Chapter 35 Returning to the Capital [VIP]
Chapter Summary: Liu Shiyu's second rumored lover.
After that day, Liu Shiyu returned to Beijing as scheduled, as Tang Wuzheng had instructed.
Xu Luchuan, due to health reasons, was not suited for long-distance travel. He stayed in Shou County until he regained consciousness, after which Xu Qinguo personally sent someone to bring him back to his residence to recuperate.
But who knows if this is a blessing in disguise?
During his recuperation, the Xu family was unusually calm. Even the usually strict Xu Qinguo stopped mentioning past grievances. He even sent three or four servants to Jihanzhai.
Therefore, Xu Luchuan's month or so can be considered quite enjoyable.
But with no place for love to return, emptiness is inevitable.
Since returning to Beijing, Xu Luchuan has never seen Liu Shiyu again. He hasn't even received a single piece of news about her.
Liu Shiyu did send a palace physician to treat him, but only on behalf of the court. Xu Luchuan secretly thought that Liu Shiyu would have the physician deliver some information to him, so from the moment the physician stepped into Jihanzhai, he began to wink at him intentionally or unintentionally.
So much so that when the physician returned to report to Liu Shiyu, he subtly hinted to Liu Shiyu that the Right Supervisor might have some kind of mental problem.
That was the day.
After turning everything upside down in search of the gifts Liu Shiyu had given him, only to find nothing, Xu Luchuan lay alone and forlorn on his bed. No matter who called or asked, he only managed a dull groan: "Uh..."
His bewildered and stunned appearance startled Xu Luwei, who had come to visit him. So that very night, Xu Luwei moved his bedding into Jihanzhai and began to eat and sleep with Xu Luchuan.
He was terrified that his beloved younger brother might do something rash.
To his astonishment, when Xu Luchuan came to his senses in the middle of the night, he was utterly shocked to see the person sleeping soundly beside him: "Brother! What are you doing here?"
Meanwhile, on the eaves.
Lian Xing, whom Liu Shiyu had sent, shook his head helplessly at the situation inside the room, and decided it was best not to disturb them, so he turned and left.
Therefore, from then on, Lian Xing never had the chance to get close to Ji Han Zhai again.
Although Liu Shiyu was anxious, she was helpless. She could only pray every day that Xu Luchuan's injuries would heal quickly so that she could see her beloved soon.
...
As early winter approaches, all the plants in the courtyard outside have withered.
Xu Luchuan, dressed in a brocade robe, stood in the corridor and looked much better. However, Xu Qinguo still asked Bai Tao for leave on his behalf, saying that he should rest for a couple more days.
Before noon, Shen Ruoshi, who had been busy with year-end summaries and unable to spare any time, finally managed to visit Xu Luchuan before he returned to the Court of Justice to carry out his duties. Stepping into the Xu residence, Shen Ruoshi followed the servant through the winding gates.
As he passed through elegant courtyards, his chatter never stopped.
"Wow, this house is really grand!"
"Oh ho ho, there are even little figures on this door?"
"Let me see, let me see. What's carved on that brick?"
Shen Ruoshi's nagging gave the servant a headache. What kind of people hadn't the servant seen in the Xu family? But he had never seen an official like this before.
He wondered what it was called again.
Is it an insult to scholarship? Yes, it is an insult to scholarship. Why would Erlangjun, such a refined and noble man, associate with such a vulgar colleague?
The servant groaned inwardly, but outwardly he still had to be respectful and say, "Lord Shen, the Second Young Master's courtyard is over here, and that's the young ladies' inner courtyard. You can't go there. Please come with me, so as not to keep the Second Young Master waiting."
"I'm so sorry, I'm really so sorry." Shen Ruoshi felt apologetic and quickly turned around to follow the servant closely.
The two dawdled for quite a while before finally arriving at Jihanzhai.
Upon entering, Shen Ruoshi saw Xu Luchuan standing in front of the corridor and immediately began to walk quickly forward.
"Brother Luchuan, brother Luchuan"
"Let me see, let me see! Where are you hurt? How bad is it? You have no idea how much it hurts me!"
