Mo Sang – CH 003

Chapter 3. Old Friends

Li Sangrou woke up and drew back the curtains.

The sun shone brightly outside the window, casting dappled shadows on the green trees, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

Li Sangrou stretched lazily, then leisurely dressed and washed. Opening the door, a handsome young servant with a cheerful smile greeted her.

“This humble servant is Ru-Yi; greetings to Lady Li.”

“Ru-Yi? What an auspicious name. Whose servant are you?”

Li Sangrou, having accomplished her important business and slept well, was in a good mood. She looked Ru-Yi up and down:

A fine sky-blue silk robe, tied with a silk sash at the waist, snow-white silk shoes…no Adam’s apple.

“This humble servant works for the Shizi. He instructed me to wait here for Lady Li to wake up, to serve her breakfast first, and then invite her over for a chat.”

Ru-Yi’s eyes were bright and lively, and with a voice was clear and pleasant.

Serving someone as important as Gu Xi naturally required clever and charming young servants.

“I will go check on Master Chang first.”

“Yes! Master Chang is in the outer courtyard. This way, Lady Li.”

Without another word, Ru-Yi turned and led Li Sangrou to the outer courtyard.

A slight smile curved Li Sangrou’s lips.

The servants’ expressions often reflected the true attitude of their masters.

Master Chang was already awake. Jin Mao and Hei Ma were arguing heatedly, each holding a piece of red ginseng.

“I am telling you, this is how you eat it!”

“Nonsense! I’ve never heard of eating red ginseng raw!”

“I come from a distinguished family…”

“Come on!”

“Boss! Boss is here! Boss, you be the judge…”

Hei Ma, facing the door, saw Li Sangrou enter and looked at her as if she were a savior.

“Boss, you need to keep an eye on him! He insists that you can just eat the ginseng directly. You are kidding me, but are you not afraid of hurting Brother Chang?”

Jin Mao jumped over, waving the ginseng in his hand at Hei Ma.

“How’s Da Chang?” Li Sangrou ignored them and went straight to the kang.

Da Chang’s face was pale, but his spirits were good. “I am fine.”

Li Sangrou lifted the thin blanket and carefully examined the wound before turning to ask Hei Ma and Jin Mao.

“Where did this ginseng come from? Did the Shizi send it?”

“No, it’s from Fourth Master Wen, the one in white helmet and armor who looked so imposing yesterday!” Jin Mao said with admiration.

He loved watching plays with actors in white helmets and armor; everyone looked so majestic and handsome. So it really was!

“Look at you, so pathetic!”

Hei Ma sneered at Jin Mao.

“It must have been the Shizi who sent him! He’s just a messenger!

If it were not for the Shizi, how would he even know you? Look at you, so unsophisticated!”

“You’ve seen the world?” Jin Mao retorted.

“Slice this red ginseng into thin slices for Da Chang. Three to five slices a day is enough; do not give him more.”

Li Sangrou ignored the bickering between Hei Ma and Jin Mao, focusing on the important matter.

“Did you hear that?”

Hei Ma waved the red ginseng in his hand, his face flushed.

“I told you, just eat it! You insisted on arguing with me, so I will tell you…”

“Hei Ma, go to the kitchen and get a rooster that’s about a year old. Put in about ten slices of red ginseng and make a chicken soup for Da Chang.”

Li Sangrou took the red ginseng from Hei Ma and handed it to Jin Mao.

“Cut both of these off; you and Hei Ma can eat them for a few days.”

Li Sangrou came out and followed Ru-Yi to have breakfast before heading to the main courtyard next door to see Gu Xi.

The post station was heavily guarded, with a dozen pairs of brocade-clad guards positioned like winged goose wings at the main courtyard entrance.

After entering the courtyard, along the verandas on both sides, brocade-clad guards stood in pairs every five steps.

In the courtyard, under the bright sun, a dozen or so civil and military officials in various attire stood with their hands at their sides.

Li Sangrou made no attempt to hide her curiosity, turning her head back and forth to carefully observe them as she walked.

This was the first time she had witnessed the imposing luxury of the highest echelons of this era.

Not far from the entrance to the main house, the curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged official with a sallow complexion staggered out, his eyes fixed blankly. He brushed past Li Sangrou and staggered away.

Li Sangrou stopped, her gaze following the middle-aged official for a moment before she stepped inside.

Perhaps because there was too much ice in the room, a strong, chilling atmosphere permeated the air.

Gu Xi, wearing a golden crown and an indigo-colored silk robe with floral patterns, sat half-reclining on the couch, his face pale and gloomy.

