The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

Chapter 478 Adopted a Son

The words of the Marquis of Zhenbei put Li Ziyan at ease.

"Yes, Your Excellency's words will be kept in mind. I will listen to Lord Yu Po's words all the way to Southern Chu."

“No matter what we do, we always discuss it with her. If she doesn’t allow it, Ziyan would never dare to do it.”

Although Li Ziyan is not an indecisive person, he is also very clear that he doesn't know much about the outside world and has very little experience in handling things.

He desperately wants someone experienced who can keep him in check.

Otherwise, let alone after Southern Chu, he wouldn't know what to do along the way.

"You better remember this, kid. You'd better come back safe and sound. If you lose even a single hair, I won't let you off the hook."

"And since you'll be a member of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion from now on, you don't need to keep calling me 'Marquis' all the time."

“Your grandfather treated me like a son, and I respected him like a father. We were originally one family.”

“Your father passed away early, so it’s only right that I take care of you in his place.”

Li Ziyan was stunned by the words of the Marquis of Zhenbei. He didn't know what else he could be called if he wasn't called the Marquis from now on.

"Idiot, what are you standing there for?"

"Quickly, kneel down and kowtow to Father!"

Shen Tingzhi simply couldn't bear to look at Li Ziyan's dazed expression any longer.

He went up to Li Ziyan and gave him a push, telling him to hurry up and kowtow to the Marquis of Zhenbei.

Once Li Ziyan utters the word "Father" today, he will truly be a member of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion, and no one in Yunli will dare to bully Li Ziyan anymore.

Li Ziyan, who was supposed to go forward and kowtow to the Marquis of Zhenbei and call him "father," nervously swallowed and for some reason turned his gaze to Shen Tianjiao.

The questioning, doubt, and timidity in his eyes revealed all his inner thoughts.

He looked at Shen Tianjiao, waiting for her approval, as if he wouldn't dare call Zhenbei Marquis "father" if she didn't agree to this matter today.

Shen Tianjiao looked at Li Ziyan, who was full of expectation, and her heart softened. This child was just too honest.

If this happened to someone else, they would probably be overjoyed and kneeling on the ground to acknowledge him as their father.

There's no need to ask her opinion or see if she agrees.

Who is sitting in front of me? It is none other than the Marquis of Zhenbei, Yunli's pillar of strength.

Where else can you find such a good thing as recognizing the Marquis of Zhenbei as your father?

By becoming the son of the Marquis of Zhenbei, he could have an older sister who would become the Empress, two older brothers who would become generals, and an older brother who would one day hold absolute power in the court.

The true realization is that Yunli can walk sideways and no one dares to bully him.

Shen Tianjiao nodded to Li Ziyan. Seeing that Shen Tianjiao agreed, Li Ziyan stepped forward, knelt down, kowtowed to the Marquis of Zhenbei, and said, "Son greets Father and wishes Father a long and healthy life, free from illness and disaster, and peace and joy."

Shen Tingzhi, who was standing to the side, had already brought out a cup of tea and handed it over. Li Ziyan took the tea from Shen Tingzhi and then turned around to offer it to the Marquis of Zhenbei.

"Father, please have some tea."

"Ah."

Marquis Zhenbei took the tea, took a sip, put down the teacup, and said, "Alright, from now on, we are truly family."

"I don't have anything good to give you, except this amulet for peace."

"The journey to Southern Chu is extremely dangerous. My son, you must be careful and cautious, and never act rashly."

"Time is of the essence right now, and there is no time to set up a banquet or invite someone to announce that you are now a child of the Marquis of Zhenbei."

“When you return safely one day, your father will naturally announce it to the world and reveal your identity.”

"Son, thank you for your great kindness, Father."

Li Ziyan, who had already raised his head, kowtowed to the Marquis of Zhenbei again.

What the Marquis of Zhenbei is giving him is no longer just protection; what the Marquis of Zhenbei is giving him now is dignity and a future.

As Li Xian's grandson, he will never be able to walk openly and honestly in front of others in his entire life.

Because his grandfather's identity was so special, even though his grandfather later made his business all over the country and became the richest merchant in the world.

