The people from the West Depot came and went in a hurry. The madam came in, comforted Yuze, and then left. However, before leaving, she looked at Yan Liang with a rather strange expression—a subtle look of incomprehension, as if she were looking at a faithless man. He was very familiar with this kind of gaze when he was with Wang Lianhua, as the "faithless husband" of the "beautiful wife".
Everyone in the capital said that the third-ranked scholar was in love with the courtesan of the Red Sleeve Pavilion, and even the madam of the Red Sleeve Pavilion thought so. Now, after many days, the third-ranked scholar came to see the courtesan, but he let his companions sit in front of her while he played chess with the top scholar. No matter how you look at it, it was a strange thing.
It makes one wonder if the third-ranked scholar truly loves the most beautiful courtesan.
No wonder the head of the Western Depot was surprised.
After the madam had gone far away, the room fell silent for a moment.
The madam's look before she left was very memorable; not only Yan Liang noticed its meaning, but everyone else did as well.
The story of the third-ranked scholar falling in love with the most beautiful courtesan was entirely fabricated—it was just a play staged by Yan Liang and Wang Lianhua out of boredom. Yan Liang and the real Miss Yuze are only meeting for the first time today. If Yan Liang were to actually hold hands with Miss Yuze and look at her with tears in his eyes, it would be incredibly rude and would be a sign of a madman.
After a long silence, Yan Liang sighed, "I'm afraid I'm going to go from a devoted lover to a heartless man."
Wang Lianhua said, "What talk of 'change'? You have always been a heartless man."
"It's kind of you to still remember this role." Yan Liang curled his lip. "I, this heartless man, am still here, but I don't know where my wife who shared my hardships is now."
"If you want your reputation to be even worse, that's fine too." Wang Lianhua said with a half-smile, "Tomorrow I can conjure up a wife for you."
Yan Liang quickly stopped him: "No! I am chaste and have no wife who has shared my hardships!"
"You don't acknowledge your wife who shared your hardships... could it be that you're thinking about that beautiful woman who cheated on you?"
Wang Lianhua suddenly realized.
When Yan Liang, Wang Lianhua, and Dongfang Bubai traveled together, Yan Liang was portrayed as a heartless man, Wang Lianhua as his unfaithful wife, and Dongfang Bubai as his unfaithful wife's lover.
Yan Liang retorted without changing his expression: "I don't want anyone else, I only want you."
"Compared to your devoted wife, do you actually prefer your adulterous wife?" Wang Lianhua pretended not to hear anything and feigned surprise. "Since that's the case, I'll go all the way and let you meet her tomorrow."
Yan Liang was horrified: "...Don't!"
Wang Lianhua smiled but didn't speak, his eyes revealing a cunning look—he didn't seem to have any good intentions.
Yan Liang watched him silently, thinking that he would deal with whatever came his way, and he was determined to outmaneuver this man.
The two bantered back and forth, and Li Xunle listened with amusement.
Yan Liang and Wang Lianhua's merciless banter showed the depth of their friendship, a fact Li Xunle was well aware of. Listening to his senior and friend bickering while he listened in was, Li Xunle had to admit, extremely entertaining.
Wang Lianhua was facing Li Xunle and could clearly see the smile on his lips. She thought to herself that this nephew was so stupid that he could be seen through at a glance—just like his father.
Yuze listened quietly with her head down the whole time. She was very interested in this scholar who could make the Thousand-Faced Prince disguise himself to test her. Meeting him today... he was indeed a very special person.
How could an ordinary person chat and laugh with the man of a thousand faces?
The two chatted for a while, and then started talking about the imposing man from earlier.
Yan Liang thought for a moment before remembering that the person was none other than Yu Huatian, the supervisor of the Western Depot, whom Liu Changmin had mentioned briefly in the Red Sleeve Pavilion not long ago.
As a favorite of Consort Wan and the Emperor, Yu Huatian had become famous throughout the country. Even if Yan Liang didn't actively seek out him, his name could still be heard in the capital.
Although Yan Liang's name has been mentioned more often by the people since the "love story of the third-ranked scholar and the most beautiful courtesan" spread.
The Western Depot, officially known as the Western Investigation Depot, was established once when the emperor was young and had not been on the throne for long. However, because the head of the Western Depot acted arrogantly and without any scruples, many ministers submitted a memorial listing his crimes. The emperor was alarmed by the crimes and abolished the Western Depot, deposing the head of the depot.
Years later, the emperor, influenced by his favorite concubine's pillow talk, impulsively re-established the Western Depot and appointed Yu Huatian as its director.
Although Yu Huatian was a eunuch, he was quite skilled at winning over Consort Wan, who was happy to give him a position. Because of his young age and being a eunuch, his appointment as the head of the Western Depot caused a stir in the court. Later, his actions were criticized and he was made an example of, after which people secretly cursed him as a eunuch.
For the past year, Yu Huatian has been extremely popular, but his reputation among the people is extremely bad.
Wang Lianhua didn't know much about court affairs, but she did know that the "chickens" Yu Huatian killed as a warning to others were not good chickens.
Wang Lianhua casually mentioned it, and Yan Liang stroked his chin thoughtfully, asking, "What case do you think they're investigating?"
The message that Miss Yuze told Wang Lianhua did not mention anything about the West Depot's investigation, but the West Depot's supervisor brought his men to the Red Sleeve Pavilion. Such a big move would surely alert the enemy... unless they did it on purpose.
The question is, what kind of case was handled by the West Depot?
The question wasn't answered until the next day.
Yan Liang and Li Xunle went to the Hanlin Academy early to work diligently. During their break, Liu Changmin came over and told them about what had happened two days ago.
The Vice Minister of Rites in the capital city has died.
