After Being Mistakenly Taken for a Fellow Traveler by Emperor Long Aotian - Chapter 111

The third day of the Lunar New Year, the air was still icy, but the Duke’s Mansion was the most bustling place in the capital.

Carriages and horses gathered at the Duke Protector’s Mansion, adding a festive touch to the entire Wuyi Lane with the celebration of the Duke’s seventieth birthday. The red festive lanterns contrasted with the white snow accumulated on the eaves, making the scene look like a colorful and sparkling glass world.

“All these years have passed, and the Li family is still so extravagant,” Old Shen said in the sedan chair, looking at the Duke’s Mansion in the distance. People were coming and going at the mansion entrance. “I remember the first time I came to the Li family. Old Li was a young fool waving a stick and running around the courtyard, talking about conquering Northern Wei for the country. I also remember the pine tree in his courtyard, just a bit taller, missing a branch because he knocked it off with his stick while practicing some staff technique…”

Zhou Xun visualized the old man described by Old Shen, contrasting it with the stern and stubborn old man in his mind, and laughed, “I didn’t expect the Duke Protector to be like that when he was young.”

“Everyone has their youthful days, and they all grow old eventually. It’s normal for the young and the old to be different,” Old Shen said, shaking his leg. “When I was young, I was also the brightest youth in the capital…”

He paused for a moment, then continued, “I also remember the artificial lake at the Li family, with stones all around the edge, very slippery. And the walls of the Li family, always patrolled by servants with lanterns. The wall was so high that I thought if I slipped, I’d fall…”

He rambled on about his experiences at the Li family. Zhou Xun watched him in silence for a while before saying, “Master, aren’t you talking a bit too much today?”

“Am I? Am I talking too much?” Old Shen replied indifferently. “I don’t think so.”

He continued gazing at the distant walls, as if reminiscing about the past. Zhou Xun noticed his hand trembling slightly, not knowing what was on his mind.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Duke Protector’s Mansion. When the gatekeepers recognized the guests, the household staff and younger members responsible for hosting hurried forward to greet them. Zhou Xun was surprised to see the eccentric old man appearing so impressive and aloof in the eyes of others. Even he, as a disciple, received praise from everyone as “truly a fine young man.”

This was the so-called “circle.” If he had walked in alone, these people would never have unanimously praised him. Zhou Xun thought.

However, his thoughts were somewhat biased. The reason was that Zhou Xun did not have a good impression of the Duke Protector’s Mansion—Duke Protector was related to the Fifth Prince and had a close friendship with Zhou Cai. But even if Old Shen wasn’t present, for a young man of Zhou Xun’s talents and appearance, most people would still admire him, despite a few who might look down on him for his unclear background.

Of course, this did not include Li Miao. Li Miao showed evident displeasure upon seeing Zhou Xun. He had been waiting for Old Shen’s arrival but did not expect Zhou Xun to be there too.

What surprised him even more was when he quietly asked the servant next to him why Zhou Xun was there, he got the answer, “He is Old Shen’s disciple.”

Li Miao: ??

This discovery made him feel like he had swallowed something bitter and numbing. As a youth, he had admired Old Shen for a long time and had sought to become his disciple through his family’s connections, only to be rejected by Old Shen.

He couldn’t quite describe his feelings now—envy, a tinge of jealousy, curiosity, and unwillingness, mixed with a growing sense of curiosity and awe that he himself wouldn’t admit…

With this complex mindset, Li Miao led Zhou Xun and Old Shen into the main hall. Zhou Xun didn’t care what this suddenly silent young man was thinking. Even if he knew, he wouldn’t mind.

Once inside, the Duke Protector, who had been chatting with others, immediately came forward upon seeing Old Shen. He was momentarily taken aback by Zhou Xun’s presence, saying, “And this person is…”

“This is my disciple.”

“Oh, a disciple, a disciple… Is he really your disciple?”

“What, is there a problem?”

“No, no… haha.”

The Duke Protector quickly shut up. Even if he knew who Zhou Xun was, there was no way he would show him any disrespect in front of Old Shen—especially since Zhou Xun had Old Shen behind him, as well as the emperor. Besides, he needed Old Shen’s help.

He politely invited them to sit down. Zhou Xun, being a junior, naturally sat with the younger people while Old Shen chatted with the Duke Protector. In the hall, the young people sat in small groups. They greeted Zhou Xun politely, but not knowing his background, they didn’t go out of their way to talk to him.

Zhou Xun didn’t initiate conversation either, sitting quietly in a corner. According to Old Shen, today he only needed to leave an impression on these people.

A guard standing behind Zhou Xun, recalling the Duke Protector’s changed attitude, muttered under his breath, “Hmph, his expression just now…”

“This is the benefit now,” Old Shen surprisingly appeared again, patting Zhou Xun’s hand. “In the past, you had to explain and carefully prove your innocence to others. Now, you don’t have to say anything.”

