"Xingchen, I heard from your Aunt Xue that you haven't had much appetite these past few days. Tell your mother, has something happened?" Xue Zi Ning sat on Xue Xing Chen's bed, picking up his small body and asking softly.
Xue Xing Chen looked up at her and asked, "Mother, do Sister and I not have a father?"
Xue Zi Ning was taken aback, her gaze sinking, "Without your father, how were you born?"
Xue Xing Chen bit his lower lip and asked, "But why do Sister and I share the same surname as Mother? I saw Administrator Shi's children all have the surname Shi; they don't take their mother's surname like me."
Xue Zi Ning chuckled upon hearing this, "So that's why you've lost your appetite?"
Xue Xing Chen remained silent, but his expression indicated that this was indeed his thought.
Xue Zi Ning sighed. It wasn't good for children to understand too much. At this age, they should be happily playing in their mother's embrace.
"Xingchen, you do have a father. He loves you just as much as Mother does. However, your father is ill and is recuperating elsewhere. Mother believes he will return soon. As for why you share the Xue surname, it's because Mother is not only your mother but also the ruler of this realm. One day, this realm will belong to you and your sister. Mother simply hopes that at that time, you can legitimately occupy this position, and your father agrees. We all love you and your sister, and there is no doubt about that."
Xue Xing Chen's eyes brightened, and the little one seemed to gain a bit more spirit. "Is that true, Mother?"
"It's true. Xingchen, you are so adorable, how could your father bear to abandon us?"
Xue Xing Chen smiled, his young face beaming with excitement. He hugged her, "Mother, I really want to meet Father."
Xue Zi Ning's eyes flickered. "Mother also wants to meet your father."
Very, very much.
In a manor in Jiangnan, a doctor was packing his medical kit, preparing to leave stealthily. However, before he could take a step, someone blocked his path. "Dr. Li, where are you going?"
Dr. Li's mouth twitched. "Can you tell your young master that I truly cannot cure amnesia?"
Xue Feng's face darkened. "My young master said that if it can't be cured in one day, it will be cured in two; if not in two, then in three."
Dr. Li slumped to the ground, helpless. How did he run into such an oddity?
Xue Feng walked forward and helped Dr. Li up, saying, "I still request Dr. Li to return and continue his research."
Dr. Li could only sigh as he returned to his room. Even if he wanted to leave, he couldn't.
Xue Feng looked up at the sky. Not only had his young master forgotten everything from the past, but he had also forgotten. However, the only thing he remembered was his young master's face.
"Xue Feng..."
Xue Feng turned around, looking at the person who had arrived, his expression softening considerably. "Have you found it?"
Xue Song held the dug-up medicinal herbs. "It's dug."
He walked in and said in a low voice, "Xue Feng, I seem to have recalled some things today."
"What things?" Xue Feng asked.
Xue Song said, "I... I dreamt of a woman. She... and I..."
Upon hearing this, Xue Feng let out a cold laugh. "Xue Song, have you gone mad with longing for women?"
Xue Song shook his head. "Since I woke up, this woman has been lingering in my mind."
Xue Feng remained silent. When he and Xue Song woke up, they were already here. They knew nothing of what had happened before, only that they were the young master's subordinates. Fortunately, the young master had not abandoned them; otherwise, where would they go? They did not know.
"Guard Xue Feng, Miss Lin wishes to see the young master," a servant from the manor reported, walking in.
Xue Feng frowned, rubbing his forehead. "Why is this Miss Lin so persistent?"
Xue Song said, "Throw her out."
Upon hearing this, Xue Feng laughed in anger. "Her father is the Prefect of Jiangnan. Throw her out? Are you sure?"
"Then you decide. I'll go back to dreaming about my woman." Xue Song turned and left.
The servant looked at Xue Feng. Xue Feng rubbed his forehead. "Wait a moment, I'll go ask the young master."
He went to the young master's door and knocked. A deep voice came from inside, "What is it?"
"Young master, Miss Lin is here to see you!"
"I will not see her!"
Xue Feng received the answer and relayed it to the servant, "Go and decline Miss Lin."
"Yes." The servant left.
"Miss Lin, my young master is occupied and cannot receive guests at the moment."
After speaking, the door was closed.
"Miss, why is Young Master Yan like this?" Cui Hua said unhappily.
Lin Shi Shu patted Cui Hua's hand. "Since it's inconvenient, we'll come another day."
"Miss, why don't we tell Father? Father dotes on you so much, he will surely help Miss..."
"Cui Hua..." Lin Shi Shu suddenly interrupted Cui Hua's words and said faintly, "If Father intervenes, the nature of the matter will change."
Cui Hua was taken aback. "Miss..."
Lin Shi Shu said, "He is unmarried, and I am unwed. There will be opportunities."
"What Miss says is true. Miss is the most beautiful woman in Jiangnan; Young Master Yan will surely be moved." Cui Hua said.
Moved? Lin Shi Shu lowered her gaze. Only she knew that when Young Master Yan looked at her, he looked at her as a stranger. Perhaps no woman could enter his eyes. However, this was also good; she could still try.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped. Cui Hua looked outside. They had not yet reached the Lin manor. She lifted the carriage curtain and said to Lin Shi Shu, "Miss, let me go and see what's happening."
Lin Shi Shu nodded.
Cui Hua got out of the carriage and asked the coachman, "Why have we stopped?"
The coachman said, "Someone is blocking the road ahead."
Cui Hua looked forward and indeed saw a man blocking the road in the street. She coldly called out, "Why is this young gentleman blocking the Lin family's carriage?"
"May I ask if Miss Lin is inside the carriage?" the man asked, cupping his hands.
Cui Hua said, "It is my mistress. Does this young gentleman have some business?"
The man looked up. He was talented and handsome. "I am Murong Bo. I have met Miss Lin."
"Young Master Murong, do you have some business?" a voice came from inside the carriage.
Murong Bo was excited, his voice trembling slightly. "There will be a poetry competition at Juhua Tower tomorrow. I implore Miss Lin to attend."
Cui Hua looked at Lin Shi Shu inside the carriage. Lin Shi Shu said, "Alright, I will go."
Murong Bo's hands trembled with excitement. "Thank you, Miss Lin, for gracing us with your presence."
"Young Master Murong, can you let us pass?" Cui Hua said coldly. She was used to people like this.
Murong Bo quickly moved aside. The carriage drove past him. He saw the wind lift the carriage curtain, revealing a face so exquisitely beautiful. His heart pounded faster. He knew that person was Lin Shi Shu, the most beautiful woman in Jiangnan. Lin Shi Shu was not only the most beautiful but also a talented scholar. It was such a person, both talented and beautiful, whom he yearned for.
"Brother Murong, did you really invite Miss Lin?" Back at the inn, a scholar came to inquire.