After settling the guests in the manor, Master Liu sent his servants to the inn to call his second son home in advance. Liu Xian’an was so sleepy that he just wanted to fall asleep in the carriage, but just when he closed his eyes, there was suddenly the earth-shattering sound of fireworks outside. In the middle of winter, spring thunder exploded across the land, and the roar swept through the sounds of laughter all the way. 

The area around Baihe Mountain Village was already packed with people. Although this sort of grand scene often occurred when Second Young Master Liu went out to play in the past, most of the onlookers were young girls, or mothers-in-law and aunts who were not young at all, their main purpose to admire a handsome man. But this time, there were men and women, old and young, on both sides of the street. There were also many family disciples guarding the gate, some of whom had not even had time to remove their aprons.

A-Ning said in surprise: “Did everyone miss you so much?”

Liu Xian’an responded with a “hmm” and continued to close his eyes and dream. He didn’t care whether others missed him or not. It was more important to sleep. The good thing about His Royal Highness Xiao Wang in the hot spring pool was that he never wore clothes, so he didn’t need to change. He pulled this person into his arms and suggested: “Why not just stay here?”

Second Young Master Liu still retained some sense. My father may not agree.

He walked swaying along the majestic clouds and sea. Beside him, A-Ning was very worried and shook him hard: “Young Master, Young Master, why did you fall asleep again while walking? Wake up quickly. Weren’t you still greeting people at the door just now?”

Liu Xian’an opened his eyes: “Ah?”

What kind of greeting? I have no impression of it at all.

Thus, when Master Liu came out and saw his son’s confused and boneless appearance, his mood suddenly became complicated. Why didn’t it look like he had made any progress?

A-Ning sneaked behind and pinched him hard.

Liu Xian’an jumped up: “Hiss!”

Master Liu cleared his throat in a dignified manner: “You’ve returned.”

Liu Xian’an saluted: “Father.”

Hearing this “father,” the father himself was in a relatively good mood. He entered the front hall with his son, ordered the maid to make good tea and bring his favorite snacks, then asked: “I heard that you went out this time and did something in the Baihe River Basin and in the southwest. Is this true?”

“Yes.” Liu Xian’an ate snacks. “The Baihe River is wreaking havoc, coinciding with the summer heat. The refugees don’t have access to clean water and food, so there are many diseases. As for the southwest, the dense forests are full of miasma, there are many poisonous insects, and the common people have many injuries and illnesses. They all need doctors.”

“Since you can see, and originally had the ability to see, why were you unwilling to do things at home?”

Liu Xian’an gave a slight sigh, wondering why his father hadn’t figured it out yet. So he explained once more, not knowing how many times he had already done so: “Because what Father and Da-ge ask me to do can be done by other disciples. Since there is no shortage of manpower, why must I do it? I have many other things to be busy with.”

If it had been before, Master Liu might have begun looking for a stick upon hearing this and drove his lazy son to the pharmacy to do some hard work. But this time, he at last asked calmly, what are you so busy with?

Liu Xian’an brushed the snack residue from his hands and said: “Communicating with the spirits of heaven and earth, traveling around the universe on a white crane, mixing all things into one, abandoning the principles of time, seeking nothing.”

Master Liu nodded: “Continue.”

Thus, Liu Xian’an spoke of the Three Thousand Worlds again, that incomparably magnificent and spectacular folded universe that existed only in his mind, where clouds chased after music and stars streamed through palaces, and the setting moon held the rosy, immortal glow of daybreak. There were Kunpeng roaming freely in the Eastern Sea, and magnificent palaces were built on the clouds, with white jade ladders and coral trees. Many famous people throughout the ages owned noble white cranes, which could rise and fall with the wind and travel forty-thousand li per day.

Master Liu never knew that there could be such marvelous and exquisite ideas in the world. He had always been pragmatic in his medical practices, and was neither romantic nor dissolute, with a character that was so rigorous that he was almost rigid. But to give birth to such a son who was both romantic and dissolute, yet also had good medical skills, he felt a lot of emotion in his heart and his eyes were slightly hot.

Liu Xian’an thus said: “Then I will also invite my parents to be guests next time.”

It would be necessary to divide the territory in advance so that the elders could not run into His Royal Highness Xiao Wang, who did not like to wear clothes and always stood up from the hot spring.

Perhaps because of the close connection between father and son, Master Liu mentioned at this moment: “What about you and the prince?”

“We have already planned it.” Liu Xian’an said: “I’ll stay at home for some time and then go to Wangcheng. Then I’ll probably start working on changing the course of the Baihe River.”

“Changing the course of the Baihe River?” Master Liu was slightly taken aback. “Which tributary should be changed?”

“No, changing the entire river.” Liu Xian’an said: “Cut and straighten the bend in Luofeng City, strengthen the embankments and dredge the silt, so that the Baihe River branches northward at Hukou Pass, leaving only a branch that continues across the present fifteen cities.”

Master Liu listened to this in disbelief. When he was young, he went to Luofeng City to provide free medical treatment for refugees, and still remembered the endless broad surface of the river. The enormous waves caused by heavy rain could almost collapse the entire sky. When it roared, it was like tens of thousands of tigers and hungry wolves, devouring fertile fields and the common people.

He gripped the handrail tightly and frowned: “In the past, there has never been such a huge project.”

