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Yuan Liu died a sudden death in prison, and Chen Yang was the one who went to collect his body and bury him. As per Xiao Chiye’s wish, he settled Yuan Liu’s wife and son down in a new house in the City of Dancheng and hired a decent teacher for Yuan Liu’s son.
Xiao Chiye’s illness lasted until the snow in Qudu melted. By the time he could step out to attend court sessions, Xi Hongxuan had already been promoted to the Secretary of the Bureau of Evaluations.
Shen Zechuan returned the Imperial Army’s authority token to Xiao Chiye. In the time Xiao Chiye took the token, he eyed Shen Zechuan all over thoroughly.
“Thanks.” Xiao Chiye extracted the authority token from Shen Zechuan’s hand. “Your Excellency the Judge.”
“I’m not deserving of it.” Shen Zechuan’s fingers curled slightly, as if he could not bear to let go.
Xiao Chiye swung the authority token and said, “Got attached to it?”
Shen Zechuan laughed and said, “Yeah. Got used to feeling it these days.”
Xiao Chiye saw that the people around them had all retreated far away from them, so he said, “It’s too pathetic to just feel my authority token alone.”
Shen Zechuan clasped his hands behind him and said to him, “You’ve just recovered from a major illness. Second Young Master, you can dally all you want, but you have to know when to stop.”
“I’ve been pure of heart and free of desires for more than half a month.” Xiao Chiye felt sleepy as he basked in the sunlight. He shuffled his feet. “The heartless cad I’ve been yearning for day and night did not even visit me once. Now that I’m out, I have to find a way to heal my broken heart.”
Shen Zechuan bathed in the breeze and said, “It’s better to forget that kind of bad egg who often ditches the old for the new and has countless new and old flames before it’s too late. Wasting the prime of one’s youth for him is so not worth it.”
Xiao Chiye said, “Bad what?”
Shen Zechuan said, “Second Young Master.”
Xiao Chiye wanted to squeeze his nape. But it was inappropriate to stand here and squeeze him, so he said, “Well said. It’s so well-worded that this Second Young Master wants to applaud.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Shen Zechuan said modestly. “It’s all good as long as you feel my sincerity.”
“So, I see you’ve made a point of checking out who some of those old flames are.” Xiao Chiye said. “You’re that bothered, huh.”
“Check, I didn’t.” Shen Zechuan said. “I can pry out all sorts of love affairs just by sitting and drinking wine in Xiangyun Villa. For example, how the Second Young Master is a regular patron and an old hand when it comes to romantic liaisons.”
“Admirable, isn’t it?” Xiao Chiye asked.
“Indeed, indeed.” Shen Zechuan looked at him as he spoke and slowed down. “But hearsay cannot be compared to personal experience. The legendary man himself doesn’t seem to be the same person as the one I’ve encountered.”
“To be fair, you didn’t get that many opportunities.” Xiao Chiye raised his fingers to hang up the authority token. “You will understand it better once you’ve played with me a few more times. It’s not like we haven’t tried ‘taking the time to savor and devour’. How was the taste of it?”
YOU ARE READING
Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)
Historical Fiction*Re-edited and intended for offline purpose only* The six prefectures of Zhongbo were surrendered to foreign enemies without resistance, and Shen Zechuan found himself apprehended in the capital, reduced to a state of utter disgrace, despised and co...
