The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 257 Singing Duets, Huanzhu

Folk songs drifted on the wind, melodious and pleasant to the ear.

Then a female voice sang: "Sister is a beautiful flower in the garden, brother is the spring breeze that makes the flowers bloom. The spring breeze stirs the flowers, oh my, the flowers are moving."

Tong Guan was dumbfounded and looked at Zhao Ti: "I've heard that Dali folk songs are famous, but I never imagined they would be like this, so straightforward and expressive..."

Zhao Ti laughed and said, "That's the way the people of Dali are. They are passionate and never hide their feelings. As for their folk songs... they are quite popular."

Tong Guan blinked and exclaimed, "What a wonderful folk song!" Zhu Chuyi, standing beside him, nodded in approval, a look of envy on his face.

Azi retorted, "What's so good about it? Singing such decadent music in broad daylight, in front of everyone, isn't it shameful?"

The others ignored him, laughing as they walked. Azi puffed out her cheeks in anger, pouted, put her hands behind her back, and looked indignant.

Just then, on a small hill not far away, a girl in blue was seen. She was pretty and looked down shyly as she sang: "I am a plum blossom on the southern mountain, bees fly all over the sky searching for plum blossoms, my wings fluttering, I don't want to go back, oh dear, I don't want to go back."

Azi immediately retorted, "Shameless! Shameless!"

Zhao Ti glanced at her and said leisurely, "I'll go with a pair."

Tong Guan and Zhu Chuyi clapped their hands in approval. Tong Guan said, "Young Master, please teach us. We should learn from you."

Zhu Chuyi wondered, "I have a use for what I'm learning, so what's the point of learning it, Brother Tong?"

Tong Guan said, “Brother Zhu, you don’t know this. I usually love reading romance novels, but they are all the same and seem to follow a formula. Today I learned some folk songs. When I get back, I’ll be itching to write a few books myself. I’m sure I can surpass those authors and maybe even become a hit in the capital.”

Zhu Chuyi gave a thumbs up: "Brother Tong, you have great ambition. I admire you."

Tong Guan said awkwardly, "Although it's just theoretical talk, it's a matter of literature. That scoundrel Yang Jian is even learning to write lyrics, and that boorish Tan Zhen is also practicing writing poetry. I'll just write some storybooks instead."

After he finished speaking, he immediately bowed to Zhao Ti and said, "Young master, please teach this humble servant a folk song..."

Azi stared wide-eyed at Zhao Ti, then at Tong Guan, and said angrily, "These kinds of folk songs are immoral. What's so good about singing and learning them?"

The others still ignored her. Zhao Ti glanced at the pretty girl on the distant hill, smiled slightly, and began to sing: "Brother is a dragon in the sky, sister is a flower on the ground. If the dragon doesn't turn over, it won't rain. If the rain doesn't water the flowers... the flowers won't bloom."

Upon hearing this, Tong Guan and Zhu Chuyi were overjoyed and quickly clapped and cheered. A Zi was stunned for a moment, her face flushed, and she covered her ears and ran forward, shouting, "I don't want to hear it, I don't want to hear it..."

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "I've taught you, don't forget."

Tong Guan hurriedly said, "This humble servant will remember it and write it down when I get back."

Zhu Chuyi also said, "Young master, I remember that too. I'll sing a song when I have the chance."

Azi turned around and said, "With such a big beard, you still want to sing folk songs? Aren't you ashamed?"

Zhu Chu blushed immediately and said, "What do you know, little girl? I was just singing, I didn't say I was singing with anyone."

"Trying to cover it up only makes things more obvious. I just said I'd sing if I had the chance. Opportunity, opportunity, what else is that but a challenge?" Azi said.

“Mountain songs…” Zhao Ti shook his head: “They’re not necessarily about love affairs. People in Dali sing them for entertainment in their daily lives.”

“That’s exactly right, little girl, don’t talk nonsense,” Zhu Chuyi said, her face flushed.

Ah Zi snorted and skipped ahead, her eyes secretly scanning her surroundings, looking for an opportunity to escape.

After traveling for a while, they arrived at a small county. After having a meal, the group went to the horse market.

Dali is a horse-producing region. There is little warfare in peacetime, so the buying and selling of horses is relatively free. There is not much difference between warhorses and domestic horses, and sometimes you can buy good horses at the horse market.

After selecting four horses, they continued their journey, but at a much faster pace. By evening, they had arrived at Jianchang, the capital of the prefecture. This place was formerly known as Qiongdu, later Xichang, and renamed by the Nanzhao Kingdom established during the Tang Dynasty, which was later adopted by Dali.

After spending the night in Jianchang, they continued their journey the next day, passing through Huichuan Prefecture and then Nongdong Prefecture, before arriving at Yangpai County.

