Since being taken in by the Innkeeper, Chuchu has explored the surrounding mountains and waters extensively. The wild vegetables we had for breakfast were all picked by her. It was only when Luzi asked about it during the meal that he learned of this, and he couldn't help but marvel at the greatness of life.
A girl who grew up pampered at home faced sudden hardships bestowed by fate, yet instead of choosing to give up, she thrived and bravely continued to live. Such a powerful vitality leaves no room for anyone to say otherwise!
Everyone's happiness can always be shared; that feeling is like a parched land welcoming a torrential downpour. When even the rarely smiling Captain of the Guards and the stableman Thirteen couldn't help but laugh, the entire world was filled with vitality.
A person who understands what true happiness is can light up this world with their passion. And Chuchu is such a person; her joy infects everyone in the carriage. It seems that the world is always full of miracles, even turning past sufferings into nothingness.
Luzi looked out the window, quietly listening to Chuchu as she spoke about various mountain names. According to his knowledge, that distant mountain shrouded in mist should not have that name.
Could it be something that happened recently? Or perhaps it was renamed by the local Government!?
He knew that compared to this chattering little bird before him, he was merely passing through, after all, she had lived here for years. If he had questions, he should ask the locals. If that mountain had been renamed recently, the Military Map would need to be updated as well.
Military operations are no joke; one relies heavily on such things. An error in a place name should not be underestimated, as it could directly lead to losing strategic advantages. After confirming the terrain of that high mountain was correct, he turned and asked, “Chuchu! Why is that mountain called Mother Mountain? I remember it should have been called Cloudpiercing Ridge!”
Chuchu didn’t know what a rigorous Military Map was and felt uncertain upon hearing Luzi's question. After examining it carefully for a while, she finally confirmed, “That is indeed Mother Mountain! Look at how she gazes down at the small hill beside her; it’s just like a kind mother watching over her three-year-old child.”
So that's how it is!
Upon hearing this answer, Luzi's eyes suddenly became moist. This mountain was indeed still called Cloudpiercing Ridge and had never been changed. The reason it was referred to as Mother Mountain was actually Chuchu’s deep expression of longing for her loved ones. Mother! It is the most beautiful title in this world, evoking infinite nostalgia no matter when or where one thinks of it. Like a flicker of light igniting in a dark night, it allows a lost child to always find their way home.
Because of this mission, the Captain of the Guards, who could not return home for years, lowered his head to wipe his eyes. Only those who have truly experienced loneliness can understand its meaning; it is a deep yearning faced with helplessness and persistence. He turned and said, “Chuchu! We are all your family; welcome home!”
Thirteen, who rarely spoke, also turned around and said, “He’s right! We are all your family; welcome home!”
Lu Zizheng wanted to say something else but noticed Chuchu looking at him. He hurriedly pointed at the stableman and said, “Yes! Welcome Chuchu home! He is your Thirteenth Brother!” Then he pointed at the Captain of the Guards and introduced him: “He is your Eighteenth Brother!”
As the leader of this circle, there are things that Luzi would never say, and no one would dare to ask. That is the rule, and it has always been this way. Just now, while busy comparing the terrain mentioned by Chuchu with the map in his mind, he did not explain Chuchu's identity to the two in front. This left them pondering, wondering if perhaps the leader had developed feelings. Not knowing how to address her, they could only follow along and call her Chuchu, not daring to refer to her as Sister-in-law.
To be honest, among the brothers, Luzi is the oldest. There are brothers ten years younger than him who already have children, while he remains single. Given his current status and position, he should have settled down by now. However, he has always used work as an excuse to avoid considering marriage, and nothing has changed until now.
At first, some people even suggested matchmaking for him, and even King Qin personally inquired about it. As the saying goes, "Among the three unfilial acts, having no descendants is the greatest." A gentleman should adhere to this principle. If others heard Your Majesty mention this, who would dare refuse? Yet Luzi remained steadfast in his principles. He insisted on prioritizing the Unity of the Realm, stating that the common people were eagerly awaiting it and that a gentleman's responsibilities were heavy.
This was not just a private conversation between two people; many were discussing it openly. Thus, it became widely known. Good news travels slowly while bad news spreads quickly; there were all sorts of rumors.
The Captain of Guards had followed Luzi around various countries for many years and had seen countless people. While he couldn't claim to have seen every type of person, he had encountered many. This was his first time meeting a woman with such a pure heart, like a white snow lotus blooming atop a snowy peak.
From what he knew about Elder, he was not a person filled with worldly desires. What Luzi disliked most were those superficial external matters; his inner self was clean and untainted. If not for considering Chuchu's background, they would indeed be a perfect match.
