Unexpected (Revision)
Several more uneventful days passed. Following her instructions, Zhu Ling also paid extra attention to the servants in the other courtyard, and for a time nothing happened.
Aside from paying her respects to Madam Bai, Lin Xu usually stayed in the courtyard. In her spare time, she would do things like checking accounts, practicing calligraphy, and feeding birds, all of which she now did with effortless ease. Having grown accustomed to this peaceful and uneventful life, she couldn't help but find her past life of climbing trees and playing around absurd when she thought about it.
That's how the surrounding environment changes people.
When she finally finished writing the last character of today's calligraphy practice book, Lin Xu let out a long sigh and rubbed her slightly aching lower back. She looked down at the ink gradually drying; the calligraphy practice books that Liang Zhengyuan had given her years ago had now all been practiced by her.
I had just finished writing and was about to tidy up the Xuan paper and ink on my desk when I suddenly heard a light footstep coming from the courtyard gate.
Looking up, I saw Qingmo, with her hair in two buns, hurrying over, her face showing a hint of urgency she couldn't hide.
“Madam,” Qingmo bowed softly, catching her breath slightly, “Second Master sent a carriage to stop outside the gate and instructed me to come back and invite you. He said that a distinguished guest has arrived at the yamen and he specially invited you to come and meet him. He also asked you to keep a low profile and not make a fuss.”
Why would Dou Yanxun send someone to pick her up at this time? And why take her to the yamen?
Lin Xu was slightly taken aback, his fingers unconsciously tracing the calligraphy copybook on the table, a sudden sense of doubt arose in his heart.
He was usually joking and jesting, but when it came to important matters, he was always very serious and never let her get involved in government affairs, let alone take her with him when receiving guests. Such a special arrangement, especially while he was on duty, was truly rare.
She pondered wildly but couldn't grasp the meaning, only vaguely sensing that something big was about to happen. She could only suppress her racing heart and instructed Qingmo, "Go and fetch my moon-white cloak."
She quickly tidied herself up; the situation was urgent, and there was no time to redo her makeup. She only took Qingmo and Zhuling with her. The corridor was deep and secluded, and the sunlight shone brightly, making her simple and elegant attire appear even more beautiful, though she looked rather thin.
When they finally arrived at the gate, sure enough, a dark-colored lacquered wooden carriage was waiting quietly. The carriage was decorated with the Dou family's unique intricate cloud patterns, which made it quite understated.
When the driver saw that it was her, he quickly bowed respectfully and whispered:
"Please get in the carriage, Second Young Madam. The Second Master sent someone back to fetch you. He has been waiting for you at the yamen for quite some time now."
She was worried all the way, and soon arrived at the government office. When she got out of the carriage, she was greeted by two guards. Presumably, someone had already informed her, and they showed no surprise at her arrival. Instead, they bowed respectfully and led Lin Xu, who was covered in dust from her journey, into the inner hall.
This was her first time visiting the Ministry of Works, and she couldn't care less about anything else right now.
Next to the inner hall was a small room, where officials could rest while handling cases. It was neatly and simply furnished. Looking up, one could see Dou Yanxun standing at the door, still wearing his light-colored court robe with shimmering cloud patterns on the cuffs. He looked clear and dignified, even more energetic than when he was at home.
He smiled slightly as he saw her enter and said:
"Madam, please have some tea first and calm down."
Servants quickly bowed and brought over two cups of steaming tea. The delicately white leaves released a fragrant aroma with the rising steam. Only the official tea gardens could produce such precious leaves, and the taste was indeed exceptional. Indeed, this was a government office; even the ordinary tea was outstanding.
She had been traveling for some unknown reason and was understandably flustered; now she was indeed thirsty. So she picked up her teacup and sipped the tea slowly. Soon the cup was finished, and Lin Xu finally felt a little better.
Dou Yanxun stood aside without saying a word, seemingly patiently waiting for her to finish her tea.
Lin Xu then looked up to see his expression.
Although there was a hint of tension on his handsome face, he remained generally calm. Her heart gradually settled down.
—It shouldn't be a huge deal.
Seeing that her expression gradually softened, Dou Yanxun said, "The reason I invited you here today is because of an unexpected matter that is also related to you."
Lin Xu was slightly taken aback, then looked into his eyes, trying to discern the hidden meaning in his words.
