“Grandfather?” Both mistress and servant exchanged puzzled looks, not quite understanding his words. “Lass, you are Yue Lianyi, and I am Yue Zhongshan. Now you know,” said Yue Zhongshan, looking affectionately at his granddaughter whom he had never met before, his heart aching at her sickly appearance. This young girl had lost the innocence of youth, replaced by a maturity beyond her years, partly due to his own neglect, always away seeking the essence of Dao, traveling far and wide, not seeing his own son, Yue Lianyi’s father, for decades. “Yue Zhongshan!” she murmured to herself. Wasn’t that the name of her grandfather, whom her father often mentioned when he was alive? The grandfather who was always away from home, seeking enlightenment. Her eyes gradually reddened, tears welling up, which startled Lian’er. Her lady, who had never shown weakness even in the hardest times, was actually crying today. It was a relief; upon hearing the name “Yue Zhongshan,” she had guessed that he was her lady’s grandfather, the great-grandfather. Her lady finally had family in this world, and could feel the warmth of kinship.
“Grandpa,” Yue Lianyi’s voice was hoarse as she sobbed, her frail body nearly collapsing. Only she knew the bittersweet journey of the past three years, how she, at the mere age of twelve, had revitalized “Hundred Flowers Valley” and restored “Endless Valley” to its former glory. All this was achieved through countless trials and tribulations.
