After Rebirth, She Becomes the Revenge Queen
Chapter 115 - 114: Don’t Cry at My Mother’s Grave! (Three More, Vote Requested)

Chapter 115: Chapter 114: Don’t Cry at My Mother’s Grave! (Three More, Vote Requested)

"Most of them are gold, silver, and jewels, as well as furs; there are also some saddles and weapons, but none exist physically, they are only recorded in the ceremonial registry."

Pei Zhan picked up the tea by his side and took a leisurely sip before he said, "Although Dayue has been destroyed and the borders can be secure for the next thirty years, the Great Zhou has suffered deeply from it. We’ve been fighting for so many years, losing many good generals. I remind myself constantly that I must never let my guard down.

"Since the palace also possesses tribute weapons engraved with these patterns, I would like to see this registry. I wonder if the Grand Tutor could facilitate this for me?"

Gu Xiu thought for a moment, "The issue is not significant, but this matter cannot be rushed. The palace is currently preparing for the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony, and there are many tasks. However, the Ministry of Rites has mentioned opening the library to fetch some classics for the grand ceremony, which is an opportunity. Once the date is confirmed, I’ll have someone invite you over; it will save us some trouble."

"Thank you, Grand Tutor!"

The Empress and Emperor have been through adversity together, supporting each other before the uprising. Now there are only two princes in the palace; one is the Crown Prince, and the other is just eleven years old, frail from birth. The imperial lineage is thin, and the foundation of the nation cannot be said to be worry-free. At this time, with the borders finally settled, the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony is especially solemn.

Declining the old master’s personal escort, Pei Zhan walked alone to the front courtyard of the Gu family, when a female voice called out from behind, "Brother Pei."

Pei Zhan stopped, "Miss Gu."

Gu Yingying approached with a small box in hand, "I have a freshly made headband here, made to Aunt Pei’s measurements. Brother Pei, are you heading home?"

Pei Zhan replied, "Not going back."

Gu Yingying paused, then uttered an "Oh," thinking he might take it home.

Pei Zhan nodded slightly in response, passed by her, and went out the door. Who would have thought, just as he stepped down the stone steps, a round little ball of flesh crashed into him!

"Uncle Five, you were hard to find!" Liang Xuan looked up from in front of his waist, eyes blinking, "So you were chatting here with Sister from the Gu family. Had I known, I wouldn’t have come!"

Gu Yingying approached, "You little rascal, why aren’t you going inside at such a late hour? And why, when your Uncle Five and I are chatting, don’t you come?"

Liang Xuan said, "Because you’re also a beauty, and I came to get Uncle Five to see a beauty!"

Gu Yingying was curious, "Where is this beauty from?"

"He’s talking nonsense!" Pei Zhan quickly lifted Liang Xuan into his arm, mounted his horse, and said, "We’re off!"

Liang Xuan protested loudly, "I’m telling the truth! You’ll regret treating me like this!..."

Pei Zhan certainly wouldn’t listen to his ramblings, pressing him down on the horse’s back all the way to the Liang family.

Upon entering, he asked Liang Chen, who was watering the flowers, "Where is Ah Zhi?"

Liang Chen replied, "He hasn’t returned!"

"Where did he go?"

Liang Chen glanced at Liang Xuan in his arm, "He didn’t tell you?"

Pei Zhan lowered his head as Liang Xuan shouted, "Father said that Uncle went to steal your girl at Canglang Pavilion! He went to be a runner for that beauty sister who tugged your sleeve last time! I’ve been there, but I couldn’t get in! I was kind enough to tell you, but you wouldn’t let me speak and treated me like that. It’s driving me crazy! Now it’s dark, and she’s already been taken by him!"

Pei Zhan blurted out, "Fu Zhen?"

Liang Chen squinted at him, "Oh, quite intimate, aren’t we? Calling her by her full name and all."

Pei Zhan paused, immediately turning out of the door!

Liang Xuan chased after him again, "Uncle Five, wait for me!... "

...

A cool sensation fell on Liang Zhi’s face, he wiped it off with his hand and opened his eyes.

