Chapter 235: Attitude Change

Luoning and Jialier talked as they walked, and only after entering the city did the two of them bid each other farewell.

After Jialier finished his patrol duty for the day, he still needed to lead his team to the Training Ground for a handover; otherwise, he would have been very willing to invite Luoning to be a guest at his home.

Caravans frequently traveled to and from Wushan City, so there were many inns near the city entrance, providing safe and comfortable accommodation for travelers and caravans.

The owners of these inns were a diverse group; some were relatively wealthy Free Citizens of the city, some had noble backgrounds, and others were "chain" inns opened in various cities by large merchant guilds.

Luoning found an inn that looked to have a good environment and checked in.

This was met with a warm welcome from the innkeeper, who not only waived the accommodation fee but also prepared fine wine and dishes, and even asked if he wanted services like singing girls or dancing girls.

The grandson of Lord Lulansi, the Viscount of Wubei Territory—that such a big figure would stay at their inn was a matter of great honor.

The owner could absolutely use this event as a signboard for promotion, raising the inn's reputation and attracting more people to stay.

Luoning, however, did not take advantage of these petty gains; he paid what he should pay and firmly declined the services he should decline. He only wanted the convenience of a place to sleep and did not want to stir up any trouble.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, he ate a few mouthfuls of breakfast in a rush, then borrowed the inn's carriage to return to Wushan Castle.

Compared to his last visit, Wushan Castle was not as lively this time.

Luoning's birthday was not a particularly important day for those nobles, and they would not travel thousands of miles to come here to congratulate him as they would for Lulansi.

Following the protocol for receiving foreign guests, the Guards led Luoning to the reception room while sending someone to notify the person currently in charge of the castle—Daianni.

Luoning could have gone directly to the back courtyard to see Lulansi first, and he estimated no one would have stopped him, but since he had moved out of Wushan Castle, he would follow the host's lead now that he was back.

Before long, the sound of light footsteps arrived, and Daianni walked in quickly, bringing a gust of fragrance with her.

At forty, she was still beautiful and moving; even though she was only wearing a dress of simple colors today, she still did not lose her nobility.

Luoning stood up, preparing to take the initiative to greet her, but he did not expect the other party to be much more enthusiastic than usual.

Daianni walked up and opened her arms, giving Luoning a big hug.

"Welcome home, Luoning! I'm so happy you could come to Wushan Castle to spend your eighteenth birthday!"

Luoning was taken aback for a moment.

In his memories, Daianni had been decent enough to his predecessor; she hadn't made things difficult or targeted him in every way like a typical stepmother.

On the contrary, she had provided the money that should have been given and arranged the things that should have been prepared.

Aside from not communicating often, there was nothing inappropriate.

However, Luoning believed that regarding what the Haide Family had done, the other party was certainly aware of quite a bit.

Now that Luoning had been deprived of his inheritance rights, Daianni definitely wanted her son Buleidun to remain the heir.

Therefore, she should have held a hostile attitude toward Luoning's rise, so why was she so enthusiastic today?

This must have been the first hug between Daianni and Luoning in all the years since she married into Wushan Castle, right?

Daianni released Luoning, stepped back to look him over carefully, and remained pleasant and amiable.

"Compared to last time, your height seems to have grown a bit more."

Luoning laughed it off, "I'm not twenty yet, so there's always a chance to grow taller."

When he first transmigrated, Luoning was over one meter seventy, and now he was probably over one meter eighty; he had indeed grown quite a bit.

Facing such an enthusiastic Daianni, Luoning felt that when things were abnormal, there must be a demon at work, so he decided it was better to change the subject quickly.

"Where are Father and Buleidun? I'll go find them."

"They are not in the castle right now."

Daianni said, "Buleidun is studying at the Wushan Extraordinary Academy. I have already sent him a message, and I estimate he will be able to rush back by this afternoon or tomorrow morning to attend your birthday ball tomorrow night."

"That's too grand."

Luoning rubbed his nose, "Buleidun's studies are more important; having him make a special trip like this is too much of a waste of time."

"He can practice in the castle too, and he can also exchange pointers with you."

Daianni said with a smile, "Ever since you guided him in sword practice last time, he has been praising your high level of swordsmanship! I feel that besides the Marquis, the person he admires most is probably you, his older brother."

Daianni's personality was somewhat inherited from her father, Aosen; she would absolutely never admit that her son was inferior to Luoning, yet now she had changed her tune.

Strange, truly strange.

"And Father?" Luoning changed the subject.

She sighed and sat on a chair to the side with a worried expression.

"You might not know yet, but the Bolante Bandit Group has made a comeback and is threatening Chishan Town. The peace on the border is about to be broken. Regiment Commander Keruien has submitted a request for reinforcements to Wushan Castle, and your father is currently raising food, weapons, and armor for that side."

Luoning wore a strange expression; was Weijinsi, who had lost a leg, actually so concerned about this matter?

"I heard a batch of food had already been prepared and sent over, so why are they still collecting food?"

Moreover, Chishan Town itself had an iron mine, so how could it be lacking in weapons and armor?

Daianni's eyes flickered; sure enough, although Luoning was far away in Wubei Territory, he still had an understanding of the affairs in Wushan Castle.

Looking at it this way, either someone in Wushan Castle had already leaned toward Wubei Territory, or Lulansi had revealed these matters to Luoning.

If it were the former, it meant Luoning wanted the inheritance rights of Wushan Territory;

If it were the latter, it meant that in Lulansi's heart, Luoning's weight was becoming increasingly heavy.

Regardless of the situation, Luoning and his Wubei Territory would rise.

In fact, these psychological activities were entirely Daianni overthinking things.

Luoning had only accidentally heard some news from Jialier, and Jialier had not leaned toward him.

As for him and Lulansi, they had only exchanged one letter.

"Perhaps your father is doing this to better cope with the great battle that might happen next."

Daianni gave an answer, "After all, your father cares quite a bit about Chishan Town."

Luoning pondered slightly.

It seemed that back then, it was precisely because Weijinsi led his troops to the front line that they defended against the enemy at Kaxier Town, thereby holding onto Chishan Town.

So, this Count of Wushan City treasures his only war achievement very much and protects it exceptionally well; is that why, after receiving the request for help, he insisted on dragging his crippled body to transport supplies over there?

Luoning shook his head inwardly; perhaps this is what they mean by "provisions and fodder must go before the troops move."

He glanced at Daianni, his heart stirred, and he suddenly asked, "I wonder how Earl Aosen has been lately?"

Mentioning her father, Daianni's gaze flickered, the smile on her face slowly vanished, and it was replaced by a worried expression.

"After returning from Wushan Castle, he lay in bed for over a month without moving much, and it wasn't until recently that he could walk with a cane, but the Battle Qi within his body can no longer be easily used."

She sighed and shook her head in frustration, "I tried to persuade him not to challenge your grandfather, but he just wouldn't listen."

There was such a thing?

Luoning was somewhat surprised; not only did she reveal Aosen's situation, but she also said she had tried to persuade him not to challenge Lulansi.

Is she trying to explain to Luoning that the matter of Aosen challenging Lulansi that day had nothing to do with her?

Connecting this to how enthusiastic she was acting today, Luoning couldn't help but frown; what does this woman want to do? (End of chapter)