After seeing the scars on Amu's arms, the old chief priest didn't have the courage to look at those on his body. It was all because of the uselessness of these court officials and the Jing Dynasty's court that Yu'er was tortured like this by the Northern Qi and almost died in the Northern Qi.

"How did you escape back?"

"Ever since I arrived in Northern Qi and disobeyed the new queen, I've been locked up in a dungeon with two servants. Every day, I'm either whipped or cut with a blunt knife, and sometimes even branded with a branding iron. It's such a dark and gloomy life, I don't know how I managed to get through it every day."

"The servant Qingyang was tortured to death, but I'm still alive." Ah Mu thought he was quite impressive, having survived seven years in such an environment. "Later, another servant Qingning and I discovered that there was an underground river next to the dungeon. Every summer, the river would rise, and the dungeon would be flooded with water."

"We were drowned every summer, and we knew there was only one way to escape. But the walls were too thick, the windows at the back were too high, and the walls were slippery, making it impossible to climb up. There was nothing in the dungeon we lived in, only stinking straw, Qingning and I, and a lot of rats."

Thinking back to the past days, Amu felt pain all over his body, and was even more sad for the two dead servants.

"For those seven years, we were all trying to figure out how to escape. Every day we were in Northern Qi, we were in danger. Qingning even had his hands and feet chopped off to protect me, leaving him disabled. He said he couldn't just sit there and wait for death, and that he would get me out even if he died."

Amu looked up at the sky and said, "Finally one day I climbed up to the window and found that the iron frame had been rusted due to years of moisture corrosion. Some parts were already missing and would fall off with a slight touch."

"We waited for the water to rise, waiting for it to flood in. Qingning helped me climb up to the window. Only children around twelve or thirteen could climb out of that window. Luckily, they didn't give us enough food during those years, so I was able to climb out easily."

"But Qingning stayed in that dungeon forever. He said that he couldn't escape without his hands and feet, and he could only be a burden to me. He asked me to escape quickly. He would feel at ease when he returned to Jingchao. If he stayed, he could buy time for me, so I could leave quickly."

Amu blinked and paused for a moment before continuing, "I escaped alone, fell into the water and was swept away by the rapids. When I woke up again, I was already on the riverbank in the suburbs."

"It was a coincidence that we ran into a caravan from our Jing Dynasty. I told them I was from the Jing Dynasty and was sold as a slave to Northern Qi. They took me with them, hid me among their cargo, and successfully passed through customs to the border of the Jing Dynasty."

"The caravan was very nice, but they were heading south, so they dropped me off in the central region and gave me some rations. I covered my face with a cloth all the way to the capital, so as not to scare anyone. I also tried to get news from Northern Qi."

Amu said with a sad face, "There was no news at all. It was as if I hadn't escaped and was still in that dungeon. I knew that Northern Qi would definitely take action, and Qingning would definitely be killed by them. I was unable to protect myself, so how could I save others? I could only rely on the anger in my heart and stumbled to the capital."

When Ah Muyin went to visit the wife of the Marquis of Ding'an, "No wonder they didn't chase me. It wasn't until the moment the poison took effect that they realized I was already poisoned and would soon die. What good would it do to return to the capital? With all these wounds on my face and body, who would know who I was? I have a home but cannot return."

"The poison took effect, and I became blind. I fell into the river and unexpectedly drifted to Lu'er Town. Linlang saved me. Perhaps it was God's mercy, as I was so resentful that I survived."

Ah Mu turned his head, his face calm again. "Teacher, I am Xiao Yushu now, Linlang's husband, and the son-in-law of the Rong family. It's good, I'm very happy. Teacher, don't worry about me, I'm doing really well now. If you don't mind, you can call me Ah Mu from now on."

Originally a child of destiny, he was suddenly trampled into a quagmire. How could the old priest not be worried? Such an outstanding child was destroyed by them like this.

The old priest was heartbroken, "Amu~"

"Then I will still call you old master from now on. When I get good grades in the exam, I will become your disciple."

The old priest burst into tears again, "Okay, okay."

Then he asked, "Do you want to meet your parents privately? They've missed you so much over the years, and they've sent so many gifts to Northern Qi every year. They just want you to be well, and they're thinking about you."

Speaking of this, Ah Mu felt really uncomfortable, even more painful than when he was tortured in Northern Qi. The teacher recognized his handwriting at a glance, even if he was disguised, and when he walked in, the teacher knew it was him and recognized him.

He was his mother's biological son, the one she had raised with much love, yet she didn't recognize him. She, always gentle and virtuous, unwilling to kill a bug she feared, actually ordered him killed.

Amu couldn't believe it. Something must have gone wrong.

"Northern Qi has planted many spies in the capital. To avoid attracting attention, I don't plan to contact them. Let's wait until the time is right. Now is not the time yet."

"That's fine. They're sad anyway. Your sudden appearance will indeed cause quite a stir." I can't stand any more trouble. Being safe and sound is better than anything else.

The old priest sighed and said, "If you have any difficulties, come to me. Although I don't have much ability, I can still help a little."

“When students have difficulties, they will definitely bother the teacher.”

"That's how it should be." The old priest said, "The capital is no longer what it used to be. Everyone is running their own business, and everything is in chaos. They've forgotten that the Jing Dynasty is still under someone else's control."

Alas, there is no hope.

He looked at Amu and said, "I hope things will turn around now that you're back."

Ah Mu couldn't tell him that things would turn around, and soon, Jing Dynasty would make a last-ditch effort. He could only remain silent, supporting the old priest. "You've been standing for a long time. Teacher, go in and sit down for a while. I've learned some massage techniques from Linlang, so I'll give you a leg massage."

Amu was satisfied that he could still serve his teacher in this life.

Linlang, who was busy in the kitchen, came out to check on the two of them. It was obvious that they had recognized each other. So, isn't it strange that a teacher can recognize his or her students at a glance, but the mother can't?

I hope that the third and fourth brothers can quickly investigate and make the truth known.

Just then, a white dove landed on a branch next to Linlang. She took down the letter, which said that Su Nanting and Song Shi had returned to the capital with Su Jinrui, Su Jinyao, and Su Jinnian, and would arrive in the evening.

Su Jinchen stayed there alone, and the emperor sent masters from the palace to guard nearby. The funds also arrived, so Linlang felt relieved.

It is not convenient for them to meet each other while living in the same capital. They hope that the emperor can be detoxified as soon as possible so that they can come and go freely.

The capital city is such a troublesome place.