CHAPTER 330: CHAPTER 285: SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE

Li Ang’s voice softened as he carefully watched the expressions on Chai Chai’s face.

Chai Chai’s hometown was in the northern Zhou Kingdom. Ten years ago, a rebellion broke out there, forcing many commoners to flee their homes and escape to Yu Country. It was during that time that Li Ang’s mother bought Chai Chai to serve as Li Ang’s maid. After the rebellion ended, some people from the Zhou Kingdom returned to their hometown, while others settled in Yu Country for good.

Since Li Ang had been admitted to the Academic Palace the year before last, he had secretly asked friends like Ji Linglang and Cheng Juxiu to help search for news of Chai Chai’s parents. He had even sought out Jin Wusuan, the self-proclaimed number one businessman of Yu Country with connections that reached the heavens, but to no avail.

Now, with the court of the Zhou Kingdom requesting their assistance, allowing their own officials to conduct the search, there might be a glimmer of hope in finding them.

"..."

The smile on Chai Chai’s face gradually faded. She lowered her gaze, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the cuff of her sleeve.

"I’m saying it’s possible, possible that we could find your parents and family. I don’t mean I want to send you away." Li Ang stood up from his chair, speaking earnestly. "I was young back then too and didn’t fully understand what happened. If you don’t want to find them, then we won’t search anymore."

"No..." Chai Chai bit her lip and shook her head. "Actually, I don’t hate them anymore.

Back then, our hometown was suddenly plunged into the chaos of war. They took me and fled all the way to Yu Country. Later, with no other options, they contacted your mother through brokers and sold me to your family."

Recalling those memories, Chai Chai’s lips pressed together as she continued slowly, "Before they left, they hugged me, crying, and said they would definitely buy me back in a few years.

Every evening, I would sit on the pharmacy’s doorstep, waiting and waiting.

Two years, three years, five years.

The lady was very kind and kept comforting me, saying they would come.

So I waited and waited,

until the old clothes I brought from the Zhou Kingdom were too small to wear, but they still hadn’t appeared."

Chai Chai sniffled, staring at the tips of her shoes. "Fortunately, Young Master, you’ve been so kind to me. With you around, I gradually stopped feeling sad.

Last year, when I worked so hard for the Academic Palace entrance exams, it wasn’t just because I didn’t want to disappoint you, Young Master. I also secretly hoped they would see it in the newspapers—that their daughter had been admitted to the Academic Palace—and come find me in Chang’an.

I just wanted to see them, to know if they were doing well.

But..."

Li Ang took a step forward, gently wrapping his arms around the slightly choked-up girl, and patted her softly fragrant long hair.

"Back then, I also knew you had secretly made an effort, Young Master, persuading the Academic Palace’s publication office to feature many articles about me on the front page of the newspaper.

The neighbors joked that you, Young Master, were like a profligate son from a wealthy family, spoiling your maid excessively.

Having your maid admitted to the Academic Palace and then commissioning articles to praise her—it was as if you wanted the entire world to know.

Only I understood that wasn’t what you were thinking."

Chai Chai rested her head against Li Ang’s chest and said in a muffled voice, "It’s been so long, and there’s been no news from them. I... I think they might have died somewhere..."

Newspapers and publications from Yu Country were not only distributed in every State Mansion but were also sold in towns and even foreign countries. For Chai Cuiqiao’s parents and family to have had no contact for so long, the hope that they were still within the borders of Yu Country was indeed slim.

"Let the Zhou Kingdom conduct a thorough search. They’ll find them eventually," Li Ang comforted her. "If that doesn’t work, I’ll go ask the Mountain Master for help. Dongjun Tower is so large, and with so many Mutated Objects, there must be something that can help find people."

"Mhm." Chai Chai slowly nodded, her hair brushing against Li Ang’s shirt, causing a CRACKLE of static electricity.

"Ouch!"

The two, shocked by the static, cried out in unison. They released their embrace, looked at each other, and couldn’t help but smile, just like when they were little.

"Alright, go get some sleep. We have class tomorrow," Li Ang said with a smile, gently pinching Chai Chai’s chubby cheek.

Chai Chai wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes and nodded. "Young Master, you should get some sleep early too."

"Mhm."

Li Ang watched Chai Chai’s retreating figure leave the study and sighed silently.

It’s said that Cultivators are omnipotent. Yet, even after becoming an Academic Palace Disciple, embarking on the path of Cultivation, and mastering various Secret Techniques, one was far from carefree.

Focus on the matter at hand.

He shook his head and sat back down, turning his attention to the papers spread across his desk. The papers were covered in various intricate and complex diagrams. These included layouts of the arena, designs for various Telekinesis Control Devices that Bian Chenpei had previously demonstrated, and, in addition, a multitude of geometric patterns.

To defeat Bian Chenpei, I need to push my telekinesis precision advantage to the absolute limit...

***

Summer had arrived. The sun blazed high in the sky, willow branches swayed in the wind, and cicadas with translucent wings clung to tree trunks, their deafening, clamorous buzzing filling the air.

The spectator stands at the Academic Palace’s Martial Arts Arena were packed. Attendees included not only students from various countries but also commoners from Chang’an City, nobles, and even... members of the Royal Family.

"There are so many people!"

In a top-tier private box, Princess Lin Zhang, still very young, clung to the railing and said in a soft, childlike voice.

"There must be about eighty thousand, all here to watch the competition," Li Leqing remarked casually, gently taking the back of Princess Lin Zhang’s collar to pull her back. "Don’t lean so close to the railing; you’ll be afraid of heights."

Princess Lin Zhang put her hands on her hips defiantly. "I’m not afraid at all!"

"Oh? And who was it that ran around wildly at the Heat-Relief Palace on the mountain last time, only to get scared looking down, fall, and chip a baby tooth?" Li Leqing ruthlessly exposed her younger sister’s fib.

The latter pouted, inadvertently revealing a gap where a tooth was half-missing. She quickly covered her mouth and ran, pouting, to Empress Xue, seeking comfort.

Today was the final day of the tournament, a matter of national honor. The Six Ministries had even declared an early holiday, permitting officials to attend. Emperor Yu was also present. However, he was not in this private box but was seated in a more distant one with several close ministers, the Crown Prince, the Academic Palace Master, the Taihao Mountain Faith Cultivation Cardinal, the Zhou Kingdom Imperial Uncle, and others.

"Mom," Prince Yue, Li Hui, stood up and whispered, "I have a match later. Can I go over to my friends first?"

"Mhm, go ahead." Empress Xue nodded. While the customs in Yu Country weren’t as fierce as in Jing Country—where a disagreement could escalate to murder on the streets—they had inherited the rustic simplicity and martial spirit of the Qin and Han eras. For a Prince to participate in the tournament as a Cultivator was not demeaning. On the contrary, it demonstrated a sense of responsibility and mettle. Besides, with the Arena Restriction in place for protection, the old saying "a gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall" hardly applied.

"Mom, I also..." Li Leqing approached.

Before she could finish, Empress Xue, holding her younger daughter, said, "I know, I know. You go find your friends too."

"Hehe." Li Leqing giggled, gave her mother an affectionate hug, then quickly exited the private box with her guards and maids, heading towards the distant spectator stands.

"Sigh." Empress Xue watched her daughter’s retreating figure and sighed. "Alas, when a daughter grows up, she’s no longer yours to keep."