Chapter 64 Every family has its own troubles.
"Ding ding ding"
The golden bell flowers on the branches swayed gently, while beneath the tree, the cow lily hugged its knees, propped its chin on its hand, and stared ahead.
Two butterflies flitted among the weeds and wildflowers, lively and graceful, while a gray dragonfly beside them flicked its tail, looking rather dull and lifeless. Meanwhile, a cricket hopped about nearby, a praying mantis brandished its claws, and a bird in the distance waited alertly…
There's nothing to see; she's just spacing out.
On the other side of the distant hillside, Song Jin, chewing on grass roots, squatted on a rickety rock, staring bitterly at her old mother opposite her. She turned her head and squinted.
"What do you say, I'll go and beat that bastard up?"
Qi Zheng stood upright to one side, his shoulders straight and motionless, a stark contrast to Song Jin, who was squatting like a monkey. He remained silent in the face of her question, simply gazing thoughtfully at the mountainside covered in golden bell flowers.
This Jinling Mountain was mentioned by the Master when he was teaching him before.
This mountain, is it privately owned?
Song Jin didn't need him to say anything. After gritting her teeth and muttering something under her breath, she changed her posture and squatted down on one leg. The stones under her feet swayed, but she didn't care. She switched legs again.
Click
Once the rock detaches from the ground, it will roll down the slope with her.
"Hey hey hey"
Song Jin swayed, instinctively reaching out to grab something.
Qi Zheng's expression remained unchanged as he quietly watched her sway and wave her arms.
"cut"
The panic on Song Jin's face vanished instantly. She pouted, steadily hovering on the slope with the rock, then jumped off, kicked it away, and muttered at Qi Zheng.
You're really no fun.
Qi Zheng looked at her pursed lips, paused for a moment, and said, "It will hurt."
Song Jin's eyes darted around: "Hmm?"
Qi Zheng exposed her: "Falling will hurt. I practice martial arts, not iron smelting."
Song Jin muttered, "How can a grown person be afraid of pain? So delicate."
Qi Zheng remained silent.
If she's so capable, she should fall down herself.
Song Jinhu was a bit timid and wouldn't cause herself any trouble. She spat out the sweet grass root in her mouth, patted the broken leaves off her hands, looked at the gradually reddening sky, then gently kicked Qi Zheng, blinking her eyes to signal him to go and call for help.
He's a prince; his mother will definitely give him face.
But she really showed no respect. Qi Zheng vaguely remembered that even when she disliked him before, she still respectfully called him Prince Qi. Now, after only one day as a princess, she dared to kick him. In another two months, she'd probably take real action.
Qi Zheng sighed silently and walked towards Niu Tielan.
She sat curled up under the tree, her back slender, her black hair swaying in the wind, whispering tales of her sorrow. The swaying golden bell flowers became a backdrop, creating a picturesque scene from afar.
Unfortunately, his painting skills were very mediocre, and his poetry was practically nonexistent; it's hard to describe, I can only say one thing.
pretty
Qi Zheng stepped forward lightly, stood beside her, and looked at the gradually reddening sky, saying softly, "The sunset is beautiful, but Madam should also take care to keep warm."
Niu Tielan rested her chin on her knees, tilting her head slightly to look up at him.
From this perspective, her usual gentle and graceful demeanor vanished considerably, replaced by a more lively and dynamic presence, making her look remarkably similar to Song Jin.
She sighed, "I've made a fool of myself in front of His Highness Prince Qi."
Qi Zheng: "Madam, you're being too serious. Household matters are the norm; from large, prestigious families to humble thatched huts, every household has its own troubles."
Needless to say, the royal family is a force to be reckoned with; anyone who mentions them will surely have something to say about them.
Compared to the messy affairs of his family and other families in the capital, her little matter seemed like a publicity stunt.
He thought this, he said it, and he expressed it without any concealment.
From the moment they met, he had always been this honest, composed, upright, and magnanimous, just like the person she remembered in her youth. Only, the person in her memory was an act, while the prince before her was unmistakably real.
Looking into Qi Zheng's sincere eyes, Niu Tielan murmured, "That brat is still a bit like me."
Qi Zheng asked in confusion, "What did Madam say?"
Niu Tielan shook his head and sighed, "It's just amazing how blood ties can be so strong. Whether it's father and son or mother and daughter, there will always be similarities. His Majesty is a wise and benevolent ruler, and His Highness is also upright and strict. They will surely be able to stand on their own in the future."
Qi Zheng's expression instantly tightened: "Madam, please be careful what you say."
Seeing his reaction, Niu Tielan, contrary to his usual demeanor, chuckled and said, "What's there to be afraid of? No one else can hear us. Does Your Highness intend to punish me?"
"..."
A mother and daughter are a mother and daughter, after all.
Qi Zheng found it difficult to refute. After pausing for a while, he still said earnestly, "Although I am the Emperor's biological son, I grew up among the common people and know very little about national and family affairs. Moreover, my knowledge is shallow, so I am unsuitable in every respect."
Niu Tielan laughed: "You really think so?"
