When Jiang Liannan woke up, he found himself lying in a very familiar place.

He suddenly sat up, looking around in fear - this was the Yushi Mansion, his own room!

However, I clearly died already. How could I still be in the Yushi Residence? Could it be that the poisoned wine was just a fake death potion, and Leng Xu spared my life on purpose?

He was pondering when he heard a familiar male voice saying:

"South, Er!"

With this sound, the door creaked open, and the person who came in was his father, the current imperial censor, Jiang Jinsheng. However, Jiang Jinsheng was still very young at this time, with a handsome and spirited face. He was dressed in a red court official's robe, looking exceptionally vibrant and alluring.

Jiang Liannan was stunned for a moment, but quickly realized what had happened. He got out of bed and threw himself into Jiang Jinsheng's embrace, saying, "Father! Father, it's so good to see that you're safe!" He was overwhelmed with excitement and even started to cry.

Not only did he himself survive unscathed, but his father was also completely unharmed. This unexpected delight of surviving a disaster combined with the fear of death and regret for the mistakes he had made, how could it not make him excited?

He embraced Jiang Jinsheng and started to sob uncontrollably, as if he wanted to release all his emotions.

Jiang Jinsheng was also taken aback for a moment, but he quickly reacted. He placed one hand on his back and gently rubbed his hair with the other, saying, "Silly Nan'er, did you have another nightmare?"

"No, it's...," Jiang Liannan raised his head, wanting to confide in his father. But he suddenly realized that he had become shorter than before! He had clearly grown to be about the same height as his father, so why was he only reaching his father's chest now? He stared in shock, never having heard of someone becoming shorter overnight. Could it be that the poison Qin San had given him to drink last night only made people shorter?"

Jiang Jinsheng saw his son, Mumo, with his mouth wide open and a silly expression on his face. He assumed that Mumo was still half asleep and gently wiped away the tears from the corner of his cheek with his sleeve. He smiled and said, "I keep telling you to wake up early every day. Look at you, sleeping so late every day, all muddled up..." After a moment of thought, he added, "Your father has come back this time to tell you some news."

Jiang Liannan's attention was drawn, and his eyelashes, adorned with tear drops, fluttered as he asked, "What news?"

Does that mean the accusation of treason against oneself has been made public?

I saw Jiang Jinsheng shift his gaze away and say with a complicated tone, "The Emperor wants to choose a reader, and your name is on the list."

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Liannan felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his eyes widening abruptly.

Jiang Jinsheng continued, "If you are chosen, you will gain favor from His Majesty and even secure a prominent official position. Of course, that would be a good thing. However, accompanying the ruler is like accompanying a tiger. You are still so young, and if there are any inadequacies..."

Jiang Liannan listened and his expression became even more foolish!

Because of such scenes and such dialogue, he had already experienced it once before!

He was fourteen years old that year, and the Heavenly Register Emperor chose attendants in the court. When his father left the court, he said these words to him just like that!

He grabbed hold of his father's sleeve and couldn't help but ask, "Father, what year is it according to the Heavenly Calendar now?"

Jiang Jinsheng found it somewhat strange that the Emperor suddenly asked this question, but he still replied, "Your Majesty has been on the throne for nine years, and this year happens to be the ninth year according to the heavenly records. Your Majesty, may I inquire why you are asking this question?"

"Tian Ce, the ninth year?" Jiang Liannan was even more astonished because he clearly remembered that it was currently the thirteenth year of Tian Ce. Why would time regress to the ninth year of Tian Ce? Could it be that he was dreaming?

But, but didn't I clearly experience those things myself? Or is it that I've encountered the legendary "dream within a dream"?

The novel "A Dream Within a Dream" tells the story of Lu Sheng, who stayed at an inn in Handan. After falling asleep, he had a dream of experiencing a lifetime of wealth and glory. When he woke up, the rice in the dream had not yet cooked, leading to a profound realization and a deep understanding of the cycle of life.

Could it be that I am also dreaming? Dreaming that I am the emperor's long-lost younger brother, who is cast away in the outside world. The emperor dotes on me particularly, but in the end, I foolishly and arrogantly go about recklessly, only to end up ruining myself...

Therefore, in fact, he is not the emperor's younger brother, nor has he been summoned into the palace to plot against him?

But I have never seen the emperor myself, why does the emperor in the dream feel so real? He still remembers what Emperor Ling Xu looks like and how the palace is laid out... Can this really be something that can be dreamed of?

Jiang Liannan became increasingly confused as he thought about it. Jiang Jinsheng, who was beside him, also watched him with a puzzled expression, feeling that his son, for some reason, seemed strange and appeared somewhat different.

But what exactly is different?

Father and son became confused together.

