The Great Calamity of Jingzhou
The simple yet tidy farmhouse courtyard has rows of vegetables planted in the yard, and a swing for children is tied to the tall locust tree.
Xi Yushao stood inside the room facing the window, a soft blue luster peeking out from his smoky purple sleeves. Chu Jiu, standing behind him, couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you let me finish asking, my lord?"
"The king's affairs are of utmost importance."
Chu Jiu protested, "The king only wants us to stay in Jingzhou."
The implication is that there's nothing serious going on, and there's plenty of time.
The five-emperor coins on his chest were clearly visible. Xi Yushao glanced at them casually and said, "Staying in Jingzhou is no big deal. The king has worked so hard to plan everything, so naturally we must see it through to the end."
Chu Jiu couldn't help but frown. "Talking to you scholars is such a hassle. Fine, I'll listen to you."
Xi Yushao smiled and said, "Thank you for your understanding."
On the ninth day of the lunar month, Xi Yushao recalled the night he set off from Chang'an.
The candlelight flickered, and the sycamore trees outside the window rustled. Xi Yushao had his servant pack his luggage, and his busy figure was reflected in the window.
Xi Yuzhen pushed open the door and entered, her tone displeased, "Brother! Are you going to leave me alone in Chang'an?"
Xi Yushao glanced at him, and the servant put down his work and left the room, closing the door behind him before leaving.
Xi Yuzhen grabbed his clothes and roared, "Why did you volunteer to go to Jingzhou? Are you trying to kill me by leaving me alone in the watchful eyes of Chang'an?"
Xi Yushao patted his wrinkled clothes, then coldly looked down at her, "Didn't you get involved with the Prince Xun?"
"What is your brother saying? I don't understand." Xi Yuzhen's eyes darted around, and her hand gradually lowered.
“When the Liu family had an accident in March, the court was in chaos. You deliberately bumped into the Prince Xun who had sneaked out. After several twists and turns, you managed to coax him into taking you as a concubine. With him around, there was no need for me, his elder brother, to worry about it.”
Xi Yushao looked at her with amusement, "Xun Wang is also stupid, he fell for your trick in no time."
“You think you’re smart? You went all the way to Jingzhou just to follow Zhixu. If you’re so smart, why don’t they look down on you? I’m asking you, whose shawl did you steal?” Xi Yuzhen pushed him hard, shoving him onto the table.
Xi Yushao braced his lower back against the table, let out a muffled groan, and coldly swept his gaze over her. "It's none of your business. His Majesty has long planned to select a consort for the Prince. Do you really think you have a chance?"
"Fine, I won't care. I want to see if you can outmaneuver Fan Lingzhang!"
Xi Yuzhen slammed the door and left. The servant outside secretly peeked inside, but when he met Xi Yushao's cold gaze, he immediately stood at attention.
He took out a soft blue shawl from the drawer, held it to his nose and sniffed it. The elegant jasmine scent and the cool bamboo fragrance blended together to create a unique aroma.
"So this is what I thought of you?" His eyes were filled with infatuation and madness as he recalled his wife's beautiful face. The sight of her pale skin made his blood boil and his spirits soar.
Lustful fantasies once again filled Xi Yushao's mind. He breathed heavily and looked towards the farmhouse where Sui Zhixu was. For her sake, he had told the truth to the head of the Sui family.
When will the bright moon be able to enter his arms?
Considering the wide-sleeved robe he had specially changed into today and his newly styled hair, the village woman was not infatuated with him. She didn't even glance at him, but instead her gaze lingered on Chu Jiu.
She has quite a few suitors around her, but Puyang Kai and Chu Shiguan all deserve to die; none of them are worthy of standing beside the moon.
And Fan Lingzhang...
Even more damning, Xi Yushao lowered his eyes, the enigmatic attitude of Prince Xuanping, the quarrel between Lady Gu and the others, especially her breaking He Miao's seclusion just to snatch a mermaid pearl.
He had seen that mermaid pearl before; it must be the one that his wife had behind her ear.
Countless clues pointed to her as Lu Kou. Xi Yushao laughed, realizing that having lost her once, he shouldn't have had the chance to appear in front of her at all.
If she is willing, he can help her through the calamity in Jingzhou; the Prince of Xuanping has his own methods.
On the other end, Sui Zhixu frowned, her eyes full of disapproval. "Mother, don't tease me."
"A woman with a man in her family will be sought by a hundred men. The way he acted today, his clothes, his hairstyle, he looked like a courtesan. If he wasn't after you, who else could he be after? I know you and Fan Lang were husband and wife before, and you have feelings for each other, but if you could do it all over again, you wouldn't necessarily choose him. You're still young, what's wrong with getting to know a few more men?"
Sui Zhixu narrowed his eyes and tilted his head, saying, "How come I remember my mother advocating for one life, one love, and one partner in Jingzhou?"
“Ahem, that’s a requirement for the husband, not for the wife. Most men in the world can have three wives and four concubines, but women are excessively required to be chaste. In noble families, women who are loved and cherished may have the opportunity not to marry, but in common people or even in remote and impoverished areas, they don’t even have the opportunity to choose.” Sui He gently stroked her hair, his voice as soft and considerate as spring water.
“Now that I’ve been able to take the position of head of the family, I’ve seen what’s going on and naturally I have to do something. But you are my daughter, and when the time comes, the position of head of the family will be handed over to you. You will be like a princess, and no one will criticize you.”
It turns out she learned it from the eldest princess. Every word she said still echoed in my ears: "I cannot bear to see weak and helpless men cry. Fortunately, I have money and power, so I can give each of them a home."
