Chapter 39, first published on Jinjiang Literature City, Chapter 39 (two chapters combined).
Hearing a fight, Pei Du instinctively looked over, and Shuang Nian also noticed: "It looks like... a beggar..."
"The grassland people are bullying us!"
The little beggar was still shouting, which made Batu furious. He actually raised his fist, but Hela stopped him.
"Batu! Don't be impulsive!"
"A grassland person?" Pei Du keenly caught the beggar's words and slowly stopped in his tracks.
The beggar dared to steal in front of the government office, so he must have been more than one person. Hearing his companions shouting, they rushed out from all directions, throwing things at Batu and Haila: "You grassland barbarians! Get out of our Central Plains!"
Hela was suddenly hit by something and abruptly covered her head.
When Buch saw this, he was furious and pulled out his slingshot, shooting it at the man!
Batu could no longer hold back and landed a few punches, causing the little beggar to cry out in pain. Batu's eyes turned red with anger.
"You little thief! You're trying to play the victim and accuse me first!"
A group of beggars rushed over, and it seemed an inevitable brawl was brewing.
"Stop!"
Pei Du's guards suddenly rushed forward and drew their swords.
Yang Chong happened to be coming out of the post station when he heard the commotion. He immediately ran over and stood in front of Ruan Yu and Haila, asking, "Madam! Are you alright?"
Ruan Yu shook her head with a complicated expression: "I'm fine, but my sister was hit on the head by something."
Hela covered her forehead, "I'm fine..."
She disregarded her own safety and desperately pulled Buhe back, afraid that Buhe's impulsive actions might cause him to get hurt.
As Pei Du's guards rushed forward, the twenty knights secretly dispatched by Chao Lu also appeared. Instantly, a dense crowd of people, wielding swords and knives, stood facing each other in front of the government office.
"Let's talk this out. Why are you harming the people of my Great Zhou?" Pei Du said slowly.
Ruan Yu was looking down at Hela's injuries when she suddenly froze upon hearing this voice.
Batu: "Who are you! Who gives you the right to meddle in my business! This man stole my lady's purse, and I merely caught him, yet you turn around and accuse me! Is this how you Central Plains people treat your guests?!"
Pei Du glanced at the beggar, noticing the purse spilling from his robes, and began to believe Batu's words to some extent. Meanwhile, Ruan Yu slowly peeked out from behind Yang Chong…
When she saw the other person's face, she was completely stunned, as if struck by lightning...
It was him... How could it be...
Pei Du seemed to sense something and glanced over, but Ruan Yu immediately looked away and hid behind Yang Chong.
"It was all a misunderstanding, Liuyun."
After he finished speaking, Liu Yun stepped forward, took the purse out of the beggar's arms, and returned it to Batu.
"Let's talk this out calmly, and don't act impulsively."
"A misunderstanding?!" Batu was furious. "My wife was hit by something from you Central Plains people! This matter won't be so easily resolved!"
Batu had always been by Hela's side, so how could he tolerate this? Pei Du also looked at Hela, but when his gaze swept over the figure beside Hela, he stopped abruptly.
Liu Yun was at a loss. The grassland people had fiery tempers, and the beggar had stolen first and then injured him; he was indeed in the wrong. So he turned to Pei Du and asked, "My lord?"
But there was no response.
Pei Du stood frozen in place, staring at the person in front of him, momentarily speechless.
Ruan Yu could feel the overly obvious gaze above her head.
Although she appeared calm on the surface, her heart was churning and turbulent, like a lake tossed with pebbles.
Before she was the rightful third young lady of the Marquis's mansion.
I had met him at the Imperial Concubine's flower banquet. At that time, only Ruan Yu could come up with the matching line for the first line of a couplet.
It was only later that I learned that the child was born to the eldest son of Pei, the second-ranked scholar in the imperial examination.
Because of this incident, a joke made by the Imperial Concubine caused quite a stir in the capital.
Everyone says that the eldest son of the Pei family and the most beautiful woman in Chang'an are a match made in heaven, a perfect couple.
In fact, for a concubine's daughter of the Marquis of Ruanyu, marrying into the Pei family was a step up for her. But at the time, the Pei family did not step forward to deal with any of the rumors or controversies.
After that, Pei Du's interactions with the Zhenbei Marquis's residence really became more frequent. He met the Marquis's family several more times in the garden at home. The sisters all called him brother, but only Ruan Yu was called "Third Sister" by him.
Ruan Yu still remembers how unpleasant her elder sister's gaze was during that time at the Marquis's residence.
Pei Du was the first to regain his senses: "Everyone, step back. Take these people to the yamen and deal with them according to the law."
