Chapter 41: Song Ren's Life, Straight to the Lotus
Shang Yuwan always felt that Xiao Qingxu's attitude towards Zhao Xiang was not right.
On the surface, it looked like he was deliberately provoking Zhao Xiang to expose his strength, but if you think about it carefully, you would find that Xiao Qingxu seemed to have... an inexplicable disgust towards Zhao Xiang?
Xiao Qingxu had no intention of explaining, he just asked her what she planned to do next.
"Have someone keep a close eye on him. Zhao Xiang is not a concern for now. Focus on the man in black beside him, the Crown Prince, and the City Lord."
City Lord Gao Zhu, for his own safety, must have obeyed the Crown Prince's orders; otherwise, he wouldn't have had the guts to imprison Xiao Qinggu. This city was the city lord's territory, and being used by the Crown Prince was of no benefit to them. He needed to be constantly monitored to prevent a surprise attack.
Shang Yuwan pondered for a moment, "Also, send someone to blend in with the refugees and find an opportunity to stir up public anger. The sooner the better."
The spring floods continue, and the dikes and canals built by the prince and others have not yet shown any results. She wants to make good use of this opportunity to let Xiao Qinggu show himself in front of the people, and it would be best if she can win the hearts of the people.
Xiao Qingxu said, "There was news this morning, but I didn't have time to tell you. The prince is looking for someone."
Shang Yuwan raised her eyes to look at him: "Who?"
"Song Pingsheng. He was once the water supervisor of Luzhou City. He was skilled in water management and was deeply loved by the citizens. His reputation was even higher than that of the city lord at one point. However, for unknown reasons, he resolutely resigned and retired five years ago. I've asked someone to investigate."
Shang Yuwan raised his eyebrows, "Five years ago?"
Xiao Qingxu nodded, "Five years ago, the Lord of Luzhou City was accepting bribes and committing corruption."
Shang Yuwan clenched his fist and placed it on his chin. "So, it seems he might be... an honest official?"
But in the end, one arm cannot twist the thigh, and if one cannot go along with the corrupt people, one can only resign and retire, out of sight, out of mind.
"The host, Lord Shang, has found it."
Lu Heying knocked on the door, walked in and closed it behind him.
"Liu Que, the Prime Minister bought him from a slave market. After being trained as a secret guard, he stayed by the Prime Minister's side for a while. Later, for some reason, the hilt of his sword was changed into a curved hook shape. Since then, he has been by Zhao Xiang's side, protecting him."
Lu Heying sat down hurriedly and took out a piece of letter from his arms. Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu each took a piece.
"Song Pingsheng has an ex-wife and has never remarried. His parents died in a flood when he was young. He currently lives in Nianlian Village, fifty miles away from Luzhou City. However, his residence is still a bit far from Nianlian Village, not very close."
Lu Heying drank half a pot of tea and added, "The prince and the city lord have already gone there, so we have to hurry."
Shang Yuwan immediately looked at Xiao Qingxu and made a decision before he could speak: "You stay here with Ji Suxian and the others. The deputy building owner and I will take some people over. Xiao Qinggu and Xiaoman will also come with me."
This is an opportunity to make Song Pingsheng, a talented person, obey Xiao Qinggu.
"Let Twelve or Bai Xiaoye go with you."
Shang Yuwan shook his head. "No, Twelve's shoulder injury hasn't healed yet and he's already been soaked in water. He needs to recuperate. Bai Xiaoye and the others will stay to protect you, to prevent the people behind the prince from assassinating you again."
"Master, you need to help me guard the rear. Don't worry, I'm good at martial arts, and I'll be fine."
Xiao Qingxu was silent for a moment, "I'll wait for you...when you come back."
Shang Yuwan found it a little strange, but didn't think much of it. "Just wait patiently. I will definitely do what I promised you."
Lu Heying looked left and right, then stood up and went out.
"I'll ask someone to get some things before I leave. Sir Shang, please hurry up."
Shang Yuwan, who was about to stand up and follow, asked: "?"