Indeed, nothing needed to be said.

“So you understand why so many people have ‘ambitions’ now? What many people desire is simply the power to not have to explain themselves,” Lao Shen chuckled.

He seemed to say it casually, not particularly emotional about it. But at that moment, something indeed subtly moved in Zhou Xun’s heart.

However, he didn’t respond to Lao Shen’s comment and instead asked, “Master, why did you come over here?”

“To check on you,” Lao Shen patted Zhou Xun’s shoulder. “Don’t think too much.”

Zhou Xun: … I haven’t said anything yet.

Just as he was about to say something, lively noises came from the other side of the hall. It seemed that a distinguished guest had arrived, and people both inside and outside were eagerly going to greet the visitor. Even the Duke Protector stood up and warmly welcomed the guest.

Zhou Xun turned to talk to Lao Shen, only to find that he had disappeared without a trace.

Zhou Xun: …

He briefly “…” and then heard the young people around him talking.

“It’s Princess Fukan…”

“The former emperor’s sister, the favorite daughter of Emperor Gaozong…”

“I didn’t expect Princess Fukan to come today. I hadn’t heard she would be here…”

“Princess Fukan usually dislikes socializing and hasn’t visited the Duke Protector’s Mansion for a long time…”

Through the screen, Zhou Xun saw the middle-aged woman known as Princess Fukan. She carried herself with grace, and her gestures faintly showed the elegance of her youth. It was said that Princess Fukan was the biological mother of Lu Xiandao, but she married late and gave birth to him late. However, one could see some resemblance between their features.

For some reason, the embroidery on Princess Fukan’s skirt caught Zhou Xun’s attention. Unfortunately, he was too far away to see clearly, and just as he tried to look closer, Princess Fukan took a step in another direction…

“Young Master Zhou? You must be Young Master Zhou, right?”

A young man’s voice rang in Zhou Xun’s ear. He turned around to see a sunny youth smiling at him, “My surname is Xu, given name Mingrui. Everyone is heading to the garden. Shall we go together?”

Zhou Xun came back to his senses. It turned out that someone had suggested they go to the backyard to recite poetry and admire the snow since sitting in the hall was getting boring. Some young people had heard and followed, while others, not hearing or not wanting to move, stayed put. This young man, Xu Mingrui, came from a family that had recently returned to the capital from the southwest, and he didn’t know many people here. Seeing Zhou Xun, he found him approachable and decided to invite him to the backyard.

Zhou Xun shook his head and politely declined, “Thank you for your kind invitation, Brother Xu, but I’m somewhat afraid of the cold…”

“Brother Zhou, wouldn’t rejecting Brother Xu’s sincere invitation be rather unkind?” Li Miao’s voice came from behind them. He stared at Zhou Xun, saying, “As Old Shen’s disciple, Brother Zhou wouldn’t hide his talents and refuse such a simple request, would he?”

Xu Mingrui, unable to read the atmosphere, only heard Li Miao participating in the conversation and supporting his suggestion, making him even happier. “Yes, yes, Brother Zhou, let’s go together?”

Li Miao’s voice had a hint of sneer in it as he stared intently at Zhou Xun, eager to see if he was truly as talented as reputed. Seeing Zhou Xun frown slightly, put down his hand warmer, and stand up—

Zhou Xun said, “No.”

Li Miao: ??

… Wait, this isn’t according to the script? What about “frowning but standing up, going to the backyard, and dazzling everyone with a poem”?

Li Miao had even prepared himself to be outshone by Zhou Xun’s talents—though he hoped Zhou Xun would be inferior and become his defeated opponent. But Zhou Xun truly didn’t give him any face. Zhou Xun simply asked his servant, “Where is the restroom?”

Li Miao: ??

“Wait, you…”

“Brother Li, are you going to accompany me?” Zhou Xun asked.

Li Miao: …

Zhou Xun walked past Li Miao and left the hall alone. He wasn’t actually planning to use the restroom, just bored of staying in the room and wanted to stroll in the courtyard.

Turning around a corridor and walking towards another area, Zhou Xun saw Lao Shen.

Lao Shen was outside, seeming to avoid the crowd, walking quickly and discreetly in a certain direction. Zhou Xun watched his movements with some suspicion.

What is Lao Shen going to do?

He thought for a moment, recalling Lao Shen’s unusual behavior today—originally, Lao Shen had no intention of coming to the Duke Protector’s Mansion but had changed his mind a few days ago.

But this was ultimately Lao Shen’s private matter… Zhou Xun was about to turn and leave when he saw another person following in Lao Shen’s direction.

The person wore a dark gray cloak, identity unknown. But it was easy to see that he was indeed following Lao Shen, who was unaware.