Follow the path of Dao from infancy

Li Tian Gang sat with a solemn composure on the back of the dragon-lion, catching sight of the youth in the middle of the official road at the end of his line of vision.

He immediately recognized the war horse the other was riding on, and upon looking at the boy’s features, found him surprisingly handsome and bright, especially around his eyes and eyebrows, which resembled those of the lover etched in his heart.

Li Tian Gang’s heart jolted.

Li Hao was also staring at the robust and composed man.

The blurry images in his memory suddenly seemed to clear, he was the man who, fourteen years ago, had tousled his head with a rough, large hand.

It had been fourteen years, yet, in that brief collision of gazes, they had both recognized each other’s identity in the blink of an eye.

Whoosh!

Li Tian Gang suddenly leaped into the air from atop the dragon-lion, landing in front of the youth’s Red Blood Horse.

The youth, too, swiftly dismounted—it was common sense not to converse with one’s father while still on horseback.

“Hao Er?”

Li Tian Gang’s voice trembled slightly.

Li Hao sensed the concern and deep emotions in his voice, and the foreignness he initially felt dissipated in an instant.

Perhaps this was the feeling of blood ties?

“Father.”

Li Hao spoke as well, his voice a bit stiff and embarrassed, but he knew that the man before him was his father in this life.

Li Tian Gang excitedly took Li Hao into his arms.

Fourteen years had not seen each other, and now his child had grown so big!

His emotions surged.

In that broad embrace and strong arms, Li Hao immediately felt a real sense of security.

At this moment, his heart seemed to settle.

His hands also gently wrapped around his father’s waist, but suddenly thinking of something, his gaze swept around, asking, “Where’s Mother?”

As he spoke, he felt the man embracing him tremble slightly.

Li Hao’s face changed abruptly, and it felt as though his blood might freeze in his veins any moment.

Li Tian Gang slowly let go of Li Hao, his dark, deep eyes suddenly showing traces of bloodshot and sorrow, “Your mother… she’s gone.”

Gone?

Li Hao’s thoughts seemed to jam for a moment.

The woman with the bright and concerned eyes in his memory… was gone?

It felt as if a delicate painting had shattered in the darkness.

Li Hao abruptly turned to look back at the triumphant procession, the countless envious and concerned glances and voices cast from both sides of the road were all ignored and blocked by him, except for the wounded.

However, among them, there was not the beautiful figure that had held him fourteen years ago.

Li Hao’s complexion turned ugly, and he said, “How could it be, wasn’t Mother always with you? Didn’t you both share life and death together?”

Li Tian Gang’s lips quivered slightly but did not utter a word.

Li Hao fiercely turned to face him: “When did Mother pass away, and why haven’t I ever heard Grandmother mention it?”

“A few months ago.”

Li Tian Gang fell into a short silence: “I sealed the news and didn’t let it spread.”

As he spoke this, he saw Li Hao seemed about to say something else, and with a generous palm, he patted his son’s shoulder, “Let’s go, we’ll talk more when we get back.”

Li Hao’s heart, once full of joy, now felt somewhat dispirited.

The common folk by the road continued to cheer, singing the praises of the Marquis of Xing Wu’s triumphant return and extolling the Li family’s glorious military achievements.

Only Li Hao, pulled up onto the back of the dragon-lion, sharing the mount with his father, knew.

On this day, he had lost his mother.

Back at the Divine General Mansion.

He Jianlan, Liu Yue Rong, and numerous ladies were all gathered, having arrived at the Mountain and River Courtyard early, waiting.

Li Xuanli had even run to the mansion gate, anxiously pacing back and forth until Li Tian Gang appeared; only then did the brothers smile at each other.

After a deep embrace.

Li Xuanli smacked Li Tian Gang’s armored chest with force, then soon after tousled Li Hao’s head, laughing as he looked around,

“Where’s my sister-in-law?”

Li Tian Gang’s expression changed slightly, shaking his head, “We’ll talk back at the mansion.”

Li Xuanli paused, his face turning grave, only then noticing that the small figure he had ruffled didn’t react at all.

The smile on Li Xuanli’s face also disappeared, and he nodded slightly, accompanying them back home.

Inside the Mountain and River Courtyard.

With Li Tian Gang’s return, the place was bustling with excitement, but soon, they learned that the seventh lady, Ji Qingqing, had not come back.

Li Tian Gang only spoke two simple words: She’s gone.

The atmosphere in the courtyard immediately turned chilly.

Everyone exchanged glances, showing a hint of sad regret in their eyes—they had been through many such events already.

People one after another stepped forward to comfort both Li Tian Gang and Li Hao.

Only He Jianlan watched from a distance, sighed, and said nothing.

Li Wushuang, who had been soundly beaten by Li Hao that morning and still felt a residual pain in her buttocks, watched the boy who stood beside his father in silence; her heart did not revel in his misfortune. Instead, she felt startled and sympathetic, with her previous grievances suddenly dissipating.

Although she had wanted to teach Li Hao a lesson and was angry at being humiliated by him, after all, they were relatives by blood, both members of the Li family, and she had never truly harbored any thoughts of harming him.

The celebration that had been prepared ended almost perfunctorily, but ultimately, they still had to eat dinner. During the meal, everyone spoke in hushed tones, asking Li Tian Gang about the situation in Northern Yan over the years.

Although the remarkable events were reported to the family through military despatches, the details were never fully revealed, but now, years of pent-up stories could be shared in bits and pieces.

As the sun set in the west and the ladies of each court left, Li Xuanli wanted to stay and keep company with Tian Gang, but his wife pulled him away.

Gao Qingqing saw her husband’s intentions, feeling slightly miffed, pulled him aside, and whispered,

“What can you comfort with just a few words in such a situation? They’re father and son who haven’t seen each other for years, why are you in the way here?”