Chapter 33 Liang He is dead: But for me, it is a happy event.

The two returned to the Cloud Palace one after the other, but Cui Xiangzhu wisely refrained from going inside.

Looking at the appearance of the Nineteenth Prince, he knew he needed to give him a proper makeover, so he ordered someone to boil water right now.

Gu Huizhou turned around and looked at the disheveled person behind him, frowning as he examined him for a while. "What have you been doing?"

Yao Ruyi said, "I've left the palace and bought writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for His Majesty."

Gu Huizhou was taken aback. He raised an eyebrow. "Bought for me?"

"Hmm!" Yao Ruyi put the steamed bun in his hand on the table next to him, and took out the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone that Baili Qingxiao had recommended him to buy from the cloth bag on his arm.

Everything was piled up on the table, and one by one, the items were carefully placed on it, arranged neatly in a row.

The inkstone was dark gray all over, and it was polished smooth and round, exuding a bitter ink fragrance.

Gu Huizhou tapped the inkstone with his hand, then placed it next to his usual inkstone, seemingly in a good mood. He no longer frowned at Yao Ruyi's disheveled appearance. "What, you want to buy me something?"

"Because His Majesty treats me very well."

Gu Huizhou stepped forward. "I've been good to you?" he asked again. "How have I been good to you?"

"His Majesty changed my bed and flowerpot. He also gave me a sword, hired a tutor for me, and—" He was about to continue when he looked up and saw the emperor laughing unrestrainedly, his lips raised perfectly, his eyes also filled with laughter, and the way his eyebrows were slightly curved made Yao Ruyi's heart inexplicably race.

Gu Huizhou suppressed his smile and coughed lightly, "It's good that you remember."

He walked to the table to look at the paper bag that Yao Ruyi had just placed on it. It was such a big bag that it was hard not to notice it. In addition, the smell of steamed buns in the Cloud Palace was getting stronger and stronger, so Gu Huizhou had already guessed what was inside.

He tore open a corner of the paper bag with his large hand, revealing rows of white buns huddled together, their warm steam wafting out, still warm to the touch.

"Meat bun?"

Yao Ruyi nodded, his relaxed brows now showing hesitation. "Yes."

Gu Huizhou nodded, reached out and picked one up. Although the bun hadn't cooled down after a while, the white dough was stuck together, making it look like something an emperor should eat.

"His Majesty!"

The man turned his head, smelled the steamed bun in his hand, and said, "Hmm?"

"Your Majesty, please stop eating."

Yao Ruyi looked dejected, and her attire only deepened Gu Huizhou's suspicions. He raised an eyebrow. This mushroom had even learned to evade the main point; he had just asked where she had gone.

What else did you do today?

Knowing he couldn't hide it from Gu Huizhou anyway, Yao Ruyi quickly explained what had happened outside the palace: "I ate some steamed buns from my aunt's house a few days ago, and they were delicious. I thought I'd bring some for His Majesty to try, but they're dirty."

His disappointment was obvious. "Your Majesty, please don't eat anymore."

To her surprise, she heard a cold laugh. When Yao Ruyi looked up again, she saw the emperor take a bite, then lean leisurely against the table, with the remaining bag of buns beside him. His posture was like that of a general on the battlefield who didn't discriminate between meat and vegetables, and the bag of meat buns beside him was his spoils of war.

"It's very delicious."

The sky outside the window had completely darkened, and even the wind had turned cool. The window was still open, and gusts of wind carried the fragrance to Yao Ruyi's side. He stared blankly, "Your Majesty?"

"This is considered dirty?"

His tone was disdainful, as if only Yao Ruyi was a delicate porcelain doll.

"After all, it's for His Majesty," he muttered softly.

Seeing Gu Huizhou pick up the second one, Yao Ruyi quietly stepped forward. He was about to reach out when he looked down at his robe with disdain, then pulled off his belt and took it off. Wearing his undergarments made him feel a little better, and he picked one up from his undergarments and stood next to Gu Huizhou to eat.

Are you injured?

Yao Ruyi shook her head, "They can't hurt me."

Gu Huizhou nodded. The two stood side by side, creating a sense of harmony. He had just heard this silly mushroom talk about this matter and was now worried about the man's safety.

If we're talking about danger, who could be more dangerous than him?

After eating six or seven steamed buns in a row, Gu Huizhou told someone to inform them that dinner did not need to be prepared.

Yao Ruyi closed all the windows. The smell of steamed buns in the Cloud Palace had almost dissipated. If she left them open any longer, she was afraid the steamed buns would catch a cold.