Shen Ruoshi then focused all the care he had taken in examining the bricks onto Xu Luchuan, thoroughly searching him from head to toe. However, after searching for a while, he couldn't find a single sign of injury on Xu Luchuan.
Xu Luchuan pushed away the hands that were pressing down on him and slowly said, "Brother Ruoshi, are you looking for injury?"
"Hmm." Shen Ruoshi nodded blankly upon hearing this. Xu Luchuan lowered his voice and said, "Then Brother Ruoshi's arrival is really unfortunate, my injury has already healed."
"Oh, it's all done!" Shen Ruoshi was never one to pick up on hidden meanings in other people's words. He just watched as Xu Luchuan walked around him into the house. "It's all done, it's all done, Brother Luchuan. It's windy outside, be careful not to catch a cold. Let's come in and sit down!"
Xu Luchuan stood there, clenching his fists in anger, roaring inwardly.
Who? Who on earth let Shen Ruoshi in!
A gust of wind swept through the porch, bringing a chill to the air. Xu Luchuan couldn't help but shiver, then turned and quickly went back inside.
...
Back inside, before Xu Luchuan could even reach out to pour tea, Shen Ruoshi snatched the teapot and poured two cups of hot tea for him.
He continued, "I know I'm quite late in visiting you. I apologize to you. But please don't be offended, Brother Luchuan. Ever since you were sent to Yongzhou and got injured, all the work that usually takes two people has fallen on my shoulders."
"You know I'm not very bright. I'm good at running around catching people. But I can't do any of the jobs you do."
"That's why I've only managed to find the time to come see you today."
"No need to explain, just say you want me to go back to my business sooner." Xu Luchuan knew that Shen Ruoshi didn't mean it that way, but he still couldn't help but tease her.
Upon hearing this, Shen Ruoshi scratched his head and smiled, not daring to reply.
Seeing the atmosphere growing increasingly awkward, Shen Ruoshi slapped his forehead, recalling what he had seen and heard recently, and said, "Brother Luchuan, you were injured while saving the Princess, which was a great achievement. Now it's all over the place, saying that Brother Luchuan will surely rise rapidly in his career and have a smooth official career."
"But now that you're so popular, people are even saying things about you and His Highness..."
Wait, wait, wait! No, no. Why am I saying this?
Shen Ruoshi originally only wanted to say some nice things to Xu Luchuan, but unexpectedly, she also revealed the second half of this idle talk.
But words spoken cannot be taken back. He looked up timidly, only to find that Xu Luchuan was not angry at all, but instead asked with interest, "What did you say about me and His Highness?"
"Say...say? What did you say?" Shen Ruoshi hesitated, unsure how to begin. "I forgot. Yes, I forgot."
Xu Luchuan sneered and threatened, "Oh. In that case, I don't mind asking the boss for a few more days off."
Upon hearing this, Shen Ruoshi quickly pretended to remember.
"I remember now, I remember!"
"What else can people talk about? Nothing but nonsense about love and romance. Brother Lu Chuan, just listen and let it go, don't take it to heart. Besides, I'm sure it's all made up by one person. This story is not much different from the one I heard about His Highness and the Marquis last time."
Shen Ruoshi thought he could just brush it off, but Xu Luchuan pressed on, asking, "So, which of these two stories do you think is better, Brother Ruoshi?"
Shen Ruoshi looked at Xu Luchuan with confusion and tentatively asked, "Brother Luchuan, do you want to hear the truth?"
"Speak freely," Xu Luchuan said, feigning indifference. Shen Ruoshi then boldly pointed at Xu Luchuan, "If that's the case, then the Luchuan in the story is a better match for His Highness. They were truly a perfect couple. But, Luchuan, don't be angry. That's all made up..."
Xu Luchuan got a satisfactory answer. He stood up, patted Shen Ruoshi on the shoulder, and interrupted him, saying, "Stay for dinner."
Huh? Why did they let him stay for dinner? Shouldn't he be angry?
While Shen Ruoshi was shocked, she also admired Xu Luchuan's magnanimity. Many flattering words were on the tip of her tongue, but as soon as she turned around, Xu Luchuan had already stepped out the door and walked away.
Upon seeing this, Shen Ruoshi hurriedly chased after them, and the two of them went to the front hall together.
...
