The Sickly Beauty Official Faked His Death and Now the Tyrant Has Gone Mad - Chapter 29

Are there many people around Lin Huaiyu…

It was a rare overcast day, with no rain and no scorching sun. A gentle breeze swept by, bringing a refreshing coolness.

A perfect day for travel.

Defu watched as the visibly excited Su Yang prepared for his departure from the palace, unsure whether to feel happy or worried. As the saying goes, “A country cannot go a day without its ruler.” With His Majesty leaving, it was uncertain how long he would be gone, and the morning court sessions would once again be suspended.

He stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, perhaps let this servant accompany you. You’re traveling incognito without bringing anyone, who will take care of you on the road?”

Su Yang didn’t have much to pack. The carriages traveling south to handle the flood situation were already prepared, so he only needed to bring some clothes. He replied, “You must keep watch in the capital for me. If…”

He paused before continuing, “If I’m wrong, and that person isn’t Lin Huaiyu, report any news about Lin Huaiyu in the capital to me immediately.”

Although he felt he couldn’t be mistaken too many coincidences pointed to that person. One or two coincidences might be dismissed, but too many could no longer be called coincidences.

Yet, no matter how certain he was that the person was Lin Huaiyu, he couldn’t risk the one-in-a-million chance that he wasn’t. If it truly wasn’t him and he missed news from the capital, he feared he would go mad.

Seeing that Su Yang had made up his mind, Defu could only comply. “Yes, Your Majesty. Please be careful on your journey.”

Su Yang smiled at him. Nothing else mattered to him now he only wanted Lin Huaiyu.

The procession of carriages headed south toward Jiangnan.

Fang Zhixu sat in the carriage, his eyes darting around nervously, avoiding any glance to the side. He didn’t understand why Su Yang had chosen to ride in the same carriage as him when a more spacious one had been prepared.

Su Yang had changed into a dark-colored casual robe, shedding the intricate dragon-patterned imperial attire of the palace. His current outfit was simple yet dignified, understated yet made of the finest fabric. Most importantly, the aura he exuded the imperial authority could not be concealed even by the change of clothes.

Su Yang sat leisurely, brewing a pot of tea for himself and even pouring a cup for Fang Zhixu. It was clear he was in a good mood.

Amused, Su Yang glanced at Fang Zhixu and reminded him, “I… am traveling incognito now, posing as your attendant. There’s no need to be so nervous, or people might notice something off.”

Fang Zhixu wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and replied, “This subject understands.”

Observing his actions, Su Yang casually asked, “Are these little habits of yours learned from your teacher?”

Fang Zhixu was taken aback. He glanced at his raised arm and awkwardly lowered it. “I spent a lot of time with my teacher. Before coming to the capital, I often took care of him. Perhaps I unconsciously picked up some of his habits. After all, he is my role model.”

Su Yang’s tone darkened, and the smile on his face faded slightly. “You often took care of him? Went to his home? Provided close, personal care?”

Fang Zhixu didn’t understand why Su Yang was asking such detailed questions, but talking was better than sitting in awkward silence. He replied, “Well more or less. My teacher’s health isn’t good, so he naturally needed someone to look after him.”

Su Yang’s tone grew even colder. He glanced at Fang Zhixu and said irritably, “You and he are merely teacher and student. Why were you so eager to go to his home and provide such intimate care?”

“…” Fang Zhixu blinked. “Once a teacher, always a father. My mentor treated me extremely well, imparting all his knowledge without reservation. Naturally, I should do my utmost to care for him.”

These words left Su Yang speechless. He stared intently at Fang Zhixu and suddenly asked, “You see him as a father?”

Fang Zhixu quickly waved his hands and shook his head. “No, no! He is just my mentor. I admire and respect him. He truly is a wonderful person.”

Listening to Fang Zhixu’s explanation, one sentence after another, Su Yang could see the flustered denial and slightly flushed cheeks that betrayed the young man’s budding feelings.

Fang Zhixu was not old, but his thoughts were far from innocent.

Su Yang interrupted him coldly, “Get out.”

Fang Zhixu: “Huh?”

