“This child… he looks familiar?” Mr. Tang pointed at Mu Xu, his eyes full of doubt and urgency.
He tilted his head to the side, as if trying hard to think of something. Unfortunately, due to old age, his memories were too numerous and complicated, and it was particularly difficult to suddenly recall a particular passage.
Mu Xu frowned, and after a long while, he asked, "Is the old gentleman's hometown Mu Family Fort in Linzhou Prefecture, Jiangbei?"
"Yes, yes!" Mr. Tang nodded eagerly and asked loudly, "You're Bajin'er? Right?!"
Everyone was completely confused, but couldn't help but laugh because of the nickname "Eight Pounds".
Mu Xu blushed slightly, but was mostly excited. He took two steps forward and called out loudly, "Third Uncle, it's me!"
"Oh dear, Bajin! You look so much like your father!" Mr. Tang staggered forward, grabbed Mu Xu, and burst into tears.
"You're actually alive, kid! That's wonderful, wonderful! Waaah, I asked so many people to search for our clansmen, and they all said you were all dead, not a single one of you survived!"
"You're alive! That's so good, so good!"
Mr. Tang was so excited that his beard was trembling, and he looked like he was about to faint.
Everyone was shocked and quickly stepped forward to comfort him, "Mr. Tang, calm down, it's a good thing to be reunited with your family!"
"That's right, that's right! Today is your birthday, this is the best birthday gift ever!"
"Let's go inside and talk, we can talk about it slowly."
"Yes, yes, come inside, come inside quickly!" Mr. Tang was coaxed back and pulled Mu Xu into the house.
Mu Xu only had time to give Jia Yin a look, and Jia Yin nodded, indicating that he could rest assured.
Soon, everyone rushed into the house, leaving the Li siblings to walk behind.
Jiaren asked his sister in a low voice, "What's going on with Mu Xu? Isn't he an orphan?"
Jiayin shrugged, somewhat helplessly, and replied, "I don't know either. His adoptive father arranged for him to come to our family himself, so his background is definitely not a problem. As for the rest, I can't say for sure. Let's listen to what he has to say first."
Jiaren nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
Mr. Tang originally planned to stay at the academy for more than half a year before leaving. He was extremely famous and was always a guest of honor wherever he went.
But I'm getting older, and my health hasn't been very good these past two years. I can't stand the bumpy ride anymore.
In addition, he met a good disciple named Jiaren, who was highly talented, diligent in practicing calligraphy, and took great care of him.
So he stayed at the hospital and even taught a calligraphy class.
On ordinary days, chores such as washing clothes and cleaning were done by servants, and three meals a day were prepared by the Li family canteen and delivered to their table.
They enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables all year round, and eat whatever is fresh, leading a very comfortable life.
At this moment, everyone sat down and were served tea. Mr. Tang had also recovered his composure and began to inquire about the Mu Family Fortress.
Mu Xu could not go into every detail, only saying that his clansmen had been killed by the barbarians, his parents and uncles had all perished, and the Marquis had led troops north to rescue him.
Mr. Tang couldn't help but cry again, filled with regret.
Mu Xu's grandfather was his elder brother. In his youth, he was arrogant and conceited, unwilling to take the imperial examinations or marry into a powerful family. He was controlled by his family, so he made a scene, changed his name, and went out to travel the world.
Finally, he made a great name for himself, and as he grew old, he decided to return to his roots.
But the barbarians also breached the border, and Jiangbei was lost!
It can only be said that fate plays tricks on people, and life is unpredictable.
In the past two years, he has had countless sleepless nights, wishing he could slit his own throat and go to the underworld to beg forgiveness from his ancestors.
If he were to settle down and have children elsewhere, the Mu family line would not be extinguished.
Fortunately, by some miracle, one of his grand-nephews survived!
The mischievous boy who left home at the age of four or five is now a vibrant young man!
"Bajin'er... no, what name did your family give you?" Mr. Tang finally remembered to consider his nephew's feelings and asked for his name.
Mu Xu quickly replied, "My grandfather passed away nine years ago. Before he closed his eyes, he named me 'Xu'."
"Mu Xu? What a nice name!" Mr. Tang praised, finding the only son of the Mu family very pleasing to the eye.
With everyone carrying the bridal sedan chair, naturally others would also praise it, making Mr. Tang laugh and cry at the same time.
It was only after Dean Zhou spoke up that the banquet was finally served.
Since there were no female relatives with Mr. Tang, Jiayin felt it inappropriate to stay any longer. She stepped forward to pay her respects to Mr. Tang as a junior, presented him with a birthday gift, and then took her leave.
Jiaren and Lige stayed to drink, while Maoge naturally went with his sister to eat and shop.
As a result, seeing that Jiayin was about to leave, Mu Xu became a little anxious and also wanted to say goodbye.
Mr. Tang was so eager to keep his lost grandnephew by his side that he was unwilling to let him go.
"Xu-ge'er, where are you going? This will be your home from now on! Your great-uncle has a lot to tell you!"
After saying that, he turned to Jiaren and said, "Jiaren, is Xu'er's household registration in your family? Today, this old man is asking you for a favor. Let Xu'er go free and return to my side to uphold the Mu family's honor. What do you say?"
Jiaren frowned, guessing that the old man had mistaken Mu Xu for a servant of the Li family.
If it were anyone else, he could really make this decision, but Mu Xu couldn't!
Firstly, Mu Xu was sent here by the Marquis.
Secondly, Mu Xu is his sister's personal bodyguard, and he is needed to take care of her safety both inside and outside the palace.
He absolutely could not agree to send his sister's people away without his consent.
His mind raced for a moment, and just as he was about to speak, Mu Xu interrupted him.
"Third Uncle, I am not a servant of the Li family, but a guard of the Marquis of Xinting's mansion. Before the Marquis went on his northern expedition, he instructed me to protect the Princess and not to leave her side easily. Third Uncle, please celebrate your birthday first. I will definitely come to visit you again when I have some free time in a few days."
"How can that be?" Mr. Tang became even more anxious upon hearing this, disregarding all reason and logic, and shouted, "No matter whose mansion you are a guard from, you are still a member of the Mu family! You stay here for now, and when the Marquis returns, I will go to him to demand your release. He cannot refuse to give me this face."
Jiayin frowned. She had originally wanted to say a few words of advice to Mu Xu, but she was also somewhat displeased after hearing Mr. Tang's words.
What's wrong with you Mu family members? Are you trying to outdo each other in terms of nobility?
Without his adoptive father's help, Mu Xu died, and the Mu family line would have ended long ago.
Who are they putting on airs with?
They even said they couldn't refuse you this respect, because the Marquis's mansion was counting on you to live!
Mu Xu glanced at Jia Yin and, seeing her pale face, immediately said, "Third Uncle, please let go. My arm is broken and I can't take any more pulling."
fracture?
Mr. Tang was startled and immediately let go.
Mu Xu took the opportunity to step back two steps before saying, "Third Uncle, if it weren't for the Marquis's rescue, I would have died in Jiangbei long ago. For a real man, the most important thing in life is 'trust'."
"Since I made a promise to the Marquis, I must keep it. As for the future, let's talk about it after the Marquis returns."
"Brother Xu!" Mr. Tang was a little angry. He looked at Mu Xu as if he were looking at a naughty boy, wanting to hit him but not being able to.
Mu Xu ignored him, bowed, turned and walked away, standing next to Jia Yin.
Today's update is here!
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