"Go wash it yourself."

Mushroom nodded, took out the oil from the bag, and conjured up an outer robe to put on. He stepped forward to take the remaining buns, which contained about seven or eight, just enough for Thirteen.

"lay down."

Yao Ruyi was taken aback, but still put the bun in her hand back where it was. "What's wrong?"

"Isn't it for me?"

Yao Ruyi nodded. "His Majesty has already eaten. Thirteen also likes it very much. I'll take the rest to him."

Gu Huizhou's previously calm gaze instantly turned displeased, and he said in a low voice, "There is no reason to take back what has been given to me." He spoke again, "Put it down."

It won't taste good if it stays any longer. Yao Ruyi silently stepped back and turned to leave.

"I will approve the memorials before we eat."

"Then Your Majesty must not waste it."

After a long while, just as Yao Ruyi was about to leave, a voice came from the other end: "I understand."

As the long corridor turned, Cui Xiangzhu saw Yao Ruyi walking out of the Cloud Palace from afar. He instructed the little eunuch to wait outside the palace while he went in first to ask.

"Your Majesty, would you like to take a bath?"

He asked about Gu Huizhou, but he meant he was asking about both of them.

"Put it down."

"yes."

A wooden tub, about half a person's height, filled with hot water, steamed behind a screen. Cui Xiangzhu also noticed the buns. He hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, pulling a silver needle from his sleeve. "Your Majesty?"

"None of your business."

The head eunuch quickly put it away, smiling sheepishly. "It was my fault for being so talkative. I'll go and wait for you then." He sighed inwardly. His Majesty didn't like others getting close to him, and as the head eunuch, he was already the closest servant to His Majesty. He had learned a lot for this position.

But His Majesty prefers to do everything himself, so it's not his turn.

"I'll send 13 twenty steamed buns later and watch him eat them all."

Cui Xiangzhu was taken aback. "Yes, yes."

What a coincidence! Just as Gu Huizhou finished speaking, a sound came from outside the door, a regular knocking. After a while, Thirteen pushed the door open and entered, "Your Majesty."

Both the emperor and the eunuch fell silent for a moment.

"Um."

Thirteen's eyes were serious, and Cui Xiangzhu quickly left. Only the two of them remained in the hall. "Your Majesty, Liang He is dead."

The man looked up instantly, his eyes becoming unfathomable, his sharp gaze fixed on Thirteen. After a long silence, he asked, "When did this happen?"

"Your Majesty, the scouts reported seeing Liang Fu driving a carriage into the capital at dawn, but Liang He was nowhere to be seen. Yesterday, around dusk, there were records of Liang He and Liang Fu leaving the city, but now that Liang Fu has returned, Liang He is nowhere to be found."

"The spies, conducting covert investigations outside the capital, discovered Liang He's body in a valley. He had fallen from a height and sustained injuries, but there appeared to be a mark on his forehead from being struck by a heavy object."

"If it was a fall from a cliff, it would make sense for the rocks to hit you afterwards."

Gu Huizhou tapped the table lightly with his hand. The cinnabar string in his hand was placed aside, and his fingers tapped it up and down, making an irregular tapping sound. "Hmm, send some gifts to Minister Liang to express my condolences."

Thirteen responded. Now that Liang He was dead, it was a good thing for them. Although he wasn't very bright, he was really disgusting to look at.

Whether he fell off a cliff and died is unknown.

"Your Majesty. Lady Liang He, Li Yunyun from the Li family of Vice Minister Li, has still not been found."

"Hmm." He answered casually, as if he didn't take it to heart.

Yao Ruyi quietly entered from outside. He was puzzled to see Thirteen here. He had already placed the oil cream in Thirteen's room. He should have waited for him in the Cloud Palace.

Thirteen withdrew, and Yao Ru saw the emperor with a smile on his lips. He smiled back and asked, "Does Your Majesty have good news?"

"A happy event?" Gu Huizhou pondered for a moment. "If I were to say it's a happy event, it would seem like I'm being heartless. But for me, it is a happy event."

"What joyous occasion does Your Majesty have?"

"Liang He is dead."

Liang He is dead?

Yao Ruyi remained stunned for a long time, unable to recover. During the day, Cui Xiangzhu had said that Liang He had skipped court again, but she never expected that he was dead. Mushroom's face was blank, revealing neither joy nor anger, and it took her a long time to come back to her senses.