Because of his special status, his grandfather was unable to live the life of an ordinary person in front of others.

They could only cower in Ziyun Manor, unable to go anywhere else.

Because of his wealth and special status, Li Xian could only live his life as a free man imprisoned in Ziyun Manor.

Over the years, many people have coveted the wealth of Ziyun Manor, from the emperor to bandits; they all see Ziyun Manor as a piece of fat meat.

They all wanted to devour it as soon as possible and seize this wealth for themselves.

Therefore, Li Xian dared not let anyone know that he had done business all over the nine provinces and six kingdoms, and that he was richer than those who coveted his wealth.

He was cautious and fearful of those people all day long, but in the end, problems still arose in his own home.

It almost prevented him from finishing the project properly.

As a descendant of Li Xian, Li Ziyan was also unable to walk openly in public and live the life he wanted because of Li Xian's influence.

Those with malicious greed will not let go of everything he has now.

But now things are different. He has become the son of the Marquis of Zhenbei, which is equivalent to having a golden ticket that allows him to go unimpeded.

With the Marquis of Zhenbei and his Empress sister backing him up, he was no longer afraid of those people coming back to harm him and seize the Ziyun Manor left by his grandfather.

More importantly, he can now live like a normal person.

No more worrying about getting into trouble because of your special identity?

"Okay, get up."

The idea of ​​adopting Li Ziyan as his son had been on Zhenbei Hou's mind for quite some time.

They say they are family, but without a ceremony to prove it to the world, neither Li Ziyan's identity nor his situation will change.

However, having a ceremony is tantamount to announcing to the world that Li Ziyan is a man of the Marquis of Zhenbei.

That way, others will no longer care about his special status, and he can live like a normal person.

The reason why the Marquis of Zhenbei did this was because Li Ziyan was now all alone and pitiful.

Secondly, it was because the Marquis of Zhenbei and Li Xian had a father-son-like relationship.

Now that Li Xian is gone, it is the responsibility of the Marquis of Zhenbei to take good care of his only grandson.

Li Ziyan was helped up from the ground by Shen Tingzhi.

Seeing the little crybaby sobbing like this, Shen Tingzhi felt a pang of heartache.

This child has had a tough time; he's gone through so much at such a young age. It's truly pitiful.

But things will be fine from now on. He'll be his younger brother, and with him under his protection, no one will dare to bully him anymore.

"Second brother."

Li Ziyan held the handkerchief Shen Tingzhi had given him in his hand, and finally uttered the name he had long wanted to use.

"okay."

Shen Tingzhi patted Li Ziyan on the shoulder and said, "From now on, we're all family, so let's not be so polite with each other."

"If you need anything in the future, just tell your second brother."

"it is good."

Li Ziyan turned to look at Shen Tianjiao, and finally changed the "elder sister" he was about to say to her into his usual form of address, "Your Majesty the Empress."

"Alright, there are no outsiders here now, so we don't need to follow those rules anymore. Just call me 'elder sister'."

Shen Tianjiao looked at Li Ziyan, her heart filled with emotion. She was finally a woman with a younger brother.

"Sister."

Li Ziyan's face was flushed, and her voice was barely audible.

Besides his grandfather, he now has family who love him, and that feeling is truly wonderful.

His parents passed away when he was very young, leaving him all alone.

Although he was raised by his grandfather, his grandfather was very busy every day and had no time to spend with him.

He grew up in loneliness. Although he had brothers and sisters, they didn't like him or want to play with him.

At that time, he often fantasized that he would like to have the love and care of his older brother and sister.

Now he has finally achieved his wish.

"okay."

Shen Tianjiao smiled and patted Li Ziyan's head. Li Ziyan was only sixteen or seventeen years old, and because of his small stature, he looked like he was only thirteen or fourteen.

In Shen Tianjiao's eyes, Li Ziyan was not like a younger brother, but more like a nephew.

"Master, everything is ready. We can set off now."

Before the people inside could say anything more, a voice urging them from outside came.

Shen Tianjiao looked at Li Ziyan and said, "Let's go. Since you chose this path yourself, then walk it bravely and without hesitation."

