Chapter 435 – The Flattery of the Xie Clan, Xie Qian (1)
Jiang Pengji couldn’t help but feel a pang of emotion; indeed, her real father truly cared for his daughter.
Before, when she had told Qi Guanrang how long it had been since she last slept, he had looked at her with eyes that said, “Stop lying.”
“Unfilial son, making father travel thousands of miles from Chongzhou to here… In this unstable world, how dangerous that journey must have been. If father was worried about me, he could have simply sent a letter, why risk coming in person? If something happened on the road, I’d carry the guilt for a lifetime…” Jiang Pengji said with concern, wondering how Liu Zhi could dare to roam around in such perilous times.
Liu Zhi chuckled softly, “Not seeing you with my own eyes leaves a father uneasy.”
The earthquake had hit too suddenly; even Liu Zhi, far away in Chongzhou, had felt a bit of shaking.
He simply couldn’t fathom what his daughter, at the epicenter of the quake, was going through.
“Now that I’ve seen you, I can sleep well tonight,” Liu Zhi said gently.
Luo Yue, observing quietly, regarded Liu Zhi as a truly refined man, exuding an indescribable noble grace. Comparing him to Jiang Pengji made Luo Yue only recall her various fierce displays—she was either killing or preparing to kill…
Such stark contrasts, and yet they were father and daughter?
Jiang Pengji whispered, “I feel guilty, worrying you, Father.”
Liu Zhi reached out and ruffled his daughter’s hair, providing silent comfort. He particularly enjoyed this gesture.
【Liu Zhongqing! Don’t touch the head of my esteemed empress… What if you make her dumber?】
The playful laughter of the girl echoed in his mind, becoming his most vivid memory.
【…Zhongqing… Be gentler with her… My empress is actually soft-hearted beneath her tough exterior, truly the best in the world… Zhongqing, you must promise to treat her well… Love her dearly… This is not just for her benefit, but for yours as well… I want both of you to live well… even when I’m gone… you both must live well…and let me see a different history unfold… okay?】
Gumin’s final words often replayed in Liu Zhi’s mind when he was alone.
Had she returned to her own world?
Was her life now more free-spirited than before?
Liu Zhi shut his eyelids, concealing his hidden thoughts.
Longing tightened around him like a net, intensifying the resentment brewing in his heart.
This visit was merely for reassurance; seeing Jiang Pengji safe, he planned to rest for two days before heading back to Chongzhou.
Feng Jin and a few others astutely took over Jiang Pengji’s duties, giving her free time to chat with her father and fulfill her filial duty.
Just then, Li Yun returned early, without anyone else by his side.
Meng Hunyun asked, “Han Mei, did your master not come with you?”
Li Yun replied dejectedly, “Master left a letter, saying he went to seek revenge on an enemy. But I’ve been with him for years and have never heard him mention any enemies… Now, out of the blue, he says he’s going for revenge, which is really concerning. However, he’s highly skilled, so I’m sure he’ll be fine out there.”
Meng Hunyun smirked secretly, remaining skeptical about this.
To teach someone as naive and innocent as Li Yun, his master likely wasn’t very complicated either.
In a world as chaotic as this, leaving without a bit of caution could mean returning home empty-handed.
Li Yun went to the county office to inform Jiang Pengji he had returned to duty.
As soon as he walked in, he noticed his lord dining with a middle-aged man.
“Lord, your subordinate has returned from leave…”
Liu Zhi looked up, his eyes widening in disbelief as he exclaimed, “Shaohua?”
Huh?
Both Jiang Pengji and Li Yun appeared perplexed, the latter even turning to look behind him.
No one there.
Could he be calling him?
After Liu Zhi blurted it out, he quickly realized he had misinterpreted.
The person before him looked too young, too tall; he didn’t match the person from his memories.
He gestured for Li Yun to step closer and asked with a complicated expression, “What’s your name?”
Li Yun glanced at Jiang Pengji, seeking confirmation.
Jiang Pengji replied, “Han Mei, this is our family’s old patriarch; you should call him that.”
Liu Zhi’s expression turned a bit conflicted, “Han Mei? Is that your courtesy name?”
That courtesy name truly suited the person’s face; it indeed seemed like something that person would choose—just too unserious.
“Returning to the Old Patriarch’s words, I’m surnamed Li, given name Yun. If it’s not a bother, you may call me Han Mei too.”
“Li Yun? You’re surnamed Li, not Xie?” Liu Zhi raised an eyebrow and asked, “Do you have a man named Xie nearby?”
“My master’s surname is Xie,” Li Yun replied innocently, “Do you know my master, Old Patriarch?”
“You call him master?” Liu Zhi chuckled, his smile dripping with sarcasm, “Where is he hiding nowadays?”
Li Yun was utterly confused; if he didn’t call his master “master,” what should he call him?
Moreover, this old patriarch seemed to recognize his master, speaking with a familiar tone.
“My master went out traveling a while ago, saying he was seeking revenge; he told me not to worry about him. If he’s still alive, he’ll definitely come back to look for me, and if he unfortunately loses his life, I shouldn’t seek revenge for him either.”
As he spoke, Li Yun appeared somewhat disheartened, like a defeated little rooster.
Liu Zhi clicked his tongue.
“Looking for revenge? Tsk, you don’t need to wait; chances are that person won’t even leave behind any bones.”
Li Yun fumed; even though this person was the lord’s father and knew his master, he felt angry.
“Do you know who your master is going to seek revenge on?” Liu Zhi pressed on, unfazed by the anger in Li Yun’s eyes, a smile playing at his lips, “He’s going to forcefully storm the Zhong Zhao Imperial Palace; either way, it’s a death sentence. Even if Xie Shaohua is incredibly skilled and has unmatched marksmanship, that’s still a sure path to death.”
His words shocked not only Li Yun but also made Jiang Pengji widen her eyes, staring intensely at Li Yun’s face.
Li Yun gritted his teeth, “Is my master’s enemy hiding in the Zhong Zhao Imperial Palace?”
“Pretty much,” Liu Zhi sipped his tea, casting a complex glance at Li Yun, “I don’t think your master intends for you to know the truth, so I won’t be the bad guy here. Young man, stick with Lan Ting and work hard; your future looks bright.”
Liu Zhi silently clicked his tongue; one of Jiang Zhao’s top ten generals, how could his future not be bright?
However, he never expected that Li Yun was actually the son of Xie Qian and that woman, which was truly an uncountable debt.
Li Yun’s mind was a mess; after hesitating, he asked Liu Zhi, “Is the Old Patriarch very familiar with my master?”
Liu Zhi sighed, “Xie Shaohua and my late wife were childhood friends, we might as well say we’re acquainted.”
Once vibrant lives now scattered like clouds, leaving one feeling melancholic.
“Oh right, how old are you this year? Have you married?” Liu Zhi inquired.
Li Yun awkwardly replied, “I’m twenty this year, and I’m not married yet.”
