Chapter 66 (Extra) [VIP]
Chapter Summary: Days (Part 1)
Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye, and Liu Shiyu is living a very fulfilling life in the Xu family.
It seemed that ever since she married into the family, the atmosphere in the mansion was no longer as oppressive as before. Liu Shiyu was naturally free-spirited and unconventional. She dared to break the vulgar conventions that others dared not break. She was not afraid of the strict and demanding Xu Qinguo, whom everyone feared.
In an instant, under her influence, everyone's joyful laughter overcame the gloom.
The Xu family's life gradually became prosperous and lively.
After Liu Zhizhou seized power at court, with the assistance of Xu Qinguo and the support of Tang Wuzheng, he boldly reopened Fu Zheng's old case as a warning to others. This deterred officials from deceiving the emperor. As a result, with Fu Zheng and his associates being imprisoned one after another, Chancellor Chang Andao's support was effectively broken.
Until one day in July, Fu Zheng confessed his crimes and accepted punishment in the Tingwei prison.
That very evening, news spread from the Prime Minister's residence in the west of the city that Chang An Dao had hanged himself. Perhaps unwilling to believe that his glory had vanished so easily, or perhaps afraid of facing the world's condemnation, he ultimately chose this way to end his life.
Thus, the once chaotic Shao Yuan court, with the departure of the last treacherous official, was completely dissolved.
It was after that that Xu Qinguo, with the support of scholars from humble backgrounds and the Tang family, naturally became the prime minister. Xu Luchuan was also rewarded by Liu Zhizhou for his merits and transferred from the Court of Justice to the Censorate, where he became the Vice Censor-in-Chief.
Like Liu Shiyu, Xu Luchuan was born free-spirited and unconventional. Having once been forced to compromise, why would he now willingly be bound by power and worldly conventions?
Therefore, Xu Luchuan only served as the Censor-in-Chief for five days before returning to the Court of Justice to continue his leisurely position as the Director of the Court of Justice. However, leaving the position of Censor-in-Chief vacant was not a solution, so Liu Zhizhou set his sights on Xu Luchuan.
Therefore, Xu Luwei succeeded Xu Luchuan as the new Censor-in-Chief.
The Xu family was thus thrust into the spotlight. But Xu Qinguo remained undaunted; he only cared about doing what was right in his conscience. He would face the storm head-on and complete this journey with righteousness in mind.
Under the protection of these loyal ministers and generals, and Liu Zhizhou, Shaoyuan will gradually become clear and vast.
In this way, Liu Shiyu can also withdraw with peace of mind.
…
This was an ordinary day in August.
As usual, Liu Shiyu spent her days visiting neighbors and chatting, waiting for her husband to come home from work.
Just past dusk, Lianxing landed in the courtyard of the eldest son's house. Xu Jiaojiao, who had also come to visit, saw this and excitedly blocked his way, saying, "Brother Lianxing, Brother Lianxing! When are you going to take Jiaojiao flying? Jiaojiao wants to go to the city wall to see the night view of Jinling City!"
"This servant... dares not." Lian Xing hurriedly clasped his hands in a fist salute.
Xu Jiaojiao looked at the bright-eyed boy in front of her, who seemed flustered, and was about to speak again when Liu Shiyu interrupted her, "Alright, Jiaojiao. Don't make things difficult for him. If you really want to see the night view of Jinling City, how about I ask your second brother to take you another day?"
As Liu Shiyu spoke, she smiled and glanced at her sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law turned around, exchanged a smile with her, and said nothing more.
Upon hearing Liu Shiyu's words, Xu Jiaojiao quickly shook her head and replied, "It's fine for Second Brother to take Second Sister-in-law to see it. Jiaojiao doesn't really want to see it that much. Not really."
As she finished speaking...
Liu Shiyu smiled and didn't say anything more. Instead, she turned to Lian Xing and asked, "Have you come at this hour?"
Liu Shiyu came to his rescue, and Lian Xing finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Ever since Liu Shiyu's marriage, every time he came to the Xu family to deliver a message, he would always run into Xu Jiaojiao, that clingy little devil. He would always be unable to get away from her. But since she was His Highness's sister-in-law, even Xing dared not offend her. But this child was really a headache, so later he only dared to show his face when Liu Shiyu was around.
When she looked at Liu Shiyu again, Lian Xing finally spoke: "The Prince Consort invites you to leave the mansion at three-quarters past 5 PM. Your elder sister has prepared a carriage and is waiting for you outside the mansion."
"The third quarter of the hour of You? What time is it now?" Liu Shiyu looked at the group of people in front of her with a puzzled expression. Xu Jiaojiao looked up at the sky and said, "It should be about two quarters of an hour. Second sister-in-law, let's set off quickly."
Upon hearing this, Liu Shiyu quickly lifted her skirt and stood up, bidding farewell to everyone, "Sister-in-law, then I'll take my leave first."
"Jiaojiao, your sister-in-law is leaving."
Liu Shiyu left the courtyard amidst the farewells of everyone.
As Liu Shiyu hurried through the covered walkway, she unexpectedly bumped into Xu Qinguo, who was returning home from work. Seeing her father-in-law from afar, Liu Shiyu quickly slowed her pace and walked forward slowly. When they met at the corner, she greeted him warmly as usual, "Father."
Xu Xuqinguo seemed used to Liu Shiyu's greetings and simply asked, "Your Highness, are you going out?"
"The prince consort invited me, and I was just about to head out," Liu Shiyu replied with a smile.
