Indeed, as everyone suspected, the Northern Empress recognized the young man who appeared in the Haotian Mirror.
From the moment he appeared, the Northern Empress's heart, dormant for thousands of years, was stirred once more.
After all these years, she finally saw the gentle and loving face of her father again.
For a moment, she struggled to control her emotions.
However, after the initial excitement, the Northern Empress began to realize that something was amiss.
Although the father in the Haotian Mirror was much younger than she remembered, she was certain it was him—Leng Feng.
What she had never known was the connection between her and Xiao Fan.
In her memory, this had always been the Leng Mansion, never the Xiao Mansion.
What had happened?
The Northern Empress's mind was in turmoil, desperate to uncover the truth.
Meanwhile, the remarks of some cultivators about her father reached her ears, infuriating her.
These people had judged her father based on a single scene, portraying him as a villain.
She was livid!
Despite the strange circumstances, she firmly believed that her father, whom she remembered as kind and gentle, could never be a bad person.
As for why the Xiao Mansion became the Leng Mansion, there had to be an explanation.
If she kept watching, the truth would reveal itself and clear her father's name!
In the Haotian Mirror, Xiao Fan's father returned to the Xiao Mansion after handling business matters.
In the hall, his face grew solemn as he read the letter the young man had brought.
After a long silence, he sighed deeply.
"I did not expect the Leng family to suffer such a calamity."
After expressing his sympathy, he looked up at the young man and said, "If I remember correctly, your name is Leng Feng, is it not?"
The young man quickly stood up and respectfully bowed, "Uncle Xiao, I am Leng Feng. Greetings."
"Indeed, you are a fine young man," Xiao Fan's father nodded in approval, then turned to his wife.
"Dear, Leng Feng's father and I were like brothers, sharing life and death. Now that the Leng family has faced such hardship, and this nephew has come to seek refuge, we must not treat him poorly. I wish to take him as my adopted son. What do you think?"
Xiao Fan's mother, a wise and kind-hearted woman, knew her husband valued loyalty and friendship. She had no objections.
"Of course," she agreed with a nod.
With her consent, Xiao Fan's father signaled to the steward.
The steward understood and brought two cups of tea to Leng Feng.
"Once you have presented the tea, you will be my adopted son," Xiao Fan's father said solemnly.
Leng Feng, his expression filled with gratitude, shakily presented the tea to Xiao Fan's father and mother.
"Please accept my respect, father and mother."
After the ceremony, Leng Feng knelt down suddenly, bowing deeply. "Greetings, father and mother."
Xiao Fan's father, not expecting this, quickly helped Leng Feng up, thinking him a grateful and righteous person.
"From now on, the Xiao Mansion is your home. There's no need for such formality."
Xiao Fan's mother, however, felt a slight unease towards Leng Feng's actions.
Young Xiao Fan, witnessing this, was happy to have a new elder brother.
After helping Leng Feng up, Xiao Fan's father asked, "Feng, what are your plans for the future? Have you considered pursuing the imperial examinations?"
"Father, I have never been good at studying. I do not dare hope for such achievements," Leng Feng replied awkwardly.
Xiao Fan's father nodded thoughtfully. "In that case, you will assist me with the business. The Xiao family's enterprises will need a successor."
Leng Feng quickly knelt again, explaining hurriedly, "Father, I never intended to compete for the family's assets."
Xiao Fan's father smiled wryly. "Rise, I was not testing you. Fan'er is not interested in business," he said, glancing at Xiao Fan with a smile.
Talking about Xiao Fan always brought a smile to his face.
Xiao Fan was the pride of the Xiao family, destined for greatness in the imperial examinations.
While the Xiao family was wealthy, merchants could never compare to scholars.
Having Leng Feng manage the family business was sincere. Xiao Fan's father truly saw him as part of the family.
Xiao Fan would pursue a career as an official, and Leng Feng would manage the business, ensuring the Xiao family's prosperity.
After explaining this, Leng Feng solemnly promised, "Father, I will not let you down. I will grow the family business and support Fan."
Xiao Fan's father nodded in satisfaction, seeing Leng Feng as a grateful and kind person.
He then called Xiao Fan over, "Fan'er, come meet your brother."
"Brother!" Xiao Fan ran over with a smile.
"Hey!" Leng Feng responded, crouching down with a smile. "Fan, if anyone bullies you, tell me. I'll protect you."
"No one dares to bully me," Xiao Fan said with a grin.
Watching the two brothers, Xiao Fan's father felt content.
Just as Xiao Fan was about to take Leng Feng to play in the backyard, his mother suddenly stood up, saying, "Fan'er, it's time to study."
She took Xiao Fan away, ignoring Leng Feng.
Xiao Fan looked back, calling, "Brother, I'll find you later!"
After they left, a cold glint flashed in Leng Feng's eyes.
But when Xiao Fan's father spoke, he quickly concealed it.
"Your mother is strict with Fan'er. It's not about you," Xiao Fan's father explained.
"I understand, Father. Fan is destined for greatness," Leng Feng said humbly.
Seeing how sensible Leng Feng was, Xiao Fan's father grew even fonder of him.
After arranging for Leng Feng's room and attendants, Leng Feng was settled in the Xiao Mansion.
Outside the Haotian Mirror, seeing Xiao Fan's father make Leng Feng the heir to the family business, the Northern Empress sighed in relief.
This explained why her father didn't usurp the Xiao family's assets.
Her father couldn't have been a bad person.
As for why the Xiao Mansion became the Leng Mansion, there must be a reason.
Watching Xiao Fan with her father, the Northern Empress felt conflicted.
Xiao Fan had become her father's brother!
Technically, Xiao Fan was her uncle.
She wondered, given that Xiao Fan and her father had no conflict of interest and worked together, what caused their falling out?
What had happened?
Determined to uncover the truth, the Northern Empress watched the Haotian Mirror closely for the next scenes.