“But someone has to do it,” Liu Xian’an said. “Someone will start it first, and the next generation can follow in the footsteps of their predecessors and continue on step by step. It may take fifty years, a hundred years, or even two hundred years, but it can be completed in the end.”

Master Liu was worried: “But the beginning already has a thousand difficulties. Have you considered this?”

“I have considered it.” Liu Xian’an held his tea cup. “Changing the course of the Baihe River means that some people in the north will be forced to give up their current livelihoods. They will lose their fields and houses, and even their ancestral graves will be flooded and washed away.”

That was not one hundred households, but thousands of households, making tens of thousands of people sacrifice for something that will only pay off two hundred years later. This was really too ephemeral and difficult, but no matter how difficult it was, one must still grit their teeth and take the first step.

Liu Xian’an said: “I don’t care about false reputation.”

It didn’t matter whether it was the initial reveling or cursing, or the so-called “fame” after hundreds of years.

Master Liu asked: “What about the prince?”

“The prince cares even less than I do.” Liu Xian’an said, “That’s just the kind of temperament he has.”

They spoke and spoke, and Master Liu sort of wanted to laugh. He had never before thought that his son, who was usually the laziest, would challenge the most ambitious project in the world. He seemed like a small crane on huge waves, spreading its wings and flying headlong into the center of the storm.

With mixed feelings in his heart, he was silent for a long time until someone called from outside: “Village Master, His Royal Highness Xiao Wang is here!”

The sound of firecrackers exploded again. Everyone in the city knew. Liang Shu was dressed in splendid clothes, as if a beam of sunshine had been woven into the fabric. Liang Yu was extremely considerate, and had specifically ordered the embroiderers that the new clothes should make the prince look as warm and gentle as possible. And the embroiderers did so, but they still couldn’t stand up to His Royal Highness Xiao Wang’s murderous aura. This caused the disciples in charge of welcoming him to tremble more and more, not even daring to raise their heads. Their admiration for their Second Young Master became even more like a torrential river.

“Your Highness.” Master Liu led the entire family to salute. After the conversation just now, he already had a new understanding of Liang Shu. The young man before him was willing to shoulder the centuries-old foundation of the entire dynasty. Against such a magnificent backdrop, Master Liu felt that he should also look farther ahead, abandon his selfish thoughts, and stand side by side with them in the clouds tens of thousands of li high, watching the rolling tide of time together.

The banquet was very lively.

The main reason was because Liu Nanyuan was lively, and chatted with a few relatives to liven up the atmosphere. Liu Xianche even kept a straight face as he told a rare and rather terrible joke. Madam Liu continued to look right at Liang Shu. Although she didn’t know why she wanted to look at him, he pleased her eyes.

After a few cups of wine, someone asked about the war in the southwest. Liang Shu had a good attitude and answered all their questions. He was very considerate and meticulous in the etiquette of visiting his father-in-law for the first time. Everyone looked happily at His Royal Highness Xiao Wang, and then at their family’s own lazy fellow…..ai, why did it seem as if he was about to fall asleep again?

He was sleepy, and had also been drinking. Liu Xian’an had his chopsticks held up calmly. If it hadn’t been for him not moving for a long time, he would have been able to fool them.

An aunt said: “Xiao An is like this. As soon as he hears us talking about small household affairs, he can’t help but want to sleep.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Liang Shu smiled and said, “The food has nearly been eaten. Since we are family, I will no longer be strict about etiquette, and take him back to rest first.”

When he finished speaking, he stood up and picked up the person with one arm: “Lie down well.”

Liu Xian’an immediately put his arms around his shoulders.

Liang Shu asked: “Where is the waterside pavilion?”

“This…..this way, Your Highness, please!” A servant boy quickly bowed and led the way.

The large group of people were left staring at each other over the banquet. Only Liu Nanyuan and Liu Xianche were not surprised. As for Master Liu and Madam Liu, they both had headaches. This was fine at home, but if they went to a banquet in the royal city in the future, it would be…..ai, how distressing.

The waterside pavilion was a long way from the front hall. Liang Shu was in no hurry, and walked with him slowly, using his big cloak to block the wind. A-Ning had already lit a warm fire in the house. When he heard the door, he stood up and said in surprise: “Your Highness, is the banquet over so soon?”

“No, Xiao An is tired.” Liang Shu said, “You can go and eat. There’s no need to wait, I’ll do it myself.”

He walked to the bedroom with his sweetheart, then bent down and touched the bed. It was soft and warm enough. He set the person on it and warned: “Don’t sleep yet.”

Liu Xian’an didn’t listen, and tried to crawl under the quilt but failed. Liang Shu fetched hot water for him to rinse his mouth, and ordered a bucket of bathwater.

So His Royal Highness Xiao Wang in the Three Thousand Worlds waited for someone who was also soaking in the hot spring. He asked: “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t come today?”

Liu Xian’an also found it strange. Yes, why did I come back here again? He was in a daze, and at the same time thinking hard about what he should do now. After thinking about it, the relatives at the dinner party came to mind one by one. He was suddenly stimulated and said, right, I’m still eating, ah!

Splash, he stood up and tried to run. The water in the bathtub splashed everywhere, and Liang Shu couldn’t dodge.

Liu Xian’an stared at him speechlessly for a moment, then sat back down with a splash. He looked around with his heart beating wildly and asked, how did I appear here?

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Four << Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Six