Chapter 57 Beiliang Three days later, Xiao Wangshu woke up on a strange bed...

The northern wind, carrying the scent of snow and gravel, blew harshly across the walls of Yunshuo City. A dusty, green-covered carriage silently entered the city's most secluded residence.

Inside the car, Lou Guanshan looked at the still-drowsy man beside him, his eyes complex. It was no longer simply a feeling of trust and responsibility, but rather filled with inexpressible sorrow and determination. He gently tucked in the man's slipping blanket and whispered, "Hey, Mr.

"Brother Wangshu, we're here."

This "Brother Wangshu" was barely audible in the silent carriage, but it carried a heavy burden of the past.

Many years ago, it was Xiao Wangshu who guided him in classics and essays when he was in the most difficult time, and helped him pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, thus preventing most of the Lou family's wealth from falling into the hands of that concubine's son. He has never dared to forget this kindness.

When Imperial Preceptor Chihua approached him, he simply stated that Xiao Wangshu had encountered a grave disaster and needed to fake his own death to escape, hiding in Northern Liang for at least five years to avoid the prying eyes of the Heavenly Dao. Upon hearing this, Lou Guanshan didn't hesitate. Publicly, he believed the Imperial Preceptor's words were crucial to the fate of the world; privately, this was his only chance to repay a past favor and protect his dear friend.

Three days later, Xiao Wangshu woke up in an unfamiliar bed with his mind blank.

Lou Guanshan, who was standing by, suppressed his excitement and sadness, and showed just the right amount of concern on his face:

"Are you awake? How are you feeling?"

He followed the instructions of the Imperial Master and could not reveal his true identity for the time being.

"...Where is this? Who...am I?" Xiao Wangshu's voice was dry and confused.

Lou Guanshan said gently:

"This is Yunshuo City in Beiliang. My surname is Lou, my name is Guanshan, and I'm an old friend of yours.

You had an accident on the way here and were seriously injured and unconscious. Perhaps it was a head injury that temporarily forgot what happened."

He paused, his tone more resolute.

"It's okay, forget it if you want, I'm here to protect you.

Since you've temporarily forgotten your real name, I'll give you a pseudonym, 'Shuwang,' is that okay? It means 'soothing your thoughts and looking far ahead.' I hope you can rest in peace here and look forward to a new life."

"Shuwang..." Xiao Wangshu (now Shuwang) murmured the name, his eyes still blank, but the sincerity and concern in Lou Guanshan's words made him instinctively feel a little relieved. He nodded.

Under Lou Guanshan's meticulous care, Shu Wang recovered quickly. He knew that Xiao Wangshu's talent was extraordinary, and even if he lost his memory, his insight and wisdom would not fade away.

So he did not treat Shu Wang as a fragile item that needed to be strictly protected, but intentionally let him get involved in the Lou family's business.

As expected, Shu Wang soon demonstrated his amazing talent in accounting, negotiation, and laws. Lou Guanshan felt both gratified and moved, as if he saw the brilliant young man in Bianjing back then.

He quietly created opportunities and built a stage for Shu Wang to display his talents, but he carefully controlled the scope of influence to prevent him from attracting too much attention, especially from attracting excessive attention from the top officials of Beiliang.

Everything seemed peaceful and harmonious. What Lou Guanshan didn't know was that Shu Wang would occasionally have some bizarre dreams.

In his dream, pear blossoms, prison, court, jade pendant... all were randomly pieced together, and he felt like he had forgotten some important people and things.

He once mentioned the jade pendant to Lou Guanshan, but Lou Guanshan just sighed, patted his shoulder, and said gently:

"Perhaps it's something you once treasured. The fact that you wear it means something special to you.

However, the past is like smoke, let's put it aside for now. When the time comes, we will naturally remember what we need to remember."

Two years passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the "Treasure Pavilion", one of the Beiliang Royal Merchants' industries in Yunshuo City and the most prosperous in the city, welcomed its annual auction.

The pavilion was full of jewels and treasures, and was crowded with customers. Xiao Wangshu, who used the pseudonym Shu Wang, came here on the orders of Lou Guanshan to buy various treasures for the Lou family.

He wore a blue cotton robe, common in Northern Liang. He stood tall and straight, with a calm demeanor. Despite his simple attire, his distinctive elegance and grace still stood out among the crowd. Concentrated on the account list in his hand, he didn't notice the quietly increased security within the pavilion, nor the unusually solemn atmosphere.

Suddenly, something strange happened!

Several dark figures darted out from the corner like ghosts, charging straight into the private room on the second floor! Blades flashed, carrying a chilling murderous intent. Shouts and screams filled the air. Though the guards fought back fiercely, the assassins were nimble and ruthless, instantly breaching the outer defenses.

In the chaos, the door curtain of the private room was lifted by the strong wind, revealing the figure of a woman wearing luxurious Beiliang palace clothing and a veil covering her face. She was accompanied by a younger and beautiful girl.