Pei Du's men retreated first, but Batu and Yang Chong's group clearly did not intend to let it go so easily, especially Batu, who drew his broadsword, seemingly determined to get an explanation.
Pei Du was in a dilemma. If he stepped forward in his own capacity, he could quell the matter, but he did not want to reveal his true identity during his trip to Liangzhou.
Fortunately, a man soon emerged from the government office. He was the Vice Prefect of Liangzhou. Upon seeing him, Pei Du immediately stepped aside.
"What are you doing! How dare you start a fight in front of the government office!"
Pei Du: "Tang Shaoyin".
"Young Master Bai?"
Pei Du smiled and said, "I just happened to be passing by and witnessed what happened. It was this little beggar who stole something and injured this lady. I was just about to take him to the authorities."
Tang Ze knew Bai Yu; the prefect had instructed him that Bai Yu was an important guest and a wealthy merchant! Therefore, he naturally trusted Bai Yu's words implicitly.
Pei Du then said, "These two ladies are my friends. I hope you will give me an explanation."
friend?
Now it was Hela and the others' turn to be puzzled. Who exactly was this person, and why was he suddenly offering to help them?
"How dare they! They actually dared to injure Young Master Bai's friend! Guards! Take these petty thieves back with you!" Several constables immediately stepped forward to arrest them, but they became suspicious after seeing Batu's swords. Ruan Yu suddenly realized what was happening and called out, "Yang Chong, step back first."
Yang Chong pondered for a moment, exchanged a glance with Batu, and temporarily put away his sword.
Ruan Yu smiled gently: "They are all servants of the household, so I will trouble you, sir, to uphold justice."
Tang Ze looked at Ruan Yu, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes. At the same time, he couldn't help but have some doubts about the relationship between Bai Yu and her. After a moment, Tang Ze smiled knowingly and said, "Don't worry, Madam..."
Ruan Yu lowered her eyes, not wanting to guess what the other person was thinking.
Pei Du gave her a deep look.
She is still so intelligent.
With just a few words, she already knew that he didn't want to reveal his identity.
The beggars were taken away by the constables. Batu was clearly still angry. Pei Du suddenly walked up to Ruan Yu and Haila and said softly, "Don't worry, we will definitely give Madam an explanation, but exposing your identities will also cause a lot of trouble."
Hela understood this principle, and she looked at Ruan Yu.
Ruan Yu pursed her lips: "Thank you, Young Master Bai."
Pei Du's gaze lingered on her, unable to look away for a moment.
"It's good to meet an old friend, Miss. Would you mind moving to the teahouse?"
Pei Du's invitation made Ruan Yu hesitate for a moment. Seeing that Tang Ze had already entered the government office, she explained softly to Hela, "This is a friend of mine from Chang'an."
Hela had already guessed it, and nodded with a smile: "Since we're friends, let's go to the teahouse together."
Ruan Yu looked at her elder sister with gratitude.
A moment later, the group went to a private room on the second floor of the teahouse.
Ruan Yu and Haila sat down together, and Pei Du ordered tea and snacks, then politely sat down opposite them.
Ruan Yu lowered her eyes, while Pei Du smiled slightly.
“I have important business to attend to in Liangzhou this time, so I can only use an alias. But since it's just us, An'an, who is this…”
Hela was surprised when he called out "An'an". Ruan Yu pursed her lips and introduced, "This is Dabieji."
Pei Du suddenly realized what was going on and immediately stood up and bowed: "Pei Du greets Dabieji."
"Sister, this is the eldest son of the Pei family of Chang'an, the Vice Minister of Works, a fourth-rank official."
Hela was also surprised for a moment, "So they are officials from Chang'an..."
Pei Du smiled and said, "Since we're not in Chang'an, Dabieji can just treat me like an ordinary merchant."
Hela smiled and said, "Alright, then Young Master Bai, just consider us ordinary people who have come to Liangzhou for sightseeing."
Pei Du: "I really didn't know it was you just now, I apologize for any offense. That man is the Prefect of Liangzhou, he can handle a few petty thieves without any problem. Madam, should we treat your injuries first?"
Ruan Yu was also concerned about Hela's forehead injury, but Hela smiled and shook her head: "It's nothing serious, I'll just put some ointment on it when I get back."
Pei Du hesitated for a moment, then looked at Ruan Yu. If she was here, did that mean...?
"Is it just the two of you who came to Liangzhou this time?"
After hesitating for a moment, Pei Du changed his question. Ruan Yu understood and said, "He went out of the city. He has something to do."
Pei Du nodded.
