When he was still Sima Yongheng, on his first night in Baolan Town, he slept soundly. In a hazy state, he heard a noise by the window. He tried his best to open his eyes to see what was going on, but no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't see a glimmer of light. It was as if he was floating in the darkness.
The sound of the horses' hooves outside seemed to have stopped. Sima Yongheng knew that his eyes were covered with a black cloth. Then someone opened the carriage and lifted him up, seemingly about to take him somewhere.
Sima Yongheng had thought about struggling, but he was completely powerless and couldn't move at all. So he had no choice but to let those people carry him away obediently.
Although his eyes were covered, his hearing became more acute. Sima Yongheng heard the gurgling sound of water and the sweet chirping of birds. But these sounds soon faded away. Then he felt his body jolt. It should be that the person carrying him was tripped by something underfoot and almost dropped him.
"Master, Sima Yongheng is brought here."
"Um."
After that, the blindfold on Sima Yongheng's eyes was removed. The bright light suddenly flooded into his eyes. Caught off guard, his eyes welled up with tears. Sima Yongheng squinted and slowly got used to the sudden influx of light.
"Are you Sima Yongheng?"
Before Sima Yongheng's eyes could fully adapt, he heard the person standing in front of him ask. The voice was a bit rough and hoarse. Judging from the voice, it should be an elderly uncle.
"… Yeah."
Sima Yongheng thought that since he was now in someone else's territory, it was better to answer the questions honestly. Otherwise, he might lose his life accidentally.
"Do you remember your mother?" The uncle continued to ask Sima Yongheng.
"Sure, but my mother died of a sudden illness a few years ago."
"… Died? You said she's already dead?" The uncle seemed a bit disbelieving of Sima Yongheng's words.
Sima Yongheng looked up straight at the tall and strong middle - aged man standing in front of him. There was a faint smile on his lips. "Yes, she's already dead. She died of overwork. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been begging, stealing, and robbing to survive these years. I've done all these illegal things."
Hearing Sima Yongheng's words, the middle - aged man showed deep regret on his tough face. "Baolan, my poor Baolan!"
Hearing the middle - aged man call out his mother's name, Sima Yongheng couldn't help frowning. "Who on earth are you? Why do you know my mother's name?"
The middle - aged man wiped away his tears and looked at Sima Yongheng with eager eyes. "I'm your grandfather, Yongheng!"
"My grandfather?" Sima Yongheng looked at the man who claimed to be his grandfather and sneered contemptuously. He could tell that this man was quite rich. There was an incomparable nobility exuding from his body. "My mother never told me I had a grandfather. She only told me that I had a relative on the border."
"Is this your mother's last words?"
"Sort of. Before she died, she told me to live on my own. Only when I really couldn't make it should I go and find that so - called relative," Sima Yongheng had been dependent on his mother since childhood. Suddenly, a man came out and said he was his grandfather. How could he accept it so quickly? "Are you that so - called relative?"
"How dare you! Who allowed you to talk to the master like this!" A heavily - made - up woman standing aside was very angry when she heard Sima Yongheng's words. She took out the knife in her hand and almost drew it out on the spot to kill Sima Yongheng.
"Shut up! Don't say a word!" The middle - aged man angrily shouted at the woman. The woman had no choice but to reluctantly put away the knife in her hand.
"… Yes, master!" Although the woman was very indignant, due to her master's order, she had to swallow her anger.
"Yongheng, are you still angry with your grandfather?" The middle - aged man softened his tone.
"Unfortunately, I have no intention of being angry with you. I'm not familiar with you at all. How could I be angry with you? Moreover, when my mother and I were at the end of our ropes, no one came out to help us. My mother died of illness because we had no money to treat her. If we didn't have any other relatives at all, I wouldn't say anything. But now…"
Sima Yongheng gave the middle - aged man a resentful look. The middle - aged man had no choice but to sigh. "I know it's my fault, grandfather's fault. I didn't find you in time and bring you back home to take good care of you. It's right for you to blame me."
Seeing that Sima Yongheng still ignored him, the middle - aged man was helpless. He had no choice but to call his subordinate. "Feihu, take Young Master Yongheng to his room. Send a few servants to take good care of his daily life."
"Yes, master."
Watching Sima Yongheng being taken away, the woman just now stepped forward. There was a bit of dissatisfaction on her charming face. "Master, why did you bring him back?"
"He's my grandson. Of course, I have to bring him back," The middle - aged man swept away the pain he had shown when facing Sima Yongheng just now. He looked at his subordinate coldly. "Moreover, someone has to inherit my foundation. Besides, Yongheng is not only my grandson, but also the son of my daughter and that man. His role is naturally great."
Just then, a short man ran in. "General, the emperor wants to discuss something with you."
"I see," The middle - aged man put on his cloak. "You guys watch my grandson well. Don't let him run around, okay?"
"Yes, master."
This middle - aged man was Sima Tianhai, the general of the Qiangfeng Kingdom.
The sound of knocking on the door outside the room woke up Xin Yeheng, who was recalling the experiences of the previous period. He sat up from the bed and rubbed his forehead. "… Who's outside?"
"It's me, Qihar."
Qihar? Xin Yeheng silently repeated this name.
After the rest just now, Xin Yeheng remembered everything that had happened before. He couldn't let Qihar find out that he was no longer the previous Xin Yeheng.
"Come in."
Qihar came back after being beaten thirty boards by Wei Shuxuan. He was glad that he had given the eunuch a sum of money in advance to make him go easy on him. So he was able to walk back now.
"That Xin Shang really hit hard. With just one slap, you were in a coma for an entire afternoon."
Qihar reached out and stroked the palm print on Xin Yeheng's face.