Su Yang looked at him with a deep, icy smile. “Lord Fang must be tired from sitting for so long. Go take a walk.”

Fang Zhixu didn’t know how he had offended Su Yang again, but since His Majesty had spoken, how could he disobey? He could only comply, stepping out of the carriage and running after it.

Poor, frail scholar that he was, he was panting and out of breath after just a few steps.

He couldn’t help but mutter at the carriage, “There are plenty of people who admire my mentor. If he really is the person Your Majesty is looking for, then it’s Your Majesty who failed to cherish him properly.”

Fortunately, Su Yang didn’t hear these words, or Fang Zhixu might have lost his life.

The scenery of Jiangnan was vastly different from the north. With waterways everywhere, they switched to boats upon reaching Jiangnan, sailing toward the shore of Jingle Town.

“Your Majesty, I see your complexion isn’t good. Are you ill? Or perhaps tired from the journey?” Fang Zhixu asked with concern, looking at Su Yang leaning against the side of the boat.

Su Yang glanced up at him, his expression worsening. He shifted his gaze back to the scenery on the water and coldly uttered a single word: “Leave.”

Fang Zhixu pressed his lips together, not daring to say another word.

The boat slowly approached the shore. Before the boatman could even secure the ropes, Su Yang had already leaped ashore and rushed to a corner to vomit.

The prefect who had come to greet them glanced at Su Yang and immediately turned back, only to see Fang Zhixu startled, quickly walking over to the man, nervously unsure of what to do.

The prefect blinked and hurried forward, looking at Su Yang, and said, “This must be Lord Fang from the capital, right?”

Fang Zhixu caught Su Yang’s warning gaze and remembered their assumed identities. He quickly straightened up and said, “Apologies. My attendant is new to Jiangnan and is a bit seasick. Please forgive his rudeness.”

Seeing this, the prefect quickly replied, “So you are Lord Fang! My apologies, I was mistaken. I’ll drink three cups in your honor at the welcoming banquet later as an apology.”

Fang Zhixu smiled and said, “You’re too kind, Lord Qu. Have you forgotten me?”

Qu Tang laughed and said, “The news of Lord Fang achieving the top rank in the imperial examinations has long spread throughout the town. Your parents held a grand feast that day, inviting many guests. I was just worried you might have company, so I planned to speak with you privately later.”

Fang Zhixu also smiled. “It’s fine, Uncle Qu. I know your character.”

Qu Tang pointed at Su Yang, who was leaning against the wall, and whispered, “Is this your attendant?”

Fang Zhixu glanced at Su Yang and nodded reluctantly. “Yes.”

Only then did Qu Tang breathe a sigh of relief. “I thought there might be another high-ranking official. You scared me! Come, Uncle Qu will treat you to a welcoming feast!”

Fang Zhixu waved his hand. “Let’s first give the orders regarding the flood control. We’ll start work tomorrow.”

Qu Tang patted Fang Zhixu’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Uncle Qu has already prepared everything, just waiting for you to arrive.”

Fang Zhixu was puzzled. “How did you know?”

As he led the way, Qu Tang explained, “Your teacher mentioned receiving your letter and guessed what was coming. He told us to start preparations early so there would be no delays.”

Fang Zhixu smiled. “My teacher truly has foresight.”

Overhearing Fang Zhixu and the others discussing Lin Huaiyu, Su Yang wiped his mouth, steadied himself from his dizziness, and walked over. Fang Zhixu glanced at him, still feeling somewhat tense, but Su Yang said nothing, simply standing behind him.

The group headed toward the prefectural office.

Fang Zhixu took the seat of authority, mobilizing local officials and issuing instructions on how to handle the flood situation.

Watching him give orders methodically, Qu Tang felt deeply gratified. “You’ve really grown up now. Your teacher would be very pleased to see you.”

Fang Zhixu smiled shyly. “My teacher is he doing well?”

Qu Tang nodded but offered no details. “He’s fine, don’t worry. Your teacher has people taking care of him.”

At the thought of the people in his teacher’s courtyard, Fang Zhixu pursed his lips but said nothing more.

