“Zhong Liang? Second Sister, this is Qing’er, the daughter you sent away at the Daming Palace back then. Does Ming Ye resemble that Zhong Liang you mentioned?”
Feng Liusu’s words not only made Wan Qing glance suspiciously at the man beside her but also caused Feng Moli to look at Leng Mingye in surprise. None of them had ever heard of this Zhong Liang. Though puzzled, Feng Moli still turned to Wan Qing and asked his elder sister.
“Qing’er, you are my daughter, Qing’er! My poor child, I thought we’d never see each other again. Who knew heaven would take pity and reunite us. Zhong Liang, didn’t you die in an accident while accompanying my elder sister to her distant marriage in Daming? How could you—”
Upon hearing her brother’s introduction, Feng Liusu recalled everything before she fainted. Though she found it hard to believe, the young woman before her, who looked exactly like her, was undoubtedly her daughter—she wouldn’t doubt it even in her dreams.
Overjoyed, tears welled up in her eyes as she took Wan Qing’s hands, overwhelmed with happiness. As she spoke of their reunion, tears streamed down her face. When she noticed the man standing beside Wan Qing, she remembered his earlier demeanor and looked at him with suspicion.
“Princess, I am indeed Zhong Liang, though I died over twenty years ago protecting the Grand Princess. The person before you now is merely Zhong Liang reborn. I had long harbored doubts about the King of Daming, but never imagined… Still, to see you again, Second Princess, makes this rebirth worthwhile. Back then, I failed to protect the Grand Princess, but now I will do everything in my power to safeguard Qing’er. Qing’er, forgive me for not telling you any of this. I—”
Initially thinking his sister had mistaken someone else upon waking, Leng Mingye instead addressed Feng Liusu directly, recounting past events with a mix of bitterness and resignation. After a pause, he sighed in relief, noticing Feng Liusu’s faint smile and nod of agreement. Turning to the two who were still confused, he took Wan Qing’s hand apologetically.
“Regardless, it’s good that Second Sister has awakened. Father and Mother are anxiously waiting for you in the palace. They wanted to come and wait for you to wake, but I didn’t want to risk disappointing them, so I had them stay. As for what you’ve just discussed, I’m afraid I’m even more lost now. Is Mingye the reincarnation of the Zhong Liang you mentioned? This—”
Feng Moli, observing the exchange between his sister and Leng Mingye, noticed Wan Qing’s furrowed brow despite her joyful tears. Though unclear about Zhong Liang’s exact relationship with his sisters, he voiced his speculation out of concern for his niece.
“Indeed, I believe that’s the case. Zhong Liang, am I right? Knowing you’re taking care of Qing’er brings me great comfort as her mother. Now that I’m awake—aside from feeling a bit weak—I’m fine. Let’s go meet Father and Mother. We can discuss Zhong Liang’s story on the way. Qing’er.”
Though Feng Liusu found fate’s twists hard to accept, she was relieved to encounter someone she trusted, someone who clearly cared for her daughter. Encouraged by their bond, she rose from the bed, calling tenderly for Wan Qing as she prepared to leave.
“Mother.” Though uncertain about the exact relationship between Leng Mingye and her aunt, Wan Qing recalled the time she had feigned foolishness to tease Sun Fengyu, Leng Mingye, and the Prince of Ning at the Linglong Pavilion auction.
If he had been her aunt’s escort during the marriage procession and shared such deep ties with both her aunt and mother, then his praise for Consort Hui must have been genuine.
Hearing her mother’s call, Wan Qing obediently stepped forward, taking her hand as they walked and listened to her story. Gradually, the past became clearer.
Zhong Liang had been the eldest son of the Zhong family in Daqi, close in age to her mother and aunt, though slightly older.
He had grown up with the sisters, serving them loyally while sharing a bond akin to childhood sweethearts. Though he treated both with affection, his feelings for the elder princess ran deeper—almost romantic.
When her aunt met the King of Daming during her travels and decided to marry him, Zhong Liang, unwilling to let her go unprotected, followed her to Daming. To shield her from harm, he secretly established the Linglong Pavilion—then called the Dragon Pavilion—as a safeguard.
This became his life’s work, ensuring her aunt would never be defenseless. Her mother had also played a role in its operations.
But tragedy struck when the King of Daming, alongside his brother Prince An, waged war abroad for months. Upon returning, the king—now revealed to be Prince An in disguise—turned cold toward her aunt.
Enraged by her mistreatment, Zhong Liang confronted the king, only to fall victim to a plot by Prince An and Ye Mei. Though mortally wounded, he dragged himself to her aunt’s side.
Knowing he wouldn’t survive, and with her aunt pregnant, he entrusted the Dragon Pavilion to her, giving her a token of authority.
Their conversation, however, was overheard by Prince An’s spies. Learning of the hidden power her aunt commanded, he sought to seize it for himself.
But her aunt, already suspicious of his neglect and grieving Zhong Liang’s death, saw through his deception. Realizing he was an imposter, she met her end soon after.
These details, pieced together from her mother’s account and their shared knowledge, painted a poignant picture for Wan Qing.
Her mother had omitted Zhong Liang’s romantic feelings for her aunt, focusing instead on their bond as master and servant—a loyalty that moved Wan Qing deeply.
“Who knew you were such a devoted soul? Rare indeed. But be honest—did you love my aunt? Why else would a nobleman like you follow her to a foreign land and sacrifice so much?”
As her mother and uncle boarded a palanquin bound for the palace, Wan Qing studied Leng Mingye’s unusually solemn expression. Though touched by his unwavering devotion, she couldn’t help but tease him with a hint of jealousy.
“I—Qing’er, you—” Caught off guard by the Second Princess’s revelations, Leng Mingye struggled to respond. His past love for the elder princess had been unrequited, their bond never more than familial. Yet now, faced with Wan Qing’s playful accusation, he could only sigh in helplessness.
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