0p0 Chapter 378 The death ruse finally came in handy.
Chapter 378 The death ruse finally came in handy.
The next morning, Gu Zhanghua hurriedly entered the palace and reported the whole story of the matter of Shishu to Emperor Gu Li of Xia.
Gu Li looked at her son with lingering fear, touched her son's arm, and then looked at his face.
"How could it be Shishu? Shishu has been by your side since you were six years old!"
Gu Li sighed deeply.
"Although I know what you said is true, I still can't believe it. Besides, your mother specifically asked Han Gu to investigate him carefully! His background is clean, and there is absolutely nothing suspicious about it!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhanghua quickly reminded Gu Li.
"Father, please don't tell my mother about this. I'm afraid she'll feel bad. She asked Eunuch Han to investigate thoroughly, but Qi Kai is a meticulous person, and Shi Shu did grow up in the mountains. It's normal that they couldn't find anything."
Gu Li paced back and forth in the imperial study with his hands behind his back, muttering to himself.
"Qi Kai, Qi Kai... I never thought this person would be so persistent, still causing trouble after all these years!"
Gu Li suddenly stopped and stared intently at Gu Zhanghua.
"According to Shi Shu, since Qi Kai was going to try to stir up trouble in Liyang City during the war between Xia and Yue, then based on this analysis, Qi Kai should be serving the Yue Emperor?"
"That's entirely possible!"
Gu Zhanghua recalled the time when he accompanied Zhao Xuan to the Yue Kingdom and encountered the real and fake princesses. At that time, there was indeed a strategist named Wang Huai in front of the Yue Emperor.
“Father, Emperor Yue has a strategist whom he respectfully calls ‘Master’, named Wang Huai. Judging from his age, he matches Qi Kai, but I cannot guarantee that he is Qi Kai.”
"Let's not talk about him for now. With Yue's defeat and the cession of territory and payment of reparations, Qi Kai has no way to use his abilities. It's just a pity for Shi Shu, but fortunately, he has been by your side for many years and still retains a pure heart, which is truly remarkable."
Gu Zhanghua helped Gu Li sit down in a chair, and then sat down next to Gu Li himself.
"Father, Sister Xuan and I have already discussed it and decided to give Shishu a new identity, fake his death to avoid disaster, so that he will no longer be controlled by Qi Kai and can live with Chunlan in Jiaoyangyu."
“Since you’ve already made up your mind, then do as you say,” Gu Li gave Gu Zhanghua an encouraging look. “You don’t need to tell your father about everything in the future. Just make your own decisions!”
Gu Zhanghua smiled and nodded.
"There is one more thing I must tell Father. After Sister Xuan and I finish dealing with Shishu's matter, we will immediately continue to investigate the case of the attack on the mission back then. We have already found a key clue."
Gu Li nodded with satisfaction.
"I heard about this from your second brother. It will indeed take a lot of time to investigate the specific circumstances of those orphans at the Liyang branch of the Fuze Relief Home. You two go ahead and investigate; I'll be waiting for your good news!"
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Three days later, everything was ready for Shishu's departure. Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua discussed holding a small farewell banquet at the mansion for Shishu and Chunlan, who were about to embark on their journey.
Originally, only a very few people in the know were to attend, but at Shi Shu's insistence, everyone in the household who was familiar with her was invited.
In the end, the small farewell banquet evolved into a grand feast for the entire Prince Xian's residence.
This is what Shi Shu said to Gu Zhanghua at the time.
"I believe that the people in the manor will not expose my new identity. After this trip to Jiaoyang Valley, I don't know when I will be able to reunite with everyone. Over the years, I have been very grateful for everyone's care, and I would like to say goodbye to everyone properly."
Chunlan shared the same sentiment; she had many more people she couldn't bear to part with: the housekeeper and his wife, Qing'e, the guards in the palace, and especially Zhao Xuan.
