boyutpedia Chapter 190 Encountering a Similar Woman
Chapter 190 Encountering a Similar Woman
Gu Liuli was dressed in a light blue gown, her figure graceful. The two women each led a child; Gu Liuli was accompanied by the lively and adorable Xiao Nanyao, while Jia Xiaoyan led the clever and bright Xiao Nanyi.
With the addition of the well-behaved and sensible Jiang You'an, the group, surrounded by numerous guards, marched out of the magnificent palace in a grand procession. The sky was a clear, deep blue, the sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze caressed their faces, bringing a touch of coolness and comfort.
Such beautiful weather was undoubtedly the perfect time to go out and have some fun. The children, like little birds just released from their cages, were overflowing with excitement, their laughter and chatter never ceasing as they walked.
Xiao Nanyao tightly held Gu Liuli's fair and slender hand.
She raised her delicate, pretty face and asked expectantly, "Mommy, where are we going to play today?"
Gu Liuli smiled slightly, reached out a hand to gently stroke Xiao Nanyao's jet-black hair, and softly replied, "Baby, let's go to the market today. It's very lively there, with all sorts of fun and interesting things."
Hearing this, Xiao Nanyao jumped for joy, clapping her hands and cheering: "Wow, that's great! I must buy lots and lots of delicious snacks, and I also want to pick out some pretty little accessories to wear on my head."
Standing to the side, Xiao Nanyi couldn't contain his excitement and chimed in, "I really want to see if there are any new and unique things. It would be even better if we could find some fun weapon models."
After he finished speaking, his bright and piercing eyes sparkled with excitement.
Jiang Youan, who had been quietly following along, was also filled with joy. He opened his big, round eyes and looked around curiously, filled with longing and anticipation for the market they were about to arrive at.
Vendors selling candied hawthorns held up strings of bright red candied hawthorns and shouted loudly; at the fabric stalls, colorful fabrics fluttered in the wind, attracting the attention of passersby; and in the handicraft shops, exquisite wood carvings, ceramics and other items were displayed.
Gu Liuli and Jia Xiaoyan walked and talked quietly, their hearts filled with happiness as they watched the children's joyful faces.
Just then, Gu Liuli caught a glimpse of a figure flashing by out of the corner of her eye.
It was a middle-aged woman, dressed simply, hurrying through the alleyway. Gu Liuli stopped abruptly, a hint of surprise and confusion flashing in her eyes.
"Xiaoyan, did you see..." Gu Liuli said softly, her voice filled with disbelief.
Jia Xiaoyan followed her gaze, but only saw an empty alley. She asked in confusion, "What do you see?"
"I think I just saw a woman who looks extremely similar to me. She just flashed by and went into that alley." Gu Liuli frowned slightly, her face full of confusion.
Jia Xiaoyan's eyes widened in surprise: "Looks like you? How is that possible? Could you be seeing things?"
Gu Liuli shook her head and said firmly, "I saw it very clearly. Although it was only for a moment, that face really looked so much like mine."
At this moment, the children also noticed that something was wrong. Xiao Nanyi ran over and asked, "Mommy, what's wrong?"
Gu Liuli came to her senses and said with a smile, "It's alright, Yi'er, let's keep going."
But she couldn't shake the memory of what she had just witnessed, glancing back at the alleyway every now and then. They continued to stroll through the market, the children lingering at the various stalls, buying many things they liked. But Gu Liuli's mind remained occupied by the mysterious woman; she had a vague feeling that this woman, who resembled her, might bring unexpected changes to her life.
Finally, unable to contain her curiosity, Gu Liuli said to Jia Xiaoyan, "Xiaoyan, I still want to go to that alley to take a look. Maybe I can find that woman."
Looking at Gu Liuli's determined eyes, Jia Xiaoyan nodded: "Okay, I'll go with you, but be careful and don't let anything happen."
Gu Liuli handed the children over to the guards and walked towards the alley with Jia Xiaoyan.
A damp smell permeated the alley, and moss climbed the walls. They moved forward cautiously, their eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.
Gu Liuli and Jia Xiaoyan led the children and a group of guards back to the palace from the market.
Throughout the journey, Gu Liuli's mood was like a spilled spice bottle, a mixture of various emotions.
Her gaze remained wandering, the fleeting figure constantly replaying in her mind—a face strikingly similar to her own. However, after searching the market's alleyways, she couldn't even find the hem of the woman's garment, as if she had been nothing more than a phantom, vanishing in an instant.
The palace gates slowly opened, revealing the familiar imperial palace scene, but Gu Liuli had no heart to appreciate it. Her steps were heavy, and her face was filled with disappointment and confusion.
Jia Xiaoyan walked beside her, occasionally casting concerned glances at her, wanting to comfort her, but not knowing where to begin.
"Mother, what's wrong? You've been unhappy ever since we came back from the market."
Xiao Nanyi's childish voice broke the silence. He held Gu Liuli's hand, looked up at her, and his eyes were full of worry.
Gu Liuli forced a smile and patted Xiao Nanyi's head: "Yi'er, Mother is fine, she's probably just a little tired."
