Chapter 57: Misunderstanding

What on earth? This kid looks about ten years old. Is he also that young lady's son?

After calming down for a while, he pondered: was there any possibility that the young lady inside wasn't a young lady at all, but a disguised matron?

After all, she was able to fool everyone and possessed such formidable martial arts skills.

There were plenty of experts in this world versed in all sorts of bizarre skills, including the art of disguise.

Although she didn't wear the hair bun of a married woman and instead wore her hair in a ponytail, such a hairstyle did not necessarily mean she was an unmarried maiden.

With this analysis, Yin Qingyun's breathing steadied considerably. "Oh, so she is you siblings' mother."

Yaoguang did not notice the guard's facial reactions, but Tianshu felt them clearly. He was not surprised by this reaction at all, having seen it several times already, though this was by far the most exaggerated one.

"Mhm, she is the mother of the seven of us," Tianshu said while observing the other man's changing expression.

Judging by his look, he didn't seem to be an admirer of their mother, so why react to such an extreme degree?

"What? All seven of you are her children?" Yin Qingyun's voice involuntarily rose.

A few subordinates not far away heard this, seeming to understand yet not quite comprehending.

Tianshu nodded, while Yaoguang, still eating, nodded along with him.

"Biological mother?" Yin Qingyun blurted out.

All seven of them were her biological children? How could that possibly be? He wasn't foolish; there certainly were women with high fertility who gave birth to a dozen or so children over a lifetime, but considering the person in that room, that possibility seemed rather slim. With that still-undeveloped, petite frame, could she really be the mother of these seven kids?

"Yes, biological mother," Tianshu immediately gave a firm and decisive reply.

Yaoguang took a bite of her flatbread and nodded once more. This was her only mother—her birth mother, no doubt about it!

When Hong Xiaoduo heard the commotion outside, she put on her robe and opened the door to see what was happening, only to catch sight of several guards retreating into the distance.

"Are they setting off and coming to call for us to join them? If so, you go tell that old gentleman to let them go first; we're in no rush, we can set off after noon," Hong Xiaoduo said as she looked up at the weather and let out a comfortable, relaxed stretch.

Last night, none of the children had suffered from nightmares. She wondered if it was because they had been through it a few times and were getting used to it, or because of the reassuring storytelling before bed last night.

Regardless, Hong Xiaoduo was quite glad, because she knew that dangers on the road ahead were inevitable.

Just how many times had things happened over these past few days? With such density and frequency, sigh! She could only say that the people of this dynasty were truly pitiful and unfortunate.

"He said he was looking for Mother for something, but he didn't say we were leaving right away," Tianshu informed her.

Is that so? Then it probably isn't urgent. Hong Xiaoduo nodded and began to freshen up.

"You guys eat your own food, you don't need to come over. I'm not seventy or eighty with stiff limbs," Hong Xiaoduo said, looking toward the children by the veranda. Seeing them put down their food and trot over the moment they spotted her, she knew what they were up to and quickly spoke to stop them.

However, it was of no use. The little ones listened to everything else she said except for this one matter, as if a keyword had been set in them that automatically blocked and ignored it.

She had tried reasoning with them earnestly several times, to no avail. She also knew that by doing this, they felt a sense of security, believing that bringing them along wouldn't be a burden because they could do many chores.

Helpless, Hong Xiaoduo could only tell herself to just get used to it.

Freshening up was simple: no facial cleanser, no skincare products. She had already made a mental note in her little notebook to make some skincare products for herself and the children to use, especially with winter approaching.

It wasn't that she was particularly clever or handy at making skincare products; wasn't there that old man from the science museum? Next time they connected, she would have him send over some hand cream, face cream, toothpaste, and the like. If that proved too difficult, she would have him look up instructions on how to make them and search for easily accessible raw materials in ancient times.

She didn't feel her demands were unreasonable at all. Since she had been lured here from a place with the utmost human rights, couldn't she at least make him do this small favor?

