Si Tian Guan Chapter 207

Chapter 207: Recognizing Family

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Qu Chenzhou thought he should have fled. When he heard the first sentence, his feet were already poised for escape.

But that voice pursued him, as if unwilling to let him go, a shadow following his every move.

“Chenzhou, we are your parents. Don’t you remember? This is your second brother…”

“Even if you don’t recognize your father, take a look at your mother. You two look so alike…”

Even the two young men standing beside them whispered to him.

“Third brother.”

“Third brother…”

The people in the bustling market stood still, watching this heartwarming scene of recognizing family. Only he was consumed by frantic despair, stuck in his throat, unable to make a sound.

All he could think about was escaping.

However, his legs felt as heavy as if they were weighed down by iron blocks. In a panic, he tried to grasp onto something, but his hands found nothing.

Everyone seemed to be standing on the riverbank, watching the spectacle, while he was trapped on a solitary island, watching the water rise higher and higher.

Until it engulfed him completely.

“Save me…”

He choked on his words underwater. Just before he plunged headlong, it seemed he heard the sound of galloping hooves coming from the other end of the long street.

“Zhongming…” He forgot all his careful disguises, desperately trying to reach out to touch the person. “Save me.”

The water swallowed him entirely, its shifting reflections and bizarre images fading into obscurity.

Qu Chenzhou didn’t know whether he was standing on the riverbank or looking up from beneath the water. He had a deep impression of this river; it was the place where he had embarked on his nightmare in his youth and ignorance.

The child from the neighbor’s family had drowned here.

He had thought more than once before that it would have been so much better if he had drowned here back then. But now, he had to cross this river.

Someone was waiting for him.

There was noise coming from behind, as if countless footsteps.

Qu Chenzhou remembered. This was Qisheng Building, and beneath his knees was the corridor he had just walked. A pair of immature hands were clutching a cloth, frozen and purplish.

He also remembered the year of winter it was.

But before he could jump up and flee, someone kicked him from behind. He curled into a ball, crouched on the ground, enduring the punches and kicks raining down like drops of rain.

Du Quan’s voice berated from above, “Where do you think you’re running to? Nobody wants a b*stard like you! You don’t even have a family!”

“No…” He gripped the ground with his hands, painstakingly crawling forward one step. “I have a family! Someone is waiting for me!”

“You have no family!” Countless mocking voices jabbed at his eardrums. “Your parents don’t want you! Even if you were beaten to death, they wouldn’t spare you a glance!”

“I don’t want them either!” Qu Chenzhou desperately lifted his head, hoarsely shouting, “They’re not my family! I don’t want them!”

As if frightened by his hysteria, the surroundings suddenly fell silent, colder than before. The woodshed with its broken wall filled with the chill of early autumn winds.

After being frozen for so long, he couldn’t even tell whether he was cold or in pain.

The scent of food gently roused him. A warm pancake was stuffed into his hand through the window. Someone leaned halfway through the window, draping a cloak over him and clasping his stiffened hand in theirs.

A familiar voice called out to him repeatedly—Chenzhou! Chenzhou! Look at me!

He followed that hand upward and met the gaze he knew so well, tears falling like rain.

Zhongming!

Decades of pain converged into this name. He had to cross that river! He wanted to hold that hand!

“Doctor Qin! What do we do?” Someone asked anxiously, choking back sobs. “He’s spitting blood again! You said he was fine!”

Indeed, a warm liquid extended from the corner of his mouth to his ear, then was gently wiped away.

His mouth was filled with a metallic-sweet taste. He wanted to console them with words, but he couldn’t even open his eyes.

“Don’t panic!” The voice of the old court physician remained composed and calm. “It’s just an outburst of pent-up anger. It’s actually good that he spat out that blood.”

“Yes, that’s right. He’ll be fine. He’ll be fine,” someone seemed to wish they could throw themselves onto him, tremblingly repeating near his ear. “It’s my fault. I didn’t look after Chenzhou and them properly. Please, just be okay!”

“Shizi, you should leave quickly. If you linger here too long, it will only make him restless,” the court physician advised from the side. “Shizi, you should go attend to your own matters.”

Qu Chenzhou knew that the hand wouldn’t let go, and the tiny spark of clarity reminded him that Zhongming shouldn’t stay here, and even Doctor Qin should leave soon.

But his entire body was stiff and unresponsive, and he couldn’t even tell if he was awake or unconscious. He could only exert all his strength to curl his fingers.

He knew that Zhongming would surely understand.

The whispered conversations around him quickened, as if there were endless admonitions, until they reluctantly left.

Exhaustion and weariness embraced him, drawing him into the depths of darkness.

Perhaps it was the residual warmth in his hand that granted a sense of guarded security, shielding him from the pains of the past. He slept deeply and sweetly, and when he woke up again, the sun was already climbing towards its zenith.

Steward Lin, was dozing off in a chair by the bedside. He was startled awake by the sound of Qu Chenzhou shifting in bed and rushed to help him.