“An’an, it’s fate that we met here. I’d also like to tell you about your family.”
Ruan Yu's eyes lit up, but the next moment, she caught sight of Hela out of the corner of her eye.
My older sister... probably doesn't know her identity?
Chaolu said that only he knew the truth, and he didn't know anything about others...
Pei Du reacted quickly. Seeing her like this, he could probably guess what was going on, since this matter wasn't exactly a secret in Chang'an back then.
After hesitating for a moment, Pei Du only gave a vague account of the situation: "Everything is fine. Xiao Zhou has grown much taller. The family has hired a martial arts instructor, and he is learning quite well. I later heard that he is also quite talented in literature. Perhaps he will be able to enroll in the Imperial Academy next year."
Ruan Yu's breathing became a little rapid, "Okay... thank you..."
This thank you came from the bottom of my heart.
Hela heard it, but didn't ask any further questions, and there was nothing else to be gleaned from those words.
"Madam is also doing well; she's moved to a larger courtyard." Pei Du looked at the person and said again.
Ruan Yu was slightly taken aback.
In fact, given Pei Du's status and position, he would naturally not pay attention to a mere concubine in the Marquis's mansion.
But he knew all of this.
Why pay attention?
Ruan Yu couldn't think of a reason.
Or perhaps they thought of it but didn't want to delve into it.
"Thank you, young master." That was all she said.
Pei Du didn't expect her to say anything else, so he smiled slightly and said, "It was nothing."
The information that would have required Xuan Niang to inquire about was obtained so easily, and the letters that needed to be sent were all delivered...
Ruan Yu felt that he had no regrets about coming to Liangzhou.
After sitting in the teahouse for a while, she stood up and said, "I'm sorry to have bothered you today, sir. My sister and I have some things to attend to, so we won't delay your journey any longer."
Pei Du also stood up: "Alright."
He escorted Ruan Yu and her party to the teahouse entrance. Before leaving, Hela smiled at him, and Pei Du nodded politely. However, when he looked at Ruan Yu, he noticed that she didn't even glance at him.
Only after the carriage had left did Pei Du slowly withdraw his gaze.
"My lord... is she really the third daughter of the Ruan family?" Shuangnian looked at the departing figure, somewhat shocked.
Pei Du: "You don't recognize me?"
"Knowing about it... it just feels a bit unbelievable..."
Shuangnian looked at her master and suddenly seemed to understand why her master had volunteered to go north this time...
But he didn't dare say a word.
Fate is cruel...
You should know that their master had originally planned to propose marriage to the Marquis's mansion...
But who could have imagined that something like that would happen at that critical juncture...
-
On the way back, Ruan Yu's mood was a bit complicated, and Hela probably figured out something.
She smiled gently and said, "An'an, let's not go shopping today, let's go home early."
Ruan Yu snapped out of her daze: "Sister, I'll help you apply the medicine when we get back..."
After returning to the post station, Ruan Yu saw the carriage at the door and suddenly realized the identity of the "distinguished guest" on the roof. She was filled with mixed feelings and sat in front of the mirror for a long time after returning to her room.
Xuan Niang and Qing Guo remained silent. "We never expected to run into Lord Pei here..."
After sitting for a while, Ruan Yu came to terms with the matter.
"He came to Liangzhou on official business. It was just a coincidence that we met. We just exchanged greetings. We weren't close friends anyway."
Qingguo and Xuanniang exchanged a glance, "Yes..."
Ruan Yu raised her eyes again, her resolve hardening. She remembered clearly how Princess Yunrong had publicly humiliated her at the flower banquet when her true identity was revealed. To think she had previously married into the Pei family was utterly delusional. The Pei family's young lady was at the banquet; how could the Pei family not know?
All the young masters and noble ladies in Chang'an seemed to have changed overnight.
Ruan Yu pursed her lips.
Those who have abandoned me, the days of yesterday cannot be retained.
-
At this very moment, outside the city.
Chaolu and Has emerged from a grove of trees. Has was leading a man out, who was bound hand and foot and thrown onto the carriage. He was furious: "The news was indeed true! Haryan's men actually followed us here! They really have ulterior motives!"
Chao Lu's face was also grim: "I'm afraid there are more than just them. Keep investigating!"
"Your Highness, rest assured!"
Turing, who had been following Chaolu, suddenly asked, "Fourth Brother, why are Haryan's men following you?"
Chaolu thought for a moment and said, "It's because of my sister and Chasu's matter."
He had made an enemy of Haryan last time, so it was only natural that the other party would hold a grudge against him. Turing seemed to be deep in thought after hearing this.
