Lady Yu mused, casting a loving glance at Su Xiaoqi before turning a critical eye towards Shen Yun.
With a nearly imperceptible sigh, she folded her hands.
Su Xiaoqi remained oblivious to Shen Yun being judged.
Of course, even if she had known, she wouldn't have said anything.
Besides, everyone's attention was now focused on the person Yu Changfeng was seeking.
Except for Shen Yun, no one noticed the unusual look in Lady Yu’s eyes as she regarded him.
Shen Yun merely clenched his fist before releasing it.
He informed Yu Changfeng that the owner of the token currently resided in Mianzhou City.
And not far from their current location.
"That's excellent. Perhaps I should send someone to fetch him immediately."
Shen Yun looked at Su Xiaoqi and said calmly, "He likely won't come if someone else fetches him."
Su Xiaoqi considered Zhao Ye's temperament and realized he was indeed like that.
Though he didn't speak much, he was more opinionated than anyone.
If it wasn't someone he recognized, others couldn't command him.
It was eventually decided that Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun would make the trip.
This time, they did not take the mule cart. Lady Yu had instructed Grandma Gao to prepare their own carriage.
In less than half an hour, round trip, Zhao Ye was brought over.
The carriage drove directly to the second gate, passing through the moon gate into the main courtyard.
Zhao Ye gestured, "Where is this?" He had already sensed something unusual when he saw Su Xiaoqi wasn't traveling by mule cart today.
But because Su Xiaoqi was the one fetching him, and out of his unconditional trust in her, he had gotten into the carriage with almost no hesitation.
"The Gu residence," Su Xiaoqi replied concisely.
She had acknowledged an adoptive mother, and this fact was not intentionally hidden from everyone. Therefore, people in the small courtyard knew about it.
Upon hearing it was Madam Gu, Zhao Ye was completely put at ease. After all, the Gu family had an excellent reputation in Mianzhou City, so he presumed nothing untoward would happen.
As for what the matter was, he was no longer concerned.
Everyone had moved from the main house to the main hall.
There was no underfloor heating, but four braziers were placed there.
The finest silver frost charcoal burned quietly, releasing waves of warmth.
Lady Yu, being thoughtful, stopped Yu Changfeng, who was about to rush forward and explain the situation, as everyone entered.
She invited them to sit, had tea served to each person, and placed dried fruits and pastries before saying,
"You must be Young Master Zhao."
Zhao Ye looked at Lady Yu, then at Mr. Gu, and finally at Su Xiaoqi, his expression filled with confusion.
Su Xiaoqi stood up and introduced everyone.
"This is my adoptive mother, Madam Yu, and this is my adoptive father, Mr. Gu."
Zhao Ye was unable to speak, but seeing Su Xiaoqi's respectful demeanor and that they were close, he quickly stood and bowed.
Lady Yu looked at the dark and lean young man before her.
Aside from his darker complexion, his features were handsome, and his brow carried the demeanor of that person, exuding an air of nobility.
She exchanged a glance with Mr. Gu, seeing his eyes filled with excitement.
It seemed her husband had believed Zhao Ye's identity by about seventy percent.
Mr. Gu, suppressing his excitement, tried to keep his voice calm.
"Please sit. It's not us seeking you today, but my nephew."
Mr. Gu introduced Yu Changfeng, stating his identity: "The second son of the Duke of Yu's residence in the capital."
Zhao Ye was startled and felt even more uneasy.
But when he looked up and saw Su Xiaoqi, she was also looking at him, her eyes encouraging him.
Zhao Ye seemed to find his anchor and nodded vigorously at Su Xiaoqi.
He would perform well and not embarrass her in front of them.
Yu Changfeng was the one directly facing the person who had issued the command to find Zhao Ye.
Therefore, the moment he saw Zhao Ye, he was profoundly shocked.
He was so alike, so incredibly alike.
He felt he didn't even need to ask many questions.
The man's appearance already spoke volumes.
Overwhelmed with emotion, by the time it was actually his turn to speak, he found himself somewhat speechless.
"I, uh, well... it's like this, I'm looking for someone, and that person is you..."
Yu Changfeng's words were somewhat jumbled, and Su Xiaoqi, listening from the side, couldn't help but want to laugh.
But in such a formal setting, with everyone so serious, she had no choice but to bite her lip and try her best to stifle her laughter.
Unexpectedly, though she held back her laughter, Mr. Gu, who was usually more expressive with his emotions, was the first to chuckle.
"Hahaha, Changfeng, Changfeng, look at how you're speaking.
You're usually so eloquent, how is it you can't speak properly here?"
After his uncle's lighthearted teasing, Yu Changfeng gradually calmed down.
He repeatedly reassured himself that the person was here, and he had nothing more to worry about. He would take his time and speak slowly.
"Yes!" He clenched his fist forcefully.
Then he asked Zhao Ye where the round token he had given Su Xiaoqi came from.
Zhao Ye shook his head. He didn't know either. He had worn it around his neck since he could remember.
He was an orphan and had been fed by the villagers when he was young.
Some people had seen him wearing that item, but because they couldn't discern its material and it looked like a worthless black stone, no one had taken it from him when he was small, allowing him to keep it.
Of course, Zhao Ye couldn't speak, but it was Shen Yun, who understood sign language, who translated for them.
"The thing you've worn since childhood, and it's so precious, why would you just give it away?" Yu Changfeng hit a sore spot.
A young man in his prime, holding his most important possession, and giving it to a married woman...
There was no way to explain this away logically.
Everyone was intelligent and understood the emotions in Zhao Ye's eyes.
But they were all smart enough to play dumb.
Yet, the thoughtless Yu Changfeng, going against the norm, insisted on pointing it out.
He wasn't embarrassed, but the others in the room were.
Especially Su Xiaoqi.
At the time, she hadn't known what the item Zhao Ye had given her was, only thinking he had found it casually.
How could she have known he was so earnest and would give her such a precious item?
Now, she couldn't clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
She lowered her head and gaze, then sneakily peeked up at Shen Yun, worried he might have some thoughts.
At this moment, she was immensely grateful that she had shown it to Shen Yun as soon as she received it, preventing him from hearing about it from others.
Shen Yun did have thoughts, but not about Su Xiaoqi; they were directed at Zhao Ye.
He knew this fellow had designs on his wife.
He just hadn't expected him to be so brazen. He had thought, like Xiaoqi, that the round token was something Zhao Ye had picked up while carrying goods at the docks.
He had kept it because its material seemed unusual, never imagining it held the mystery of his origins.
Yu Changfeng, single-handedly, had managed to make the lively atmosphere stiff. Then, finally, with frantic glances from his uncle, he realized something.
He quickly changed the subject: "So, you don't remember anything about your past? Could you speak before?"
Zhao Ye nodded.
He truly couldn't remember anything, but Xiaoqi had told him he used to speak, but something had caused him trauma.
He didn't use sign language for this but pointed to Su Xiaoqi, indicating she knew.
Su Xiaoqi then recounted what she knew, adding, "Actually, I've been trying to find a way to treat his muteness these past few days.
But I haven't found a good breakthrough point yet."