"Young man, is the news from the Great Northwest really that isolated and backward? How come you don't even know who the emperor of our Yanluo Kingdom is?"
Gu Qingfeng gave an awkward smile and nodded in response. "Yes."
"Alright then."
Gu Zhenyuan sighed and still answered truthfully. "The current emperor of our Yanluo Kingdom is Emperor Yunqi."
Yunqi?
Gu Qingfeng had a vague impression upon hearing the name. After a moment of careful recollection, the image of a little brat surfaced in his mind. He then remembered that Yunqi seemed to be the youngest prince, and also the younger brother Tang Hengxi doted on the most.
In Gu Qingfeng's memory, that was a very mischievous little fellow, and his courage was immense. Back when he was in Yanluo Kingdom, this little guy had often followed him around, not only tagging along as he explored caves and mansions but also joining him in killing people.
To think he had now become emperor.
With a sigh of emotion, Gu Qingfeng cautiously asked, "What about Tang Hengxi?"
"Young man, are you really from the remote borderlands of the Great Northwest?"
"What's the matter?"
"Even if you are from the remote borderlands of the Great Northwest, you should have heard of Lord Chixiao, right?"
"This..." Gu Qingfeng nodded. "I suppose I've heard of him. What about it?"
"After the Monarch was judged by the Immortal Dao back then, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager abdicated the throne to Emperor Yunqi and then went off to search for the Monarch... Her Majesty never believed the Monarch would be judged, and she always believed the Monarch was still alive, so... Her Majesty has been searching for the Monarch all this time!"
"This..." After hearing Gu Zhenyuan's words, Gu Qingfeng fell silent for a moment.
After a long pause, he asked again, "For such a long time, has there been no news of her at all?"
"I've heard... I heard from His Highness the Prince that Her Majesty has returned a few times..."
"And then?"
"And then? There is no 'and then'..."
"How can there be no 'and then'?"
"Young man," Gu Zhenyuan said awkwardly, "I'm just a household servant of the prince's estate. How would I know the whereabouts of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng realized he had been a bit too persistent.
"Are you the only one in the entire prince's estate? Where are the others?"
"His Highness the Prince and Her Highness the Princess Consort have gone out traveling. The Princess Royal also used to stay at the Tai Chi Sect often and rarely came back. Usually, only my master and I remain here to watch over the prince's estate."
"Is the Princess Royal still at the Tai Chi Sect now?"
"The Princess Royal hasn't returned there since she came back this time."
"Oh? Then where is she?"
"The Princess Royal went out with my master. She should be back by sunset."
As he spoke, Gu Zhenyuan stood up. "Young man, you've just woken up from a coma and your body is very weak. You should sit here and rest for now. Later, after I freshen up, I'll get you something to eat."
"Alright."
After Gu Zhenyuan left, Gu Qingfeng, having nothing better to do, began to wander around.
When he had wandered earlier, he had been like a headless fly. Now that he knew this was Prince Yunhao's estate, relying on his memories from back then, Gu Qingfeng had a bit of an impression.
One must know that back when he was in Yanluo Kingdom, aside from being with Tang Hengxi, he had spent most of his time in this prince's estate eating, drinking, and having fun with that fellow Tang Yunhao. The two of them were birds of a feather, both fond of drinking. When drunk, they both liked to pick fights everywhere. The most memorable incident was when, after getting drunk, that fellow Tang Yunhao had directly summoned all the top courtesans from every brothel in Yanluo Kingdom.
Back then, not only was he there, but the little prince Yunqi was also present. However, he was also drunk at the time. The two of them had clamored to have these courtesans... for the little prince Yunqi...* Thinking back on it now, Gu Qingfeng couldn't help but want to laugh, because that incident was eventually discovered by Tang Hengxi. The result was predictable. The usually gentle and lovely Tang Hengxi beat her own elder brother black and blue. As for Gu Qingfeng, seeing the situation turn bad, he had immediately taken to his heels. But later, he was still caught up by Tang Hengxi and received a beating as well.
Gu Qingfeng also realized he shouldn't have fooled around with Tang Hengxi's most beloved younger brother, the little prince, so he didn't fight back, letting Tang Hengxi hit and scold him as she pleased. But then, as she was hitting him, Tang Hengxi inexplicably started crying...
And she cried very sorrowfully. It was also that time that Gu Qingfeng learned Tang Hengxi's outward strength was all a facade. Her heart had always borne too many pressures that didn't belong to her and shouldn't have been hers to bear.
Perhaps it was precisely that bout of weeping from Tang Hengxi that made Gu Qingfeng resolve to help her at all costs.
"I wonder where she is now? And how is she doing?"
Gu Qingfeng hadn't felt he owed Tang Hengxi anything before. But upon hearing that Tang Hengxi had been searching for him all this time, his heart grew quite complex.
His awakening this time was not for karma.
It was to repay debts.
To repay all the debts of gratitude he owed.
Since he had come to Yanluo Kingdom once more, Gu Qingfeng thought that no matter what, he must find Tang Hengxi and tell her: there's no need to wait anymore, no need to search anymore. He had returned.
But.
Where was she?
Just as he was pondering this, Gu Qingfeng suddenly sensed hostility approaching. Immediately after, a sharp shout rang out: "Who is so bold as to dare trespass into Prince Yunhao's estate!"
Turning to look, he was startled to find a young woman glaring at him angrily. She was a maiden dressed in green, holding a flying sword, about to attack. But when she saw Gu Qingfeng, her expression suddenly froze, as if greatly surprised. She withdrew her flying sword and exclaimed, "It's you?"
Immediately after, two more people walked in.
One was an elder in gray robes, and the other was a woman in azure-blue attire.
The woman's beauty was elegant rather than flamboyant, as gentle and lovely as a clear breeze and bright moon. Her eyes were tender as water, inspiring pity. Moreover, she gave Gu Qingfeng a sense of déjà vu, as if this woman before him was the Yanluo Empress Dowager of yesteryear, Tang Hengxi.
Very similar.
But it was only a slight resemblance in appearance.
Gu Qingfeng knew she was not.
And indeed, that was the case.
The green-clad maiden was precisely Shui'er.
And the woman who somewhat resembled the Yanluo Empress Dowager was none other than Tang Hengxi's niece, Tang Yunhao's daughter, Tang Manqing.
The elder beside them was the estate's steward, also Gu Zhenyuan's master, Feng Bo.
"Heavens! You've finally woken up after being unconscious for so long! I thought you'd never wake up!"
Shui'er stared wide-eyed, circling Gu Qingfeng and looking him up and down. Noticing Gu Qingfeng staring unabashedly at the Princess Royal, Shui'er scolded, "Hey! What are you staring at! Our young lady is the Yanluo Princess Royal, and also your savior! If you keep staring, I'll dig your eyes out!"
Having seen this woman's slight resemblance to Tang Hengxi earlier, Gu Qingfeng had already guessed she must be the Princess Royal, Tang Manqing.
He didn't remain idle either, cupping his hands in thanks.
"No need for courtesy. It was just a trivial effort."
Tang Manqing looked at Gu Qingfeng and said, "You've just awakened, and your body is still very weak. Here is a Gathering Yuan Pill. Take it."
Although this thing had no effect on Gu Qingfeng's physical body, he didn't refuse. He obediently swallowed it.