Chapter 75 Indifference: So what if the whole world opposes it?

"Why is it impossible?" Gu Shanyue asked curiously. "Do you still remember your parents?"

"When I was first found, I was injured and my clothes were tattered. How could I possibly be a child of the Prince of Pingliao's mansion?" Qi Baitong didn't believe it at all.

“Li Jing lost his child during the war. You may have wandered to many places before finally arriving at the Imperial Guard Division,” Gu Shanyue said, leading him in a different direction. “Fang Wanqing invited us to stay, so let’s stay. She will surely provide an explanation.”

Gu Shanyue put forward such a conjecture that was enough to shake Shengjing, yet his expression remained calm.

No matter whose child Qi Baitong is, it doesn't matter to her. The person in front of her is just the person in front of her, and Qi Baitong is just Qi Baitong.

Qi Baitong obediently let Gu Shanyue lead her, tacitly agreeing to her decision.

When the two returned, Fang Wanqing was still standing there, looking in the direction they had come from. Upon seeing them, she greeted them with delight: "You..."

“We’re going to stay at the Prince of Pingliao’s residence.” Gu Shanyue stated his purpose directly, under Fang Wanqing’s joyful yet hesitant gaze.

“That’s wonderful! I’ll take you back. The Prince will be so happy to see you…” Fang Wanqing choked up for a moment, then quickly smiled and said, “The courtyard in the manor is all ready. I decorated it all myself. I don’t know if you’ll like it…”

The usually polite and dignified princess had become a nagging elder, while Qi Baitong lowered her eyes, only watching him and Gu Shanyue holding hands.

Fang Wanqing looked at him countless times, and Qi Baitong knew this, but he didn't give any reaction.

The group boarded the carriage of the Prince of Pingliao's residence. As soon as they got off the carriage at the gate, they were greeted by Li Jing, who had rushed back from somewhere. He was still wearing armor and was covered in sweat in the cold wind.

"Madam, Miss Yue..."

Li Jing's gaze shifted to Qi Baitong, who was standing quietly to the side. The tall man's eyes were also moist, and he opened his mouth, unsure of how to call out to him.

Fang Wanqing pulled him back, saying, "Let's go inside first. You've had a long and tiring journey. Let's settle in first."

"Okay, settle in here first, make yourself at home."

Li Jing walked quickly to Qi Baitong's side, Fang Wanqing stood next to Gu Shanyue, and the four of them went in together. The three of them were not very comfortable, but Gu Shanyue was as at ease as if he were returning to his own home.

The Pingliao Prince's Mansion was decorated in a low-key and understated style, with simple and ancient landscaping. Fang Wanqing introduced the pavilions and towers in the mansion all the way, her enthusiasm was excessive, which surprised the servants in the mansion who were secretly looking to see which guest had such great face that the prince and princess would accompany them on the tour.

Even when His Highness the Crown Prince himself visited, he did not receive such treatment.

"Where is our courtyard?" After wandering around for a long time, Gu Shanyue said without any politeness, "I'm tired."

"We'll be there soon, just around the corner."

Turning a corner at the intersection, a neatly trimmed garden came into view, with a plaque above the courtyard reading "Qilin Pavilion." Judging by the plaque alone, it must have been quite old.

Although it is called a courtyard, Qilin Pavilion occupies a vast area, probably a quarter the size of a prince's mansion.

Pushing open the gate, the courtyard is filled with flowers, birds, and rockeries, a marvel of nature. The interior is even more impressive, clearly meticulously decorated with antiques, calligraphy and paintings, gold, jade, pearls, swords, spears, and halberds... The bedrooms, study, armory, and more are dazzling to behold.

Li Jing and Fang Wanqing introduced the study and the armory, respectively, their eyes filled with apprehension.

Unfortunately, the people in front of him were Gu Shanyue and Qi Baitong. One never cared about material possessions, and the other was like a block of wood in front of anyone other than Gu Shanyue, showing no reaction whatsoever.

Li Jing wanted to say a few more words, but Fang Wanqing stopped him, smiling gently and saying, "You must be exhausted. Get some rest first, we won't disturb you any longer."

The couple left hand in hand. Gu Shanyue slumped onto the recliner, looking tired, and said listlessly, "I want to sleep."

Qi Baitong, who was lost in thought, immediately said, "I'll go prepare some water. I can just wash up and go to sleep."