Despite being a general, Liang He never did anything worthy of the soldiers in the army. He even repeatedly challenged the emperor's authority in the capital, bullying the weak and taking many lives.

If he dies, it's really not a pity.

But Yao Ruyi had a vague sense of disbelief, "How could he have died?"

Death means he will never see that person again, whether he liked them or not. Just like Mr. Li Wenjing before, he liked Mr. Li very much, but he will never see him again.

"He deserved it."

The chilling words drifted into Yao Ruyi's mind. He thought for a moment and nodded, "He really hasn't done anything good."

Gu Huizhou also caught a glimpse of the blankness that flashed across that fair face. He spoke lightly, "Death is a common occurrence. It would be best if Immortal Lord got used to it sooner rather than later. Especially when you are by my side."

"If I were to die by accident one day, it would be the same."

Yao Ruyi shook her head firmly, "His Majesty will not die."

Why won't I die?

Yao Ruyi blinked. "I will heal Your Majesty's wounds."

This surprised Gu Huizhou, who chuckled and said, "Okay." He was in an unusually good mood. "Go wash up."

Yao Ruyi nodded. He had noticed the bathtub behind the screen early on, turned around, picked up and rummaged around on the big bed, and took the things he needed.

He took a quick shower, but the sound of the dripping water disturbed Gu Huizhou's ability to concentrate on his work. He couldn't help but think of that fair and smooth neck he had seen twice in the hot spring, its delicate warmth and the feeling of being able to hold it in one hand.

Below that was smooth, fair skin, and above that...

The emperor leaned back on the dragon throne, closed his eyes, and rested.

"His Majesty."

Yao Ruyi changed into the plain robe and inner garment that the Imperial Household Department had sent a while ago. It was almost identical to the one he had conjured up, and the material was almost the same as that used by the emperor.

He felt extremely comfortable as soon as he put it on, and at that moment he was drying his hair as he walked out from behind the screen.

Gu Huizhou mumbled, "Mm."

The young eunuch quietly entered and carried the bathtub out, then prepared the things the emperor needed. His face remained expressionless, but his heart was in turmoil.

These nineteen officials have quite the skills; they've managed to captivate His Majesty to this extent.

"Your Majesty, is there any way to manage the refugees in the city? It's not a good solution for them to keep disturbing the vendors. My aunt doesn't earn much selling steamed buns. What if they rob her one day if she can't avoid them...?"

He offered his suggestion hesitantly, and the more he talked, the more serious he felt the matter became.

"What do you think should be done?"

he?

Since Yao Ruyi had asked, she began to think about it seriously. "Should the government arrest and punish them? But once they are released, they will become like this again. The dozens of people I saw in the city today are just the ones I saw. Perhaps this has happened elsewhere as well."

"If we really want to address this issue, we should start from the root and solve their problems. That will suffice."

Gu Huizhou nodded as he listened. The smile in the man's eyes didn't reach his eyes. He smiled faintly, thinking about Yao Ruyi's words, and said, "The poisonous insects left over from the late emperor's time are far more than these. What are they missing? Are they missing an arm or a leg?"

"An elderly woman whose fields yielded no harvest, and whose son never came home. She was sallow and thin, with sunken cheeks and a bony frame, yet she still managed to work at a small restaurant on the street to earn a living."

"The aunt you mentioned can still make a living by selling steamed buns, so why don't they steal or rob?"

Yao Ruyi didn't speak. He understood everything Gu Huizhou said. In the end, it was still a disaster left by the late emperor. If it weren't for the corrupt officials who used their own money to support these people, they might be able to make a living by their own labor now.

But that's no longer possible.

"It would be better for the government to punish them."

“Hmm,” Gu Huizhou raised his eyes, “Tell me about it.”

"The government will deploy officers to stake out the streets; if they are caught stealing or robbing, they will be immediately imprisoned. The penalties and prison terms will be increased, up to—"

"Increase it to an unacceptable level."

"How is it unacceptable?" Gu Huizhou then asked.

They could tolerate the stench on their bodies, and they wouldn't live in a clean place now; prison was no different to them.

"Beheading, killing the chicken to scare the monkey."

Mushroom remained silent, but it was undeniable that the emperor's method was extremely effective.

"Oh, Your Majesty, I'm going to sleep now."

Gu Huizhou smiled, closed the memorial, and reached for a steamed bun to eat. "Mmm."

The silence of the night came at an inopportune time; the tranquility of the palace could not last long at the Liang residence.

