Chapter 1350 – Mother and Child Reunion (1)
If Cheng Jing and Feng Jin are unwilling to join the government, that’s understandable, but Nie Xun’s choice left people baffled.
Nie Xun’s condition was severe, but he was still young, and his ability to recover was naturally strong. After some time of recuperation, he was already feeling much better.
During his recovery, Feng Jin had tested the waters, but whether Nie Xun couldn’t catch the hints or was playing dumb, he showed no response to recruitment efforts. Not expressing himself meant a polite refusal.
Feng Jin couldn’t fathom what was so great about Huang Song that made Nie Xun willing to gamble everything on him.
From what Feng Jin knew of Nie Xun, he wasn’t a dense person; otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to plot against Yuan Xin.
Unable to convince Nie Xun, Feng Jin simply sent him back to Wanzhou and waited for the Lord to reach out.
The Lord was Nie Xun’s cousin; what couldn’t family members say openly?
Unexpectedly, before Nie Xun could meet Jiang Pengji, the commander out leading troops, he encountered another expected family member.
On this day, Nie Xun heard that Huang Song and the others had arrived in Xiangyang, while his wife, Zhu Qing Ning, sat silently beside him, holding their child.
“Should we go see him?”
She gently coaxed the child while gazing intently at her long-lost husband.
Ever since receiving Nie Xun’s family letter, she hadn’t slept well, sometimes tormented by nightmares and at other times troubled by palpitations, quickly growing frail in just a few days.
Her parents had worried so much for her that their hair was going gray, which made Zhu Qing Ning’s heart ache.
Once she heard that her husband was fine, she relaxed her anxious heart and started counting the days until he would return.
When they reunited, she noticed Nie Xun seemed preoccupied, and he had grown significantly quieter.
Not daring to pry, she could only encourage him to bond more with their child daily, hoping it would help him regain his spirits.
“It’s better not to go; he probably doesn’t want to see me,” Nie Xun replied, lowering his gaze. “Why add to the awkwardness?”
Zhu Qing Ning was taken aback and stiffened slightly while holding the child.
She hadn’t considered that Nie Xun and Huang Song’s relationship had deteriorated to such an extent.
When did this happen?
“Cheng Yun, if you have something on your mind, why won’t you tell me?” Zhu Qing Ning asked, her eyes reflecting hurt and sadness. “You and I…”
Before she could finish her sentence, a faint sound of footsteps came from outside, and a figure was seen kneeling at the paper door.
“Master, madam, someone outside has sent an invitation and is asking for the master to see him personally.”
The couple frowned at the maidservant’s voice.
No matter who it was, delivering a greeting was basic etiquette, but whether the host would see them was entirely up to the host’s discretion.
Whoever it was, they had no right to request a specific individual be summoned; it was rather disrespectful for the maidservant to relay such a demand.
Nie Xun couldn’t tolerate such behavior, scolding, “When did manners become non-existent?”
The maid outside stammered, “The person delivering the invitation… used a carriage bearing the Liu family emblem. They’ve been waiting outside for nearly half an hour. The steward tried to dissuade them, but they insist on seeing the master before leaving, and the steward could do nothing but send me in to inform you.”
Zhu Qing Ning frowned. “Such an impolite visitor!”
This wasn’t a proper visit; it was clear they were being strong-armed by a rude intruder!
Even if the carriage bore the Liu family emblem, Zhu Qing Ning didn’t feel her husband should be summoned and ordered around this way!
However, Nie Xun frowned, running some analysis in his mind, eventually landing on a suspect.
In Xiangyang, only a handful had the right to use the Liu family carriage, and through process of elimination, he could narrow it down.
It had to be Liu Zhi, Liu Xi, or Liu Zhao. The first two were out, leaving only Liu Zhao as a possibility.
But—
He and Liu Zhao had no direct connection; what was the reasoning behind such a grand entrance?
Nie Xun replied, “Have the distinguished guest wait in the flower hall for a moment; I’ll tidy up a bit and come.”
There were manners to receiving guests; after fixing his appearance to ensure he looked presentable, he went to meet them.
He assumed this rude guest was Liu Zhao, but peering through the screen in the flower hall, he caught a glimpse of a figure indicative of femininity.
Not Liu Zhao!
Could it be Liu Xi?
But Liu Xi was still an unmarried woman; when would she be this graceful?
The age didn’t match either.
Within a few steps, Nie Xun’s mind was racing through countless deductions, all pointing to one person—
Upon rounding the screen, their gazes met. The fluttering sensation confirmed his suspicion.
Though they hadn’t seen each other for over twenty years, their blood connection was undeniable.
Nie Xun’s steps faltered; he stood uncertainly, glancing at the visitor with a complex expression.
This person was none other than Gu Zhen, his mother by blood and Liu Zhi’s stepmother!
Once Gu Zhen was welcomed into the flower hall, she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, her anxiety palpable, occasionally glancing toward the inner room.
The handkerchief in her grasp was close to being wrung dry.
Upon seeing Nie Xun, she immediately recognized his identity.
She suddenly jumped up from her seat, tears swelling in her eyes, blood vessels stretching, her grip tight on the handkerchief.
Gu Zhen’s lips quivered, struggling to utter a complete sentence.
“You, you are…”
Zhu Qing Ning, curious about this “rude guest,” trailed behind, only to be taken aback by the sight of a charming matron.
As she saw Nie Xun, Gu Zhen completely lost her composure, staggering forward, her trembling hands touching Nie Xun’s face, her fingertips brushing over the small red birthmark on his forehead. Zhu Qing Ning, holding their child, stood there dumbfounded before feeling a wave of jealousy rise in her chest.
She could tolerate the beautiful matron’s actions, but her husband’s nonchalant response vexed her.
Zhu Qing Ning took the initiative. “Cheng Yun, who is this?”
Gu Zhen was snapped back to reality by her voice, hastily dabbing her tears with the handkerchief and shifting her gaze to Zhu Qing Ning.
“I heard… you…” Gu Zhen hesitated, unsure how to address Nie Xun. Through a few family letters from Meng Heng, she knew Nie Xun was aware of his heritage, but the steps of introduction and recognition were minimal, “This madam is the fifth daughter of Mr. Yuanjing, yes?”
Gu Zhen’s gaze fell on the swaddled child in Zhu Qing Ning’s arms; despite the distance, she felt transported back to many years ago in that delivery room, exerting all her strength to bring her child into the world, only catching a fleeting glimpse before the midwife took him away.
Though it was just a glance, the memories had lingered for over the years.
Seeing the child in the swaddle, it was as if she were looking at her son from back then.
Gu Zhen couldn’t help but exclaim, “This child resembles Cheng Yun so much, just like when he was born—same eyebrows, same features!”
Zhu Qing Ning felt a little embarrassed at Gu Zhen’s remark.
She hadn’t expected Gu Zhen to have seen Nie Xun as a child, while she herself had felt a pang of jealousy just moments ago.
“Madam Liu, why have you come to the house today?”
Nie Xun’s tone was calm, which chilled Gu Zhen’s heart, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her.
