Chapter 32: Confessing Identity
The next evening, Murong Aying reported to Chu Lianmo upon his return to the manor:
“Your Highness, the investigation is complete. Wen Yuanru did indeed have an elder son who was lost at the age of two. His wife was always despondent because of this, and she passed away shortly after giving birth to their younger son.
“Furthermore, the human trafficker was only recently apprehended.”
“…I understand.” Chu Lianmo rubbed his temples.
He arrived at the dining hall with a worried expression. Qi Xiaojun was waiting for him. “Your Highness has returned.”
“Fourth Uncle,” Chu Tianlin walked over, “I’ve made plans with friends tonight, I won’t be eating here.”
“Go ahead.” Chu Lianmo wasn’t overly concerned. After all, he was only temporarily looking after his son; as long as he didn’t cause trouble, he’d let him do as he pleased.
So Chu Tianlin went off to drink and carouse.
Among the friends he had invited was Wen Shan.
Wen Shan and Chu Tianlin were distantly related, of similar age and interests, so they had a good relationship. They often gathered to eat, drink, and have fun.
“I’m not feeling well today, I’ll drink less.” Wen Shan said dejectedly, “Waiter, bring some tea.”
“Coming, sir.” The waiter readily complied.
“Oh, what’s wrong?”
Liu Jun was also there. He had lost to Wen Shan in a game of archery and was unhappy, seizing the opportunity to be sarcastic, “So pale, did you get beaten up?”
Wen Shan glared at him, “None of your business.”
Liu Jun laughed, “I heard your family has a new brother, aren’t you happy? Did you get beaten up for causing trouble?”
Chu Tianlin tried to intervene, “Alright, let’s say less. We’re out having fun, let’s be happy.”
But Liu Jun refused to relent, “Wen Shao, I advise you to keep your tail between your legs. After all, you’re now the second son. If your father dislikes you, you might not get a single copper of inheritance.”
“Hah!” Wen Shan sneered, blurting out, “Everything in the Wen family is mine! Yin Mei won’t get a single copper!”
“Why?” Liu Jun was startled. “He’s the eldest son of the Wen family, why wouldn’t he get anything?”
“…” Wen Shan immediately fell silent. He remembered his father’s instructions from last night – the Wen family secret mustn’t be revealed to anyone.
“I already said, my family matters are none of your business.”
“Haha, you’re just being stubborn.” Liu Jun thought he was just boasting and didn’t think much of it.
However, Chu Tianlin found it strange – Wen Shan’s reaction was as if he had let something slip.
That day, the atmosphere was unpleasant, and they soon finished their meal and left.
As Chu Tianlin returned to the Rui Wangfu, Chu Lianmo and Qi Xiaojun were sitting on the lawn, enjoying the moon and chatting.
“Minister Wen probably did have an elder son,” Qi Xiaojun discussed the Wen family matter with Chu Lianmo, “But whether this son had a birthmark, and whether it was Yin Mei, isn’t it all up to him?”
Chu Lianmo turned and stared at Qi Xiaojun for a moment. “I think so too, but we lack evidence. Ajun, why do you always think alike recently?”
Qi Xiaojun smiled, “Perhaps we have a telepathic connection.”
“I didn’t realize you were so smart.” Chu Lianmo stared intently at Qi Xiaojun.
“…I…” Qi Xiaojun’s heart pounded.
Chu Lianmo had calmed down. The weather was pleasant, the moon was full, the atmosphere was right. Should he say it?
“Your Highness, I want to tell you a secret. You can believe it or not, but please don’t think I’m insane and kill me, okay?”
Chu Lianmo chuckled, “I’d rather offend the Emperor than let anyone touch a hair on your head. Do you think I would kill you?”
“Then…” Qi Xiaojun took the unprecedented initiative to reach out and take Chu Lianmo’s cool hand in the night wind, his voice trembling slightly:
“What if I told you that I am the resurrected Qi Xiaojun?”
“…!” Chu Lianmo’s heart trembled. He stared at Qi Xiaojun in disbelief and astonishment.
However, his eyes didn’t show anger.
So Qi Xiaojun continued confidently: “I know you won’t easily believe this, but let me tell you about our past, shall we?”
Qi Xiaojun started from when he first arrived in Chu.
He arrived alone in a foreign land with only a servant and a few belongings. Emperor Chu Wen had arranged a modest residence for him, but he still felt it was empty, and his heart was even emptier.
Before leaving, he had a huge argument with his father.
The former Qi Xiaojun was deeply loved by his father and mother, enjoying a comfortable life. For twelve years, he had considered himself a gifted child and had directly asked his father whether he loved him more than his elder brother, Qi De Di had happily replied, of course, he loved him more.
However, when Chu demanded a Qi hostage, Qi De Di could only choose him.
“Is this what Father meant by ‘loving me more’?!” Qi Xiaojun asked tearfully.
“Ajun, you must be sensible. Your elder brother is the crown prince, how could he be sent to Chu?”
“I don’t want to be sensible! I want to stay with Father and Mother!”
Qi Xiaojun sobbed.