He left quickly, and Gu Shanyue lay on the chair and dozed off. After a while, Qi Baitong returned. Seeing that Gu Shanyue's eyes were closed, he bent down and carried her to the washroom.

At first glance, there were not many servants in the Qilin Pavilion, but everything was prepared quickly. The washroom was also very large, with steam rising from the hot spring, and tea, pastries and fruits were prepared on a small table next to it.

Gu Shanyue was hanging on Qi Baitong, so she didn't even have to lift a finger. All she had to do was raise her hands or feet, and Qi Baitong would wash and dry her, and then change her into clean clothes.

After washing up, Gu Shanyue lay down on the small couch, ate a couple of bites of fruit, and Qi Baitong finished tidying up.

Back in her bedroom, Gu Shanyue nestled comfortably in the white lacquered bed and slept soundly even in broad daylight.

When I woke up again, the light outside the window was warm and yellow; it was already evening.

Qi Baitong brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead: "Did you sleep well?"

"You slept well."

Gu Shanyue stretched lazily in his arms, her inner garment slipped up, revealing a section of her slender waist. Qi Baitong's hands, which had been loosely wrapped around her, touched her warm, jade-like skin and gently rubbed it.

“Like a kitten,” he laughed.

Gu Shanyue felt a little ticklish from his touch and, not to be outdone, pinched his cheek: "You're like a puppy."

Qi Baitong rubbed his cheek against her shoulder, his warm and refreshing scent filling her nostrils, making her feel incredibly at ease.

“Ah Yue”.

"Um?"

Do you think your parents are important?

Gu Shanyue tilted her head to look at his face. He buried his face in her neck, sniffing her nose affectionately, only revealing half of his face.

"They are important and they are not important. I couldn't have been born without my parents, so they are important, but many people don't care whether they have parents or not. They grow up on their own anyway, so parents aren't that important."

It was rare for Gu Shanyue to speak at such a long length, and Qi Baitong could tell that she was trying to comfort him.

“Ah Yue, do you know,” Qi Baitong raised her face, her eyes filled with a dim sadness, “I wish I wasn’t their child. The better they treated me, the more I wished that.”

This was a bit convoluted, and Gu Shanyue didn't quite understand. She thought for a moment and said, "You can do whatever you want. If you want to leave, we'll leave here now."

Qi Baitong remained silent for a long time before shaking his head and saying, "Let's stay here for now."

Not long after the lanterns were lit in the Qilin Pavilion, a servant came to announce that the Prince and Princess had invited them to dine together.

Gu Shanyue also looked at Qi Baitong, waiting for his decision.

Qi Baitong agreed: "Okay."

It was said that they were having a meal together, but it wasn't that Gu Shanyue and her companion were going to a banquet at the Prince's mansion. Instead, it was a dinner banquet held at the Qilin Pavilion, where the Prince and Princess personally came to accompany them.

The prince and princess were waiting in the hall early on, and they got up to greet them as soon as they saw the two of them arrive.

"I didn't know what you liked to eat, so I made some of everything. Try it and see if it suits your taste?" Fang Wanqing said to Gu Shanyue with a smile, her eyes fixed on Qi Baitong.

A lavish dinner was laid out, including grilled fish. Qi Baitong glanced at it and noticed that several of the dishes were Gu Shanyue's favorites.

The four sat down, and Gu Shanyue ate as if no one else was around. Qi Baitong, just like before, served her food and soup, and even removed all the fish bones before serving her.

He took meticulous care of her, and Gu Shanyue enjoyed it naturally. To outsiders, Qi Baitong didn't seem like her lover, but rather like a servant girl who served her.

Li Jing and his wife had no appetite and kept looking at Qi Baitong. Seeing this, the two exchanged a glance, and Li Jing said, "Qi... Lord, you should eat too. Don't just take care of Miss Yue. This whole meal was made by my wife herself. Please try some."

As he spoke, he casually served food to Qi Baitong.

Qi Baitong picked up the bowl with one hand and stopped Li Jing from picking up the food with the other. She looked at him directly for the first time, but her eyes were indifferent and wary. She looked back at him coldly, without the slightest warmth, like a wild wolf being fed by humans.

Li Jing froze, stunned, his mind reeling from Qi Baitong's cold gaze.

This was his own son, yet now he treated him like a stranger, showing no affection whatsoever. He even saw a hint of hostility in Qi Baitong's eyes.

Fang Wanqing's eyes reddened. She took Li Jing's hand under the table, patted it gently to comfort him, and tried to smooth things over, saying, "They're a loving couple, so don't interfere."

