After all, last year when his grandmother celebrated her birthday, Madam Gu had also attended.

However, she was led there by her younger sister, and at that time, Madam Gu was acting erratically and even embarrassed herself.

That’s why the memory was so vivid in his mind.

As for the matters of the General’s Manor, they were not exactly a secret.

Back then, the search for the lost child had caused quite a commotion, and even now, the General’s Manor had not given up on searching.

Naturally, all the nobles in the capital were well aware of this.

When Shen Qingwan heard that her mother was actually the General’s wife, she was even more confused.

If she was truly the wife of a general, then why had she been abandoned in Yongzhou City and left in such a miserable state?

“Tell me everything you know,” Shen Qingwan said, referring, of course, to matters concerning the General’s Manor.

Meng Hangzhou thought for a moment before speaking. “Almost all the noble families in the capital know about the affairs of the Huguo General’s Manor. Over ten years ago, Madam Gu’s daughter went missing, and from then on, Madam Gu lost her sanity. She searched for over a decade but never found her child.

Over the years, the Grand General has been stationed at the border, but Gu Shaoqing, the Madam’s son and the Young General, has never stopped searching for his lost sister.

The General’s Manor has never given up on looking for her. Unfortunately, no clues have surfaced. Brother Shen, you and Madam Gu…”

Although Meng Hangzhou didn’t finish his sentence, Shen Qingwan naturally understood what he wanted to ask. However, even she wasn’t entirely certain, so she couldn’t give a definite answer.

“I met her in Yongzhou City. At that time, she was disheveled and being bullied. When I saw how similar she looked to me, I wondered if we might be related since I was kidnapped and sold as a child.

That’s why I took her back with me. The family that bought me had kept the small clothing I wore when I was abducted, and the name embroidered on it was ‘Qingwan.’

She, on the other hand, kept calling out the name ‘Wanwan.’ So, there’s a very high chance that I am the daughter they lost all those years ago.”

Shen Qingwan briefly explained the situation to Meng Hangzhou.

As for the fact that Madam Gu resembled her mother from her past life, that was something only she herself knew.

Daughter?

Meng Hangzhou was momentarily stunned by the word. When he finally processed it, he looked at Shen Qingwan in shock. “So, you’re actually a girl?”

The “Brother Shen” he had known suddenly became “Sister Shen”—Meng Hangzhou found it hard to adjust.

But after thinking it over, it actually made more sense.

Given how beautiful she was, she seemed more suited to being a woman anyway.

“So, Sister Shen… you are really Madam Gu’s long-lost daughter?” He instinctively started to call her “Brother Shen” but quickly corrected himself.

“This can only be confirmed once my mother regains her sanity.” Regardless of whether this body truly belonged to Madam Gu’s biological daughter, Shen Qingwan had already come to see her as her own mother.

The only thing she wanted to confirm now was whether her mother from her past life had transmigrated into this body.

Meng Hangzhou nodded.

That made sense.

These things needed verification, so there was no need to rush.

If Sister Shen really was Madam Gu’s biological daughter, then that would be wonderful.

After all, the Huguo General had dedicated his life to serving the country, achieving numerous military honors, while Madam Gu was once a famed and talented lady in the capital.

They shouldn’t have to endure the pain of being separated from their flesh and blood.

After asking Meng Hangzhou a few more questions about the General’s Manor, Shen Qingwan finally sent him off to rest.

She had to admit, if it weren’t for this boy, she might never have learned about her mother’s identity.

..

Early the next day, instead of heading straight to the shop, Meng Hangzhou went to find Shen Qingwan. He even brought her a cup of tea, grinning foolishly as soon as he saw her.

“Hehe, Sister Shen.”

Seeing how he was acting, offering tea with an ingratiating smile, Shen Qingwan became wary and hesitated to accept it.

“If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t act so strangely,” Shen Qingwan frowned.

Instead of answering, Meng Hangzhou suddenly knelt down with a thud, holding the tea cup solemnly. “I want to become your disciple. Please teach me martial arts!”

Shen Qingwan was so shocked that she immediately stood up from her chair. “That’s not funny at all. Get up!”

“I won’t! If you don’t agree, I’m not getting up! Back at my home, the martial arts instructors always held back when teaching me, so even after all these years, my skills are only for show.

My cousins all mock me for learning flowery, useless moves.

My father also says I’m still too young and need a few more years before I can go to war. But I’m already fifteen! General Gu started following his father to the battlefield when he was only twelve! If he could do it, so can I!

That’s why I ran away this time—to go to the border and find my father. I wanted to prove that I, too, can fight on the battlefield.

But during my journey, I experienced many things. I realized my shortcomings and saw for myself that my martial arts were far from enough to protect myself in real combat. That’s why I chose to stay at the shop instead of rushing off.

It wasn’t until last night, when I saw how you killed those people, that I understood what I truly wanted to learn. I don’t want fancy, elaborate moves—I want the kind of techniques that can kill in a single strike. So, I beg you to take me as your disciple!”

Although Meng Hangzhou was still young and inexperienced, he was intelligent.

He also knew that Shen Qingwan was the type who softened when treated kindly but was unyielding when pressured.

That’s why he had made up his mind—no matter what, he would act spoiled or stubborn if necessary to convince her to take him as a disciple.

Shen Qingwan remained silent for a long time after hearing his plea.

It was often said that “a tiger father will not have a weak son.” The children of military families were indeed filled with hot-blooded passion, always eager to serve their country.

During their time together, she had actually grown fond of this mischievous boy.

He joked around when it was appropriate, but when it was time to be serious, he was truly serious.

He was occasionally stubborn, but he had a good heart.

“You should be able to tell that I don’t practice traditional martial arts, nor do I have internal energy. My killing techniques rely on agility, strategy, and instinct honed over years of experience. What I train in is extremely grueling. Are you sure you want to learn?”

Shen Qingwan was tempted.

Perhaps it was because Meng Hangzhou’s eyes were too sincere, or maybe his youthful passion had moved her.

Either way, she had been considering forming her own force, and training this boy alongside them wouldn’t be too difficult.

Besides, if it weren’t for Meng Hangzhou recognizing her mother, she might never have learned the truth about her identity.

He had helped her tremendously, so teaching him a few life-saving skills seemed fair.

“Master, I’m not afraid of hardship! As long as you’re willing to teach me, I’ll do my best to learn!”

Meng Hangzhou swore earnestly.

Shen Qingwan didn’t respond right away.

Just as Meng Hangzhou started feeling nervous, she took the tea cup from his hands and took a small sip.

The tea was no longer hot—just the right temperature to drink, meaning this boy had been holding onto it for a while.

Seeing that she had accepted the tea, Meng Hangzhou immediately kowtowed three times. “Master, please accept this bow from your disciple!”

He knocked his head against the ground so hard that his forehead turned red. Watching from the side, Rong Yunshuang felt a chill down her spine.

This foolish boy… was way too sincere!