“Chenzhou, are you feeling any better? Is there anywhere that’s uncomfortable? Are you hungry? I’ll go fetch some food for you!”

Seeing Steward Lin’s exhausted appearance, Qu Chenzhou surmised that someone of his age guarding through the night must have taken a toll on his body.

“I’m fine. You should rest. Don’t worry.”

Steward Lin couldn’t rest easy, but he did leave to bring breakfast in. He also retrieved several letters sealed with wax from his pocket and pushed them onto the table.

“Chenzhou, these are left for you. The doctor instructed that you should read them calmly after taking your medicine, and not get too agitated. It could harm your health.”

Qu Chenzhou glanced at the elaborate patterns on those letters and naturally understood who they were from. Anxiousness welled up within him. Since the events in question, Zhongming didn’t need to be so guilt-ridden about it. The scheme of Huai Wang wasn’t something they could have anticipated.

When Changshui Town was destroyed, Lui Zhongming had dispatched people to search for his parents and brothers. Although he had been careful not to reveal the findings immediately to avoid distressing Qu Chenzhou, he had hinted at it in their conversations…

The capital was in unrest, and the secluded estate where they housed people was located far from the North Bank of the Western River, so it shouldn’t have attracted attention.

But recently, both sides had been secretly battling fiercely, not only in physical confrontation but also in disputes over wealth and territory.

Their opponents were acting recklessly, and while the Liu family was aware of this, they also knew that crucial individuals closely related to the Shizi were harbored in the estate.

The unnaturalness of this situation drew calamity—half a month after the peaceful period, people who had secretly gathered attacked the estate. Everyone, including the inner and outer guards and even the household servants, were slaughtered without a survivor.

The individuals within the estate were abducted.

Qu Chenzhou was the third son of the Qu family. Even if the household hadn’t grown since he left, there were still his two brothers. Moreover, Zhongming had mentioned that they had a new sister.

But now, only his parents and one brother had appeared. It was clear that someone had been taken by Mu Jingyan as a hostage.

Even though Lui Zhongming had arrived in time and brought the Qu family of four back to the secluded estate, what had happened had already happened, and what came next could not be prevented.

This was a perfectly executed strike, especially since the Emperor was currently mourning for the Empress Dowager.

Qu Chenzhou had just asked Steward Lin; he had been sleeping for two or three days since fainting in the bustling streets. The marketplaces and lanes were abuzz with various speculations, all waiting to see how this storm would be quelled.

It was said that people from the palace had come several times to visit him. In letters from Ling He and Rong Jiuan, they both cautioned him to be cautious and careful in his actions.

As expected, the Imperial Censorate found a suitable point to initiate the impeachment, subtly insinuating about the Emperor’s filial devotion.

When the knife is not aimed at oneself, anyone can act virtuous; even more so for someone like the Emperor.

For this pretentious feast to go on smoothly, could it only be achieved by making him a sacrifice…?

To make him be the exemplar of filial piety, that was completely impossible!

Steward Lin, appeared at the doorway again, his face filled with concern. However, there were palace officials accompanying him, making it difficult to speak freely.

Qu Chenzhou smiled, waved his hand to dismiss the servant who had brought his brocade gown, and put on his official robe. He hastily stuffed his long hair under his hat, then threw on his cloak and left.

Outside the door, whispers of gossip filled the air, carried by the chilly early spring wind that sent shivers down one’s spine.

Inside the warm chamber, a fire was roaring, and sitting above it was Yama, the god of death, attempting to pass judgment on him. Several individuals knelt on the ground, representing the locks on his life thread.

He knew that even though the people were under Zhongming’s control, Zhongming was the last person who would suspect him. Not only would he not prevent them from seeing the Emperor, but he also couldn’t use threats and intimidation.

“Minister Qu Chenzhou.” Qu Chenzhou bowed to Yama. “Greetings to the Emperor.”

Emperor Yu’s fingers deftly slid over his wrist beads. After counting to ten on one bead, the translucent green wood jade pendant slipped through his fingers, and he spoke calmly, “I heard you fell ill a few days ago. Are you feeling better now?”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am well. I apologize for not being able to accompany Your Majesty these past days and hope Your Majesty forgives me.”

Someone beside them sneered, “Qu Chenzhou! The Emperor is currently mourning for the Empress Dowager. What right do you have to be by His Majesty’s side?”

“What is Doctor Xu implying?” Qu Chenzhou didn’t divert his gaze, but instead questioned, “His Majesty ordered me to accompany him during the mourning period. Are you doubting His Majesty’s words, or are you trying to incite me to defy orders?”

That person was momentarily silenced and then angrily retorted, “Qu Chenzhou, don’t play dumb! Everyone knows that your birth parents searched tirelessly for you, yet you ignore them completely! You’re not worthy of being a son, worse than a beast. How can you still show your face while the Emperor mourns?”

“Birth parents?” Qu Chenzhou sneered, “Where are they?”

The person kneeling beside him hesitated and looked up.

