CHAPTER 286: CHAPTER 281: HEROINE AND DEMONESS

"Oh, aren’t you just bragging?" Ji Nan raised an eyebrow, looking at him skeptically.

Upon hearing this, the waiter became unhappy, glanced at the Shopkeeper, then whispered, "You should go out and inquire about who Erniu is, there’s nothing in the capital I don’t know."

Upon seeing this, Ye Qiu showed a sincere smile: "Then Brother Erniu, could we sisters ask you about something?" As she said this, Ye Qiu placed two maces of silver on the table.

Erniu’s eyes lit up, and his face was filled with smiles: "Please, feel free to ask."

"It’s like this, my brother and I came from Jiangning City to the capital to search for our relatives. Fifteen years ago, one of our aunts married into the capital. Later, we heard that our uncle became the Housekeeper of Anle Marquis Mansion. But then, within a couple of years, we lost all contact."

"Unfortunately, it was just around then that our father met with an accident. We, as siblings, were young and have been cautiously guarding the estate left by our parents. It wasn’t until my brother recently grew up and became an adult that we followed our father’s dying wish to come to the capital to find our aunt, but as we passed by Anle Marquis Mansion yesterday, we were too intimidated by its high gates and large courtyard to enter. Brother Erniu, do you have any way to find out news about my aunt?"

Upon hearing Ye Qiu’s inquiry, the waiter looked distressed and furrowed his brows.

Seeing this, Ye Qiu let out a disappointed sigh: "I’ve put Brother Erniu in a difficult position, how could commoners like us enter a marquis mansion?"

"I can inquire about other mansions, but with this Anle Marquis..." the waiter hesitated, "I indeed have no connections."

"What’s the matter?" Ji Nan asked, puzzled, "Please tell us siblings about this Anle Marquis to prevent us from offending them unknowingly."

Considering the two maces of silver in his pocket, the waiter looked around suspiciously and then whispered to Ye Qiu and Ji Nan, "The Anle Marquis Mansion is unlike other noble households; it’s the maternal home of the Noble Consort."

"It is said that the Marquis was once a Jianghu person, and his status soared overnight after the Emperor took a fancy to his sister fifteen years ago and summoned her into the palace. Moreover, as soon as Noble Consort entered the palace, she conceived a Prince, and at that time, Anle Marquis Mansion was greatly favored."

"But unfortunately, those good days did not last long," the waiter sighed, "Ten years ago, the little Prince who was just four years old disappeared in the mansion. Although the Emperor didn’t blame them too much, Anle Marquis Mansion declared that it would close its doors and not meet with anyone from then on. It’s likely that was when your aunt could no longer communicate with you."

After listening, Ye Qiu and Ji Nan exchanged looks, a guess forming in their minds.

"Thank you, Brother Erniu, for the trouble."

"You’re welcome, let me check if your dishes are ready."

"Sister, could it be that I am..." Ji Nan pondered for a moment, asking uncertainly.

"If the waiter’s information is correct, then it’s very likely the case."

"If I possibly am Noble Consort’s child, then she must be a person from the Demon Sect. How could they lose me in their own territory?" This was the part Ji Nan couldn’t comprehend.

"Let’s go to the Imperial Palace today to see the Noble Consort," Ye Qiu said to Ji Nan. At this, Ji Nan finally showed a trace of panic on his face; if things were as expected, then the Noble Consort would be his birth mother.

Is she a bad person since she’s from the Demon Sect? Did her own disappearance have anything to do with her? Did she ever care about whether he lived or died?

Ji Nan was extremely conflicted, both looking forward to and fearing the arrival of night.

"It’s alright," Ye Qiu patted his shoulder, "If she didn’t intentionally lose you, we can still acknowledge her. If she’s in league with the Demon Sect and wants to use you, then we will ignore her. You still have us, and Medicine Valley will always have your back."

Ji Nan looked at Ye Qiu, feeling warmed by her support, and a relaxed smile appeared on his face.

"Mm! Thank you, Sister."

"Why should we siblings even say thanks." Ye Qiu and Ji Nan exchanged a smile, not by blood, but just as true, they had long been a family.

Another full moon night, Wuyang stood in the pavilion, lost in the sky above, wondering where her child could be now? Does he have warm clothes to wear? Has he had enough to eat? Is someone bullying him?

"Lady, it’s late at night," the palace maid cautiously reminded.

"I know," Wuyang’s eyes flashed with a hint of desolation, and she returned to the palace lonely. At the palace gate, there stood another very lonely figure, apparently the most noble person under the heavens yet seeming so solitary.

Wuyang bowed her head, feeling guilty for him, her doing had cost him an heir, she didn’t know to whom this vast world could be entrusted.

"Your Majesty."

"Rise," said the Middle-aged Man, the Emperor Ji Heng, as he sighed and helped her up, "Wuyang, you’re being disobedient again."

"I miss our child," she confessed.

"Let’s return to the palace."

Deep into the quiet night, Wuyang opened her eyes, which showed no trace of sleepiness. She turned to look at Ji Heng and asked again the question she had for many years. "Your Majesty, why don’t you attack the Holy Sect? You know it was them..."

"Wuyang," Ji Heng also opened his eyes, "it’s not just an issue with your sect. It involves my brothers as well, and I’m afraid, afraid that Nannan is still in their hands."

"Nannan couldn’t possibly be in the sect," Wuyang’s eyes flashed with disdain, "I know my brother well. If Nannan were with him, he would never pass up an opportunity to threaten you. Besides, I’ve heard that he’s recently been besieged by the martial arts factions. Do you think he might have..."

"Are you saying he has clues about Nannan?" Ji Heng stood abruptly, staring intensely at Wuyang.

"It’s very likely. I know his tactics; he wouldn’t leave no trace at all. I’m just afraid that he would threaten you after finding Nannan," she expressed her concern.

Ji Heng’s mind sank, "I will have people keep a close watch on his men."

Ji Nan, who was eavesdropping, was shocked. He hadn’t expected things to be this way. So, he really was the son of the Emperor and the Noble Consort? So his mother wasn’t using him? She didn’t deliberately lose him?

Ji Nan panicked and accidentally touched a roof tile.

"Who’s there?" Ji Heng immediately stood up, and the surrounding guards quickly surrounded the area.

Ji Nan and Ye Qiu could have escaped, but they didn’t flee. They flipped down from the roof.

"Who are you?" Ji Heng demanded, his gaze sharp.

Ji Nan looked at him with a complicated expression, then slowly removed his mask.

Seeing his true face, both Ji Heng and Wuyang, who followed behind, were stunned.

Too alike, the youth before them resembled Ji Heng so closely, as if cast from the same mold, only a younger version versus a middle-aged one.

"Nannan?" Wuyang ventured, feeling an inexplicable kinship that brought tears to her eyes.

"Is it my Nannan?" she asked, her voice trembling.