Chapter 19 Lactose
Chapter Summary: I can tell this is your first child.
When Shen Ruoshi brought all the case files of the suspicious cases over.
Xu Luchuan exclaimed in amazement, wondering when he would ever finish reading such thick stacks of files. He feared he could read them all before sunset. Liu Shiyu, however, seemed relaxed and content, remarking that these files were quite different from the memorials she usually helped Liu Zhizhou review.
So, over the next hour or so, Liu Shiyu not only read through all the case files, but also categorized them.
Looking up at the nearly dusky sky outside, Liu Shiyu gently put down the last file and said, "Shen Ruoshi, give the stack in front of you to Jiang Tu first. The rest can be put on hold for now. But please tell Jiang Tu that by next spring at the latest, I don't want to see these old cases piling up again."
"Do you understand?" Liu Shiyu said, pressing her finger on the file and slamming it down hard.
Shen Ruoshi quickly replied, "Yes, Your Highness, I will certainly convey your message."
Liu Shiyu straightened up, her eyes showing no sign of fatigue, while Xu Luchuan remained buried in the files, still feeling sleepy.
Seeing this, Shen Ruoshi was about to kick Xu Luchuan as a warning, but Liu Shiyu stopped her, saying, "No need to call him. I'm leaving. Remember to do what I told you."
Upon hearing this, Shen Ruoshi withdrew his foot, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Yes!"
Liu Shiyu stopped talking and walked away.
After watching the person leave, Shen Ruoshi slowly squatted down to examine Xu Luchuan. He even stroked his beard as if it were a real object and said, "He is indeed handsome. The princess is pleased with him and he can even get away with less punishment."
Xu Luchuan, who had been pretending to be asleep, immediately threw away the dossier he had been covering in front of him after hearing Shen Ruoshi's words.
"My God, thank goodness I dodged quickly." Shen Ruoshi turned around and looked at the dossier that had fallen against the wall, still shaken. "Brother Lu Chuan, what are you doing? If you had really hurt me, I would have made sure your Xu family was safe for the rest of their lives!"
Shen Ruoshi's words were meant as a joke, but they inadvertently touched upon Xu Luchuan's deepest pain. Xu Luchuan stood up with a displeased expression and said in a deep voice, "One day, I will prove that I can live a decent life without relying on the Xu family or this face."
Their eyes met. Shen Ruoshi saw not only anger in his eyes, but also determination and fearlessness.
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Luchuan turned and left.
Shen Ruoshi then realized what was happening and hurriedly exclaimed, "Brother Lu Chuan, you misunderstand! That's not what I meant!"
But the doorway was empty; Xu Luchuan had already disappeared outside the corridor. His regret could only be buried along with the files before him.
...
At the hour of You (5-7 PM), the Court of Justice dismisses its officers.
As usual, Xu Luchuan changed out of his official uniform and into a dark-colored brocade robe with subtle patterns.
Perhaps it was the relief and joy of leaving work that made Xu Luchuan quickly forget his previous worries. He walked briskly out of the government office and headed east in a few steps.
Lian Xing, acting on Liu Shiyu's orders, stood guard outside the Court of Justice's residence. Upon seeing Liu Shiyu leave, he hurriedly followed closely behind, not daring to be negligent for a moment.
He followed Xu Luchuan eastward. Lian Xing was puzzled. The princess's residence was clearly in the south of the city, so why was this man heading east? Could it be that he wasn't planning to keep the appointment? If all else failed... he could just kidnap him. But then he remembered Liu Shiyu's warning last time, and immediately dismissed the idea.
Lian Xing hesitated for a long time, and when she looked up and looked around again, she suddenly realized that Xu Luchuan had disappeared from her sight.
Oh no, we've lost them.
Lian Xing was startled, but someone quietly approached from behind and whispered in his ear, "Looking for me?"
Turning around abruptly, Lian Xing couldn't help but marvel at the man's incredible lightness skill; he hadn't even noticed him. Instinctively, he extended his sword, only to have it blocked by the man's palm. Lian Xing looked closely and was surprised to see that the person before him was Xu Luchuan.
"My lord, you are so powerful." Lian Xing suddenly spoke, surprising Xu Luchuan. "So, you can talk!"
Lian Xing lowered his hand holding the sword and nodded.
Xu Luchuan then asked, "Did she ask you to come with me? Is she that afraid I'll break my promise?"
"Yes." Lian Xing thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No."
Xu Luchuan chuckled lightly, no longer pressing the issue. He stepped around Lian Xing and called out loudly, "Since you're here, let's all come together."
Seeing this, Lian Xing followed.
The two continued walking eastward until they stopped in front of a bustling candy and cake shop.
Standing at the shop entrance, watching the endless stream of customers inside, Xu Luchuan unconsciously crossed his arms and said to Lian Xing beside him, "Go ahead, whether your master can eat the top-quality lactose here today depends on you."
