Chapter 54
Like a heavy hammer blow, it shattered Ning Shiyu's spirit, causing him to stagger back two steps.
He refused to believe it all, took a few steps forward and grabbed Fu'er's shoulders, "Is it because your parents don't want you to come to Chang'an with me that you're saying this?"
Fu'er shook her head and said, "No one forced me. This is what I've always thought."
"When I was a child, I wanted a bite to eat from you; when I grew up, I wanted your house; but I never wanted your feelings."
Seeing that Fu'er's expression was calm and she could not detect a single flaw, Ning Shiyu was extremely flustered.
"So, all these years, your affection for me has been fake?"
"yes."
Hearing Fu'er's decisive answer, Ning Shiyu felt as if a sharp sword had been plunged into his heart, causing his eyes to turn red with pain.
What he hated most in his life was deception; if it were anyone else, they would have been dead long ago.
But when it came to Fu'er, he just couldn't bring himself to do it.
The pain in his eyes was so intense it was almost palpable, with nowhere to be expressed; he could only chuckle softly twice.
Without looking at Fu'er again, he strode away.
As they reached the door, he said casually, "After all, you've been with me for a while... I'll give you whatever you want."
The people outside had no idea what had happened between the two inside, since they had seemed perfectly fine at first.
In the end, it turned out like this.
Seeing Ning Shiyu's sorrowful face, no one dared to ask.
Mu Li followed closely behind him, and when he passed Man'er, his gaze still unconsciously swept towards her.
The moment their eyes met, Man'er gave a bitter smile and whispered, "Take care."
Inside the house, Fu'er could no longer pretend the moment Ning Shiyu's footsteps disappeared, and her whole body slid down the door frame.
This time, she didn't chase after them.
Tears streamed down her face like beads from a broken string, one after another.
As if comforting herself, or as if making up her mind to forget Ning Shiyu, she murmured, "What's there to cry about? We're about to get the house; we should be happy."
"A short pain is worse than a long one; one day you'll forget him."
"He will forget you too."
Six months later, the King of Qin successfully captured Chang'an.
Several traitors were killed, and Cui Mingyou was also stabbed to death on the spot.
As expected of the well-organized Northwest Army.
It only took four or five days to restore Chang'an to its original state.
The powerful families of Chang'an, to demonstrate their loyalty, unanimously recommended the King of Qin as the new ruler.
They became the new masters of Western Chu.
The reign title was changed to Zhaode.
On the day the new emperor ascended the throne, the long-lost retired emperor and his eldest son, Li Huihong, were now granted the title of Prince Rui.
It also appeared in the Taiwu Hall.
After the coronation ceremony, Ning Shiyu dragged his tired body back to the princess's residence.
Inside the Yunjin Hall, Mu Li carefully attended to his master's daily needs.
"Master, the hot water is ready."
Ning Shiyu sat on the couch without moving an inch, his eyes fixed on the doorway.
He was preoccupied with worries.
Mu Li knew about his inner turmoil and didn't dare to say anything to disturb him.
After dinner, Xiwu came to report on the matter at the manor: "Young Master, Granny Yu and the others from Lingyang should have arrived by now."
"At that time, Aunt Yun will still live in the original courtyard."
Upon hearing Xi Wu mention Lingyang, Ning Shiyu's eyes lit up, but it turned out to be about Granny Yu and Yun You.
His gaze dimmed again. "Uncle Xi, you can arrange it."
"Yes, I understand."
As Xiwu left, she glanced at Muli.
A moment later, Mu Li also left Ning Shiyu's bedroom.
He strolled over to the evening mist at the courtyard gate.
"Mu Li, what's wrong with the Crown Prince?"
"With the princess and general's great revenge avenged, the entire princess's residence is filled with joy."
"Only the young master showed no sign of joy."
"He's eating very little each day, young master, you're really in trouble..."
Mu Li, with a complicated expression, interrupted, "Uncle Xi, the young master is suffering, so please don't ask."
"I am powerless to help."
Yugiri said anxiously, "Even if you can't do anything about it, you should still say so we can think of a solution."
"I have never seen the young master so dejected."
"You're someone close to him, if I don't ask you, who else should I ask?"