Qi Zheng nodded
He truly meant it; otherwise, he wouldn't have spent so much time pondering the correct route to escape the imperial city of Yong'an.
There's nothing I can do; I simply can't compete.
His ascension to the throne was as absurd as asking someone who had attended school for two years to take the imperial examination.
Niu Tielan found it amusing and retorted, "Then why do you think His Majesty brought you alone last night on the Mid-Autumn Festival?"
After considering the situation, Qi Zheng spoke tactfully: "I was lost when I was young and was only found at the beginning of the year. In addition, I look similar to my father, the Emperor, and am a bit taller. My father is particular about grandeur for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet."
Look at the fish in the lake, look at the flowers, look at the bright clothes and the procession.
Qi Zheng became more and more certain as he spoke, so certain that Niu Tielan couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh: "What you said makes some sense."
It's too early to talk about these things now. Even that debauched emperor of the previous dynasty, who indulged in debauchery day after day, lived to be nearly sixty years old before dying—and was beheaded by an external force.
Qi Ye, this wise ruler, is not swayed by women, nor does he recklessly seek elixirs of immortality. He is physically strong and robust; to say the least, he will easily live to be ten or eight years old. By then, this still-naive young man before him will be a completely different person.
...
"What are you whispering about behind my back, and why are you talking so enthusiastically about it?"
Seeing the two of them talking back and forth for ages without making a move, Song Jin couldn't help but run over and sit next to her mother, resting her head on her shoulder and looking at Qi Zheng suspiciously.
Is this person talking badly about her?
Niu Tielan had mostly recovered her composure. She gently squeezed Song Jin's hand, which was significantly larger than normal, and glanced at her lightly, saying, "I was discussing with His Highness Prince Qi which prince is the most handsome."
Song Jin suddenly realized what was going on and immediately joined in, speaking with great interest.
"First, let's rule out Prince Jin. He's not tall to begin with, his legs and body are the same length, and he talks like a parrot. Ugh, he's the most annoying one."
In the past, Niu Tielan would have stopped her from saying such outrageous things, but now, she simply asked softly, "And then?"
This attitude was a bit strange, but Song Jin didn't think much of it. After all, she was her own mother; would she deliberately try to harm her? At worst, she'd just get a couple of beatings. She was quite excited.
"Prince Gong is even worse off. He's quite old, but his belly looks like he's five months pregnant; it's painful to look at. Prince Li is barely acceptable, but he's a bit short. Princes An and Huai look like quails; being a prince is like walking on thin ice for them. As for the rest of those little brats, they haven't even grown their feathers yet..."
She gave a detailed evaluation of all the princes, from top to bottom.
Qi Zheng stared at her with his dark eyes the entire time, without saying a word.
But that doesn't mean she should remain completely silent.
Watching Song Jin rattle off her comments on everyone, then shut up and affectionately hugged Niu Tielan, completely ignoring the towering figure in front of her, who stood like a shade tree.
Qi Zheng began to feel sorry for the stone jade he had given away.
Although that thing wasn't very useful to him, it was palm-sized, made of both jade and gold. Even if he pawned it as ordinary jade after leaving the capital, it would be enough for him to live comfortably for half his life.
Now that it's been given away for free, not a single kind word has been spoken.
Not a single word
Qi Zheng stared at Song Jin expressionlessly, wanting to ask her if her conscience hurt, but he could only think about it. After a while, he suppressed his displeasure, withdrew his gaze, and spoke somewhat stiffly.
"The capital is full of gossips; it's best not to discuss such dangerous topics, lest they spread and cause trouble."
Song Qian hugged her mother, raised her head, and raised her eyebrows: "What, are you going to go back and complain?"
This appearance is at least seven-tenths similar to Niu Tielan from before.
Qi Zheng: "...It won't hurt to be more careful."
Song Jin gave a soft "oh," her phoenix eyes bright as she stared at him slowly and said, "Look at yourself, you're tall, sturdy, and not bad-looking, but you're like an old fogey. You're cautious about everything, and you're as timid as can be. You don't seem like someone who's been wandering the martial world for over ten years at all."
Although she focused on the latter half, the first half was indeed quite good.
Qi Zheng lowered his eyes slightly, speaking deliberately: "The more you see, the deeper you think."
Whether in the martial world or the imperial court, newcomers are always full of vigor and expectations, but as time goes on, they are gradually tempered and become filled with awe for people and things.
Qi Zheng was like that; he had seen too many people die over the years because of a single glance. It was never wrong to be cautious.
Song Qing glared at him: "Are you saying I'm all talk and no action?"
Qi Zheng: "...My hair should be longer than yours."
After all, he was considerably taller.
Song Jin pouted, reluctantly deciding not to argue with him. She hugged her mother and said in a low voice, "Mom, are you feeling better? It'll get chilly soon, why don't we go back and rest, and come again next time?"
Looking at the rising red glow in the sky, Niu Tielan felt a pang of melancholy: "Let's go."
Song Jin immediately patted himself down, pulled his mother to her feet, and carefully helped her walk back.
