lcionline Chapter 265 The Truth
Chapter 265 The Truth
Xu Sheng's face was solemn and his expression was dignified. Without waiting for Xue Longpan to bow, he bowed first, held out his hands, and presented a sword with a respectful attitude: "General Xue, Madam Xue, this is the Xue family's Dragon Soaring Sword. The young general asked me to return it to you."
Xue Longpan took the sword with trembling hands: "Yun Ting... he... he really?"
"Yes." Xu Sheng straightened up: "The young general did indeed die in an avalanche."
Madam Xue burst into tears: "Such a big thing? Why didn't anyone inform us? He was the General Who Protects the Nation of Nanyue, how could he just leave like this?"
Xu Sheng said solemnly, "Madam, Yun Ting insisted on taking his deceased wife to Mount Oulu alone, without allowing anyone to accompany him. Chief Xue was worried about Yun Ting's prolonged absence and sent his men to inquire, which is how he found out."
This sword was left behind by Yun Ting before he left. Chief Xue saw the imperial inscription on it and gave it to me. This sword is a family heirloom of the Xue family, and I've brought it here today specifically to return it to the general.”
Xu Sheng is a prince, so even if he's lying, the Xue family has to believe him. Besides, his timing is perfect, and his words are solemn, reasonable, and impeccable.
Madam Xue wiped away her tears: "Your Highness, I want to see him alive or dead... I'll go and retrieve Yun Ting's body..."
“Madam,” Xu Sheng interrupted Madam Xue gently, “It is said that the young mistress’s last wish was to be buried on Mount Oulu. They are both under the snow that has been there for thousands of years and are protected by the God of Mount Oulu. I do not recommend that you move them again, lest you incur the wrath of the heavens and the spirits. If you must remember them, why not build a cenotaph?”
Xue Longpan said, "Your Highness is right."
Xu Sheng said, "It's rare for Chief Xue to come to Qinzhou. I would like to invite Chief Xue to stay at your residence for a few days. General Xue and his wife do not mind, do they?"
Xue Longpan and Madam Xue exchanged glances, neither of them able to fathom what Xu Sheng was thinking.
Nianyao stepped forward: "Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."
After leaving the Xue residence, Nianyao breathed a long sigh of relief: "Thankfully, it wasn't as difficult as I imagined. But I'm still very grateful to the Prince for appearing in time."
Xu Sheng put his hands behind his back, looking quite dashing: "When Chief Xue lies, he can be surprisingly convincing."
Nianyao suddenly felt something was wrong: "Do you have spies in the Xue residence?"
Xu Sheng laughed and said, "Why would I plant spies in such a loyal and patriotic family? I'll just listen openly from the rooftop and then appear as a hero to save the damsel in distress when the time is right."
Nianyao scoffed, "You scoundrel."
Xu Sheng laughed and said, "Chief Xue, even crossing the river and burning the bridge isn't as fast as you."
Xue Chenxi was sleeping sideways with her head on her left side. Nianyao felt her hand getting a little sore, so she changed her position.
Xu Sheng picked up Xue Chenxi and said, "She's not heavy, is she? Premature babies usually grow slower."
Nianyao asked in surprise, "You know about these things?"
Xu Sheng said, "He is learned and versatile, and knows everything."
He's really quick to take a liking to someone. Nianyao was about to retort when she saw Xue Yunyao coming over with a bag in her hand.
When Xue Yunyao saw them, she quickly came over and handed the oil paper package to Nianyao: "Sister, this is a steamed flower cake, it's very delicious."
Nianyao took it: "Yunyao, the prince and I have already explained things to your uncle and aunt about your brother and sister-in-law. Everyone has their own fate. Your brother is gone, but we still have to live well. Go back and try to comfort your uncle and aunt, tell them not to be too sad, and that their health is the most important thing."
Xue Yunyao responded obediently, "Yes, thank you, sister. Are you staying at home tonight, sister?"
Xu Sheng said, "No need, I'd like to invite Chief Xue to stay at my humble abode for a couple of days."
Xue Yunyao said, "Then I'll go back to see my parents first, and then go to the Prince's Mansion to see my sister tomorrow."
