Chapter 59 Returning to Court [VIP]
Chapter Summary: Master Xu, I wish to be buried with him after I die.
After a while, Xu Luchuan recovered, and Guihai pulled the person out of the coffin. Xu Luchuan glanced back and noticed the injuries on Guihai's body, and asked, "What happened to your injuries?"
“There was still a tiger, which slaughtered all those who came to the funeral,” Guihai answered truthfully.
Upon hearing this, Xu Luchuan clenched his fists, determined to avenge this humiliation.
Xu Luchuan stopped in front of Chen Xiang and was about to express his gratitude when Chen Xiang stopped him. Before he could speak, Chen Xiang said, "Alright, brat. There's no need for such formalities with this old woman. This man has already told me about your matter."
"On my way here, I have already sent someone to prepare fast horses and travel expenses for you. I have also invited a doctor for this man, who should be arriving soon."
"In that case, we will set off once you have rested."
"Thank you, Grandmother." Xu Luchuan clasped his hands in thanks. Chen Xiang patted his shoulder casually. "Go on, Erlang. Shaoyuan needs you."
After speaking, Xu Luchuan suddenly looked up at Chen Xiang. In his memory, his maternal grandmother was even more stubborn and headstrong than his father. However, although Chen Xiang often acted on her own, she was also a person of great principle. Now that things had come to this critical juncture, she naturally fully supported Xu Luchuan.
Past grievances and grudges all fade away in times of hardship.
Whether or not Xu Luchuan reconciles with his past self, he must always live in the present.
Before long, the physician invited by Chen Xiang cautiously peeked out from outside the cemetery. He was terrified by the strange scene before him. However, since he had been invited by the Xu family, he dared not flee out of fear. So he could only bite the bullet and step forward to ask, "Grand...Grand Madam."
Chen Xiang nodded and invited the person in.
Thus, after the physician carefully examined and bandaged Gui Hai's wounds, Xu Luchuan was finally able to set off.
Outside the cemetery, the two rode back and looked back. Xu Luchuan said, "Grandmother, take care."
Chen Xiang stood beneath the archway, her shadow flickering in the torchlight. She merely waved her hand, saying nothing.
Only after the two men had disappeared on horseback did Chen Xiang suddenly say sternly, "Go back and refill the grave. No one is allowed to tell anyone about what happened today. Including you, Mr. Jiang."
Everyone responded in unison. The doctor looked up and met Chen Xiang's stern eyes, then quickly replied, "Yes."
...
Three days later, Xu Luchuan and Gui Hai, having changed horses continuously along the way, finally arrived at Yongzhou, a thousand miles away. They had arrived during a truce in Wuxing, so the two entered Huqi, where the Tang family was stationed, without much trouble.
At dusk, having rushed all the way to the campsite, Xu Luchuan gazed at the campfire glowing from within the checkpoint. His eyes grew increasingly unfocused.
On the watchtower, the garrison commander saw the newcomer and sternly demanded, "Who is loitering outside the camp?"
Xu Luchuan looked up, then pulled out his waist token and, with his last bit of strength, announced in a loud voice: "Xu Luchuan, Right Supervisor of the Court of Justice, Fifth Rank, specially dispatched by the Emperor to Wuxing for peace talks."
"Open the gate immediately... release them..."
Like a taut string snapping at that moment, Xu Luchuan could no longer withstand the strain on his body, and his vision went black as he fell off his horse.
Gui Hai cried out in alarm upon seeing this, but there was no further response from him.
...
When Xu Luchuan woke up, it was already dawn.
In the empty tent, he sat up from the bed, his head throbbing with pain. He tried to recall the events of the previous day, but had no memory of them whatsoever. He only remembered the flickering campfire and the fallen horse. He frantically reached for the bamboo tube in his robes, and only when he held it in his hand did Xu Luchuan breathe a sigh of relief.
"My lord, you've finally woken up." Gui Hai, carrying the water he had prepared, lifted the curtain and entered.
Seeing that Gui Hai was still full of energy, Xu Luchuan hesitated and asked, "Are you alright?"
