boyutpedia Chapter 177 Finally, they recognized each other.
Chapter 177 Finally, they recognized each other.
Chen Xiao coughed lightly, the crisp sound like a sharp arrow piercing through the silence that filled the palace, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Her expression was solemn, as if she were carrying a heavy burden. She slowly looked at Qi Qing and asked, "General Qi, do you remember if that child had any birthmarks or other special marks?"
The voice was steady and clear, echoing in every inch of the palace air, carrying a hint of barely perceptible anticipation and tension.
Qi Qing was as if a sudden burst of bright light had illuminated a hidden corner of his memory. He was jolted and said hurriedly, "Yes, there is one! There is a small red birthmark on A Qi's right arm, shaped like a crescent moon. The appearance of that birthmark has been in my mind for so many years and has never been blurred for a moment."
He spoke very quickly, his words filled with barely suppressed excitement and urgency, his hands trembling slightly as if trying to grasp at the hope that was about to surface.
Feng Li stood there quietly, his posture like a lone tree trembling slightly in the cold wind, somewhat stiff.
Her hands seemed to be driven by an invisible force, unconsciously gripping the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. This subtle movement revealed her inner tension and helplessness without reservation.
Her gaze seemed to be drawn by an invisible thread, fixed on Qi Qing. Her eyes were filled with confusion, surprise, and an indescribable expectation, which flickered and shone in the depths of her eyes.
Her lips trembled slightly, as if a thousand words were surging in her throat, wanting to say something, but the sudden situation choked her, leaving her only able to let the complex emotions surge within her.
Upon seeing this, Qi Qing seemed to be frozen in place, like a petrified statue, with only his slightly trembling hands revealing the surging excitement in his heart.
His eyes were fixed on Feng Li, his gaze a mixture of shock and disbelief, as well as deep longing and affection.
The vicissitudes of time are like a merciless carving knife, etching deep marks on his face. These marks are now even more obvious, and each wrinkle seems to tell the story of his pain and torment in searching for his daughter in vain over the years. Every wrinkle is filled with his endless longing and guilt for his daughter.
For a moment, the entire palace seemed to be shrouded in a veil of tranquility, and there was complete silence. Everyone's eyes darted back and forth between Qi Qing and Feng Li, and no one dared to breathe loudly, for fear that the slightest movement or sound would disturb the couple who might soon recognize each other.
The air was thick with tension and anticipation, so intense it almost felt tangible. Only the bubbling of the hot pot broth and the rich aroma of milk tea reminded everyone that this was supposed to be a joyous gathering.
At this moment, the joyful atmosphere has been replaced by this sudden emotional upheaval.
After a long while, Feng Li seemed to slowly awaken from a deep dream. She took a deep breath, the breath trembling slightly in her chest, and mustered her courage to say softly, "General, I have heard about the past you mentioned. My mother was also named A Qi, and she did have a crescent-shaped birthmark on her right arm. Not only that, I also have one on my right arm."
Her voice trembled slightly, yet it was like a shooting star in the night sky, clearly passing by everyone's ears and echoing throughout the palace.
Qi Qing's body jolted as if struck by an electric current, and a glimmer of hope instantly ignited in his eyes, a light as bright and dazzling as a star in the night sky.
His lips parted slightly, as if countless words were leaping on his tongue, wanting to say something, but were instantly overwhelmed by the tide of his excited emotions.
After calming himself down, he said in a slightly hoarse but expectant voice, "Child, let me see you."
The voice seemed to be squeezed out with difficulty from the depths of the soul, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.
Feng Li slowly raised her right hand, her fingers as if covered by a thin layer of frost. She trembled slightly as she untied the ribbon of her sleeve. The ribbon swayed slightly at her fingertips, as if it could also sense the turmoil in her heart.
She gently rolled up her sleeve, revealing the crescent-shaped birthmark. In the soft light of the palace, the birthmark resembled a piece of warm, lustrous red jade, radiating a faint glow.
Qi Qing's gaze was instantly drawn to the birthmark. His eyes reddened instantly, and tears welled up in them. Those tears carried a father's deep longing and concern for his daughter, as well as his boundless love for Feng Li, who might be his granddaughter.
