There had been whispers about going to the Nanyuan Palace for sumr retreat early on, wondering what was up with Qi Yun this year, why he hadn’t ntioned going to the palace to escape the heat?
A trip to the Nanyuan Palace would benefit countless people, so everyone was eagerly awaiting it!
Now, the mont had finally co!
There was a sense of "answering thousands of calls," so as soon as Qi Yun ntioned going to the Nanyuan Palace, people imdiately started getting things done, and in just a couple of days, everything was ready.
Three days later, the grand procession set out.
The Emperor sat in the Dragon Carriage, and the Empress sat in the Phoenix Carriage, both shaded by a gigantic canopy, lavish and opulent.
The palace maids walking behind looked at the maids under the canopy ahead, eyes flickering with envy, jealousy, and resentnt.
Being exposed to the scorching sun versus having a canopy to block the sunlight made a huge difference!
The older officials rode in carriages, while most of the younger ones rode horses, looking gallant and formidable.
As for the won, few rode horses, but there were exceptions.
Chang Lexi and Cao Xiao rode together, chatting and laughing along the way, making others envious.
"Mr. Li, such authority! Even the Prince rides a horse, yet you sit in a carriage. Are you ashad to show your face?"
A mocking voice suddenly rang out, and Li Qingmu paused slightly, already knowing who it was.
It was Long Yue’s cheap old man, Pang Wenzheng!
He rode by their carriage and delivered a few sneers.
Li Qingmu offered no response, nor did Long Yue. Pang Wenzheng just barked like a mad dog beside them, then had nothing more to say.
If a mad dog barks, just ignore him!
After Pang Wenzheng finished speaking, he purposely slowed his horse, but there was no response from the carriage. These two were playing dead!
His face turned livid as he snorted coldly, speeding away.
"Ha!"
Inside the carriage, Long Yue giggled, her eyes glinting with amusent. She hadn’t peeked outside, but could imagine her cheap old man’s face turning dark.
He must be furious!
After so mockery, no one paid him any attention. What kind of situation was that?
"Yue’er, do you not think that Gouzi bears so resemblance to Mr. Duanmu?"
Li Qingmu didn’t take Pang Wenzheng seriously at all; he was pondering a question.
From the first ti he laid eyes on Gouzi, he felt a sense of familiarity.
It was this familiarity, coupled with Gouzi’s knowledge of chanical Techniques, that led Li Qingmu to bring him back. Otherwise, with his temperant, he would have had him settled on the spot.
Long Yue blinked, full of curiosity: "Really? How co I didn’t notice..."
She paused suddenly, perhaps there really was a slight resemblance?
Surprised, she quickly turned around, lifted the curtain, and stuck her little head out. Her big eyes rolled around as she gazed at the carriage not far away.
In that carriage sat her master, mistress, and Gouzi.
She couldn’t help but wonder what might happen when Gouzi t Duanmu Nan?
At this mont, inside the carriage behind them, Gouzi and Duanmu Nan were staring at each other, big eyes against small ones.
"Who are you?"
Gouzi vigilantly stared at him, feeling that this man in white before him was very dangerous, a sense honed after years in an underground chamber.
Duanmu Nan looked at the clever young man, smiling faintly: "Duanmu Nan, Yue’er’s master."
"Oh, so that’s why Uncle Mu and Aunt Yue are so respectful to you."
The young man tilted his head and said.
Duanmu Nan maintained his standard smile, saying nothing.
Yet Yun Jin beside him started chatting with the young man: "Kid, what’s your na?"
"Everyone calls Gouzi."
"Ah, that’s not a good na, it’s terrible, why don’t you change it?"
Gouzi tilted his head: "My mom used to say that such a na is easy to raise. She just hoped I’d be safe and sound, this is the last thought my mom left for , I’m not changing it!"
"Such an earnest child!" Yun Jin chuckled, reaching out to pat Gouzi’s head. Gouzi instinctively wanted to resist, but seeing Yun Jin’s gentle gaze, he didn’t move.
Her jade-like hand touched Gouzi’s head, finding the child obedient and delightful.
She glanced at Gouzi, suddenly teasing, "Senior brother, this boy’s eyebrows and eyes sowhat resemble yours, though he’s cheekier."
Yun Jin spoke thoughtlessly, and Duanmu Nan paid it no mind. After all, there are many with similar features, one more wouldn’t make a difference.
Yet, perhaps due to her words, a slight impact occurred in his heart. Duanmu Nan softly said, "Your mother must have been a perceptive person."
Gouzi shook his head: "I don’t know, my mom said that our family t with misfortune, everyone died except for her, she had just conceived at the ti, and the family made great efforts to help her escape."
At this, Gouzi’s gaze dimd slightly.
These words were unintentional from him, but they stirred a peculiar emotion in Duanmu Nan upon hearing them.
He slowly raised his eyes, looking at the boy opposite him.
The boy appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen, with distinct features. As Duanmu Nan carefully recalled himself at that age, there indeed seed to be a strong resemblance.
And his experiences...
"Do you rember your mother’s na?"
He suddenly asked.
Gouzi replied, "My mom... I only rember others calling her Dong’er."
Dong’er?
Duanmu Nan’s pupils contracted slightly, almost incredulous!
His aunt, his father’s brother’s wife, her maiden na was Dong’er!
Duanmu Nan looked at the boy, his heart gradually racing. He once thought he was alone in the world, only to find out he might have a cousin...
This inexplicable joy truly thrilled him!
Duanmu Nan lowered his eyes, refraining from further inquiries. All matters take ti and cannot be rushed, lest it makes soone uncomfortable.
...
To travel from Shengjing City to the Nanyuan Palace, one must first take the water route from the East Gate.
The water route, called the Yuan River, a hundred ters wide, marching downstream towards Tianshui Port, where they switch to carriages and horses. At that point, it’s another two-day journey to reach the Nanyuan Palace.
This journey, seemingly simple, still takes about six to seven days. Long Yue, being pregnant, could not overexert herself, so Duanmu Nan regularly checked her pulse.
"Master, have you encountered so matter?"
Long Yue adeptly read the situation. Her master was always calm, without joy or sorrow, but had been sowhat silent of late.
Duanmu Nan smiled lightly: "Nothing."
"Master, is it about Gouzi?"
Duanmu Nan looked at her in surprise, she hit the nail on the head!
"Actually, A Mu ntioned this to earlier. He said that when he first saw Gouzi, he felt there was so resemblance to you, finding it quite strange."
Pausing, Long Yue continued, "Master, if you feel he is truly your kin, you should tell him. I think Gouzi would be pleased to know he still has family in this world!"
However, Duanmu Nan simply shook his head gently: "No, he is fine as he is now. Telling him everything would only burden him with the tragic hatred of losing kin. I cannot be so selfish; I alone should bear this pain."
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