Chapter 27 Yongzhou [VIP]

Chapter Summary: A woman in a green dress captivated him.

Having returned the beads to their rightful owner, Xu Luchuan got up to leave.

Seeing this, Liu Shiyu tried to stop him, and in her haste, she grabbed the corner of his tattered clothes, but the sound of tearing cloth reached her ears.

Xu Luchuan looked down in surprise, while Liu Shiyu awkwardly looked up.

As they looked at each other in bewilderment, Liu Shiyu tried to stick the torn piece of clothing back on. But it was all in vain; the piece of cloth floated from her hand and landed steadily at Xu Luchuan's feet.

"Um... I'll compensate you..." Liu Shiyu said timidly. Xu Luchuan took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, "No need."

After Xu Luchuan finished speaking, he lifted his foot and left again.

But Liu Shiyu still grabbed him in the same way as before. Xu Luchuan finally couldn't bear it any longer and questioned, "What exactly do you want? This isn't the princess's residence. If they see us entangled like this, do you think they'll let you go?"

Xu Luchuan did not mention himself at all.

Liu Shiyu let go, not because she was afraid, but because she was afraid they would hurt him.

Turning around and kneeling, Liu Shiyu gazed at the shimmering water, her eyes also gleaming. She gently removed the beaded bracelet from her wrist, held it tightly in her palm, and asked in a low voice, "Are you still bothered by what happened that night?"

"I forgot."

Xu Luchuan's unthinking answer revealed his true feelings. Liu Shiyu smiled knowingly upon hearing this and did not try to stop him.

"Thank you very much, Supervisor Xu. Please get some rest, sir."

Liu Shiyu's sudden exile left Xu Luchuan bewildered. He didn't understand his own feelings, why he could so easily change his mind for her. He didn't understand why his apparent rejection of that kiss would later occasionally linger in his memory...

Xu Luchuan had many questions, but perhaps the timing wasn't right, so he didn't rush to find the answers.

He turned around.

"Your Highness, please rest early. I shall take my leave."

Xu Luchuan left. The sound of footsteps on the pebbles by the riverbank faded into the distance. But he had only just brushed past Lian Yue when a tall figure emerged from the woods.

Wei Jingshan and Xu Luchuan met face to face.

Only today did Xu Luchuan truly see his face clearly. It was a face that carried a hidden murderous intent, but even though Wei Jingshan was handsome, the scar between his eyebrows was a permanent flaw.

Wei Jingshan stared intently at Xu Luchuan, and asked warily, "What are you doing here?"

"Your Highness, please give me your instructions," Xu Luchuan replied calmly.

"What is it?" Wei Jingshan continued to press, but Xu Luchuan found it amusing. "Your Highness's matter, Commandant Wei should ask His Highness personally. Please excuse me."

Having finished speaking, Xu Luchuan, too lazy to argue with him any further, resolutely turned and left.

Wei Jingshan gripped his sword hilt, his sharp gaze sweeping back at Xu Luchuan, his eyes filled with resentment. Lian Yue, seeing this, stepped forward, clasped her hands in greeting, and said, "My lord, have you come to see His Highness?"

Wei Jingshan turned around when he heard the sound, but he ignored Lian Yue and walked around her toward Liu Shiyu.

As he approached, he softly called out, "Your Highness."

Wei Jingshan remained as calm as ever, gazing at Liu Shiyu's retreating figure, completely oblivious to her sorrow. In his eyes, everything in this world seemed insignificant except for simply being alive.

However, Liu Shiyu's feigned numbness was not as cruel as he actually was, yet he always tried to assimilate her into being like himself.

Wei Jingshan was wrong, but he still doesn't repent.

Liu Shiyu tucked the beaded string into her sleeve and slowly stood up. Her eyes dimmed after Xu Luchuan left, and she spoke: "I decided to go to Shou County for disaster relief on my own, disregarding state affairs, without discussing it with my uncle. Uncle must be very angry, right?"

"Yes, the head of the family gives you three days to return to the capital after the matter is settled."

When Wei Jingshan relayed the news to Yongzhou that day, Tang Wuzheng immediately flew into a rage and issued an order. He felt that Liu Shiyu was treating his power as a child's game.

But only Liu Shiyu knew what she was doing.

Under heaven, it is the common people who give meaning to the land. No matter how much power one wields, it is ultimately all in vain.

This is also her way of redeeming herself.

Liu Shiyu also believed that Liu Zhizhou was capable of being a qualified emperor, while the Tang family's unconditional protection could only become a hindrance.

They will eventually have to let go.

After much deliberation, Liu Shiyu finally decided to bear all the consequences and embarked on this path of self-exile without hesitation.

"If I fail to return to the capital within three days, what will you do?" Liu Shiyu said, a sharp glint flashing between his brows. "Kill me? Let me disappear without a trace?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Jingshan was startled and immediately replied firmly, "Your Highness, I will not allow anything to happen to you."

Liu Shiyu frowned; she didn't think Wei Jingshan had the right to say that. He would be the one to sever her life in the future.

"My lord, aren't you tired?" Liu Shiyu's words carried a hidden meaning. She turned around expressionlessly. "I am tired. We have to travel tomorrow, let's go back."

