Chapter 202 The Struggle Between Legitimate and Illegitimate Children

Upon hearing the village chief's words, everyone gathered around without hesitation, some even whispering among themselves.

"Sigh! It's so much more convenient for us to be together in our own village. We can be so carefree and do whatever we want."

"Tch! Everyone knows how convenient it is to be together with your own people. It's a pity they got here before us, we can't just kick them out."

"That's right, that's right..."

"Alright, alright, everyone be quiet. Ningbao has taken out all your things. Everyone pack your things and go inside quickly."

One room per household; households with more than 15 people can share two rooms.

Currently, the only family in Shanglin Village with more than 15 members is Mu Chunping's family, because Shen Jia and the Liu family are both staying at Mu's house. When Ning Bao asked for two rooms, the village chief had already come up with a solution.

After some commotion, everyone was finally settled, but it was already past midnight.

On the Gu family side, Gu Yunrou and her son, along with a nanny and two maids who served Gu Yunrou, shared a room, while Gu Xiang, along with Leng Yun and Leng Yu, shared another room.

Leng Yu lay on her futon on the floor, resting her head on her arm, somewhat puzzled.

"Uncle Xiang, Leng Yun, did you notice that the group from Shanglin Village suddenly seemed to have a lot more luggage? I remember they didn't seem to have so much stuff when they first arrived at the temple gate."

And there were even a few more flatbed carts.

Gu Xiang shook his head.

"I didn't really notice that, but they must have brought everything from their homes with them when they fled the famine. It's normal for them to have a lot of stuff, after all, even a broken home is worth a fortune."

Leng Yun frowned.

"I hadn't noticed before, but Leng Yu reminded me that we didn't see the cart just now."

And their luggage didn't seem to have gotten snow on it.

After hearing Leng Yun and Leng Yu's words, Gu Xiang's expression also became serious.

"It seems that the people of Shanglin Village are not just simple refugees."

Thinking about it, it's truly remarkable that there were still over four hundred people left after traveling for so long, with corpses strewn across the land during their escape from famine.

However, if they have the ability to do so, it's a good thing for us as long as they don't target us. At least if something really does happen, we won't be a burden.

The mother and son next door were still awake, and as the weather grew colder, Chen Muyang's body felt icy cold.

Gu Yunrou disregarded the rule of avoiding her mother at the age of seven, and every night she would take off her shoes and socks and hold Shen Muyang's feet in her arms.

However, Gu Yunrou was stunned when she touched Shen Muyang's foot tonight. It was warm?

Shen Muyang looked at his mother.

"Mom, isn't it amazing that my feet are warm again?"

Gu Yunrou touched Chen Muyang's feet again to make sure they were warm.

"Yang'er, are you feeling any better?"

Shen Muyang nodded.

"Mother, to be honest, I feel much better. I don't feel as cold as before. Before, it felt like there was a stone pressing on my chest all day, but today I feel like that stone in my chest is much lighter."

Hearing that her son was much better, Gu Yunrou's mood improved considerably.

"Great, it seems we made the right decision to leave the capital..."

Yang'er, do you hate your mother?

Shen Muyang shook his head.

"Mother, why would you ask that?"

Gu Yunrou sighed softly.

"You were originally the heir of the Marquis of Yongyi. Your grandfather petitioned the emperor to appoint you as the heir as soon as you were born. Your position as heir was rightfully yours."

But your father… once we leave the capital, he might be eager to strip you of your title as heir apparent.”

Shen Muyang shook his head indifferently.

"Mother, don't worry. It won't be so easy for him to depose me as the heir apparent. Our Longyuan Kingdom has laws that stipulate that the legitimate son of the principal wife who has applied for a title cannot be easily deposed."

"Unless I commit patricide and treason, it won't be so easy for him to take the position of heir apparent. Treason—that's impossible. Patricide—though I'd like to, I won't do it. I don't want to dirty my hands for someone unworthy."

Gu Yunrou stared blankly at her son, only then realizing that her son's maturity was heartbreaking.

"Yang'er..."

Shen Muyang gave Gu Yunrou a reassuring look.

"Mother, don't worry, I'm fine. I've grown up. When I was little, you had to bear the grievances yourself."

From now on, your children will protect you. Other children won't try to compete with or snatch you away, but you will never give up anything that belongs to your children or to your children.

As Shen Muyang spoke, he clenched his fist...