Dou Yanxun wasn't one to hesitate when speaking; his insistence on calming her down before speaking slowly seemed to be an attempt to steady her. Could something have happened to someone connected to her?
Could it be... Father?
Lin Xu's heart tightened, and he was so nervous that he almost couldn't sit still. He hurriedly said:
"Why are you being so mysterious all of a sudden, my husband? Has something urgent happened at home?"
Seeing her flustered expression, Dou Yanxun simply stopped talking, stood up, took her right hand, and was about to lead her to stand up and walk into the inner room.
She had only glanced around hastily before, without having a chance to look closely, but now that he had pulled her up and she was by his side, she realized that there was an inner room separated from the small room.
When Dou Yanxun pushed open the door, she saw that the layout of the entire room was extremely simple and plain. And through the wooden screen, she only glanced at it from afar before she immediately gasped.
There was actually a person lying behind the screen.
Although the screen obscured most of the person's body, she only glanced at him briefly, yet found him strangely familiar.
After all, they had spent every day together. Even now, though he was wearing tattered clothes and boots covered in mud and dried, almost black bloodstains...
Even in such a disheveled state, she recognized him at a glance!
How could this be? How could this be!
Lin Xu could no longer hold back and immediately lunged forward.
But when they saw that once so familiar face, all their breaths froze—
Liang Zhengyuan was lying quietly on that small bed, his eyes tightly closed.
After several months apart, his once handsome and dashing face had become gaunt with sunken cheeks, his skin tanned dark, and his lips chapped. He was nothing like the dashing young man she remembered.
Lin Xu stared in disbelief at Liang Zhengyuan, who was lying unconscious on the bed. Panicked, she didn't know what to do and could only hurriedly reach out to feel his neck.
Although faint, there was still a pulse and breathing.
Fortunately, there is still a glimmer of hope.
Dou Yanxun walked to her side, placed his hand on her shoulder, and comforted her in a rare gentle tone:
"Although Brother Liang is weak, I have already sent someone to invite a doctor to examine his pulse. Although he has external injuries, they have not affected his lungs or internal organs. He should be fine after a little rest and recuperation."
trauma?
Liang Zhengyuan was clearly training with the army and should be clearing out bandits in Huidong and Yazhou. The more than 100 men of the 14th Division who went south with him that day have not yet returned to the capital. How come he suddenly appeared in Mujing covered in wounds?!
This is thousands of miles away!
Seeing her eyes filled with tears and shock, Dou Yanxun whispered again:
"...I had only been at the yamen for a short time when I heard from the front hall that a commoner had come to report to the authorities. He said that this morning a male corpse was found on a country path in the outskirts of the capital...covered in blood. When the soldiers sent men to search carefully, they found Brother Liang unconscious in the fields not far from the body. Since I am in charge of the military farms in Mujing, that's why Vice Minister Zhang informed me of this matter. I felt that this was no small matter, so I immediately invited you here...after all, he is your cousin."
Lin Xu felt a constant buzzing in his head, and for a moment he couldn't believe it.
She understood every word Dou Yanxun said individually, so why couldn't she understand it when they were put together?
"Who is that male corpse...? How come Yingzhi is lying unconscious on the road again?"
"The body has now been handed over to the village head and the coroner for examination. The reasons for this can only be known after the examination. However, since Brother Liang has suddenly appeared in Mujing and is involved in a murder case, even if he has not yet woken up, I'm afraid that when he does, he will be detained and questioned according to the prefect's rules."
Dou Yanxun's eyes were calm. She looked into those eyes, but she knew that he had tried his best to be tactful in his words.
Liang Zhengyuan is now out of danger, which is a stroke of good luck amidst misfortune.
Her remaining rationality flashed through her mind, only adding to her despair.
Liang Si, who had accompanied the army on this trip, suddenly appeared alone in the outskirts of Beijing, thousands of miles away. If investigated further, he could very well be charged with desertion, and whether he faced exile or imprisonment, Liang Si's life... would likely be ruined.
Furthermore, when the unidentified body was discovered, Liang Si was the only person present. If this matter is not investigated or there is no other evidence, Liang Si might even be convicted of murder, and if that happens, the punishment would be far more severe than just a simple matter of severe punishment.
After much deliberation, it became clear that the matter had reached a critical juncture, a matter of life and death, and that Liang Si's life had to be saved.
