Chapter 23 The Marquis
Chapter Summary: The Birth of the Jealous King.
Xu Luchuan turned around following Liu Shiyu's gaze and saw a man with a commanding presence, clad in golden armor, striding into the hall. However, the scar on the man's right eyebrow was a striking and unsettling sight.
And so, the man arrogantly approached the palace. He brazenly drew his sword from his waist, pressed it against Fu Zheng's shoulder, and said in a sinister voice, "I wonder if Your Excellency, the Imperial Censor, wishes to lead from the front?"
The cold blade pressed against his body, and Fu Zheng was terrified.
He had planned everything meticulously, but he never expected Wei Jingshan to return to the capital at this time.
With the Prime Minister absent, Liu Shiyu alone might still offer some leeway. But with Wei Jingshan, who commands the Northern Army, added to the mix, the odds of victory are slim.
Fu Zheng glared back angrily, refusing to show weakness, but he did not resist again.
"Does the Commandant of the Guards know what the punishment is for arbitrarily killing an official of the court? This court will not tolerate your rampage! His Majesty will make the final decision."
Upon hearing this, Wei Jingshan disdainfully moved the blade half an inch to the left and pressed it heavily against Fu Zheng's neck.
Liu Shiyu, who had remained silent for a long time, finally spoke in a deep voice: "In the imperial court, no presumptions are permitted. Put away your sword."
Wei Jingshan was arrogant and disdainful of everyone, yet he obeyed Liu Shiyu's orders without question. He immediately sheathed his sword, walked down the steps, and turned back to protect Liu Shiyu.
"I will ask one last time, do you all have anything to report today?" Liu Shiyu asked loudly, pretending to be nonchalant.
The officials below the stage exchanged glances and fell silent.
"Since everyone is free, I will speak. In previous years, the Emperor's birthday celebrations were handled by the Imperial Household Department. However, since the new Imperial Household Department official has not yet been appointed, the Imperial Household Department will temporarily oversee the celebrations under the supervision of Grand Master Xu. But His Majesty is concerned about the drought in Yongzhou, so the birthday celebrations must be simplified. Does Grand Master Xu understand?"
Xu Qinguo knelt behind Fu Zheng. Seeing the situation was not good, he had no choice but to cup his hands and reply, "Your subject obeys the decree."
"Dismissal of the court"
Upon hearing this, Liu Shiyu flung his sleeve and stormed off in anger.
The emperor rose from his throne, his long dragon robe falling to his feet. Liu Zhizhou gazed at his minister, an unspeakable arrogance in his eyes. He turned silently, and the group walked towards the rear of the palace.
...
As a result, the people in the hall left one after another, and the courtiers below the hall dispersed in all directions.
Xu Luchuan and Shen Ruoshi were still the last to leave Guiyuan Hall. But as soon as they stepped out of the hall, Shen Ruoshi couldn't help but say, "Brother Luchuan was truly brave today. He didn't hesitate to offend his father and brothers in order to uphold righteousness and protect His Highness."
"To be honest, although I have always been afraid of the Eldest Princess, everyone can see the achievements she has made during her two years as regent."
"Yes, there will always be people who say she is ruthless and cold-hearted, without any semblance of womanhood, and is an absolute female demon. But the princess only deals with those who commit evil and disorder. Apart from being a bit harsh on us, she is not bad at all."
"To be honest, there's no reason why they treated her like this today."
Shen Ruoshi felt indignant on Liu Shiyu's behalf, but Xu Luchuan seemed distracted.
After the two descended the steps, Xu Luchuan suddenly asked, "Who was that man who brought a knife into the palace just now?"
Shen Ruoshi turned around, surprised that Xu Luchuan would be interested in someone like Wei Jingshan. "Wei Jingshan, the Commandant of the Northern Army and Marquis of Shangming. Brother Luchuan, don't you know him? That's right, Brother Luchuan has only been in Jinling for a short time, so it's normal that you don't know Marquis Wei."
"Lord Wei?" Xu Luchuan asked in confusion, as he did not recall any Wei family members being granted the title of marquis in Jinling.
