The Great Rebel at the End of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 107 is renowned

In the city of Hequ.

Zhou Lun stayed with Gao Guiying at his residence.

Gao Guiying was already pregnant when she attended a wedding at Gushan Fort. More than three months have passed in the blink of an eye, and now her pregnancy is showing, her belly gradually growing bigger.

This was the first time Zhou Lun had offspring in both his lives, which filled him with joy but also a touch of caution.

Looking at his wife's growing belly, he couldn't help but think that the child had indeed chosen a good time to come into the world. With the world in chaos right now, and war likely to rage on in the future, he wondered if the child's arrival at this time was a blessing or a curse.

Because Gao Yingxiang's attitude towards Zhou Lun had changed these days, Zhou Lun simply relinquished all the powers that had originally been given to him.

Whether it was to avoid suspicion or to show a stance, Gao Yingxiang didn't do anything to him.

However, this inevitably led to a decline in Zhou Lun's status within the rebel army. He had previously been a favorite of Gao Yingxiang, but now he was relegated to the sidelines.

Wang Er, in particular, already disliked him, and now that Zhou Lun was being sidelined, coupled with the influence of Li Wanqing's troops, he would make sarcastic remarks every time they met.

Instead of being annoyed by these things, Zhou Lun became even more low-key. Aside from managing his troops and conducting training, he spent most of his time at home talking with his wife, Gao Guiying. He largely ignored important matters, enjoying his leisure.

"Brother-in-law!"

Urgent footsteps sounded outside. Zhou Lun and Gao Guiying, who were talking, subconsciously looked up and saw Gao Yigong rushing in.

"You're all sweaty, where have you been? You didn't even change your clothes. What will you do if you catch a cold in the middle of winter?"

Seeing that Gao Yigong's forehead was covered in a layer of fine sweat from running so fast, Gao Guiying couldn't help but scold him.

Since becoming pregnant, she has become even more maternal than before. In addition, she had raised her younger brother, Gao Yigong, single-handedly. Although he is her brother, as the eldest sister, she sees him as no different from her son.

She helped herself to her feet and took out a handkerchief to wipe Gao Yigong's sweat. Zhou Lun, worried that she might have trouble due to her weight, quickly helped her up.

"It's nothing, I just rushed back." Gao Yigong chuckled as he took the handkerchief, wiped his face haphazardly a few times, then, remembering something, said to Zhou Lun, "The King of Chuang just sent someone to tell you that he wants my brother-in-law and sister to come to the mansion for a chat."

"The Rebel King?" Zhou Lun was taken aback, then remembered something: "You just said you weren't just sending me, but also your sister?"

"Yes! That's what they're saying." Gao Yigong nodded, pointing to himself, "Not only my brother-in-law and sister, but also me. They said I should go too."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Lun subconsciously exchanged a glance with Gao Guiying, both of them looking at each other with a hint of wariness.

It's neither a holiday nor a festival, and I haven't heard of anything happening in the city. Why is Gao Yingxiang suddenly asking them to come over? What's going on? Especially Gao Guiying, who suddenly remembered Gao Yingxiang's attitude towards Zhou Lun these days, couldn't help but become even more worried.

"My lord..." She gripped Zhou Lun's hand tightly.

"It's alright." Zhou Lun gave her a reassuring look, then said to Gao Yigong, "I'll go with you. Your sister isn't feeling well, so she won't be going. I'll explain to the rebel king later."

"Let's go together," Zhou Lun said, but Gao Guiying shook her head immediately. "I'm fine. Besides, the King of Chuang specifically summoned us, so he must have something to say. Moreover, Yigong and I are his niece and nephew. With me there, the King of Chuang will surely give us some face..."

Gao Guiying didn't say what she meant, but Zhou Lun understood what she meant.

Indeed, Gao Guiying and her siblings are Gao Yingxiang's niece and nephew, and given this relationship, they have to consider family ties. Besides, if Gao Yingxiang really wanted to harm her, it wouldn't be safe for Gao Guiying to stay here; it would be better for them to go together.

Thinking of this, Zhou Lun nodded and did not refuse again. Immediately, the two put on their cloaks, had Gao Yigong lead the way, and left their residence, heading towards the county government office where Gao Yingxiang lived not far away.

Upon arriving at the destination, Zhou Lun felt somewhat relieved.

Everything outside the county government office where Gao Yingxiang lived was as usual, no different from any other day. The number of guards stationed there had neither increased nor decreased, and their attitude towards them was the same as always.

They walked straight into the county government office, finding nothing unusual inside. Zhou Lun secretly breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed Gao Yingxiang hadn't summoned them to harm him. As for why, he had no idea.

