After the two left, the girl in the yellow dress also came to the stall to pick and choose. The other two women who had come with her seemed anxious, and kept urging her to hurry up, saying: “If the Master finds out we’ve sneaked out again, he’ll be furious.”

The girl in the yellow dress picked up a silver hairpin with a butterfly embedded on it and twirled it in her hand. “Let’s go back.”

The female companions were relieved. They paid the money at once and quickly led her away from the market.

The footsteps of the three of them became faster and faster, and in the end, they were almost jogging. When it was confirmed that nobody was following them, they turned inside a house. The girl in the yellow dress removed the mask from her face. It was Wumeng Yunle. Just now the maid said again: “Miss, let me put away the hairpin for you. The Master’s people are coming soon, and we still need to change your clothes quickly.”

While speaking, and without waiting for her to agree, they had already stepped forward to surround her, taking down her hair and removing her clothes.The division of labor was methodical, as if they were dressing up a delicate puppet that could not speak. Seeing that she was looking at the hairpin, the maid said: “Those frivolous and common gems are nothing but cheap ones that can be bought anywhere. Is the Holy Maiden lacking in jewelry?”

Wumeng Yunle said happily: “I’ve seen them twice, plus this time. This is the third time.”

The maids didn’t understand: “What twice?”

“They’re different every time, but their backs are the same. Or to put it another way, although their backs were disguised and their shoulders were hunched, they were still them.” Wumeng Yunle was thoughtful. “It’s always them.”

The maids looked at each other in blank dismay, not understanding the meaning of these words. At this time, footsteps came from outside in the courtyard, and a voice said: “Sisters, the person has been brought.”

“Bring them in,” a maid ordered softly.

They both helped Wumeng Yunle sit in a chair. She was dressed in white again, like a pure and holy cloud.

With a squeak, the wooden door was pushed open and a man immediately walked inside. The man who was similar to tens of thousands of Baifu Sect believers, with fanaticism and panic in his eyes, knelt down in front of the Holy Maiden with a plop.

It was dark all around, and the light was also blocked from outside the house.

. . . . . . .

Liu Xian’an said: “Look, I said everyone would avoid the prince.”

Liang Shu felt aggrieved. I didn’t offend them, so why can’t we go shopping during the New Year?

Liu Xian’an smiled and held his cuff: “The shopping is almost done, let’s go back to the government office.”

Liang Shu didn’t listen, and continued to stride around. Not going back, I just came out.

Liu Xian’an trotted along for a while at first, but then he couldn’t keep up, mainly because he was too lazy to follow. So tired, ah. Liang Shu walked two steps and didn’t hear movement behind him. Turning around, he saw that the man had gone to queue up at a shop to buy snacks. He promptly laughed with anger and turned back to grab his snow-white hairband: “Ridiculous!”

According to folk rumors, if His Royal Highness Xiao Wang said something like “ridiculous,” almost everyone at the scene would lose their heads. It was rather frightening, but the atmosphere this time was not the same. Liu Xian’an was clearly prepared. Being dragged back two steps, he didn’t panic, but laughed instead. Liang Shu supported his lower back to keep him from falling down the steps: “Be careful.”

“Do you want to eat?” Liu Xian’an handed over the oiled paper bag in his hands. “Glutinous rice sticks.”

Liang Shu said: “They’re sweet and greasy, hard enough to pry up stones.”

Liu Xian’an still forcefully gave him one. Liang Shu bit it in his mouth with a frown, seeing that the people around him wanted to laugh but didn’t dare to. It wasn’t until the prince and the miracle doctor walked away that a bold young man said: “The prince doesn’t seem to be as unkind as the rumors say, ah.”

Everyone agreed. Not only was he not cruel, but he was easy to approach, and the Second Young Master was not as lazy as in the stories. Look at him, he can still walk by himself. It is amazing that he can walk through the streets for so long.

Just as they were boasting, Dayan’s number one lazy fellow didn’t want to go any farther, and looked around as he stood on the steps. Liang Shu asked: “Do you intend to sleep here?”

Liu Xian’an replied, it is not impossible.

Liang Shu turned his back to him: “Come here.”

Liu Xian’an lay on the ground with peace of mind, and the people around him were shocked. But the Sleeping Immortal didn’t care if others were shocked or not, so he picked up the glutinous rice sticks and entered his dreams, and invited His Royal Highness Xiao Wang who was soaking in the hot springs to eat as well.

