After a few days of brief celebration in Licheng, Gu Qingyan decided to seize all the land south of the Mi River in one fell swoop.
With Gu Qingling captured, Gu Qingyan's path to recapture the city became incredibly smooth.
These cities that had originally submitted to Gu Qingling were as fragile as paper. Gu Qingyan only needed to touch them lightly, and the prefects of these cities would immediately kneel down and beg for mercy.
In mid-to-late May, the young emperor raised his arms and shouted, and Daqing was finally restored to its complete form.
After fighting his way to Lingzhou, Gu Qingyan met Jiang He, whom he hadn't seen for several months.
"uncle."
Gu Qingyan waved his hands vigorously. In just a few months, Jiang He seemed to have gained a sense of detachment from worldly affairs.
"Congratulations on recapturing the area south of the Mi River."
Jiang He wanted to reach out and rub Gu Qingyan's head, but he hesitated because there were people around and he had to put his hands down. After all, he was an emperor with authority and had to consider the child's feelings.
Gu Qingyan's eyes were sparkling as he almost ran to Jiang He.
"Uncle, it's been a long time."
Gu Lin, standing to the side, narrowed his eyes to slits. Why was this kid so affectionate towards Jiang He?
He usually acts all proper in front of me, but when he sees Jiang He, he runs away as soon as they meet?
Ignoring Gu Lin's anger, Gu Qingyan held a jade pendant in his hand and handed it to Jiang He with both hands, "Uncle, Mother asked me to give this to you. She said that if I can conquer Lingzhou, I will give this to you."
Jiang He reached out and took the jade pendant. It was warm and smooth to the touch, carved from a piece of fine warm jade.
"This is?"
Jiang He looked at the jade pendant from left to right, feeling that it looked familiar, but at the same time he couldn't quite place it.
Gu Qingyan smiled mysteriously, tiptoed and whispered in Jiang He's ear, "This is a gift that the Empress Dowager gave to Aunt Bai for her coming-of-age ceremony."
Jiang He's eyes narrowed sharply. Was it Bai Qian's?
"It wasn't my mother who told me to give this to you, Uncle; it was Aunt Bai."
In an instant, dazzling fireworks bloomed in Jiang He's mind.
That evening, at Jiang He's residence, Gu Qingyan secretly took a sip of fruit wine for the first time.
Gu Lin and Jiang He exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with helpless indulgence, and pretended not to see as Gu Qingyan secretly drank.
"Ayan, next month will be your twelfth birthday." Jiang He had drunk several glasses of wine, and his face was already slightly tipsy. "Last year you turned ten, and this year you're turning twelve. You're the first one to do so. Are you happy?"
"Happy."
Gu Qingyan took another sip of fruit wine. "I've finally regained my identity, Uncle. I'm truly happy."
For the eleven years prior to his son's birthday and his mother's day of suffering, he had lived in a daze.
Now, he has finally taken back what is rightfully his.
“Uncle, strictly speaking, I’ve never celebrated my birthday.” Gu Qingyan pouted. “They all bully me. Last year, my father cooked me a bowl of longevity noodles, but that wasn’t my birthday. It was a fabricated date.”
Gu Qingyan felt extremely wronged, his eyes turning as red as a rabbit's.
"Did he cook longevity noodles for you?"
Seeing Gu Lin's face so dark it was almost reflective, Jiang He raised an eyebrow. A perfectly healthy father was sitting right there, but his own son was completely ignoring him.
It was as if they hadn't seen Gu Lin drinking here either.
Gu Qingyan nodded. "He clearly knew that I was his son, but he still pretended to be Huo Xiang to get close to me and deceive my feelings."
"What he did was definitely wrong."
Jiang He suppressed a laugh; it turned out that Ayan was so adorable when he was drunk.
“But he’s been very good to me and Mother now, and Mother is starting to forgive him.” Gu Qingyan’s head drooped like a chick pecking at rice. “But if Mother doesn’t forgive him, I won’t pay any attention to him. I will always stand by Mother’s side.”
"Uncle, I wish I could grow up faster."
Gu Qingyan then lay on Jiang He's lap, "Uncle, Mother suffered too many grievances, and... and was even killed by Gu Qingling. I want to kill Gu Qingling."
"Killed by Gu Qingling?"
Jiang He gripped Gu Qingyan's hand tightly, causing Gu Qingyan to sit up straight in pain, his eyes glazed over.
The next second, Jiang He's sharp gaze fell on Gu Lin, "What did A Yan mean just now?"
What do you mean by saying that Ayu was killed by Gu Qingling?
Gu Lin glanced at his son, who was already drunk and unconscious, and sighed silently. "Qin Wei, take Ayan back first."
Upon hearing this, Qin Wei immediately tried to help Gu Qingyan up, but to no avail, so he simply carried Gu Qingyan on his back.
Gu Lin and Jiang He were left sitting facing each other in the courtyard.
......
"Qin Wei..."
Gu Qingyan's voice rang out, and Qin Wei paused in his tracks. "Your Majesty, is there anything you wish to instruct this servant?"
"I'm not drunk."
Gu Qingyan chuckled. "I'm actually not drunk."
As Gu Qingyan's tongue began to tie itself in knots while speaking, Qin Wei helplessly replied, "Your Majesty is not drunk."
People who are truly drunk will only say that they are not drunk.
Even Qin Wei himself didn't realize the curve of his lips and the subtle smile in his eyes.
“When I saw my uncle again, he seemed unhappy.” Gu Qingyan rested his chin on Qin Wei’s shoulder. “He wasn’t as happy as when he was fighting on the battlefield.”
Qin Wei pursed his lips. "His Majesty hopes that Marquis Dingyuan will be happy."
Gu Qingyan nodded. "I hope everyone is happy. Qin Wei, I hope you are happy too."
Instantly, a sour and astringent feeling spread throughout Qin Wei's internal organs.
"This servant is so honored that His Majesty remembers him."
"No, you are not a slave."
Gu Qingyan wrapped his arms tightly around Qin Wei's neck, "Uncle Qin, you've long been like family to me."
Qin Wei abruptly stopped, his eyes revealing immense shock.
"Uncle Qin, why aren't you leaving?"
"Yes, we will take His Majesty back to rest."
Under the moonlight, a tear slid down Qin Wei's cheek and fell silently to the ground.
According to blood ties and seniority, Gu Qingyan should call him uncle.
Qin Wei took Gu Qingyan back to the courtyard where they lived, and gently took off Gu Qingyan's shoes and socks. After watching Gu Qingyan fall asleep, Qin Wei left the house.
Recalling the words "Uncle Qin" and "family," Qin Wei even felt a lump in his throat.
Have you ever personally raised a flower? From the moment it withered and swayed, almost dying, you protected it little by little, watched it grow, and were willing to sacrifice your own life to protect it.
When it grows into the king of flowers and amazes everyone, will you feel genuinely proud?
Can you really bear to kill this flower with your own hands?
Qin Wei chuckled self-deprecatingly and turned to look again in the direction of Gu Qingyan's house.
That's enough, that's enough.
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