Wang Cheng Xing studied him carefully, then spoke in a solemn tone:
"I came to Hang Zhou to pray for a son, and never expected that the heavens would let me meet you outside Jingyin Temple. I have enjoyed your company these past few days… Would you be willing to acknowledge me as your father?"
Zhi Nu immediately knelt and kowtowed, his voice soft and obedient as he called out:
"Father."
Wang Cheng Xing’s face lit up with joy.
"Good child. Since you do not remember your past name or origins, I cannot bear to leave you alone in Hang Zhou. From today onward, you will follow me to my home in the capital. Does that sound good to you?"
Zhi Nu nodded.
"I will do as Father decides."
Wang Cheng Xing glanced toward the window, his expression suddenly turning heavy with worry.
He murmured:
"To leave is to be blind to an official’s fate,
To return is to suffer the years in vain.
Ever since the former Grand Chancellor fell,
Ying Jing has become a dangerous place.
It is harder than ever to be a court official…
If not for the Crown Prince’s sudden death,
I would not be in such a rush to return."
Zhi Nu stood up and spoke in a steady, reassuring voice:
"Father need not overthink.
If soldiers come, we block them.
If water floods, we divert it.
Only the royal city is vast enough to hide—
One face among a sea of thousands, lost in the tide."
Wang Cheng Xing turned to look at him in surprise.
"That is a wise saying. 'One face among a sea of thousands, lost in the tide'—very well put."
He paused for a moment, then smiled.
"Child, you are intelligent beyond your years. Of all the children I have met, none have had such a sharp mind as you. Perhaps the future of the Wang family’s legacy will rest in your hands."
He exhaled deeply, as if reaching a decision.
"Since you no longer remember your past name, from now on, you will take my surname—Wang. And for your given name, I will grant you the name 'Cang Hai.'"
Zhi Nu immediately kowtowed again.
"Wang Cang Hai greets Father."
That night—
As they departed from Hang Zhou, beginning their journey back to the capital, Zhi Nu had another dream.
In his dream, the moon was full and bright.
Qilin sat on a rooftop, staring up at the sky.
Zhi Nu climbed up beside him and smiled.
"Little Immortal Brother, we meet again."
Qilin turned his head to look at him—
This time, he wasn’t wearing his mask.
The moonlight bathed his face, making his features even more striking—his complexion as smooth as jade, his appearance even more breathtaking than before.
Qilin smiled back.
"Zhi Nu, you look much happier now."
Zhi Nu nodded.
"I’ve found someone who can help me save my father."
Qilin asked, "Who?"
Zhi Nu excitedly recounted how he had met Wang Cheng Xing.
"Master Wang is a kind and virtuous man. I will repay his kindness and be filial to him. Once we reach the capital, I will beg him to help save my father."
Qilin, however, fell silent for a long time.
After a while, he finally spoke, his voice carrying a trace of unease.
"Zhi Nu, you said Master Wang has taken you as his son… and even given you a new name. If he truly intends to raise you as part of the Wang family, he may not be willing to let you return to your original home and reunite with your birth father."
Zhi Nu froze, then immediately became flustered.
"How could you be so suspicious? Master Wang was willing to help a complete stranger like me—why wouldn’t he be willing to help my father too?"
Qilin sighed.
"Because people are selfish."
He hesitated before continuing:
"My father passed away, and my mother left me. After that, it was the King of Dong Xia who raised me. But he never liked it when I mentioned my birth parents."
"I think… deep down, the King wished that I would treat him as my real father, so that I would stop thinking about my own."
Zhi Nu’s anger flared.
"Stop saying such nonsense!"
He stood up, pointing toward the moon.
"The moon will always wax full again—
And families will always reunite."
"Just wait and see—
I will bring my family back together."
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