But this couldn’t change his fate.
Before he left Qi, Qi De Di and his mother repeatedly urged him to restrain his wilfulness and protect himself in Chu.
Actually, they didn’t need to tell him.
A person is willful only because their environment allows it.
Once it’s no longer allowed, he will naturally put away his sharp edges and become a sensible child.
Upon arriving in Chu, Qi Xiaojun sensed hostility from many people.
Chu Wei De directly sneered, “He looks thin and malnourished. Qi is indeed poor, even their princes can’t eat enough.”
Qi Xiaojun glared at him, his eyes burning with anger. In the past, if anyone spoke ill of Qi, he would have directly beaten them up. But in Chu, he had to restrain himself.
In fact, he was naturally slender, no matter how much martial arts he practiced, he couldn’t easily gain weight; it had nothing to do with not eating enough.
“De’er, don’t talk like that. From now on, Jun’er is your brother.” Emperor Chu Wen lightly stopped him, his tone not harsh.
Chu Wei De scoffed, clearly not accepting Qi Xiaojun as his brother.
Then, a handsome young man said, “Second Brother, I think Ajun is quite handsome. Does one have to be muscular like you to be considered beautiful?”
“You!” Chu Wei De glared at him but didn’t say more because the Emperor was present.
After everyone dispersed, Qi Xiaojun silently returned to his residence.
That night, he looked at the full moon in the courtyard, his heart aching.
At that moment, Chu Lianmo visited.
Chu Lianmo had been present when Qi Xiaojun was introduced to the Chu princes, but Qi Xiaojun hadn’t noticed him.
Only when he defended him did Qi Xiaojun remember the handsome young man’s appearance.
“Hello, I’m Chu Lianmo, the fourth prince of Chu,” Chu Lianmo smiled warmly, introducing himself, “We’re brothers now, can I call you ‘Ajun’?”
“Yes.” Qi Xiaojun responded coldly.
Although Chu Lianmo seemed friendly, who knew what he was up to? There wasn’t a single good person in Chu.
“Ajun, you’re admiring the moon?” Chu Lianmo sat down uninvited on the stone bench opposite Qi Xiaojun, “Let me keep you company, I also like watching the moon.”
“Why are you watching the moon?” Qi Xiaojun, used to being straightforward, couldn’t help but sneer, “People only look at the moon when they miss home. You’re in your own homeland, with a harmonious family, you should be spending time with your family.”
In fact, Qi Xiaojun was inwardly questioning: Why? Why was he the only one who had to endure this separation from his family? He was only twelve years old, still at an age where he wanted to be pampered by his parents!
“Ajun, I know you’re sad now.”
Chu Lianmo didn’t mind his tone, but stared at him gently, “Don’t worry, didn’t Father say that your parents can visit you every year? And when they’re not here, you can consider me family.”
Qi Xiaojun sneered, “I’m not worthy.”
“Ajun, I have a gift for you.”
Chu Lianmo clapped his hands. A chubby middle-aged man came over.
“Ajun, look, this chef is from Qi. He can make authentic Qi dishes to comfort your homesickness. I specially found him for you.”
“Greetings, Prince Xiao!” The chef greeted Qi Xiaojun in the Qi dialect.
Qi Xiaojun looked at the chef in surprise, then at Chu Lianmo, his cold heart finally warmed a little, “Why are you so good to me?”
Chu Lianmo smiled slightly, “I finally have a brother. You don’t know, although I have a fifth brother, his mother always fights with my mother, so we’re not close. Now, I finally have a brother without conflict of interest.”
“…But I don’t want to be your brother.”
Because that would mean admitting he was a Chu prince. In Qi Xiaojun’s heart, he would always be a Qiren (person from Qi).
“Let’s be friends, okay?”
“Okay!” Chu Lianmo readily agreed, “Ajun, if you need anything, food, toys, or anything else, just tell me, I’ll help you.”
“Thank you, Prince Rui.” Qi Xiaojun’s eyes welled up. So there were good people in Chu?
“Oh, I call you Ajun, why are you being so polite? Just call me by my name.”
“Um… Can I call you, Lianmo?”
“Yes, yes, that’s right.” Chu Lianmo nodded happily.
“Lianmo…”
Qi Xiaojun hadn’t called Chu Lianmo that in eight years.
“Do you remember these things?”
“You’re really Ajun!”
Chu Lianmo excitedly stood up and hugged Qi Xiaojun tightly. Only they knew these things, so he no longer doubted.
“Ajun, my Ajun… You’re not dead, you’re back to me! Heaven must have heard my prayers and given me the most precious gift! Ajun, do you know how much I’ve missed you?!”
His voice choked, his hug tighter.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were Ajun earlier!”
Qi Xiaojun smiled in his arms, “I didn’t know you liked me either. Back then, we were friends, and I really didn’t see your hidden feelings. Alright, let go of me, I can’t breathe.”
Author’s Note:
Babies, because of the diligent updates, starting today there will be six chapters daily, are you happy?~ Also, there might be a VIP chapter update on December 29th, those who want to read it for free should hurry up.