CH 2

As night fell, the entirety of Baihe Mountain Village was enveloped in drizzle, and a string of lamp lights reflected in the wet bluestone alleys with the unique tranquility of Jiangnan.

Liang Shu sat at the table and closed his eyes, listening to the sound of the rain outside the window. The food on the table went untouched.

Seeing that it had almost gone cold, the Lieutenant General at the side had no choice but to clear his throat: “Prince —”

“Take it away.”

Lieutenant General: “…….”

His name was Gao Lin, and he had been in the Northwest Military Camp since he was a child. He had fought on the battlefield since the age of ten, and had several brushes with death. Now that he had gained merit and status, he hadn’t seen much of the world and had never been out of Yacheng, so Liang Shu specially asked him to return to the bustling Imperial city with him this time. His intentions were good from the start, but who would have thought that a marriage task would pop up halfway?

After a while, Liang Shu opened his eyes and asked him: “How long are you going to stare at me?”

Gao Lin’s gaze continued to fall on Liang Shu’s face. He was also very puzzled, ah. Regardless  of status and military merits, even with this face alone, how could it be that she would rather commit suicide than marry? He was full of words he couldn’t speak. That Liu family’s young miss had no vision. If you don’t want to marry, then don’t marry. Why did she have to go to the teahouse to cry and complain? Now look, the prince couldn’t even eat and drink.

Thinking of this, he deliberately lowered his voice, showing care and concern: “Anyway, if I were a girl, I would certainly not refuse to marry the prince.”

Liang Shu’s eye twitched imperceptibly. He raised his head, and Gao Lin was also very cooperative, hurrying to take up an affectionate and emotional posture. The candlelight danced around the two figures. Liang Shu looked at him for a moment and felt a headache coming on: “You stay away from me in the future.”

Gao Lin hehe’d dryly: “Then the prince should take a couple bites. This osmanthus duck isn’t bad. I’ll leave directly after eating.”

Liang Su glanced at the greasy duck on the table, but still had no appetite. At this moment, someone outside the door sent in a letter signed with a crescent moon. Cheng Suyue.

She was Gao Lin’s adoptive sister, and had been in the military camp since birth. When she was a child, she paid no attention to beauty or ugliness and was a wild girl who rolled in the mud. She could ride a horse in wartime, manage accounts when idle, cook and doctor, but she didn’t read enough books and had little scholarly ability.

Gao Lin shook out the letter in bewilderment: “Not rushing to Baihe Mountain Village, what kind of letter do you write like a scholar…..Oh! Kidnapped?”

Cheng Suyue wrote this letter as if she were a weak lady, crying that she had been kidnapped by a group of bandits while passing Fuhu Mountain. After receiving the letter, Elder Brother and Third Young Master should hurry up and bring the gold to redeem her in person without delay.

Gao Lin couldn’t figure it out. If this group of people could kidnap A-Yue, they must be very skilled, so what kind of bandits were they? And the stronghold was actually built on Fuhu Mountain, which had eighteen dangerous peaks in a row, surrounded by greenery and towering ancient trees, with apes swinging from thick vines like ghosts and shadows all day long. When it rained, even the stones were damp and musty. Who could live there and eat their fill?

Liang Shu said: “That group of people are not her opponents.”

“Huh?” Gao Lin paused and read the letter again, pondering how it felt. If she really had been kidnapped, she would only be able to redeem herself with gold, so why would she mention that the “Third Young Master” should go together with him?

As such, there was a problem. According to Cheng Suyue’s past style, unless there was a major event involving the collapse of the world, she would never make trouble in front of Liang Shu. But what would be considered a major event in Miss Chen’s eyes? The Wolf Clan’s sneak attack on Chunfeng City didn’t count, the famine in Yumen didn’t count, and the flooding of the Bailong River didn’t count. On account of these troubles, she could figure out a solution by herself, so there was no need to worry the prince.

