Liu Ming'an was pulled into the Grand Preceptor's Mansion by Old Madam Lou.
Along the way, the servants who had been searching for the old lady glanced at them, discreetly observing the unfamiliar Liu Ming'an.
Yan Cui and Hua Fei carried lanterns in front to light the path, occasionally turning back to say a word or two to Liu Ming'an: "Young master, once you see the Old Grand Preceptor or the Grand Preceptor, it will be fine. The old madam will listen to them. We've wasted your time, please forgive us!"
Liu Ming'an smiled and replied, "It's no trouble."
After entering the main gate of the Grand Preceptor's Mansion, Hua Fei gave Yan Cui a look. Yan Cui understood and ran off towards the inner courtyard to find someone.
Judging by the old madam's demeanor, she intended to bring this strange man to the study.
The old madam might be confused, but as servants, they couldn't afford to be. Who knew who this person was? The study contained many important things. If this young man harbored ill intentions and caused trouble under these circumstances, it would be disastrous.
So Yan Cui went to call the Old Grand Preceptor and the Grand Preceptor to persuade the old madam. They could clarify things while standing in the courtyard, and then she could politely escort this young master out of the mansion.
Before Yan Cui reached the study, she saw the Grand Preceptor supporting the Old Grand Preceptor as they walked out. The Grand Preceptor hadn't even changed out of his official robes, clearly having just returned from court discussions at the palace.
"Yan Cui, has the old madam been found?" Grand Preceptor Lou Baili asked the maid rushing towards them.
Yan Cui nodded and quickly explained the situation: "We found her, but she's mistaken someone's identity again. She brought back a young master, wanting to see you. They've already entered the mansion and are heading this way. Your servant came to inform you first."
Lou Baili and the Old Grand Preceptor exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.
This wasn't the first or second time.
In these past twenty-some years, they had lost count of how many "Qingzhis" the old madam had brought back.
"Father, you wait here first, and I'll go persuade Mother to come back," Lou Baili said, intending to hand the old man over to Yan Cui's support while he went to find his mother, but he was stopped.
"Let's go see together," Old Grand Preceptor Lou Yuhuan slowly spoke, then muttered to himself, "Didn't Lianyu say yesterday that she met someone who looked very much like Qingzhi? Perhaps she went out again today and brought back that person..."
He was seventy-three this year and didn't know how much longer he would live. The old madam had her obsessions, and so did he, except that he was still clear-minded with good hearing and eyesight.
But there were times when he indulged in fantasy.
Perhaps this time, the person really did resemble Qingzhi somewhat.
They probably would never meet again in this life, but he wanted to see that person once more, even if there was only a slight resemblance.
Lou Baili said nothing more and supported Lou Yuhuan as they walked out of the courtyard. When they reached the pavilion in the garden, they saw Hua Fei holding a lantern, guiding the old madam and a man with an upright posture towards them.
The light under the corridor was dim, and Lou Baili and Lou Yuhuan couldn't yet make out the man's face clearly.
"Mother's not too far off this time. At least this person's build and bearing are about eighty percent similar," Lou Baili said lightly, with a somewhat joking tone.
"Indeed," Lou Yuhuan responded, looking at the figure with a somewhat dazed expression.
As the three drew closer, Liu Ming'an's handsome face came fully into Lou Baili's view, and he no longer had any inclination to jest.
The resemblance was uncanny!
This person looked too much like him!
The facial features were only about sixty percent similar, but the overall impression he gave was identical to that person.
Lou Baili turned to look at his father and saw Lou Yuhuan with his mouth slightly open, a hint of moisture in his eyes.
"Qingzhi..." Lou Baili heard his father murmur softly.
The old madam saw the father and son and quickly walked over, pulling Liu Ming'an along: "Old man, Baili, I've found Qingzhi!"
Liu Ming'an had already spotted the two men, and their identities were easy to guess.
The elderly man over seventy must be the Old Grand Preceptor, and the man in his fifties wearing official robes must be the current Grand Preceptor.
As a commoner, Liu Ming'an should bow to officials, but just as he lifted his robe and was about to make any other move, he heard the Old Grand Preceptor hurriedly say, "No need to bow!"
