Chapter 166: Family Reunion
Chapter 166: Family Reunion
On a wide official road, the carriage slowed down, and at the end of their sight, a smaller city came into view compared to Yu City.
"We're here so soon."
Chen Yue stood up in the carriage, a graceful young lady gazing at the distant Anyu County Government, a hint of reluctance in her large eyes.
Ever since Chen Mu began his sword training, it had been many years since she had spent an extended period with him. During her free time, she often wished to chat with Chen Mu, but with Xu Hongyu's presence, she could only graciously give way to her future sister-in-law.
On this trip from Yu City to Anyu County Government, although they were traveling by carriage, the horses pulling the carriage were brown-maned horses with a trace of demonic bloodline. Despite hauling the carriage, they still moved swiftly. Nonetheless, after a long time, she was finally able to travel with her brother, and her heart was filled with joy.
Chen Mu observed Chen Yue's demeanor and couldn't help but chuckle. Ever since obtaining the Gale Sword Technique and starting his sword training, he had always been cautious and meticulous, never slacking off. On this trip to Anyu County with Chen Yue, he finally felt a sense of relaxation and appreciation for the scenery.
Unfortunately, He Wuyou did not appear along the way.
Although he didn't bring Yu Jiujiang this time, there was still a hint of 'deliberateness' in his actions. He Wuyou and the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion likely still held some reservations about Yan Jingqing, fearing he might set up a trap, and thus, they didn't fall for it.
Indeed, he had intended to lure He Wuyou out to resolve the matter once and for all.
Since he didn't show up,
Chen Mu let it go and continued driving the carriage. Soon, they arrived outside the Anyu County Government. Despite his simple attire, he wasn't stopped for questioning, and he entered the city without any obstacles.
...
In a certain courtyard,
It was a small yard with a vegetable garden on one side and a water barrel and a pile of firewood covered with oiled paper on the other. It was clearly the home of an ordinary commoner.
Inside the slightly dilapidated inner room, Liu Rong, with her white-haired, lay on the earthen bed, her eye sockets deep, limbs thin, and her face lacking any rosiness. She stared blankly at the beam above.
"Mother, take your medicine."
A man in his late thirties entered, holding a bowl of medicine carefully to the bedside. He supported Liu Rong and tried to feed her the medicine, but she couldn't swallow it.
Seeing this, Song Qi's somewhat thin and numb face showed a hint of panic. He put down the medicine bowl and said, "Mother, wait, I'll make you some ginseng soup. I'll be right back..."
Several months ago,
A master from the county government came to ask Liu Rong some questions and, surprisingly, gave their family some silver. He told them to take good care of Liu Rong and even offered to provide them with some silver every month. The neighbors found it unbelievable that the ruthless officials would provide relief to the poor.
Of course, Song Qi knew that there must be another reason for the county government's generosity. He was already a filial son, and now he took even better care of Liu Rong. However, as winter approached, Liu Rong fell ill.
Liu Rong was already over sixty years old, which was considered a long life for a poor family in this era. Elderly people might be healthy most of the time, but once they fell ill, it was often difficult for them to recover.
"Cough, cough..."
Liu Rong extended her withered hand and grabbed Song Qi, wanting to say something but unable to speak. Instead, she triggered a violent fit of coughing.
Seeing this, Song Qi didn't dare to leave. He repeatedly said, "Mother, don't worry, don't worry. Take your time."
As he comforted Liu Rong, he called out to the outside, "Zhou'er, take some copper coins and buy some ginseng. Hurry, go quickly."
Outside,
Two children ran in, a boy of about fourteen or fifteen and a slightly younger girl, probably only eleven or twelve. The boy ran out after hearing the instructions, while the girl approached the bed, asking, "What's wrong with Grandma?"
"Nothing, nothing."
Song Qi held Liu Rong's hand, his voice hoarse as he spoke.
Just then,
Song Zhou, who had just run out, returned and said, "Father, someone's here, and there's an official."
Song Qi's hand trembled slightly, and upon hearing Song Zhou's words, he was startled. He quickly stood up and said, "Miao'er, watch over Grandma. I'll go greet the official..."
As he stepped out of the house,
He saw several people entering the courtyard.
The first to catch Song Qi's attention was a middle-aged man in a green official robe, wearing an official hat and boots. Behind him followed several clerks, including one who had visited a few months ago. Song Qi knew that this man was already an important figure in the county government, but the middle-aged man leading them seemed even more prominent.
What surprised Song Qi even more was that these officials from the county government weren't walking in the middle but on either side. Instead of taking steady, dignified steps, they slightly bowed, appearing to be serving with caution.
Leading the group was
a young man and woman.
"This commoner greets the master."
Although Song Qi wasn't sure what was happening, seeing the long line of enforcers outside, he knew that the officials who had arrived were not ordinary. Without hesitation, he immediately knelt down to pay his respects.
Before he could kneel, the young woman in front stopped him by reaching out and holding his hand.
"Are you Song Qi?" Chen Yue asked, looking at Song Qi.
On their way here, she had already learned some information from the county officials. If Song Qi's mother, Liu Rong, was indeed her aunt, then Song Qi would be her cousin, although she couldn't be certain yet.
Chen Mu glanced at Song Qi but didn't speak. Instead, he sensed the situation inside the house with a thought and, after a brief flash in his eyes, headed straight into the room.
Song Zhou and Song Miao, the two children, also ran out. Seeing the officials in their formal robes and stern expressions, they were momentarily stunned.