As Thirteen drove the carriage at full speed, he felt this way too. However, his thoughts were not on that but rather on glancing worriedly at the Captain of Guards sitting beside him.
There are few beautiful things left in this world! The Captain of Guards was contemplating how to facilitate his master's marriage when he noticed Thirteen's unusual gaze and immediately understood the reason behind it. His heart trembled slightly as he turned back to look at Chuchu.
These three had been together for years; they could tell what each other was thinking with just a glance. The apparent master-servant relationship was merely a facade to deceive others. Each had their own responsibilities based on their roles.
Seeing these two glancing back frequently, Luzi understood their intentions. He smiled lightly and nodded in agreement.
The Captain of Guards and Thirteen exchanged knowing smiles upon receiving this answer. As long as it was something agreed upon by Brother, even if the sun rose from the west, it would not change. So perhaps their earlier worries were unnecessary? It seemed so!
No matter how loudly the slogan of unifying the realm is shouted, it remains just that—a slogan—merely raising a Great Banner to attract those with aspirations to come forth. What is the purpose of unifying the realm? It is to eliminate war so that people can live peacefully and happily without facing senseless slaughter and the pain of losing their families. The foundation of all this is peace—a world without strife or darkness.
What is beauty? Simply put, it is a world filled with light! This is our purpose for existence and will be our lifelong goal for which we strive!
Sitting in the carriage, Luzi noticed that Chuchu had suddenly quieted down, realizing that the exchange of glances between the three men had not escaped her attention. When a person lives alone in such chaotic times, it often triggers their instinct for self-protection. This feeling is quite strange; it can clearly inform you of the dangerous elements present in your current environment. This sensation does not refer to fear, as fear is what the weak feel when they have already seen or discovered danger. Instead, it refers to a premonition, a real and existing judgment about the current situation.
Chuchu was not something Luzi had purchased, as Luzi had not spent any of her own coins. However, Chunshen Jun had indeed given something to the Innkeeper, although on the surface it was merely compensation for damaging furniture. In impoverished families, selling children is common, especially since this was orchestrated by the Official Family, where any child could be treated as a commodity. This was the reality at that time and it was even legal.
Luzi did not want the atmosphere to feel too heavy at that moment, nor did she want Chuchu to see herself as a lowly commodity. So she said, "Everyone listen up, from now on if anyone dares to bully Chuchu, just tell Eighteen." As she spoke, she reminded the captain of the guards to make a promise in front of everyone.
In ancient times, the distinction between rich and poor was quite strict; even if you were wealthy, you might not be considered noble. This circle is both easy and difficult to enter; you must become part of it to be regarded as someone of status. Chuchu naturally understood this since her family used to belong to this circle. However, due to significant changes in circumstances, she had long been forced out. Now trying to return would be nearly impossible.
What Luzi had just said and Eighteen's promise indirectly conveyed Chuchu's current status. She was now one of them and enjoyed a high level of standing. If what was mentioned earlier about Thirteenth Brother and Eighteen was casual talk, then this was an official announcement!
Thirteen did not hear any chatter and thought Chuchu was worried about Eighteen's skills. "Chuchu! Even if our Brother bullies you, you don't need to be afraid; Eighteen was quite impressive back in the day, charging into enemy camps and taking down generals with ease!"
Hearing someone praise him made the captain blush deeply. He quickly explained that those were past events and that it had been many years since then.
"Really!?" Chuchu exclaimed excitedly, almost jumping up as she leaned in between the two men to scrutinize the red apple seriously. She secretly wondered how a big man could be so shy like a woman! But that was indeed the case; blushing had nothing to do with one's abilities. Seeing how effortlessly he spoke made it seem like he wasn't boasting at all, so she insisted that he must teach her martial arts whenever he had time.
The captain realized he couldn't evade this request any longer and subtly indicated for Chuchu to discuss this with the older brother behind them. As long as that seemingly deep-thinking elder agreed, it wouldn't be an issue at all.
Thirteen was also in a good mood at that moment and turned just in time to see Eighteen making gestures, knowing he must be inclined to agree. Each person has their own area of expertise; he could tell at a glance whether someone was promising or not just by observing them closely. Many things require innate talent; being slightly off would not suffice. While hard work is essential for improvement, innate qualities remain foundational.
If you possess talent in this area and are fortunate enough to encounter a teacher who knows what potential looks like, with just a little guidance and understanding of those seemingly distant concepts, you would find it quite simple. Chuchu was indeed a promising candidate for further training; her only shortcoming was lacking a good mentor. Seeing these two chatting away, Thirteen chimed in playfully: "As long as your Eighteen Brother is willing to guide you, I can guarantee that within three years you'll easily become a female general!"
Comment 0 Comment Count