"I've brought Qingzhi back, brought him back..." the old madam repeated eagerly to the father and son, as if she had finally accomplished a long-cherished wish.
Liu Ming'an stood awkwardly in place, just waiting for these two distinguished individuals to persuade the old madam so he could leave early.
"Hua Fei, bring tea!" Lou Baili suddenly ordered, startling Liu Ming'an and the two little maids.
"Hurry!"
Lou Baili urged, and Hua Fei responded with a "Yes," handing the lantern to Yan Cui before heading to the kitchen.
"Young master, if you're not in a hurry, please stay for a while longer," Lou Baili turned to Liu Ming'an after Hua Fei left, gesturing towards the nearby pavilion in invitation.
"Grand Preceptor Lou, I..."
Liu Ming'an wanted to refuse, but before he could finish, an old voice with a slight tremor came: "Young master, please stay for a cup of tea before you go."
It was the Old Grand Preceptor who spoke.
Liu Ming'an looked at this equally white-haired old man, feeling the intense gaze fixed upon him, and finally nodded.
The four entered the pavilion and sat down. Three pairs of eyes were all fixed on Liu Ming'an, making him feel uncomfortable, especially with the old madam still clutching his sleeve and pushing a box of sweet-heart candies towards him.
Hua Fei returned with the tea, and Lou Baili got up to walk to the old madam's side, speaking to her in a low voice for quite a while. Afterwards, the old lady stuffed the paper package full of sweet-heart candies into Liu Ming'an's arms, gazed at him regretfully several times, and then obediently allowed the two maids to support her as she left.
Lou Baili returned to his seat, picked up the teapot, and poured a cup of tea for Liu Ming'an.
The head of all officials pouring tea for an unknown commoner made Liu Ming'an feel overwhelmed with the honor, knowing it was all due to his face. He hurriedly accepted with both hands, saying, "Thank you, Grand Preceptor."
Having maneuvered in officialdom for many years, the Lou father and son could gauge a person's character at a glance.
Now, with Liu Ming'an sitting properly upright, his gaze fixed only on the tea in front of him, they could naturally see that this young man was very nervous and uncomfortable sitting here.
"Young master, please don't take offense. It's just that this old man misses his son too much and wanted to keep you for a cup of tea. There's no other intention," Lou Yuhuan spoke slowly, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Liu Ming'an, as if seeing that dashing young man who once graced the Capital City.
Liu Ming'an nodded, indicating his understanding, and then heard Lou Baili say, "Over the years, my mother has brought back many 'Qingzhis', but you resemble him the most."
This was the second time Liu Ming'an heard his father's name from a member of the Lou family. He wanted to say that his father was also named Qingzhi, but after some thought, he decided against it.
It seemed too deliberate, with a hint of trying to curry favor.
"Young master, may I ask your name?" Lou Baili asked casually.
Liu Ming'an politely answered, "My surname is Liu, and I am called Liu Ming'an."
"Master Liu—"
Before Lou Baili could finish saying "zi", there was a sudden "crash" from beside him. It turned out that Lou Yuhuan had accidentally knocked over his teacup.
Liu Ming'an and Lou Baili were drawn to the sound, discovering that the old man's knees were soaked, with hot tea still steaming.
Lou Baili was about to inquire about Lou Yuhuan's condition when he saw him staring intently at Liu Ming'an. The Old Grand Preceptor, who had remained calm even when facing the Emperor in his prime, now spoke with a trembling voice.
"Ming... an... is it the Ming'an from 'bright wisdom and courtesy, lifelong peace'?"
Hearing the Old Grand Preceptor's question, Liu Ming'an was too surprised to speak, as certain memories awakened in an instant.
"Ming'an, do you know why your father gave you this name?" His father lifted him high, letting him straddle his shoulders, smiling as he asked.
The young Liu Ming'an, tugging at his father's hair, answered in his childish voice, "I don't know."
"Because your father hopes you will have bright wisdom and courtesy, and lifelong peace."
It seemed to be one afternoon, at sunset, when the whole world was bathed in an orange glow. Liu Ming'an couldn't clearly remember his father's expression as he said these words, he only remembered the man's voice, as gentle as a spring breeze.