This is where the borders of Nongdong Prefecture and Dali Prefecture meet, but we didn't make it into the city before sunset, so we had to find a place to spend the night outside.

Dali has a warm and pleasant climate and beautiful scenery. Now, in the height of summer, it is not cold to stay overnight, but hot. The group found a quiet spot by the mountains and water to rest.

Since we didn't bring a tent, we broke off some trees and stones to build a makeshift shelter. As the moon rose, all we could hear were the chirping of insects and the babbling of streams, which was incredibly pleasant.

Zhao Ti suddenly opened his eyes while sleeping, slowly got up, and looked to the side not far away, only to find that A Zi had disappeared.

He frowned, discerned the sounds around him, and walked expressionlessly toward the stream. When he got closer, by the moonlight, he could see a figure already standing in the middle of the stream.

Her figure was petite and delicate. She carried two shoes in one hand and held her arm out to the side in the other, maintaining her balance in the stream as she walked across.

Zhao Ti asked calmly, "Azi, where are you going?"

The figure in the stream trembled and stood still. After a few breaths, it slowly turned around, revealing an innocent face like that of a delicate porcelain doll: "Great, Great King, I'm not going anywhere. I'm just too hot and can't sleep, so I came to the water to cool off."

"It's too hot, can't sleep?" Zhao Ti's lips curled up slightly.

"It's really too hot." Azi panicked a little and turned back in the water, splashing the stream with her feet.

She stepped ashore a moment later, lightly biting her cherry lips, and looked at Zhao Ti. At this moment, her trouser legs were rolled up high, revealing a pair of small, white, and crystal-clear feet, as smooth as jade and as soft as satin, with a faint white transparency. Her ten crystal nails were coated with balsam juice and turned pink, like ten small petals.

Zhao Ti said, "Go back to sleep. Since it's hot, I have a solution."

Upon hearing this, Azi was immediately shocked: "Is the King going to use that icy technique again?"

Zhao Ti remained silent. After returning to his resting place, he raised his hand and sent a burst of illusory Yin energy into A Zi's body. A Zi immediately cried out in pain from the cold and trembled violently.

Zhao Ti didn't even look at her, then lay down to rest. The next day, after daybreak, he continued his journey to Dali City.

After traveling for another two days, they finally arrived in Dali City. They walked through the streets and saw many lively places before arriving at the gate of the Zhennan Prince's Mansion.

Zhao Ti pointed to the door and asked Azi, "Do you know where this is?"

Azi exclaimed in surprise, "The Prince of Zhennan's Mansion?"

Zhao Ti nodded, and A Zi's eyes blinked: "Your Majesty said that I come from the Duan family of Dali, so I knew that I must be of royal lineage. Otherwise, I would not have been able to find this place on my own. But I did not expect that it would be such a large mansion. Am I a princess?"

Zhao Ti gave a cold laugh and remained silent.

Azi's expression was somewhat gloomy: "I have thought about it for a long time. I must have been born out of wedlock, an orphan, which is why I was abandoned at a young age. Since my surname is Duan, I must have been born from the philandering of the Prince of Zhennan. The person who gave birth to me was so heartless that she just threw me away."

Zhao Ti said, "You are very clever and can see things clearly, but you are reluctant to leave a mark with the tattoo on your back."

A cold glint appeared on A Zi's face: "What's there to be reluctant about? Do you think I don't know what stupid idea she's up to?"

Zhao Ti said calmly, "They are also looking for you right now, but they don't know your exact whereabouts."

Azi revealed a half-smile: "They've had their fun, and now they're starting to miss the daughter they abandoned. More than a decade has passed, what's the point of searching for her now?"

Zhao Ti looked at her for a moment, then shook his head: "I don't care about your family affairs. I brought you here so you can ask your father."

“No, that’s not right.” Azi looked at Zhao Ti, her big, bright eyes full of intelligence: “Why did Your Majesty travel so far to have me deliver this? Is there some other reason behind this?”

Zhao Ti snorted: "I have a past with your father. I was just passing by on business. If I ran into you, I would naturally arrest you and hand you over. Did you think I would just kill you with one blow because you're useless?"

Azi rolled her eyes, glanced at the plaque above the Zhennan Prince's Mansion in front of her, then looked at Zhao Ti, but said nothing.

At this moment, the gate of the mansion opened and a person came out. It was Chu Wanli. He was out on business and was about to walk down the steps when he saw Zhao Ti and his group. He was stunned for a moment and then hurriedly ran over.

When Zhao Ti came to Dali that day, he had dined with Duan Zhengming and Duan Zhengchun several times. Chu Wanli had met him then, and later, when Zhao Ti was handed over to Duan Yu in Suzhou, Chu Wanli was also present and recognized him. At this moment, Chu Wanli looked shocked and stepped forward to bow: "Yan..."