"If the young master continues like this, he will fall ill."
"Tell me everything you know."
Mu Li hesitated for a moment before revealing the truth.
Xi Wu had never been with a woman in his life, and when Mu Li told him, he was at a loss for what to do.
He sighed, "This Fu'er is like a piece of flesh that grew out of the young master's body."
"Young master protects her in everything."
"I didn't expect her to be so immature now that she's all grown up."
“The young master is the master. No matter how much he dotes on her, she can only be a concubine.”
"In my opinion, we should let Princess Qingyang persuade the young master about this matter."
Princess Qingyang was Princess Zhaoyang's younger sister, and she often visited Lingyang to see Ning Shiyu.
However, later, the Cui family ceased their relationship with the Marquis of Pingyang, the husband of Princess Qingyang.
Princess Qingyang had to be wary, and Ning Shiyu had also grown up, so she had less contact with Ning Shiyu.
But still worried, Ning Shiyu was alone in Chang'an, so every year he would personally make the tea snacks that Ning Shiyu loved to eat as a child.
Brew some sake that Ning Shiyu likes, and sew some sachets for the New Year and other festivals, and ask someone to take them to Lingyang for Ning Shiyu.
Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, the Li family, the imperial heirs, have regained control of the court and are able to move about freely again.
Princess Qingyang has visited the princess's residence several times already.
The men were busy with state affairs, and her husband, the Marquis of Pingyang, was reinstated to his original position.
The marriages of the two sons have also been arranged.
There was nothing much going on at her residence; her only concern was Ning Shiyu's marriage.
She could also tell that Ning Shiyu was depressed all day long, but no matter how she asked, she couldn't help it.
Ning Shiyu remained silent.
She was at a loss.
Mu Li dared not say anything more. Xi Wu was also considered an elder, and Ning Shiyu would only say a few words to him if he was displeased.
Unlike Mu Li and Zhuang Xing, this was not a real punishment.
"Uncle Xi, the nanny and the others have arrived. You can make arrangements as you see fit. Just don't mention Lingyang to the young master."
Yugiri replied, "I know. These days, please take extra care of Master."
"Try to get the young master to eat more, so that his health doesn't collapse."
Mu Li was momentarily troubled. "I will do my best."
*
On the day Granny Yu left, she came to see Fu'er.
He also brought to Fu'er the private property that Ning Shiyu had left behind.
Fu'er saw many property deeds for shops and villas.
She only wanted the Ning residence and the shops on Ruyi Street.
And let Granny Yu take Dongyue with her.
Even if Dongyue had wings and wanted to fly back to Chang'an, she wouldn't dare without her master's order.
Watching the people around me gradually return to Chang'an, I felt a sense of loss.
In the evening, Dongyue accompanied Fu'er back to the Ning residence.
Apart from the master and a few people from Chang'an who left, the other maids, servants, and old women were still there.
Aunt Yang, who worked in the kitchen, was happy to ask Fu'er what she wanted to eat since she hadn't returned for a long time.
Fu'er only said a few casual words.
She asked Dongyue to wait for her in her courtyard, while Fu'er went alone to Ning Shiyu's Wenxuan Pavilion.
Sitting in the empty bedroom, Fu'er felt a deep emptiness and pain in her heart.
Thinking that I might never see Ning Shiyu again in this lifetime.
From soft sobbing to wailing.
After crying, she lay down on Ning Shiyu's bed and fell into a deep sleep.
In the end, it was Dongyue who woke her up.
After staying there for several days, she felt more and more anxious each day.
In the end, she simply stopped going back to the Ning residence.
It was at this moment that she realized this was not the Ning Residence she wanted.
Because Ning Shiyu's business still includes many shops in Lingyang, he can't return there immediately.
Therefore, Uncle Hong will still be in charge of all the accounts in Lingyang.
He couldn't handle everything by himself, so he wanted to promote Zhu Ping.
The accountant at Lingyi Shop can be replaced with someone else.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Ping refused, saying, "Master, I'm sorry, but I want to continue my studies."
"I'm afraid I won't have time to share your burdens."
When Uncle Hong heard that he was going to take the imperial examination, he was naturally happy for him.