Before she could shed any more tears, she turned to look at Dou Yanxun. Although her voice was trembling with sobs, it possessed an undeniable calmness and resolve.
“This matter is of utmost importance. I thank my husband for letting me know in advance. However, I believe my cousin is an upright man and would never do such a despicable thing as defection and murder.”
Dou Yanxun looked into her eyes and slowly nodded.
“You are close to him, and I have heard about Brother Liang’s deeds in the martial arts school. He was certainly a hero. However, this matter is of great importance, and everything must be done in accordance with the law.”
Lin Xu said softly:
“I understand. That’s why I didn’t ask my husband to treat this matter leniently because of my relationship with him. I believe my cousin is innocent, and there are probably other hidden circumstances. When the truth is found, he will be exonerated, and everything will be handled according to the law. However, Xuxu still has a selfish wish and wants to ask my husband for something…”
This matter was of utmost importance, so Dou Yanxun specially assigned several more yamen runners to guard the side room.
Lin Xu sat at the table in the outer room, his brows furrowed as he watched the tea leaves floating in his cup. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, sounds finally came from outside the door again.
Sure enough, a moment later, a maid-like person lifted the curtain and rushed in.
Although the maid was dressed in plain clothes with her hair hanging down, and looked like an ordinary maid, there was an undeniable air of nobility and dignity in her eyes.
Lin Xu only glanced at her briefly before quickly standing up and greeting Liao Yan, who was disguised as a maid.
"Greetings, Princess."
Liao Yan had no time for casual conversation with her. She was breathing heavily, clearly having rushed over as soon as she received the news, not even bothering to drink tea.
She stepped forward and grabbed Lin Xu's hands, her eyes filled with anxiety as she said:
"What could be so urgent that I dare not rest for even a moment? But... what happened to him?"
Lin Xu had just pleaded with Dou Yanxun and received permission to send someone to invite Princess Kunrou, an exception made for him. To avoid suspicion, he only instructed Zhu Ling to say it was about Liang Si, without revealing any further details.
Sure enough, Liao Yan arrived in a hurry in less than half an incense stick's time. In order not to attract attention, she even changed into the clothes of a maid and acted discreetly.
Lin Xu gently held Liao Yan's wrist and comforted her:
“Princess, please calm down. This matter is indeed sudden and difficult, but it is not without a way out. Please sit down and have some tea, and I will explain it to you slowly.”
Although Liao Yan nodded, the worry between her brows remained, clearly indicating that she was not completely at ease. She sat down as instructed, and a servant immediately served hot tea, but Liao Yan had little interest. She picked up the teacup, took only a symbolic sip, and put it down, her gaze never leaving Lin Xu's face.
"Just tell me what's wrong, I can handle it."
Lin Xu was taken aback, but his gaze still involuntarily fell on Liao Yan's face.
Princess Kunrou, who was always dignified, was always calm, aloof and proud, but rarely showed such anxiety or panic.
A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, but she couldn't worry about them at this moment, and softly spoke:
"Please come with me to the inner room to talk, Your Highness."
Liao Yan nodded, though her face showed suspicion, she followed her into the inner room. But when she saw the person lying on the bed, she suddenly stopped, her expression instantly becoming incredibly complicated.
The dying Liang Zhengyuan on the bed was completely different from the young man she remembered.
His once upright figure was now curled up under a thin blanket, his clothes tattered and covered in blood and mud. His once resolute eyes were now tightly closed... Only the faint rise and fall of his chest proved that he still had a chance to live.
Liao Yan approached the bed step by step, her fingers trembling slightly. The moment her fingertips touched Liang Zhengyuan's wrist, she abruptly withdrew them. She covered her mouth as if in disbelief, murmuring softly:
"How could it have turned out like this..."
When Liao Yan took a deep breath and raised his head again, his usually aloof and cold eyes were now filled with intense anger.
Lin Xu stood to the side, a sigh rising in his heart.
Although Liao Yan was a princess, she had never openly discussed her relationship with Liang Si. However, judging from his current mood, nothing more needed to be said; everything was self-evident. Yet, seeing him like this had provoked such great anger from the usually calm and composed princess.
It was her oversight before. Because the princess often presented a cold face, even someone as close and intelligent as Lin Xu underestimated the princess's feelings for Yingzhi.
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