The emotions contained in those tears were so intense that they almost tinged the surrounding air with a faint sadness.
"Child, you are my granddaughter!" Qi Qing could no longer suppress the volcanic emotions erupting within him. He staggered forward a few steps, his steps slightly unsteady.
Her hands rested lightly on Feng Li's arms, as if they were the most precious treasures in the world, as if they were afraid that this was just a fragile dream that would vanish into nothingness once she let go.
Feng Li's tears flowed like a burst dam, overflowing from her eyes, sliding down her cheeks, and dripping onto the ground, splashing up tiny teardrops.
Those tears seemed to be an outpouring of her years of loneliness and longing for family affection; each drop was filled with her longing for her mother and her cherishing of this belated family affection.
At this moment, everyone around was also moved by this scene. Qi Ruyan quietly raised her hand and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve. The movement was gentle and careful, as if she was afraid of disturbing this touching family affection.
Chen Xiao sighed softly, his sigh filled with感慨 and amazement at the wondrous fate in this world.
Chu Yanxi slightly raised her head and looked at the palace dome, which was like a huge mirror, reflecting the complex emotions in her eyes.
She seemed to be lamenting the capriciousness and kindness of fate, which had caused this family so much suffering, yet had unexpectedly granted them the chance to reunite, making one marvel at the wonder and unpredictability of fate.
At this moment, Qi Qing's fingers trembled slightly, like leaves swaying in a gentle breeze, as she softly stroked Feng Li's hair, murmuring to herself, "So alike, so very alike..."
The voice was soft and husky, as if it came from the distant past, carrying endless longing and deep affection.
Looking into Qi Qing's eyes, which were full of vicissitudes yet also brimming with deep affection, Feng Li felt as if he were seeing a warm harbor. The missing piece of family affection in his heart seemed to be filled at this moment, and a warm current slowly flowed through his heart.
She opened her mouth slightly, wanting to call out "Grandfather," but her throat felt dry, as if it were blocked by a wad of cotton, and she couldn't make a sound.
Qi Yanshang stood beside Feng Li, his eyes gentle yet firm. He gently held her hand, and the hands he held seemed to convey an invisible strength, giving her silent comfort.
Qi Qing stared intently at Feng Li, as if afraid she would disappear again, and asked in a slightly trembling voice, "Child, where is your mother now? I have been searching for her for so many years, and even if there is only a sliver of hope, I want to know where she is."
His voice carried a mixture of cautious anticipation and fear—anticipation of a miracle, yet also fear of hearing the answer he least wanted to hear.
Feng Li's eyes instantly reddened, filled with sorrow. She pursed her lips, lowered her head slightly, and remained silent for a moment.
He then slowly turned his gaze to Qi Ruyan, his eyes filled with a hint of pleading and confusion.
Qi Ruyan's expression instantly dimmed.
She took a deep breath, her breath trembling slightly, as if trying to calm the turbulent emotions within her. After a while, she said softly, "General Qi, Ah Qi... passed away many years ago."
Qi Qing's body seemed to be struck by lightning, suddenly stiffening. His expression froze instantly, his eyes filled with shock and grief, a grief that was like a sharp dagger piercing straight into his heart.
His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out, as if an invisible force was choking him.
After a long while, he slowly closed his eyes, tears streaming down the wrinkles on his face. Each tear seemed to tell of the endless pain and regret deep in his heart, each tear like a deep wound that could never heal.
Seeing this, Feng Li could no longer suppress the overwhelming sorrow in his heart and tears streamed down his face: "Grandfather, I have never met my mother, I miss her so much..."
Seeing this, Qi Ruyan stepped forward and hugged Feng Li tightly, building a solid fortress for her with her embrace, giving her a touch of warmth and comfort.
Qi Yanshang gently stroked Feng Li's hair, his eyes full of concern.
Qi Qing wiped away his tears and whispered to Feng Li, "Child, you've suffered so much. It's all my fault for not finding you and your mother..."
The voice seemed to be a lament from the depths of the soul, filled with endless self-blame and guilt.
The people around were also affected by the sad atmosphere, especially Yu Huaxiao, whose eyes immediately reddened and she sighed softly.
She was the one who knew best that her old friend had been worried about this matter for many years, and now her wish has finally been fulfilled.
