A few days later would be the death anniversary of Shen Wei and his wife.
Qin Moyuan had mentioned that although Shen Wei's death was not directly his fault, it was somewhat related to him.
Back then, the royal family had organized a hunting expedition. Without warning, a group of assassins appeared, targeting the emperor who was in the midst of the hunt.
The assassins' origins were unknown, and their numbers were vast. As the guards meant to protect the emperor were slow to arrive, Qin Moyuan had no choice but to put himself at risk. He single-handedly drew the assassins away, leaving everyone beside him to protect the emperor.
Among these guards was Shen Wei, who served as a guard for the Regent's manor.
However, the pursuing assassins were too many. Qin Moyuan was forced to fall down a cliff to escape them.
By the time Chai Yangxinghe found him, the emperor had been rescued. But all the guards who had saved him were dead, including Shen Wei.
Simultaneously, Qin Moyuan received news that the three thousand Hu Yuan troops, who were on a mission at the border, had their whereabouts exposed and none had survived.
Coupled with the fact that Shen Yimin and the twins were hidden in the manor at the time, he decided to go along with the plan. Using Shen Wei's identity, he left Chongzhou with the children, secretly investigating the assassins' origins and the traitor who had betrayed the three thousand Hu Yuan troops.
"What about A Yu's birth mother?" Li Yue Shu asked doubtfully.
Qin Moyuan pursed his lips, paused for a moment, and then said, "I had originally planned to take her to Tongmu County with us. But after she named A Yu and entrusted the child to me, she followed Shen Wei in death."
This outcome completely surprised Li Yue Shu.
She opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
That woman's love for Shen Wei was indeed profound, but for A Yu, who was barely a few months old, it was too cruel.
Shen Zhi Yu was their only son. Now that they had returned to Chongzhou, and it was their death anniversary, they naturally had to pay their respects.
However, before they went, Li Yue Shu carefully brought up his background to Shen Zhi Yu, telling him the truth in the gentlest and most digestible way possible.
A Yu would be four years old in a few months, an age where he might not even be able to articulate his thoughts clearly when talking to people.
Li Yue Shu had thought that after telling him his background, A Yu would either not understand what she was saying at all or would cry uncontrollably, unable to accept the fact that his biological parents were gone.
But after Li Yue Shu finished speaking, the little fellow looked at her with his clear, black and white eyes, innocently asking, "Can Father and Mother still be A Yu's Father and Mother from now on?"
The little fellow's words were a bit roundabout, but Li Yue Shu understood his meaning.
She gently stroked Shen Zhi Yu's head, her gaze soft, "In Mother's heart, A Yu will always be Mother's child."
Qin Moyuan bent down and picked up the little fellow, a loving smile on his face, "Father will also always be A Yu's Father."
Children's hearts are the most sensitive, and he could naturally feel the gentleness and affection emanating from them.
He reached out and wrapped his arms around Qin Moyuan's neck, affectionately rubbing his chin, "A Yu loves Daddy and Mommy the most!"
Hearing the little fellow's words, Li Yue Shu's heart melted as if it could drip water. She gently kissed the little fellow's cheek.
...
Although Shen Zhi Yu accepted them as his parents, the proper worship of his biological parents could not be skipped.
On Shen Wei's death anniversary, Qin Moyuan took Li Yue Shu and Shen Zhi Yu to the place where Shen Wei and his wife were buried early in the morning.
Shen Wei and his wife had no relatives in Chongzhou. The place where they were buried was chosen by Chai Yang, a beautiful and serene location.
But no one expected that when they arrived, someone was already burning paper offerings for them.
It was an elderly man, looking sprightly, dressed in a simple Taoist robe.
"Xuan Chengzi?" Li Yue Shu recognized the face at a glance, exclaiming in surprise.
Qin Moyuan was taken aback. He recalled what A Shu had said about seeing Xuan Chengzi at the royal temple and couldn't help but frown.
Today, Xuan Chengzi was not drunk. He looked at Li Yue Shu with a smile, "I didn't expect the young lady to remember this poor monk, and even know my title."
He didn't seem surprised to meet Li Yue Shu here. He calmly finished burning the last of the paper money in his hand before standing up.
Xuan Chengzi's face was wreathed in smiles, but his gaze was fixed on Qin Moyuan, "Your Highness, I didn't expect us to meet again."
Hearing this, Li Yue Shu turned to look at Qin Moyuan in confusion.
Sensing her gaze, he explained, "A few years ago, he saved my life on the battlefield. His only request was that I take in his adopted son, Shen Wei."
Li Yue Shu was shocked, "Adopted son? You raised Shen Wei?"
Shen Wei, due to his unfavorable birth chart, had been given to a wandering Taoist priest by his mother not long after he was born. Could it have been Xuan Chengzi?
Xuan Chengzi's smile remained unchanged as he gently nodded, "Little Wei was destined for misfortune. Living peacefully in the manor for so many years was already his greatest fortune."
Li Yue Shu narrowed her eyes, "Judging by what the Daoist priest says, it seems you can see a person's fate?"
Xuan Chengzi stroked his beard, "What this poor monk can see now is a person who should have died long ago, a soul resisting the Heavenly Dao, and an executioner destined to be burdened with sin."
Li Yue Shu subconsciously tightened her grip on Shen Zhi Yu's hand, feeling a surge of excitement.
This old Taoist priest indeed knew something!
"The Daoist priest has a discerning eye and is a person of great wisdom," Li Yue Shu flattered him. "Does the Daoist priest remember what you said to me at the royal temple that day?"
Xuan Chengzi looked at her with a smile, "This poor monk was drinking that day and said many things. Which words are you referring to, young lady?"
Li Yue Shu saw through his feigned ignorance and stated directly, "The Daoist priest asked how I knew I was definitely an outsider? Does this mean I was originally from here?"
Despite her direct question, Xuan Chengzi did not answer frankly. "Every coincidence in this world has a cause and effect. Miss will understand sooner or later. However, at that time, I hope Miss will have more kindness in her heart."
Li Yue Shu's brow furrowed. She felt there was more to his words.
Xuan Chengzi, however, had no intention of explaining further and turned his gaze back to Qin Moyuan.
"Your Highness stands at the pinnacle of power, and with a single thought, you can decide the lives and deaths of countless people. May Your Highness not make a wrong step out of impulse and endanger all living beings."
Qin Moyuan's brows were tightly knitted. He felt as if the Daoist priest knew what would happen in the future.
And the future he knew seemed to be not only the world in the book that A Shu had seen, but also the future of the world they were currently in.
He looked at Xuan Chengzi expressionlessly and said in a deep voice, "The Daoist priest sent Shen Wei to my side, allowing me and A Shu to meet. Why not speak directly and avoid repeatedly giving us advice."
Xuan Chengzi smiled, exuding a mysterious, ethereal aura.
He did not answer Qin Moyuan's question but reached out and touched the tombstone beside him, "Little Wei, this poor monk will visit you again soon. I'll bring you more good food then."
After saying this, he turned and left.
Li Yue Shu could not let him leave like this. She immediately moved to stop him.
Qin Moyuan had the same thought.
He flicked his foot and immediately used his Qinggong to pursue Xuan Chengzi.