The two first met in Jiaoyang Valley. Chunlan and Qiuju accompanied Zhao Xuan, who was impersonating a princess of Yue, on her long journey to Liyang, where they went through countless hardships.
Everyone gathered and parted again. At this moment, Chunlan truly understood the reluctance Qiuju felt when she left the mansion.
A wonderful life awaited her, but she was even more reluctant to part with Zhao Xuan.
At dusk, the banquet in the Prince's mansion officially began in the courtyard of Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua.
Everyone spontaneously recalled that special night when Zhao Xuan had just married into the royal family.
Zhao Xuan instructed Chunlan and Qiuju to secretly retrieve "Chang Xiang Ju" wine, but they were mistaken by the guards in the mansion for wine thieves, causing a huge misunderstanding.
Later, Zhao Xuan took the opportunity to hold a big banquet in the courtyard and mingled with everyone!
Alone Better Together!
Everyone drank too much that night, and Zhao Xuan even blacked out!
So, the next morning, she went to the palace for the first time to see her mother-in-law, Consort Shu, and the two almost got into a fight!
When talking about her painful past, Zhao Xuan wasn't embarrassed at all; instead, she laughed excitedly.
She raised her wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp, wiping her mouth with a sly glint in her eyes.
"Who would have thought that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, who were once at each other's throats, could now get along so well? My relationship with my mother-in-law is fantastic now!"
The housekeeper couldn't help but laugh and teased Zhao Xuan.
"Has your mother-in-law stopped trying to pressure you to have a baby recently?"
"Housewife! Don't bring up things that are hard to put down! What if my mother-in-law has super hearing and hears what you say? She might have forgotten about urging me to have a baby, but then she'll suddenly remember it, and I'll be in big trouble!"
"Getting married and having children is a natural thing. What big trouble could you possibly be in? Could it be?"
Qing'e glanced at Zhao Xuan with a sly look, then at Gu Zhanghua.
"You two can't have children?!"
"Qing'e, you're asking for it!"
Zhao Xuan's face flushed bright red, whether from the alcohol or embarrassment, she didn't know. She immediately stood up and chased Qing'e around the yard.
Shi Shu sat next to Gu Zhanghua, took a small sip of wine, and watched everyone playfully bickering with a smile on her face.
He wanted to remember all of this, so that no matter what difficulties and hardships he might face in the future, he could always recall these joyful and vivid scenes in the Prince Xian's mansion.
He felt fearless! His life was worthwhile!
"Shishu..." Gu Zhanghua called softly, "Have you decided what name you want to change to in the future? I still need to hurry up and get your household registration and travel permit done."
“Before, my dad and mom called me Gouwa (Dog Boy), saying that a humble name would make me easier to raise. They said they would give me a proper name when I had the chance to go to school… I never expected Qi Kai to suddenly appear…”
Shi Shu subconsciously stopped calling Qi Kai "uncle." From the moment he was saved by Little Fairy Doctor, this person had already disappeared from his life.
Shi Shu looked at the Little Fairy Doctor sitting opposite her and asked with anticipation.
"Little Fairy Doctor, you gave me my life. You're right, I owe you a life. So, can I take your surname?"
Little Fairy Doctor was a little stunned when Shi Shu asked her that question.
She had gotten used to everyone calling her Little Fairy Doctor. It had been a very long time since anyone had mentioned her real name, and she had almost forgotten what her own name was.
“My real name is Li Xing’er. If you wish, you can take the surname Li.”
"it is good!"
Shishu took Chunlan's hand and they smiled at each other.
"From now on, my surname will be Li, and my name will be Li Gouwa. Li Gouwa is me. From now on, there will be no more Shishu in this world..."
"No!"
Gu Zhanghua looked at Shishu with a firm gaze and said, word by word:
"Shishu will always be there for us. He is in my heart, in all of our hearts. He is our best friend and brother! We will always remember him!"
Shi Shu's throat suddenly felt itchy, blood rushed to his head, and tears filled his eyes. He bit his lip and took a deep breath.
"Your Highness! I understand!"