Su Yang sensed the atmosphere turning awkward, but now was not the right time for him to speak.

What exactly had happened to Lin Huaiyu? And who was taking care of him He Qingli? But if it was He Qingli, why did Fang Zhixu seem uneasy?

These questions lingered, but Su Yang couldn’t ask them now. After finalizing the flood control arrangements, Qu Tang stood up and said, “Dinner is prepared in the back. I hope you’ll honor us with your presence, Lord Fang.”

Hearing Qu Tang’s lighthearted tone, Fang Zhixu smiled and nodded. “Then I’ll gladly accept, Uncle Qu.”

The dinner was modest, attended only by a few local officials familiar to Fang Zhixu and Qu Tang. The meal was simple and unextravagant. Knowing Qu Tang’s character, Fang Zhixu felt comfortable accepting the invitation in Su Yang’s presence.

Fang Zhixu looked at Su Yang and said, “Your after all, you’ve been tired all day. Please join us for dinner.”

Qu Tang glanced at Su Yang. Somehow, he felt this man carried an extraordinary presence, unlike an ordinary attendant. But since Fang Zhixu didn’t introduce him specially, Qu Tang pretended not to notice.

The conversation shifted. “Old Qu, I heard the envoy from Great Chu arrived today. Did you know?”

Qu Tang nodded as he picked up food with his chopsticks. “I know, but there’s nothing we can do. He came openly with official credentials and brought no weapons. With all nations at peace and engaged in trade, we can’t just turn him away.”

The other man scoffed. “What business is he here for? And that envoy from Daxing aren’t they all here for Master Yuxi?”

Hearing this name, Su Yang’s gaze paused. He remembered Fang Zhixu mentioning his teacher by this name likely Lin Huaiyu’s pseudonym.

Qu Tang smiled at Fang Zhixu. “Since you left, your teacher’s courtyard has been so crowded it can hardly hold everyone.”

Fang Zhixu pursed his lips. “I’ll go see my teacher after this.”

Another person chimed in, “Mr. Yuxi is not only exceptionally handsome but also immensely talented. In our town alone, people of all ages and genders admire him, not to mention those from other towns and even foreign lands. In my opinion, it’s not an exaggeration at all the line of admirers should stretch across the entire town. A single courtyard is far too small!”

Qu Tang nodded. “That’s true. At least, wasn’t Madam Wang the matchmaker trying to arrange a marriage for Mr. Yuxi? But Mr. Yuxi said he already had someone in his heart, shutting Madam Wang down right away.”

Just as the two were chatting amiably, a figure in dark robes abruptly stood up beside them. The chair scraped loudly against the floor with a sharp “screech,” startling everyone.

Without a word, the person strode out.

Qu Tang glanced at Fang Zhixu, but Fang Zhixu remained silent.

The other person wondered aloud, “Who is that? How dare he give us such a cold look? Did we offend him somehow?”

Qu Tang shook his head. “That expression was truly frightening…”

Fang Zhixu stood up and said, “I’ll go check on him.”

He immediately hurried out. Su Yang hadn’t gone far; he was just standing outside. The night wind brushed against him, and the darkness enveloped his figure, making his silhouette appear inexplicably lonely.

Fang Zhixu walked up behind Su Yang and asked, “Your Majesty, what’s wrong? Did I or Lord Qu do something inappropriate?”

Su Yang’s eyes were as dark as the night sky. After a long pause, he turned to Fang Zhixu and asked, “Lin… that Mr. Yuxi, does he have many people seeking him out?”

Fang Zhixu blinked and replied, “Indeed, many people come looking for Mr. Yuxi. Many families in the town want to send their children to his private school to be taught by him, but he says he can’t handle too many students, so he only accepted ten.”

“As for those proposing marriage there were originally many matchmakers, and quite a few young ladies and gentlemen even came personally to win his favor. But after he mentioned having someone in his heart, the numbers dwindled. However, people from other towns and foreign lands still refuse to give up.”

As Fang Zhixu spoke, Su Yang’s expression grew darker and darker. By the end, he seemed almost breathless. “Did he really say… he has someone in his heart?”