A Good Country Wife-Chapter 655 - 648_1

"Sorry, it was rude of me," Lin Yue said, lowering her gaze in apology. "At first sight of the big boss here, I felt a sense of familiarity, as if he resembles someone from my past, and I was so astonished that I momentarily lost my composure. Moreover, with his handsome and elegant demeanor, he looks more like a gentleman from a noble family, making it hard to associate him with the title ’big boss.’ It truly took me by surprise. I hope you won’t take offense to it."

"Look like someone you once knew, our big boss? Impossible! With the noble character and appearance of our big boss, it’s rare to find anyone comparable. If someone could even have a smidgen of our big boss’s charm, they’d already be considered outstanding. How could there be a second person like him in this world? You must be joking, right? Anyway, I don’t believe it. Tell me, where is this person from, and what do they do? If they really look like our big boss, I must meet them," Chang Dabao said skeptically, his face full of disbelief and suspicion.

No matter how skeptical Chang Dabao was, Lin Yue wouldn’t disclose the Emperor. "Just an old acquaintance. Indeed, it’s difficult for anyone to match our big boss’s elegance. The other person only bears a slight resemblance in appearance, with quite a different temperament and image altogether."

"I knew it. It’s impossible to find a second person like our big boss. Lin Madam, it seems that I won’t have a chance to meet that old friend of yours," Chang Dabao said mockingly, clearly implying, ’You’re just making excuses for being smitten,’ which left Lin Yue, wary of her own concerns, speechless and itching to give him a slap.

The big boss himself, although unhappy at being stared at so boldly by Lin Yue, found her to his liking, and so, despite his displeasure, he didn’t show it; otherwise, he would have had Chang Dabao throw her out right away.

Once he realized that Lin Yue’s gaze was one of shock rather than obsession, Huangfu Yi’s expression became somewhat playful. He was certain that Lin Yue had met that certain someone in the Capital City, thus her surprise upon seeing him—after all, his face bore a striking resemblance to that person, and naturally, he would know. Standing face to face with him was like looking in a mirror, for they were identical twins born of the same mother.

However, although they were twins, their fates diverged vastly. Due to the palace taboos and the circumstances back then, Huangfu Jing, as the elder brother born first, stayed in the palace, growing up alongside their mother; whereas Huangfu Yi, born mere moments later, was sent out of the palace and raised in a temple under the care of a wise monk.

Though the secret was kept from the public, Huangfu Jing and Huangfu Yi, the brothers, were always aware of each other’s existence. The Empress Dowager didn’t hide this from them, and as they grew up, she gradually shared her dilemmas and unwilling compromises with them, even arranging private meetings for the two.

Huangfu Jing, who harbored sympathy and guilt for his brother sacrificed from an early age, saw Huangfu Yi being raised by the monk with an open and unbound nature. Despite their circumstance, the brothers harbored no resentment or conflict between them, instead, they shared a good relationship. Later, when Huangfu Jing ascended the throne, he intended to bring his brother back and announce Huangfu Yi’s identity to the world, to grant him legitimate status. But Huangfu Yi, already accustomed to his unfettered life, refused, stating he couldn’t endure the restrictive and scheming court life. Leaving behind a letter, he left and, at some point, surprisingly became the Mountain King.

Huangfu Yi found Lin Yue’s surprised and bewildered look, especially her frustration after being blocked by Chang Dabao, somewhat amusing. He, a typically aloof man, inexplicably felt a desire to tease Lin Yue. It must be said that at times, twins do have parallels; the brothers fostered with completely different personalities shared the same inexplicable affinity for Lin Yue.

"You said I look like someone you know? This person, is he a resident of the Capital City, what’s his surname, his name? Even if he is hard to see, I should at least know his name. If there’s an opportunity in the future, I will surely meet him. I grew up an orphan with no parents, raised by my master. I don’t even know my own origins, so there might be a clue here. Maybe I could find out through this. If that happens, I’ll have to thank Madam Lin for your help," Huangfu Yi said earnestly, as if determined to find his family. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Upon hearing Huangfu Yi, Lin Yue felt as if a flock of crows was flying overhead, sensing an ominous premonition. Had she inadvertently entangled herself in the palace’s secrets? Indeed, it was terribly unlucky. And given how Huangfu Yi clearly didn’t know his true identity, it suggested someone behind the scenes wished to keep him in the dark, otherwise they wouldn’t have concealed it. If her casual and unintended actions were to inadvertently reveal the truth, could it lead to resentment from that concealed figure, or even worse, an attempt to silence her? If so, it would indeed be an undeservingly tragic end.

Lin Yue internally complained, yet outwardly she feigned ignorance. "It appears that the big boss’s life story is quite complicated, not even knowing who his own birth parents are. Unfortunately, I don’t know the name or status of that person. I called them an old friend just to put it nicely. Actually, I only saw that person once on the street in the Capital City. Their remarkable appearance made a deep impression, so I’m afraid I might disappoint you."

Huangfu Yi appeared genuinely disappointed upon her words, more convincingly than Lin Yue. "So that’s how it is. I was hoping for the chance to find my parents, only to be let down once again. Ah well, Madam Lin, since you saw that person on the street, I believe sooner or later, I will be able to find them."

Lin Yue’s smile became somewhat forced as she looked at Huangfu Yi’s disappointed expression, feeling a twinge of guilt and sympathy. She suspected she knew the truth but couldn’t disclose it, and indeed, such matters were not hers to meddle in. She could only apologize in her heart.

"If the big boss remains sincere, he will find them one day."

"Then I’ll take your word for it. I, too, believe that I will find them someday. By the way, Madam Lin, why are you still standing? You must be tired. Dabao, you fool, why haven’t you offered Madam Lin a stool to sit on? Really, anyone would think this is the way our stronghold treats guests," he scolded.

At the big boss’s rebuke, Chang Dabao felt wronged, thinking to himself that the big boss’s obsession with cleanliness was known to the entire stronghold. Everyone knew that you couldn’t casually enter the big boss’s room nor touch anything inside. He was just following the rules, yet somehow, it had become his fault, which seemed quite unreasonable.