The four of them went out of the house and into the courtyard. The carriage that was going to Nan Chu was ready to depart, just waiting for Shen Tianjiao's order.

Looking at the neatly arranged convoy in front of her, Shen Tianjiao couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

A new era for Yunli is about to begin, along with this plan.

"Madam Duan, I won't say much more. I just wish you a safe journey and great success."

"After arriving in Southern Chu, you will be able to fulfill your long-cherished wish."

Duan Qingning pushed away the maid who was supporting her and bowed deeply to Shen Tianjiao.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. Now, please wait patiently for good news and for your wish to be fulfilled."

Shen Tianjiao helped Duan Qingning up and said, "Alright, thank you for your hard work, Madam Duan. Once this is done, I will definitely send you a generous gift to express my gratitude for your help."

"The Empress has already shown me great favor; I have no other desires in this life."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, your plan will surely succeed."

Duan Qingning had great confidence in this trip to Southern Chu.

Whether it was to avenge her own family or to fulfill the request made by Shen Tianjiao, she was very confident that she could accomplish it.

"Help Madam Duan into the carriage."

After giving instructions to the maid, Shen Tianjiao turned to look at Chaoyun behind her.

"Yes, you look much better, you're recovering well."

Shen Tianjiao tidied Chaoyun's hair. Looking at the girl in front of her, whose face had regained color and whose eyes had regained their vitality, she felt a lot of comfort.

"The Queen."

Chao Yun looked at Shen Tianjiao, hesitant to speak. The experiences she had gone through in this period of time were equivalent to all the experiences she had gone through in the previous years.

Sometimes, she felt that these experiences were like a dream, giving her a very unreal feeling.

"Go ahead, it is the best thing in the world that you two, mother and daughter, are able to reunite now."

"Having a loving mother by your side is better than anything else."

"She is also a pitiful person. You should get along well with her in the future. Between people, as long as you spend a lot of time together, there will be bonds and feelings."

"Ok, I know."

Although Chaoyun and Duan Qingning are currently in a somewhat awkward relationship.

However, although Chao Yun didn't say it, she had already accepted the existence of Duan Qingning as her mother.

What she found difficult to tell Shen Tianjiao at this moment was not the matter between her and Duan Qingning and her daughter, but something else entirely.

Seeing Chao Yun's lowered head and silent expression, how could Shen Tianjiao not know what she was thinking?

But matters of the heart are beyond human control; it depends on whether the two of them are destined to be together.

"Go to Southern Chu without worry, he is doing very well now."

"If you are destined to meet again in the future, you will meet again."

"Stop overthinking it. Everything is preordained. Right now, your most important thing is to take care of your health and become a healthy person, understand?"

Chao Yun blushed instantly when Shen Tianjiao exposed her secret thoughts. After all, she couldn't hide her little secret from Shen Tianjiao.

"I see."

"Alright, let's go. I'll be waiting for your good news with Mrs. Duan."

"I'll give you a proper celebration after you've finished your business and come back."

"If Madam Duan wishes to stay, I will find you a quiet place where you can live a good life."

Shen Tianjiao knew that Chaoyun was thinking about Bai Yunchi, but this was not a decision that Shen Tianjiao could make for Bai Yunchi.

Chao Yun's identity is indeed special, and there is a huge gap between her and Bai Yunchi.

Even if he could make the decision for Bai Yunchi, Bai Qishan might not be able to accept Chaoyun as his daughter-in-law.

A marriage that is not accepted is destined to be unhappy. Not only the two of them, but everyone in the Bai family will feel exhausted because of this relationship.

More importantly, Shen Tianjiao knew in her heart that while Chaoyun was interested in her, Baiyunchi, whom she was thinking about, might not reciprocate her feelings.

Ultimately, it all comes down to how Bai Yunchi and Chao Yun themselves decide to get along.

"Yes, Your Majesty, take care."

Chao Yun looked up and smiled at Shen Tianjiao. She and Shen Tianjiao had been through a lot together during this time, and now that they were about to part ways, she was indeed very reluctant to leave.