Firefly Journey

Chapter 247 Apricot Blossoms in the Misty Rain of Jiangnan (7)

Based on his observations, Lin Yuanran lost his awe of Orlando.

Years ago in Torreg, Orlando was asked to go to the ruins of the ancient gods to get a share of the spoils. At that time, he was full of mystery, like a peerless master, giving people a sense of etherealness.

Looking back now, I realize I knew too little.

After a brief embrace, Duan Feibai and his mother entered the courtyard, with Duan Feibai making sure to greet Lin Yuanran.

"Ario, over here."

Lin Yuanran smiled and nodded, then said to Orlando, "I'll go in first, we'll talk again later."

With that, Lin Yuanran stepped into the Duan family's gate, which was then tightly closed.

Orlando wasn't in a good mood.

No way! We've been neighbors for so many years, and you wouldn't let me in, but you let that kid in on his first visit?!

That's too much discrimination.

Orlando was frustrated but helpless. He couldn't very well break into a private residence. Although he wasn't afraid of the officials from Chu, they weren't without superhumans.

Most importantly, if some bad news gets into the Sword Saint's ears, does he even want to live anymore?

Seeing that the Duan family had closed their doors, the neighbors lost interest and went home, so Orlando had no choice but to leave as well.

It was already dark when Duan's mother asked, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? Are you hungry? I'll make you something to eat."

By the way, who is this young master…?

Duan's mother did not recognize Lin Yuanran, but seeing him with her son, she assumed he was a colleague or friend.

Duan Feibai introduced him: "He... well, I'd say he's my colleague."

I have returned this time on a mission from His Majesty, which I cannot disclose in advance to avoid any leaks.

"No need for dinner, Ario and I have already eaten. Mother, you should rest early; I have something to discuss with him."

Duan's mother was very knowledgeable.

When my husband was still alive, it was pretty much the same when he came home to visit. Even though he was just a lowly military officer, he was unwilling to say a word about the military camp.

After Duan's mother left, Duan Feibai led Lin Yuanran to a side room.

The Duan family courtyard today has been renovated and expanded; it is no longer the Duan family home of Duan Feibai's childhood.

Although it is far inferior to the inner palace, it is already a very high standard for an ordinary family.

The two sat down, and Duan Feibai said, "The Great Chu is not like the Duchy, and Qingzhu Town is not like Yicheng. You'll have to make do with this place."

Lin Yuanran smiled, thinking to himself, "You really think I'm some high-class person from a big city?"

I came from Torreg, which is not much better than Qingzhu Town. My own little house is nowhere near as nice as the Duan family's courtyard.

"It's pretty good," Lin Yuanran said sincerely.

"That's good. I was just afraid you wouldn't like it," Duan Feibai said. "We'll go to Taiqian first thing tomorrow morning."

Lin Yuanran asked in confusion, "Didn't you just get back? Aren't you staying for a while?"

Duan Feibai smiled and said, "I have returned on the orders of the emperor and have important matters to attend to. My return home this time is already an act of personal favor. If I were to linger any longer, it would be inappropriate."

Seeing that Mother was in good condition, I was relieved. As for staying longer, we could wait until after the mission was completed.

Lin Yuanran thought to himself, "You're still a genuine person."

After discussing the specific plans with Lin Yuanran, Duan Feibai left the guest room.

As soon as he left, Lin Yuanran immediately lost his composure and sprawled out on the bed in an extremely awkward posture.

A few days ago, he arrived at the capital of the Great Chu Kingdom, namely Danyang, to stay with his classmate Lü Jianming.

After explaining his purpose, Lü Jianming said he was in a bit of a dilemma.

Although he was the crown prince of Chu and wielded considerable power, he was not the emperor. To place someone in any department was not as simple as just saying the word.

Minor officials are fine, but civil and military officials, including Emperor Zhuang, certainly don't care.

Lin Yuanran didn't care at first, as he felt that with his status as a superhuman, advancing to the next level wouldn't be difficult.

But Lü Jianming refused.

From his perspective, who was my classmate? He was a genius unparalleled on the continent!

If someone like this condescends to come to me for help, how can I only give him a tiny, insignificant official position?

That would be too unfair to them.

No, I need to find a way to get him to the core position.

So, the Crown Prince, who had this idea, thought to himself, "Hasn't a major case just occurred in Yunzhou? Perfect, Duan Feibai can go back to handle it and just take Lin Yuanran with him."

With Duan Feibai's abilities and Lin Yuanran's third awakening realm, solving a case wouldn't be a problem.

If Lin Yuanran goes through the motions to get some prestige, his promotion will be legitimate, and the old guys in the court won't have anything to say.

Emperor Zhuang tacitly approved of this.

Ultimately, regardless of his abilities, Lin Yuanran is a true Awakener of the Third Awakening. For such an extraordinary person to come to the Chu Kingdom would be entirely beneficial.

Besides, Lü Jianming was his classmate, so they knew each other well and there was no need to worry about any messy issues.

Therefore, the task of thoroughly investigating the case of the courtesan of Yunzhou and, incidentally, examining the performance of local officials fell to the two of them.

Duan Feibai worked diligently and, after winning the top prize that year, he gained a foothold in the Chu state's officialdom, received appreciation from many parties, and steadily rose through the ranks.

Therefore, he was in charge of this inspection, with Lin Yuanran as his assistant, and they jointly assumed the important task of imperial envoy.

Both of them were at a high level, one at the third level of enlightenment and the other at the second level. They could practically do whatever they wanted within the Chu Kingdom. To maintain secrecy, they didn't need to bring extra people with them.

……

The next morning, Lin Yuanran got up and Duan Feibai called him over for breakfast.

Breakfast in ordinary households in the State of Chu was relatively simple.

However, since Lin Yuanran was a guest, the Duan family did not make the breakfast too simple. In addition to common foods such as porridge and pancakes, they also added a few tea eggs for breakfast.

Looking at the familiar breakfast, Lin Yuanran felt a warm current well up in his heart.

This seemingly ordinary breakfast was one he hadn't seen in many years.

Seeing this now, I can't help but feel a sense of emotion.

Seeing this, Duan Feibai assumed he didn't like the food: "Uh, this is what we eat for breakfast in Chu, just make do with it."

Lin Yuanran took a sip of vegetable porridge: "No, I like it very much."

After the two had eaten and drunk their fill, it was time for them to set off.

As he walked out of the Duan family's gate, Duan's mother didn't see him off. She silently leaned against the door, watching her son depart into the distance.

As they walked, Lin Yuanran said, "Your aunt... must be very reluctant to part with you."

“I know.” Duan Feibai smiled helplessly. “Last night I told her that when I was leaving the next day, I could clearly see the wrinkles on her face.”

But there's nothing I can do; I can't stay by her side forever.

Lin Yuanran remained silent.

To be honest, seeing the breakfast on the table and the way Duan's mother leaned against the door gazing into the distance, my homesickness welled up again.

Counting the time, it's been almost four years since I came to the Pan-Ancient Continent, and I still don't know how to go back.

I wonder how my relatives and friends from the original world are doing.

Lin Yuanran sighed and got into the carriage with Duan Feibai. The carriage traveled at high speed and arrived at Taiqian, the capital of Yunzhou, a Jiangnan city full of apricot trees, at dusk.