The woman in palace dress was not panicked though, and her eyes were sharp. She was none other than Xie Xinyi, the current queen of Beiliang and the former princess of Zhongshan Kingdom. The woman beside him was also no one else, but Xiao Yanran, who married into Beiliang three years ago.

An assassin seized the opportunity and rushed towards the two women with a knife, grinning fiercely! The guards were entangled and unable to rescue them!

At the critical moment, a green shadow suddenly appeared!

It’s Shu Wang!

He didn't even have time to think; his body reacted instinctively. He leaned sideways, blocked, and grabbed, his movements flowing like water. He precisely grasped the assassin's knife-wielding wrist and twisted it hard! With a crisp "click," the assassin screamed and let go of the knife.

Shu Wang took advantage of the situation and threw him to the ground.

All this happened in a flash. By the time the other guards reacted and subdued the remaining assassins, everyone's eyes were fixed on the young man who had offered a helping hand.

Meanwhile, Xie Xinyi, who was in the box, looked at Shu Wang's back in astonishment. The brief exchange of blows just now, the familiar body movements, and the profile revealed when he turned his head...all stirred up a huge wave in her heart!

She sent Xiao Yanran, who was still beside her, away and sent someone to invite the young man to the box next door.

"Thank you, Mr. Wangshu, for your help."

Steadying herself, Xie Xinyi's voice maintained its royal dignity, but a slight tremor betrayed her excitement. She slowly lifted her veil, revealing a face that was both elegant and heroic.

When Shu Wang looked at this face, his head suddenly felt a sharp pain, and some vague fragments flashed by - it seemed to be a palace, a ceremonial guard, and some kind of distant, distant gaze... He was sure that he had never seen this nobleman up close, but the inexplicable sense of familiarity lingered, so he did not notice that the other party's name was Wangshu.

"It's just a small favor, don't worry about it, girl."

Shu Wang suppressed the strangeness in his heart and maintained a neither humble nor arrogant attitude.

This gesture made Xie Xinyi feel suspicious. She took a step forward, her eyes locked on him, and her tone was slightly tentative:

"Why would Mr. Wangshu come to my Beiliang? Would my brother let you out of the palace?"

This time, Shu Wang heard it clearly.

"Wangshu?"

He silently repeated the name, feeling as if his heart was being violently clenched. A sharp pain came over him, accompanied by more chaotic images—purple robes and jade belts, arguments in the golden palace, the cold prison, and the clear Pisces jade pendant… His face turned pale instantly, and he held his forehead, his voice filled with pain and confusion:

"Wangshu...who is it? Madam, do you know me? Do you know who I am?"

He looked at the queen, his eyes filled with confusion.

Xie Xinyi was stunned by his completely unfamiliar and seemingly fake confused expression.

How could she mistake this face? Moreover, the Pisces jade pendant on the other person's waist was a relic of Queen Lu. With this object, how could the person in front of her not be Xiao Wangshu?

At this moment, Lou Guanshan hurried over after hearing the news.

As the royal merchant of Zhongshan, he naturally recognized the woman in front of him.

Seeing the two of them confronting each other, his heart suddenly sank. He hurried forward, stood in front of Shu Wang, and bowed deeply to the Queen:

"I, Lou Guanshan, pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress! I deserve death for disturbing the Empress's carriage! Shu Wang...he was in an accident before and suffered a head injury. He has forgotten what happened. If I have offended you, please forgive me!"

Xie Xinyi was such an intelligent person. She looked at Shu Wang, who had a painful expression on his face, and then at Lou Guanshan, who looked nervous, obviously knew the truth and was trying his best to protect her, and she understood most of it in an instant.

She waved away the attendants and led the man out of the box, lowering her voice and saying:

"Mr. Lou," Xie Xinyi said with a sharp gaze, "What on earth is going on? Lord Xiao..."

Lou Guanshan knew he couldn't hide it, so he could only whisper briefly:

"Your Majesty, Brother Wangshu... did indeed suffer a great disaster, narrowly escaping death. To avoid calamity, he had no choice but to fake his own death and escape, hiding his identity and living here. The Imperial Master said that he must remain silent for five years to avoid detection. His amnesia is not a pretense, but... the price he had to pay. I beg Your Majesty to understand and keep quiet for now."

Upon hearing this, Xie Xin Yiling's eyes flashed with shock, understanding, and finally turned into a trace of complex pity.

So that's how it was... Xiao Wangshu, the brilliant and talented man, had ended up in such a predicament. She naturally knew about the great changes taking place in Zhongshan, with the crown prince ascending the throne, and the Xiao family... Thinking of this, she couldn't help but think of the little girl, Xiao Yanran, who had stood so obediently beside him before, and sighed inwardly that she was still unaware of the drastic changes in her family.

"I understand." Xie Xinyi took a deep breath and regained her composure. "Don't worry, Mr. Lou. This matter concerns Mr. Xiao... Mr. Shu's life. I know the seriousness of the matter."