Since returning to the manor, Liang Fu has been lying in bed. His right leg is broken, but it is already a blessing that he is still alive. He doesn't even dare to think about what would happen to the Liang family if he and Liang He had both died last night.

What should Your Highness do?

The prefectural physician and the imperial physician have both visited. Liang Fu's injuries require him to remain in bed for ten days before he can move around in a wheelchair.

His face was ashen. The death of Liang He was still hard for him to recover from. Although he disliked his foolish younger brother, he would never have wanted him to die!

But he never expected that Liang He would actually dare to attack him!

"father!"

Liang Pingxia's once lively and vibrant eyes were now swollen from crying. Her forehead was wrinkled, and she was about to burst into tears again when she saw Liang Fu's appearance upon entering. "Father—"

Liang Chengfeng, who was following behind, quickly hugged her and said with heartache, "Pingxia, don't cry."

The more he spoke, the louder Liang Pingxia cried. Even Liang Fu felt bad when he heard it. "Xia'er, try to take your second uncle's matter in stride. Don't stay at home these days. Go out and relax more."

The old father made no attempt to hide his love for his daughter. He reached out and held Liang Pingxia's hand, patting it reassuringly twice. He had been very fond of Liang Pingxia ever since she was born.

As a child, Liang Fu often rode on Liang He's shoulders like a horse, but he closed his eyes, unwilling to think about it. This was the only time Liang He showed any kindness towards his little niece; it was one of the few instances of familial affection they shared.

But after all, he was his younger brother; the two of them had grown up together since childhood.

As Liang Fu listened to Liang Pingxia's incessant sobbing, he felt a pang of sorrow. He could even hear Liang He calling him "brother" when he was seventeen or eighteen years old.

"Then, has your aunt been found?"

The little girl's eyes were red and swollen. She spoke cautiously, "My aunt isn't much older than me. If she were alone in the mountains and no one found her, she would probably be in grave danger."

Liang Fu reassured her, "Father has already sent people to look for her, Xia'er, don't worry, your aunt will come back."

The three men remained silent in the room. Liang Fu gave Liang Chengfeng a wink, "It's getting late, take Xia'er downstairs to rest."

"yes."

After about half a cup of tea's time, Liang Chengfeng pushed open Liang Fu's door again, "Father."

Liang Fu pressed his hand to his forehead, his brows furrowing for a moment. "Your second uncle died suddenly. Let's put aside these matters for now and make plans after I recover from my injuries."

Liang Chengfeng nodded, suppressing his joy, and stepped forward to massage Liang Fu's head, his skillful touch causing him to massage countless times.

"Your technique is still the best, just like your mother's."

Liang Chengfeng paused for a moment, then smiled again, "I learned it from my mother." He looked at Liang Fu, who closed his eyes, and tentatively asked, "Is Father aware that Aunt has been frequently associating with Madam Han lately?"

"Yes, Xia'er brought some things back a few days ago. She said they were given to her by Han Siwen from the Han family. Your aunt thought they were useful, so she went to take a look."

“Father, it’s good that my aunt and madam are seeing each other, but women always like to gossip about trivial matters in the household, and I’m worried…”

They were all ladies of noble birth, but this one was a concubine. Liang Chengfeng's face darkened. This woman had been putting on an act in the mansion for so many years, and now she had finally shown her true colors, as she had been associating with the Han family every day these past few days.

In a few days, she will start complaining about her low status and loss of face, and how she will compete with her father for the position of the main wife.

Liang Fu sighed, "That makes sense. I will talk to her about it tomorrow."

Liang Chengfeng smiled and nodded, his hands still moving, watching Liang Fu close his eyes again.

"Master, we have a guest."

Liang Fu and Liang Chengfeng stopped moving at the same time. Liang Fu opened his slightly narrowed eyes, and the weariness on his face grew heavier. In just one day, the spirit in his eyes had been greatly diminished. He roughly guessed who it was. "Please invite Lord Li in."

Liang Chengfeng stood up and moved to the side.

Not long after, Li Li strode in, gave a hasty bow, and looked just as lost as Liang Fu, her eyes brimming with tears. "Minister! Have you found my daughter's whereabouts?"

Not yet.

"Alas—Your Excellency, my daughter is too weak to carry anything, and she is a frail woman. What would happen if she really fell to the bottom of the mountain!"

Even if Yunyun is now a widow, they will accept it. They still want to see her alive or dead. How could their daughter, whom they raised from childhood, just disappear like this!

"Your Excellency, you must expedite the manpower increase. I thank you in advance!"

