Steward Han stared blankly at Chu Qianli, speechless for a long time.
This was not the Seventh Miss he knew, yet, this was indeed the Seventh Miss.
Steward Han had watched her grow up since childhood; he wasn't so incompetent as to be unable to distinguish truth from falsehood.
But why, after leaving the Duke's mansion for less than half a month, had the Seventh Miss suddenly become like a completely different person?
Could it be that a woman's temperament truly changed after marriage?
"Steward Han, what do you say? Will you help Chu Hongtao and Chu Huaiyu, or will you help me and Grandpa?"
"Miss Li'er, you are linking yourself with the Master. How could I not help you?" Steward Han said with some helplessness.
This household, though he had long known it was rife with undercurrents, had never been so before.
Now, these undercurrents had surfaced.
Chu Qianli finally smiled, "Good, Steward Han. From today onwards, we are family. However, your son is not, so don't get confused."
...That night, a black figure appeared on the roof of the Marquis's mansion.
Chu Qianli moved along the rooftop, stepping on the night breeze.
At first, she felt the guards were extremely strict, but after a while, the guards gradually became sparse.
Finally, when she reached the courtyard where Marquis Dingbei, Long Ye, resided, there wasn't even a single guard on duty.
Her journey in had been too smooth.
Long Ye was reading in his bedchamber.
Chu Qianli watched from the rooftop for a moment, then lightly landed on the ground and pushed the door open.
Seeing the figure entering, Long Ye was somewhat surprised, yet also somewhat expected.
"Li'er, close the door."
Chu Qianli immediately turned back and closed the door, then slowly walked up to him.
"I want to call you Grandpa, but I don't understand, why doesn't Grandpa want me?" She bit her lip.
From being in the palace until now, almost an entire night had passed.
It was not yet dawn, and the sky was dim.
Her grievances, after enduring them for most of the night, were now somewhat unbearable.
Long Ye looked up at her. The words, "Why doesn't Grandpa want me," instantly made him feel so choked up that he almost shed tears of old age.
"Grandpa... never thought of not wanting you," Long Ye's voice was unspeakably hoarse.
Chu Qianli then cried out loud.
He finally admitted it; he was still her Grandpa!
She had held back for the entire night, pretending to be strong and indifferent in front of everyone.
But she felt wronged in her heart.
Very, very wronged!
Her grievance was that she knew Grandpa was lying, but she couldn't expose him.
Because she knew that if she exposed him, Grandpa would be in great trouble.
But she had truly suffered grievances in the imperial palace hall.
Long Ye's heart ached immensely. He quickly put down the book in his hand and hurried over, pulling her into his embrace.
"It's Grandpa's fault, all Grandpa's fault. Li'er, Grandpa... Grandpa has unspeakable difficulties, but Grandpa will always be your Grandpa, always!"
Chu Qianli didn't speak, only leaned on her Grandpa's shoulder, wiping her tears.
She rarely cried.
But she had also rarely experienced true affection.
She didn't know what maternal or paternal love was since she was young. She grew up alone, with no one to dote on her.
Ever since the incident at Prince Xuan's mansion when Grandpa and Grandpa knelt to beg the Emperor for her, even willing to give up their lives for her.
From that moment on, she had recognized Grandpa and Grandpa.
She recognized them, feeling that she finally had real family!
But today, Grandpa had acknowledged another girl in front of everyone.
How could she not care?
She wanted to cry right then!
"Li'er, don't cry, my good Li'er, don't cry. Grandpa really... really..."
As Long Ye spoke, he couldn't help but wipe away a tear himself.
This made Chu Qianli feel even worse. She picked up her sleeve and wiped his tears.
"Grandpa is the Marquis of Dingbei, a great hero admired by all people. If you cry, people will laugh."
"Then... Grandpa won't cry, and Li'er won't cry anymore, okay?"
Long Ye also wiped her tears.
Finally, they looked at each other. Seeing the tear tracks still in their eyes, the scene was somewhat amusing.
Unable to hold back, they both laughed.
Long Ye led her to sit behind the desk. He took a few books from the desk and placed them in front of her.
"Military books?" Chu Qianli didn't understand.
What kind of books would elders usually give to girls? Military books?
These were for the men in the family!
The era they lived in was still one where men were superior to women. Most women had no opportunity to go to the battlefield.
So, giving her military books was rather strange.
"Don't mind what Grandpa said in the hall today, Li'er, and don't ask."
"I won't ask," Chu Qianli said obediently, taking the military books. "I know Grandpa will give me a reasonable explanation in the future."
Hearing this, Long Ye, who had managed to swallow his tears, almost couldn't help but let them fall again.
This child was so sensible!
"You are truly different from before, my Li'er. This time, you have truly grown up, just like your mother, haven't you?"
Chu Qianli remained silent. Whether it was true or not, Grandpa knew.
"Come, these military books were what your mother liked to read. Grandpa should have given them to you earlier, but you were..."
"It's not too late to give them now." As for the previous Chu Qianli, she could just pretend she didn't exist.
"Good, good, it's not too late now."
Long Ye shared the same sentiment.
The previous Li'er was uneducated and truly different from Long Qianyue.
It was the current Li'er who truly resembled Qianyue's daughter.
"If you don't understand anything in the future, feel free to ask Grandpa anytime."
"Why are you letting me read military books? Isn't it true that women in this era cannot go to battle?" She still voiced her doubts.
"Not necessarily."
Long Ye looked out the window, a smile appearing in his eyes. "Do you know of the Longteng Kingdom?"
"Of course, the only country ruled by a female emperor."
"That's right. Doesn't the Longteng Kingdom also have many female generals? So, if Li'er learns more, it might not be useless in the future."
"I understand." Female general, the title sounded so valiant.
Chu Qianli put away the military books. "Grandpa, since you think you acknowledged Chu Huaiyu in the court, I might not be able to visit you often during this time."
He had his reasons, and if she were discovered coming here, it would always arouse some suspicion.
Although Grandpa was unwilling to say, it didn't mean she would give up.
She would find her own way to understand the entire matter and its cause.
"Grandpa, I'm leaving."
"Be careful!" Long Ye personally saw her out.
Looking at her departing back, his eyes still held much reluctance.
Qianyue, this girl has truly grown up completely.
The mission you failed to complete, perhaps this girl can complete it for you.
Long Ye didn't know if what he did was right or wrong.
But, the current Chu Qianli truly made him see hope.
What had been despair after Long Qianyue's death now seemed to have a glimmer of dawn.
Li'er, I hope this time, you can fulfill your mother's last wish.
And then, with your mother's glory, return to where you belong...
...As Chu Qianli left the Marquis's mansion, she was still moving across the roofs of the civilian houses.
Behind her, a gust of cold wind approached.
Chu Qianli, who was already on guard, flicked her hand, and several silver needles shot out from her fingertips...