strictlysupreme Chapter 462 Thank you, Your Highness
Chapter 462 Thank you, Your Highness
By the end of the meal, Meng Ze had developed a very harmonious relationship with the children.
He felt a sense of peace he had never felt before.
These children may not be biologically related, but so what? Even biological parents might not be able to have such wonderful children.
Whether a relationship is close or not often depends not on blood ties, but on the other person's character.
These three children are all exceptionally good children.
Looking at the people at the table, Meng Ze felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
After years of wandering, I finally have a place I can call home.
Qin Jiuwei and Xie Yanli looked at each other and couldn't help but exchange a warm glance.
The most important thing is for the whole family to be harmonious and reunited.
The following day, at Qinglan Courtyard.
Qin Jiuwei was listening to Xiaohe report on the affairs of various places in the inner courtyard when she suddenly heard a report from outside, "Young Madam, Granny Li is outside requesting an audience."
She raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised: "Let her in."
A moment later, a hunched figure entered the room, supported by a maid.
Granny Li's hair was sparse and gray, and her face was covered with wrinkles, but her expression was much clearer than it had been a few days ago.
She bowed and said, "Young Madam, this old servant has a request for you."
Qin Jiuwei spoke gently, "Please sit down and talk first."
Xiaohe immediately moved the embroidered stool, and Granny Li sat down, taking a deep breath. "This old servant would like to go out of the manor for a while."
"Leave the manor?" Qin Jiuwei sat up straight. "Why?"
Granny Li adjusted her sleeves. "More than twenty years ago, I had a son who was only ten years old. He had been mentally unstable for years and couldn't remember anything. Now he has finally remembered, and I miss him more and more. I'm old now, and I just want to see if he's doing well, even if it's just a glimpse from afar."
"This old servant knows he shouldn't have made this request, but he is my only flesh and blood. If I can't see him again in this life, I'm afraid I won't be able to close my eyes in peace."
Qin Jiuwei stared at her for a long time without saying a word.
Those eyes were filled with sorrow and humility.
After a moment, Qin Jiuwei slowly spoke: "I promise you."
Granny Li suddenly looked up, staring at her in disbelief.
Qin Jiuwei turned her head and instructed, "Xiaohe, pass on the message and have Zizhu personally select ten of the most reliable bodyguards to follow us quietly."
Xiao He responded and left.
Then she turned to look at Granny Li and said, “Granny Li, I agree to let you go out to see your son, but I also need to ensure your safety and arrange manpower for you. Please do not resist.”
With her head bowed and tears welling in her old eyes, Li Mama nodded repeatedly, "This old servant understands. This old servant will not wander around or say anything out of line. Young Madam, please rest assured."
In the afternoon, the wind was slightly warm, and the sunlight shone gently.
Supported by her maid, Granny Li slowly walked out from the side door.
She walked slowly and looked old.
As soon as she stepped out of the Marquis's residence, a pair of eyes opened from the shadows.
"Moved."
"The destination is outside the city, heading northwest."
Chu Yi's men had been guarding the outside of the Marquis's residence for several days, hiding in teahouses on street corners and among tall trees, never leaving day or night.
Whispers reached the ears of the hidden sentries, and the figures lying in ambush in various places immediately moved.
They were all elite assassins specially brought to the capital by Chu Yi from Daliang.
The western suburbs of Beijing.
Granny Li stood unsteadily in front of a dilapidated courtyard.
Her gaze fell vacantly on the broken tiles and ruins before her. "This is it."
She murmured, "We used to live here..."
Unfortunately, this place has been abandoned for many years and is now completely silent.
No one lives here anymore.
Granny Li shakily pushed open the half-collapsed wooden door; inside, there was only wind, sand, and cobwebs.
“Granny,” Zizhu stepped forward, her tone gentle, “I have secretly ordered people to investigate the residents around here. Some people said that not long ago there was a tofu maker in the south of the city, about thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old, who looked somewhat similar to you, perhaps…”
Granny Li raised her head, a long-lost glimmer of light flashing within her. "Take me there."
-
In the south of the city, deep in an alley, the aroma of soybeans wafts through the air.
In front of an inconspicuous tofu shop, a middle-aged man was engrossed in working beside a stone mill. He was sturdy and had dark skin, clearly someone who worked hard all year round.
"Boss," Zizhu called softly from outside the door, "may I ask if you are Li Yingcheng?"
The man responded cautiously, "It's me. And who are you?"
Before he could finish speaking, his gaze fell on Granny Li.
At that moment, time seemed to stand still.
Looking at him, Li Mama's cloudy old eyes suddenly welled up with tears. "Yingcheng, do you still remember your mother?"
Li Yingcheng stared blankly at her, vague memories surfacing in his mind, gradually overlapping with the person in front of him. He suddenly released the stone mill from his hands, "You, you are... my mother?"
Granny Li approached step by step, saying, "Mother doesn't abandon you, Mother really doesn't abandon you."
Li Yingcheng could no longer hold back. With red eyes, he quickly stepped forward and supported her trembling body.
"Mother, is it really you? You're still alive..."
"Mother is alive, alive to come see you..." Granny Li finally burst into tears, burying her face in her son's arms.
The two embraced, as if releasing all the pent-up grievances and pain they had endured over the years in this single moment.
Zizhu stood silently to the side, her expression also somewhat moved, simply watching over him without urging him on.
He cried for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea before Granny Li finally let go of him, took out a thick money bag from her sleeve, and stuffed it into his hand.
“This is the money I’ve saved over the years, please keep it safe.” Her voice choked with emotion, but her determination was unwavering. “I have other things to attend to and can’t be with you often.”
“Mother…” He wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Li Mama’s wave of her hand, “Just live your life peacefully and don’t get involved in anything.”
After saying that, she got up, turned around and left.
Not far away, a man dressed in blue stood quietly in the shadows on the roof.
He did not approach; the guards were extremely well-prepared, and taking another step forward would alert them.
He wasn't in a hurry; it was only a matter of time before the truth was found.
Hou House.
When Qin Jiuwei heard that Granny Li had returned, she nodded slightly and instructed the kitchen to send over some calming medicine.
Then he sent Xiaohe to deliver some money to Granny Li's son.
Not long after, Xie Yanli returned from outside, his robes stained with blood, clearly indicating that he had just returned from the Jingzhao Yin's residence.
"There's been progress on the matter of Duke Zheng." He sat down and took the tea offered by the maid. "The evidence is conclusive, and the three judicial departments have also scheduled the trial. I estimate that the case will be closed within ten days."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qing's eyes instantly reddened, and she knelt down and kowtowed heavily.
"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!"