Chapter 384

Yuanlong?

Yuanlong.

When this name reached Thus line: Bai Liren's ears, it was already the time to set off the next day.

Everyone's expectations were correct; if he had not insisted on coming in person, he could not have left Guangzhou Zhoufu.

But personal matters tied him down—how could he not come?

Although this trip failed to take away his child and grandchild, even if it were only to catch a glimpse of that face resembling the deceased, he would willingly do so......

Moreover, he had not even gained anything.

At least he learned that his child now had a sweetheart, and he could even secure a title for his grandson......

"Yuanlong, Yuanlong......"

Thus line: Bai Liren sat in the carriage; outside, the horses' neighs and the servants' preparations for departure continued nonstop, while he, from beginning to end, merely whispered these two words softly:

"...... It sounds like a good name, with a hint of imperial bearing."

Thirty years ago, he never imagined that such a down-and-out scholar like himself could have anything to do with the words 'emperor'.

Yet thirty years later, today, what they intend to do is precisely this major undertaking.

Having read for so many years, he had never heard of a female emperor in any dynasty; logically, it should not be absurd.

However......

The world of man is inherently utterly absurd.

Perhaps a person should be absurd just once in a lifetime.

"Alright, go tell your elders that I understand this matter."

Thus line: Bai Liren spoke, loosened his grip slightly, and lowered the curtain.

The curtain stirred slightly, cutting off Thus line: Bai Liren's final glance toward the person outside, as well as shielding him from the prying eyes of the many onlookers straining to see his white-haired head:

"...... Please help me convey one more thing: tell him to rest assured, I will not break my vow."

"If it hadn't been for his mother pulling out silver to let me take the imperial examinations, I would not be who I am today; I have always wanted to repay her kindness and grace, but each time...... I always fall a step behind."

He began his education late, studied late, and even the timing of passing the licentiate exam and setting out for the capital to take the examinations was later than others'.

The year he met her, she had already broken ties with the madam who had raised her for years, spending all her silver to keep herself pure for him; if he could top the examinations and take her away, no one would suffer.

Unfortunately, on the day the results were posted, there was a heavy rain; when he went to check the list, he fell and was delayed, and by the time he reached the notice, he discovered that his learning was actually inferior to others'.

Since he failed to take her away, all those sea‑oaths and mountain‑vows came to nothing.

Tales of courtesans and scholars are performed year after year on the stage.

Unfortunately, the courtesan was a true beauty, but he was not a true talent.

Even his heart was a bit more petty than others', and for many years he never dared to think that she would truly have left him a child.

He was slow step by step; even when he finally found traces of his child, he discovered that his long‑lost offspring had already become a father.

That child, now a father himself, pays him little heed and has little affection......

He is not a fool; he can see all of this.

But that does not mean he will not treat his child and grandson well.

If this is what the foolish son means, if he still has even a scrap of room to make amends......

Even if it meant letting his body be shattered to pieces, it would not be regrettable.

Thus line: Bai Liren lifted his head, hoping to glimpse a bit of sky, but all he saw was the tightly enclosed carriage interior.

Outside, the faint sounds of preparations for departure still echoed, and the sturdy horse had already snorted impatiently several times.

Thus line: Bai Liren wanted to say a few more words to convey, but he did not know whether anyone was still waiting outside the carriage.

If only I had known......

If only I had known to lower the curtain a little later, then the other party could have listened carefully, avoiding mistakes in transmission and allowing me to add a few more reminders.

Thus line: Bai Liren felt a slight regret in his heart, but upon reflection he thought that fate was thus——

In his life, it seems he has never done anything right.

Making such a mistake now is really too commonplace.

Thus line: Bai Liren let out a faint sigh, feeling restless, and lifted the curtain once again.

The curtain stirred, and that excessively pale, wan face saw the light of day once more......

Thus line: Bai Liren had always been handsome, but lately, troubled at heart, he was extremely wan, his brows and hair all white, looking shockingly awful.

But this time, when he lifted the curtain, it was not that others were frightened by him; rather, he himself stared, eyes slowly widening at the sight not far off——

The sky is high and the clouds light; the trees begin to shed their leaves.

Not far off, that familiar slender figure reappeared behind the door, still holding a tightly wrapped bundle in his arms.

Thus line: Bai Liren was startled, not caring to maintain his usual elegance, he sprang from the carriage with hands and feet, rushing toward that figure:

"Chinu?! Father, you could have sent a servant to see you off; why must you come yourself!?"

He had thought that the two previous lengthy discussions had already settled the matter.

Since this was a private journey, he had not expected anyone to come see him off......

As it turned out, when it was time to depart, not only did his own child come, but he even brought along his newborn grandson!

When the palm prints were made earlier, Chen Weifang and his own foolish son treasured them so dearly that they were unwilling to take the baby's hand out of the swaddling.

Now the autumn wind outside is strong......

What's the point of this again!?

Chinu, unusually, did not respond; he merely held the swaddling with one hand, slightly opened a gap, and the infant Yuanlong, just waking, alertly opened his round, big eyes to gaze at everything outside the blanket.

The last time the handprints were taken, he was still asleep, so this time seeing Thus line: Bai Liren, he was naturally unfamiliar—let alone Thus line: Bai Liren now with a head of white hair.

Thus, just as Thus line: Bai Liren was almost choking up with tears while speaking, his eyes met Yuanlong's tiny face, scrunched up tight:

Silly child, don't worry—even if you don't bring the baby to see us off, Dad will surely not break his oath... Huh? Why does this child's face look so awful?

To be honest, that last remark really kills the mood.

But Chinu, being a new father, simply couldn't stand anyone saying the child looked awful; he instantly grew a bit dissatisfied, and instead of saying the speech he'd prepared, he blurted out:

Dad's talking nonsense! Everyone in the world looks awful, but our Yuanlong certainly won't!

I may be slightly inferior in appearance, but his mother is a great beauty; he will surely become a world‑renowned great beauty!

This interruption instantly dispelled the entire farewell atmosphere.

Thus line: Bai Liren swallowed the lump in his throat, then looked at the father and son before him; the more he looked, the more a hint of smile appeared on his lips.

Exactly, no matter who's ugly, our Yuanlong certainly won't be.

Perhaps this swaddling cloth is bothering our Yuanlong; when A Ye returns to Guangzhou Zhoufu, I'll send more silk and satin... for Yuanlong, and for you—you'll both have some.

This 'you' naturally refers to Chinu.

The two had met earlier in the prefectural hall, and though they both couldn't help tearing up, Thus line: Bai Liren wasn't a fool, so he naturally sensed a hint of estrangement.

But that earlier exchange of banter silently crossed that hint of estrangement...

He called him Dad.

He called him....... Dad.

He was blaming him, saying the grandson's face looked awful.

Thus line: Bai Liren lowered his gaze, looking at the little face in the swaddling cloth—brow furrowed, eyes fixed on him—and instantly found it utterly adorable.

Chinu's thoughts settled; he also lowered his gaze, tightened the swaddling cloth in his embrace, hesitated a few breaths, then ultimately abandoned all those formal pleasantries and spoke:

Dad, upon this departure, we three don't know when we'll be reunited... seeing you off is only proper.