Zhao Ti waved his hand, signaling him to shut up. Chu Wanli was quick-witted and immediately shut his mouth. Then Zhao Ti said, "Call me Young Master. Is the Prince of Zhennan in the mansion? I came from Xingzhou to discuss something with him."

Chu Wanli nodded hurriedly: "Yes, yes, I just came back from the mountains in Shanju County the day before yesterday."

Zhao Ti frowned upon hearing this: "Still no news?"

Chu Wanli knew the relationship between Mu Wanqing and Zhao Ti, and said with a wry smile, "Reporting to Young Master Zhao... that's not yet available." Zhao Ti said, "Go see the Prince of Zhennan."

Chu Wanli said, "I will lead the way."

Having said that, he walked forward into the mansion gate, then called the steward to continue leading the way. Chu Wanli said, "Young Master, I will go and report to the Prince of Zhennan and come to welcome you."

Zhao Ti nodded and followed the steward inside. The mansion was decorated in an elegant and luxurious style, especially with many camellias planted, making it fragrant everywhere.

Azi looked around, her eyes not enough to take it all in. Looking at the halls, pavilions, carved beams and painted rafters, she suddenly remembered something: "Your Majesty, this...this Princess Zhennan must be a formidable figure. Otherwise, why didn't the Prince of Zhennan dare to bring my mother and me back? He is a member of the Dali royal family. What does it matter if he has more women? If he is afraid of this person, how can I stay here? Could it be that the princess is dead?"

Zhao Ti thought for a moment. Duan Zhengchun couldn't simply say he was afraid of Dao Baifeng. There were some political interests involved, which was why he couldn't bring other women into the household.

He said, "He's dead, but not really dead."

Azi said, "Since you're not dead, why didn't the Prince of Zhennan dare to take in my mother and me back then? Does he dare now?"

Zhao Ti said calmly, "The Princess Consort of Zhennan does not often stay in the mansion; she lives in a Taoist temple outside."

Azi stopped and said, "That doesn't mean I won't come back. If they find out that I, this wild child, have arrived, won't they come back and cause a ruckus? Then I'll still be driven away, or they might even harm me. I... I won't see the Prince of Zhennan anymore. I'd rather leave now."

Zhao Ti looked at her and said, "Say it again?"

Azi's eyes flickered: "I dare not say it, but that is the truth."

Zhao Ti said, "The Princess Consort of Zhennan wouldn't dare."

Azi's eyes gleamed slyly: "Even the Prince of Zhennan is afraid of her, what wouldn't she dare to do? Your Majesty, please spare me, I don't want to see her."

Zhao Ti snorted: "I said I wouldn't dare, so I won't dare."

Azi whispered, "Your Majesty...why is she afraid of Your Majesty?"

Zhao Ti sneered: "Are you itching for a beating again?"

Azi shrank back: "I won't ask anymore..."

Just then, Duan Zhengchun, along with Duan Yu and four other family generals, quickly walked out from inside.

He looked haggard and had lost his former dashing demeanor. When he got closer, he opened his mouth, seemingly unsure of how to address him.

Previously, Chu Wanli said that the other party seemed to be hiding his identity, so he couldn't call him His Highness Prince Yan, but he also couldn't call him son-in-law, since the other party and his daughter were not yet married, and his daughter had been missing for a long time.

Duan Yu spoke first: "Brother Zhao, it's been a long time. I've missed you terribly."

Duan Zhengchun's lips moved slightly before he said, "Young Master Zhao, why did you come in person?"

Zhao Ti nodded to Duan Yu, then looked at Duan Zhengchun and said, "We still can't find him. If I don't come soon, I'm afraid there will be no news at all, and it will never end."

Duan Zhengchun said with a wry smile, "It's all my fault. I started searching before the New Year and have been in Shanju County ever since, but I haven't found any clues. I just got back two days ago."

Zhao Ti asked, "Who is still there now?"

Duan Zhengchun said, "Besides the people sent by the young master and the Dali soldiers, Wan'er's mother, and... Bao Bao and Ling'er are also in that mountain."

Zhao Ti asked, "Gan Baobao went too?"

Duan Zhengchun's lips twitched: "She did go. She and Hongmian are fellow disciples. It's not right not to help with such an important matter."

Azi listened carefully in secret and whispered, "Your Majesty, who is Wan'er?"

Zhao Ti remained silent. Duan Zhengchun saw that she was exceptionally beautiful, with delicate features, fair skin, and bright, lively eyes. She was hiding behind Zhao Ti's arm, looking charming and adorable. He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Was this the girl he had met recently?
He couldn't help but ask, "Young Master Zhao, may I ask what this is...?"

