Chapter 1634 — The Invitation Letter
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Xiao Ming was briefly taken aback, but in an instant she understood what Bing Tang meant. Yes, her own daughter was different from Bing Tang. Bing Tang had grown up without parents, so being reunited with them would surely bring her great happiness.
But her own daughter had always regarded her sister and brother-in-law as her true parents. If she asked the girl to leave them and come to her side, would she be willing? And even if she was, would her sister and brother-in-law agree?
They might not be related by blood, but after all these years, how could human beings remain without feeling? Even without a blood tie, they had long since become as close as real parents and child.
Thinking of all this, Xiao Ming fell silent as well. "Yes, I was thinking far too simply. I even wanted her to come back to me, but now that I look at it, she certainly would not be willing..."
"Auntie, we should not dwell on this any longer. We ought to respect their wishes. I only want to see my birth parents and fulfill my duty as their daughter. As for my identity, there is no way I could return to their side anyway!" Bing Tang said. "As for you... Of course you may acknowledge your daughter, but you must never force her. Otherwise, no one will be happy."
"I understand..." Xiao Ming nodded. "I will be content if I can see her once in a while. As long as I know she is living well, that will be enough. As for anything else, I will not force the matter..."
Meanwhile, in the Tang family's conference room, Old Master Tang and the rest of the Tang family had begun discussing Tang Jucheng once more.
"Since Tang Jucheng is the Ice Palace Mistress's biological father, why not invite his entire family to Father's eightieth birthday celebration?" Tang Litou suggested. "That would also help us curry favor with the Ice Palace Mistress. Whether she acknowledges them or not is none of our concern. We will have done all we can."
"Excellent. That is a very good suggestion, Litou!" Old Master Tang said with a nod. "Second, do you have anything to add?"
"Father, since the Ice Palace Mistress is not Xiao Ming's daughter, Tang Jucheng's daughter must be Eldest Brother's flesh and blood. Should we not have her acknowledge her ancestors and return to the Tang family?" Tang Er's words were plainly meant to needle Tang Litou. For days, Litou had been rushing about, preparing to acknowledge the Ice Palace Mistress's daughter. Now all his efforts had come to nothing. But he had not lost his daughter either; they had found her at last. So should he not acknowledge her as well?
Old Master Tang frowned. He had heard the implication hidden in Tang Er's words, but said nothing. Instead, he turned to Tang Litou.
"Acknowledge her? What for? Absolutely not!" Tang Litou immediately shook his head. Now that he had lost his backing, it was obvious that the Ice Palace Mistress did not even regard him as her uncle by marriage. He still had to rely on the support of the Hidden You family, so how could he casually acknowledge another daughter? Besides, she was merely the daughter of an ordinary poor man. What use would acknowledging her be?
"Dad, she is my sister too. Why can't we acknowledge her? If you are worried that Mother will be unhappy, I will speak to her..." Tang Yuyi, however, felt that having another sister was not a bad thing.
"No! Absolutely not!" His son had struck Tang Litou where it hurt, and he immediately flew into a rage. "What is there to acknowledge in the daughter of a pauper? Shut your mouth!"
Tang Er merely watched the spectacle from the side with a broad smile.
"Acknowledging her would be acceptable, but there is no need to bring her back here," Old Master Tang declared. "After all, she is the Ice Palace Mistress's sister. We must at least make a show of goodwill. But if we forcibly bring her into the Tang family, would that not destroy the happiness of the family she already has?"