The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

"What do you plan to do with that child?"

When the matter was brought up, Guo Jia's expression became more serious. "I just went out to retrieve the jade pendant, and I've already dispatched my most capable personal guards to ride at full speed to our ancestral home in Yangdi to investigate. Although my Guo family is not a prominent clan in Yingchuan, our genealogy is clear, and our collateral branches are also recorded. We can easily find out which branch of the family we belong to with a simple investigation."

He paused, then added, "And that old servant, I've also had someone investigate him."

Xun Hao nodded; this approach was exactly what he had in mind.

However, an infant still in swaddling clothes cannot be left in the guest room indefinitely.

"Until the matter is clarified, that child..."

"I'll take care of it."

A gentle voice came from the doorway.

The two turned around and saw Mrs. Tang standing at the door with a bowl of freshly brewed calming soup on her face and a gentle smile on her face.

She came in and placed the soup bowl on the table next to Xun Hao. "Yanruo has been frightened, so drink some calming soup first. You don't need to worry about the child. I've given birth before, so I have experience. The manor has everything he needs, including a wet nurse, food, clothing, and other necessities. He won't be neglected."

Guo Jia quickly cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, sister-in-law."

"We're family, no need for thanks." Tang's gaze lingered for a moment on their clasped hands, her smile deepening. "I'm glad you're both doing well."

After saying that, she stopped bothering them and turned to leave.

The words "It's good that you're alright" warmed Guo Jia's heart and made Xun Hao uncomfortably loosen his grip.

It seems that my sister-in-law is much easier to talk to than my brother.

Night falls in Xun Yu's study.

Mrs. Tang brought him a fresh cup of hot tea. Seeing her husband's still furrowed brow, she gently comforted him, "Husband, are you still troubled by what happened during the day?"

Xun Yu put down the bamboo slip in his hand, rubbed his temples, and said, "I'm just... still upset."

He sighed. "Yanruo has been frail and simple-minded since childhood. I originally wanted to find him a suitable marriage, a virtuous wife, so he could live a peaceful life. Who would have thought that Guo Fengxiao would... Alas!"

"Husband," Tang said softly as she sat down beside him, "we have both seen Yanruo's thoughts today. Since he has made up his mind about Military Advisor Guo, it would only hurt our brotherly relationship if we, as his elder brother and sister-in-law, forcibly separated them."

"But they are both men, and will have no one to rely on in the future. After they pass away, there won't even be anyone to offer incense and sacrifices to them!"

Tang, however, saw things very clearly. "I think Strategist Guo is truly sincere towards Yanruo. When the two of them are together, Yanruo smiles much more and her complexion is much better. This is more important than anything else."

She then changed the subject and mentioned the child.

"As for offspring, today's events have made me think a bit more. That child does resemble Military Advisor Guo in some way; perhaps he's a distant relative of some branch of the Guo family. If he truly has no parents, perhaps we should raise him in our household."

Xun Yu frowned. "Keeping them in the manor?"

"My husband, think about it," Madam Tang patiently analyzed, "Yanruo and Military Advisor Guo probably won't have any children of their own in this lifetime. If this child is truly of Guo's blood, raising him by their side will provide them with support when they get old, someone to serve them tea and water, and to bring them joy."

"Nonsense!" Xun Yu retorted without hesitation. "We have Yun'er and Yu'er, and my elder brother has children too. Yanruo is getting old. Are you suggesting that his nephews shouldn't take care of him? If all else fails, we can have more children in the future and adopt one for Yanruo. That would be perfectly legitimate, wouldn't it?

Seeing her husband's stubbornness, Tang simply smiled and didn't argue further.

If Xun Hao were here, he would definitely complain: Is this your reason for having five sons, brother?

Returning to the familiar courtyard, Xun Hao didn't say a word. He pushed open the door and went inside, throwing himself onto the soft couch by the window.

Guo Jia followed him in, closed the door, rubbed his hands together, and looked somewhat helpless.

"Yanruo, don't be angry. As for this matter, I..."

"I'm not angry," Xun Hao interrupted him, his voice flat and devoid of emotion.

He wasn't angry anymore; he just felt that his earlier state of being flustered and disoriented was somewhat ridiculous.

He clearly had the most direct and effective way to break the deadlock.

But he was blinded by his emotions and completely forgot about his own advantages. Jealousy can truly make people foolish.

Moreover, judging from today's situation, Guo Jia has never liked his elder brother.

Under the lamplight, Guo Jia's usually smiling eyes were now filled with tension. He looked at himself, his gaze so focused that it seemed as if he were the only person left in the world.

Xun Hao sat up straight. "Fengxiao, I..."

He wanted to say, "I love you."

He wanted to say that he had been petty and foolish before.

He wanted to say, "I really like that jade pendant. Can I have it now?"

However, he only managed to utter three words.

Guo Jia assumed he was still bothered by the child's origins. He preemptively interrupted Xun Hao's unfinished words in an extremely solemn tone.

"I will definitely give you an explanation for this! I also have something to say to you then."

All the confessions that Xun Hao was about to utter were blocked by this solemn promise.

The night grew deeper.

Neither of them mentioned the unpleasantness of the day, and they chatted casually.

Guo Jia recounted the interesting stories he encountered during his inspections of various counties, while Xun Hao listened quietly, occasionally offering a word or two in response.

Unbeknownst to him, Guo Jia's voice grew softer and softer, his head nodding little by little, until finally he leaned against the edge of the couch and fell asleep.

Xun Hao looked at his sleeping profile, his breathing even, his long eyelashes casting a quiet shadow under his eyes.

He reached out, his fingertips gently brushing across Guo Jia's eyebrows, gliding over his high nose bridge, and finally landing on his slightly dry lips.

After observing for a while, Xun Hao activated the [Legacy Plan] and began to deduce from the baby, finally finding the child's parents.

Guo Cheng, courtesy name Jingxing, was Guo Jia's cousin.

[A month ago, while traveling back to their hometown with his wife and child, they were caught in a landslide. Both husband and wife tragically died while protecting their young child.]

[The old servant Guo Zhong, entrusted by his master on his deathbed, fled with his young son Guo Yi.]

[Guo Zhong is old and grief-stricken, and his mind is sometimes unclear. He only remembers his master saying that his cousin in Yingchuan is promising.]

The old servant, carrying the jade pendant as a token, traveled for over a month, eventually learning that Guo Jia was on good terms with the Xun family, and thus entrusted the young master to their care.

Scenes and pieces of information appeared clearly in Xun Hao's consciousness.

It turned out to be the case.

Xun Hao slowly opened his eyes. The room was still quiet, with only the candlelight flickering softly.

He withdrew his hand and quietly looked at Guo Jia's sleeping face.

This man was so anxious about a fabricated charge that he was like an ant on a hot pan. He even went so far as to reveal his secret thoughts in front of everyone.

I was really embarrassed by how I looked yesterday.

Guilt crept into my heart.