Chapter 231: Returning to the Capital After Autumn

Chapter 231 -223: Returning to the Capital After Autumn

“Because once your enemies catch sight of you, you’ll be in danger all over again. And you don’t even know who’s trying to harm you.”

“You want to wait until your memory returns before settling the score with your enemies. But you never thought that wait would last three years. You’re getting anxious. You want your memories back as soon as possible, but you can’t find a reliable way. Then I appeared, like a glimmer of dawn on your dark path. I may not be a beacon to light your entire way, but if you don’t try, how will you ever know if a miracle might happen?”

He watched her, his eyes narrowing slightly in the brilliant sunlight. It was as if magnificent starlight flickered and danced across the surface of a deep, vast lake.

‘She’s even smarter than I imagined.’

“Who have you told this to?” he asked, his hand tightening on the reins.

She shook her head. “A careless mouth is the gate to disaster, and the tongue is a blade that can cost you your life. Why would I ever say this to anyone else? Besides you, no one else has heard this, and no one else will.”

Hu Feng nodded, the corners of his lips curling up slightly in what seemed like a mix of approval and relief.

“Remember what you said,” he replied calmly.

Bai Zhi shrugged. “Of course. To be honest, I don’t want to know about your affairs, and I don’t want to get involved. Whatever happens in the future, whatever your identity may be—what does any of that have to do with me? I just want my mother and me to stay here in this mountain village and live a peaceful, happy life. The grand affairs of the nation are far too removed from simple commoners like us.”

Hu Feng’s brows, which had just relaxed, knitted together again. ‘She really wants nothing to do with me? Am I really that insignificant in her eyes?’ ℴℴ𝘮

Without another word, he turned, took the reins, and continued driving the horse back toward the village.

「Three days later.」

The price of rice in the city finally dropped, returning to its original level. Lord Gu set up five porridge kitchens inside and outside the city walls and simultaneously opened the granaries to distribute grain. The people’s suffering was finally alleviated. Everywhere, you could hear shouts of “Our just lord! Our savior!” praising Lord Gu to the heavens.

News of this naturally traveled quickly to the Capital City. The Emperor was full of praise, rewarding both Lord Gu and Meng Nan. He also issued a decree ordering Meng Nan to return to the capital after the autumn.

As for the case of the stolen relief silver and grain, although the Emperor had sent men to investigate, the investigation yielded nothing due to a lack of evidence.

One day, when Meng Nan found himself with some free time, he came to Huangtuo Village with Jin Xiao’an.

Knowing the way, the two of them went straight to Uncle Hu’s house. Before they even reached the courtyard gate, they spotted Bai Zhi and Hu Feng ahead, talking under an old locust tree on a construction site.

Hu Feng was leaning against the locust tree with his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes lazily half-closed. Though his gaze appeared casual, it was fixed intently on Bai Zhi beside him.

Bai Zhi seemed to be telling him something fascinating; her expression was full of life, and she gestured nonstop as she spoke.

Hu Feng didn’t say a word, but he listened with rapt attention—so focused that he didn’t even notice their arrival.

Jin Xiao’an’s attention, however, was elsewhere. He pointed in astonishment at the construction site beside them. “Sir, have you ever seen a house like that?”

Meng Nan finally tore his gaze from Bai Zhi and looked toward the house Jin Xiao’an was pointing at.

The house was being built with gray bricks, and its walls were already taller than any tile-roofed house he had ever seen. The workers standing on those high walls were still laying more bricks, as if intending to build them even higher.

Meng Nan pulled his gaze from the house and looked back at Hu Feng and Bai Zhi. He had never observed them so intently, so quietly before. Together, they created a surprisingly harmonious picture: one tall and handsome, with a reserved and steady personality; the other petite and slender, lively and quick to laugh.