Sui Zhixu leaned back calmly, "If there's no way to resolve this great calamity in Jingzhou, and the Sui family collapses, I won't have the chance to indulge in pleasure anymore."
"You're so young, yet you worry about so much more than I do. Just focus on recovering and don't rush into things every time next time."
She was in the wrong at that moment, and lowered her head obediently.
With a creak, Fan Lingzhang poked his head out, and Sui He looked at her and laughed, "Alright, I won't bother you anymore."
After Sui He left, Fan Lingzhang's gaze fell on the injury on her shoulder. "How did you rush out like that? Even if you're good at martial arts, you can't just ignore your body like that."
"Alright, stop talking." Sui Zhixu grabbed his face to stop him from nagging.
"Hmph, I knew it." Fan Lingzhang brushed his hand away and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You can't do it for me. I don't want to see you get hurt in the slightest."
"I know." Her fingertips traced the corners of her reddened eyes. "You cried but didn't dare let me know?"
"I didn't cry."
Fan Lingzhang raised her head, her phoenix eyes red at the corners, adding a touch of glamour to her beautiful face, and she suddenly realized that summer was almost here.
She had no choice but to coax him, "Okay, little Furong didn't cry. Now that the great calamity in Jingzhou is over, I'll take you to see the lotus flowers. There are many lakes in Jingzhou, and lotus flowers are everywhere. You'll have a wonderful time all day long."
"Hmm." Fan Lingzhang lay on her stomach, his voice a little deep. Sui Zhixu thought he was crying, but after waiting for a while without a response, she realized he had fallen asleep.
She whispered, "Little Hibiscus..."
Can you really wait until summer?
When we enjoyed the snow and drank wine in winter, you still had the energy to play in the snow with me. That day, I thought about next winter. But now, in April, your health is declining, and I've started to think about summer.
The calamity of Jingzhou, how could you not be my calamity as well?
The next day, as Sui Zhixu and his group set off, Chu Shiguan waved enthusiastically, "Sui's wife, wait for me, I'm coming too!"
Madam Chu pinched the flesh on his side from behind and whispered, "Go where? You're not allowed to go!"
Chu Shiguan gasped, "Didn't Mother say yesterday that it was on the way?"
"On the way? Ugh—" Madam Chu wanted to beat this stupid thing to death; he couldn't understand a word she was saying.
She said sternly, "What do you mean by 'on the same road'! I misunderstood yesterday. We're not on the same road. Your second uncle is still waiting for you to come back in Jiannan."
"I don't want to. We're both leaving more than a month in advance, so there's still time. Just let me go."
Madam Chu was so angry that she blurted out, "Go by yourself if you want to go, I'm not going with you!"
"Alright, I'll go!" Chu Shiguan dashed over to Sui Zhixu.
"you!"
When Madam Chu met Sui He's gaze, she forced a smile.
She's so immature. How could she have put her brains into Dalang? Erlang doesn't understand anything she says. He's so innocent, unlike someone she gave birth to.
Jingzhou is so dangerous now. She has heard that those are Gu worms. She is not ignorant. It's fine if they don't cause trouble in the Miao region. But if they do, how many simple people are there?
She didn't care anymore; she was going to her death.
"Then Erlang will go with you. I have to go help with his second uncle's wedding. Be careful on the road, don't fall into a ditch and not be able to get out." Madam Chu said the last part to Chu Shiguan in a sarcastic tone, but he didn't expect that he wouldn't understand and thought that she was kindly reminding him.
"Don't worry, Mother, I'll take good care of myself." Chu Shiguan smiled brightly, while Madam Chu felt like she wanted to vomit blood.
"Go, go." Once you're gone, don't come back.
When Madam Chu was about to leave, Chu Shiguan was still a little reluctant. Seeing this, she quickly asked, "Why don't you go with Mother?"
"No, but you should take good care of yourself. It's the change of seasons now, and you always crave strong flavors, so be careful not to get a sore throat or blisters. Father and I aren't by your side, so you need to take good care of yourself."
Madam Chu admitted she was touched, but said coldly, "Alright, I know. Aren't you going to chase after your wife? Be smarter. You're better than Dalang at being obedient and knowing how to use your strengths. I know, I'm leaving."
Chu Shiguan waved goodbye to her. Madam Chu pulled down the curtain and cursed him inwardly. Everyone else forgets their mother after they have a wife, but he has already forgotten her before he even has one.
Hopefully, he'll be lucky enough to come back alive.
Sui He decided to pass through Yancheng. Chu Feixuan had been living secretly for a long time. He observed that if only Chu Shiguan, that simpleton, appeared, it wouldn't be a problem. He quickly got rid of Xi Yushao.
It seemed as if Heaven had truly heard his voice. As they drove away, Xi Yushao simply looked at Sui Zhixu with a smile, without offering to travel with him.
He received a message from Jiang Li last night, instructing him to find Jiang Yun and set off immediately without delay.
Unfortunately, although Xi Yushao was smiling, the atmosphere around him was unusually low, making his smile appear sinister.
After Xu lowered the curtain, he became even more displeased, his gaze fixed on her carriage.
If he hadn't noticed that she seemed to be in the same carriage as Fan Lingzhang.
It's really annoying.
"Didn't you find out any news about Jiang Yun?"
Chu Jiu touched his nose and honestly said, "The traces that Jiang Lang left last time are still in Shu, but that was a month ago, and we haven't found out about them yet."
He was skilled in medicine, and with the help of Tianquelou Yinling, the tendons in his hand were reconnected, leaving a crooked scar that looked like a centipede crawling on it.
"Speed up and keep searching."
"yes."
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