Chapter 144: Duan Zhengchun

"With only your mid-Second-Rate cultivation, you're really not worth looking at. Can't you at least bring someone who can fight?" Seeing Azi sneered.

"I've heard that Duan Zhengchun has four great retainers—the Fisherman, Woodcutter, Farmer, and Scholar—referring to Chu Wanli, Gu Ducheng, Fu Sigui, and Zhu Danchen. Are you Chu Wanli?" Lin Fan suddenly asked.

"Speak! Who exactly are you people? To know so much about us, are you planning to do something against the Prince?"

Chu Wanli was startled and raised his iron fishing rod to aim at Lin Fan's group.

"Ruan Xingzhu, come out and see me!"

Lin Fan casually slapped Chu Wanli, knocking him over. He detested such ignorant people; someone who didn't even know his own level and couldn't even beat Yun Zhonghe dared to shout at him.

With the infusion of Lin Fan's internal energy, his voice carried into the Jinghu villa. Soon, a woman ran out.

The woman had a beautiful face and wore a pale green dress. Her pair of dark, round eyes were bright and sparkling like stars, shifting and turning with a lively, nimble quality, as if her eyes alone could speak. A smile hung on the corners of her mouth; one could tell at a glance that she was mischievous and quick-witted.

Following behind her was a man with a square face, a fierce and majestic demeanor, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. He possessed the look of a king; he was naturally the romantic Prince, Duan Zhengchun.

Looking only at his features, no one would guess he was a dissolute Prince who frequented flower gardens.

Duan Zhengchun scattered his affections everywhere, having countless lovers. He loved one after another, yet he was never merely a fickle, heartless flirt. When he was alone with a lover, he was truly and sincerely in love with her. One could only say this person had exceptionally rich emotions; there was no other explanation.

It was hard to distinguish whether he was truly passionate or just promiscuous; perhaps it was because he had even deceived himself.

Behind Duan Zhengchun followed three other middle-aged men; they must have been the remaining three great retainers.

"Who are you, and why do you call for me?"

Ruan Xingzhu knew full well who this person was and why he had come, but unable to reveal the existence of the diary copy, she could only pretend not to know Lin Fan.

"My name is Lin Fan. I came here to let your daughters see you. Sister Azhu, Seeing Azi, take out your longevity locks and show them to her!"

"Brother-in-law, I don't want to show her!" Seeing Azi pouted.

"Hmm?"

"Fine!"

Seeing Azi reluctantly handed both her and Sister Azhu's longevity locks to Ruan Xingzhu.

Engraved on the locks were the words: "Stars in the sky, shining bright, forever brilliant, peace in Chang'an; Bamboo by the lake, lush and green, bringing peace, joy and happiness."

The characters "Xing" and "Zhu" embedded on them were her name.

"Daughters, you are both my daughters! I never imagined you had grown so big. Ever since I entrusted you to others to be raised, this is the first time in all these years that I have seen you. It is Mother who has failed you!"

Ruan Xingzhu embraced Sister Azhu and Seeing Azi, weeping bitterly.

Sister Azhu also shed silent tears, while Seeing Azi, though seemingly dissatisfied, was moved by the sentiment and ultimately did not force herself out of Ruan Xingzhu's embrace.

"Can I hear you call me Mother?"

After a long while, Ruan Xingzhu looked expectantly at Sister Azhu and Seeing Azi.

"Mother!" Sister Azhu called out softly.

"..."