"May I ask your name, madam? I will surely repay your kindness in the future." The village chief was still a young man back then and couldn't comprehend the difference between himself and those nobles. He only felt that the lady was as beautiful as a celestial being and exuded an air of nobility.
The lady couldn't help but laugh at his earnestness. "Be careful when you go out from now on, steer clear of them, and don't let them catch you again. As for me, it's impossible for us to meet again, nor will you ever be troubled by me."
At the time, the village chief didn't grasp her meaning and scratched his head in confusion, pondering her words. The lady, seeing his sincere expression, found him exceptionally honest and simple.
When the village chief looked up again, he found that the lady had already left. He quickly shouted out his name and address to her retreating figure, promising to repay her kindness if she ever needed it.
Upon returning home, he couldn't help but recount the day's events to his father. His father smiled and shook his head, thinking his son was too foolish. If the lady wanted nothing, how could she possibly trouble a farming family like theirs?
Listening to his father's analysis, he also smiled, feeling that he had been both unlucky and fortunate that day. So, there were such beautiful people in the world! However, he soon forgot about it. As his father had said, their paths would likely never cross again.
In just a few years, he married and had children. One day, amidst thunder and lightning, they were already in bed when, in the middle of the night, they suddenly heard urgent knocking.
At first, he thought he was mistaken. Who would be out in such heavy rain? But the knocking grew more insistent. He discussed it with his wife, quickly got dressed, and went out. He assumed it was a villager needing his father, as had happened before. However, when he opened the door, he saw someone dressed in black. Without a word, the person thrust an infant into his arms. The village chief stood there, stunned, holding the baby, not knowing whether to go in or stay out, completely bewildered by the situation.
His wife, who had followed him out of concern, saw this and exclaimed, "Whose child is this?"
The figure looked at the village chief with sorrowful eyes and choked out, "Several years ago, on the street, our lady saved you. Didn't you say you would repay her kindness if she ever needed it? This is her son, our young master. Our lady has passed away and is entrusting her son to you. From now on, raise him as your own. Your wife is about to give birth; say it's twins. He doesn't need to be rich and honored, only to grow up safely."
Only then did the village chief recall the events from years ago. He quickly held the baby to his chest and sighed, "Such a good person, how could the lady have passed away so young?"
The other person, holding back tears, finally let them flow. After a while, regaining composure, they said, "Our lady's affairs are not for you to inquire about. This silver was given to you by our lady before her passing, enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your lives. Never let him set foot in the imperial court, or his life will be in danger."
With that, the messenger, without giving the village chief a chance to ask questions, cast a reluctant glance at the child in his arms and departed. The couple exchanged glances, finally closing the door and returning to their room to hide the silver. A few days later, his wife gave birth, and they announced to the world that they had a boy and a girl.
Later, the couple opened the small bundle the messenger had given them. Inside, they found piles of gold and jewelry, things they had never seen before. Their hearts pounded, and they quickly buried the treasures underground. The village chief was an honest man and believed all this wealth belonged to Li Shengxu. He kept it for him, intending to give it to him when he married. However, not long after, the imperial court fell into chaos.
Conscription intensified, internal and external troubles grew, and taxes mounted. To protect Li Shengxu, he was forced to use this wealth to navigate the difficult times. Those few years were truly hard. Fortunately, they had these treasures, which allowed them to endure.
When the years of turmoil finally passed, half of the gold and silver had been spent. He felt he had let Li Shengxu down but thought that by treating him well from then on, he would at least be repaying the lady's kindness. Without her help, the Li family would not have been complete. A few years prior, the imperial court was overthrown, and the common people suffered again. In desperation, he had to use the remaining silver.
By this time, little was left. For years, the village chief had kept this secret hidden. His own sons believed the Li family was wealthy and often speculated about how much silver their father possessed. As their lives became harder, they resented him for not using the silver. They never imagined that these treasures did not belong to the Li family at all.
The village chief was troubled. If Li Shengxu didn't return soon, should he pass these treasures on to his descendants, or continue to bury them? He knew that if they remained buried, Li Shengxu might not be able to find them when he returned. If he left them to his descendants, they would likely be gone before Li Shengxu's return.
It was at this moment that Li Shengxu realized he was not a child of the Li family after all. Given his striking resemblance to the Third Prince, his origins were likely quite extraordinary.
However, his parents had raised him for so many years; it was time for him to repay them. To be honest, he had never felt he wasn't a member of the Li family. His parents doted on him so much. It wasn't just that his adoptive parents had accepted the belongings of his birth mother and raised him; many had taken others' possessions and still harmed the children. He never expected his parents to raise him for so many years based on a promise. Their relationship had not only not weakened but had grown stronger.
"Someone took you away to impersonate another. Were you and that person brothers? Considering the lady's unusual attire, it seems she was of high status. This indicates you are also of noble birth. If you can find your biological father, you will live a good life." The village chief looked at him anxiously, fearing that his concealment might create a rift between Li Shengxu and his biological brother.
"It's not as simple as you think. The affairs of wealthy families are complex. Besides, didn't that lady say my mother had already passed away? If I truly had siblings, why would they have instructed me like this back then? I have returned, and I will investigate the truth of my origins and find a way to uncover my identity. Now is the time for you to enjoy yourselves. Don't worry so much." Li Shengxu didn't want to discuss this further with his father, as he had a premonition that his true identity might be something that could not bear the light of day.