Ever since she married into the family, she always seemed cheerful and happy. Seeing Liu Shiyu like this reminded Xu Qinguo of the carefree Xu Luchuan of the past. Although he always seemed out of place with the others, he lived the most carefree life.
For a moment, Xu Qinguo felt that the two were truly a perfect match.
He turned away and smiled.
He felt he might have been wrong. Everyone is born with a different mission, and how one is born and how one lives should be their own decision. One should never force anything. But this scene happened to be witnessed by Liu Shiyu, who couldn't help but smile and ask, "Father, what are you laughing at?"
"Nothing... nothing." Xu Qinguo immediately composed himself, then waved his sleeve and said solemnly, "Since it is Second Prince who has invited you, Your Highness, please go. Just be careful and return home as soon as possible."
"Yes! Your daughter-in-law will obey your command." Liu Shiyu smiled knowingly upon hearing this, then bowed deeply. "Your daughter-in-law takes her leave. Father, please rest early."
"Go ahead," Xu Qinguo waved his hand.
Before he could finish speaking, Liu Shiyu hurriedly stepped away and crossed the gate of the mansion.
Outside the mansion gate, Lian Yue, seeing that it was getting late, hurriedly lifted the curtain for Liu Shiyu. The two did not exchange many words before quickly driving towards the place they had agreed upon with Xu Luchuan.
...
As dusk fell in Jinling, Lianyue reined in his horse beneath the tall buildings of the city.
Liu Shiyu peered up at the tall building, and only when the dazzling lights reflected in her eyes did she speak: "Xiao Lü, is she here?"
"Your Highness, you'll find out when you get up there," Lian Yue said, reaching out to help her down. Liu Shiyu landed steadily, but before she could speak again, she realized that Lian Yue had already driven away silently. Turning back to look at the silence around her, she had no choice but to climb the stairs.
"Xu Luchuan?" Liu Shiyu carefully circled the winding wooden steps, calling his name. But she received no answer.
So she called out again, "My lord? Are you there?"
The high-rise remained silent, the cicadas' chirping carrying the humid summer heat into her sleeves. Liu Shiyu silently brushed a stray strand of hair from her ear, her heart filled with worry and doubt, wondering where her beloved was.
Liu Shiyu had no choice but to lean on the railing.
But as she looked up, she found herself on a high building, suddenly seeing the lights of Nanjing forming a winding river, illuminating the entire capital.
The nights in the former Jinling were so dazzling.
Yuan Shaoyuan's empire was so magnificent. This was a world she had never seen before.
Suddenly, a warm palm covered her waist. Liu Shiyu did not pull away, for she knew it was Xu Luchuan's warmth. Then Xu Luchuan's cheek pressed closer, and Liu Shiyu leaned against him silently.
Xu Luchuan then embraced Liu Shiyu from behind.
After what seemed like an eternity, Xu Luchuan finally spoke in her ear: "Does Madam enjoy this kind of night?"
“I like it, but…” Liu Shiyu turned her head slightly to look at Xu Luchuan’s profile. The adoration in her eyes was brighter than the lights of Jinling. “It’s because my beloved is here that I like nights like this.”
"I am just like my wife. Without my wife, everything I do and eat would be tasteless."
Xu Luchuan chuckled upon hearing this, then planted a deep kiss on Liu Shiyu's cheek. He hadn't expected his beloved wife to become so adept at sweet-talking him. As they kissed, Liu Shiyu lowered her hand from the railing to Xu Luchuan's hand, which was resting on her waist.
She looked at the person in front of her and suddenly asked, "Xiao Lü, I have something I want to ask you."
"Why should we need to ask favors of each other?" Xu Luchuan was still as gentle as ever, presumably he could grant any request. "My lady, just say it. I will do my best."
Liu Shiyu smiled and turned to look into the distance. She spoke, "My lord, do you still remember what I said to you when we sheltered from the rain under the eaves of Guangling that summer solstice?"
Little Green, have you ever thought about how you want to live your life?
I want to travel all over Shaoyuan's mountains and rivers, taste all the flavors of life, and live a life amidst the everyday joys of life.
He remembers.
Xu Luchuan remembered every word and phrase; he had never forgotten anything about Liu Shiyu.
The rain and mist rose again, and he even regretted not having taken her hand sooner. Fortunately, memories came flooding back. When he awoke from his dream, Liu Shiyu was still there.
"I remember." Xu Luchuan reached out and intertwined his fingers with hers. Liu Shiyu held his hand, lowered her eyes, and said, "Then, my lord, would you be willing to put everything aside and leave Jinling with me before we have any children, to travel the world?"
Liu Shiyu pressed for an answer.
She had expected to be met with rejection or reprimand like her mother and the others, but Xu Luchuan was different. He readily replied, "I'm willing, anywhere is fine. Wherever my wife is, I'll be there. As for the child? We could have it on the road."
"My lord~"
Liu Shiyu suddenly turned around and burst into tears of joy. She looked at the handsome and charming young man in front of her with teary eyes.
Xu Luchuan was startled by her sudden outburst and panicked. He had never seen Liu Shiyu like this before. But before he could even take out his handkerchief, Liu Shiyu suddenly buried her face in his chest and remained silent.
After a long while, she finally spoke in Xu Luchuan's arms: "Since my husband has agreed, shall we give birth to our first child in Luoyang? I've heard that the food in the Central Plains is very nourishing!"
"Alright, alright." Xu Luchuan said affectionately, embracing her tightly. "Then, may I ask, Madam, when shall we depart?"
Upon hearing Xu Luchuan's question, Liu Shiyu immediately perked up. She peeked out from Xu Luchuan's arms and excitedly exclaimed, "Tomorrow!"
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