https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-212-A-Grandfather-and-Grandson-Reunite/12934240/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-214-The-Miao-King-s-Intervention/12934250/
Chapter 213: The Truth of That Year
Chapter 213: The Truth of That Year
"Oh, you—"
The old farmer looked at Liu Qingyun with concern.
Inside the carriage, the candlelight flickered dimly.
Liu Qingyun's delicate eyelashes shimmered with a faint glow.
She didn't look at Lu Yuan's direction, but every word she spoke was meant for him.
"I shouldn't have meddled in everything, shouldn't have been so harsh on you, shouldn't have punished you..."
Her throat gradually tightened, and her voice choked up several times.
Although Meng Qianqian hadn't spent much time with Liu Qingyun, it wasn't hard to see that she was an extremely proud person, probably one who would admit her mistakes but never apologize.
To put it bluntly, when it came to being stubborn, three generations of the family shared the same trait.
These words of hers were probably spoken after countless days and nights of struggle, finally mustering up the courage to say them.
As for her strict control over Lu Yuan, Lu Yuan himself had said that his mother liked to be in control and didn't like things to be beyond her grasp.
The young Lu Yuan lived strictly according to the rules set by Liu Qingyun.
No wonder Lu Yuan had always taken a hands-off approach with Bao Shu; he wasn't really letting Bao Shu do as she pleased, but rather, he was letting go of the past restrictions he had placed on himself.
Liu Qingyun's eyes reddened as she said, "I shouldn't have sent your brother away..."
Meng Qianqian looked at Lu Yuan in surprise, "You have a brother?"
"No," Lu Yuan replied.
The old farmer raised his hand and sighed, "It was a dog he raised, named Whitey. His mother didn't allow him to keep it, but he insisted. Later, when his mother sent Whitey away, he ran away from home in anger, saying he would bring Whitey back. His mother thought he was just talking, but when she went to look for him a while later, she couldn't find him."
"That was the first time his mother brought him to see me. He was so happy that he brought Whitey along to meet me. Who would have thought... Alas, it's also my fault for not going to pick them up earlier, causing them to encounter trouble on the way."
The old farmer, who had been arguing with Lu Yuan throughout the journey, was suddenly enveloped in deep sorrow.
The carriage fell silent, and only the sound of Liu Qingyun's soft sobbing and Zong Zhengxi's even breathing could be heard.
Meng Qianqian spoke up, "And then?"
The old farmer raised his head, forcing back his tears, and said in a steady tone, "Later, we searched everywhere within a ten-mile radius and finally found his shoes and tattered clothes near a tiger's den. I killed the tiger and found his jade pendant in its belly."
Meng Qianqian understood that at the time, anyone would have believed that Lu Yuan had been devoured by the tiger.
The old farmer lowered his head, looking at the straw hat in his hands with uncertainty, "After that, his mother went mad."
Lu Yuan's body stiffened.
A hint of surprise also flashed across Meng Qianqian's eyes.
The old farmer looked down at the straw hat, "Your grandmother never told you, did she? About how your mother lived those years. Sometimes I think that if she found a child and pretended he was you, it might have made her feel better. Once, we really found a child similar to you, and after a disguise, your grandmother said he looked almost exactly like you, but we still couldn't fool your mother."
"Your paternal grandmother took your mother back to recover, but every year, she would go to the place where you went missing and wait for you."
"Until a few years ago, your portrait appeared in Miaojiang... I never thought that instead of us finding you, you would come to us."
Hearing this, Meng Qianqian could almost guess what happened next.
Lu Yuan had become a Grand Marshal of the first rank in the court, holding a high position and great power, even known in Miaojiang.
When Liu Qingyun saw Lu Yuan's portrait, she immediately suspected that her son might not have died, so she rushed from Miaojiang to the capital.
Unfortunately, Lu Yuan had a knot in his heart, and years of bitterness couldn't be erased with just an apology.
The farmer spoke with a heavy heart, "Your mother forbids you from keeping a dog because you have asthma."
Meng Qianqian turned to look at Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan replied calmly, "It's gone now."
"We're here," said Wu Ge'er.
Yu Zichuan, sitting atop the carriage, disagreed, "Not yet."
The wintermelon hadn't been finished yet.
Manager Cen hurried out anxiously, "Young Madam, did you pick up Young Master? Madam hasn't returned so late, should we send someone to inquire at the Princess's manor?"
Liu Qingyun raised her hand, wiping away her tears with a light and breezy gesture, "No need."
"Madam?" Manager Cen heard Liu Qingyun's voice.
Liu Qingyun nonchalantly stepped down from the carriage, returning to her usual demeanor as the dignified and aloof mistress of the house.
Manager Cen was stunned, "Madam... is also here? Did you go together to pick up Young Master?"
What's going on? Why does Madam seem unhappy? Her eyes were also red, as if she had been crying. Could it be because of her son's imprisonment?
In the carriage, Meng Qianqian said to the farmer, "Grandfather, let's get down too."
The farmer nodded in agreement, but before getting off, he glanced at Lu Yuan, "You can go against me, but you must not bully your mother. She's my daughter, and no one can make her suffer except your paternal grandmother."
Lu Yuan turned his face away.
The farmer got off the carriage.
Manager Cen, thinking it was Lu Yuan, was about to scold him, but he saw a face of utmost dignity.
He was startled, "Miao—"
The farmer's eyes flashed with severity.
Manager Cen meowed in response.
The pear blossom cat, playing inside the house, ran over and patted Manager Cen's trouser leg with its paw.
As if saying: What are you doing, old man!
Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan got off the carriage.
Zong Zhengxi was asleep, and Meng Qianqian couldn't wake him. Yu Zichuan carried him into the manor and arranged for him to stay in a courtyard with his grandfather.
On their way back to the main courtyard, Meng Qianqian wanted to speak but hesitated.
Lu Yuan said, "Speak your mind."
Meng Qianqian asked, "Lady Li is your aunt, and she... didn't know your identity either?"
Lu Yuan replied, "When she was young, she lived in the village with my mother. At the age of eight, the old Duke sent someone to take her away. My mother didn't know where she went, and it was only a few years ago when she came to the capital that they reunited."
Meng Qianqian paused, "When you helped His Majesty ascend the throne..."
Lu Yuan said, "At that time, I didn't know he was my cousin. He was young and easy to control, so I chose him."
He was being stubborn again, clearly seeing that Zong Zhengxi's nature wasn't bad.
Meng Qianqian seized the opportunity to say, "You see, you've gone to great lengths for His Majesty, but he almost took the wrong path. You're always disciplining him, and you'd rather he resent you than neglect his education. I think your mother was the same with you."
Lu Yuan pursed his lips, annoyed, "He's the Emperor, with an empire to inherit."
Meng Qianqian muttered, "Who knows, maybe you have a family business to inherit too. Your grandfather doesn't seem like an ordinary person; he might be a big shot in Miaojiang!"
Lu Yuan hummed coldly, "How big of a shot? The King of Miaojiang?"
---
Inside the house, the farmer removed his straw hat and sat in a chair with solemnity.
The carefree air in his brows vanished, replaced by an imposing dignity that made others dare not defy him.
Manager Cen dared not even breathe.
It wasn't until the farmer leisurely finished the tea in his hand that Manager Cen respectfully approached, bowed, and performed the grand Miaojiang greeting:
"Greetings to the King of Miaojiang!"
Another day of progress! Let's go!
(End of Chapter)
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