The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

After Gao Yao met Meng Yi, that familiar figure always flashed through his mind from time to time, like a twinkling star, sometimes bright, sometimes dim. It seemed that there were always some things he could not remember, and they were vague.

That day, Gao Yao was chatting with Xiaoyue in the house. He had just made a new style of pastry and specially took it out for Xiaoyue to taste.

Xiaoyue picked up a piece of cake and took a bite. She immediately showed a surprised expression: "Wow! This tastes amazing! Brother, how did you come up with this method?"

Gao Yao smiled proudly, his eyes gleaming with pride, as bright as the stars: "Hehe, I suddenly had an inspiration last night, so I tried it, and I didn't expect it to be so successful."

Xiaoyue nodded and asked, "So, what style do you plan to make it into, brother?"

Gao Yao thought for a moment and replied, "I think it can be made into a round or square shape, which will make it easier to store and carry."

Xiaoyue said excitedly after hearing this: "Great! This way we can take some with us when we go out and enjoy delicious food anytime, anywhere!"

However, during their pleasant conversation, Xiaoyue noticed a hint of melancholy between Gao Yao's brows, like a sky covered by dark clouds. She couldn't help but ask with concern, "Brother, what's wrong with you lately? Is there something bothering you?"

Gao Yao sighed slightly, slowly put down the teacup in his hand, and said softly: "Xiaoyue, I keep thinking of someone recently."

Xiaoyue asked curiously, "Oh? Who is it that makes Brother miss you so much?"

Gao Yao hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "Actually, this person is Lieutenant General Meng Yi. The last time I saw him, I felt like I had seen him before, but I couldn't remember the details. I've been trying hard to recall him these days, but I still have no clue."

Xiaoyue comforted him, "Don't worry, brother. Maybe you will slowly remember everything over time."

Gao Yao nodded, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes: "I hope so... Maybe one day, all the memories will become clear."

Gao Yao frowned and continued, "I can't really explain it. I just get a strange feeling when I see him. It's a familiar feeling, but I can't put my finger on it. It seems like we've known each other for a long time, but I just can't remember where."

Xiaoyue looked at Gao Yao, patted his shoulder gently, and comforted him: "Brother, maybe you are too tired recently. Don't think too much. Maybe it will be better after a while."

Gao Yao nodded, agreeing with Xiaoyue's words, but the doubts still lingered in his heart. He always felt that there was some kind of connection between him and the man, like seeing flowers in the fog or the moon in the water, and he couldn't determine what this connection was.

Xiaoyue looked at Gao Yao, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes. She decided to help Gao Yao solve this problem, so she asked, "Brother, let me meet this gentleman someday. Maybe it will help you remember it."

Gao Yao looked at Xiaoyue gratefully, nodded, and agreed. He hoped Xiaoyue could help him solve the mystery and find the connection between him and the man.

A few days later, Meng Yi once again stepped into the Shangshifang to visit Gao Yao.

In the dining room, Xiaoyue was busy preparing meals for Gao Yao. When she heard Meng Yi's voice, she stopped what she was doing, looked up at the door, and a hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes.

Meng Yi walked into the food room, and his eyes unconsciously fell on Xiaoyue. Xiaoyue's eyes also met Meng Yi's. The moment the two looked at each other, Xiaoyue suddenly felt an indescribable sense of intimacy in her heart.

Meng Yi looked at the woman in front of him, and a sense of déjà vu arose in his heart, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

Xiaoyue's heartbeat involuntarily quickened, her eyes fixed on Meng Yi, as if she wanted to see through his eyes and see his inner world.

Meng Yi frowned slightly, and there was a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Gao Yao hurriedly introduced Meng Yi: "Lieutenant, this is my sister, Xiaoyue."

Hearing this, Meng Yi sighed inwardly: "After all, they finally met."

Then, he raised the corners of his mouth slightly and said to Xiaoyue with a smile: "Miss Xiaoyue, you and Gao Yao look so much alike."

At this time, Gao Yao, who was standing aside, looked at Meng Yi's attitude towards Xiaoyue, and couldn't help but murmur in his heart. He always felt that Meng Yi's way of treating Xiaoyue was a little weird.

Xiaoyue asked with a puzzled look on her face: "Sir, why do you say that?"

Meng Yi smiled lightly, with a mysterious glint in his eyes.