Their location was at the innermost and highest point of Jinding Mountain, where the scenery was the best, but it was much more secluded than the outside. One reason was that it wasn't as safe, and another was that ordinary people were afraid of offending important figures, so they mostly stayed in the more lively areas outside.
As they descended from the mountaintop, the number of people along the main and side roads gradually increased. Most of those out enjoying the scenery were families; young women were arm in arm with their mothers, young children were running around with rattles and cricket cages, and couples were smiling as they picked flowers…
Niu Tielan looked at those people, her eyes filled with melancholy and a hint of envy.
She said softly, "When your grandparents were still alive, they would take me out to play. I remember one year they made me a kite that was bigger than me. The kite's tail was so long that it looked like a phoenix when it hung in the sky. It even won first place in the kite competition that year."
Over the years, she rarely mentioned these past events, but Song Jin couldn't be happy. The smile on her face faded, and she clung tightly to her mother, whispering...
"Mother, if you don't want to talk about it, then don't."
Niu Tielan shook her head: "Actually, there's nothing I can't say, but I was young then and don't remember much. I only remember that your grandfather's surname was Ruan and your grandmother's surname was Li. When I was about four or five years old, your grandmother was kidnapped and her fate is unknown. Your grandfather was raising me alone, but he was also beaten to death after only two or three years. After that, I was taken away by someone."
Thinking of the women coming and going in the women's garden, she pursed her lips, and her eyes dimmed.
Back then, she was too busy to do anything but run away. Now, more than a decade has passed, and she wonders what that place has become.
Song Jin didn't ask where she was taken, but only said, "Mother, do you still remember where you were originally from? We'll go back and see later."
Niu Tielan sighed, "If I really remembered, I wouldn't have waited until now."
Song Jin comforted her, "Once you're better, we'll go and search for her one by one. I'll take Mother home."
Niu Tielan's expression softened. She reached out and straightened her wrinkled clothes, gently replying, "Okay, we'll go back together then."
Song Jin was satisfied, and the mother and daughter linked arms again, carefully walking down the mountain.
Qi Zheng followed behind them, and from a distance he could see the guards waiting above and below, as well as Qu Maoze standing with Li Qingshan, seemingly unaffected.
Putting everything else aside, this man's courage is truly extraordinary.
And so, they remain in the same place.
Qi Zheng shifted his gaze from him to Song Jin, and sure enough, her face had darkened, concealing a storm of rage that was about to erupt.
It was at this moment
The mother and daughter walked to the foot of the mountain
Song Jin released Niu Tielan and ran straight towards Qu Maoze. She clenched her fists; the fists didn't seem big, but the power of a single punch was no less than that of Hu Wuzi's earlier punch.
Qi Zheng stood still, carefully observing Qu Maoze's expression.
A smile played on his lips, as if he couldn't see Song Jin's raised fist. He stood there calmly and steadily, his hands relaxed, without making any small movements.
Is she certain he can catch her attack at the last second, or is she betting that she won't be able to land that punch?
Just as Song Jin's fist was about to smash into someone's head
Niu Tielan's calm voice came through: "Song Jinjin"
Song Jin froze instantly, as if struck by lightning, her entire body stiffening like a stone statue. She could actually shatter stone with a single punch. It took her a while to reluctantly withdraw her hand, grinding her teeth, before glancing at Qu Maoze's smiling face.
She reached out and shoved the person hard.
Qu Maoze stumbled, but with a few simple movements, he easily regained his balance. Far from being angry, he looked at the furious Song Jin with a smile, genuinely moved.
"Jin Jin is really strong!"
Song Jin was disgusted. She shivered, rubbed her hands vigorously on her clothes, and cursed as she moved away from this pervert.
Niu Tielan sighed softly
Judging from that man's behavior over this period, one can see his deep thoughts. It would be strange if his daughter, with her empty head, could outsmart him.
As for taking action, forget it. She's afraid her daughter will get struck by lightning; there's no need for that.
Niu Tielan stopped giving Qu Maoze a look. She pulled Song Jin aside and said to Qi Zheng, "Your Highness, please take your leave here. My daughter and I will just take a ride back."
Qi Zheng: "Madam and Princess are delicate and it's inconvenient for them to travel by carriage. Why don't you come back with me?"
Niu Tielan glanced at Qu Maoze, but quickly looked away, lowering her eyes: "It might be inconvenient for strange men and women to ride in the same car."
This person is right. She is cold-hearted and ruthless. She feels immense regret at the sight of him still alive, so much so that she would rather squeeze into a crowded oxcart in the cold wind than travel with him.
Qi Zheng pondered for a moment: "Young Master Qu is strong and healthy. Since he was able to defeat that Wu Zi, he probably wouldn't mind walking back himself."
Upon hearing this, Song Jin immediately gave him an approving look.
As expected of her newly made friend, she has good judgment.
Niu Tielan smiled slightly and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Your Highness, Prince Qi."
Qi Zheng nodded: "You're too kind, Madam."
So the three of them turned and walked towards the carriage. As for Qu Maoze...
They were just random strangers with amnesiac memories, people they didn't know.
Qu Maoze, who had been eavesdropping for a while: ...
How heartless!
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