"Yes. The old Marquis and his wife both died in battle, leaving behind only this one son. I heard that he grew up in Yongzhou with the Tang family since he was a child, and only returned to Jinling two years ago when His Majesty ascended the throne." As she spoke, Shen Ruoshi suddenly looked around and carefully leaned close to Xu Luchuan's ear, "I also heard that Your Highness and Marquis Wei have that kind of relationship."
Xu Luchuan sneered upon hearing this.
That kind of relationship? Doesn't he know whether Liu Shiyu and Wei Jingshan have that kind of relationship?
But Chen Ruoshi was puzzled and asked, "Brother Lu Chuan, what are you laughing at? Do you know something? Quickly, tell me."
Xu Luchuan indifferently lifted his foot and replied, "I don't know."
Shen Ruoshi clicked his tongue and followed, continuing, "Actually, I think His Highness and Marquis Wei are quite a good match. I actually hope they can get married. Otherwise, Brother Lu Chuan, look at His Highness's temperament, which man can control him? Only a man with the courage of Marquis Wei can."
Xu Luchuan didn't want to continue the topic. But when he heard Shen Ruoshi say that, he couldn't help but retort, "The Princess is not a household, she doesn't need Jiaotu to suppress her."
Xu Luchuan's words were tinged with jealousy, but Shen Ruoshi, with his dense mind, didn't notice at all.
What do you mean? I didn't say Your Highness was a residence.
Just as he was about to explain, Bai Tao's men rushed up behind him and shouted, "Lord Zuo, what are you still doing here! Hurry up, the Minister of Justice has been waiting for you outside the palace gate for a long time. If you don't go soon, the Minister of Justice may get angry."
Upon hearing this, Shen Ruoshi patted his head.
"Oh no, oh no. Look at my brain! The boss said we'd be going to investigate a case in the outskirts of Beijing today. How could I forget! Brother Lu Chuan, I have to go ahead. Excuse me."
Upon hearing this, Xu Luchuan said nothing, but simply cupped his hands and saw the man off on his journey.
After the others had gone far away, Xu Luchuan lowered his arms and continued walking towards the road leading out of the palace.
Just past Xuannei Gate, before Xu Luchuan even turned the corner, he caught sight of Liu Shiyu and Wei Jingshan talking not far away. Luckily, he reacted quickly and retreated. Otherwise, an awkward encounter would have been inevitable.
Leaning against the wall, Xu Luchuan was not eavesdropping. But Liu Shiyu's voice still reached his ears. He only heard her say in a deep voice, "With the Marquis here, I feel at ease."
Before Liu Shiyu could finish speaking, Xu Luchuan suddenly lowered his eyes for some reason and turned to leave.
...
Half an hour earlier, Liu Shiyu had run into Wei Jingshan, who was on patrol, on his way to Shiguang Hall to review memorials.
Upon seeing this, Wei Jingshan stopped and softly called out, "Your Highness."
Looking at Liu Shiyu, whom he hadn't seen for so long, Wei Jingshan's ever-vigilant eyes suddenly relaxed slightly. He would always remember the first time he met Liu Shiyu two years ago, on the day the Tang family came to his rescue.
He followed Tang Wuzheng, sword in hand, all the way to the main hall. Inside, the officials watched from the sidelines, only Liu Shiyu wept and sang a song of blood.
It was at that moment that Wei Jingshan realized he had chosen her.
After Chengjun became regent, Tang Wuzheng placed him by Liu Shiyu's side, and he became Liu Shiyu's best weapon.
Liu Shiyu looked up and saw that the man's already cold face was made even more sinister by the scar between his brows, sending chills down her spine. Wei Jingshan never seemed to like hiding his face, but his thoughts were always hidden far away.
Liu Shiyu withdrew his gaze and politely replied, "Lord Marquis."
"Your Highness was frightened today; it is my fault for arriving late. Please punish me, Your Highness," Wei Jingshan said, clasping his hands in apology for the day's events.
