Lord Yu was fifty-eight years old, with gray hair and a hunched back.
The moment Song Yaozhu saw him, she couldn't help but feel her heart surge with emotion, and she almost couldn't hold back her tears.
But she took a few deep breaths and gritted her teeth to calm herself down.
"This gentleman is too kind of you. I really can't accept it. Please get up." With that, she personally bent down and helped the man up. Where no one else could see, she gently patted Yu Gong's arm twice.
"His Highness only said that a meritorious official had returned today, but did not introduce him to me. May I ask who you are...?" She hesitated, glancing around at the people before her gaze fell on Ji Ming's face.
Ji Ming had no choice but to step forward and say, "Your Highness, this is Duke Yu, an old man of our Prince's Mansion. He was sent out by the Prince to handle some business some time ago and was gone for two or three years. Now that the business is finished, he has returned."
"Lord Yu, this is our Princess Consort." After saying that, he pulled Lord Yu aside and whispered, "Although the Princess Consort looks a lot like the late Empress, their ages don't match. Don't mistake her for your master!"
They all knew he was the late empress's man, and Yu Gong's feelings for the late empress were so deep that they were ashamed of them—they had never seen such a loyal servant!
There was only pure emotion, and no self-interest whatsoever!
Yu Gong wiped away his tears with his sleeve, bowed to Song Yaozhu, and said in a muffled voice, "Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness."
Song Yaozhu took out a prepared red envelope and handed it to him, "Sir, you have worked hard. This is a small token of our appreciation from the Prince and myself. I have had the courtyard tidied up for you and have also prepared a banquet to welcome you. Why don't you take a bath first, and we can have a proper chat at the banquet?"
Everyone agreed, and they dispersed, waiting to continue their conversation at the luncheon.
Song Yaozhu went to the flower hall in the backyard and dismissed everyone. A quarter of an hour later, Yu Gong entered and was about to bow when Song Yaozhu stopped him.
"Lord Yu, please don't do this!" Her voice choked with emotion as she looked at Lord Yu, whose hair was now completely white, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
Yu Gong was her wet nurse's husband; he was originally a stable boy in the Xie family. As a servant of the Xie family, he had the opportunity to read and write and knew many principles. However, he was very stubborn and only believed in one principle, which is why her father called him "Stubborn Man".
After she left the Xie family, Yu Gong and her wet nurse worked for her. She felt that Yu Gong was loyal and devoted, and although he was stubborn, he was a very trustworthy person. So she changed her name from "Yu" to "Yu".
He had followed her for over a decade, watching her grow up. His wife and children had all died saving her, and their relationship had long since transcended that of a simple master and servant.
"Miss!" Lord Yu cried, tears streaming down his face. "This old servant never imagined that I would have the chance to see you again in this lifetime!"
After chatting for a while, Song Yaozhu asked him, "How did you recognize me at a glance, Lord Yu?"
Yu Gong paused in wiping his eyes, his old eyes filled with tears: "Even if Miss were burned to ashes, I would still recognize you!"
"Oh, so you're saying that Lord Yu recognized that the body that Brother Li escorted back to his hometown wasn't mine?" Song Yaozhu teased him deliberately.
Yu Gong stiffened, and said rather awkwardly, "Even with your fever so high, this old servant still couldn't recognize you."
Song Yaozhu giggled. Yu Gong was too honest, and it was fun to tease him.
"Lord Yu has grown old."
Yu Gong sighed, "Yes, she is not like Miss, who is still in the prime of her youth."
Song Yaozhu paused for a moment, thinking that Yu Gong's words sounded fine, but upon closer examination, they seemed to have a hint of sarcasm in them.
"Lord Yu is much better at responding to questions now than before."
"Sigh, there's no other way, I have to make a living under Young Master Li! You don't know, you'll know once you leave, how difficult Young Master Li is to serve!"
Yu Gong and Song Yaozhu talked for a while before Yu Gong got up and left to rest in the courtyard.
After he left, Song Yaozhu quietly drank tea alone, her mind filled with complicated thoughts.