Yu Huaxiao looked solemn and gently patted Qi Qing's shoulder, but she didn't know how to comfort her old friend who had just found her granddaughter but had lost her daughter. That gentle pat seemed to carry all her helplessness and concern.
After a long while, Qi Qing forced back his grief and said, "Child, don't be afraid. Your maternal grandfather will take good care of you from now on. Your mother is gone, but your maternal grandfather will give you all his love."
Feng Li nodded vigorously, his eyes filled with dependence and trust in Qi Qing.
At this moment, Qi Qing raised his tear-streaked face and looked at Qi Ruyan, asking in a slightly hoarse voice, "Miss, since you know A-Qi, could you tell me about her life over the years? As her father, I owe her so much..."
The voice sounded as if it had been sanded, carrying a hint of weariness and sorrow that was barely perceptible.
Qi Ruyan raised her head slightly, her gaze somewhat vacant as she looked into the distance, and slowly said, "General, I met A-Qi at the orphanage. Those days were filled with both bitterness and sweetness. A-Qi was an extremely wonderful woman, kind, strong, and optimistic. Even in difficult circumstances, she never lost hope for life."
Her lips curved slightly upward, as if illuminated by a ray of sunlight, as if recalling some warm past, but there was also a hint of bitterness in that smile, as if shrouded in a faint shadow.
"When I was thirteen, I was captured and taken to the Kite Squad, a place extremely dangerous, but A-Qi disregarded the danger and tried to find me. Later, I heard that A-Qi was extremely anxious at the time, inquiring everywhere about my whereabouts, and was punished by those people... Later, I was trapped in the Qi Mansion, and since then, I have lost contact with her. I tried everything I could, but I could never find out what happened to her at the orphanage..."
Qi Ruyan's voice gradually lowered, her eyes filled with regret and self-blame.
"Later, after I finally left the Qi family, Feng Li's adoptive mother found me. She told me that A Qi was no longer alive, leaving behind only an infant in swaddling clothes."
Qi Ruyan's gaze turned to Feng Li, as if drawn by a warm light, her eyes filled with pity and love. "Feng Li's adoptive mother also grew up with us at the orphanage. She came to me, firstly to tell me this devastating news, and secondly, hoping that I could name A Qi's daughter. I thought that although I didn't know A Qi's full name, the character Qi was very suitable as a surname, so I named the child Qi Feng Li, hoping that she could be as free as the wind, yet never leave her family and homeland. From then on, I no longer called myself A Jin, but also took the surname Qi and changed my name to Ruyan, just to commemorate the friendship between A Qi and me."
Qi Qing listened quietly, tears blurring his vision again. His heart was filled with guilt and longing for his daughter, as if shrouded in a thick dark cloud. The guilt was like a towering mountain, pressing down on him so much that he could hardly breathe.
"Thank you so much for taking care of Aqi and Xiaoli all these years. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't even know Xiaoli existed. Aqi's life has been so hard..."
Qi Qing's voice choked, as if a boulder was blocking her throat. Her hands were clenched tightly, and her knuckles turned white from the force, as if covered with a layer of frost.
Feng Li walked to Qi Ruyan's side and held her hand tightly: "It's alright, everything's better now... isn't it?"
The voice was like a warm spring breeze, dispelling some of the sorrow that permeated the air.
Qi Ruyan gently patted Feng Li's hand and comforted him, "Yes, don't be afraid. You have family and us now, so you won't suffer anymore."
The voice was like a warm promise, echoing in Feng Li's ears.
Chu Yanxi sighed softly and said, "The bonds of affection in this world always become more precious in times of hardship. Although Aqi has left us, the kinship she left behind will continue in you."
After a long while, Qi Qing finally calmed down, as if waking from a deep nightmare. He looked at Feng Li and Qi Ruyan with unwavering determination in his eyes, like an unyielding mountain: "From now on, our family will never be separated again. I will cherish Xiao Li and treat Ruyan as my own daughter. A Qi in heaven would surely want to see us like this."
The voice, like a resolute vow, echoed for a long time within the palace.
Feng Li and Qi Ruyan nodded slightly, their eyes sparkling with emotion and hope.