, there's indeed an uncanny, striking resemblance between them. But there's no way she'll be related to Qingzhou. Qingzhou has long been dead.”
Tuoba Shuo glared at him with an icy cold stare in his eyes. However, he tried to suppress his emotions.
”I too know that Qingzhou isn't around. However, I still think about her every now and then, especially since I saw someone who resembles her so greatly.”
Tuoba Rui did not respond. A deafening silence filled the room.
Tuoba Shuo then stood up and excused himself, ”Brother, I'll be going back now then.”
”Yes.”
He turned around and exited the study, leaving Tuoba Rui alone to stare at An Xiaoning's photo quietly.
She resembled her mother so strikingly, such that it would be easy to mistake her for her mother.
Her smile, in particular, was almost identical to her mother's.
He caressed the photo gently, feeling a sudden twitch in his heart.
He had only seen her once ever since she was born.
After almost thirty years, she had grown into a beautiful woman, just like her mother. He had also heard that she had a similar temperament and character as her mother.
It seemed to him now that he had made the right decision by sending her away from the Autumn Palace to grow up on her own. Wasn't it great to enjoy the freedom of living the life of her choice and marrying the person she truly loved without any restrictions?
”Rui.” Shi Xiaoyu entered.
He quickly placed the photo inside the drawer, though Shi Xiaoyu had noticed his actions.
”What is it?”
”Why did Shuo come to find you?”
”He came to ask me why the Young Madam of the Jin family resembled Qingzhou so greatly. Perhaps he's just being curious,” Tuoba Rui answered casually.
”How did you answer him?”
”Must you really ask in such detail? You'd better not poke your nose into things you shouldn't be asking about,” he hissed, giving her the side eye.
”I was just being curious, that's all. I'm guessing Shuo must be thinking of meeting An Xiaoning. Given his character, he'll definitely go and look her up.”
”So what if he does?” After a moment of silence, Tuoba Rui answered, ”It'd be good for him to meet her, actually. He would be able to clarify his doubts. Besides, he wouldn't necessarily go meet her since he knows clearly that she isn't Qingzhou.”
”Sister is so fortunate. She managed to gain the affection and love of your brother and yours. Even though I've given birth to two sons and a daughter for you, she still has a greater place in your heart than I do,” said Shi Xiaoyu, seemingly hinting at something,
”Are you vying with a dead person? She's passed away so many years ago already. Don't keep bringing her up,” he chided coldly.