Finally, the butler Qibo entered and interrupted the father and son's trance-like state, saying, "Sir, young master, lunch is ready. Would you like to have it now?"

Jiang Liannan was starting to feel hungry, so he said, "Yes, yes! I'm starving to death!"

Jiang Jinsheng was amused by him and said, "Look at you, go freshen up quickly. Your father is waiting for you in the flower hall."

Jiang Liannan loudly responded, "Yes, Father!"

'……'

Three days later, Jiang Liannan was about to go to the palace to choose his attendants, but he couldn't help feeling a little uneasy.

He sat on the corridor, leaning against the railing and gazing at the koi swimming in the pond. Despite his exquisite features, a touch of sorrow, unsuited for his age, clouded his expression.

Three days later, they entered the imperial palace. If they were truly chosen, wouldn't they have to face the coldness of Emperor Xu again? If they were truly a prince, would Emperor Xu still treat them as they did in their dreams? Or would they just kill them directly? Or, if Emperor Xu treated them the same way as in their dreams, would they fall into the same trap again?

However, three days later, she must enter the palace herself. If she doesn't go, it would be considered disobedience to the imperial edict. Who knows, her father might be implicated immediately!

However, if you were to go, once chosen...

He didn't dare to think any further.

... The more he thought about it, the more his head felt cloudy - how could such a strange thing happen to him?

In the evening, Jiang Jinsheng came to see him to check his recitation. However, he found him lying in bed with his head covered. It was typical of Jiang Liannan to behave like this when he was upset or sulking. Jiang Jinsheng thought someone had provoked him again today and asked him,

"Nan'er, what's wrong with you?"

Jiang Liannan heard the voice of his father and immediately threw off the quilt. His big bright eyes looked at Jiang Jinsheng and asked, "Dad, am I your son?"

Jiang Jinsheng thought he was acting crazy and indulgently laughed, saying, "You are naturally my son."

Jiang Liannan shook his head, "No, Father. I'm asking you, am I your biological son?"

Jiang Jinsheng was taken aback by the words and remained stunned for a moment before finally snapping out of it. His face turned pale and he asked with a sharp tone, "Who told you to ask me such nonsense?"

Jiang Liannan looked at his reaction, and his heart sank immediately. He slowly sat up, looking at the handsome young man before him, and grabbed his finger, calling out to him, "Father..."

When he realized in his dream that he was not Jiang Jinsheng's biological child, he was also greatly shocked. However, when he recalled everything - he had no mother since childhood, his father told him that his mother died after giving birth to him and was buried in his father's hometown. But he had never seen his father reminisce about her, nor had he ever heard anyone mention his mother's surname or place of origin, as if there was no such person at all.

Most importantly, Jiang Jinsheng did not resemble him in appearance.

So, in the end, he accepted this fact.

However, this doesn't hinder his father-son relationship with Jiang Jinsheng. He feels that no matter what changes happen, his father will always be his father. He wouldn't stoop so low as to abandon their bond of affection.

So, he said, "Dad, it's not someone else who told me, it's just my own guess."

Jiang Jinsheng remained stunned for quite a while. After snapping back to reality, he sighed and said, "Don't say such nonsense in the future. You were raised by me from start to finish. You may not be my biological son, but whose son are you?"

Jiang Liannan already knew the answer. He smiled at him, and then threw himself into his embrace and said, "Hmm, I am Dad's son, forever."

Yes, he had also figured it out—

Even if I am truly of royal bloodline, so what? As long as I don't yearn for things that do not belong to me, I can peacefully live as myself, as Jiang Liannan. I will always remember that the Grand Minister of Imperial Censorship, Jiang Jinsheng, is my father. Isn't that enough?

If Leng Xu really wanted to kill himself, then why did he go through the trouble of selecting himself to enter the palace? This indicates that he only wants to confine himself or perhaps render himself useless.

So, if I were to become a useless and incompetent attendant who only knows how to indulge in eating, drinking, and playing, then perhaps I could live a peaceful life for the rest of my days, right?

However, perhaps I can no longer experience the joy of being cherished under my father's knee.

Jiang Liennan glanced at his father and then tightly wrapped his arms around his waist.

He thought of a verse by Emperor Li Houzhu that he had read in a dream, which resembled his current self:

Outside the curtain, the drizzle pitter-patters, and the spring feeling is faint. The silk quilt is unable to withstand the chill of the early hours. In my dream, unaware that I am a stranger, I indulged in fleeting pleasures for a moment.

Alone, do not lean on the railing! The boundless realm, easy to part but difficult to reunite. The flowing water and falling flowers, the passing of spring, in both heaven and earth.

Sigh, I hope I won't become another Emperor Li Houzhu!