Gu Lin arrived in the capital the day before Gu Qingyan's birthday.
"cousin!"
As soon as Jiang Yao saw Gu Qingyan, she snuggled into Gu Lin's arms. But when Gu Qingyan actually reached out to take Jiang Yao, she snuggled back into Gu Lin's arms, only showing her bottom to Gu Qingyan.
"I want my uncle to hold me!"
Gu Qingyan's smile froze instantly, and his gaze toward Gu Lin held a hint of hostility. "I thought Father Emperor wouldn't be able to make it to my birthday celebration."
Thud—
Gu Qingyan was flicked hard on the forehead, and he immediately covered his head and accused, "You're so disrespectful to your elders!"
Upon seeing this, Jiang Yao in his arms immediately let out a silvery laugh.
Gu Lin glanced at Gu Qingyan and slowly headed towards Zhaoning Palace. "I'll be staying at Zhaoning Palace for the next few days. You can find somewhere to stay yourself, or if you don't mind, you can stay with me at Zhaoning Palace."
Watching Gu Lin leave triumphantly, Gu Qingyan stomped his feet in anger.
“Uncle, every time he comes back he takes over Zhaoning Palace. Is that reasonable?” Looking at Gu Qingyan’s exasperated appearance, Jiang He’s eyes were full of smiles. Only when Gu Lin came back would Ayan truly act like a child.
"Let's go, let's follow them and see."
Gu Qingyan showed a defiant expression, but obediently followed Gu Lin's figure.
Even Yingzhi, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but lower his head to hide his smile. His Majesty, he had been looking forward to the return of the Emperor Emeritus for a long time.
Zhaoning Palace.
Gu Lin placed Jiang Yao on a small blanket and took out many toys for her. Jiang Yao was immediately captivated and obediently sat on the blanket to play, muttering in a childish voice.
The atmosphere on the other side was clearly not so relaxed.
"I discovered some anomalies at the foot of Fushan Cliff a few days ago."
Upon hearing Gu Lin's words, Gu Qingyan and Jiang He's expressions instantly turned serious. It had been four years since Jiang Yu fell off the cliff, and in those four years, they had found nothing.
Everyone's hopes are slowly being extinguished.
“There’s been a severe drought lately. I went to take a look the other day, and the water level below Fushan Cliff had dropped by a full three feet,” Jiang He said softly. “But was it because of this drop of three feet that we discovered the anomaly?”
In fact, Jiang He's palms were sweating. He was both looking forward to news about Jiang Yu and afraid of hearing about her.
Gu Lin nodded. "I found this on the bank after the water receded."
Gu Lin took out a small piece of refined iron, and Gu Qingyan's eyes narrowed sharply. "How come there's refined iron there?"
Without iron mines, where can refined iron be smelted?
"So I checked along the flooded area again. Decades ago, the Qin family abandoned an iron mine upstream of the flood."
Gu Lin turned the small piece of refined iron around. "Also, I found some traces of strange and hidden techniques at the bottom of Fushan Cliff."
"Fushan Cliff was just a cliff without a name before, so why are there so many things related to aristocratic families at the bottom?" Gu Qingyan's brows were so furrowed that a fly could be trapped between them.
Gu Lin snorted coldly, "Fushan Cliff has always been within the territory of the Great Wei. It is unknown whether the Wei Emperor knows about these things. However, I think that if Ayu is still alive, she is very likely already in the hands of the aristocratic families."
Gu Lin's words silenced everyone present.
Ultimately, they still refused to believe that Jiang Yu was dead. With so many clues related to aristocratic families found at the foot of the cliff, they naturally wanted to investigate the aristocratic families.
“I have a feeling that Ayu is in their hands.”
Gu Lin spoke again, emphasizing the point, and in an instant, both Gu Qingyan and Jiang He felt their eyes welling up with tears.
"Can......"
Jiang He only managed to utter one word before Gu Lin interrupted him.
“When Ayu was trapped in Fushan Village for several days, the aristocratic families may have received the news and made arrangements in advance at the foot of Fushan Cliff, and then quickly took her away after Ayu fell off the cliff.” Gu Lin’s voice was urgent. “This is the only possibility.”
"Because we went down to look for A-Yu almost immediately, but there was no trace of A-Yu."
“Father is right,” Gu Qingyan said slowly. “It just so happens that all the noble families have returned to celebrate my birthday, which is a good opportunity to gather information.”
"It's not about spying, it's about waiting for them to slip up."
......
late at night.
Gu Qingyan chased after him relentlessly, but to no avail. Finally, he angrily grabbed his pillow and ran to Zhaoning Palace, muttering to himself all the way: Why should I leave just because he comes?
Let's sleep together then!
The candles in Zhaoning Palace hadn't gone out yet, and Gu Lin seemed to be deliberately waiting for Gu Qingyan.
"What's wrong? Can't sleep?"
Wearing his pajamas, Gu Lin put down the book in his hand and moved aside for Gu Qingyan.
"I didn't come here specifically to see you. I'm just used to living in Zhaoning Palace." Gu Qingyan was pulled down by Gu Lin as he stepped over him. "You brat, where did you learn this bad habit of saying one thing and meaning another?"
"Let me go! You ambushed me!" Gu Qingyan laughed and teased Gu Lin, his strength almost matching Gu Lin's. "After today, I'll be sixteen. I'm an adult now, so don't even think about bullying me."
The father and son were having a great time.
After an incense stick had burned, the two lay panting on the bed.
"Gu Qingyan, don't you think what I said during the day was absurd?"
Like a madman.
Gu Qingyan shook his head. "I don't think it's absurd, Father. I really believe that Mother is still alive."
In his previous life, after his mother died, his blood was cold and he had no desire to live at all.
But not now, his blood is hot.
“There are so many things related to aristocratic families at the foot of Fushan Cliff, and Mother has been missing for four years.” Gu Qingyan’s voice was soft but firm. “Mother wouldn’t stop looking for us for no reason, unless she was unable to come to us.”
“Da Yu is growing stronger and stronger and has begun to threaten their aristocratic families. Otherwise, they wouldn’t all have come to Da Yu for your birthday.”
A fierce glint appeared in Gu Lin's eyes. "If it really is in the hands of a powerful family, Ayan, they will come to us to negotiate terms."
"What if there isn't one?"
"Then we'll force them to come and negotiate with us."
Gu Qingyan's eyes lit up upon hearing this, "Is Father Emperor planning to stay in the capital for a while?"
“I went to Fushan Cliff to find your mother. Now that I’ve found some clues, I’ll naturally stay here.” Gu Lin patted Gu Qingyan’s shoulder. “It’s getting late, go to sleep.”
Gu Qingyan only opened his eyes after hearing Gu Lin's steady breathing, his eyes showing no trace of sleepiness.
Gu Qingyan tiptoed around and looked at Gu Lin, gently brushing Gu Lin's white hair aside.
Mother, are Father and I about to find you?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com