Chapter 25 Shame and Indignation [VIP]

Chapter Summary: A Kiss Born of Unexpected Twists and Turns.

Seeing this, Feng Rong shook his head helplessly.

She hadn't expected Xu Luchuan's words to be harder than the walls of Jinling. She quickly tidied the table and turned to leave.

Feng Rong left, leaving only two people in the courtyard again.

Liu Shiyu gently placed the roast duck on the small table, then casually picked up a duck leg and began to eat it by herself.

Xu Luchuan was not reserved at all. Before Liu Shiyu could agree, he sat down steadily next to the "Protective Princess".

"Speak, what do you want?" Xu Luchuan asked. Liu Shiyu, munching on a duck leg, tilted her head. "Looking for you? Who looked for you? Didn't you come looking for me?"

Xu Luchuan sneered in disdain upon hearing this.

Liu Shiyu was completely bewildered by Xu Luchuan's reaction.

Xu Luchuan did not answer, but pretended to get up and leave, saying, "Since you have nothing to do with me, I'll be going now."

Liu Shiyu nodded, her mouth never stopping as she gnawed on the duck leg. She watched Xu Luchuan step into Xiaoyuezhai without saying a word to stop him.

Xu Luchuan slowed his pace inside Xiaoyuezhai, as if waiting for something...

But he waited and waited, and Liu Shiyu didn't speak. Angrily turning around, Xu Luchuan quickly turned back.

He walked up to Liu Shiyu and said angrily, "Liu Shiyu, wasn't it you who sent Lian Xing to follow me and disrupt my gathering today? What does your attitude mean now?"

Lian Xing? Attitude? What is he saying?

Liu Shiyu was about to speak when she suddenly started hiccuping involuntarily. The hiccups came one after another, causing Xu Luchuan to sigh and helplessly pour her a glass of water.

Liu Shiyu drank the water in one gulp, finally feeling better. As she put the glass back on the table, Xu Luchuan started laughing beside her.

"What are you laughing at?" Liu Shiyu asked, puzzled.

Xu Luchuan sat back down next to Liu Shiyu and said, "I laugh. The morning court session was so dangerous, yet you act like nothing happened. You're shameless."

“Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters.” Liu Shiyu shrugged as she put down the bone she had just finished gnawing on. “I’m already tired enough on weekdays. If I were to mix these things into my life, wouldn’t that make it even more tiring? You tell me, my life can’t be completely filled with these things, can it?”

Liu Shiyu's open-mindedness was something Xu Luchuan had not anticipated.

He glanced back at her, as if he had forgotten what he was about to say. He said nothing more.

Sitting side by side, Liu Shiyu turned to Xu Luchuan and said sincerely, "Xiao Lü, thank you for today. In all these years, this is the first time someone has been so willing to speak up for me."

Unexpectedly, Xu Luchuan retorted, "Don't give me that."

"I think Lord Ming is quite protective of you; you should go and thank him. Besides, I didn't speak up for you today. Don't flatter yourself."

"Is that so?" Liu Shiyu remained calm, only noticing Xu Luchuan's unusual behavior but not anything else. "Then there's no need for you to worry, Young Master Xu. I have already thanked Lord Wei."

Lord Wei? Upon hearing this title, Xu Luchuan couldn't help but let out a cold snort. Who would have thought that his role as a dining companion and lover would become increasingly convincing?

"In that case, Your Highness, why don't you let Marquis Shangming be your lover? Then we can part ways."

"No." Liu Shiyu's answer was decisive this time.

Xu Luchuan then countered with a question: "Why?"

Liu Shiyu remained silent.

Whenever she thought of Wei Jingshan, she would think of the Tang family. And thinking of the Tang family would send a wave of unease through her.

Wei Jingshan, an orphan of the Wei family, was taken in and raised by the Tang family from a young age. After twenty-one years in Yongzhou, he ultimately became a tool of the Tang family.

Liu Shiyu appears to share a common fate with him, depending on and supporting each other. But in reality, Wei Jingshan's existence is nothing more than a constraint used by the Tang family to control Liu Shiyu.

Wei Jingshan was undoubtedly not a good knife, but a sharp one. However, he was not Liu Shiyu's knife.

The paths that diverge between hearts can never lead to the same destination.