Suddenly, he noticed something and his gaze shot towards the bushes not far away—
"who!"
Chao Lu had already sensed it and instantly drew his crossbow and fired—
The first shot missed, but it forced the person out of the bushes. Turing, in a flash, charged forward—
"stop!"
Turing's arrow was more accurate than Chaolu's, striking the opponent's knee directly. The man screamed in agony and instantly collapsed to his knees.
Turing was the first to rush forward—
Seeing that he was unlikely to survive, the man gritted his teeth, spat something at Turing, and shouted at Lu, "Sixth Brother, be careful!"
He ran over and shoved Turing aside in an instant, and the stuff that man spat out immediately splashed onto Chaolu.
The thick, black liquid instantly rotted and burned upon contact with clothing. Turing was shocked and turned to stab the man with his sword, but the man bit his tongue and committed suicide first, letting out two eerie laughs before dying.
"Fourth Brother! Quickly take off your clothes!"
Chaolu's coat was quickly ripped off, and Has rushed over, horrified: "What the hell is that?!"
Chao Lu frowned and looked down at his arm. "I don't know."
Turing's face was grim: "It looks like something from the Witch Clan, Fourth Brother, did it splash on your skin?!"
"No. Just clothes."
"The Haryan tribe and the witch clan often collude, and there are always some strange and shady things going on!"
Has was furious, jumping up and down: "Your Highness! I will definitely find them all this time! If it doesn't work, this tribe can forget about living!"
“Don’t be impulsive. Haryan has been getting close to Aohan lately. I will report this to Father Khan. Has, send more people to keep an eye on things in the vicinity. These villains didn’t dare to make a move on the grasslands, but they’re only doing so now that I’ve arrived in Liangzhou. Khatun and Sister are still in the city. You know what’s good for you.”
"Your Highness, rest assured! We will do everything in our power to protect the safety of the Khatun and Dabieji!" Has clasped his hands in agreement.
Chaolu nodded and then returned to the city with Turing.
As Chaolu reached the city gate, he suddenly heard a hawker's cry—
"Love locks for sale! Love locks are now available!"
"Sir, the New Year is just around the corner. Why not buy a love lock with your wife and hang it at the Yue Lao Temple outside Liangzhou, so that you may have a long and happy marriage!"
The young man selling locks smiled and went around trying to sell them, but unfortunately, not many people paid attention to him, and Chao Lu's horse gradually slowed down.
Turing glanced at him and chuckled, "Fourth Brother, that lock over there looks quite interesting!"
Chao Lu: "...Is that so? I'll go take a look."
Chaolu dismounted, and Turing followed with a smile but said nothing.
"Oh, sir, would you like to buy a lock?!" The other party immediately became extremely enthusiastic upon seeing a customer enter.
Chao Lu coughed lightly: "How much?"
"Not expensive at all, just two ounces for a pair!"
Turing: "This lock has a spirit-locking effect?"
"Honored guest! The Yue Lao Temple outside Liangzhou City is very efficacious! It's extremely popular with worshippers!"
Turing glanced at his fourth brother out of the corner of his eye and chuckled, "I'm not interested in this little gadget, but your wife might like it."
Chao Lu raised an eyebrow: "Girls always like these weird and wonderful things. Okay, let's get a pair!"
"Okay, okay!"
Chaolu paid the money, saying, "I'll choose for myself."
The other person paused for a moment, then said, "Of course, you can!"
Chao Lu squatted down, carefully selected a pair, put them in his arms, curled his lips into a smile, and continued walking into the city with Turing.
As they approached the inn, Yang Chong seemed to have been waiting there for some time.
Chaolu dismounted, and Yang Chong quickly stepped forward and recounted the events of the day in the city to Chaolu.
As Chaolu listened, his initially good mood gradually turned sour.
His brows were also tightly furrowed.
"Is she hurt?"
Yang Chong shook his head: "Madam is fine, and Dabieji's injuries have been treated."
Turing gritted his teeth: "Where are those bastards?!"
"He was taken into custody by the prefectural government."
Chao Lu frowned: "What official position in Chang'an did you say that person held?"
Yang Chong repeated it in a low voice. When Ruan Yu was in the teahouse, Yang Chong stayed by her side without leaving for a moment, so he naturally heard her identity.
Afterwards, they even did some investigation and inquiries.
"Are he and Yu Yu old acquaintances?"
Yang Chong hesitated.
He had gathered all the information he needed to know all afternoon, but... should he tell His Highness now?
How to start the conversation.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Chao Lu keenly sensed something, his tone tinged with impatience.
At that moment, a carriage approached from not far away, and the person inside was Pei Du.