"What could possibly be wrong with me? The journey I've been through these past few days is nothing compared to my previous cultivation at the Bodhi Sect." Guihai said, putting down the basin of water and casually picking up a white handkerchief beside him with a smile. "My lord, please wash up first. I'll go and inform General Tang."
"General Tang, where is he?"
Xu Luchuan was too preoccupied to wash up, having already spent the entire night there. Before Guihai could even speak, Xu Luchuan had already gotten out of bed, lifted the curtain, and headed out of the tent. Guihai followed Xu Luchuan all the way to the main tent, only to run into Tang Wuzheng returning from his patrol.
Outside the main tent, Tang Wuzheng called out in a deep voice, "Right Supervisor Xu."
Upon hearing this, Xu Luchuan turned around, cupped his hands, and greeted, "General Tang."
The two met.
Tang Wuzheng led the people into the main tent.
Xu Luchuan entered the main tent and, without any pretense of pleasantries, immediately stated his purpose and presented the bamboo slips. Everything was urgent; they didn't have much time. Xu Luchuan didn't know how much longer Xu Qinguo and his forces in Jinling could hold out.
However, Tang Wuzheng, who had just learned of the upheaval in Jinling, did not seem surprised by Wei Jingshan's rebellion.
He gripped the bamboo tube tightly and said angrily, "Hmph, it's just a vicious wolf that can never be satisfied."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Wuzheng waved his sleeve and loudly ordered the people outside the tent, "Qigeng, immediately write a letter to Wuxing; Shaoyuan wants to negotiate with him."
...
Winter has passed, and spring is just around the corner.
The silence in Nanjing lasted for over a month without fading. Everyone hoped that things would take a turn for the better before spring arrived.
But the winds from beyond the Great Wall seem to never reach the south. Everyone seems to have resigned themselves to their fate.
They said that Shaoyuan was going to die.
But Liu Shiyu, inside the Shiguang Palace, didn't see it that way. Although the palace door remained tightly shut, and she was still trapped in the same place, she leaned against the window every day, waiting for his return.
However, in just a few days, she would be marrying that thief.
The wedding date, set a month later, was personally chosen by Liu Shiyu and Xu Qinguo. They calculated that if Xu Luchuan did not return to the capital before that day, his fate was likely sealed.
Therefore, there's no need to drag it out any longer.
In the end, everything will come to an end. It's a pity, though; Liu Shiyu and Xu Luchuan may have to meet again at the Bridge of Helplessness.
...
Just after 9:00 AM, someone suddenly pushed open the palace door.
Liu Shiyu leaned against the window as usual, gazing out at Xu Qinguo. To avoid arousing Wei Jingshan's suspicion, Xu Qinguo had been frequently visiting Shiguang Palace in recent days due to various matters related to the wedding. Therefore, the guards outside did not stop him upon seeing him.
Xu Qinguo led the people from the Imperial Wardrobe into the palace, but Liu Shiyu stood by the window without moving.
Upon seeing this, Xu Qinguo went over, cupped his hands, and said, "This old minister greets Your Highness. May Your Highness be well."
As soon as Xu Qinguo finished speaking, Liu Shiyu couldn't help but purse her lips. Just thinking about how she would have to endure such worship from her father-in-law every day after marrying Xu Luchuan made her feel extremely uncomfortable.
Therefore, Liu Shiyu must make Xu Qinguo develop this habit now.
So she smiled and said at the window, "Lord Xu, have you forgotten? I told you that you don't need to be so formal when you see me in the future."
Liu Shiyu spoke in a relaxed tone.
Since the birthday banquet, she has ended up like this. She gradually stopped acting so authoritatively as before.
After that, she found herself to be much more carefree.
"This old minister dares not." But Xu Qinguo remained respectful, so Liu Shiyu had no choice but to wave his hand and give up. "Since that's the case, Your Excellency... Your Excellency Xu, please do as you please. May I ask what brings you here today? Didn't you see the guest list yesterday?"
"This old minister has come today to present Your Highness with your wedding attire," Xu Qinguo replied, his eyes lowered.
Upon hearing this, Liu Shiyu glanced at the people from the Imperial Wardrobe in the palace out of the corner of her eye, then turned to look out the window. She suddenly lowered her voice and asked the person beside her, "Lord Xu, how many days are left?"