Jiang Youan also came over and whispered, "Aunt Gu, if you have anything bothering you, just tell us. Maybe we can help you."
Xiao Nanyao grabbed Gu Liuli's other hand and nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, let's help Mother together."
Looking at the children's innocent faces, Gu Liuli felt a warmth in her heart, but the doubt and unease still lingered in her mind.
Just then, Xiao Jingchuan and Jiang Liushen walked out of the palace.
They were discussing state affairs when they saw Gu Liuli and the others return, and Gu Liuli's expression was strange. The two exchanged a glance, and a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes.
"Liuli, what's wrong?" Xiao Jingchuan quickly walked to Gu Liuli's side and asked with concern. He carefully examined Gu Liuli's face, trying to find the answer from her expression.
Jiang Liushen stepped forward, looked at Jia Xiaoyan, and asked, "Xiaoyan, what happened? You went out for a while, why does Liuli seem preoccupied when you come back?"
Jia Xiaoyan sighed softly and said, "At the market, Liuli saw a middle-aged woman who looked extremely similar to her, but when we tried to chase after her, she disappeared without a trace. Liuli has been looking for her, but she can't find her no matter what."
Xiao Jingchuan and Jiang Liushen both looked surprised upon hearing this. Xiao Jingchuan gently took Gu Liuli's hand and said, "Liuli, don't rush, tell me slowly, what exactly happened?"
Gu Liuli took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, and slowly said, "We were walking in the market when I suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of my eye. She looked so much like me that I almost thought I was seeing things. But by the time I realized it, she had already walked into an alley. Xiaoyan and I chased after her, but we couldn't find her anywhere."
"What does she look like? Is there anything special about her?" Xiao Jingchuan asked seriously, frowning.
Gu Liuli closed her eyes, trying hard to recall the woman's appearance: "She was dressed in simple clothes, her hair was a little messy, and her face bore the marks of time, but her eyes were so similar to mine. I always felt that there must be some kind of connection between her and me."
Jiang Liu pondered for a moment and said, "This matter is indeed a bit strange. How could a woman who looks so much like Liuli suddenly appear in this Nanzhao Kingdom? And she even flashed by, deliberately avoiding you."
Xiao Jingchuan nodded in agreement: "I will immediately send people to inquire around the market area to see if we can find any clues. Liuli, don't worry too much. Since she has appeared, she must have left some traces."
Gu Liuli nodded slightly, her eyes full of gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm just a little confused. I have a feeling that this matter is not simple."
Just then, Xiao Nanyi suddenly raised his head and said to his father with a determined look, "Father, I want to help too! I feel I'm old enough to go to the market with the guards to find that aunt." Seeing her brother so enthusiastic, Xiao Nanyao quickly stepped forward and said eagerly, "I want to go too! Maybe we'll get lucky and find her!"
Hearing the children's innocent and enthusiastic words, Gu Liuli felt a surge of emotion. She slowly knelt down, gazing tenderly into the clear, watery eyes of Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao, and said softly, "Yi'er, Yao'er, I appreciate your kindness. However, the market is crowded and the situation is quite complicated. Moreover, you are both still young, and I'm really worried that something might happen. So, you should stay in the palace and wait for news. If I find anything, I will definitely come back to tell you immediately, okay?"
Although Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao were somewhat reluctant, they nodded obediently, indicating their willingness to follow their mother's arrangements. Jiang Youan, who was standing to the side, stepped forward to comfort them, saying, "Aunt Gu, don't worry too much. I believe that with your wisdom and ability, you will definitely be able to find that aunt smoothly."
At this moment, Xiao Jingchuan, who had been silent all along, turned his gaze to the guard captain and solemnly instructed, "You immediately lead some men to conduct a thorough search in the vicinity. Whoever has seen that woman, you must question them in detail. Remember, you must find out her whereabouts as soon as possible!" The guard captain respectfully responded, then quickly gathered a group of well-trained guards, and the group hurriedly headed towards the market.
Gu Liuli nodded and, supported by Xiao Jingchuan, walked towards the palace. Jia Xiaoyan and Jiang Liushen followed behind with the children. Everyone's mood became heavy because of the appearance of this mysterious woman.
Back in her palace, Gu Liuli sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes still somewhat dazed. Xiao Jingchuan sat beside her, gently holding her hand: "Liuli, don't think too much, rest for a while. No matter who that woman is, I will face it with you."
Gu Liuli leaned on Xiao Jingchuan's shoulder, a warm feeling welling up inside her: "Your Majesty, I feel much more at ease with you here. I'm just curious, what exactly is her relationship with me?"
Xiao Jingchuan gently stroked her hair and said, "Don't worry, you'll have an answer soon."
Meanwhile, in the palace study, Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan were also discussing this matter.
"Xiaoyan, who do you think that woman is? Is it really just a coincidence that she looks like her?" Jiang Liushen asked.
Jiang Liushen frowned slightly: "It seems we need to pay closer attention to this matter. Hopefully, we can find that woman as soon as possible; perhaps she knows about our mother."