After finally catching his breath, Gu Lingze glared at the culprit angrily, but he didn't know how attractive he looked with tears in his eyes and a flushed face.
Zhao Chengmo lowered his eyes uncomfortably. Gu Lingze thought he was giving in and snorted with a hint of complacency.
"The Emperor has arrived——"
Everyone hurriedly stood up and saluted until the emperor and queen walked to their seats and sat down, then said, "Stand up."
As soon as everyone stood up, they heard Qi Junhuai and Qi Yuyao gasp at the same time.
Even Gu Lingze was surprised when he looked up. After all, the transformation of two "clay figures" into two young men with extraordinary looks had a great visual impact.
"Your Majesty, Father, you..." Qi Junhuai was at a loss for words and didn't know how to describe it.
One was handsome, the other was beautiful, both of them looked at them with smiles on their faces, and everyone was at a loss for a moment.
Xie Xiru was the first to come to his senses and knelt down to pay his respects: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, and Congratulations, Your Majesty."
Everyone bowed and congratulated each other. Qi Yuanjing and Ji Zixuan were in a good mood and asked everyone to stand up.
Qi Yuanjing hadn't felt so energetic for a long time. It was as if he was back to the time when he first got married. He felt refreshed all over. Especially since Zixian felt the same way, it made him even more satisfied.
"Gu Lingze, I am very grateful for your contribution of the immortal herbs. If you have any requests, please feel free to ask."
The emperor even used the word "grateful", which showed that he wanted to thank him from the bottom of his heart. Gu Lingze's eyebrows moved, and he was ready to lay out everything.
"I have mentioned the spiritual milk to His Majesty before. Although I have already taken the immortal grass, Master has a magical instrument that can continue to produce spiritual milk. Please allow me to use it at my own will."
Qi Yuanjing nodded, "I agree."
Ji Zixian said: "Lingze, can you prepare some for Jun Huai and Yu Yao to take."
Gu Lingze smiled and said, "Of course." Then he took out the jade bottle from the daytime and placed it on the table, "It's already been prepared."
Qi Junhuai and Qi Yuyao thanked him. The emperor was very pleased and ordered a banquet to be held.
Gu Lingze had long been curious about the imperial cuisine. After all, it was one of his goals as a foodie. Seeing that he had a good appetite, the Queen Mother asked the imperial kitchen to write a recipe for him to take back.
When they returned to the general's mansion, the moon was already at its zenith. Everyone had planned to go back to their rooms to rest, but unexpectedly Gu Lingze announced a piece of news that made everyone lose all sleepiness.
"I plan to go into seclusion in the mountains." In fact, he just wants to stay in the secret place during this period of time, and going to the mountains is just a cover.
Xie Qingwan immediately frowned in worry, "Do we have to go deep into the mountains? Can't we just stay at home?" The others looked at him with the same expression.
Gu Lingze held her hand and said, "Mom, my technique requires spiritual energy. The aura here is too complicated and not conducive to cultivation."
"Then what are you going to do with your meals during this time?"
Gu Lingze waved his hand casually, "It's okay. I'm used to it anyway." He used to bring fasting pills and bottled water with him when he went into seclusion. If someone came in and out to bring him food and water, it would affect his mood.
Xie Qingwan felt as if someone had twisted her heart hard. The image of Gu Lingze as a child appeared in front of her eyes. That little kid had nothing to eat or drink in the deep mountains and forests, and no one knew how much hardship he had endured.
"Mom, why are you crying?" Gu Lingze quickly raised his sleeves to wipe her tears.
Gu Tianhua came over, put his arm around Xie Qingwan's shoulders, and sighed at Gu Lingze.
"Dad is sorry for you."
Gu Lingze: ???
Gu Feirui came over and said, "Brother will go with you. I promise not to disturb you. I will hunt and fish for you every day. I will get you whatever you want to eat."
"Brother, I'm going on a retreat, not a spring outing, and you're still planning to feed me every day."
Gu Feirui nodded at him seriously, and Gu Lingze held his forehead with his hand.
"Don't you have to go to court?"
Gu Lingze looked at the other party's deflated look and felt a little amused.
"I promise, I will take good care of myself, you can wait for me at home without worry."
With his insistence, there was nothing the others could do. Xie Qingwan wiped away her tears and said, "I'll ask the kitchen to make you some easy-to-store dry food and jerky. You can take it with you before you leave."
Gu Lingze also wanted to reassure Xie Qingwan, but the surging energy in his body could not wait. Fortunately, he had previously refined the Qigong Pill and stored water in the secret realm.
"Mom, there's no need for all this. I will definitely go home early." After saying that, he glanced at Zhao Chengmo, turned around and walked out, disappearing into the night in the blink of an eye.
Gu Lingze's figure appeared in front of the door of the courtyard where he lived before. He flipped over and went in. Without turning on the lights in the room, he slipped directly into the secret realm.
Time passed in a flash. Gu Lingze stayed in there for a full half a month this time and finally stabilized his state of fourth level of Yang-nourishing.
He looked at the glowing iron tower on the altar, but did not rush to open it. He wanted to go home and take a look first.
As soon as Gu Lingze entered the room, he saw Qian Bo, who was also very excited to see him.
"Young Master, you are finally back!"
Gu Lingze smiled and nodded, "Thank you for your concern. Is everything okay at home?"
"Everything is fine, but everyone is looking forward to your return." Qian Bo walked in and chatted with him.
"The master and his men have gone to court, and the lady is in the yard."
Gu Lingze thanked Qian Bo and walked in.
When Mother Zhang saw him and was about to speak, Gu Lingze made a gesture to her. The other party immediately understood what she meant and nodded with a smile on her face.
When Gu Lingze pushed open the door, Xie Qingwan was holding a piece of clothing in her hand, thinking about something absentmindedly.
"Mom, I'm back."
When Xie Qingwan heard the voice, she immediately turned to look at him, and her eyes immediately turned red.
Xie Qingwan raised her hand and touched his face, "You've lost weight."
Gu Lingze smiled. Actually, he didn’t lose weight at all. It was just that his mother thought he was suffering outside so she had a psychological hint.
"Then I want to eat the yellow croaker stewed with tofu that my mother made. I've been craving it every day for the past half month."
Xie Qingwan nodded immediately and said, "Mom will make it for you in a moment." Then she picked up the clothes in her hand and compared them to him.
"It fits perfectly. This is the underwear I made for you."
Gu Lingze hugged Xie Qingwan and rubbed his face against her shoulder, "Mom is so good to me."
Xie Qingwan patted his back gently, and the warmth between mother and son was fully revealed at this moment.
At noon, Gu Lingze went to invite Mu Taoyuan's family to come over. Just as he helped everyone off the carriage, Gu Tianhua and his friends came over on horseback.
"Lingze, you're back." Gu Feirui looked at him excitedly, and Gu Lingze smiled and nodded at him.
Gu Tianhua walked up and patted him on the shoulder, then looked back at Zhao Chengmo.
Seeing this, the others went in first and Gu Feirui was also "forced" to be pulled away by Gu Xiuyi.
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