"Your Highness, there are only five days left," Xu Qinguo said, turning to look at Liu Shiyu.
Liu Shiyu still didn't turn around. Gazing at the wild geese soaring over the green tiles, she sighed, "Do you think those geese that fly north will ever return?"
"Definitely." Xu Qinguo's answer was firm.
The pain Liu Shiyu had been hiding in her heart seemed to find solace. She never expected that in the end, the one who could give her some comfort would be Xu Qinguo, who had always been her adversary.
Liu Shiyu raised her hand and closed the window. After slowly lowering her hands, she said again in a deep voice, "I will not live a life of dishonor."
"Your Highness, why bother..." Xu Qinguo understood the unspoken message but dared not utter a word.
Liu Shiyu didn't turn around. Standing by the window, she made her last request, "Master Xu, I wish to be buried with him after I die. But if you are unwilling, please allow me to be buried near him."
Xu Qinguo was stunned when Liu Shiyu finished speaking.
He had never imagined that Liu Shiyu and Xu Luchuan's feelings would be so steadfast. Even a stubborn man like him would find it hard not to be moved by such affection. He surprisingly responded, "This old minister agrees, Your Highness."
Liu Shiyu gazed intently at him and suddenly smiled, but her eyes unexpectedly reddened.
She quickly said, "Thank you, Mr. Xu."
Xu Qinguo remained silent, and Liu Shiyu, without saying another word, walked towards the round table in the hall. Reaching the table, she raised her hand to touch the phoenix embroidered in gold thread on her wedding dress.
She thought about how she had struggled for so long, and she was truly unwilling to accept that this was the final outcome. Yet, she felt so powerless.
Suddenly, someone from the Clothing Department behind him spoke up at an inopportune moment: "Your Highness, please try on your wedding dress today. If it doesn't fit, please tell me. The Clothing Department will still have time to make alterations before the wedding. After you've tried on the wedding dress, the Jewelry Department will come to help you with your makeup and styling."
After the man finished speaking, Liu Shiyu did not respond.
Seeing this, Xu Qinguo came over from the window and said goodbye: "Leave the rest to Li Siyi. This old minister has other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."
"Lord Xu, take care." Liu Shiyu's words were intriguing. Xu Qinguo bowed again, "Your Highness, take care."
Xu Qinguo is gone.
The door to Shiguang Palace was gently closed, and after Liu Shiyu raised her eyes to signal, the people from the Department of Wardrobe rushed forward with the wedding dress in hand. Only when the crimson wedding dress fell to the floor did the people from the Department of Wardrobe retreat from her side.
Liu Shiyu stood in front of the mirror, staring at herself, her heart suddenly breaking. How she wished this wedding dress were for Xu Luchuan.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned.
The people from the Clothing Department flattered him, and the people from the Jewelry Department followed suit and entered the hall.
Liu Shiyu then turned back and sat down at her dressing table. Her eyes were vacant, like a puppet being manipulated. She watched as one exquisite hairpin after another was inserted into her hair ornament. Liu Shiyu's once radiant face gradually lost its glow.
Suddenly, a loud banging came from the door.
Everyone was startled, and the hairpin in the lady-in-waiting's hand fell to the ground. But Liu Shiyu remained calmly seated at her dressing table. She didn't need to turn around to know that Wei Jingshan had encountered something unpleasant again and had come to vent his anger on her.
Liu Shiyu's bruised wrists, hidden beneath her wedding dress, are the best evidence.
Unexpectedly, today Wei Jingshan didn't just grab her wrist. Instead, he strode up to Liu Shiyu in a few steps and grabbed her neck tightly.
Everyone was terrified, but no one dared to stop them.
Wei Jingshan grabbed Liu Shiyu and angrily questioned him, but Liu Shiyu burst into tears after he finished speaking. "Why? Liu Shiyu, tell me! Why did the Tang family suddenly return to the capital from Yongzhou? Why is Xu Luchuan still alive?"
[Author's Note]
Liu Shiyu: I was so nervous that I almost called him "father-in-law".
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