Chapter 591 - 594: Back from the Dead

Chapter 591: Chapter 594: Back from the Dead

Due to the distance, Hua Manman could only see Li Liao and Li Ji fight. She couldn’t hear what they were saying.

Not until Li Liao turned to leave did Li Ji suddenly cry out, "Father."

Hua Manman was abruptly taken aback.

’The man in the black mask who called himself a general... was actually Duke Zhen?!’

’But wasn’t Duke Zhen already dead? How could he have come back to life?’

But then Hua Manman thought of herself.

Not only had she died and been reborn, but she had also transmigrated.

’So many absurd things have happened to me. What’s so surprising about someone else coming back from the dead?’

Li Liao rode back to his men and gave the order.

"Move out!"

The five hundred men and horses moved at the command.

Hoofbeats rang out as they turned and left the hillside.

Hua Manman strained to stick her head out the window and look back.

The carriage was moving quickly, and she couldn’t see the person she was looking for.

After a full day of travel, they stopped to rest at night.

Ai Yi brought Hua Manman dry rations and water.

Hua Manman didn’t touch the food. Instead, she said to Ai Yi,

"I want to see the general."

Ai Yi relayed her words to Li Liao.

Soon, Li Liao ducked into the carriage.

He sat across from Hua Manman, his posture ramrod straight. The black mask was gone from his face, revealing handsome, sharply defined features.

Hua Manman studied his features. To be honest, he and Li Ji didn’t really look alike.

In fact, Li Ji bore a greater resemblance to the current Emperor.

It was no wonder so many people suspected Li Ji was the Emperor’s illegitimate son.

Li Liao pushed the bamboo basket of food and water toward her.

"Go on, eat. It’s not poisoned."

He was so nonchalant he hardly seemed like a kidnapper at all.

Hua Manman got straight to the point. "You’re Duke Zhen?"

Li Liao neither confirmed nor denied it.

Hua Manman said, "If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as a yes."

Li Liao replied, "This has nothing to do with you."

Hua Manman’s tone hardened involuntarily.

"But it has everything to do with Li Ji!"

Li Liao responded calmly, "But you are not Li Ji. You have no right to interfere in our family affairs."

His attitude infuriated Hua Manman.

Her hands clenched into fists as she suppressed her anger.

"Don’t forget, your plan requires my cooperation. We’re partners now. If you don’t want any hitches in your plan, I suggest you don’t speak to me with that attitude."

Her words finally made Li Liao look at her properly.

"You seem quite concerned with my family’s affairs. Why is that?"

Hua Manman replied, "I am Li Ji’s wife and Gou Dan’s mother. We are a family, so everything that concerns them concerns me."

Li Liao voiced the question that had been weighing on his mind.

"I recall that Gou Dan’s mother was the Regent Queen. Didn’t she die long ago?"

Hua Manman shot back, "You can come back from the dead. Why can’t I?"

Li Liao was taken aback for a moment, then let out a low chuckle.

"You’re right. My horizons were too narrow."

He then asked,

"But you told me before that you were living in seclusion in the mountains and had only recently emerged."

Her lie exposed, Hua Manman wasn’t the least bit embarrassed. On the contrary, she admitted it freely.

"The story about living in seclusion and emerging from the mountains was a lie, but everything about getting injured afterward was true."

Li Liao chuckled again, schooling her in the tone of an elder.

"Lying is not a good habit."

Hua Manman didn’t regret her lie. In that situation, she hadn’t been sure if he was friend or foe. To be safe, she naturally had to do her best to hide her true identity.

But she also knew the wisdom of bowing your head when you’re under someone else’s roof, so she didn’t argue. She just answered obediently,

"I won’t do it again."

Elders tend to prefer obedient and sensible children, and Li Liao was no exception.

His gaze toward Hua Manman softened.

"Rest assured, for the sake of you being Gou Dan’s mother, I will do my utmost to guarantee your safety. When this is all over, your family can be reunited."

Just then, Ai Yi came to the side of the carriage and spoke respectfully.

"General, the sentry just reported that the Regent King has been following us with his men."

At the mention of the Regent King, Hua Manman’s ears immediately perked up.

Li Liao replied dismissively, "Let him be. Pay him no mind."

"Understood."

Li Liao noticed Hua Manman’s subtle reaction and said coolly, "Li Ji must be worried about you. He cares for you a great deal."

Hua Manman put on a serious expression and nodded. "I know."

But the tips of her ears turned slightly red.

It was one thing for her to know it, but quite another to have it pointed out to her face.

Especially when the one saying it was Li Ji’s father, which made her feel even more abashed.

Then she heard Li Liao add,

"Such romantic sentiment will be his undoing."

Hua Manman could no longer hold back. Her inner contrarian was instantly activated.

She retorted,

"What do you mean, ’such romantic sentiment will be his undoing’?

Anyone who is human has feelings and desires.

No matter how capable Li Ji is, he’s still a man of flesh and blood. How could he possibly escape the mortal coil?

Besides, if not for this ’romantic sentiment’ between us, how would we have such an adorable son as Gou Dan?!"

Li Liao was taken aback.

He probably hadn’t been contradicted like that in a long time and was quite unused to it.

After a long moment, he finally found his words.

"Of course he can have feelings and desires.

But when faced with matters of family and state, those feelings and desires must take a backseat. Otherwise, he is bound to make mistakes.

When an ordinary person makes a mistake, they only implicate those around them.

But he is different. He holds a high position. If he makes a mistake, he will drag down all the common people of the world."

Hua Manman retorted, "He won’t be the Regent King forever! Once the Crown Prince is old enough to manage state affairs himself, Li Ji won’t have to bother with all that court nonsense anymore. Our family of three will be able to go and do as we please!"

But Li Liao just smiled.

It was a smile of indescribable complexity.

"Yes," he said. "He won’t be the Regent King forever."

As the smile faded, he asked,

"Did you call me over just to tell me all this?"

Hua Manman’s expression turned serious. "I want to make a deal with you."

Li Liao prompted, "I’m listening."

"I can help you assassinate Lu Kai and quell the rebellion in Longdong County. In return, you must promise me you’ll sit down and have an open, honest talk with Li Ji."

They’re father and son. Even if Li Ji might not be Li Liao’s biological son, the bond from all those years remains. In his heart, Li Ji still deeply respects Li Liao as his father.

Hua Manman hoped they could communicate properly and resolve all the conflicts that had built up over the years.

Li Liao gave her a long, deep look and remarked with heartfelt sincerity,

"Ji really did marry a good wife."

Hua Manman remained unmoved by his praise, still waiting quietly for his answer.

After a long while, she heard him let out a soft sigh.

"When the time is right, I will talk to him."