After the initial curiosity and excitement about Axiu's sudden departure, the Xinghua villagers soon were relieved.
They continued to work day in and day out without any change.
As time passed, the Liu family gradually put the matter behind them.
At first, apart from worrying about Axiu, the family also worried about Liu Yusheng.
Her relationship with Axiu had always been very close, not even comparable to her own brothers, Zhixia and Zhiqiu.
When Axiu suddenly left, the saddest one in their eyes was their seven-year-old Nannan.
Fortunately, children were often quite forgetful. After a few days of depression, Nannan was back to normal, talking and laughing as usual, and sometimes acting like a baby with her family.
They finally felt at ease.
"Hey, hey! Lucky Nannan, come back to earth!" Qian Wanjin casually grabbed the straw fan at hand and beckoned a soul before Liu Yusheng's eyes. "He's been gone for months, and even if he lives in the far north, he can still crawl home. He hasn't sent a word back. Why do you still miss him? Look at you, you've been absent-minded six times in the last half hour! I'm not that welcome, am I! Do you have any idea how much effort it took for this young master to escape here to chat with you?"
Liu Yusheng came back to her senses and rubbed her ears that had been tormented for half an hour. "I know, I know. Your family is pressuring you to marry. You have simply worked hard to escape. It's been hard on you, Young Boss."
"Hypocrite, insincere." Qian Wanjin grumbled and shapelessly stretched out on the bench. "Lucky Nannan, say something fair. I'm pretty much still a tall and handsome young master now, aren't I? What do you think they're in such a hurry for? They're rushing to set me up on a blind date! I'm only 13, 13! …" He hasn't even grown hair yet!
Looking at the little child's face that still had baby fat on it, Qian Wanjin swallowed the last sentence.
"Didn't you say that the eldest son of your family will be married at 15?"
"I'm not yet 15, right? It's two years too early, and everyone is so anxious. It's like I won't be able to get married!"
Liu Yusheng couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"You've finally laughed. This young master's hard work wasn't in vain."
"…" Liu Yusheng looked at Qian Wanjin in a daze. So he deliberately said that to make her laugh.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm telling you ah, this young master is a prodigal son. Don't take it seriously." Reaching out from his bosom, he pulled out a small mirror to Liu Yusheng's face. "You'd better take a look at yourself first. Slanted eyebrows, droopy eyes, droopy mouth – a sad old lady in the flesh…"
Liu Yusheng picked up the fan and covered her face. "You're the old lady!"
"Suppression by force is useless against this young master. Neither riches nor ranks can lead me astray. I can't be subdued by might!"
"How about a plate of fried spring rolls?"
"Steadfast!"
"A plate of crystal pork knuckle?"
"… My pride is not to be trampled on!"
Liu Yusheng took out a small medicine bottle, and waved it in front of Qian Wanjin. "One bottle of anti-acne and anti-inflammatory medicine."
"I'll call you Great Aunt if you want me to!" Damn, this medicine was simply a lifesaver for him!
How much was his moral integrity worth? The top priority was to eliminate the acne popping daily on his handsome face!
Facial issues were paramount! Definitely couldn't be ignored!
After taking the medicine bottle, Qian Wanjin immediately primped his face in the small mirror, making sure not to miss a single pimple.
"Tell me, how in the world did you acquire a medical skill at such a young age that is better than old doctors, famous for many years?! Now the reputation of the Young Divine Doctor in Xinghua village has spread to Yunzhou city." After applying the medicine, he praised Liu Yusheng, then complimented himself. "Now that I think about it, I really was born to be a businessman, with a pair of torch-like eyes! Discerning eyes for treasure!"
"Wag your tongue." Liu Yusheng gave him a glance and pretended to ask nonchalantly, "You've been running around major cities recently. Have you heard any important news?"
"Important news?" Qian Wanjin was confused. Since when did Lucky Nannan care about current affairs?
"Like some big family disturbance, the return of the eldest son or something like that …"
Qian Wanjin's hand, which was rubbing the medicine, paused. "Crap, if you want to ask about that kid, just say it. Why hide it? There's no notable news, but I've heard a lot of good news about the reputation of the village's medicinal wine. The winery's orders have increased by a large amount this quarter."
The girl lowered her head in disinterest.
She didn't notice the gloom that flashed in Qian Wanjin's eyes.
Big news? The 16th Prince of the royal family has returned from his travels and was crowned King of Nanling by imperial edict, causing a great shock to the entire upper class in the capital.
After the return of the 16th Prince to the capital, a drastic change took place in the palace. In just a few months, hundreds of people were executed. At one point, an incident involved concubines in the harem, powerful and court officials. Several top families fell from the clouds to the bottom or even wiped out. Was that big news?
The capital was now in a state of panic, and everyone was deterred by the danger. Everyone was afraid of uttering a word more for fear that if they said one wrong word, their heads would roll in the next second.
Axiu left without saying goodbye in June. In mid-July, the 16th Prince was crowned king, and a king named after the Nanling Kingdom. His status was almost on par with that of the emperor. Coupled with the series of reshuffling that followed thereafter, there was no way Qian Wanjin couldn't connect the two.
Was Axiu the 16th Prince who had returned from his travels and was now the Nanling King?
If so, he hoped he would never show up in front of Liu Yusheng again.
God's favored one, a commoner – their difference was like clouds and mud – they should never have crossed paths. The world he was living in was too complicated and treacherous, and every step he would take was like walking on thin ice. He didn't want Liu Yusheng to be drawn into that vortex, which would only bring her endless harm.
The Golden Autumn October – the Mid-Autumn Festival in the lunar calendar.
The palace has hung up red lanterns to symbolize reunion, but they didn't add much to the festivities.
His Majesty's health was getting worse and worse, and in the last two months, he has stopped his routine court proceedings.
Cautiousness settled inside the entire palace from top to bottom. Everyone walked with the lightest footsteps, let alone show joy.
A hacking cough passed rapidly inside the Imperial Chamber, and those listening on the sidelines found it unbearable.
"Royal son…c-come?" Emperor Hongyuan asked strenuously, bracing himself on the bed.
"Your majesty, the prince is on his way. He will be here soon." The old eunuch bowed and replied, not daring to say that the prince hadn't planned to come at all.
A smile spread across Emperor Hongyuan's face at the words. He looked up towards the doorway of the palace, "Mid-Autumn Festival, ah … reunion-day. This-may be the last Mid-Autumn Festival that I will be spending with the Royal Son."
"Your Majesty is blessed. You will surely live forever!" The implications behind the emperor's remarks scared the old eunuch, and he dropped to his knees with a thud.
Emperor Hongyuan smiled without saying a word, nor did he tell the old eunuch to get up. He merely fixed his eyes in the direction of the doorway, his vision blurred.
Until, a gaunt and thin silhouette appeared in his field of vision.
Clad in a purple python brocade robe; handsome and graceful, with unhurried pace.