What secrets were hidden in the Fuhu Mountains that were more important than foreigners, famines, and floods? Thinking of this, it was inevitable that Gao Lin would be curious, so he tentatively asked: “When is the prince planning to leave?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Gao Lin paused for a moment. “But Baihe Mountain Village……the emperor has given a command. This time, even if knives rain down from the sky, the prince’s marriage cannot be delayed.”

“You go now and tell Master Liu that when this prince finishes dealing with the troubles at hand, he will visit another day.” Liang Shu spoke again, “Also, what is the origin of that person in the teahouse today?”

“Liu Xian’an, Miss Liu’s older brother.” Gao Lin said, “His reputation is not small. He has become the laughingstock of the whole nation, that is, he would rather commit suicide by jumping into a lake than copy an extra page of a book. If you calculate in detail, the prince was also pitted by him after coming to Baihe Mountain Village.”

This was true, but it must be that Liu Xian’an fell in love with the princess first, and then the subsequent mess happened.

Liang Shu nodded: “Take him.”

“Take him? What are you taking him for?” Gao Lin was puzzled. Although he also felt that Liu Xian’an was odd, his behavior was bizarre, and his outlook was not good, he was Liu Fushu’s own son after all. So he also took an indirect approach and reminded his prince that if there was no legitimate reason, he feared that it would be difficult to ask for the young master of Baihe Mountain Village. Let alone because of a grudge, just casually grabbing hold of others and maneuvering them to your side to knead them flat and round, how about we forget about it?

“Just say that this prince wants to know more about Miss Liu.” Liang Shu waved his hand. “All right, go and return quickly.”

Gao Lin: “…….”

Although this excuse sounded barely reasonable, Gao Lin knew in his heart that according to the prince’s considerations, this action had nothing to do with “wanting to know more about Miss Liu,” but a lot to do with Xian’an’s sentence, “I would rather jump into a lake.” Gao Lin understood how much the emperor valued the Liu family, so he didn’t want to make too much fuss, but the prince could not be persuaded. So in the end, he could only go to Baihe Mountain Village with a long sigh, thinking that if Doctor Liu sincerely loved his son and was reluctant to part with him, as long as he put a stop to it, there was still room for change in this matter.

He never imagined that as a result, after Liu Fushu heard the whole story, he simply agreed and ordered someone to pick up the Second Young Master from the water pavilion. Seeing that he was going to pack this person up and send him to the inn immediately, Gao Lin hurriedly stood up to dissuade him, there’s no need to hurry, we will leave tomorrow morning, tomorrow morning.

“Then it is settled.” Liu Fushu held Gao Lin’s hand with an earnest gaze. “He will leave tomorrow morning, ah.”

Gao Lin’s Adam’s apple rolled: “Ai.”

Everyone in the Liu family was like this. The one who should marry the prince was unwilling, and the son who should be kept was sent away. Every move in the chess game was completely outside of Lieutenant General Gao’s predictions. Was this the difference between jianghu people and military people?

In the back house, Liu Nanyuan also heard about this incident and immediately ran to her er-ge’s courtyard to discuss how to use this opportunity to thwart the marriage.

“It’s not difficult.” Liu Xian’an opened his fan and waved it at his sweaty younger sister. “Whatever kind of person he likes, I will tell him you are the opposite. Apart from appearance, what part of your temperament cannot be changed?”

Liu Nanyuan thought this was a good method.

Liu Xian’an asked another question: “Let’s hear it, you don’t want to marry the prince, but what kind of person do you like?”

Liu Nanyuan replied without taking the time to think: “I like gentle looks, smiling lips, a body that is tall and thin, fair skin, less strength, prone to stomach pains, coughing when the wind blows – what are you smiling at!”

“Not smiling, not smiling.” With eyes like a spring breeze, Liu Xian’an tapped her head with the handle of his fan. “Don’t worry, ba, I will definitely ensure that you marry a good man.”

“It’s a deal, ah!”

Liu Nanyuan gave him a ceremonial hand clap, and thus entrusted her future to this second brother who was well-known throughout the country for his ignorance.