"Second Young Master." The steward in the front hall saw Xu Luchuan and went to greet him.
"I've invited Lord Shen to have dinner at my residence today. You may go and prepare to leave," Xu Luchuan instructed. The steward responded and left. "Yes, sir. Second Master and Lord Shen, please wait a moment. I'll go to the kitchen to give the instructions."
The manager left.
Xu Luchuan then led Shen Ruoshi to sit in the front hall to drink tea and pass the time before the meal.
But less than a quarter of an hour later, Xu Qinguo rushed back to his residence, his anger blazing. He shouted loudly outside the gate, "Where is Second Master Xu?"
Seeing this, Huo Ting dared not offer any further advice and could only truthfully reply, "Second Young Master and Lord Shen are in the front hall."
"Lord Shen?" Xu Qinguo hurried across the gate, and Huo Ting followed him into the mansion. "It's the Left Supervisor of the Court of Justice. Lord Shen has come to visit today, and our Second Young Master has kept some people at the mansion for dinner."
"His injuries have healed, what are you doing here? Tell him to get out of here, I need to talk to Xu Erlang!"
Seeing that Xu Qinguo was truly enraged, he was even disregarding the most solemn etiquette. Xu Luchuan, hearing him say such things in the front hall, ignored Shen Ruoshi's attempts to stop him and immediately got up and walked out of the hall.
"I wonder which family rule my son has broken this time? Which ironclad commandment of our ancestors has he disobeyed? Why should his father treat him like this, driving him away?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Qinguo came out of the connecting corridor outside the front hall and stormed over.
The sight of the father and son in such a display greatly frightened Shen Ruoshi. He immediately jumped up from his chair and stood straight in place, not knowing what to do.
To everyone's surprise, Xu Qinguo immediately made a harsh statement: "Expel me? Today I will not only expel you, but I will also expel you, my unfilial son, from the house as well."
"Ah? Your Excellency, let's talk this out. Let's talk this out! I won't eat this meal!" Shen Ruoshi said, quickly stepping forward to mediate. "Please don't expel Lord Xu."
Xu Luchuan glanced at Shen Ruoshi and shouted, "Eat! Why aren't you eating? Since that's the case, consider today my farewell dinner. Go back and sit down!"
Shen Ruoshi was caught in a dilemma.
He glanced at Xu Luchuan, then at Xu Qinguo, and sighed, "Alright."
But as soon as Chen Ruoshi's bottom touched the chair, Xu Qinguo started his attack again: "Xu Erlang, you have truly disgraced the Xu family!"
Xu Qinguo's voice was like thunder, and Shen Ruoshi was so startled that he jumped up.
Xu Luchuan had heard this phrase from Xu Qinguo countless times and was already used to it. He turned around nonchalantly, pressed Chen Ruoshi down again, and said, "In Father's eyes, I've probably already completely disgraced the Xu family, haven't I?"
"But... what's the reason this time?"
Xu Luchuan let go and turned around, but Shen Ruoshi felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. After feeling uncomfortable for a long time, he actually got up and sat half-upright in front of the chair with his butt sticking out.
The father and son remained at odds, but thankfully no one paid attention to his comical appearance.
At the entrance of the hall, Xu Qinguo waved his sleeve and stared at Xu Luchuan sternly, saying, "Your marriage..."
Upon hearing this, both Shen Ruoshi and Xu Luchuan were shocked. Shen Ruoshi, with his rear end sticking out and his eyes shining, looked like he was watching a show.
Huh? Huh? If you're talking about that, I'll sit down.
But just as he was about to sit down, Xu Luchuan scooped him up.
Xu Luchuan, who had been so resolute just moments before, suddenly spoke up, quite unlike his usual self: "I have embarrassed you today, Brother Ruoshi. It seems that it is indeed inappropriate for you to stay for dinner here any longer. Once I have dealt with this matter, I will personally apologize next time."
"Brother Ruoshi, please take care on your journey."
Shen Ruoshi looked at Xu Luchuan with a blank expression.
What's going on? Xu Luchuan, that's not what you just said! I don't want to leave, I want to hear it!!! Let me hear it.
[Author's Note]
Xu Luchuan: Good heavens, if you hear about this, you're in big trouble!
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