Chapter 43 Regret [VIP]
Chapter Summary: Wei Jingshan thought she would regret it.
Liu Qinglan approached gracefully, lifting her light veil to reveal her beautiful face, and quietly turned her gaze to Xu Luchuan.
Xu Luchuan only glanced at her before hastily turning back to Xia Xubin and saying, "Let's go in."
To everyone's surprise, Xia Xubin, who was seeing Liu Qinglan for the first time, was so captivated by her beauty that he couldn't move an inch and stood frozen in place for a long time without answering. Before Xu Luchuan could forcibly pull him away, Liu Qinglan got off the carriage and approached them step by step.
She looked stunning in her light crimson lotus-patterned silk dress, which drew admiration from everyone.
But Xu Luchuan remained unmoved, even wanting to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible. Unexpectedly, just as Xu Luchuan grabbed Xia Xubin's elbow, the person behind him spoke: "Second Young Master, it's been a long time. Since we parted that day, how have you been?"
That day? Our parting?
Xia Xubin looked at Xu Luchuan, who had been silent beside him, as if he had heard something incredible. Xu Luchuan gripped his arm tightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. Then, the sound of whispers around them reached their ears.
"Hey? Isn't this the second son of the Xu family who was rejected by Miss Liu?"
...
"It's him! He looks quite presentable, but I wonder what he's like?"
...
"Miss Liu kindly tried to talk to him, so why didn't he respond? Could it be that he's still holding a grudge about Miss Liu refusing to marry him? What a petty man! No wonder Miss Liu doesn't like him."
Cold stares, ridicule, and insults.
Xu Luchuan seemed to recall the day he first arrived in Liyang many years ago. But things were different now; he and Liu Shiyu were of one mind. Their love made him strong, strong enough to withstand all the slander before him.
He was no longer afraid.
He slowly released Xia Xubin's hand, turned around and said frankly, "Thank you for your concern, Miss Liu. I am doing well."
"Second Master, it's good that you're well. It's getting late, so Qinglan will take her leave first. Please, Second Master, make yourself at home. We'll meet again at the banquet." As Liu Qinglan spoke, a haughty smile appeared on her lips, and she walked past Xu Luchuan and left with a smile.
Xu Luchuan stared expressionlessly at her back, which vaguely revealed pride.
Only after the person had walked away did he turn to Xia Xubin and say, "Alright, they're gone. Stop looking, you're completely captivated. Let's go inside too. Don't keep them waiting."
Xia Xubin was so engrossed in his thoughts that he finally snapped out of it when Xu Luchuan reminded him. He couldn't help but sigh, "Brother Luchuan, seeing Liu Qinglan today, with her natural beauty and captivating charm, I finally understand why you were so dejected after she rejected your marriage proposal! What a pity this marriage was!"
Xia Xubin's eyes were full of pity, and he patted Xu Luchuan's shoulder as he spoke.
"However, you don't need to be discouraged. I see there are quite a few beautiful ladies here today. With your handsome appearance, Brother Lu Chuan, you will surely find someone you like. I have high hopes for you."
Xu Luchuan remained silent.
He didn't know how many times he would have to explain before they stopped misunderstanding that his absence from the party wasn't due to sadness over being rejected in marriage. With a helpless sigh, he simply gave up and let them say what they wanted.
He only hopes to get away as soon as possible today, otherwise the glutinous rice and osmanthus lotus root in the east of the city won't wait for anyone.
"Xu Bin, Lu Chuan!"
"What are you all still standing there for? The banquet is about to start, come quickly!"
At this moment, someone shouted a reminder in front of the Prince's Mansion. Xia Xubin and Xu Luchuan didn't say anything more, waved to the person, and finally set off to enter the mansion.
...
Meanwhile, inside the Shiguang Hall, Liu Shiyu sat at his desk, listening to Bai Tao and Liu Qian, the head of the Imperial Clan, arguing endlessly.
From the moment Wei Jingshan stepped into Shiguang Hall early in the morning and handed the Yongzhou dossier to Liu Shiyu, the two had been locked in a fierce debate, each sticking to their own opinion.