Liu Shiyu gently pressed down his tightly clenched fists and said in a deep voice, "Lord Marquis, there is no need to apologize, and I will not punish you. If it weren't for your timely arrival today, how could I have escaped unscathed? With you here, I am at ease. Your Majesty is at ease too."
"I wonder what you gained from your trip to Yongzhou, Marquis? And how is your uncle doing?"
While Liu Shiyu was exchanging pleasantries with Wei Jingshan, Lian Yue noticed something amiss in the corner and hurriedly went to investigate. But as soon as she stepped through the inner gate, she saw Xu Luchuan's back and quickly chased after him, calling out, "Right Supervisor."
Upon hearing this, Xu Luchuan stopped in his tracks.
Seeing this, Lian Yue took a few steps to catch up and asked, "Do you have something to discuss with His Highness?"
Xu Luchuan wanted to explain that he was just passing by, but after remembering what Liu Shiyu had said earlier, he turned around and replied, "Please tell them for me. I have an appointment today, so I won't be going."
Before Lian Yue could react, Xu Luchuan turned and left.
"Your Excellency, the Right Supervisor..."
I tried to ask him again after several months, but he had already left in a hurry.
Watching Xu Luchuan's departing figure, Lian Yue felt something was amiss, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. Helpless, she turned and stepped out of the Xuannei Gate. By the time she returned to Liu Shiyu's side, Wei Jingshan had already left.
Upon seeing the person return, Liu Shiyu asked, "Where did you go?"
“I ran into Supervisor Xu,” Lian Yue stepped forward and answered. Liu Shiyu’s eyes lit up upon hearing that she had encountered Xu Luchuan. “Where is he?”
When Liu Shiyu asked her questions, Lian Yue recounted to Liu Shiyu, word by word, what Xu Luchuan had just told her.
Upon receiving the news, Liu Shiyu instantly became dejected.
Didn't you say yesterday that you'd come every day? How come you're not coming now? How could you do this...? I specially asked Lexin to order the braised pork, how are we going to finish it...?
Hmph, if you don't want to come, then don't! I'll just eat by myself, okay? You heartless bastard, no, you're a faithless bastard!
"Lianyue. Let's go to Shiguang Palace."
Liu Shiyu angrily flung her sleeve. Even the pressure from the court officials this morning couldn't compare to the displeasure caused by Xu Luchuan's words. She strode through the long corridor, her anger bubbling over as she began her tedious day of assisting the emperor.
...
At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), the sun sets in the west.
The city of Jinling was bustling with activity, and Xu Luchuan had unusually worked an extra half hour today. As he leisurely stepped out of the Court of Justice and stretched, Lian Xing, who was waiting across the street, came right up to him.
His gesture startled Xu Luchuan, who lowered his arm and retreated repeatedly.
"Didn't I tell her I wasn't going tonight? Why are you here again?" Xu Luchuan stopped and looked at Lian Xing with apparent displeasure.
Hearing him say that, Lian Xing pouted, looking puzzled: "I don't know. Sister didn't say."
Xu Luchuan was amused and exasperated. Helplessly, he stepped forward, patted Lian Xing on the shoulder, and said, "Now you know. Go back, I have things to do, I should go."
After saying this, Xu Luchuan hurriedly walked around the people and left.
But Lian Xing was stubborn; without Lian Yue's explanation, he absolutely refused to believe Xu Luchuan. He followed closely behind, heading towards Xiaoting Mountain on Shanghua Street with Xu Luchuan.
Lian Xing silently chased Xu Luchuan all the way to the intersection of Shanghua Street.
As Xiaoting Mountain drew near, Xu Luchuan finally lost his temper and turned around angrily, saying, "How long are you going to follow me? Did Liu Shiyu deliberately send you to follow me? What exactly does she want?"
Lian Xing couldn't answer, so he simply stared intently at Xu Luchuan with his bright eyes without saying a word.
Seeing that he did not answer, Xu Luchuan had no choice but to threaten him, saying, "Don't follow me anymore, or I will not be polite to you."
After saying that, Xu Luchuan left without looking back, leaving Lian Xing standing there angrily.
I really want to tie him up...
Your Highness, please don't...
bother...
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