"This is great news, Master is overjoyed."
Zhu Ping looked guilty. "Master, you won't blame me for disappointing you again?"
Uncle Hong stroked his goatee and chuckled, "How could your master be disappointed?"
“In the past, your master didn’t want you to get too involved.”
"Xiuxiu's marriage is settled, so your master will no longer make things difficult for you."
"However, if you want to go on the imperial examinations, you should still be cautious about your relationship with Miss Fu'er."
"She still holds a significant place in the young master's heart, having given Fu'er so much of her private property."
"They must have treated her like a younger sister."
As for Ning Shiyu's true feelings for Fu'er...
As a servant, he dared not interpret things too much.
Uncle Hong used to oppose Zhu Ping getting close to Fu'er because he saw that Ning Shiyu valued Fu'er.
This time, Fu'er did not return to Chang'an with her master.
He then realized that his master had no intention of keeping Fu'er in his backyard.
He also realized that his disciple had always harbored feelings for Fu'er. The two were of similar age and were quite a good match.
Zhu Ping smiled gently, "She has always supported my scientific expeditions."
"It was she who encouraged me to go."
Uncle Hong chuckled and said, "Fu'er is a good girl."
"It would be your good fortune to marry her, but it seems she treats you poorly..."
"It's alright, I'm willing to wait."
Ning Shiyu's departure presents a great opportunity for Zhu Ping.
He knew that Fu'er might not be able to accept her for a while, but she couldn't resist her parents at home either.
They'll get married eventually; he's the first choice.
The new dynasty's reforms could not have been achieved without the support of its former officials, and Emperor Zhaode retained those with merit and ability.
Many officials who had previously been overlooked were promoted.
For example, Lord Liang, whom I met in Lingyang last time, was promoted from Assistant Minister of Rites to Vice Minister of Rites.
During the last coronation ceremony of the new emperor, before the ministers were selected, he was in charge of everything.
It was done in a very orderly and meticulous manner.
It not only showcased royal etiquette but also ensured the comprehensiveness of the established ritual system.
Ning Shiyu was appointed as a bodyguard in the Ministry of Personnel, tasked with selecting important talents for key positions for the new emperor.
Emperor Zhaode only temporarily placed him in the Ministry of Personnel until his official position was confirmed.
He will be reassigned.
Ning Shiyu returned to the princess's residence at 9 PM that day.
As soon as he entered his Yunjin Hall, he was greeted by his cousin, Liao Zheng, the heir of the Marquis of Pingyang, who opened his arms to welcome him with great enthusiasm.
Ning Shiyu and Mu Li dodged quickly, but in the end, the heir of the Marquis of Pingyang caught Zhuang Xing, who couldn't escape in time.
The two disliked each other intensely.
"Cousin Yu, we haven't seen each other for so many years, why are you so cold to me?"
Ning Shiyu ushered the people into the main hall, saying, "Neither of us are two or three-year-old children. We should use this method less often in the future."
"After all, you're getting married soon."
Like his mother, Liao Zheng was quick-witted and outgoing.
"Yes, yes, Cousin Yu is right."
"It's been a long time since we brothers have seen each other. How about having a couple of drinks with me tonight?"
Ning Shiyu took off his outer robe and was about to hand it to the servant.
A sweet smile and the endearing way she reached out to take the clothes floated into my mind again.
His gaze was heavy with sorrow, and he stood frozen in place.
Until Liao Zheng called him again.
He casually replied, "Okay."
Mu Li mustered his courage and reminded him, "Master, the doctor said that you cannot drink alcohol these days."
Upon hearing this, Liao Zheng also became cautious. "Then let's forget it. If my mother finds out, she will never forgive me when I get back."
Ning Shiyu glanced coldly at Mu Li, "It's alright, I'll have a few drinks with my cousin."
The two drank together at Ning Shiyu's teahouse.
You drink one cup, I drink one cup; Ning Shiyu never refuses a cup offered to him.
Mu Li was getting anxious watching this.
When they were both slightly tipsy, Ning Shiyu took the initiative to ask, "Cousin Zheng, can you tell me how to quickly forget someone?"
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