We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

When Manager Liu heard what Du Fuji said, his legs went weak.

He immediately pinned Gou Wa to the ground and then looked at Du Fuji in a flattering manner: "Second Master, please forgive me! It's a little lunatic who came from nowhere and is talking nonsense here, disturbing you. I will drag him out and beat him to death with a stick!"

Du Fuji looked at Gou Wa, who, although being held by Manager Liu, still held his neck stiff.

He couldn't help but frown.

Du Fuji was knowledgeable and experienced. Although Gou Wa was dressed in rags, his eyes were unusually bright and stubborn, and he did not look like a madman.

"Wait." Du Fuji spoke to stop the servant who was about to take action.

Then he looked at Gou Wa and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you and why are you shouting here?"

Gou Wa struggled and shouted, "Are you Mr. Du? I have something extremely important to tell you. Tell them to go away!"

The housekeeper next to him immediately scolded: "How dare you! How can you be allowed to do that in front of the master..."

Du Fuji raised his hand and stopped the butler again.

He stared at Gou Wa for a moment, then suddenly said, "I can promise you, but if what you said is not true, or if you are just joking..."

Gou Wa looked back fearlessly: "If you're talking nonsense, you can do whatever you want to me!"

A hint of surprise first flashed across Du Fuji's eyes, and then he felt a little appreciation in his heart.

This child is not as courageous as ordinary beggars. If he has a good character, he can stay in the mansion.

He hesitated for a moment, then said to his attendants, "All of you, retreat outside the courtyard."

"Second Master! This... I'm afraid..." The housekeeper and Manager Liu were both anxious.

"Step back." Du Fuji's tone left no room for doubt.

Everyone had no choice but to bow and leave the courtyard.

"Now, can you tell me?" Du Fuji looked at Gou Wa.

Gou Wa remembered Li Che's instructions, looked at the housekeeper next to him, and shook his head: "He can't listen either!"

The housekeeper's nose was crooked with anger: "You little rabbit..."

Du Fuji gave Gou Wa a deep look and said to the housekeeper, "You should leave first."

"Second Master! What if this kid..."

The housekeeper couldn't believe it. He was the Du family's absolute confidant. Even when the eldest and second masters talked alone, they rarely avoided him.

"Get out." Du Fuji repeated, "I've practiced martial arts all my life. Why would I be afraid of a child?"

The housekeeper had no choice but to glare at Gou Wa fiercely, then retreated angrily, and stood guarding the gate of the courtyard with Manager Liu on his left and right.

Du Fuji and Gou Wa were the only two people left in the courtyard. Du Fuji stood with his hands behind his back and said, "Now, can you tell me?"

Gou Wa didn't say anything, but began to unbutton his tattered jacket.

Du Fuji frowned even more tightly, not knowing what was going on.

Gou Wa turned around, revealing a glaring vermilion seal on his thin, dark back.

Even though Du Fuji had experienced ups and downs in his official career for decades and felt that he had cultivated the skill of nourishing his qi so that he could remain calm even when faced with a mountain collapsing in front of him, the moment he saw those eight words clearly, the color drained from his face.

The whole person seemed to be hit by an invisible hammer. He staggered involuntarily and took half a step back before he could barely stand firm.

If you receive orders from Heaven, you will live a long and prosperous life!

The national jade seal!

This thing... How could this thing appear on the back of a country doll?!

Look carefully at the color of the ink and the charm of the strokes...it is definitely not an imitation!

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Du Fuji's mind: It's him! He's here?!

That person actually ran to Chang'an. He was really brave. There were imperial troops stationed not far away!

Du Fuji's breathing became heavy. He stared at the mark and didn't speak for a long time.

The housekeeper guarding the gate heard no movement from inside and couldn't help but lean over and whispered, "Second Master? Are you okay?"

Manager Liu, who had been eavesdropping with his ears perked up, took advantage of his usual face and even cleverly poked his head out to flatter:

"Second Master? But what kind of filthy thing did that reckless brat bring out to offend your eyes?"

"Please calm down and don't let your body get hurt by anger. I will drag him out and teach him a lesson..."

Before he could finish his words, Du Fuji turned his head suddenly.

His face, originally pale with shock, instantly turned cold, and he shouted sternly, "How dare you! Who told you to spy? Didn't I just tell you to leave?!"

Manager Liu was so frightened that he trembled. Before he could react, he saw Du Fuji shouting outside the courtyard: "Someone come!"

The two strong servants guarding the door immediately came in.

Du Fuji pointed at the pale-faced Liu Guanshi and said in an unprecedentedly harsh voice:

"Drag this ignorant, judgmental dog away and give him a slap in the face! Beat him until he can't utter a single word!"

Hearing what Du Fuji said, Manager Liu was completely stunned.

He had no idea why his flattering words would lead to such severe punishment.