After Liu Nanyuan left, Liu Xian’an sat up from his beloved soft couch and sent a servant to pack his luggage. Regarding the matter of going to Fuhu Mountain, he didn’t have any resistance. He didn’t feel like going out before because there was no need to go out, but now that he had a legitimate reason, it didn’t matter if he went.

In comparison, Madam Liu’s reaction was much greater. On the one hand, she was like her husband, hoping that her son could go out for a walk instead of lying down all day long. But on the other hand, she felt that Fuhu Mountain was a precipitous and difficult place. Even if there were soldiers and horses from the Imperial court escorting him all the way, she would be worried all the while. So she arranged a team overnight and ordered them to take good care of the Second Young Master.

Liu Xian’an said: “Mother, don’t worry, I know what to do.”

Madam Liu sighed and pulled him to sit in a pavilion: “You should not only help A-Yuan, but also take care of the royal face. Don’t go too far. I heard from your father that His Royal Highness is not easy to get along with, so you must be careful along the way and not clash with him.”

Liu Xian’an responded time after time, and after sending his mother back to her chambers, he went to go listen to a few words of instruction from his father. Then he yawned and returned to his waterside courtyard, washed up, and fell asleep.

The rest of the people in Baihe Mountain Village did not sleep. The small carts creaked and groaned for most of the night, transporting all kinds of goods needed for travel. Although in the heart of Second Young Master Liu, the ultimate dao should not be to eat food, but to take the wind and dew as sustenance and sit on the back of the sun and moon, free and unfettered, he had not yet reached such a state of immortality and could not go without food.

In fact, it was not just Baihe Mountain Village. Liu Xian’an traveling far away was a rare thing for the people of the city, so everyone stood on both sides of the street early in the morning to watch the excitement. Some people inexplicably applauded, and the racket spread to the inn. Liang Shu frowned slightly: “What is going on?”

Gao Lin said truthfully: “Answering the prince, nothing is wrong. Second Young Master Liu is at the door of the inn. Shall we invite him in first?”

Liang Shu leisurely got out of bed and put on his clothes: “No need.”

Gao Lin choked. Why was there no need, it would make them look very rude to target a certain person before they left.

When Liang Shu passed by the window, he took a casual glance and saw at least seventeen or eighteen carriages parked on the long street. Together with the guards and servants, they turned three or four corners.

“…….”

Gao Lin explained from the side: “I heard that Second Young Master Liu has always been well-clothed and well-fed. This time, since he is traveling far away and doesn’t know that we are going to a bandit’s den, it is normal to bring more followers.”

Liang Shu was displeased: “Send them away.”

Gao Lin took the order and went downstairs to find the steward of Baihe Mountain Village. He mentioned nothing about the bandits, but said that the prince did not want to disturb the common people along the way, so he had ordered everything to be discreet and not ostentatious.

The steward looked puzzled and didn’t know what answer to give, but a sentence came from the carriage next to him: “It doesn’t matter. Uncle Zhong, you can take these people back first, just leave A-Ning behind.”

Gao Lin mollified: “Don’t worry, Liu-gongzi, with the prince here, there will be no trouble along the way.” Because the prince himself is the biggest trouble.

He swallowed the second half of the sentence out of conscience, coaxing and deceiving, and finally sent the team from Baihe Mountain Village back, leaving only Liu Xian’an’s carriage parked in front of the inn.

And Liang Shu had not come downstairs yet.

Gao Lin thought to himself, what could be taking so long? So he went to the second floor and found that his prince hadn’t finished changing his clothes yet.

Liang Shu stood in the middle of the bedroom with his arms wide and his neckline half open. A group of servants were bustling around him. The brocade fabric on his body was full of flowing light and color, the neckline embroidered with color and the buttons inlaid with white jade. It could be seen that he had actually dressed according to the ostentation of meeting a future wife.

Gao Lin had no idea why this grand ceremony had come about: “Prince, we aren’t going to Baihe Mountain Village, right?”