Zhao Ti glanced at him, then turned to look at Azi, and said indifferently, "Prince Zhennan, don't you find this place somewhat familiar?"

"Familiar?" Duan Zhengchun was taken aback. He looked Azi up and down again and felt that she looked familiar, but he was sure he had never seen her before. He wondered, "Young Master Zhao, this..."

Zhao Ti said, "I've brought you a daughter."

"Daughter?" Duan Zhengchun was immediately shocked. The images of all the women he knew in his life flashed through his mind. He quickly sifted through them, comparing their appearances to those of women who had given him children. He trembled and exclaimed, "You, you, you are Zhu Mei's daughter. Are you A Zhu or A Zi?"

Ruan Xingzhu abandoned Azhu and Azi, but left the Duan character tattoo and gold locket on them as identification. Duan Zhengchun later learned of the existence of these two daughters and had been searching for them, but had not found them.

Azi glanced at Zhao Ti, her eyes darting around, and walked forward with an innocent look on her face: "I am Azi, are you my father?"

Duan Zhengchun's beard trembled as he nodded vigorously, "I am your father, you, you..."

Azi pulled the gold lock off her neck and shook it gently: "I also have a tattoo on my shoulder, it's the character 'Duan,' it seems to mean that my surname is Duan."

Duan Zhengchun rubbed his eyes and looked at the gold locket, which was engraved with the words "Bamboo by the lake, lush and green, bringing peace and joy."

He murmured, "Azi, it's Azi, you are my daughter Azi."

Azi suddenly asked, "Who is Azhu?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti frowned and shook his head at Duan Zhengchun. Duan Zhengchun, however, was focused on Azi and did not notice her at all. He said, "Azhu is your older sister. You are both my and Zhumei's daughters."

“So I have an older sister.” Azi turned to look at Zhao Ti, her eyes sparkling.

Zhao Ti's face remained expressionless. Duan Zhengchun then looked up and said, "Young Master Zhao, I thank you for helping me find my daughter with Zhu Mei."

Zhao Ti looked at A Zi, who had a pure and innocent appearance, and gently exhaled, "You're welcome..."

Duan Zhengchun then took Azi's arms, his expression excited: "Azi, if Zhumei knew that I had found you, she would be overjoyed."

Azi asked, "Who is Zhu Mei? Is she my mother?"

Duan Zhengchun said, "She is your mother. I call her Zhu Mei, and I also call her A Xing, and Xing Zhu."

Azi nodded: "So my mother had so many names."

Duan Zhengchun said, "Her name is Ruan Xingzhu, and these are all the affectionate nicknames I use for her."

Ah Zi had a half-smile, her eyes sparkling with mischievous intent, yet she remained silent, seemingly plotting something in her mind.

Duan Zhengchun suddenly asked again, "Young Master Zhao, now that we have found Azi, is there any...is there any news about Azhu?"

Zhao Ti's eyebrows twitched, and he slowly said, "There isn't one for that."

Duan Zhengchun looked sad, but then became happy again when he saw Azi: "It is already a blessing to have found a daughter. I thank Young Master Zhao."

As he was about to bow, Zhao Ti said, "Prince Zhennan, there's no need for that." He instantly unleashed his inner strength, blocking the other man's advance.

Duan Zhengchun was filled with mixed feelings. He couldn't find Mu Wanqing, but the other party sent him a daughter. However, seeing this daughter reminded him of her sister Azhu, and then he thought of the missing Mu Wanqing again.

Azi then looked at Duan Yu, who scratched his head, took a few steps, and said, "My name is Duan Yu, and I am your elder brother."

Azi clapped her hands immediately, and said with a forced smile, "So I not only have a twin sister, but also an older brother. That's wonderful! I've been very lonely since I was little. I didn't dare to say a word when I was bullied because I didn't have an older brother to protect me."

Duan Yu said, "Don't worry, little sister Zi. No one will dare to bully you anymore. Father and I will protect you. By the way, you have two older sisters, Wan'er and Ling'er. Wan'er is missing and we are looking for her. Both of your sisters will protect you as well."

Azi laughed and said, "Oh, oh, so there are so many older sisters. It seems I'm the youngest. Wan'er is also an older sister, and so is Ling'er..."

As she spoke, she glanced at Zhao Ti out of the corner of her eye, but Zhao Ti immediately caught her and gave a heavy snort. She quickly stopped talking, lowered her head, picked up the gold lock, and pretended to look at it, but no one knew what she was thinking.

Duan Zhengchun said, "Young Master Zhao, please go to the main hall and take a seat. I will immediately inform my brother, the Emperor, of your esteemed presence and arrange a banquet to welcome you."

Zhao Ti nodded, and Duan Zhengchun led the way as the group walked into the hall.

(End of this chapter)