RPAGF Chapter 158 Visiting to express thanks
Chapter 158 Visiting to express thanks
A few days later.
Lin Shu and Li Huanzhi, carrying gifts of thanks, went to Xu Jingyun's residence to pay their respects.
Xu Jingyun's residence in the capital can be described as extremely luxurious. Not only is it located on Dongjie Street, where official residences are densely packed, but the gate of the mansion alone is more magnificent than those of other families.
Moreover, the Xu residence was diagonally opposite the Grand Tutor's residence, and not far away were the Prime Minister's residence and several ministers' residences.
After the carriage came to a stop, Lin Shu concealed the surprise on her face, took a delicate box in her hand, got off the carriage, and turned around to help Li Huanzhi.
The two arrived at the gate of the Xu residence, introduced themselves, and asked the gatekeeper to announce their arrival.
The gatekeeper returned shortly afterward, moving incredibly fast, almost as if he had run, and his breathing was still slightly unsteady: "Honored guest, please follow me!"
Lin Shu and her companion followed the gatekeeper through several gardens and ponds, then across several covered walkways, and after many twists and turns, they arrived at the outside of a courtyard.
"The master is inside. Please make yourselves at home, esteemed guests." The gatekeeper escorted the two to the courtyard gate and then stopped.
"Okay, thank you." Lin Shu nodded in acknowledgment, and, hearing the occasional whooshing sounds coming from inside the courtyard, led Li Huanzhi into the courtyard.
Upon entering the courtyard, one sees a spacious area with a small-to-medium-sized martial arts arena, surrounded by various weapons.
A man dressed in a golden outfit, holding a long sword, stood in the center of the courtyard with his back to the gate, practicing his swordsmanship.
With a light flick of the sword tip, the blade spun, and wherever the sword's edge went, it emitted a soft whistling sound. Every move was casual and unrestrained.
Seemingly sensing the footsteps behind him, the man twirled his sword and sheathed it.
"Ah Shu~, you've come..."
A deep, pleasant, and mellow voice, tinged with a hint of frivolity, rang out, and the man turned around.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his breathing was a little unsteady, but his complexion was rosy; his face was smooth, and although his skin was not particularly fair, the scar on his brow bone gave him an inexplicable touch of wild beauty.
Li Huanzhi looked at him in surprise, and called out uncertainly, "Miss Xu...?"
Actually, it's no wonder Li Huanzhi was surprised. After all, Xu Jingyun's face was specially modified when she was dressed as a woman, making her look slightly resolute. But now, although it's the same face, it's more gentle and beautiful, making it hard to tell if she's male or female.
Xu Jingyun originally thought that Lin Shu was the only one who came, so she changed into men's clothing and removed the makeup that she usually wore when dressed as a woman to enhance her face shape.
To his surprise, he turned around and saw Li Huanzhi beside Lin Shu. He was stunned for a moment, then quickly concealed the disappointment in his eyes, gave Lin Shu a flirtatious wink, and said lightly:
"Ah Shu~, your young master doesn't seem to recognize me!"
Hearing the other person speak like that, and then thinking about the other person's female identity, Lin Shu felt a headache coming on.
Li Huanzhi stared blankly at Xu Jingyun, then turned his head to look at Lin Shu. He made up his mind and his eyes widened.
Lin Shu helplessly turned his head back and said, "Don't think nonsense!"
Li Huanzhi blinked his fox-like eyes, nodded, and a "I understand, I understand" look flashed in his eyes.
Lin Shu sighed, turned to look at Xu Jingyun who was watching with amusement, clasped her hands in a gesture of respect, and said:
"I am very grateful to Miss Xu for her help with Huanzhi's matter earlier! In addition, I, Lin Shu, am deeply sorry for accidentally injuring Miss Xu."
After saying that, Lin Shu handed over the exquisite box in her hand.
Xu Jingyun raised an eyebrow, then casually opened it, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes.
Inside the box lay a golden-threaded, dark blue sword tassel, with a small piece of carved warm jade attached to the tassel's cord—it was exquisitely crafted!
He took out the sword tassel, then ripped off the golden tassel from his own sword, and eagerly hung the one Lin Shu had given him on. He then shook it and nodded in satisfaction.
"Heh! How thoughtful of you, Ah Shu? You even know I like this kind of sword tassel?" Xu Jingyun's eyes were filled with laughter, and her voice was languid.
Seeing the other's happy expression, Lin Shu and Li Huanzhi exchanged a glance and fell silent simultaneously.
That's right! Li Huanzhi chose this sword tassel.
"Ahem! I'm glad Miss Xu likes it." Lin Shu coughed lightly and said calmly with a blank expression.
Xu Jingyun smiled, glanced at Li Huanzhi standing to Lin Shu's right, and walked towards Lin Shu's left, saying as she walked, "Please wait a moment, I need to change my clothes!"
Having said that, as he brushed past Lin Shu on her left, he suddenly stopped, leaned close to Lin Shu's ear, and whispered out of the blue, "Anything that A-Shu gives me, I'll be happy with!"
The deliberately lowered voice carried a hint of seduction. Lin Shu felt the heat from the other person's breath as they spoke, so she frowned and took a step back.
"Hahahaha..." Xu Jingyun stared intently into Lin Shu's eyes. Seeing that the other party no longer showed the same disgust as before, she couldn't help but laugh heartily as she entered the house.
Only after the other person's figure had completely disappeared did Li Huanzhi ask Lin Shu, "My lady, what did Miss Xu say to you just now?"
"..." Lin Shu was a little embarrassed, her left ear was still slightly red, and she looked at Li Huanzhi's light purple eyes and said lightly, "He said he likes the sword tassel very much."
Fortunately, Li Huanzhi didn't pry, and Lin Shu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
When Xu Jingyun came out, she had returned to her female attire. Li Huanzhi was even more surprised that someone could switch between genders so freely!
……
When the two left the Xu residence, Xu Jingyun personally saw them off. After watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance, she lowered her head and gently stroked the sword tassel, her eyes full of smiles.
Li Huanzhi, sitting in the carriage, was looking at Lin Shu with a suspicious expression.
"My lady, may I ask you a question?"
Lin Shu pursed her lips, looking into Li Huanzhi's eyes, she felt that his question was definitely unusual, but she did not refuse: "Okay, ask away."
"Miss Xu, is it...?" Li Huanzhi paused deliberately at the crucial point, leaned closer to Lin Shu, and whispered, "Is it... a man dressed as a woman?"
"You're asking this?" Lin Shu was taken aback, seemingly not expecting the other party to ask this.
"Of course." Li Huanzhi's foxy eyes gleamed with a smile. He leaned back slightly, looking at Lin Shu teasingly.
"If we don't ask this, what should we ask? Do we ask Miss Xu if she has feelings for the wife? Is there even a need to ask? Anyone with eyes can see it."
"You!" Lin Shu was relieved that Li Huanzhi wasn't annoyed by her teasing; instead, she was pleased that he had finally let go of his inhibitions and opened his heart. After thinking carefully for a moment, she answered his question:
"She... she shouldn't be a man. I've fought her before, and she doesn't seem like a man..."
However, Lin Shu's tone also seemed uncertain!
……
In the woods far from the perilous peak.
This place is still some distance from Tianxian Peak. Ling Huanan and her team have been stationed here for two days, and their scouts have already discovered the enemy's encampment.
At this moment, the lieutenant, nervously holding a small piece of paper, hurried to Ling Huanan's side and said with a serious expression:
"Your Highness, a letter has arrived from the army."
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