Li Li's robes must have been worn since yesterday; Liang Chengfeng noticed oil stains on the hem. Li Li was usually extremely particular about his cleanliness, but now—

He's just a father.

Liang Fu nodded weakly, then raised his head to Liang Chengfeng, indicating that he should handle the matter.

Liang Chengfeng helped Li Li, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet and slowly led him towards the door. "Lord Li, it would be best if you calm down now. It's a good thing we can't find your aunt; she might still be alive. Even though your second uncle is gone, we are still family..."

The door closed, Liang Fu sighed deeply, and slowly closed his eyes.

It's as if none of this ever happened.

Overnight, news of General Liang He's death spread throughout the streets and alleys.

Almost everyone in the neighborhood was talking about it, and even four- or five-year-old children could learn to say "General Liang is dead" from the adults at home.

The news spread quickly within the palace; as soon as the palace maids and eunuchs woke up in the morning, they could hear everyone discussing the matter.

Yao Ruyi listened as he sat in the courtyard, fiddling with his sword. His hand injury was mostly healed, but Thirteen still refused to teach him. This morning, he insisted that he had eaten too much the night before and couldn't move around easily.

"You're just fooling me again."

He raised his sword, eager to try. His swordsmanship was crisp and clean. He was a disciple of Thirteen, and his moves were straightforward and upright, without any fancy gestures.

Gu Huizhou stood at the end of the corridor for a while, then quickly walked forward. "Continue."

Yao Ruyi nodded and, holding the sword, went through all the moves she had learned before.

"Thump—"

The longsword struck its scabbard with a muffled thud. Yao Ruyi jerked her head back, changing direction in a flash, the blade nearly injuring Gu Huizhou.

"His Majesty!"

He was practicing his swordplay when this person suddenly rushed up to him. If he got hurt, he would have to heal himself.

"The moves are complicated, so go easy on them."

Yao Ruyi was taken aback.

Gu Huizhou continued, "Master Thirteen comes from a prestigious sect, and his swordsmanship is too rigid. You should avoid learning from him."

"Would Your Majesty like to find me another master?"

The man didn't speak, but reached out and took Yao Ruyi's sword. His movements were as fast as a dragon, and his swordsmanship was even faster than Thirteen's, leaving Yao Ruyi unsure of where to look. In just a few breaths, the stone sculpture beside him was smashed to pieces, with the deepest sword marks piercing the neck and heart of the sculpture.

If the person on the other end were a living, breathing human, they would have died countless times over.

Yao Ruyi's breath hitched.

"When facing someone, go straight for their vitals." Gu Huizhou leisurely returned the sword. "It's better to swing your sword than to block it. If you're faster than him, he won't have time to attack you."

Mushroom stood there nodding. He had originally thought that Thirteen was the most skilled in swordsmanship, but it seemed that it should be His Majesty. "I didn't expect His Majesty to know swordsmanship."

The emperor paused, then coughed lightly. "Just the tip of the iceberg."

"His Majesty forbids me from learning from the Thirteenth Prince. Could His Majesty teach me instead?"

Gu Huizhou suppressed a smile. "How are you going to pay for your tuition?"

"Tuition fees too?" Yao Ruyi carefully calculated the meager earnings from her flowerpot, then frowned after a long while. "Then I won't take the monthly allowance."

"Heh, and then what?"

"That's still not enough," Yao Ruyi said, looking herself up and down. "I can also deliver messages for His Majesty. I've been to Twelve's place once, and I know the way."

Unexpectedly, Gu Huizhou turned around abruptly and strode towards the Cloud Palace, saying, "I'll owe you for now, and I'll ask you for it later."

"When will Your Majesty teach me swordsmanship?"

Night falls.

His brows furrowed slightly.

Cui Xiangzhu jogged back from a short distance away. "His Majesty is usually busy reviewing memorials. Even if he could teach the Nineteenth Prince swordsmanship, it would be night by then. Please don't worry, His Majesty is truly too busy."

"Actually, I can learn from Thirteen too."

Cui Xiangzhu panicked, "No, no, no! That's not what I meant. It was His Majesty's will to teach the Nineteenth Prince swordsmanship. His Majesty promised and will never go back on his word. Please wait here, my lord."

"Eunuch Xie, this stone carving..."

"My lord, you need not concern yourself with this; this old servant will handle it."

Yao Ruyi nodded with gratitude, then glanced in the direction of the Cloud Palace, "Then I'll go and help His Majesty grind the ink."

"Excellent! Excellent! My lord, go quickly!"

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