V1: Chapter 65: Former Subordinate

“You hesitated.”

Hilary patted Liang Di’s shoulder.

“Liang Di, you should focus on revitalizing the Langwendi family before thinking about romance. Just like… Fu. Although I was angry about her sudden departure, I understand her difficulties and respect her wishes.”

“Don’t forget our expectations, and the reasons Fu adopted you.”

With that, Hilary put her arm around Octaville’s neck. Octaville snapped her fingers and disappeared, leaving only a few leaves scattered by the wind.

The coachman’s stiff body went limp.

He shuddered and turned around sharply, finding Liang Di sitting upright in the carriage. He touched his head and muttered, “Strange, just now, I felt like I accidentally fell asleep…”

And now, Liang Di, sitting on the sofa, was still pondering this question. The mission she had carried since childhood was to revitalize the Langwendi family.

“Never mind.”

Anyway, there’s still a long life ahead of her.

Day Two Later...

Liang Lin successfully registered for the swordsmanship competition using Elton's identity.

Excitedly, she found the tavern owner.

"Look, I did it!"

"Hahaha~ Your wig is almost finished too."

It was afternoon, and there were only a few scattered people in the tavern.

Liang Lin saw the man she had knocked to the ground before again; he was casually putting his arm around the shoulder of the guy next to him, and the two were clinking glasses.

Really, the man looked very familiar.

"Boss, what's his name?" Liang Lin pointed at Terence.

"Terence, he introduced himself last time."

"No, I mean, what's his surname...?"

She felt like he was seeing a face from her memory.

"Terence Will."

Will.

Liang Lin's hand trembled.

Her voice was also a little hoarse.

"When... when did he get here?"

"About... three months ago? He suddenly appeared here and is now doing hard labor for Count Duru's family. I heard he has an elderly father to support. What's wrong, Miss?"

The time.

The time matches up.

Liang Lin jumped off the chair.

"Hey, Terence." She suddenly slapped the man on the back.

Terence turned around, paused for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise, "Ah! You're the Miss who beat me up yesterday! You're here again? Great! Perfect, I still have some knowledge about combat I'd like to ask you..."

Liang Lin interrupted him.

“Terrence, your father, is his name Ulysses?”

Terrence's eyes widened slowly, his voice filled with disbelief.

“How…how did you know?”

“You came from the border a few months ago, right? Because of the Marquis's defeat.”

Terrence was completely taken aback. He stood up, a head and a half taller than Liang Lin, who could only look up at him, feeling slightly resentful.

“What you said is all true, but how did you know?”

Liang Lin's tone was firm.

“I probably can't explain it to you. You didn't have much contact with me back then. Terrence, take me to see your father.”

Terrence's father, Ulysses, was one of Liang Lin's most loyal subordinates.

"You... know my father?"

"An old acquaintance."

"You're also from the border?"

"If you have to put it that way, you could say that."

Liang Lin grew impatient.

"Hurry up, Terence. Only your father can understand me in this situation."

Although full of questions, the young woman before him didn't seem like a bad person.

Even though she looked a bit fierce, Terence felt confident that he could protect his father should danger arise. Besides...his father was far stronger than him.

"Come with me."

Terence patted his friend's shoulder. "Hey, see you tonight."

Terence walked ahead, passing that dilapidated old alley again.

Last time Liang Lin came here, it was night, so she hadn't really noticed her surroundings. Now it was daytime, the sun was high, and everything nearby was exceptionally clear. Liang Lin could clearly see the filthy garbage piled up by the roadside, flies and insects swarming around, and a pungent stench filled her brain.

Feeling nauseous, Liang Lin patted her chest.

Finally, they arrived at the dilapidated door. Terence opened it.

"Hey! Old man! A young lady is here to see you!"

Terence, as always, loved to make inappropriate jokes. He shouted in his loud voice, "Old man, where did you have your share of womanizing when you were young? Don't tell me you seduced a noblewoman, or I'll end up with a half-sis–Ouch!"

Terence felt a kick in the backside.

Turning around, he saw Liang Lin with her chin raised and one leg lifted.

"Politeness, don't shout."

The man was about to retort when a voice came from inside the room.

"A young lady? Haha~ I don't know any young lady, don't joke around, Terence."

The moment Ulysses emerged, Liang Lin looked up, her brows instantly furrowing.

The once imposing figure was no longer clad in heavy armor or proper everyday clothes, but in patched-up, tattered hemp clothing.

In an instant, Liang Lin's eyes reddened, and she choked back sobs.

"Ulysses... how could you..."

Likely to have fallen to such a state.

Ulysses saw a beautiful young lady in the room and instantly became embarrassed.

His previous nonchalant attitude vanished; he coughed lightly, softening his voice, afraid of startling the little girl before him.

"Miss, may I ask what brings you here?"

This... is difficult to explain.

Liang Lin spoke with difficulty, "Ulysses, you might not believe it, but... I really was once a marquis of the Kronin family, but I've forgotten my own name."

Ulysses was completely bewildered. He scratched his head, "Miss, I don't understand what you're saying..."

Liang Lin blushed and stammered, "It's just that, the year before last, you shoved two prostitutes into my room, scaring me so much I almost smashed the window and ran out. You, you were all outside pointing at me and laughing..."

"Huh?"

Ulysses stared blankly, like a stray puppy.

"You, how do you know about our young marquis?"

"If I said I was him, would you believe me?" Liang Lin said cautiously, her eyes filled with hope.

"I don't believe you." Ulysses shook his head firmly, "He died on the battlefield, I saw it with my own eyes."

As he spoke, he clutched his chest, a piercing pain filling his chest.

Now, every night, he recalls the image of his proud Marquis, lying in a pool of blood. He feels so powerless, so devastated. How he wishes he were the one who died, that he could die in the Marquis's place.

The Marquis was just a child, yet he carried so much.

He died without even a last word.

"But I really am!"

"I don't believe it."

"....."