After waking up and telling this person about it, Liang Shu said with a toothache: “Why can’t I escape this thing?”

Liu Xian’an stood by the table and poured tea for himself. As for “escaping,” the prince in the Three Thousand Worlds ate a lot without his persuasion.

Liang Shu wrapped one of his arms around his sweetheart’s waist and drew him close, ordering, next time you dream of me, let me educate you. Don’t lose face by not eating good things.

Gao Lin stopped at the door. Look, just as I said, jumping up and down.

But despite the jumping up and down, he still had to do what should be done. He was mainly here to report to the government that an article had been drawn up and would be posted the following morning.

The content of the article was to give a more detailed explanation about the explosion on the top of White Crown. It also mentioned Song Changsheng, and how his originally happy family, under the temptation of the Baifu Sect, encountered tragedy step by step. The local governments in the Southwest were very familiar with writing this kind of story, and the big article was eloquent and sensational.

After reading it, all the common people in the city were incited to discuss the same thing. Coupled with the deliberate guidance of Xiao Wang Palace, Song Changsheng soon became the number one loyal warrior in everyone’s hearts who sacrificed his life to blow up the cult. Everyone sent cured fish, eggs, flowers, and pastries to the government office one after another, and so much was piled up in the courtyard that there was almost no room for it all. Chang Xiaoqiu had to walk around these things, and asked again: “Why is it so noisy outside?”

“It’s all the neighbors. They wouldn’t leave after delivering things, and they’re inquiring about Song-xiansheng’s poisoning and injuries, whether they are serious or not.”

They were serious. Several bones were broken by the explosion, how could it not be serious? The official government gatekeeper stood on the steps with his hands folded and told everyone vividly. But having said that, no matter how serious it was, with the presence of people from Baihe Mountain Village, he would definitely be healed, so there was no need to worry at all.

The common people had reservations about this, because although Baihe Mountain Village was capable, Second Young Master Liu of Baihe Mountain Village was just……but after thinking about it, it was said previously that His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was ferocious-looking, a born demon who spent his days killing people for fun. Comparing this ghastly image with the handsome prince eating glutinous rice sticks in the market, one had to admit that the rumors were indeed outrageous.

“What about the poison?”

“The poison is a little troublesome, but it can be dealt with. In short, don’t worry, Song-xiansheng will be fine. Because of his meritorious service in eradicating the Baifu Sect, the prince also rewarded him with a box of gold and silver, and promised that he can make a living making weapons for the entire Northwest military camp. Good days are yet to come.”

Rewards of money and trade. Such good things made the common people envious, and they even began to look forward to meeting a few minions of the Baifu Sect, so that they could arrest them and go to the prince to receive a reward. All of a sudden, the winds of purging the evil cult were blowing mightily in the city, and every family no longer asked, “have you eaten?” Instead, it changed to “have you gotten one?” Those in the know were aware that they were asking about the cult, and those not in the know were still asking about stomachs.

In the government office, Liu Xian’an was administering acupuncture for Song Changsheng. The blue veins on the other’s face were still thriving a few days ago, but now they had become much lighter. The aunt in charge of cleaning couldn’t help but praise when she saw it, Second Young Master Liu is truly amazing.

“It’s not as strong as the rumors outside say.” Liu Xian’an said, “I really don’t know what this poison is, so I can only slowly remove it bit by bit according to the method taught by my elder brother. Fortunately, it is effective. If I persist for three to five months, or a little slower and persist for another year, he will definitely be cured.

The maid interjected from the side: “It takes as long as a year?”

“I want to hurry too, but I can’t.” Liu Xian’an retrieved the silver needle. “How does Song-xiansheng feel today?”

“Much better,” Song Changsheng said. “Thank you, Second Young Master Liu.”

He seemed to be in good spirits, and his complexion was not bad. Although he was still unable to move, the rest of his body was indeed not affected by the poison much. A-Ning was decocting medicine in the kitchen. A servant saw that he seemed sleepy, so he stepped forward and said: “Let me do it, Young Master. You’re tired these days, you should go back and rest for a while.”

“That won’t work, my young master said that no one can get close to Song-xiansheng’s medicine.” A-Ning yawned and shook his head. “I must guard it myself, lest the people from the Baifu Sect bribe someone to sneak poison into it.”

The servant hesitated upon hearing this, and A-Ning took notice. He said: “What, the Baifu Sect really found you?”