But as long as the country is at peace and Liu Zhizhou can sit firmly on the throne, Liu Shiyu feels that these submissions and obediences are insignificant.

Looking back at Xu Luchuan, Liu Shiyu suddenly turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling brightly, and said, "He's not as good-looking as you. But Xiao Lü, why do I feel like you're acting strange today?"

Startled by her hug, Xu Luchuan pulled back.

"Let go."

"I won't let go."

Liu Shiyu shook her head at Xu Luchuan. Helpless, Xu Luchuan reached out and pulled at her arm that was wrapped around him, but she hugged him even tighter.

"Liu Shiyu, what are you doing? Don't you know the difference between men and women?"

"Don't what? Don't what?" Liu Shiyu said shamelessly, pretending to kiss Xu Luchuan as she moved closer. "You are now my lover! Let alone hugging you, it would be perfectly natural for me to kiss you right now!"

But before she could finish speaking, Xu Luchuan turned around at that moment. By such a twist of fate, Liu Shiyu didn't even have time to stop herself before she kissed him firmly between his lips and nose.

Their eyes met, and they were both taken aback.

Liu Shiyu's mind went blank for a moment, and she froze, completely stunned.

Her original intention was to scare Xu Luchuan, but now she was completely dumbfounded.

"Liu Shiyu, you—" Xu Luchuan abruptly shoved Liu Shiyu away. Only then did Liu Shiyu come to her senses, hurriedly waving her hands, "No, no...it's not what you think!"

At this moment, Xu Luchuan's feelings were indescribable.

Whether it was anger, shame, or confusion, he was completely distracted and couldn't hear a word Liu Shiyu said.

"This is outrageous!"

Xu Luchuan uttered a single sentence and resolutely got up to leave.

Liu Shiyu wanted to chase after her, but the sound of the bell in the courtyard temporarily stopped her. Ignoring the ringing bell, she stepped out of Xiaoyuezhai, only to run into Le Xin rushing towards her, saying, "Your Highness, someone is here."

"Have someone wait." Liu Shiyu said and was about to leave, but Le Xin stepped in front of her and blocked her way. "Your Highness, it is Attendant Zhao."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shiyu was ultimately unable to continue forward.

Looking up in the direction Xu Luchuan had left, Liu Shiyu turned around and reluctantly walked down the opposite path.

...

The next day, at 5:00 AM.

Shen Ruoshi stepped into Wanshe Palace feeling refreshed, when suddenly something strange floated past him, startling him.

But when he looked closely, he realized that it was Xu Luchuan who had casually brushed past him.

Upon seeing this, Shen Ruoshi exclaimed, "Hey? Brother Lu Chuan, where are you going?"

Xu Luchuan stopped upon hearing the sound, but did not turn around.

Shen Ruoshi took two steps forward and, seeing Xu Luchuan's bewildered appearance, couldn't help but become suspicious.

He reached out and patted Xu Luchuan solemnly, saying, "Brother Luchuan, we're both men. I understand some things. But I still have to remind you, being too diligent will harm your health. You must take care of yourself."

Upon hearing this, Xu Luchuan looked at Shen Ruoshi with a resentful expression. If there weren't so many people around, he would have punched him on the spot.

As the two were talking, Liu Shiyu's palanquin slowly drove in from outside the Wanshe Palace.

The officials who were going to court knelt down along the passageway, and Xu Luchuan and Shen Ruoshi knelt down with the crowd when they saw this.

He bowed with his hands clasped in respect. Xu Luchuan recalled the restless night he had spent last night and the lingering image of Liu Shiyu before his eyes, and his mind became in turmoil.

On the palanquin, Liu Shiyu, who usually kept his eyes straight ahead, lowered his gaze to a certain spot in the passageway.

We brushed past each other, we brushed past everyone else.

Liu Shiyu continued to uphold the dignity of the Princess Protector of the Nation, and departed amidst the worship of the world.

As soon as Shen Ruoshi stood up, he turned around and saw Xu Luchuan, looking gloomy, smoothing his robe and saying, "Let's go to court."

Why is she so resentful? Is she angry with me? Shen Ruoshi scratched his head, completely baffled. But seeing the person in front of him getting further and further away, he didn't have time to think and hurriedly chased after him.