Chen Mu glanced at the two children, his gaze not lingering as he proceeded directly into the inner room.
Upon seeing Liu Rong, Chen Mu was almost certain of her identity, as the information from the intelligence report matched. Sensing her aura, he also felt a faint connection through their bloodline.
"You... Cough... Cough..."
Liu Rong looked at Chen Mu as he walked into the room, her expression filled with confusion. She wanted to ask something but began to cough violently.
Chen Mu approached and supported Liu Rong. A strand of Essence Energy appeared in his palm, and he gently patted her back twice, barely calming the chaotic Qi and blood within her body. Simultaneously, he said, "I'm Chen Mu. My mother's name is Liu Ping. Many years ago, she was abducted from Anyu County and sold to Yu Prefecture."
Liu Rong's coughing subsided slightly. After hearing Chen Mu's statement and observing him more closely, she felt a vague sense of familiarity. Hesitantly, she asked, "You... you're Ping'er's..."
Chen Mu carefully sensed Liu Rong's physical condition. Sighing inwardly, he realized that Liu Rong had never cultivated. At her age, coupled with a bout of wind-cold, she was like a lamp running out of oil, nearing the end of her life. If he hadn't been delayed by other matters, arriving earlier might have made a difference. However, even if she survived this winter, her lifespan was limited.
At this moment—
Chen Yue also rushed into the room. After seeing Chen Mu nod at her, she glanced at Liu Rong, who looked old and frail, and instantly remembered her mother Liu Ping's final state. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she couldn't help but cry as she approached the bed.
This unexpected reaction left Liu Rong at a loss. "Child, why are you crying... You... you and Ping'er looked so much alike when you were young. Could it be that you are also..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yue cried even harder, burying her face and sobbing uncontrollably.
Chen Mu stepped aside for Chen Yue, moving back a couple of steps and saying to Liu Rong, "She's my sister, Chen Yue. Talk to her. Actually, I should have recognized you a few months ago, but I didn't realize it then."
Chen Mu had now entered the Organ Realms, and his senses were far sharper than ordinary people's. He possessed a photographic memory, and he could recall even the smallest details from a few months ago. Instantly, he remembered that he had likely met Liu Rong before but hadn't recognized her at the time. Back then, his senses weren't as acute as they were now.
Then—
Chen Mu patted Chen Yue's back and stepped out of the room.
In the courtyard outside, an eerie silence prevailed. Whether it was the officials inside the courtyard or the numerous enforcers outside, everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound.
Song Qi was equally nervous, unsure of what was happening.
When Chen Mu and Chen Yue entered the room, Song Qi had already learned of Chen Mu's identity from the nearby officials.
Yu Prefecture's Inspector General—
Song Qi had no idea how high-ranking this position was. The officials explained that not only in Anyu County but in the entire Yu Prefecture, there were very few officials higher in rank than Chen Mu. This exceeded Song Qi's imagination. A single word from Chen Mu could even appoint or dismiss a county magistrate. What kind of powerful figure was he?
What astonished Song Qi the most was Chen Mu's youth. He looked to be only in his twenties.
Chen Mu walked over slowly, not revealing any aura. However, Song Qi felt an indescribable pressure from the young man before him, making it hard to breathe. Even the surrounding officials were tense.
"All of you, step back. Go outside; this doesn't concern you anymore."
Chen Mu spoke calmly to the officials in the county government.
Although the county officials weren't sure if Liu Rong was Chen Mu's aunt, they had provided silver as financial support. Additionally, they had discreetly assigned enforcers to patrol the area, ensuring Liu Rong's family's safety. Their actions were commendable.
Upon hearing Chen Mu's words, the officials heaved a collective sigh of relief. After respectfully bowing to Chen Mu, they cautiously exited the courtyard, leaving only Song Qi and his two children, Song Zhou and Song Miao, behind.
At this moment—
Chen Mu finally turned to Song Qi and spoke calmly, "Brother-in-law, there's no need to be nervous. I'm here only to acknowledge our kinship."
Brother-in-law?
This title startled Song Qi, leaving him in shock.
The young man before him, whose status was almost as high as the heavens, claimed to be here to acknowledge kinship?
Chen Mu walked to the side, observing Song Zhou and Song Miao, who were almost dumbfounded. He patted Song Miao's head and said, "Your mother, Liu Rong, had a younger sister, who is my mother. That makes you my brother-in-law. I've been searching for your family for some time. The officials in Anyu County were efficient, and after finding you, they ensured your family wasn't mistreated."
Chen Mu spoke with a calm tone.
He had a good impression of Song Qi's family, as he learned from the county officials that Song Qi was a considerate person. After receiving silver from the county government, he didn't squander it but used it to provide Liu Rong with good food and drink.
Song Qi was now completely stunned, finally understanding why a few months ago, a government official had visited them, treating them politely, and even allowing their family to receive silver from the county government. It turned out they had distant relatives in the faraway prefecture city.
However—
Even with this understanding, Song Qi's gaze at Chen Mu remained nervous and respectful. In this world, officials were often more important than family. Although Chen Mu addressed him as a brother-in-law, Song Qi didn't dare to respond directly.
Chen Mu's status and identity were such that he had taken the effort to locate their family in the remote Anyu County. This wasn't a matter Song Qi could take lightly.
"Alright, let's not talk about this for now. Brother-in-law, you should go inside with your children. The elderly lady doesn't have much time left."
Chen Mu withdrew his hand and sighed again, speaking to Song Qi.
(End of Chapter)
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