Chen Xiao coughed lightly, the crisp sound like a sharp arrow piercing through the silence that filled the palace, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Her expression was solemn, as if she were carrying a heavy burden. She slowly looked at Qi Qing and asked, "General Qi, do you remember if that child had any birthmarks or other special marks?"
The voice was steady and clear, echoing in every inch of the palace air, carrying a hint of barely perceptible anticipation and tension.
Qi Qing was as if a sudden burst of bright light had illuminated a hidden corner of his memory. He was jolted and said hurriedly, "Yes, there is one! There is a small red birthmark on A Qi's right arm, shaped like a crescent moon. The appearance of that birthmark has been in my mind for so many years and has never been blurred for a moment."
He spoke very quickly, his words filled with barely suppressed excitement and urgency, his hands trembling slightly as if trying to grasp at the hope that was about to surface.
Feng Li stood there quietly, his posture like a lone tree trembling slightly in the cold wind, somewhat stiff.
Her hands seemed to be driven by an invisible force, unconsciously gripping the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. This subtle movement revealed her inner tension and helplessness without reservation.
Her gaze seemed to be drawn by an invisible thread, fixed on Qi Qing. Her eyes were filled with confusion, surprise, and an indescribable expectation, which flickered and shone in the depths of her eyes.
Her lips trembled slightly, as if a thousand words were surging in her throat, wanting to say something, but the sudden situation choked her, leaving her only able to let the complex emotions surge within her.
Upon seeing this, Qi Qing seemed to be frozen in place, like a petrified statue, with only his slightly trembling hands revealing the surging excitement in his heart.
His eyes were fixed on Feng Li, his gaze a mixture of shock and disbelief, as well as deep longing and affection.
The vicissitudes of time are like a merciless carving knife, etching deep marks on his face. These marks are now even more obvious, and each wrinkle seems to tell the story of his pain and torment in searching for his daughter in vain over the years. Every wrinkle is filled with his endless longing and guilt for his daughter.
For a moment, the entire palace seemed to be shrouded in a veil of tranquility, and there was complete silence. Everyone's eyes darted back and forth between Qi Qing and Feng Li, and no one dared to breathe loudly, for fear that the slightest movement or sound would disturb the couple who might soon recognize each other.
The air was thick with tension and anticipation, so intense it almost felt tangible. Only the bubbling of the hot pot broth and the rich aroma of milk tea reminded everyone that this was supposed to be a joyous gathering.
At this moment, the joyful atmosphere has been replaced by this sudden emotional upheaval.
After a long while, Feng Li seemed to slowly awaken from a deep dream. She took a deep breath, the breath trembling slightly in her chest, and mustered her courage to say softly, "General, I have heard about the past you mentioned. My mother was also named A Qi, and she did have a crescent-shaped birthmark on her right arm. Not only that, I also have one on my right arm."
Her voice trembled slightly, yet it was like a shooting star in the night sky, clearly passing by everyone's ears and echoing throughout the palace.
Qi Qing's body jolted as if struck by an electric current, and a glimmer of hope instantly ignited in his eyes, a light as bright and dazzling as a star in the night sky.
His lips parted slightly, as if countless words were leaping on his tongue, wanting to say something, but were instantly overwhelmed by the tide of his excited emotions.
After calming himself down, he said in a slightly hoarse but expectant voice, "Child, let me see you."
The voice seemed to be squeezed out with difficulty from the depths of the soul, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.
Feng Li slowly raised her right hand, her fingers as if covered by a thin layer of frost. She trembled slightly as she untied the ribbon of her sleeve. The ribbon swayed slightly at her fingertips, as if it could also sense the turmoil in her heart.
She gently rolled up her sleeve, revealing the crescent-shaped birthmark. In the soft light of the palace, the birthmark resembled a piece of warm, lustrous red jade, radiating a faint glow.
Qi Qing's gaze was instantly drawn to the birthmark. His eyes reddened instantly, and tears welled up in them. Those tears carried a father's deep longing and concern for his daughter, as well as his boundless love for Feng Li, who might be his granddaughter.
The emotions contained in those tears were so intense that they almost tinged the surrounding air with a faint sadness.
"Child, you are my granddaughter!" Qi Qing could no longer suppress the volcanic emotions erupting within him. He staggered forward a few steps, his steps slightly unsteady.
Her hands rested lightly on Feng Li's arms, as if they were the most precious treasures in the world, as if they were afraid that this was just a fragile dream that would vanish into nothingness once she let go.
Feng Li's tears flowed like a burst dam, overflowing from her eyes, sliding down her cheeks, and dripping onto the ground, splashing up tiny teardrops.
Those tears seemed to be an outpouring of her years of loneliness and longing for family affection; each drop was filled with her longing for her mother and her cherishing of this belated family affection.
At this moment, everyone around was also moved by this scene. Qi Ruyan quietly raised her hand and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve. The movement was gentle and careful, as if she was afraid of disturbing this touching family affection.
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