...

After all the officials entered the Guiyuan Hall.

Xu Luchuan stood in the hall with his eyes lowered, his mind constantly replaying the events of the previous night, which prevented him from glancing at the hall once he entered.

But today, Liu Shiyu seemed to have something important to announce. Before the master of ceremonies could announce it, she said loudly from the steps: "Last night, an urgent report came from Yongzhou that Shou County was severely affected by an earthquake. Since Yongzhou had just recovered from a severe drought, Shou County has suffered a new disaster. Therefore, after discussing with His Majesty, I have decided that I will personally go to Shou County to provide disaster relief and comfort the victims, in order to demonstrate my benevolent rule."

"Zhao Feng, announce the list of officials accompanying this delegation."

No sooner had Xu Luchuan left than Zhao Feng, a servant of Liu Zhizhou, sent a message to the princess's residence.

Therefore, Liu Shiyu went to the palace that very night to discuss the matter with the young emperor.

Initially, when Liu Shiyu suggested going in person, Liu Zhizhou hesitated and declined. The incident had just occurred yesterday morning at court, and many officials were watching with predatory eyes. For her to leave the capital at this time was a risky move.

But later, Liu Shiyu said those words under the lamp in Shiguang Hall, which finally made Liu Zhizhou stop interfering.

"Your Majesty, whether it is me or the Prime Minister, we are ultimately just passersby in the realm of royal power, while the empire has always been in your hands."

"Let your elder sister do more for Shao Yuan."

In the main hall, Liu Zhizhou watched as Zhao Feng took out a bamboo scroll and read it aloud to the officials: "...Grand Censor Fu Zheng, Eastern Secretariat Clerk Liang Cheng, and Northern Army Commandant Wei Jingshan."

When the names of the two men were confirmed, the officials were in an uproar.

No one expected that Liu Shiyu would not only bring Fu Zheng with him, but also take Wei Jingshan with him, leaving no one to guard Jinling.

Wei Jingshan's eyebrows twitched slightly; he hadn't expected this outcome either. But as long as it was Liu Shiyu's order, he would simply obey it.

After a few steps, Wei Jingshan and the others stepped forward and knelt down to accept the order.

"The Commandant of the Guards will lead the troops to escort you on this mission. The patrol of Wanshe Palace will continue to be temporarily handled by the Grand Master of Ceremonies. The defense of Jinling City will be under the command of Grand Commandant Dong. As for the affairs of the court..." Liu Shiyu said, glancing at Chang An, who remained motionless below the steps, "I will leave that to the Prime Minister."

Upon seeing this, Chang Andao stepped forward, cupped his hands, and replied, "Assisting the emperor is my duty. Please rest assured, Your Highness."

"Very well." Liu Shiyu waved his sleeve. "In that case, everyone go and make preparations. We will depart for Yongzhou immediately after noon. Court adjourned."

...

After the court session ended and everyone dispersed, Xu Luchuan walked out of Guiyuan Hall and suddenly let out a long sigh of relief.

He figured Liu Shiyu wouldn't be back for at least ten days to half a month after his trip to Shou County. Therefore, he didn't need to worry about an awkward meeting with Liu Shiyu because of what happened last night. Once Liu Shiyu returned, he could easily find some excuse to end things amicably.

Xu Luchuan descended the long steps with light steps. Shen Ruoshi had gone out on business with Bai Tao today and hadn't followed. He watched as Xu Luchuan smoothly crossed the Xuannei Gate, his feet barely touching the ground. But he was unaware that Liu Shiyu's palanquin was slowly passing by behind him.

Liu Shiyu sat on the top and looked at Xu Luchuan's back with a puzzled expression.

What happy thing happened to him? Why does his back view always seem to exude a sense of smugness?

Thinking of this, Liu Shiyu suddenly turned to Lian Yue and instructed, "Go and tell Bai Tao that the court has allocated so much silver to Yongzhou, yet the number of refugees has increased rather than decreased. I want to investigate. Tell him to send someone with a clean background to follow them; he will naturally understand what I mean."

"Yes," Lian Yue replied.

Liu Shiyu sat firmly in the palanquin, her eyes narrowed into long, thin lines.

Xu Luchuan, now that I've accepted your money, I'll take full responsibility...