Upon hearing Li Zhu's words, Nangong Qing couldn't help but raise her hand and slap Li Zhu on the back of the head, because this was a questioning of a woman's chastity. He was now the emperor's woman, how could he have such a stain?
"What nonsense are you talking about? Of course he's not an illegitimate child. The reason my relationship with your father is so distant is directly related to this lost child..."
All a woman wants is a stable home, but your father is not a stable person. He has the whole world on his mind, and there is not much room left for me. Moreover, it is because of the war that your younger brother was lost abroad. I can't get over this, so I don't want to see your father..."
Hearing his mother's words, Li Zhu seemed to be deep in thought. Although her words were reasonable, he still felt something was off. He couldn't help but think to himself: You two have to take it out on me when you're arguing, right? I'm just a child. Why are you taking your anger out on me?
"Mother, even so, Father doesn't need to hate me so much, does he?"
Li Zhu finally voiced his grievances!
"Perhaps it's guilt. Seeing you reminds him of that defeat back then. So many people died waiting for your birth. If we had retreated in time, not so many would have died. Those were your father's sworn brothers. Your previous performance disappointed him greatly. I suspect he might feel that you are unworthy of the sacrifices of those comrades..."
All of this was just Nangong Qing's speculation, and no one knew the specific reason. Li Zhu's doubts did not diminish as a result!
If it were simply out of guilt and remembrance for his dead brothers, he shouldn't have gone to Xiliang to his death. If he died, wouldn't his brothers have sacrificed themselves in vain?
Li Zhu couldn't understand his adoptive father's intentions, so he could only stop thinking about it. Looking at his heartbroken mother, Li Zhu comforted her.
"Mother, don't worry. With Nangong Niannian's current strength, no one can get close to him. Even the little monkey suffered at his hands..."
"Little monkey?"
Nangong Qing didn't immediately recognize who this little monkey was, but Li Zhu quickly realized that a dignified marquis would never reveal such an embarrassing title to an outsider, so he hurriedly explained.
"Little Monkey is Hou Wang, that's what I called him when I was learning my skills. I accidentally found out, so I started calling him that too..."
"oh…"
Nangong Qing suddenly realized, but still gave instructions.
"Xiao Zhu, the Marquis is very powerful. He is your father's confidant, so he should be given the respect he deserves..."
Li Zhu thought to himself that this guy was a big braggart, claiming to be one of the world's top experts, but he had been crushed several times over. Calling him "little monkey" was already showing him respect...
"Mother, I know what I'm doing in these matters, so please rest assured..."
Li Zhu's smiling reply reassured Nangong Qing considerably...
"Xiao Zhu, remember him..."
"Don't worry, Mother. If he comes looking for me again, I'll have a good talk with him. If possible, I'll bring him to you so you can recognize him!"
As a son, he could easily see his mother's thoughts. They had been separated since birth, and more than twenty years had passed. She had endured the pain of losing her son for twenty years as well. If possible, she would even wish that Nangong Niannian would appear in front of her right now. However, she also knew that this was unrealistic. The two had never been mother and son for a single day, and it was hard to say whether the other party even wanted to acknowledge her.
But then I thought, since the other party has acknowledged Li Zhu, it proves that he cares about family ties. The reason he didn't come to acknowledge him immediately must be because he had some reason...
Having figured all this out, Nangong Qing was no longer so anxious, but she couldn't suppress her longing to see her son no matter what!
"Xiao Zhu, Niannian must have suffered a lot all these years. After you reunite with him, you must take good care of him and not let him suffer any injustice..."
Li Zhu clicked his tongue, wanting to tell her that all her worries were unnecessary, but he was afraid of hurting his mother's feelings, so he could only nod in agreement!
However, deep down he didn't take it seriously. If we're talking about hardship, who could have endured as much as him? He was bullied from childhood to adulthood, put on the spot by his adoptive father, and most importantly, his life was always in danger…
On the other hand, although Nangong Niannian was lost at a young age, judging from his current strength, apart from enduring the hardships of training, probably no one can lay a finger on him; he's the one who makes others suffer...
Between the two of them, he was probably the one being taken care of. Moreover, he strongly suspected that he was the one who saved him from the Arrow Soul, because the other party had said that he would take action if he was in danger!
"Mother, you must take good care of yourself. If that Yang Guifei comes looking for trouble again, tell me, and I'll go after the Yang family..."
"Good... Xiao Zhu has finally grown into a man, and can protect his mother now..."
Nangong Qing said, moved!
After sitting for a while, Nangong Qing was clearly preoccupied, and finally couldn't help but say...
"Xiao Zhu, if there's nothing else, you should go back first and see if your younger brother is waiting for you..."
Li Zhu understood that his mother wasn't trying to send him away; she just desperately wanted to see her son. So, Li Zhu could only stand up helplessly and bid his mother farewell.
"Mother, I'll take my leave now..."
He could also see that if he didn't leave, Nangong Qing would feel uneasy. This suddenly appearing younger brother had already disrupted his mother's peace of mind. If they couldn't meet as soon as possible, his mother would never be able to let go of this matter!
After Li Zhu left, Nangong Qing regained her composure, but judging from her eyes, this matter was clearly not simple!
"Someone come here..."
Upon hearing Nangong Qing's words, a dark figure appeared behind her, bowed respectfully, and said...
"Greetings, Your Excellency. May I ask what your orders are?"
"Investigate the identity of the person who appeared beside the Crown Prince. Furthermore, the Yang family's influence is too far-reaching; they could be wiped out..."
"Yes, Your Excellency..."
Upon hearing this, the shadowy figure immediately vanished to attend to the matters arranged by Nangong Qing!
If Li Zhu heard their conversation, he would be so surprised that he would be speechless. The title of the leader of the Mohist school was given to the Mohist leader, but both the Mohist school and the knights had disappeared in the Han Dynasty. How could they possibly appear in the new Tang Dynasty?
Moreover, Nangong Qing clearly knew that the suddenly appearing Nangong Niannian might be fake, but he didn't tell Li Zhu. Why was that?
Li Zhu, the person involved, had already returned to the East Palace. Before he could even sit down, Yingying and Qingqing appeared before him. Seeing their exhausted appearances, Li Zhu felt a pang of sympathy. However, girls also need to be able to stand on their own, and this could be seen as a test for them...
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