After the rain
As usual, Old Du smiled kindly at them, but this time he went upstairs with a stern face and a cold expression.
The surrounding guards quickly retreated, clearing a path through the mess.
Lu Wei was in a terrible predicament, standing obediently to the side. He opened his mouth to defend himself, but was forced back down by a casual glance from Old Du.
He was torn between leaving and staying, so he stood in front of the gate, feeling distressed. Through the sunlight, he saw that behind the only intact screen, Master Du was showing concern for Liu Xu and examining his scholarship.
After the two finished discussing a piece of "Literary Theory," they finally looked at him.
Old Master Du already had some reservations about the current empress dowager, and now, upon seeing the emperor's brother-in-law, his forehead furrowed so deeply it could trap a mosquito.
He glanced at it with disgust, turned his face away, clearly showing his disdain, and said indifferently, "His Majesty has bestowed far too many favors upon you."
Upon hearing this, Lu Wei was terrified and kowtowed to the ground.
"My lord, please let me explain! We were acting in accordance with the law. Someone really did report that this person was involved in yesterday's assault case, which is why I came!"
"You are very perceptive. This young man is suffering now, but I am also a pitiful person!"
Oh no! This Grand Tutor Du usually dislikes them the most, not to mention he's currently enjoying the Emperor's favor!
After hearing this, Old Du turned his face and said sternly, "I don't care about any of that, but the mess here today is obvious to anyone with eyes to see what happened, and you still have the nerve to argue?"
"I have been out of the world for so long that I was unaware of how difficult life is for ordinary people!"
After he finished speaking, he turned around and patted Liu Xu's shoulder heavily, his eyes full of appreciation. He glanced at the young man's coarse clothes and felt a pang of pity.
They pitied his poverty and lamented his lofty ambitions.
Seeing that Liu Xu was like a frightened bird, he assumed that he was still afraid of what had just happened, stroked his beard and assured him, "Don't be afraid, with me here, he won't dare to act recklessly in the future."
Suddenly remembering the cousin Liu Xu had mentioned who had gone to Chang'an, he asked, "How is your sister? Is her injury alright?"
With the crisis resolved, Liu Xu felt much relieved, but on the surface he still pretended to be lingering fear.
He subtly shrugged, pointed to the bed at the back, and said in an innocent tone, "Dead."
He repeated, under Lu Wei's confused gaze, "He beat me to death."
"You...you...!"
Now it was Old Du's turn to be speechless. He did indeed see a person lying there, half-covered in blood, lifeless and motionless. At this moment, he could no longer hold on, and his body swayed to the side, like a towering pine tree on a cliff, unable to fall.
Fortunately, Liu Xu reacted quickly and caught him in time.
Old Du leaned against Liu Xu, panting heavily. After catching his breath, he glared angrily at Lu Wei, his fingertips trembling: "Disregard for human life! Abuse of power!"
"Wait until tomorrow when I will go to His Majesty to file a complaint against you!"
"snort!"
He turned and left.
...
By noon, everyone had left.
Xie Lingxi took a deep breath and turned over.
Looking at Liu Xu with a complicated expression, he said, "You're really good at talking."
Should we say that she woke up at just the right time, precisely when Liu Xu was making his accusations so forcefully, it was truly comparable to a makeshift opera troupe performing on the street on the second day of the second lunar month?
Standing on the edge of the bed, Liu Xu thoughtfully touched the money pouch in his hand. It was given to him by Old Du when he left, so that he could give his poor "cousin" a proper burial.
He also said some encouraging words to him.
Grand Tutor Du cherished talent above all else. He had heard that when Du came to Lanting to lecture, the area around the pavilion and for miles around was packed with students. After listening to one of his lectures, Liu Xu took note.
I learned that this teacher would come to East Alley every day after court to buy a bag of Eight Treasure Pastries. I originally wanted to ask him for guidance on my studies, but who would have thought that it would end up in this situation.
It's true that fate is unpredictable.
Seeing Xie Lingxi speaking to him, he smiled faintly and said, "This is for you."
Xie Lingxi stared at the money pouch for a few moments. "This was obtained through deception; it's not honest money."
Liu Xu raised an eyebrow: "Then what should we do?"