Hurry? What do you mean by hurry?
"Yuwan."
Shang Yuwan turned her head and looked over. "Huh? Did I miss something?"
Xiao Qingxu looked up at her and said, "Don't give me honey next time."
He didn't want to trouble her with even such a small matter.
Shang Yuwan was stunned for a moment, then apologized.
"I didn't mean that. I thought the medicine you took that day was too bitter, and I was worried you wouldn't be able to eat."
"I once had a friend who wasn't feeling well. Sometimes he couldn't eat, so I would give him some honey. He loved it, and I thought you would like it too."
Under the mask, Xiao Qingxu's eyes widened slightly.
"Can you tell me about your friend?"
"I didn't mean to treat you like a child... huh?"
Shang Yuwan reacted and realized that he had let something slip, and immediately added: "I recently remembered something..."
Xiao Qingxu already knew who she was, so of course he didn't care if she let the cat out of the bag.
"I told you I won't ask about your identity or past anymore. You don't have to be so cautious."
Shang Yuwan blinked and said, "Time is running out. If it's nothing important, I'll leave first. If the owner wants to hear it, I'll tell you when I get back."
Xiao Qingxu also realized that he asked at the wrong time and nodded, "Go, protect yourself."
Shang Yuwan immediately got up and left without any hesitation.
Xiao Qingxu looked at her departing back, a little dazed.
It turns out that she still remembers their past.
His appearance was disfigured and his left eye was blinded when he was eleven years old. Since then, he has been depressed and rarely went to Baijialou. He even lived in a small house in Kyoto and never left.
During the initial days, he could not eat and fell asleep every night relying on Yao Lao's calming incense. He threw away all the bronze mirrors in the house and could not tolerate even the slightest water stain that could reflect his appearance.
At that time, he had not yet been conferred the title of Prince Qi and was still living in the palace. It was only because of Emperor Chengming's temporary sympathy that he was not neglected by the palace servants.
On his first day in the palace, Xiao Qingxu noticed that where the bronze mirror had once stood, there were always some small things. Kites, windmills, ginkgo leaves rolled into flower shapes, grasshoppers, crickets, tiger-shaped wooden sculptures—and a large bag of honey wrapped in oil paper, each one plump and round, with a luster like amber.
Very sweet.
That was the most delicious candy Xiao Qingxu had ever eaten.
Xiao Qingxu stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at Shang Yuwan and the others riding their horses.
Their figures gradually turned into a few black dots until they could no longer be seen.
Xiao Qingxu knew who sent those things.
At the Royal Hunting Tournament, he was persecuted by a villain, but it was Shang Yuwan who saved him. Without her, Xiao Qingxu would have suffered more than just disfigurement and blindness. When the two of them were in danger and fell into the river, it was Shang Yuwan who carried him to hide in the cave, holding on until their master arrived to rescue them.
Shang Yuwan knew that he was deeply hurt, so she sent him honey and other little things every day just to make him happy.
Since he took over Baijialou, he specially ordered people to build a sugar shop in Baijialou, specializing in this amber-colored, round and plump honey.
He seldom ate it, though. After all, it was made by someone else, and no matter how much he ate, it wouldn't have been as delicious as what Shang Yuwan had given him. Baijialou was a special gang that took in homeless orphans, but there weren't many younger people there. The candy shop's regulars were Ju Gongcheng and Shang Mingqi, who had been at Baijialou for over half a year.
Xiao Qingxu suddenly put his hand to his heart.
For some reason, his heartbeat was... a little panicked?
Xiao Qingxu looked at the direction where Shang Yuwan left, his pupils began to tremble, and his heart became more anxious.
Wanwan... Is something going to happen to Wanwan?!
"Bai Xiaoye!"
After Bai Xiaoye finished what Shang Yuwan instructed him to do, he stayed by Xiao Qingxu's side and appeared very quickly.
Xiao Qingxu took a deep breath and said, "Prepare the horses, take everyone with you, and go to Lianlian Village!"
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