Before the couch stood the silver-armored youth from yesterday, wearing an apricot-yellow robe. His slightly round face wore a smile; the murderous aura of yesterday was gone, and he appeared surprisingly amiable.

On the other side stood a man in a blue robe, tall and fair-skinned, too thin and pale, appearing somewhat sickly, yet possessing a melancholic and ethereal quality that softened the heart.

Li Sangrou stared intently at the man in the blue robe, as if struck by lightning.

It was him!

“He’s here too?”

Meeting Li Sangrou’s fixed gaze, the man in the blue robe raised an eyebrow and subconsciously looked at Gu Xi.

Gu Xi raised an eyebrow, looking at Li Sangrou’s wide-eyed, shocked expression with surprise. After a moment, she looked at the man in the blue robe.

The man in the blue robe met Gu Xi’s gaze, spread his hands, and shook his head.

Li Sangrou snapped out of her daze and subconsciously took a step back.

“Has the young lady met Shouzhen?” Gu Xi asked, staring at Li Sangrou.

“Hmm?” Li Sangrou was dazed, momentarily stunned by Gu Xi’s question, and did not react immediately.

“This is Wen Cheng, courtesy name Shouzhen, my secretary and military advisor. I’ve been using his identity all along the way. Has the young lady met Shouzhen?”

Gu Xi pointed to the man in the blue robe and explained, then asked again.

“If he has not seen me, I probably have not seen him either. He looks a lot like an old friend of mine.”

Li Sangrou glanced at Wen Cheng, who was sizing her up, then lowered her eyes and bowed slightly to Gu Xi in response.

Gu Xi looked at Wen Cheng again, said “Oh,” and pointed to the silver-armored youth from yesterday, introducing him.

“His surname is also Wen, his given name is Shunzhi, and his courtesy name is Zhihe. He is my guard commander.”

“Fourth Master Wen.”

Li Sangrou bowed to Wen Shunzhi.

“I do not deserve such praise. You can just call me Zhihe, Miss.”

Wen Shunzhi quickly returned the bow, smiling to reveal a canine tooth, adding a touch of childishness to his amiable demeanor.

“This is a hundred thousand taels of silver.”

Gu Xi gestured to Wen Cheng.

Wen Cheng took out a large red envelope and handed it to Wen Shunzhi, who took it and handed it to Li Sangrou.

Gu Xi glanced sideways at Wen Cheng, handing the large red envelope to Wen Shunzhi, then watched as Li Sangrou took it, opened it, took out the silver notes, counted them, and put them back in.

“Thank you,” Li Sangrou said, bowing slightly to Gu Xi.

“What are your plans, Miss?” Gu Xi asked.

“When are you setting off?”

Li Sangrou did not answer Gu Xi’s question but asked a different one.

“I will rest here for a few days. It only takes an hour by fast horse to get to Jianle City.”

“If it’s not too much trouble, we’d like to rest for a few days before we leave,” Li Sangrou replied quickly.

“Alright, you can rest assured,” Gu Xi readily agreed.

Li Sangrou bowed in thanks and took her leave.

Watching Li Sangrou walk away, Gu Xi instructed Wen Cheng, “Pick a suitable person to keep an eye on them.”

“Yes,” Wen Cheng replied, bowing slightly.

“Have you seen her?” Gu Xi suddenly asked.

Wen Cheng shook his head.

“Perhaps you met her, but you did not notice, or you forgot?” Gu Xi asked again.

“No.”

Wen Cheng answered with absolute certainty.

“This young lady is no ordinary person. If I’ve met her, it’s impossible for me not to notice, much less forget.”

Gu Xi hummed in agreement, remained silent for a moment, and looked at Wen Cheng, saying:

“She might want to find an opportunity to talk to you. See if you can get some information out of her.

My safe return this time is entirely due to her great help.

This young lady is the head of the Ye Xiang Guild in Jiangdu City. Before taking over the guild, she was known as the leader of the Beggars’ Gang, and all the beggars in Jiangdu City obeyed her orders.

Innkeeper Zhao respects her greatly, saying that as long as this young lady is willing to take over, I will definitely be able to return to Jianle City safely.”

Speaking of Innkeeper Zhao, Gu Xi’s expression darkened slightly.

To save him, the middle-aged innkeeper Zhao tragically died in the inn.

“Her martial arts were superb; she was alert and quick-witted, meticulous and cautious, well-educated, and possessed extraordinary insight. She never mentioned her background or past; I asked her several times, but she avoided answering.”

Gu Xi paused.

“I cannot see through her.”

Wen Cheng listened intently and gave a soft hum.