Right now, she simply used her finger to wrap a clean strip of cloth to wipe her teeth, and rinsed her mouth thoroughly after eating.

She didn't know how people of this dynasty cleaned their teeth; previously she hadn't been curious and hadn't inquired, but now, knowing she couldn't be certain when she might return to the modern era, she had to consider these trivial matters as well.

At this moment, Lord Wei, who had finished breakfast and was standing outside hesitating whether to go check on those children and see if they had been frightened, watched his chief guard, Yin Qingyun, walk over looking thoroughly shaken.

"Guard Yin," Lord Wei called out, seeing that the man was about to walk past in a daze.

Yin Qingyun hadn't actually heard him and kept walking until someone following behind him reached out and tugged his sleeve to remind him. Only then did he snap out of it. He turned around and stepped forward. "Does Your Lordship have any instructions? Your subordinate's mind was wandering, please punish me, My Lord."

Lord Wei remarked, "I have no official business to attend to at the moment, and we are in no hurry to travel. Come, accompany me for tea and a chat."

Yin Qingyun was somewhat surprised. His Lordship actually wanted him to keep him company over tea? Was it because of last night's ambush?

Regardless of the reason, since His Lordship had called for him, he naturally had to accompany him.

A nearby guard, hearing that Lord Wei wanted tea, immediately went to brew it.

The two men sat by a small table outside. The tea was brought from the capital and was His Lordship's absolute favorite.

Yin Qingyun picked up the teapot and first poured tea for the older man opposite him.

"Guard Yin, you've been by my side for twelve years now, haven't you?" Lord Wei took a sip of tea and spoke.

Hearing this, Yin Qingyun's hand holding the teacup paused. He immediately set the cup down, stood up, dropped to one knee, cupped his fists, and said anxiously, "My Lord, what happened last night was a dereliction of duty on my part. I accept any punishment Your Lordship sees fit, but I beg Your Lordship not to drive me away."

Lord Wei was momentarily stunned by his reaction. "Where is this coming from? Last night's incident was not your fault. Although some of our men were injured, they were all minor injuries, and we completely wiped out the enemy. Why talk about dereliction of duty, and why talk about driving you away?"

"Huh? Then what did Your Lordship mean just now?" Yin Qingyun breathed a sigh of relief.

That? Lord Wei chuckled. "Get up and sit properly so we can talk."

Yin Qingyun hurriedly obeyed, sitting back down and looking perplexedly at his master.

Lord Wei raised an eyebrow, put down the teacup in his hand, and said, "I know what you went back to the scene to do after questioning the assassins. What I wanted to say to you just now is that you should know the principle that there is always someone better, and heaven beyond heaven. You have guarded me for many years, and in my eyes, you have done very well.

Although she is a young lady whose martial arts skills are somewhat superior to yours, that doesn't mean much.

In this world, there are many people far more formidable than her.

So, do not torture yourself over this or get caught in a dead end." He wasn't one for beating around the bush, so he might as well speak directly!

Hearing these words, how could Yin Qingyun fail to understand? It turned out His Lordship had misunderstood and come to counsel him!

"My Lord, you've misunderstood. Subordinate was not feeling that way because that young lady's martial arts skills surpassed mine..." Yin Qingyun said with deep emotion, but he couldn't continue. Feeling what way?

He himself didn't quite know how to describe his state of mind just then.

"Then why were you so absent-minded just now, as if you had suffered a heavy blow?" Lord Wei asked, feeling relieved after hearing the explanation.

Prompted by this question, Yin Qingyun thought for a moment, looked at his master, and asked, "My Lord, you have served as an official for many years and have always been astute in judging people. Then tell me, what kind of person do you think that young lady traveling with seven children could be?

And what is her relationship with those seven hairless children?"

Yin Qingyun could swear to the heavens that he held the utmost respect for his master. Asking the old lord this question did not stem from any desire to make a fool of him...