Before Xie Lingxi could finish speaking, he took a few deep breaths and continued, "But if we're talking about sincerity, Lord Du's willingness to give you this money is certainly not because of your nonsense. Since he values your character, you should accept the money."
Du Min rose to the highest ranks of officialdom at the age of thirty and had been immersed in officialdom for several years. How could he not see through such tricks?
It was simply a preordained plan.
However, today's events seem to have stripped away some of Chang'an's pretense, revealing a cruel and cannibalistic side of Liu Xu.
"The book describes Chang'an as a wealthy and noble place; this is what life was like there."
He sighed, "They just started beating people whenever they wanted, and they smashed up a clinic just like that. How are ordinary people supposed to make a living when these powerful officials bully the people?"
“I studied and farmed in Jiangzhou. My monthly expenses were two strings of cash. In the spring, I dug bamboo shoots in the mountains and forests. After the rain, mushrooms grew. I could sell them at the market for a few coins a day.”
Even if a county magistrate were to seize grain, it would still be barely enough to feed us.
Xie Lingxi had been separated from her brother during a spring outing when she was young. At that time, there were countless refugees, and she had witnessed too much injustice, let alone having lived an extra life. Having heard Liu Xu's words, she calmly asked, "Then why did you come to Chang'an?"
Liu Xu straightened his clothes: "The imperial examination!"
"When one is successful, one should benefit all under heaven and be worthy of establishing a life for the people; by emulating the ways of sages and virtuous men, one can establish a heart for all things."
“One day, there will be no more Golden Guards like they are today.”
Xie Lingxi instinctively wanted to laugh, but her barren heart seemed to be filled with sweet rain, and her laughter was as gentle as a breeze.
She had lived a lifetime and seen all sorts of people. Such naive martyrs were not uncommon; it's just that they all didn't live long enough.
Once thrown into the inkwell, it's difficult to remain completely innocent.
But, she thought, no matter who it was, even her father, who was already deeply entrenched in the treacherous world of officialdom, had to show respect and not a hint of mockery when faced with such a pure and sincere heart.
Xie Lingxi replied, "Everyone in the world is sailing at night. But if what you say is true, perhaps one day you will be the helmsman in the storm."
Lying down in a quilt, the girl in front of me spoke coldly, her voice trailing off quickly, like a chilly breeze passing by in late spring after a fresh rain in an empty mountain.
He smiled happily, as if holding the bright moon in his arms: "Thank you for your kind words."
Xie Lingxi said without any politeness, "Don't forget me when that day comes."
Just now, this man spoke absurdly and nonsensically to the Imperial Guards, acting as if he could kill someone; but when he sat opposite a learned scholar, he became self-disciplined, polite, and dignified.
Even if you don't see him in person, just listening to his beautiful poems flowing like a melody is enough to bring you joy.
He's a remarkable person.
Xie Lingxi thought absurdly, how does this person compare to that top scholar?
...
She made it home before curfew.
The Xie family's approach to their children's education has always been one of indulgence and lack of discipline. Upon seeing her return, they merely scolded her for not informing the family beforehand.
It wasn't until I noticed the unusual appearance of her arm that I realized something was wrong.
Xie Lingjun was filled with anxiety: "What happened? Who hit you?"
Xie Lingguang was also there. Seeing that his sister's injured arm was being pulled roughly by Xie Lingjun, he quickly stepped between them, saying, "Don't worry, listen to what Lingxi has to say."
Although it was late at night, the concern and worry on everyone's faces in the house were obvious.
A warm feeling welled up in Xie Lingxi's heart. She thought to herself that she had accidentally fallen and was rescued by a kind person, and had stayed at the clinic for the night.
Now that things were clear, Xie Lingjun's expression softened somewhat. He paced back and forth, pondering, "Why have so many bad things happened lately? Should I go to the temple to offer incense to my family?"
Such a composed person becomes like this when it comes to his own sister.
Didn't you say you don't believe in ghosts and gods?
Madam Xie sighed: "Then go and pray to the Bodhisattva for each of us, to bless everyone."
With his mother's approval, Xie Lingjun nodded solemnly and hurried back into the house to think of auspicious words.
"ill."
Xie Lingxi chuckled.
Her brother had always been good to her since she was little, but things have only become like this now, after that dangerous encounter in the valley.