Bai Tao, representing the Court of Justice, naturally demanded that the crime be punished according to the law, restoring justice to the people. In his mind, the various crimes committed by Prince Jing this time were enough to warrant his execution eight hundred times over.
That's why Bai Tao was filled with righteous indignation in front of the palace today, and cursed Liu Qian, who was wholeheartedly protecting Liu Zhichuang, a wicked man, for the sake of the royal family's reputation.
During this time, Liu Shiyu tried to persuade the two of them two or three times, but to no avail, and was even rebuffed. He was caught between his uncle's confidant and his own uncle.
Liu Shiyu couldn't help but sigh; she couldn't afford to offend anyone.
After Wei Jingshan finished explaining the matter and left the difficult problem to Liu Shiyu, he stood proudly like a mountain rock, not uttering a single word.
But letting them continue arguing like this couldn't be a solution, so Liu Shiyu had to come up with a way to resolve the situation.
Although Liu Shiyu sided with Bai Tao and supported executing Prince Jing according to the law, doing so would inevitably be opposed by the stubborn members of the imperial clan. The current situation left her momentarily confused, and she sat on the throne, rubbing her forehead, completely overwhelmed.
Liu Shiyu glanced furtively at the scene outside the hall, lost in thought. She couldn't help but think of Xu Luchuan.
Little Green, what are you doing right now? The Cold Mountain Banquet should be starting by now, right? Could it be that some young lady is actually laughing and joking with him at the banquet? Wouldn't I be at a loss? Such a good day off, and I'm reduced to listening to these people making a racket in front of me.
Ugh, I can't take it anymore!
Liu Shiyu, lost in thought, suddenly slammed her hand on the table. Unexpectedly, this sudden slam stunned both of them. Bai Tao turned to look at Liu Qian, then glanced at Liu Shiyu on the throne, too frightened to utter a single word.
Liu Shiyu, realizing her abruptness, seized the opportunity and angrily said, "Enough!"
"How long do you intend to keep arguing like this? Since neither of you can convince the other, go back and submit a memorial. Then we can discuss it again in court after the winter solstice. Let's adjourn for today."
Upon hearing this, Bai Tao tentatively called out again, "Your Highness."
Liu Shiyu simply waved his sleeve and announced loudly, "Disperse."
Liu Qian turned and glared fiercely at Bai Tao beside him, then snorted coldly and turned to leave. Bai Tao shook his head, bowed to the hall, and then withdrew from Shiguang Hall.
Everyone's gone.
After a long pause, Wei Jingshan, who had remained indifferent, finally spoke to Liu Shiyu: "Your Highness, you seem to have something on your mind?"
Liu Shiyu rose from the hall and ignored his question.
She slowly walked down the steps, passing by Wei Jingshan without ever looking back. Only when she reached the palace gate did Liu Shiyu stop her and reply, "The matter in Yongzhou has been troubled, Marquis. You must be tired from your journey; please take advantage of your day off to return and rest."
Just as Liu Shiyu finished speaking and was about to step through the palace gate, Wei Jingshan called out to him: "Liu Shiyu."
This was the first time Liu Shiyu had heard Wei Jingshan address her by her first name, and she put her foot down. But she didn't turn around for the sake of that reputation. She stood there with her back to the light, quietly waiting for Wei Jingshan to say what he had to say next.
"I have something to say to you." Wei Jingshan tried several times to step forward, but never moved. "...Your Highness, do you have a moment?"
Wei Jingshan changed his attitude, but Liu Shiyu remained indifferent; she did not want to have any further entanglement with him.
"Let's talk about it after the winter solstice, I'm tired."
She stepped through the door again.
Wei Jingshan was powerless to stop him; he never knew how to do so. Yet, he still spoke loudly, "The young general is returning to Jinling. He came back this time for our sake."
Wei Jingshan's voice echoed in the main hall.
Unfortunately, before he could finish speaking, he looked up and found the hall empty.
Liu Shiyu is gone.
He gripped his sword and lowered his eyes. He thought that Liu Shiyu would one day regret not having listened to him finish his words today.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com