“That’s not true!” The boy waved his hands again and again in shock, and said nervously, “This is nonsense, if someone else overheard, I wouldn’t be able to come back from it. What is this atmosphere in the city now, ah……I, I have serious business.”

“I haven’t gone out for several days, how can I know what the atmosphere in the city is like?” A-Ning smiled and put down the cattail fan. “Okay, don’t be nervous, there’s no one else here. What business do you have?”

“I have an old book at home that is dedicated to recording various poisons.” The boy took it out of his sleeve. “I don’t usually read this stuff, and if not for the strange poison in Song-xiansheng’s body, I wouldn’t have remembered it.”

A-Ning took the booklet with curled and yellowed edges in his hand. The paper was so rotten that it would not be surprising if a nest of cockroaches came out in the next moment. Seeing him frown, the boy hurriedly explained: “There is a type of poison in this book that is similar to the poison in Song-xiansheng. It also causes blue lines on the face, and it lists the medicinal materials needed for detoxification. It should be useful, right?”

A-Ning flipped through a couple of pages and found that this was indeed the case, so he said happily: “It’s possible, ah. My young master is still working hard, worried that he won’t be able to find an antidote. Unexpectedly, it came without any effort!”

“Hehe, that’s great.” The boy was also happy, and stammered, if it’s really useful, will there be a reward……

“There’s no question that there will be reward money, but first let my young master see it.” A-Ning stuffed the book into his sleeve. “Let’s go, you come with me!”

Liu Xian’an was still in Song Changsheng’s room at this time, along with Liang Shu. A-Ning repeated the boy’s words and handed the book to his young master. Song Changsheng sat up and asked: “Is it exactly the same poison as mine?”

“It does look like there’s no difference.” Liu Xian’an said, “Huanxi Toad Venom. I didn’t know that there was such a poison in the world, but I have heard of the medicinal materials for detoxification. En…..they’re not too difficult to find.”

“I didn’t know either, but I happened to have the book at home, so I asked the miracle doctor about it.” The boy asked, “Is it useful?”

“It is.” Liu Xian’an nodded. “I can give it a try.”

The boy looked happy and glanced at A-Ning, hinting at the reward. A-Ning was cautious, and reminded his young master again that sometimes a hundred different poisons may show the same symptoms. Song-xiansheng’s poison was only similar in appearance to the one depicted in the book, was he sure that he should use this Huanxi Toad Venom for diagnosis and treatment?

“Although the poison is uncertain, the medicinal materials used for detoxification are all non-toxic.” Liu Xian’an said, “If it’s a mistake, one or two doses will not make too much of an impact on the body. But if it is correct, the time for detoxification can be greatly shortened. With such a balance, it is better to try.”

A-Ning said: “Then I will go find all the supplies immediately.”

Liu Xian’an personally thanked the boy once more and sent him to the treasurer to collect the reward. After everyone left, Liang Shu also took Liu Xian’an back to the bedroom and wrung out a wet handkerchief to wipe his hands clean: “Don’t touch that kind of dirty, rotten book in the future.”

“It can’t be considered a rotten book.” Liu Xia’nan didn’t care. “I even……wu.”

“All right, I know you are very capable. You have scalped people and cut out intestinal ulcers.” Liang Shu let go of him. “Emperor Brother sent a secret letter this morning.”

“What did it say?”

“It talked about you.”

“What about me?”

“It said that you’re not just an ignorant layabout.”

Liang Shu carried him to the table and sat down, leaning over slightly so they were face to face.

They were so close that their breaths mingled, and Liu Xian’an shrank back. I’m lazy, it’s not that I’m ignorant.

On this journey, Second Young Master Liu treated diseases east and west and ran errands north and south. The Imperial guards saw this, and naturally wanted to send the whole truth back to the palace.

Liang Yu was amazed, and also full of regret. If he had known that those rumors about laziness were false, he would have agreed to the marriage between Baihe Mountain Village and the princess. So he personally wrote a long letter to criticize his vexing brother. Since you and Second Young Master Liu get along well and cooperate tacitly, you should have seen that he is suitable for marriage. Why didn’t you report such a big matter to me earlier?

He wrote again, does he have a lover at this time?

With a wave of Liang Shu’s brush, he wrote with handwriting that was as large as the mouth of a bowl—

Yes, his signature is below.

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Chapter Eighty-Six << Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighty-Eight