Eight years ago, Jiangzhou was hit by a flood, which caused refugees to flee in all directions and bandits to roam the mountains. She and her brother got separated while going on a spring outing. Fortunately, they met up in a remote county town, both covered in dust. They supported each other and followed the refugees to the capital, eventually returning home.
In Xie Lingjun's words, it was "having experienced life and death, one sees even more the kinship of blood relatives."
She moved her injured arm, and the pain spread throughout her body. Seeing this, Chun Tao rushed over to help her, her expression anxious: "Wife, I'll follow you no matter what next time."
Next time?
A memory surfaced in her mind, and Xie Lingxi grabbed Chun Tao's hand: "What day of the month is it today?"
Chun Tao thought she had hit her head again and was feeling dizzy and unable to remember anything, so she couldn't help but cry, "Miss, do you really not need to see a doctor...?"
Today is already March 17th!
Seventeen...
Xie Lingxi was thunderstruck; how could she have forgotten that matter!
According to her memories from her previous life, she first met Yan Ji at a spring banquet. The two hit it off immediately, and the 20th of next month was the day Yan Ji would obtain the imperial decree to marry her.
But things have changed since the first meeting. Will things continue to develop as they did in the previous life?
...
Time flies, and Xie Lingxi is recuperating at home. Her physical injuries have mostly healed.
As she expected, undercurrents were swirling during this period, and even the Pei family, who usually did not associate with the Xie family, sent people to visit her several times.
When a storm is brewing.
That day, Xie's father mysteriously told her that after court that day, he had gone to the Wang family for a banquet and had found her a good husband.
Xie Lingxi was startled: "Who is it?"
In her previous life, the imperial edict should have arrived at her doorstep by now.
Minister Xie said with a smile, "It's that top scholar!"
"Today's banquet has invited many talented individuals from the list of successful candidates. Father spotted Liu Xu at a glance! He is a man of great talent and character, not at all pedantic, and moreover, he is quite handsome!"
It's that top scholar...
Why didn't he show his talent in his previous life?
Xie Lingxi thought to herself that everything was indeed different from her previous life. She breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her father, "Father likes him, why don't you let me go and meet him?"
Minister Xie had been waiting for these words, but he sighed, stroked his beard, and gritted his teeth: "I was just about to speak to Liu Xu when he was captured by that Fifth Prince!"
Xie Yuan kept nagging his daughter, saying, "I really don't like him anymore. He dared to steal my son-in-law today, and he'll dare to come to our house and cause trouble tomorrow!"
This complaint was so forceful that even the butterflies around it were startled.
Xie Lingxi looked around and quickly covered her father's mouth: "Father!"
"I'm terrified your words will come true!"
Xie Yuan smiled and said, "Just kidding."
"Where is Xie Heng? He hasn't been seen since early this morning."
Xie Lingxi remembered that her brother had said he was going to meet Cui Yi the night before, and covered for him: "Maybe he went to Cui Erge's house for drinks. You know, they've always been on good terms."
With this matter settled, Xie Lingxi knew that even though her father spoke of the Fifth Prince in such a humorous tone, in reality, the Fifth Prince's maternal clan belonged to the faction of the current General of the Cavalry, and together with other officials, they were clearly the mainstay of his future struggle for the throne. As a family of upright officials, the Xie family would never want to get involved in such matters.
Wasn't it precisely because of this in her past life that Yan Ji held a grudge against her and ruthlessly attacked her?
Xie Lingxi thought to herself, "In that case, the top scholar who is closely connected with the Fifth Prince must not be involved."
However, she recalled the last time they drank wine by the winding stream, Yan Ji didn't even glance at her, his mind completely occupied by Liu Xu...
Why is it Liu Xu again?
It seems that Liu Xu took over her fate, forcing her into a tragic relationship with Yan Ji.
However, this ill-fated relationship was not for marriage, but for the countless scriptures and strategies in his mind.
The Anecdotes of Chang'an City recounts a story about a monk on a sacred mountain, whom everyone called "Master Kongkong." Legend has it that he possessed a pair of yin-yang eyes, which allowed him to see the secrets of heaven and determine life and death.
This is why I went to Fragrant Hills.
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