The grief that Yu Gong conveyed in Xie Liwei was hysterical. Her death had drastically changed his personality, and in his conflict with Yuwen Wuji, he had even resorted to desperate measures, attempting mutual destruction on several occasions.
She was heartbroken that Xie Liwei had become like this, but she also felt that something was wrong.
Yu Gong knew her; she cared about her family. Yet today, most of his words revolved around Xie Liwei, with almost no mention of her father.
This only proves one thing: what he said after seeing me today was at someone's behest.
Who could give Yu Gong such instructions?
Apart from Xie Liwei, probably no one else could do this.
Song Yaozhu stood up abruptly. Yu Gong recognized her at a glance, but what about Xie Liwei? Could it be that Xie Liwei had already recognized her?
No, no, if he recognized me, why wouldn't he acknowledge me?
They were siblings with a deep bond. She didn't acknowledge Xie Liwei because her current status was awkward. If she rashly revealed her identity, it would only arouse Xie Liwei's suspicion. Perhaps as soon as she said "I am Xie Wanqing," Xie Liwei would kill her.
Secondly, if she were to acknowledge Xie Liwei as her father, he would also have to bear the burden of her hatred. She didn't want to do that.
She had a legitimate reason not to acknowledge him, but Xie Liwei did not.
Therefore, if he recognizes me, he will definitely acknowledge me.
Thinking about her behavior after her rebirth, she had never deliberately concealed it, which was probably her old habits that aroused Xie Liwei's suspicion.
Yu Gong was a pawn that Xie Liwei deliberately sent to test her.
Thinking this through, Song Yaozhu went to confirm with Yu Gong again when it was time to eat. Yu Gong's eyes welled up with tears once more, "This old servant swears to defend this secret to the death!"
Song Yaozhu was finally reassured.
It's good that Xie Liwei didn't recognize him.
Otherwise, given their relationship, having already slept in the same bed, how awkward would that be!
That evening, Xie Liwei received a reply from the Prince's manor at the estate. After reading the letter, he threw it into the charcoal brazier.
"You sent Yu Gong to her place? What are you up to, kid? You're not thinking of using a stand-in, are you?" Xie Mingyue used fire tongs to stir sweet potatoes in the brazier. "We don't do that kind of thing. Sleeping with one while thinking about another, aren't you busy?!"
Xie Liwei: "......"
I really want to pull a roasted sweet potato out of the brazier and shut him up!
Half of the reason he's so sarcastic is because of Xie Mingyue!
"Is there something wrong at your residence?" Xie Lu asked.
"It's nothing." Xie Liwei stood up and walked to the large elm wood table, which was covered with manuscript papers. "How many copies still need to be revised?"
"That's about it." Xie Lu held a teacup in one hand and a policy essay in the other. He clicked his tongue and said, "Sigh, it's all just empty talk that the emperor likes to read. It's boring. I've had enough of these kinds of students these past few years. If I can teach a few different kinds this year, I'll teach them to do real work!"
"Uncle will surely get what he wants! Have a sweet potato!" Xie Mingyue chuckled.
"You yourself can't even do anything practical, yet you expect your students to do it? You're really dreaming," an elder complained.
Attorney Xie: "..."
Xie Liwei: The poison in Xiejiazui is hereditary.
Xie Lu sighed. Corruption permeated the entire Chen Dynasty; officials were selected based solely on family background, not ability. Those in power preferred those with impressive writing skills to those with genuine practical abilities.
"The task is arduous and the road ahead is long; the capable should bear more responsibility!" Chief Xie patted his chest and comforted himself, "We just need to do our duty, teach and nurture students well, and sooner or later we will produce someone extraordinary!"
Many promising young talents from the Xie family academy have emerged, but once they enter officialdom and spend years navigating the treacherous waters of politics, few retain their original aspirations.
"The exam is next month, are you ready?"
To ensure students are in top form for the exams, Da Chen has scheduled the spring examinations for early March, a time of warm spring weather and blooming flowers, symbolizing that the students will also flourish.
"Ready?" Xie Liwei tossed his long hair behind his ear. "I guarantee I'll put on a good show and satisfy that dog emperor."
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