Upon hearing the sound, Chao Lu looked over and saw the carriage slowly come to a stop in front of the inn.
Pei Du slowly walked down.
The two exchanged a glance across the crowd.
Pei Du narrowed his long eyes, and without even asking, he already knew the other party's identity.
Chao Lu was too lazy to ask Yang Chong any more questions.
Since he had already met them, he decided to ask them himself.
...
Ruan Yu took a nap in her room in the afternoon, and when she woke up, it was already dusk.
Strange, Chaolu hasn't returned yet.
She rubbed her eyes, lifted the bed curtains and got out of bed. Just as she was about to go out and ask, the door suddenly opened, and Chao Lu's figure blocked out the setting sun outside.
Ruan Yu was overjoyed: "You're back!"
Chao Lu stood silently at the door, staring intently at the other person.
Backlit, Ruan Yu couldn't see his expression, but she could smell the scent of alcohol in his breath.
"Have you been drinking?"
Ruan Yu sniffed, somewhat puzzled. Why was she drunk when she wasn't out of town on business?
Chao Lu suddenly walked in heavily and closed the door.
"I drank some."
His voice betrayed no emotion.
Ruan Yu asked urgently, "Has something urgent happened?"
The door was closed, and the room was even darker as the lights were not yet on.
"It's nothing."
Ruan Yu was even more puzzled. She took two steps forward to Chao Lu and asked, "Husband, what's wrong?"
Before she could finish speaking, Chao Lu suddenly grabbed her wrist with considerable force, startling Ruan Yu.
"My husband..."
Chao Lu seemed to grit his teeth and chew on those two words.
He suddenly stepped forward, picked up Ruan Yu, and strode into the inner room. Ruan Yu felt a dizzying sensation as she was thrown onto the soft bedding. The next instant, Chao Lu's figure loomed over her—
He moved very quickly, almost tearing off his own clothes.
Ruan Yu had no idea what had happened to him. Why had he suddenly drunk so much? He'd only just gotten back, and he was already in such a hurry to let loose...
"Husband, calm down." Ruan Yu sat up.
Chao Lu leaned in and kissed her, his ears, cheeks, and forehead raining down on her. But his movements were too hasty. Ruan Yu was completely bewildered, her nostrils filled with the smell of alcohol, and she was not aroused at all.
"Chao Lu!"
She was also a little angry and pushed him away forcefully. Chao Lu was not on guard and was indeed pushed to the side. He just lay there flat and did not pounce on him again.
...
The only sound in the room was Chao Lu's panting. After a moment of silence, Chao Lu suddenly asked a question.
"You sent the letter to your mother?"
Ruan Yu was confused: "It's been sent? What happened? What's wrong with you...?"
"So you came to Liangzhou just to send a letter to your mother! And you even went all the way to the post station next to the government office?!"
Chao Lu's voice held a hint of anger, and Ruan Yu gradually froze.
"You...you know? About what happened at the government office gate."
Chaolu: "I'm asking you a question."
Ruan Yu suddenly frowned: "I'm going to send a letter to my mother, and of course I also hope to find out some news about Chang'an within the Central Plains. I've already told you beforehand..."
Chao Lu suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and closed his eyes briefly: "So, you admit it."
His shoulders slumped down.
Ruan Yu was even more confused: "What did I admit to...?"
Chao Lu suddenly jumped up!
Her eyes were slightly red, and she could no longer hold back her emotions: "So you wanted to come out on the autumn hunt from the very beginning because of Liangzhou! What a Liangzhou prefecture, thousands of miles away from Chang'an! He actually came to find you, and you even met in front of the government office! You two really are... quite destined!"
Ruan Yu gasped and her eyes widened.
"W-what did you say...?"
Chao Lu's angry words welled up in his throat, and he couldn't hold back any longer; his chest heaved, and his breathing became rapid.
After a brief respite, he slumped down again.
“I told you before that I would keep an eye on your mother’s affairs. Did you take my words to heart? In the end, you just don’t believe me.”
Ruan Yu felt a tightness in her chest; he actually thought of her so much...?!
After Chao Lu finished speaking, he suddenly turned and left like a gust of wind, leaving behind only a cold remark.
"I will leave Liangzhou early tomorrow morning."
Then, the door was slammed shut.
-----------------------
The author's note: Actually, it's still a long way from the two of them completely opening up to each other. For Da Gou, there is affection and attraction, but he doesn't know Yu Yu well enough. As for Yu Yu, she has even more concerns and worries.
So, arguing is inevitable. [Eating popcorn][Eating popcorn][Eating popcorn][Eating popcorn]
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