Sheng Tang: What is Liu Jianjun going to do today?

Chapter 147 Returning to Chang'an
On the way out of Luoyang city gates, Liu Jianjun appeared relaxed yet excited, riding his horse and singing an unknown tune: "A cool breeze carries tidings, the autumn moon is boundless, my longing for my beloved feels like each day is a year..."

Li Xian chuckled and asked, "Are you thinking of Aisha? Where's Miss Shangguan?"

Liu Jianjun said with a stern face, "I have always been a person who treats everyone equally."

Li Xian was stunned.

But Liu Jianjun continued, "Chang'an has more than just Aisha; there's also Yu'er, Cui'er, Chunhua, Qiuyue, Xiaoman, Shuangjiang... So it's obvious which is more important!"

Li Xian was stunned for a moment before realizing that what Liu Jianjun said next were the stage names of the prostitutes in the brothel.

But Liu Jianjun rode his horse over again, leaned his upper body against the carriage window, and said in a low voice, "It's not just that. We still have our roots in Chang'an. This time, your mother summoned us to Luoyang. Although it objectively delayed our development in Chang'an, it also made her more at ease with us."

"Once we get back, we can go all out and get to work."

"It's time to show you the confidence we have in taking down your parents."

Li Xian was puzzled and was about to ask when he suddenly heard the sound of galloping hooves behind him.

Li Xian turned his head and saw a young woman in a bright red Hu dress riding a tall Ferghana horse, chasing after the caravan.

It is peace.

Li Xian ordered the convoy to stop in the middle of the road.

Liu Jianjun looked at Taiping with a strange gaze, mixed with complex emotions that Li Xian couldn't understand. But suddenly, he leaned close to Li Xian and said, "Xianzi, tell your sister that if one day she really encounters something that breaks her heart, she must remember you, her brother."

"If...if your feelings for her are deep enough, then tell her that she must come to Chang'an to find you."

Liu Jianjun's expression when he said this seemed to indicate that he had made a great decision. Li Xian was puzzled and wanted to ask what was wrong, but Liu Jianjun grinned and said, "Don't worry, I can handle it!"

When he turned around again, Taiping was already very close. Li Xian jumped down from the carriage, and before he could say anything, the young lady on the horse jumped off and threw herself into his arms.

"Brother Wang!"

She didn't blame Li Xian for not informing her of his return to Chang'an; instead, she threw herself into his arms, her voice trembling with tears.

"Where did this barbarian girl come from, stopping the prince's carriage in the street? Do you know your crime?" Li Xian comforted her with a smile.

But Taiping suddenly raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears, and said, "Then please punish me, Your Majesty, and imprison me back in your palace! I wish to learn from the Han people, to plant mulberry and hemp, and to weave cloth!"

Li Xian paused.

He simply patted her back silently and said, "Yes, yes."

……

The convoy had already left Luoyang, but when Li Xian looked back at the city, he could still see that figure on the city wall, like a leaping flame.

Liu Jianjun, riding his horse, followed Li Xian's car window in a nonchalant manner and asked, "What did you tell your sister?"

“I already said you could handle it.” Li Xian paused, then asked, “Liu Jianjun, although I don’t know what you mean by ‘handling it’… but, am I being willful again?”

Although Li Xian didn't understand what Liu Jianjun was worried about regarding Taiping, he vaguely felt that Taiping might be a troublesome matter for Liu Jianjun.

He's going to have to trouble Liu Jianjun again.

"I wouldn't say that. Your sister is a very likable person. What a wonderful sister she is."

Liu Jianjun turned his head to look at the Luoyang city gate, then shook his head: "You know what? What I want to do most right now is to get Taiping to divorce Xue Shao as soon as possible. It's a pity, there are some things we can't stop."

"Although Taiping didn't say it, it was obvious that she and Xue Shao had a very good relationship. She's a married woman, yet she followed the two of us, especially a complete stranger like me, out causing trouble until dark. Xue Shao not only made a big fuss about finding her, but even after finding her, he didn't utter a single word of reproach. Instead, he let Taiping punch and kick him. I don't know Xue Shao well, but he truly dotes on Taiping..."

Liu Jianjun's tone was somewhat dejected, and Li Xian looked at him suspiciously: "You wouldn't actually have fallen for Taiping, would you?"

"You're only thinking about romance!" Liu Jianjun glared at him, annoyed.

Then, he rode his horse forward.

In the wind, you could still hear his colloquial chant: "A cool breeze carries tidings, the autumn moon is boundless, and my longing for my beloved makes each day feel like a year..."

Li Xian thought to himself: Liu Jianjun's riding skills seem to have improved quite a bit.

Then, he thought of the embroiderers in Chang'an and Guangshun and the others, and his heart gradually warmed up.

……

When I returned to Chang'an, it was already early winter. The air was filled with a biting chill, and the gray sky seemed like a huge lead plate pressing down on the city.

The convoy drove straight into the Prince of Pei's mansion, which remained unchanged, with its vermilion gates and high walls.

The old gatekeeper had obviously already received the news, and was waiting respectfully with several servants.

Before they could even pay their respects, Li Xian bypassed them and headed straight for the eagerly waiting embroiderers.

She was thinner than before, but her face was bathed in an indescribable soft glow.

When she left Chang'an, the embroiderer's belly showed no signs of swelling, but now it has become slightly protruding, and her face is full of maternal glow.

"Embroiderer..."

He gently pulled the embroiderer into his arms, and the familiar feeling of being intimately connected put Li Xian at ease.

Compared to the hypocrisy and cajoling in the Luoyang court, his mother's unfathomable power, and Liu Jianjun's unpredictable schemes, the woman before him was the one he could reach and needed to protect with all his might.

"Grandpa! We are doing well in Chang'an. My younger siblings are all well-behaved and listen to Mr. Liu. They are learning to read and study the classics!"

Liu Jianjun jumped off his horse, still with his usual carefree demeanor, and greeted her with a smile: "Sister-in-law! I've brought Xianzi back to you safe and sound!"

Li Xian turned his head away irritably: "Where did I come from, a domesticated cat? Where did I get my whiskers and tail?"

"Grandpa, speaking of raccoon dogs, Changxin bought a Persian raccoon dog at the West Market a couple of days ago. It has two colors in its eyes, and it's very beautiful!"

The embroiderer covered her mouth and laughed, just like always: "Brother Jianjun, upon hearing of your return, the cooks had already prepared chicken soup. Your portion, as always, had chopped ingredients added..."

Before the embroiderer could finish speaking, Li Xian quickly covered her mouth and said, "Jiang Mo!"

Liu Jianjun looked at Li Xian with a suspicious expression.

"Grandpa, I heard Mr. Liu say that eating tiger penis makes you incredibly strong. Why was it given to Uncle Jianjun? I want to be incredibly strong too!"

Li Xian finally heard a voice coming from the corner.

Turning his head, Guangshun was looking at him with a blank expression: "Grandpa, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Is this all Liu Neyan taught you?"

……

(End of this chapter)