The mountain wind just happened to blow over, bringing the fresh scent of grass and trees. He sat up, and another leaf floated by. He picked it up and saw the heavy darkness behind the leaf.

Is it already this dark?

Looking around, there were only faint outlines, and in the distance, he vaguely heard Buddhist chants.

His mind was still muddled. Wasn’t he just at the Canglang Pavilion? Talking to that strangely familiar Miss Fu...

Yes!

It was when he was talking to her that he stumbled!

Did he really let that woman take him down?

He actually capsized in the gutter?!

He immediately checked himself all over, everything seemed intact. There was nothing amiss anywhere on his body.

He stood up and looked around, this seemed to be a mountain, but how did he end up on a mountain? Didn’t Xiao Si and the others manage to protect him? Even Xiao Si, who had been with Liang Chen and him on the battlefield, couldn’t protect him?!

The mountain wind instantly brought his thoughts back to clarity.

What exactly happened?

He looked towards the few remnant walls not far away beneath the dim sky, these walls seemed somewhat familiar. He stepped closer until the entire scene where the remnant walls were located was revealed, then he stopped. The remnant walls seemed to have once been a house, now turned into ruins, unknown what it had gone through. Beside it, a few aged peach trees twisted, appearing menacing and strange in the dim light.

—No, something’s wrong!

Ruins? Old peach trees?

A string in Liang Zhi’s mind suddenly tightened!

He looked around again carefully, this was Baihe Temple!

This was the northwest corner of Baihe Temple, where his little aunt had an accident!

His heart surged with emotions, and he couldn’t help rushing forward—yes!

This was it!

Six years ago, his dearest little aunt perished in a sea of fire right here!

"Little Aunt!"

He couldn’t help but kneel down, the anxiety that had been filling his chest swept away in an instant!

This was his aunt’s place, so he had come here... though he didn’t know why he had ended up here, as long as it was here, what was the problem?! What was there to be anxious about?

Because his little aunt loved and protected him so tenderly in life, both his elder and his friend. No matter where she was, in life or death, he believed she would never abandon him!

"Aunt," he said, kneeling down on the weed-filled stone steps. "The war is over. I performed well and earned a few minor merits. The emperor has conferred me as General Zhao Yi, a rank three official! When I left, I told you I wanted to be a real man, and I’ve done it. If only you could see."

He looked desolately at the barren ground in front of him, planting three blades of grass before him.

His entire childhood and adolescence were spent with his aunt, the highest-ranking, the most intelligent, the calmest, and the most decisive among them. She was not only their aunt but also their idol.

Those kids who used to follow behind her now each have their achievements and are about to take over the duties of their elders in the Great Zhou and support the sky of the Zhou dynasty.

Yet the one who led them around to root out evil, the one who showed them the dangers of the world early on, died in such a shocking manner.

Liang Zhi choked with sobs, "Aunt..."

He pressed his head tightly to the ground as if this would bring him closer to her.

"Zhi Er."

The wind carried a gentle voice, and Liang Zhi closed his eyes, afraid that if he opened them, the illusion would disappear.

Listen, Aunt is calling him. She must be watching from the heavens right now, right?

Liang Zhi felt dissatisfied with his aunt’s death. Everyone in the Liang family was dissatisfied.

But at that time, their shoulders still bore the responsibility of the nation, as military generals. Between national and family affairs, he and Liang Chen could only focus all their efforts on the war, leaving her death to be handled by the Court of Justice.

This has been their greatest regret over the years.

Liang Chen’s mother, Mrs. Sun, turned to Buddhism after that incident, and his own mother, Lady Qi, had never urged him to marry since then because his little aunt died while discussing marriage. The joyous events in the mansion seemed tinged with a gray hue.

"Don’t cry at the old lady’s grave! Lift your head for me!"

A clear voice rang in Liang Zhi’s ears, causing his eardrums to vibrate, and his body to suddenly stiffen!

No, this doesn’t seem like an illusion!

He suddenly opened his eyes and raised his head!

On the previously empty ground, there was now a slender figure!

"...Aunt!"

Liang Zhi’s eyes widened in disbelief, his voice breaking!