"Lactose?" Lian Xing asked in surprise.
So it turns out Xu Luchuan brought him to the east of the city just to buy lactose for His Highness... But isn't lactose something for children?
Seeing that Lian Xing hadn't moved yet, Xu Luchuan continued, "Don't just stand there. This is the best candy shop in Jinling City. If you hesitate any longer, the lactose will be sold out."
After saying this, Xu Luchuan shoved the silver into Lian Xing's hand, then pushed the man inside, urging, "Go quickly."
Lian Xing was unwittingly brought into the sugar cake shop by Xu Luchuan.
As soon as he entered, he was enveloped by a bustling crowd. Lian Xing looked around, bewildered. But since he was already here, he had no choice but to do his best for His Highness. He pushed his way through the crowd to the counter, slammed the item in his hand on the counter, and exclaimed, "Trouble, lactose!"
The moment these words were spoken, the surrounding noise ceased instantly. Everyone turned to look at them.
Lian Xing initially thought he was speaking too loudly, but it turned out he had mistakenly slammed his sword on the counter. The shopkeeper stared at him in astonishment, his voice trembling as he stammered, "Robbery...? Lactose?"
"The world is going to the dogs! How come people are even robbing lactose these days?"
...
"Does he not want to wait in line?"
...
"Oh? You never know! Go to the back of the line, go to the back of the line."
Shouts rose and fell from the crowd. Lian Xing, who lived a secluded life and rarely interacted with others, had never seen anything like this before. He felt that these people were like ghosts from his elder sister's stories, and he was so frightened that he quickly grabbed his sword and fled from this dangerous place.
Once outside, Lian Xing tossed the silver to Xu Luchuan angrily and said, "Over there, I'll wait for you."
"What? Are they all sold out?" Xu Luchuan asked in great confusion, but Lian Xing had already disappeared into the crowd. Xu Luchuan shook his head helplessly as he looked at the long street. "No one can be relied on. I still have to rely on myself."
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and went into the store.
Standing at the back of the line, Xu Luchuan looked anxiously at the empty bags of lactose. Just then, a young man carrying seven or eight bags of lactose passed by, and Xu Luchuan mustered his courage to speak up: "Young man, please wait."
"What is it?" The man stopped and looked Xu Luchuan up and down.
Xu Luchuan smiled slightly, his gaze falling on the lactose wrapped in oil paper in his hand. "Did you buy so much by yourself, young master?"
"Oh, this?" The man said, waving the lactose in front of Xu Luchuan. "My wife is pregnant and loves this brand of lactose. I thought I'd buy some to take back so she can enjoy it. Or perhaps you are too, sir?"
Xu Luchuan looked embarrassed, unsure how to respond. He couldn't very well sell himself out by bringing Liu Shiyu some lactose just because he didn't want to freeload.
Why is it so hard to get a simple meal?
But the man misunderstood. He looked back at the empty lactose and seemed to understand, saying, "I understand, I understand. You can't go back and explain if you can't buy anything, right? But why do you seem embarrassed? Don't worry, my lord, all pregnant women are like this. I can tell this is your first pregnancy."
"Since that's the case, come on! Since I'm older than you, I'll give you two portions. Consider it a little gift for my sister-in-law whom I've never met."
"Take it, I won't charge you."
Unexpectedly, the man was kind-hearted and immediately took out two portions of lactose and stuffed them into Xu Luchuan's arms.
Xu Luchuan stood there blankly for a long while. It wasn't until the man waved his hand and wished him a happy new baby that he came to his senses. Seeing this, Xu Luchuan quickly went over and presented the silver: "Thank you for your kindness, sir, but you must accept this silver."
"What does this mean? I said I wouldn't take your money, and I mean it."
The man pushed Xu Luchuan's hand away as he spoke, but Xu Luchuan stubbornly offered it back. The two of them pushed and pulled back like this for three or four rounds.
Finally, Xu Luchuan, unable to bear it any longer, raised his voice and said, "Take it!"
The roar startled the man, and Xu Luchuan, sensing something was wrong, quickly softened his tone and lied, "My lord, please accept it. My wife is a woman of principle; if she knew you wouldn't accept the money, she probably wouldn't be able to eat this lactose in peace."
"I see, then I'll take it." The man accepted the money with a mix of reluctance and insistence. "It's getting late, I should go home and report back. Young master, you should also go home soon, don't keep your sister-in-law waiting."
"My lord, take care." Xu Luchuan nodded and watched the man leave.
He then walked out of the candy shop carrying two portions of lactose he had bought for his "pregnant wife." Xu Luchuan looked dejected. Although he had successfully bought the lactose, he felt as if he had lost face.
Silence fell. Xu Luchuan thought to himself...
Liu Shiyu, you just wait! This is what you owe me.
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