The vividly real Li Bingjun was now standing right in front of them. It felt as if decades had passed!
Then, except for Yu Chiqian, the others all spoke up one after another. "Brother Li, it's really you!"
"It's such great news that Brother Li is still alive!"
Seeing the strong reactions of the crowd towards Li Zhao, some of the younger ones were quite puzzled. They turned their heads and quietly asked others, "Who is Li Bingjun?"
The others then explained it to them. They learned that the Li family of Luozhou and the Xiao family of Lingyang were both renowned noble families in the State of Chu back then. Moreover, Li Bingjun was once the youngest Minister of the Secretariat in the State of Chu. They couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence.
Although Li Zhao had been prepared to meet many old acquaintances, the current scene still made his eyes well up with tears.
He got off the carriage, bent down to help Yu Chiqian up, and carefully sized him up from head to toe. Then he said with a smile, "Long time no see. I didn't expect you to have grown into such a heroic figure. Excellent, excellent."
Yu Chiqian tightly grasped Li Zhao's hand. Finally, he couldn't hold back his emotions and threw himself into Li Zhao's arms, sobbing loudly.
He was wearing armor, extremely strong, and had some stubble on his face. But at this moment, he was crying like a child in Li Zhao's arms, which left Jiang Mian, who was standing behind, staring in astonishment.
Who... who was this person?
Why was he crying in her father's arms like this?
"This person has a profound connection with your father," Jiang Zhiqing said softly to Jiang Mian, as if she had guessed what was on Jiang Mian's mind.
Jiang Mian was taken aback and looked at Jiang Zhiqing.
The two of them had also gotten off the carriage, but they had been standing at the back and hadn't stepped forward. After all, at this moment, Li Zhao didn't belong to them, the mother and daughter. He belonged to the Great Sheng and to himself.
Jiang Zhiqing said with a smile, "Your father bought a mansion back then and took in many homeless children who had lost their parents. Yu Chiqian was one of them."
A look of nostalgia appeared on her face.
"Your father was very busy. Sometimes he couldn't take care of these children, so he would ask me to disguise myself and go there to deliver food and clothes to them. I would also check if they were studying and writing properly. Yu Chiqian was naughty and hot - tempered. He didn't like to study and even bullied the students your father had invited. Your father was quite troubled by him."
"Later, your father sent him to the military camp to be trained by others. He thought that Yu Chiqian would complain and cry to come back after a few days. But unexpectedly, he managed to persevere."
Jiang Zhiqing pointed at Yu Chiqian's armor from afar and said, "Look, he has made military achievements and is now a remarkable general."
Jiang Mian suddenly understood and sighed with emotion, "So there's such a story behind it. What about the others?"
She asked, "After the Li family's accident, what happened to the children your father had taken in?"
Jiang Zhiqing paused for a moment and said, "By that time, I had already faked my death by drowning and left. When I heard about the Li family's accident and returned to Luozhou, I also went to that mansion. It was already empty. I heard that those children were bribed by your second uncle and reported to the King of Chu that your father had kept young male favorites and behaved improperly. Whether they were still alive after that, no one cared."
Jiang Mian's face was filled with indignation. "How could they be so ungrateful! Even the common people in Luozhou know how to repay kindness. But what about them?"
That's why Yu Chiqian's loyalty was even more precious.
Jiang Mian couldn't help but think that if he had also stayed at that time, would he have stood up against it when he was bribed by the second uncle to frame her father?
Well, that was all in the past.
She let out a soft sigh.
In front, Li Zhao let go of Yu Chiqian and then went to greet the others, hugging them one by one.
Jiang Zhiqing quietly introduced these people to Jiang Mian.
She could call out the names and tell the backgrounds of most of the people present. It was evident that Li Zhao had doted on her very much back then. He had almost taken her everywhere with him and hadn't hidden many things from her.
After greeting everyone, Li Zhao turned around and looked at the mother and daughter. He waved at them with a smile.
Seeing this, Jiang Zhiqing and Jiang Mian stepped forward together.
Both Jiang Zhiqing and Jiang Mian were wearing veiled hats. The light veil covered most of their faces, making it hard to see clearly. But they had outstanding temperaments. Even without showing their faces, it was obvious that they were very beautiful women.
"Is this..." Yu Chiqian was taken aback and stared intently at Jiang Zhiqing.
Li Zhao took Jiang Zhiqing's hand and pulled her to his side. He said to everyone with a smile, "This is my wife, Mrs. Jiang, and my beloved daughter, Jiang Mian."
After learning the identities of Jiang Zhiqing and Jiang Mian, everyone greeted them one after another.
Jiang Mian followed her mother and generously returned the greetings. She sweetly said, "Jiang Mian pays respects to all uncles."
Jiang Zhiqing pushed aside the white veil of her hat and looked at Yu Chiqian. She said with a smile, "Xiao Qian, do you still remember me?"
Yu Chiqian had already felt that her figure was familiar. When he saw her face, his eyes suddenly widened. He gasped and exclaimed, "Sister Qing!"
Meeting Li Zhao's eyes, he suddenly came to his senses and immediately corrected himself, "No, it's Sister - in - law!"
He looked at Li Zhao and then at Jiang Zhiqing. It was obvious that he had a lot to ask, but due to the presence of many people, he didn't say it out.
Xiao Tianchi said with a faint smile, "Well, save your reminiscing for the night. I won't stop you."
Yu Chiqian scratched his head and smiled embarrassedly. He said, "You're right. We can't delay His Majesty and the King of Li from taking a rest!"
The Jingnan Posthouse usually received envoys from other countries. The guest rooms were not only spacious but also well - furnished with excellent utensils. Jiang Mian, who had moved into the posthouse, felt that it was no worse than her boudoir in the Ye family.
Along the way, Li Zhao had mostly been with Xiao Tianchi. Jiang Mian hadn't found the opportunity to tell her parents about her sworn - sibling relationship with Mo Zhizhang. After putting away her luggage, she went to look for Li Zhao and Jiang Zhiqing.
"Why did Mu Jin come here? Is there something wrong with your room?" Jiang Zhiqing asked as she stroked her hair.
Jiang Mian shook her head. "Everything in the room is complete. I came here just to tell you two something."
After a pause, she said, "You two should also know that Mo Zhizhang is not my uncle. He is actually someone around His Majesty. At first, I was really angry when I learned this. But later, we had a talk."
"We once shared weal and woe in Dongli Town. He also has the grace of teaching me. So I've sworn to be his sibling. Mom and Dad, Brother Mo has no relatives left. After we return to the capital and enter the prince's mansion, can he also live in the mansion?"
Li Zhao already knew about this. He looked at Jiang Mian and found that her expression was serious and there was no resentment towards Mo Zhizhang in her tone.
"Since he's the brother you've recognized, then allow him to stay in the mansion," he said.
Jiang Zhiqing also said, "If your father doesn't mind, of course I won't object either."
Jiang Mian then smiled. "Thank you, Mom and Dad!"
Just as they were talking, a visitor came from outside.
It turned out that the posthouse had prepared a welcoming banquet. The guard beside Xiao Tianchi came to invite Li Zhao, Jiang Zhiqing, and Jiang Mian to the banquet.