His gaze first slowly swept over Xiaoyue, and then finally fell on Gao Yao.

For a moment, the whole room fell into silence, as if time had stopped.

"Gao Yao, congratulations on finding your sister. If you encounter any problems in the palace in the future, you can come to the Lieutenant's Office or the Meng Mansion to find me at any time." Meng Yi said seriously, his voice steady and firm.

Gao Yao was slightly stunned, then nodded thoughtfully.

He pondered Meng Yi's words in his heart, feeling that there seemed to be a deeper meaning in them. However, at this moment, he could not fully understand Meng Yi's intention, but he still looked at Meng Yi with gratitude, indicating that he had remembered it.

After all, in this deep palace, it is very important to get help and support from others.

Meng Yi looked at Gao Yao, a subtle worry flashing in his eyes. He knew that Gao Yao's life in this deep palace was not easy, and he could not protect him all the time.

Meng Yi sighed softly and continued, "Gao Yao, you must remember that in this palace, people's hearts are unpredictable. You must be careful and cautious."

Gao Yao nodded and said with a firm look in his eyes, "I will, Master Meng Yi."

Meng Yi patted Gao Yao on the shoulder, then turned and left.

Gao Yao looked at Meng Yi's departing back and secretly made up his mind to gain a firm foothold in this deep palace and protect himself and his sister.

Xiaoyue looked at Meng Yi's receding figure, lost in thought. She turned her head, looked at Gao Yao, and said softly, "Brother, I think this Lord Meng Yi is very unusual."

Gao Yao nodded. "I feel the same way. He seems to care about us, but it seems like he's hiding something from us."

Xiaoyue frowned and asked, "Could it be that he is related to your past, brother?"

Gao Yao shook his head. "I don't know either, but I always feel that there is a sense of trust in him."

Xiaoyue said with a determined look: "No matter what, we must find out the truth."

In the days that followed, Xiaoyue and Gao Yao paid more attention to Meng Yi's every move.

They discovered that Meng Yi often helped them secretly and would quietly solve some problems for them. Xiaoyue and Gao Yao were filled with gratitude.

Back in the Hall of Selected Talents, after Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu settled in Xianyang, Xiang Liang began to make friends with various heroes. Meanwhile, Xiang Yu caused quite a stir within the Hall of Selected Talents, his bravery and martial prowess astonishing everyone.

At this time, Meng Yi did not know that Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu had already arrived in Xianyang.

In the "Juxian Hall", in a corner of the meeting room, Fusu, Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu sat opposite each other.

Fusu said, "Mr. Xiang and the other two are from Donghai Commandery. Do you know Lieutenant Meng Yi?"

Xiang Liang and the other man had been in Xianyang for so long that they had naturally heard of Meng Yi's name and felt a sense of familiarity with him. However, they were puzzled as to why Prince Fusu asked them if they knew him.

Xiang Yu replied in a clear voice, "Sir, Lord Meng Yi was a young and accomplished man. He defeated the Xiongnu in the north and swept across the royal court. He also declared: 'Whoever offends the Great Qin will be punished, no matter how far away they are.' He is truly a hero of our time. If I have the honor, I would like to meet him."

Fusu nodded slightly and said, "You two may not know that this Lieutenant Meng Yi is the younger brother of General Meng Tian. Please don't mind if I tell you."

Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu quickly saluted and said, "We dare not."

Fusu helped the two men to their feet and continued, "Ten years ago, during the campaign against Qi, they were ambushed by remnants of the Chu army. Ten-year-old Meng Yi was separated from his family and had lived in Donghai County for many years. Only last year did he go north to join the army, where he happened to meet General Meng Tian on a border patrol. That's when they finally met."

Xiang Liang asked doubtfully, "Sir, so Meng Yi went north to join the army late last year?"

Fusu saw Xiang Liang seemed lost in thought and smiled, "Yes, so you think Xiang Gong had some impression of Meng Yi?"

Xiang Liang explained, "Sir, I have an old friend who also joined the army last year."

Xiang Yu now understood that his good brother Qin Yi had gone north to join the army last year! Qin Yi, Meng Yi, Qin Yi, Meng Yi...

Xiang Yu's face immediately lit up with joy, and he was about to speak excitedly, but was stopped by Xiang Liang's gaze.

Fusu said: "If that's the case, then it's possible that we are old friends. I will bring you two together if there's a chance."

Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu saluted and said, "As you command."