He subconsciously begged for mercy: "Second Master, please spare me! Please spare me! I know I was wrong! I won't dare to do it again!"

Du Fuji didn't even look at him, but just waved his hand in disgust.

Seeing that their master had made up his mind, the servants dared not neglect him any longer. They immediately stepped forward and dragged the crying and begging Manager Liu away like a dead dog without saying a word.

Soon, the sound of crisp slaps and the miserable howls of Manager Liu like a pig being slaughtered were heard outside the yard.

Gradually, the sound turned into an indistinct whimper, and finally only the dull sound of beatings remained, and no more sound remained.

The equally frightened butler was now trembling with fear.

He had served the Du family for many years and knew that although Du Fuji was strict in managing the household, he always valued decency and rarely used such severe corporal punishment on his servants.

Not to mention the almost cruel punishment of slapping the person in the face until he or she can no longer speak.

He simply couldn't understand what kind of heavenly law Manager Liu's words had violated.

How could he know that in front of the imperial seal, what Manager Liu said was already a blasphemy against the imperial power, and beating him to death would be the least of his punishment!

If they are not punished immediately and severely, once the news gets out, the entire Du family may be dragged into an abyss of no return.

After dealing with the ignorant steward Liu, Du Fuji took a deep breath and forced himself to suppress his turbulent emotions.

Then he instantly put on an extremely kind and even attentive smile, and walked quickly to the bewildered Gou Wa.

He bent down slightly, speaking in a gentle and tentative tone: "This gentleman... uh... young friend?"

For a moment, Du Fuji didn't know what to call this child with a strange background: "I don't know... I don't know what to call him?"

At this moment, Gou Wa has completely lost the ability to think.

To him in the past, the owner of the Du Mansion was a great man like a god in the clouds.

At this moment, he was speaking to me so kindly, even with a bit of flattery.

Gou Wa's mind went blank, and he replied hesitantly, "Uh... my name is Gou Wa."

"Dogwa..."

The corner of Du Fuji's eye twitched.

This name...really.

But the smile on his face remained unchanged, and his voice became even gentler: "My dear Gou Wa, the weather is still cold, please put on your clothes first, or you will catch a cold."

As he spoke, the head of the Du family actually bent down, picked up the dirty, smelly little jacket on the ground, and carefully wanted to help Gou Wa put it on.

Halfway through putting on his clothes, he suddenly seemed to remember something. He looked up and shouted to the housekeeper at the gate, "What are you still standing there for? Go to the storeroom and find a new set of silk clothes in a small size that will fit you. I want the best material!"

The housekeeper looked embarrassed and replied tremblingly, "Master, now... now it's the end of spring and summer is almost here. All we have in the house are summer clothes. I'm afraid we won't be able to find a new silk jacket in a small size that will fit..."

Du Fuji frowned and blurted out, "If you can't find new ones, go find those good-for-nothing bastards and take two of the ready-made silk clothes they're wearing!"

"Go pick out something new and good, and do it right away!"

The butler couldn't believe his ears.

For a baby whose origin is unknown and who is as dirty as a little beggar, the head of the family actually wants to strip the young masters of their clothes?

What the hell is this doll?!

But seeing Du Fuji's unquestionable look, the butler didn't dare to ask another question and ran to execute the order like a flash.

Du Fuji then regained his amiable expression and continued to help Gou Wa straighten his half-dressed torn jacket, his tone so gentle it could drip water:

"My dear Gou Wa, wait a moment, and you will have new clothes to wear soon."

"By the way, where is your master?"

Gou Wa looked confused: "Sir? I'm Mr. Gao's farmhand, responsible for herding Mr. Gao's sheep on weekdays."

When Du Fuji heard that Gou Wa was Mr. Gao's farmhand, he was stunned at first, and then he was overwhelmed with ecstasy!

It was he who got in touch with the old soldier who had retired due to injury and returned home!

It was truly God's blessing on the Du family. Who could have imagined that a wounded personal soldier that he had casually placed there back then would become the key bridge connecting the Du family and that person today.

This kind of friendship is so clever and wonderful.

The huge stone in his heart fell to the ground, and the smile on Du Fuji's face became more genuine.

He was basically certain that the child in front of him was just a shepherd boy who knew nothing.

So, he changed the way he asked, "So you're from Xiaogao Village. Good, good."

"Gou Wa, tell me, is there any special guest coming to the village today?"

"Who was this noble person who left this...this red mark on your back?"

Gou Wa nodded vigorously and answered honestly: "Yes, a group of soldiers came, riding tall horses and wearing shiny black iron armor. They looked very impressive!"

Du Fuji's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and he subconsciously lowered his voice: "They... What does the leader look like? What did he say to you?"

"The one in the lead is incredibly handsome, even more handsome than the one in the painting... Oh, and next to him is a general with really dark circles under his eyes, looking like he hasn't woken up yet..."