A Shocking Dream

Qin Ronghuan sighed softly. "Yes, she followed your royal grandfather through many years of battle, overcoming countless hardships and dangers. Not only was she a master of mechanical engineering, but she was also a skilled doctor. She healed the wounded on the battlefield, saving countless lives. Her contribution to Daqi is indelible."

"You could say she was a great contributor to our Great Qi. In her old age, she handed over the mechanical blueprints and lived in seclusion in Qiuluo Mountain. Many years have passed now, and I'm sure she's gone now." Qin Ronghuan said, his lips curled up, as if recalling those days. His eyes revealed a deep sense of nostalgia and emotion, as if his thoughts drifted back to that legendary era.

Qin Ruoyu looked at his father quietly, his heart also touched by this emotion. "Senior Wu Nian is indeed a legend in Daqi, and her achievements will be remembered forever. However, time is merciless. I wonder what kind of peaceful and indifferent life she lived in her later years in Qiuluo Mountain."

Qin Ronghuan narrowed her eyes slightly, recalling those distant scenes. "The moment she handed over the schematics, her eyes were filled with relief and joy. She dedicated her life to Daqi, and in her twilight years, she chose to retreat to the mountains, away from the hustle and bustle of the world. The tranquility of the Autumn Mountains was perhaps exactly what she longed for. After all these years, if she were still alive, she would have lived to a ripe old age. But life is unpredictable, perhaps she has already passed away, returning to that peaceful world."

Qin Ruoyu sighed softly. "Whether Senior Wu Nian is still alive or not, her spirit will inspire the descendants of Daqi. Her wisdom and courage, her loyalty and dedication to her country, are all examples for us to learn from."

"I guess you didn't see her when you went there. To me, she is a remarkable woman. She is different from others. Her ideas are very peculiar. From her words, I even feel as if she is not from this era." Qin Ronghuan said, with a complicated look in his eyes, as if he was lost in some deep memory.

Qin Ruoyu was slightly startled, filled with curiosity about his father's words. "Father, what is so special about Senior Wunian that makes you so emotional?"

Qin Ronghuan narrowed her eyes slightly, her thoughts drifting away. "Back then, I had the privilege of spending a brief time with her. Her words and actions revealed a wisdom and insight that transcended her time. Her perspective on things was unique and profound, often considering issues from different angles. Her ideas were bold and novel, always eye-opening. Back then, I felt as if she came from a distant future, carrying thoughts and ideas that didn't belong to this era."

Qin Ruoyu listened intently, his admiration for Senior Wu Nian growing stronger. "Such a remarkable woman, truly captivating. It's a shame I never got to meet her. It's truly a great pity."

Qin Ronghuan sighed softly. "Perhaps this is also a kind of fate. Senior Wu Nian chose to live in seclusion because she didn't want to be disturbed too much. Her legendary life is destined to leave a strong mark in the history of Daqi." His gaze was slightly distant, as if he could see through the walls of the imperial study into the distant past.

Qin Ruoyu stood quietly by, her heart filled with emotion. "Senior Wu Nian's choice is admirable. She made great military achievements for Da Qi, but quietly retired in her old age. This indifference and carefree attitude is truly beyond the reach of ordinary people."

Qin Ronghuan nodded slightly, a hint of admiration in her eyes. "Yes, her life is full of legends. From developing an agency to aid in the conquest of the four nations, to handing over the blueprints and retiring to the mountains, she always stood firm to her beliefs and principles. Her story will inspire future generations of Daqi, allowing them to understand the true meaning of loyalty, dedication, and the true value of life."

Qin Ruoyu pondered, "Father, I've learned from Senior Wu Nian's deeds that in life, there are things we should do and things we shouldn't do. As members of the royal family, we should shoulder our responsibilities and work for the well-being of our country and its people."

Qin Ronghuan smiled with satisfaction. "I'm very pleased that you have such an understanding. I hope you can follow Senior Wunian's example, forge ahead with determination, and contribute to the prosperity of Daqi."

"It's a pity that the drawings she handed over have disappeared, just like her whereabouts." Qin Ronghuan felt a little regretful. It was not just the drawings that he regretted. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes, as if what disappeared was not just a drawing, but also a past that could not be traced.

Qin Ruoyu was slightly startled. He could sense the weight of his father's words. "Father, what is the importance of that blueprint that you are so concerned about it?"

Qin Ronghuan sighed slightly. "That blueprint is the crystallization of Senior Wu Nian's life's wisdom, and it contains countless exquisite mechanical designs. If we can find it, it will have an immeasurable impact on Daqi's military defense and development. Moreover, it is also a precious legacy left to us by Senior Wu Nian. Its disappearance is regrettable."

Qin Ruoyu was silent for a moment. "Perhaps one day, we will be able to find that blueprint again and feel the wisdom and power of Senior Wu Nian again."

Qin Ronghuan shook his head slightly. "There's little hope. So many years have passed, and the blueprints have disappeared without a trace. But even so, we can't give up the search. They're not just blueprints, they're a spiritual legacy."

Qin Ronghuan narrowed her eyes slightly, her thoughts drifting back to years ago like a feather. A thin mist seemed to permeate the imperial study, making time seem hazy.

"Back then, I had some feelings for Wu Nian, but unfortunately, due to our different social status and other reasons, I was unable to express them." His voice was low, like the sound of a long bell echoing in the silent space, with a hint of melancholy.

Qin Ruoyu looked at his father in surprise. He had never imagined that his father could harbor such a past. At this moment, the sunlight from outside the window shone through the carved window lattice, casting mottled light and shadows on the ground, as if it was also quietly listening to this story.

Qin Ronghuan sighed softly and continued, "She was so unique, intelligent, brave, and free and easy. I was deeply attracted to her, but I knew that my status did not allow me to express too much emotion. So, I followed her example and traveled around the world, just to see the places she had been to."

His eyes shone with nostalgia, as if the roads he had walked and the scenery he had seen carried with them his longing for Wu Nian. Back then, the mountains and rivers he had traversed offered towering peaks beneath the blue sky, shrouded in mist, resembling a fairyland; or tranquil lakes, rippling with emerald waters, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. Every scene seemed to tell of Wu Nian's past. "In those places, I can almost feel her presence and imagine her elegance back then. Wherever I go, I remember her smile and her words, and my heart is filled with warmth."