The most important thing is that she knows Xiao Wangshu's abilities. If she can be used by him, she will definitely become a great help to his son in the future.

This unexpected encounter was like a huge rock thrown into Shu Wang's previously calm heart. The name "Xiao Wangshu" mentioned by the Queen, and Lou Guanshan's obvious knowledge yet veiled reluctance to speak, all reinforced his belief that his past was anything but simple.

"Brother Lou," Shu Wang said with a determined look after returning to the Lou Mansion, "I know that you and the Queen both know my past self. I don't want to live in this muddle-headed way anymore. I want to know who I am, where I came from, and what I've been through."

Seeing the long-lost persistence and sharpness in Xiao Wangshu's eyes, Lou Guanshan felt a mixture of emotions. He was pleased that his friend had begun to actively pursue his own self-discovery, but he was also worried about the unknown risks this might bring. But he knew he could no longer stop him.

"Okay, I'll help you. But this matter requires careful consideration. Remember, until your memory is fully restored and the time is right, the name 'Xiao Wangshu' must not be easily revealed."

Meanwhile, the Queen of Northern Liang returned to the palace, deep in thought. She knew Xiao Wangshu's talent well; even without memory loss, his abilities and insights were extraordinary. With the new Emperor of Northern Liang still young and the political situation turbulent, despite her status as Queen, she needed a reliable supporter to secure her position and pave the way for her son's future. Xiao Wangshu, a man with memory loss but exceptional talent and a clean background, was a godsend.

So she summoned Lou Guanshan and Shu Wang again.

"Mr. Shu," Xie Xinyi said straight to the point, "since you're determined to explore your past, staying with Mr. Lou to do business might provide you with stability, but you might not be able to access enough information and connections.

Why not join my palace and serve as a staff member? The palace has a rich collection of books and is frequented by the most powerful people in Beiliang. Perhaps they can help you find clues faster. Besides,

She paused, her tone carrying a subtle earnestness. "My son is young, and the court is full of dangers. I also need the assistance of a man of your caliber, sir. Are you willing to help me?"

Shu Wang pondered for a moment. The Queen's suggestion would indeed help him understand the world and gain access to higher-level information. Furthermore, he had a certain fondness and trust for this Queen, who had recognized him in a moment of crisis and seemed to have good intentions.

He looked at Lou Guanshan, who nodded slightly, indicating that he could make his own decision.

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam Queen. I am willing to contribute my humble efforts." He bowed and accepted. This was not only a search for memories, but perhaps also a trial of a new life.

Now that he had entered the palace, meeting Xiao Yanran was inevitable.

When Xiao Yanran first met Shu Wang, she almost blurted out that he was her brother, but was interrupted by the Queen:

"Yanran, you've made a mistake. That man only bears a passing resemblance to your brother, but they're not the same person. Your brother is doing fine in Daliang, so why would he appear in Beiliang for no apparent reason and become some 'Shu Wang'?"

In contrast, although Xiao Yanran had her doubts in her heart, she had been well protected by her family since she was a child. She had a simple personality and was far away in Beiliang. She did not know the details of the family's current situation and only occasionally received some letters from home to report their safety.

Seeing the queen's certainty, she also believed it to about 70%. She just thought that she missed her brother so much that she was dazzled. As Xie Xinyi expected, she did not investigate further.

Time flies, and the five-year period is about to end.

Inside the Imperial Palace in Bianjing City, Zhongshan Kingdom.

Xie Xuanhui, who was already the emperor, had a gloomy look on his face and threw a memorial to the ground.

"Useless! They're all useless! It's been five years! Why is there still no news of the ambergris and thousand-year-old snow lotus I wanted?! And his...his body! Even if it's turned to ashes, it should be somewhere! Why can't I find it even after digging three feet underground?!"

His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice trembled with anger and fear. Without herbs or a body, the Imperial Master's lie about the "same fate Gu" hung like a sword over his head, ready to fall at any moment, driving him completely mad.

Imperial Preceptor Chi Hua stood quietly to the side, his face appearing even older and more haggard than it had been five years before. He lowered his eyes and remained silent, enduring the emperor's wrath. Only the trembling fingers in his sleeves betrayed his inner turmoil. The backlash of Heaven's Law seemed to be quietly intensifying.

At this moment, the guards outside the palace reported loudly:

"Your Majesty! Urgent news from Beiliang! The new emperor of Beiliang has ascended the throne. He will soon dispatch an embassy, ​​led by the Empress Regent, to our court to present a letter of credence as a gesture of friendship!"

Xie Xuanhui looked up. Beiliang seemed to be the place where his sister was married. However, in just five years, his sister had already allowed a young child to ascend the throne. She was quite capable.

But he didn't care and waved his hand irritably:

"Got it! Tell the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the reception!"

However, he had no idea that within this delegation from Northern Liang lay the very person he had been searching for for five years, almost to the point of despair. After five years of inactivity, the gears of fate were about to slowly turn again, setting off new and even greater waves.