Shui Qing searched through the crowd but couldn't find the familiar boy—instead, she saw a giant version of Ling Ran.

Needless to say, this is Ling Ran's father, the governor, Ling Ce.

The villagers were initially excited, then overjoyed to see their family members return safely. Finally, upon seeing Ling Ce, who looked exactly like Ling Ran, the elderly Granny Xu asked in surprise, "You must have had a long and tiring journey. How come young Ling has grown so much after just one trip?"

When Granny Xu called him old, Ling Ce's stern expression softened considerably instead of showing anger.

His sharp eyes swept across the village, not missing a single spot.

Is this where Ran'er lives? He'd rather live in an adobe house than go home.

He'd rather be a farmer than go back to being the eldest son of the Ling family...

The other villagers knew that this was not Ling Ran, but seeing him like this, they were sure that he was related to Ling Ran by blood!

It dawned on me then that no wonder Shui Qing hadn't chosen Hu Wenhua, who was older, stronger, and had more experience traveling, to lead the team, but instead sent Ling Ran instead.

Where is Ling Ran?

"Why can't I see him?"

Feng Dajin, Yin Niu, and the others remained silent, all looking at Shui Qing.

Ling Ran had told them in advance that he would be leaving and that they shouldn't worry, but they didn't know if they could tell them about it.

While others were looking at Shui Qing, Shui Qing was looking at Ling Ce.

Ling Ce was also looking at Shui Qing, or rather, waiting for Shui Qing's answer.

Shui Qing understood. Ling Ce, a high-ranking governor, would not come to Shanshui Village in person unless he was a bandit or Magistrate Wu, but to find Ling Ran.

He thought Ling Ran had returned and was hiding in Shanshui Village, or that she knew Ling Ran's whereabouts.

She looked at Ling Ce and answered the questions the villagers were concerned about: "Ling Ran went to see his maternal grandfather and won't be back for a while."

Ling Ce's tall, slender body swayed, his expression one of disbelief and surprise.

Others might not know about Ling Ran's maternal family, but he knew it for sure!

That was a fierce general and right-hand man under the rebel King Yan, a traitorous minister!

But if he goes now, won't his future career be ruined? He's so foolish, how could he do something so foolish?

When the villagers heard that he was going to see his maternal grandfather, their worried expressions turned into joy and reluctance.

Grandma Wang asked in bewilderment, "Why did you suddenly decide to go find his maternal grandfather? But it's good to go find his maternal grandfather. His parents are gone, and his maternal grandfather may be the best relative for him."

Shui Qing and Fan Jin's family were good to Ling Ran, but they were, after all, his maternal grandfather and maternal uncle. It's only natural for them to visit him.

He might have to rely on his maternal grandparents for help with things like building a house and getting married in the future. After all, it's already quite good that Shuiqing and Fanjin took him in and raised him. He can't expect them to take care of his marriage and such.

Ling Ce looked at the villager who was speaking.

What do you mean 'his parents are gone'? He's alive and well, isn't he?

Shui Qing suddenly coughed a few times. There was nothing she could do. Others might be able to tell that Ling Ce and Ling Ran were related by blood, but the old lady of the Wang family was old and senile and couldn't see their faces clearly, so it was perfectly normal for her to say such things.

This immediately drew concern from the villagers: "Hey Shuiqing, have you caught a cold? You must have been too busy and tired lately. Now that the matter is resolved, you must take a good rest."

"Yes, health is important; we can't let it get serious!"

"It's so cold now. By the way, did Ling Ran bring any warm clothes? Is his maternal grandfather far away? I hope he doesn't catch a cold on the way."

“That child is pitiful. His father and clan are unreliable, otherwise he wouldn’t have to leave his hometown.”