The death was gruesome; the body was already rotting and infested with maggots when it was discovered. Prior to this, the Vice Minister of Rites had taken sick leave and was resting at home.
The news spread like wildfire early this morning, with many people discussing it and vividly describing the tragic scene of the death of the Vice Minister of Rites, as if they had witnessed it with their own eyes.
It wasn't just Liu Changmin and Yan Li who were discussing this matter in the Hanlin Academy; others were also talking about it.
The unexplained and violent death of a high-ranking official of the imperial court would naturally attract attention.
Why has this matter only come to light today?
Li Xunle asked in confusion.
Yan Liang nodded in agreement.
Liu Changmin said in a low voice, "Yesterday, the people from the West Depot were investigating the criminals and caused quite a stir. They couldn't keep it under control. I don't know who leaked the news."
The person who died tragically was a high-ranking official of the court, and the manner of his death was strange. No one wanted to get involved in the matter, but Yu Huatian took on the case and was even rewarded by the emperor.
Yan Liang pondered in his heart why Yu Huatian had swaggered off to Hongxiu Pavilion, but showed no sign of it on his face. He only heard Liu Changmin sigh, "I wonder who has such a deep hatred for Minister Cheng that they would resort to such a ruthless act."
Li Xun said with delight, "Things are unpredictable. I only hope that Chief Supervisor Yu can solve the case as soon as possible and give Minister Cheng the truth."
Liu Changmin smiled, but it seemed a little forced.
After the Hanlin Academy closed for the afternoon, Yan Liang and Li Xunle walked with Liu Changmin for a while before parting ways. Liu Changmin's residence was very close to the Hanlin Academy, while the two of them had to go further west. They had always considered it a form of exercise, taking a walk every day, which they found quite pleasant.
On the way, Li Xunle mentioned a letter from his younger brother, Li Xunhuan, in which he said that he was on his way to the capital with the things his father had asked him to bring, and that he would arrive in the capital in about half a month.
Li Xunle's outstanding achievement in the imperial examinations delighted his father, the third-ranking scholar, who specially ordered his youngest son, a free spirit in the martial arts world, to take gifts to the capital to visit his elder brother. Li Xunhuan, also happy for his brother, agreed to the task. By the time the letter reached Li Xunle, he had already been away for many days.
Li Xunle's family is indeed a happy and fulfilling family.
Yan Liang pondered for a moment, thinking of Yan Shenming, who was probably also on his way to the capital, and couldn't help but feel a little bald.
The two brothers don't get along, and Shenming's younger brother is going through a rebellious phase... How can they possibly improve their relationship?
Yan Liang was worrying when his right eyelid suddenly twitched.
This familiar feeling...
Yan Liang looked around. As they talked, they had arrived near the Li family's residence. The surrounding buildings and people looked very familiar.
"Yan Langjun——!"
This cry contained both the joy of seeing the light and the weariness and sorrow of having endured hardship.
...What's worse, the voice sounded damn familiar.
This is clearly the voice that "Wang Yuze" used when he traveled with Dongfang Bubai.
Yan Liang looked up in a daze. In front of him stood a girl in an apricot-colored dress, like a snow lotus untouched by the dust of the Tianshan Mountains. Her eyes were clear and bright, yet filled with tears that seemed about to fall.
Wait, what's this girl's character designation again?
Yan Liang looked dazed, but in his mind he kept thinking about the girl.
"Flower, flower girl?"
Yan Liang seemed incredulous, standing there dumbfounded as he watched the girl in the apricot-colored dress walk towards him. He stopped her as she rushed into his arms, staring at her blankly, and said with a sigh, "You... since you abandoned me and left with Brother Dongfang, why did you come back to find me?"
The young woman cried out mournfully, "Young Master Dongfang, he..."
She hesitated, unable to speak, her voice choked with emotion.
Li Xunle stood aside, feeling somewhat superfluous.
Yan Liang's expression suddenly changed, and he asked with surprise and uncertainty, "How is Brother Dongfang?"
"Young Master Dongfang, Young Master Dongfang has abandoned me to go home and get married!"
The young girl was sobbing, and it was a heartbreaking sight to hear and a source of sympathy to see her.
Yan Liang held her arm, his expression blank, his gaze distant, as if he were recalling something.
After a long silence, Yan Liang slowly released Hua Guniang's arm and said sadly, "Back then... you abandoned me. I had nothing at the time. I thought you and Brother Dongfang were in love and that he could take good care of you, but..."
"Yan Langjun..."
The girl was deeply moved.
"You abandoned me back then..." Yan Liang murmured again, staring straight at her, his eyes filled with sorrow, "Why do you come looking for me now? Do you think I still love you?"
The young woman stared in disbelief: "Young Master Yan..."
Yan Liang met her gaze, then quickly looked away as if burned, fleeing past her as if escaping, leaving behind only a cold remark before burying his head and walking toward the Li family mansion ahead.
"Please, young lady, have some self-respect."
The young woman looked at the young man's retreating figure with a disappointed expression and sighed sadly.
"I... I didn't mean to abandon you..."
Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just the right volume for anyone eavesdropping nearby to hear clearly.
Li Xunle hesitated for a long time before tentatively asking, "Miss Hua...where do you intend to go from now on?"
Wang Lianhua looked up and met his gaze, only to find that his nephew had no idea that the person standing in front of him was his father's good friend.
Wang Lianhua: "..."
That silly nephew of mine.
Author's Note: Here I am! Lots of classes today, writing late.
So I won't say any more.
Goodnight everyone! Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 23:01:30 on February 17, 2020 and 23:56:47 on February 18, 2020!
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Yiyu Kuangyan (2 bottles); Lili Lizi (1 bottle);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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