Because the duration of the first ability awakening was too long, causing severe mental exhaustion, Gaoming slept for a full day and night before waking up. When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a lavishly decorated and elegant room. A maid, around thirteen or fourteen years old, was sitting on a small stool nearby, supporting her chin, dozing off.
Gaoming thought to himself that since his ability had suddenly awakened, he should still be in the clan residence!
Suddenly, Gaoming remembered Li Qing and became anxious about her well-being. They had been dependent on each other for six years, and he had long regarded her as his own mother. Without this gentle and caring mother figure, he couldn't imagine how he would have survived those long six years in this unfamiliar and savage world.
He quickly got up, and though his movements were not significant, they startled the maid who had been waiting by his side.
Upon seeing Gaoming awake, the maid's delicate face immediately showed excitement. She hurriedly walked to the bedside and said softly, "Young Master Gaoming, you're awake. I'll go inform the master~~~~~"
She was about to leave, but Gaoming grabbed her, his face filled with urgency, and asked, "Where's my mother?"
The maid looked confused, shook her head.
It seemed that the maid didn't know anything about his mother. Waving her hand, Gaoming said, "Then go get someone!"
Despite his worry, Gaoming had no choice but to wait. The time he had been unconscious must have been quite long, so waiting a little longer wouldn't matter. He could only inquire about the old master mentioned by the maid.
Before long, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the room, and then Gaoming saw a group of people entering.
Leading the group was a burly middle-aged man with a full beard, eyes like copper bells, and an imposing aura. He wore a magnificent purple robe and exuded a naturally intimidating presence as he walked with great strides.
This person should be the master mentioned by the maid!
Gaoming spotted Gaojian and Gaoying, the siblings, in the crowd. However, to his disappointment, there was no sign of Li Qing. If she were fine, she would have been the first to come and see him.
The middle-aged man in the purple robe approached Gaoming and, without leaving any traces, nodded slightly while looking at Gaoming, who sat calmly on the bed.
"Gaoming, from now on, you will stay in the clan residence~~~~~"
The voice was loud and carried an irresistible tone.
Gaoming was slightly surprised and vaguely figured out who this person might be. However, he subconsciously asked, "Who are you?"
"Gaoming, he is your father. Don't you call him father~~~~~" The answer came from a noblewoman behind the middle-aged man. She was elegant and graceful, with a clear and tranquil temperament like autumn water, giving people a sense of refreshing tranquility. A thought flashed through Gaoming's mind—this woman seemed to be made of water. Her eyes were like rippling waves, her skin like solidified water, and her black hair like a waterfall. Her aura, compared to Li Qing, was like comparing heaven and earth, one a celestial being, the other a mortal.
Although Gaoming didn't want to belittle his own mother, it was an undeniable reality.
What was most captivating was her voice, like the clear spring water in a mountain stream—natural and extraordinary, without a trace of worldly dust. Listening to it, there was a magical power that cleansed the soul.
With the authority to speak in front of Gaobo, she was undoubtedly the legal wife of his adoptive father.
Gaoming's mouth opened, but he couldn't utter a word. What worried him even more now was the whereabouts of his mother.
"Father, where is my mother~~~~~"
The two words finally came out of Gaoming's mouth, but they sounded stiff.
Gaobo paid no attention to it. He understood Gaoming's feelings very well. It was indeed difficult for a young man who had never seen him before to suddenly address a stranger as his father. Moreover, the grievances Gaoming had suffered made him harbor a kind of resentment from the bottom of his heart. Ah! It would only be smoothed over by time.
"She~~~ She's fine!"
Although his expression remained unchanged, it undoubtedly fell into Gaoming's eyes, who was highly nervous. Li Qing was probably in trouble.
Seeing the change in Gaoming's expression, Gaobo sighed slightly. "Wait a moment, go see her yourself!"
Then he turned slightly and looked at the noblewoman, saying to Gaoming, "She is your stepmother~~~"
Clearly, he was introducing his legal wife to Gaoming.
Although Gaoming urgently wanted to visit his mother, he had to deal with the current situation. He had to stay in the clan residence, so he had to interact with these people, especially this noblewoman, who served as Gaobo's legal wife and could be considered the real mistress of Gaobo's harem.
"Stepmother~~~"
This title sounded more natural, as he had already started to adapt to his new role.
"Gaoyu, take care of Gaoming here, and Gaojian, take him to see Li Qing later!"
After giving instructions to the noblewoman and Gaojian, Gaobo spoke a few words to Gaoming and then left with his entourage.
In the room, besides the maid, there were only Gaojian and Gaoyu.
With the maid's assistance, Gaoming put on his clothes and tidied his hair. He had grown accustomed to wearing rough linen clothing, so the silk white robe felt uncomfortable.
"Hehe, I didn't expect Gaoming to look quite handsome in this outfit!"
Gaoying circled around Gaoming a few times, providing an answer that made Gaoming laugh and cry.
Under the guidance of Gaojian and Gaojian, the three headed towards the place where Li Qing was recovering.
The place where Gaoming now resided was a large courtyard, reserved for either non-awakened individuals or the close relatives and personal maids of awakened individuals. Gaoming, having awakened his ability, now had the privilege to stay in this place.
Compared to the small and simple courtyard where he used to stay, this large courtyard was extremely luxurious. The buildings were splendid, displaying a grand atmosphere. It was beyond comparison with the previously shabby and humble courtyard. The entire large courtyard seemed like a world of flowers, trees, artificial hills, flowing water, and lakes, all meticulously arranged. It was a self-contained little paradise.
Arriving at the place where Li Qing was recovering, Gaoming saw a beautiful woman sitting peacefully. If he didn't look closely, he wouldn't recognize her as his mother, Li Qing.
With a serene expression, she gazed at a cluster of vibrant flowers in the distance. Her clothing had been renewed, now adorned in typical noblewoman fashion. Sitting there, she blended harmoniously with the surroundings, like a painting of a perfect and elegant noblewoman. Elegant and beautiful!
Li Qing seemed not to have noticed Gaoming's arrival. She remained motionless, looking tranquil.
"Mother~~~" Suppressing his excited emotions, Gaoming called out softly.
No response. Li Qing appeared oblivious to his presence.
A sense of unease struck Gaoming. His mother shouldn't be like this. Normally, upon hearing his voice, she would certainly react.
He called out several times consecutively, but disappointingly, Li Qing continued to gaze calmly into the distance, as if she hadn't heard Gaoming's voice at all.
Gao Ming shifted his gaze to the two maidservants standing by and shouted, "Both of you, tell me, what happened to my mother?"
Feeling the disrespect in Gao Ming's tone, the two maidservants trembled and knelt down on the ground, bowing their heads. One of them, with a trembling voice, said, "Young Master, Madam, she... she..."
"What happened to her?" Gao Ming's anger influenced his state of mind, and seeing Li Qing in such a condition shattered his heart.
Gao Jian spoke up from the side, "Gao Ming, let me explain!"
Gao Ming immediately turned his gaze towards Gao Jian, as sharp as a knife. It seemed like he would kill him with his eyes if he spoke too slowly. As Gao Ming's intense gaze shifted away, the two maidservants felt a sudden relief. The pressure Gao Ming had imposed on them was overwhelming, and neither of them dared to stand up.