Seeing that Emperor Yu didn’t intervene, Doctor Xu’s spirit was shaken, and he stepped forward, pointing at a woman. “They are from Wuan Prefecture’s Changshui Town. The man’s surname is Qu. Look…”

He pointed at the woman. Although she was already in her forties, her natural beauty remained. Even dressed modestly, with her lowered gaze and graceful demeanor, her irresistible charm was hard to conceal.

Her appearance bore a striking resemblance to Qu Chenzhou.

“Look at this surnamed Qu Ning, dare you say she’s not your birth mother?”

“Doctor Xu, choose your words carefully,” another person spoke leisurely. “There are many people in the world who look alike. Just because someone resembles Qu Chenzhou doesn’t automatically make them his birth mother.”

Doctor Xu smiled in response, “Lord Liao, you make a valid point. People who resemble each other are indeed numerous, but Qu Chenzhou’s beauty is exceptional. To have someone resemble Qu Chenzhou to this extent, who else could it be?”

Qu Chenzhou coldly retorted, “Perhaps it could be your mother.”

Doctor Xu was taken aback for a moment, then finally confirmed he hadn’t misheard. Wanting to get angry but not daring to lose his temper, he could only suppress his anger and reprimand, “Qu Chenzhou, don’t you know what’s good for you?”

“What’s ‘good for me’?” Qu Chenzhou asked. “Is it randomly acknowledging a wild father or mother on the street? If Doctor Xu has such a preference, I can arrange a few more pairs for you. You can acknowledge as many as you like. I hope Doctor Xu knows what’s good for him.”

Doctor Xu was momentarily speechless. After a glance to the side, he suddenly laughed, “I’m truly confused. I forgot to ask—bold troublemakers, who gave you the courage? With no evidence or basis, you dare to claim a familial relationship with Qu Chenzhou?”

The man hastily replied, “This humble one wouldn’t dare! This humble one is named Qu Zhiye, and my third son is named Qu Chenzhou. When Chenzhou was around three years old, he fell seriously ill, and his eyes turned one gold and one blue. This humble one would never mistake him!”

The Chief of the Dali Temple who stood at the side, lowered his eyes and spoke slowly, “What you’re saying can be easily heard just by asking around on the street. Everyone knows.”

“Also!” Qu Zhiye raised his voice, “This humble one remembers! There’s a birthmark on Chenzhou’s lower back!”

“A birthmark?” Qu Chenzhou suddenly stood up. Amid the astonished gazes of the onlookers, he unfastened his official robe, pulled aside his undershirt, baring his waist, and turned around, saying, “A birthmark, you say?”

Beside his spine, a clear scar shaped like the character “明” (bright) was visible.

Zhongming had remained silent throughout and restrained the impulse to turn away.

“A birthmark?” Qu Chenzhou coldly questioned, “I don’t recognize any of you. I just want to know, why are you suddenly so eager to establish a kinship with me?”

“For status? Wealth?”

He asked vehemently, stepping forward with each word.

“What if I have nothing now? What if I’m still in servitude, treated with disdain by everyone?”

“What if I resign from my official position, blind myself, ruin my appearance? Would you still recognize me? Would you be willing to support this useless monster?”

Qu Zhiye was confused in front of others but remarkably composed facing his own son.

“Chenzhou! What do you mean by this? Are you blaming us? Back then, we had no choice. Your mother was always thinking of you! What’s this about ‘useless monster’? Have you ever thought about it—without the Qu family raising and nurturing you, would you have your current status?”

“Now that the family is finally reuniting, why do you speak such inauspicious words…”

“Shut up!” Qu Chenzhou bellowed.

He knew whom he was speaking to, and he knew that person would listen to him. No matter what, he had to endure.

“Chenzhou,” Emperor Yu squinted his eyes and finally spoke, “you accompany me daily in offering incense and meditation. You should understand the importance of filial piety and good deeds.”

Qu Chenzhou pursed his lips, remained silent, and knelt on both knees.

“Before you came, he had already told me about your past. Which parents don’t love their child? Even if they were not perfect before, they still brought you into this world. There was labor and hardship involved. Now that you’ve grown up, let the past stay in the past.”

Qu Chenzhou’s fingers curled up as he softly asked, “Your Majesty wants me to acknowledge them… is that so? But I don’t know them.”

“Don’t act like a sulking child. Just call them and bow your head. What lingering grudge could a family have after a night? ” Emperor Yu sneered. “Go.”

He had anticipated it would be this way.

For Emperor Yu, the most convenient solution to resolve this turmoil was just this—one simple address. He held the rank of second degree, capable of supporting a few idle individuals.

As long as he spoke, bowed his head, then nobody would bother Emperor Yu anymore. Why not do it?

All eyes were on Qu Chenzhou. Hidden satisfaction, concealed worries, and anxiety all converged in their gazes.

“Born but not nurtured, severed fingers might still be mended,” he extended both hands, “Do you want me to acknowledge them? Impossible!”

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