Chapter 121

The Great Zhou Capital.

Duke Zhen’s Mansion.

Cheng Guang rose early, having just left Million Specie Garden with Bai Shuxuan, he hadn’t yet left the mansion when he encountered Mrs. Wu, Yuemei, heading straight towards him.

Wu Yuemei knew that today Cheng Guang was supposed to be at the martial arts competition to carry out a task for the Bureau of the Lamp.

Although she also knew that Cheng Zhihai had already completed the task for Cheng Guang in advance, he just needed to show up to finish this initial mission and become a member of the Bureau of the Lamp.

Taking the first step in inheriting the family business.

It was simple, but still quite important.

Besides, the competition would take at least three or four days, meaning Cheng Guang might not return to the mansion for three or four days.

Wu Yuemei was quite concerned about his absence for so long.

Cheng Zhihai had been busy with something early in the morning and had not been seen, otherwise Wu Yuemei would have certainly dragged him along.

Where was there ever a child who went away on a long journey without his parents seeing him off?

Yuemei was a bit angry, but it was not appropriate to show it in front of Cheng Guang; she managed to maintain a gentle smile on her face.

“Guanger, why did you get up so early? It’s not as if you’re competing in the martial arts competition, so arriving early or late would make no difference.”

Cheng Guang had gotten up early purely because he was worried that if he arrived late, once the man in the black robe set up the restriction, he wouldn’t be able to enter.

And he’d miss his chance.

But such matters were not easy to explain to Mrs. Wu, so he could only nod obediently and not respond.

Seeing Cheng Guang like this, Wu Yuemei laughed helplessly, her gaze turning to Bai Shuxuan by his side, and she was taken aback.

She hadn’t paid much attention to Cheng Guang for just a few days; this young man had already brought back a girl from who knows where.

And this girl was so beautiful—her eyes were completely fixed on Guanger.

Yuemei was first startled, then a bit of a headache began to form.

Previously, she had worried that Cheng Guang showed no interest in women, which is why she arranged for Qing Luan to be by his side.

Now, however, she suddenly feared that Cheng Guang was too interested in the opposite sex.

She didn’t want it to come to pass that, before the marriage she had arranged for him could result in anything, the child would bring home a dozen girls to the family.

Although this was a positive thing, after all, for Duke Zhen’s Mansion, being fruitful and multiplying was beneficial.

But still.

Wu Yuemei felt it was necessary to consider the girl’s feelings.

Before getting married, it was better to be restrained.

Yuemei intended to nag a little, but as the words reached her lips, she became concerned again.

“Guanger, this time the martial arts competition between Great Zhou and Great Wei is being held on Crane-Crying Island, several hundred miles away from the capital city. It’s a bit of a journey, so you must be careful.”

“The mansion’s guards can’t enter Crane-Crying Island, and only the members of the Bureau of the Lamp can ensure your complete safety. You must look out for yourself and if you encounter any danger, seek refuge behind them immediately, you understand?”

As she spoke, Wu Yuemei’s jade hand lightly flicked Cheng Guang’s forehead.

“Don’t feel embarrassed about it; it’s better to live and admit fear than to worry about losing face. Survival is all that matters.”

Cheng Guang nodded obediently and replied, “Mother, do not worry.”

Having said this, Yuemei seemed to realize she might be overthinking things, and she chuckled while shaking her head.

“It’s just Mother being overly concerned.”

“With the martial arts competition capturing the attention of countless people in the capital city, and both the Emperor of Great Zhou and the Empress of Great Wei present in the capital to watch, it’s unlikely anything untoward will happen.”

Wu Yuemei straightened Cheng Guang’s collar, smiling tenderly, “Before I knew it, Guanger has grown two heads taller than me and I can no longer pat your little head like I did when you were small.”

“Go on, then.”

“If I keep talking, you’ll start to find me tiresome.”

Yuemei’s voice fell, and she stepped aside, clearing the path.

Cheng Guang, for some reason, felt a warmth in his heart, but the thought of the upcoming events, which might cause her unnecessary worry, gave him a lump in his throat.

Although she was not his biological mother, her concern was genuine and palpable, leaving him with mixed emotions.

“Mother, shall I go now?”

Yuemei smiled and nodded. Just then, Steward Wang came over and respectfully said to Cheng Guang,

“Princely Heir.”

“The Jade Carriage is ready.”

Cheng Guang was taken aback.

Clearly, the Jade Carriage was prepared by Wu Yuemei for him.

Even though she was worried, she would not stop him; instead, she silently took care of the details for him.

At this moment.

A gentle breeze arose.

It stirred Cheng Guang’s hair, and for some reason, he suddenly remembered his parents from his past life, who worriedly nagged about whether he could take care of himself while quietly packing his bags as he prepared to go to school.

A sour sensation tingled in his nose.

Feeling Wu Yuemei’s affection, his mood became complex.

After bowing, he turned and led Bai Shuxuan into the Jade Carriage without a word.

The Jade Carriage set off.

Cheng Guang sat in the Jade Carriage, lifted the curtain for a glimpse, and looked back at the people who cared for him—they were still standing at the gate, refusing to leave even though he had traveled quite a distance.

Until the mansion gate was no longer visible, it seemed Yuemei still stood there.

Cheng Guang lowered the curtain and took a deep breath.

Since his arrival in this new world, he had never considered himself a part of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, treating himself merely as a substitute, with the detached attitude of an outsider, especially towards Wu Yuemei and Cheng Zhihai.

Due to what had happened to his former self, he harbored certain emotions towards the household of Duke Zhen.

But, if truth be told.

Apart from the Princely Heir who played with his life, Yuemei of the Wu Family and Cheng Zhihai had treated Cheng Guang exceptionally well.

If in the future, Cheng Guang had to raise his sword against Yuemei and the rest of Duke Zhen’s family because of issues relating to his predecessor, he would not be able to do it.