Wei Jingshan, unwilling to give up, called out again, "Your Highness..."

But Liu Shiyu remained unmoved, walking along the riverbank towards the woods. Lian Yue hurriedly bowed to Wei Jingshan in farewell.

The moonlight remained the same, but Wei Jingshan was left all alone.

His gaze pierced the darkness, cutting through her silhouette as she moved through the woods. He would not let go, nor would he give up; what he wanted was for her to submit one day.

...

The next day, the sun rose over the valley.

Xu Luchuan rose from his tent. Only a few people were scattered around the camp, cooking and tending firewood. He glanced around and saw Liu Shiyu standing beneath the morning dew, dressed in a blue robe and adorned with a jade hairpin. He was captivated.

Yesterday, when Liu Shiyu was in danger, he encountered Wei Jingshan and wanted to turn away.

But when he heard that the bracelet was a relic of the late empress, even though his martial arts skills were not good and the outcome was uncertain, he still went to retrieve the bracelet for Liu Shiyu without hesitation.

Xu Luchuan smiled.

When Liu Shiyu turned around, she happened to see him looking at her with a silly grin not far away, so she immediately returned a sweet smile.

But to everyone's surprise, Xu Luchuan immediately composed himself and turned to leave as if nothing had happened.

Who is this person?! This is utterly baffling!

If it weren't for the people around, she would definitely have dragged Xu Luchuan back to get to the bottom of things.

Liu Shiyu turned away angrily, and the two parted ways.

...

Later, they set off at Chenshi (7-9 AM). It wasn't until the end of Sishi (9-11 AM) that the group finally arrived in Yongzhou.

Below the city of Yongzhou, a man dressed in plain clothes stood outside the gate with a worried expression.

Upon seeing Liu Shiyu's carriage from afar, the man hurriedly asked his servant, "Is it appropriate for me to see Liu Shiyu in my current state?"

"Yes, yes. Your Highness seems truly concerned about the country and its people now!"

The servant spoke flatteringly, but after listening and pondering it, the man felt that the servant's words seemed a bit off.

But before they could finish speaking, Liu Shiyu's carriage had already arrived, so the man had no time to argue. He could only hurry forward to greet him. Wei Jingshan dismounted and, upon seeing the man, immediately cupped his hands and greeted him, "Your Highness Prince Jing."

"This must be Lord Wei! I've long admired your name. No need for such formalities."

Liu Zhichuang waved his hand, and Wei Jingshan straightened up. Judging from Liu Zhichuang's demeanor, even though he was far away in Yongzhou, he still knew the situation in Jinling like the back of his hand.

"Third brother, it's been many years. I wonder how you've been?"

Liu Shiyu's voice suddenly came from inside the carriage.

Liu Zhichuang turned his head and saw that the man was sitting upright with no smile on his face. He hadn't expected that his fifth sister was really as rumored; he had underestimated her.

Taking a few steps forward, Liu Zhichuang said, "Thank you for your concern, Fifth Sister. I am well. Since you have come from afar, please stay a few more days. It will be good for you to catch up with me."

Liu Zhichuang was polite and courteous, but Liu Shiyu did not appreciate his good intentions.

"I'm here to provide disaster relief, not for sightseeing. Let's save this opportunity to catch up for another time."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Shiyu gave Liu Zhichuang no more chances to feign compliance and called out, "Your Excellency, the Censor."

Upon hearing this, Fu Zheng stepped forward and stood in front of Liu Shiyu's carriage, replying, "Your Highness."

"I'll leave the matters here in Yongzhou Prefecture to the Censor," Liu Shiyu instructed. Fu Zheng asked in confusion, "And Your Highness?"

"I am going to Shou County." Liu Shiyu said, deliberately raising her voice. "The Eastern Cao Yuan and the Right Supervisor of the Court of Justice will accompany me to Shou County, while the rest of you will stay in Yongzhou with the Censor."

Everyone responded in unison after receiving the order.

Upon hearing that Liu Shiyu was going to Shou County, Liu Zhichuang breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly said, "Since Fifth Sister has made this arrangement, then everyone, please follow me into the city."

Fu Zheng said no more, cupped his hands and bid farewell to Liu Shiyu.

One by one, the crowd followed Liu Zhi into the city, but Wei Jingshan did not move. Instead, he turned around and walked against the crowd toward Liu Shiyu.

Wei Jingshan stood by the car, not yet speaking. Liu Shiyu, as if knowing what he was about to say, said, "Keep an eye on them and Prince Jing for me. If there is any movement, remember to contact me immediately."

"Yes." Wei Jingshan understood Liu Shiyu's meaning, but he was still worried. "Then I will send someone to protect Your Highness."

Liu Shiyu shook her head.

"No need. Too many people will only attract attention. I will naturally be careful, and there are other people with me, so you need not worry, my lord. It's getting late, it's time to set off. Farewell, my lord."

Having said all that, Wei Jingshan, though unwilling, could say nothing more.

"Take care, Your Highness."

Wei Jingshan stepped back and drove away after a month.

He glanced subconsciously at Xu Luchuan, who nodded expressionlessly at him before spurring his horse to follow Liu Shiyu into the distance. Watching the dust swirling on the wide road, Wei Jingshan turned around.