Shi Lu Wen
Shi Lu Wen
Many were cheering in happiness. They were happy to be able to see Prince Ji Sheng's return after nearly four months he was away to the Capital City.
"His Highness is loved by his people," Wei Liuying commented when she saw the crowd around them.
Yang Xian nodded. "They all know that it was His Highness who protects them, so they support him."
"Aren't they just happy that they didn't have to go to war?" Wei Liuying asked again. The only reason why the people can be so happy with Prince Ji Sheng would be only if he gave them benefit. The only thing Wei Liuying could think of would be making them so happy with Prince Ji Sheng's return.
"That's another point." Yang Xian was calm and composed. "It's his role to make sure that his people can stay safe and alive without the need to worry about going to war. Still, there are enough preparation made in this city in case a tribe managed to breach through the border."
Wei Liuying nodded and looked at her surroundings with a composed gaze. She was carefully looking at the people around them. Many of them were cheering for Yang Xian.
From the bottom of her heart, she wondered whether they would be keeping the same expression on their faces when the city had to go to war in the future? Wei Liuying didn't know and didn't feel like she wanted to know too. Not everyone will still support Prince Ji Sheng if they had to suffer.
"Shi Yan's house is at the edge of the city, near the North. Do you want to go there first?" Yang Xian asked.
Wei Liuying arched her eyebrows. "Shouldn't I follow you to learn about the soldier's location and also plan to protect the city?"
"True enough. Come on."
In the end, Wei Liuying followed Yang Xian touring the city to look around. She didn't do much when Yang Xian was doing his work to arrange the people to work. Ji Sheng was already busy discussing their battle plan, so the one who took care of the soldiers was Yang Xian.
It took some time before they were finished.
"Xiong Tribe hadn't come to attack again during the time we're in the Capital City. However, another tribe seems to be dissatisfied with the condition here and tried to breach the border," Yang Xian concluded after talking for some time.
Wei Liuying nodded. "What's the plan now, Strategist Yang?"
"For sure, we're going to the North and try to look at the real situation. I already sent the commander to head there first ahead of us to aid the battle there should the war still going on."
"I see."
"Now that it's done, it's time to meet with Shi Yan and Shi Lu Wen."
Wei Liuying followed Yang Xian to the North border of Dong Shan City. It was then she realized that there was a spacious area that was a bit further down the street. Not far from there, she noticed a small and simple hut with a young girl standing outside, watering the plant.
The young girl had beautiful appearance that could easily rival many noble young ladies. At the same time, she was dressed so simple with brown dress and simple hairpin to lock her hair to the back.
"Lu Wen!" Yang Xian called out from a far and waved his hand.
The young girl, Shi Lu Wen, stopped watering the plant. She raised her small head and turned to the side. Almost immediately, she smiled brightly. "Brother Yang! You have finally returned!"
"Yeah, the Capital City is a bit big and hold us back from returning in time," Yang Xian gave his excuse as they walked closer. He peered at the plants and clicked his tongue. "You have started to develop more plants now? Are you not worried that you won't have the time to take care of them all?"
"I can do it," Shi Lu Wen replied with a giggle. She turned her head and looked at Wei Liuying with clear interest. "And this is?"
"This is my apprentice, Liu Ying."
"Hello, Young Master Liu," Shi Lu Wen greeted politely. She bowed in a way noble girl would, but she bent a bit too far and made her posture look weird.
Wei Liuying smiled. "There's no need to be so polite. Also, you should straighten your hand more."
"Ah? Sorry, I just learn this from Yan Ge."
"It's fine."
Yang Xian resisted the urge to laugh. As one of the few people who knew Wei Liuying's real identity, he was also aware that she has great knowledge regarding etiquette. After all, even the smallest mistake would be nitpicked if Wei Liuying dared to make one back in the Capital City.
"You can be the one to teach her etiquette if you want, Ying."
Wei Liuying arched her eyebrows. "Do you want me to teach her etiquette that was befitting of noble family?"
"Yes."
"I can, but are you sure that we have the time?" Wei Liuying asked back.
Shi Lu Wen giggled. "There's no need for you to teach me now. You should return back and take care of the border again. The recent news that come from the border is not that pleasing."
"We will."
Yang Xian rubbed Shi Lu Wen's head lightly when he heard sound of something fell from the house.
"XIAN! HANDS OF MY SISTER!"
"Oh, hi Yan."
Shi Yan rushed out of the house and glared at Yang Xian. He would never let this annoying man to touch his little sister no matter what.
Yang Xian shook his head. "There's no need to worry, I won't have impure thoughts about your little sister. Also, what are you doing holing yourself inside your home when you have guests?"
"I'm not holing myself inside my home," Shi Yan protested. "I was sleeping because I didn't get the chance to rest lately."
"How's the preparation?"
"it's done. I just need to send the word and the carriages will depart. All I sell is the raw material of food, so there's no need to worry about them going bad," Shi Yan added the explanation.
Yang Xian nodded. He pointed to Wei Liuying. "How about having her teach Lu Wen the etiquette of nobles? You're going to attend the examination next year, right?"
"The local examination, yes." Shi Yan shrugged. "I don't mind having her be Lu'er teacher. However, I'll need your help in the national examination in the capital city two years from now."
There was examination in local and also in the capital city. Afterwards, there was also the Imperial Examination where they would be making long (three legged) essay to the Emperor in order to become official. Shi Yan still hadn't passed the local first, so he wouldn't be able to attend the higher ones.
Yang Xian arched his eyebrows. "Are you aiming to become palace official?"
"That's the only method I can think of to get title for myself and my sister," Shi Yan replied with a frown.
"While it's true, but the world in the Capital City won't be that peaceful. If you don't wish to get embroiled in politics because your thoughts are too easy to guess, it'll be better if you just aim to become local official," Yang Xian suggested.
Shi Yan's face turned sour. He could guess perfectly that Yang Xian didn't believe him to be suitable as imperial officials in the Capital City. However, it was also the position that he wanted to get because of the stable income he could get.
Living as merchants were not easy because of scorn he received almost every single day. Not to mention, there were also a lot of uncertainty about tomorrow's result because he had to rely on his luck to make sure that he could earn enough for living and making the next investment.
"It's alright to just be local official, Yan Ge," Shi Lu Wen said from the side. "I don't want to stay in the capital city too."
"But the Capital City is more beautiful!"
"It's too big and far from home."
Shi Yan wanted to say that they could build new home, but he knew that it was impossible for Shi Lu Wen to plant everything in their garden from scratch again. There was no way Shi Lu Wen wanted to leave this place that she loved so much.
"Fine…"
"Being a local official is more suitable for you, Yan," Wei Liuying also added. "Your intelligence is a bit bad especially when it comes to hiding your real thoughts in your face."
"But…."
"That's why you have never defeated me in chess."
"DON'T REMIND ME OF THAT, AH!"
Shi Yan felt like crying. He didn't want his sister to know that he was so bad at playing chess!