The next day.
When Guan Zhiyue woke up, the sun was already high in the sky; Li An had already left in the morning.
Originally, Guan Chengheng was also supposed to return to the capital with them, but Li An told him to stay behind to protect the Empress, while he himself led a group of men and left with Ji Shang and the others.
---
"My dear sister, get up quickly! The sun is already high in the sky!" Guan Chengheng stood in front of the screen and started yelling at the top of his lungs.
Guan Zhiyue opened her eyes groggily and said in a slightly slurred voice, "Ah, is it so late? Then I'll get up!"
"You should be more careful. Why don't you write a letter back to the capital and bring Bilian and Changle here?" Guan Chengheng said.
Guan Zhiyue thought for a moment. She had another daughter, but it would be good to bring her along. It could improve the relationship between mother and daughter, wouldn't that be nice?
"Great! I suppose the little ones should be able to jump around on the ground by now. It's good to let them come and experience the sea."
"It's fine to stay with her mother and wait for her father."
Guan Chengheng found this topic difficult to answer, so he simply replied, "Get up quickly, there's some seafood porridge on the table outside for you, it's very delicious."
"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Second Brother."
Guan Zhiyue got up and combed her hair and did her things all by herself without any delay.
*****
Li Qiji and his companions continued to drift at sea. Occasionally, seagulls would fly by in the sky, making "coo-coo" sounds. Standing on the deck, they gazed into the distance.
It was as if the sea and the sky were echoing each other, and as if Li Qiji was echoing Guan Zhiyue in the distance.
But only the two of them know about this feeling, and only the two of them can understand it.
"Alas, our Emperor is missing the Empress again," Ji Wu said to Guan Chengzhuo, who was also standing to the side.
Guan Chengzhuo had never been in a relationship, so he didn't quite understand what it felt like, nor did he understand why the Emperor was like this. However, seeing how much the Emperor missed his sister, he was happy for her.
After all, his daughter has finally gotten over her hardships.
"Young General, you're not getting any younger. Aren't you planning to find someone?" Ji Wu crossed his arms, holding his sword in front of his chest, and glanced at Guan Chengzhuo.
Guan Chengzhu rolled his eyes at Ji Wu, then said, "Lord Ji Wu, you're not young anymore, why don't you say you're going to find someone?"
Ji Wu quickly jumped back to separate them, and hurriedly retorted, "I am here to serve the Emperor, how can I be entangled in such matters of personal affection?"
Guan Chengzhu curled his lip and said dismissively, "I heard that when Lord Jiwu was in the capital, he was fawning over a certain maid."
"And besides... this head maid is actually from our General's Mansion..."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wu quickly stepped forward and covered Guan Chengzhuo's mouth, his face fierce. "Young General, you can't say such things carelessly. Those are baseless rumors. How can you spread them and ruin the young lady's reputation?"
"Oh, oh, oh, I say, Lord Jiwu, get your filthy hands off me! Our Bilian is someone we've watched grow up since she was little. When my mother was still alive, she said she wanted to adopt Bilian as her daughter!" Guan Chengzhuo slapped Jiwu's hand away, looking disgusted.
Ji Wu straightened up, picked up the sword from the ground, and then said, "Is that really so?"
"That's absolutely right!"
"Then why weren't they collected?"
"Because my mother passed away!"
Ji Wu: ...
"And what about Lord Guan? Does he intend to take her as his daughter?" Ji Wu continued to inquire.
After all, his status and position were undeniable. He was a first-rank imperial bodyguard, a position equivalent to a third-rank official!
He has the ability to marry a noblewoman, even though she is a servant. The emperor said that if they get married, he will be freed from his status as a servant.
If Bilian could become Lord Guan's daughter, wouldn't he be able to marry her?
After Ji Wu figured it out, a glint of light flashed in his eyes as he looked at Guan Chengzhuo.
"Don't look at me with that disgusting gaze, it makes me feel nauseous!" Guan Chengzhuo retorted directly.
Ji Wu said dismissively, "Young General, aren't we good friends?" As he spoke, he put his arm around Guan Chengzhuo's shoulder, putting his arm around him.
"If you have something to say, just say it. What's the point of all this? It's a bit baffling."
Ji Wu hooked his arm around Guan Chengzhuo's neck, raised an eyebrow at him, and then said, "Shall we go find Lord Guan together?"
"What do you want with my father?"
"Hehe, of course it's a good thing, what do you think?"
Guan Chengzhuo was led away by Ji Wu with his arm around his neck. Li Qiji, who was on the deck the whole time, did not turn his head once, but he heard the conversation between the two and a smile appeared on his lips.
"Hey, sometimes fools have all the luck. Didn't they even ask the girl what she wanted?"
Li Qiji sighed and shook his head.
Besides, he's an emperor; if he says he'll bestow a marriage upon him, what can others say?
Or perhaps we've truly put the cart before the horse.
----
Ji Wu and Guan Chengzhuo entered the cabin and found Guan Hongsheng's location. Ji Wu nervously released Guan Chengzhuo's neck, nudged him with his lips, and gestured for him to knock on the door.
Guan Chengzhu rolled his eyes, but still helplessly raised his hand and tapped.
Who is it?
"Father, it's me!"
"Cheng Zhuo, wait a moment, I'll open the door for you."
Guan Hongsheng got off the bed, walked to the door, and opened the cabin door, where a strong smell of alcohol wafted out.
"Dad, have you been drinking?"
"Yes, I had a little to drink. Ji Wu was there too!"
"Lord Marquis!" Ji Wu greeted, clasping his hands in greeting.
Guan Hongsheng waved his hand and said, "It is the Emperor who summons me. What is it about?"
Ji Wu waved his hand repeatedly and then said, "I have a favor to ask of you!" Guan Hongsheng became interested upon hearing this and invited him into the house.
The three men entered the house. After Ji Wu explained his purpose, he looked at Guan Hongsheng with a nervous expression.
Guan Hongsheng then smiled and said, "Lord Jiwu, we'll only find out about this if we survive and get back alive."
Ji Wu then smiled and said, "I believe we can all return safely."
Yes, we can all!
"Alright, I'll agree to your request. If I can really go back, I'll shamelessly go to the Empress to discuss this matter."
With Guan Hongsheng's guarantee, Ji Wu felt that he had it all under control. Instantly, he felt his status had been elevated, his back straightened, and he realized that he would soon be a man with a wife.
However, back in the capital, Bilian, who was tending to Xiao Changle and crawling around on the mat in the courtyard, sneezed violently twice.
"Aunt Bilian, have you caught a cold? Let me help you," a young maid said.
Bilian shook her head and then said, "It's alright. When I'm with the little princess, I feel like I'm still by the Empress's side."
The young maid standing to the side said nothing more. After all, she was a newly transferred maid who had never served the Empress before, so she didn't really understand that feeling.
Chang Le stood to the side, grinning from ear to ear, drooling with delight...
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