Gu Shanyue was enjoying her meal and didn't pay any attention to what she said. Instead, Qi Baitong said, "That's right."

It's just one word, but it's very pungent.

Li Jing and Fang Wanqing exchanged a glance, sensing Qi Baitong's resistance towards them.

Gu Shanyue glanced at Qi Baitong, who seemed unhappy. After thinking for a moment, she handed the chicken leg she had only taken a bite of to Qi Baitong.

"You eat."

Qi Baitong's eyes brightened slightly, the faint gloom on his face dissipated, he ate the chicken leg in a few bites, and gave her a smile.

Gu Shanyue was satisfied and continued to eat, while Qi Baitong served her the meal.

Li Jing and his wife fell silent, leaving only Qi Baitong's gentle voice and Gu Shanyue's brief response on the table, a stark contrast to Qi Baitong's attitude just moments before.

After Gu Shanyue finished eating and put down her chopsticks, Qi Baitong affectionately patted her stomach: "Are you full? Would you like some osmanthus honey water?"

Gu Shanyue shook her head: "It's greasy."

Qi Baitong then asked, "Would you like some flower tea?"

Gu Shanyue nodded: "Drink."

Qi Baitong poured her some tea and brought it to her lips. Gu Shanyue didn't even need to move her hands; she only needed to move her mouth.

Li Jing and Fang Wanqing felt a mix of emotions, and were even a little jealous.

Gu Shanyue leaned into Qi Baitong's arms, and Qi Baitong smoothed her hair. When he turned around, Li Jing and his wife were staring at him in disbelief.

Qi Baitong frowned: "If you have nothing else to do, you may leave."

Just as Fang Wanqing was about to get up, Li Jing suddenly spoke up: "You guessed it all, didn't you?"

Qi Baitong paused for a moment: "I guessed it, you want to say that I am the son of the two of you."

“You are our son. We lost you during the war years ago. We searched for you for many, many years. Your mother cried until she went blind. Now we have finally found you…”

Even a mighty general like Li Jing couldn't remain calm when talking about the past, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Fang Wanqing's eyes reddened, and she wiped away her tears with a handkerchief.

Qi Baitong remained silent for a while before asking, "Are you sure you haven't got the wrong person?"

“No,” Fang Wanqing spoke this time, “Your nickname is Lin’er. We have found the person who took you away back then. He was the one who sent you to the Inner Guard. He is the one who caused our separation. If we didn’t need to keep him as a witness, I would have torn him to pieces long ago…”

Fang Wanqing gritted her teeth in hatred, tears streaming down her face. Li Jing patted her hand to comfort her, his face also deeply moved.

But Qi Baitong and Gu Shanyue on the other side had very calm expressions, so calm that it seemed strange.

Li Jing hesitated for a moment: "You still don't believe me? Shall I bring that person out and let him confront you?"

Qi Baitong shook his head and said calmly, "No need. Whether it's true or false, it's meaningless to me."

Li Jing was shocked upon hearing this and slammed his fist on the table: "How can it be meaningless? We are your biological parents. Now that our family is reunited, aren't you happy?"

Fang Wanqing burst into tears, her voice urgent: "Are you blaming your parents for losing you? I blame myself too. For so many years, you've been the one I dream about at night. I know you must have suffered a lot without your parents by your side. Trust your mother, we will definitely make it up to you. Whatever you want, just tell us and we will give it to you."

Qi Baitong looked at her quietly: "I already have what I wanted most, and I don't care about anything else."

The implication of those words was too obvious. Li Jing and Fang Wanqing looked at Gu Shanyue, who was looking utterly bored in his arms, and were speechless for a moment.

No one expected that things would turn out this way after the lost child was found.

“Miss Yue, I know you and Lin’er are together, and we will never object. As long as he is happy…”

Fang Wanqing tried to persuade Gu Shanyue to say a few words for her, but she was interrupted by Qi Baitong just as she got to that point.

He frowned deeply: "This is between us, what does it have to do with A-Yue? What does it matter if you object? Even if the whole world objects, so what? As long as I like it, that's all that matters. As long as A-Yue likes me, that's all that matters."

Fang Wanqing hadn't expected to offend Qi Baitong again, and hurriedly explained, "That's not what I meant, I..."

Qi Baitong turned her face away: "No need to say more, I have nothing to talk to you about."

Author's Note: The main story is almost finished, so here's a giveaway!

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