Gao Yingxiang did not meet Zhou Lun in the main hall, but waited for him in the backyard of the county government office, which was the former residence of the county magistrate.

Upon entering, they passed through a corridor and arrived at a section of the backyard. The guard leading the way knocked on the door of a side room, and Gao Yingxiang's voice came from inside. Upon learning that Zhou Lun and the others had arrived, Gao Yingxiang told them to come in directly. Zhou Lun, supporting Gao Guiying, led Gao Yigong through the door.

"uncle……"

Once inside, Zhou Lun and Gao Yigong respectfully greeted Gao Yingxiang, while Gao Guiying, who was standing beside him, could only manage a perfunctory curtsy due to her physical limitations.

Upon seeing them arrive, Gao Yingxiang greeted them warmly and quickly invited them to sit down, also asking Gao Guiying how she was feeling.

Zhou Lun and Gao Guiying answered cautiously, while noticing that Gao Yingxiang was not alone in the room; there was a strange man sitting in the chair below them.

The man looked travel-worn, his cotton-padded coat was old and tattered, and his face was so dirty it was hard to tell whether it was black or filthy. Coupled with a tangled beard, he looked exactly like a refugee fleeing a disaster. However, upon closer inspection, he didn't seem very old, probably only in his early twenties.

Not only Zhou Lun noticed this person, but Gao Guiying and her brother also did. In between their conversations, they couldn't help but glance at him, wondering who he was, why he was with Gao Yingxiang, and why he was sitting there without avoiding them when he had come to talk to them.

After a few pleasantries, Gao Yingxiang seemed to notice Zhou Lun and the others' curiosity about the man, and immediately laughed.

"Guiying! Take a closer look, who is he?" He pointed at the man and smiled at Gao Guiying.

Upon hearing this, Gao Guiying became even more curious.

She stared intently at the other person, who grinned at her but didn't say anything.

At this moment, Gao Guiying also felt that this person looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen him before. Just as she was trying to search her memory and connect the people she knew with the man in front of her, she heard Gao Yingxiang say again, "What? Can't remember? Do you still remember your aunt who married into Mizhi?"

"Are you Zao'er's cousin?"

As soon as Gao Yingxiang finished speaking, Gao Guiying suddenly realized what he meant, her expression filled with surprise and disbelief. She tried hard to make out the man's features, and sure enough, her memory of the boy gradually overlapped with his.

"Yes! You're Cousin Zao'er! Cousin, what are you doing here? When did you arrive? When I first saw you, you were even younger than Yi Gong now. It's been so many years."

"Cousin Zao'er? Sister, who is he?" Gao Yigong couldn't help but ask.

"He's your cousin Zao'er, from your aunt's family. He's the cousin who married into the Li family in Mizhi. I met him when my parents visited relatives in Mizhi years ago. You were too young to go with them then, so you don't recognize him. Come on! Call him cousin!" Gao Guiying said to her younger brother with a smile.

Gao Yigong then realized what was happening and quickly stood up, calling out "Cousin!" Zhou Lun, who was standing to the side, also understood. After all that commotion, it turned out that Gao Yingxiang had asked them to come not for any other reason, but because a relative had come to visit!

When Gao Guiying finally recognized the person who came, Gao Yingxiang couldn't help but burst into laughter.

At this moment, the man named Li Zao'er also stood up with a smile and greeted Zhou Lun and Gao Guiying, calling them "cousin, cousin and brother-in-law".

After everyone formally met and exchanged greetings, they took their seats again.

"Cousin Zao'er, what brings you here? Where have you been all these years? Uncle and I have inquired about your whereabouts, but many people we asked didn't know where you were. And your outfit..."

Gao Guiying's parents had long since passed away, leaving her with few relatives. Besides her uncle Gao Yingxiang, there was only her younger brother Gao Yigong, whom she had raised herself. Of course, her husband Zhou Lun also counted. Even so, there were only three of them. How could she not be overjoyed to suddenly see her cousin whom she hadn't seen for many years?

"Well... cousin, I haven't used the name Zao'er for a long time." The man smiled and touched his nose, slightly embarrassed.

"Yes, yes, yes! That's my nickname. By the way, cousin, what's your name now?" Gao Guiying realized and asked with a smile.

"When my father was alive, he asked the local scholar to give me the name 'Hongji.' But I disliked that name; it was too literary and sounded awkward. So a few years ago, I changed my name to 'Zicheng.' So now I'm called—Li Zicheng!"

"Li Zicheng!"

When the other person uttered the name, everyone else reacted normally, but Zhou Lun was immediately startled.

He couldn't help but stare intently at the young man in front of him who looked like a refugee, his heart filled with turmoil.