“We’re not going. I’m wearing it for the people outside the door to see.” Liang Shu raised his chin leisurely. “Although he cannot go to Baihe Mountain Village, this prince still yearns for it, so he expresses his affection with clothing as a consolation.”

Gao Lin: “…….”

The group of people outside the door belonged to Liang Yu. Ordinarily, emperors placed spies around powerful officials and did everything they could to keep it secret, but Liang Yu was just the opposite. He used this group of bright, strong men to continuously warn his brother, “If you have the audacity to disobey and make trouble, I will break your dog legs when you come back.” It was quite straightforward.

Liang Shu tidied up his clothes, drank another cup of tea, and then leisurely went downstairs with his hands behind his back.

There were still some people on either side of the street who had not dispersed. Because there was nothing to do anyway, it was better to bask in the sun here. There were also a few cute, bold girls. They originally wanted to wait and see Second Young Master Liu come out of the carriage, but never thought that Second Young Master Liu wouldn’t come out, but the Third Prince did.

Naturally, they couldn’t just stare at the prince unscrupulously. One girl hurriedly bowed her head to salute. Her face was flushed, her heart beating fast, and her mind was full of the scene of Liang Shu descending the steps just now. Against the light, she couldn’t see his face clearly. She only had time to take a quick glance at the decorations on his cuffs, spreading splendidly like a thousand flowers blooming, extravagant and intimidating.

After making Liu Xian’an wait at the door of the inn for an hour, Liang Shu felt a little better. He walked to the carriage and opened the curtain casually: “You —”

His words stopped abruptly, because Liu Xian’an was not waiting, but was soundly asleep, leaning comfortably on a pillow with his right hand supporting his head. There was even a slight smile at the corners of his lips, as if he was having a good dream, and it seemed as if waiting three or four hours more would not be impossible.

Liang Shu lowered the curtain and knocked heavily on the door with the hilt of his sword.

Bang!

Everyone around was startled, and Liu Xian’an in the carriage was naturally also startled. His heart beat wildly, and he sat up straight with a trace of bewilderment in his eyes. Because of the heavy curtains, only a few rays of light could penetrate through. Fine dust drifted faintly in the carriage, and the surroundings were completely silent.

Based on this, he judged that the people in the inn were not ready yet, otherwise it would be impossible for the soldiers and horses to be so quiet.

Maybe it was just a trivial dream, ba.

Second Young Master Liu changed his position, closed his eyes, and continued to sleep.

Those outside the sleeping person’s carriage were shocked.

Had he not woken up, or did he just refuse to come out after waking up?

Seeing this breach of etiquette, Liu Xian’an’s servant was also anxious. He wanted to go up and call his young master, but the prince was still standing in front of the carriage, so he could only desperately look at Lieutenant General Gao with pleading eyes.

Gao Lin lowered his voice and asked: “Your family’s young master, what is his plan?”

“There is no plan,” the boy quickly said. “My family’s young master just loves to sleep. He won’t move even if thunder strikes. You have to shake him hard to wake him up.”

Gao Lin was still trying to think of ways to smooth things over, but Liang Shu on the other side had already taken a big stride forward, bending down to get into the carriage.

The whole situation immediately became stranger.

The little servant said in a daze: “Why did the prince go in? Then I…..can I still serve the young master?”

Gao Lin’s head ached fiercely. He ordered someone to arrange for the boy to be placed elsewhere first, while he rode his horse to stand guard beside Liu Xian’an’s carriage. “Cough cough cough.” He cleared his throat for a while like an old smoker, in order to remind his prince not to take everything too far.

At the same time, he had to explain to the emperor’s people that the prince couldn’t wait to talk to Young Master Liu because he was so anxious to get married, ah. Come, everyone, leave immediately, don’t delay.

The convoy drove out of Baihe City just like that.

Because the prince was having a conversation, everyone tried to keep quiet and not make any extra noise.

Liu Xian’an slept safe and sound.

His unconstrained mind wandered in the vastness of the wilderness.

And he had no idea that there was an extra person in the carriage.