After Xue Yunyao left, Nianyao said, "You call the Prince's mansion your humble abode?"
Xu Sheng nodded solemnly.
It truly was a humble abode. The gate was an old, faded vermilion, and the lintel was barely visible. Pushing open the gate, one found a courtyard with three rooms directly opposite it: a dilapidated kitchen on the left and a drafty outhouse on the right.
Nianyao asked incredulously, "Your Highness, you live here?"
Mr. Xu argued confidently, "This place is a geomantically auspicious spot, blessed by a master. It's only suitable for distinguished people like us."
Suddenly, a hunchbacked old woman appeared out of nowhere and said in a hoarse voice, "Your Highness, will you be having dinner at home tonight?"
Xu Sheng handed the child to her: "Go find a wet nurse. I won't be back for dinner tonight."
That's it? Nianyao instinctively tried to stop her: "I'll do it myself..."
Xu Sheng put his hand on her shoulder and half-forcefully led her out the door: "You can rest assured about my people. Come on, let's go for a drink."
Nianyao broke free from him: "Such a small child, and you're giving him to an old lady who can barely walk? What if..."
"No 'what ifs' won't happen, my people are very reliable." Xu Sheng didn't care at all: "Today it's my treat, I'll buy you drinks. Come on, come on..."
Nianyao was still in shock. Based on her impression of Xu Sheng, even if the Prince's Mansion wasn't as magnificent as a royal palace, it was at least more grand than the Xue Mansion.
Who would have thought it would be so shabby? Compared to Luo An's Xi Zhai, it's like a beggar's abandoned old house. Xu Sheng should be the kind of person who spends money like water, how could he possibly humble himself like this?
Before Nianyao could figure it out, she saw Xu Sheng leading her to stand at the entrance of Baihua Tower. Shouldn't they be going to the restaurant for drinks?
She was dressed in women's clothing, and Nianyao's eyes clearly said to Xu Sheng, "Have you lost your mind?"
Xu Sheng put his hand on her shoulder: "Let's go, there's so much to do at a brothel, drinking, listening to music and watching dances, getting shoulder and back massages, they have everything..."
Since she was already there, Nianyao didn't hesitate and said, "I thought the Prince's mansion had its own singing and dancing troupe, so why would it need to go to a brothel?"
Xu Sheng sighed deeply: "Sigh, having a bunch of women fighting over me every day is terrifying. I'd better give up."
Nianyao couldn't help but laugh: "You really don't miss any opportunity to praise yourself. Your shabby house is too small to fit anyone."
Xu Sheng said, "Keeping a mistress in a golden house, even if you really want to keep a bunch of women, you can't keep them at home."
Although their lodgings were shabby, they ate lavishly, with a large table full of dishes, some of which Nianyao had never seen before. Xu Sheng poured her a drink: "It's my treat, enjoy yourself, don't worry about saving money for me."
Xu Sheng didn't know how much money he had spent on the Dahe Gang? And he still had the nerve to say he was being frugal? As Nian Yao was thinking this, she heard the melodious sound of a zither, and a dozen graceful women dressed in light gauze dance costumes walked in.
Nianyao tilted her head back and drank a glass of wine, then objectively commented, "I feel that the girls from Nanyue are no worse than those from Dongyang."
Xu Sheng naturally filled her cup: "Of course, in terms of figure, voice, and dancing skills, the women of Nan Yue are the best. Otherwise, why would Nan Fei have gone to brothels every month before?"
Nianyao casually replied, "I wonder how Nanfei and the others are doing?"
Xu Sheng said, "He's dead."
Nianyao's hand wobbled, spilling all the wine. She looked at Xu Sheng in shock.
Xu Sheng nodded: "It's true, they defeated Bei Rou, and Nan Fei and Yuan Feng are both dead."
Nianyao took the wine pot, filled her own glass, and said nothing more. She hadn't drunk much in a long time; one thing after another had happened lately, and none of them were anything to be happy about.
Nianyao kept her eyes fixed on the stage, a glass in her hand. Xu Sheng quietly poured her more wine, and she drank one glass after another until she was completely drunk...