The Northern Wei imperial palace.
Su Renzhong went to have breakfast with his godparents early in the morning.
After he was recognized by his grandfather, his adoptive parents also moved into the Eastern Palace with him.
Looking at the elderly couple in front of him who were very reserved, Su Renzhong found it hard to believe that they were the parents who had raised him from childhood.
Even if he has lost his memories, the two of them should still have them, so why are they so reserved around him?
Even though he is now the grandson of the emperor, he still grew up around them since he was a child, so why are they so afraid of him?
"Do Father and Mother still remember when I started learning martial arts?" Su Renzhong asked casually during the meal.
Three years old.
Five years old.
The two gave the same answer, but completely different ones.
Su Renzhong suddenly narrowed his eyes.
The godmother quickly patted the godfather and then gave Su Renzhong a dry laugh, saying, "Your godfather is mistaken. How could a three-year-old learn martial arts? He started practicing at five."
Su Renzhong twitched the corner of his lips and said, "I remember you said that when I was a child, my family was so poor that we couldn't even afford to eat. How did you manage to send me to learn martial arts?"
These words left the elderly couple completely bewildered.
The stepmother tugged at the stepfather's sleeve, urging him to answer.
The godfather couldn't answer, and stammered, "Back then, I... I did odd jobs for others, and I used the money I earned to send you to learn martial arts!"
The godmother quickly chimed in, "Yes, your godfather worked very hard back then. He had to take care of the family and send you to martial arts training. He did several jobs to save up a little money to send you to martial arts training."
Su Renzhong raised his eyebrows noncommittally: "Why didn't Father and Mother have another child back then?"
This question left the two of them speechless once again.
After a long pause, the adoptive mother said awkwardly, "Where would we get the money to raise so many children? It's already a struggle to raise just you."
Su Renzhong saw their guilty expressions but did not expose them.
This was not the answer he wanted at all.
Their answers were also completely contradictory.
They have money to send him to learn martial arts, but not enough money to raise another child.
If they knew from the beginning that he was adopted, wouldn't they have wanted a child of their own? They would sell everything they owned to send him to practice martial arts, an outsider, but why didn't they want another child? Isn't that strange?
Moreover, their attitude towards him was very strange. It was nothing like how parents treat their children. Although he was no longer a child, they were not close to him at all. Every time he approached them, they were very reserved, wary, and even afraid.
These didn't seem like his adoptive parents who raised him from childhood; they seemed more like his servants.
"I'm done eating. Father and Mother, please continue eating."
Su Renzhong left after finishing his meal.
As soon as Su Renzhong left, the two of them immediately went out of the East Palace.
Su Renzhong, hidden in the shadows, saw them leave the East Palace and knew where they went without even asking him.
Shouhe Palace.
After listening to the old couple's report, Emperor Helian Rong of the Northern Wei Dynasty frowned and asked, "Why did he suddenly ask you about these things?"
Both men shook their heads, looking puzzled. "We servants don't know either. Perhaps His Highness is curious about his childhood."
Helian Rong was silent for a moment, then waved to the two of them and said, "Go back first, and report back immediately if anything happens."
"Yes," the two replied immediately.
After the two men left, Helian Rong summoned the Eastern Palace guards and asked, "Did anything strange happen at the Eastern Palace yesterday?"
The guards thought about it carefully and shook their heads: "Nothing strange has happened."
Before Helian Rong could ask anything more, a palace attendant rushed over and said, "Your Majesty, the eldest grandson of the Emperor requests an audience."
Helian Rong frowned, waved away the guards, and then said to the eunuch, "Please invite the eldest grandson of the emperor in."
"Yes," the eunuch replied, and soon brought Su Renzhong in.
"Greetings to my Imperial Grandfather." Upon entering the inner hall, Su Renzhong bowed to Helian Rong.
Helian Rong looked at him affectionately: "Why did you come to see your grandfather so early today? Have you had breakfast yet?"
As Helian Rong spoke, he reached out to help him up.
Su Renzhong stood up and smiled at Helian Rong, "I've eaten. I just wanted to go out of the palace because of the good weather, so I came to report to my grandfather."
Upon hearing this, Helian Rong frowned and asked suspiciously, "Why would you want to leave the palace for no reason?"
Could it be that something truly happened in the Eastern Palace that he doesn't know about?
Seeing Helian Rong's suspicion, Su Renzhong explained without changing his expression, "Isn't it your 80th birthday in a few days? I don't have a decent gift to give you, so I thought I'd go to the hunting grounds in the western suburbs to see if I could hunt some good stuff for you as a birthday present?"
Su Renzhong's answer was brilliant. Not only was his reasoning sound, but he also flattered Helian Rong and immediately dispelled his doubts: "I am already very happy that you have this intention. No gift is more important than you staying by my side."
Su Renzhong smiled and took Helian Rong's hand: "Where else can your grandson go if not with your status? You may not care about the gift, but your grandson does. Eighty is a big birthday, and your grandson will definitely find a good birthday gift to wish you a long and healthy life!"
Su Renzhong's words deeply moved Helian Rong: "Silly child, how many people in this world can really live to be a hundred years old? I am already considered to be of advanced age."
He's almost eighty. Back then, his father lived to be sixty, and his grandfather didn't even reach fifty. Now that he's lived to be eighty, he's content.
"You will surely live to be a hundred! Your grandson will go to the hunting grounds in the western suburbs to pick out a gift for you in a little while."
Su Renzhong's words amused Helian Rong: "The western suburbs hunting grounds are the royal hunting grounds, so there's no danger. If you really want to go, it's fine to bring more guards with you."
Su Renzhong did not refuse Helian Rong's offer: "Then bring more secret guards and Azure Dragon Guards. Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Helian Rong nodded and then summoned Wu Shou, the leader of the Azure Dragon Guard: "Take three thousand Azure Dragon Guards and accompany the eldest grandson of the emperor to the hunting grounds in the western suburbs. Make sure to ensure his safety."
"Yes," Wu Shou replied hastily.
Everyone knew how much the Emperor valued his eldest grandson, so they naturally dared not neglect him.
Su Renzhong led three thousand Azure Dragon Guards and countless secret guards to the western hunting grounds.
Su Renzhong glanced at the large group of people behind him and felt a headache coming on.
He had to find a way to shake off these people and go to the local temple alone.
Upon arriving at the western hunting grounds, Su Renzhong enthusiastically entered the woods to hunt.
Su Renzhong was skilled in martial arts and had superb archery skills, so he quickly hunted a lot of prey.
But he felt it wasn't enough, so he continued deeper into the woods.
Wu Shou said with some concern, "Your Highness, the deep forest is full of ferocious beasts, it's too dangerous. You should hunt on the outskirts instead."
Su Renzhong sneered disdainfully: "I can take down any kind of ferocious beast. Since we are choosing a birthday gift for the Emperor's grandfather's 80th birthday, we should naturally hunt the best prey. If it's not a ferocious beast, I won't even look at it!"
As he spoke, Su Renzhong flicked his whip and dashed into the depths of the forest.
"Your Highness!" Wu Shou hurriedly spurred his horse and followed.
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