Jun Chaoyang lowered his head, his gaze falling on Futu.

“I’m not your father!” he said.

Fu Tu clung to Jun Chaoyang's thigh without moving: "Then how about you consider becoming my stepfather!"

"..." Lu Wujiu reached out and lifted Futu up, then carried the person away from the teahouse.

Jun Chaoyang stared in the direction Lu Wujiu had left, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. Was this the Regent of Qi? Just as Lu Wujiu had recognized him at a glance, he could also recognize the Regent of Qi in an instant.

These are all high-ranking officials in the imperial court. If they have no impression of important figures from enemy countries, it would be a dereliction of duty.

The young servant stood bowing beside Jun Chaoyang, following Jun Chaoyang's gaze to look at Lu Wujiu's back: "My lord, they must be dealt with."

"Never mind that, go get down to business!" Is dealing with the regent of Qi really that easy?

The servants couldn't discern Lu Wujiu's origins, but Jun Chaoyang dared not ignore him; he had his own business here.

As for those who are unexpected, there's no need to dwell on it; just ignore them and make sure to return as soon as possible.

The State of Qi is currently in turmoil. Why is the regent, instead of going to court to stabilize the situation, appearing here? Could it be that there is something in Lucheng that he doesn't know?

Jun Chaoyang walked toward the cake shop. The letter said that Rong Zhen's weakness was the young mistress of the Cai family inside.

Would he believe something so absurd? Whether he believes it or not, you'll only know after you see it.

On the other side!

Lu Wujiu threw the pagoda on the ground and picked up the child's bottom, slapping it hard several times.

He's currently on a long road to winning her back, using gentle, subtle actions to make her accept his presence and companionship.

If he left now, Jun Chaoyang would be pulled to the woman's side by the little guy.

Can a woman still feel the difference between not having him around and not having him around?

That's definitely not going to work.

Jun Chao is ill and cannot stay in Lucheng.

Lu Wujiu looked into the shadows of the woods, and one of his guards jumped out. Lu Wujiu gave him some instructions, and the guard quickly left.

The method to lure Jun Chaoyang away is very simple. Just create chaos in the Great Zhou court, making it impossible for Jun Chaoyang, who has the world in his heart, to stay here.

A person with the world in their heart should think about how to clean up the court and how to make people's lives better.

As for matters of love and romance, let mediocre people like him participate.

Lu Futu stared wide-eyed at Lu Wujiu: "You're not allowed to..."

"Didn't Master Li teach you how to respect people?" Lu Wujiu interrupted Futu.

"Your mother clearly has someone in her heart and can't forget her deceased husband. You're forcing her like this, and you even hugged a stranger's leg and called him 'Dad' in public. If people knew, no one would criticize you, a five-year-old child, but your mother, now a young widow, would probably be burdened with some scornful reputations!"

"I……"

"What do you mean, 'you'? Don't tell me you don't understand!" Lu Wujiu said, then left the man who had been spanked and headed back towards the county town.

Jun Chaoyang's appearance here is a good opportunity to make a deal with him.

Lu Futu pursed his lips, stared at Lu Wujiu's back, and finally lowered his head dejectedly.

He only thought of himself and how to be good to his mother, without considering whether his mother actually needed such kindness, and slowly made his way home.

Walking into his own courtyard, he saw Su Jiaoniang with a smile on her face.

Su Jiaoniang had already returned to the courtyard and was peeling the persimmons with a peeler. Making dried persimmons didn't require too much trouble; after peeling, you just needed to find a well-ventilated place to hang them up.

Wait until the water content of the persimmons decreases before applying frost.

The little girl also had a peeler in her hand, but what she was holding was a big pumpkin.

Pumpkin is sweet and soft, and it's delicious when made into pastries.

Su Jiaoniang and Xiao Ya chatted and laughed together. This kind of life seemed to be the most beautiful and original.

Fu Tu leaned closer and tentatively asked, "Mother, I want a father!"

Su Jiaoniang's hand trembled, almost cutting her finger. She stared at Futu and asked, "What did you say?"

"I want a father." Lu Futu pursed his lips after saying this. His mother not only had no intention of finding a man, but also seemed to be somewhat resistant to it.

"Alright, I'll take you there!" Su Jiaoniang took Futu's hand and led the little guy to the grave at the village entrance: "Your father is there. Talk to him for a while, Mom will stay with you!"

Futu stared at the grave mound; the once exceptionally bright child was now filled with dejection.

He didn't actually have many thoughts about his father; he just wanted to test what his mother thought.

She was unwilling to remarry.

The wind blew, the clouds in the sky dispersed, and the withered yellow grass on the ground swayed in the wind. The weather gradually became colder and colder. After staying outside for a short while, Su Jiaoniang brought the Buddha home.

On the way back, she glanced at the child and said, "Don't think about anything else. Don't I love you enough? If you want to experience the power of a father's love, you can stay at Gouhua's house for a few days and call Zhang the blacksmith 'Dad' with Gouhua."

"..." Fu Tu felt his head was a little tired. Compared to calling Zhang the blacksmith "Dad," he would rather be a good child!

Back home, Xiaoya had already steamed the pumpkin in the pot. Once the pumpkin was cooked, the little one started making pumpkin pancakes herself.

Not to mention, she's doing quite well; the little girl has even started to hold the knife precisely and cut the pumpkin without hurting her hands.

"Mother, Uncle Gu Lin just came by. He said he has something to discuss with you." The little girl spoke, and her words surprised Su Jiaoniang.

Gu Lin? Gu the Hunter?

"I'll go take a look!" Su Jiaoniang walked towards Gu Lin's house, pushed open the small courtyard door, and saw women's clothes drying in the yard.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!