Chapter 45 – Mingzhu Flees / A Treasure Covered in Dust1
Edited by DancingDolphinsYo
Since the third young miss of the Yue family wanted to see the general, Man Yue naturally had no reason to stop her.
He turned to instruct Hei’er to go to Shuanghe Yard to invite him over, not forgetting to tell him to go inside, and just calling him from outside would be enough.
Although Hei’er did not understand why, he always listened to Man Yue, and did not take a single step inside.
“The third Yue child wants to see me?” Guan Shanjin exited the residence. His face was dark, as though a storm was coming.
“Yes.” Hei’er bowed his head. As a close bodyguard, he naturally understood what his master’s expression meant, and he exclaimed over his luck internally.
Interrupting Guan Shanjin’s “matters” was nothing, but if he happened to accidentally see even an inch of Adviser Wu’s skin that was supposed to be covered by his clothes, he would definitely have to go through a serious beating.
Thinking about how Guan Shanjin had previously dealt with him, Hei’er could not help but shudder.
“Where’s Mr. Lu?” Guan Shanjin dusted off his clothes. It seemed like he had no intentions to see that proud, arrogant little girl.
“He’s in the front hall.”
Guan Shanjin snorted. So it meant that the Yue child had seen the injury on Mr. Lu’s hand, and wanted him to give an explanation? Guan Shanjin was fed up. He turned back and glanced at Shuanghe Yard. Seeing the indistinct shadows of the luxuriant trees within, did his expression then brighten a little.
Due to the fact that the Yue family still had some use to them, and he had no plans on replacing them with another new family, as well as the upcoming marriage between Mr. Lu and the third Yue child, Guan Shanjin chose not to act… Hmph, and still there’s someone eagerly rushing towards their death. Might as well fulfill their wishes.
“Stay here and watch over Wu Xingzi.” Although he did not like how close Hei’er and Wu Xingzi were, he was even more unwilling for Wu Xingzi to suffer the slightest mishap.
Recently, the Yue family had been getting increasingly involved with the forces in the capital. Man Yue and him had already laid a trap for them, and that family could not be given any opportunity to create trouble lest they spoil his plans.
“Yes.” Hei’er accepted the command, and in a flash, he hid himself.
Guan Shanjin felt annoyed, all the gloom within his heart shifting onto Miss Yue, his dislike for this wilful, arrogant lady increasing even further.
Entering the hall to see Miss Yue winding intimately around Mr. Lu’s body, Guan Shanjin sneered. He headed straight for the main seat in the hall, and drank from the teacup that one of his servants held out to him. His attitude made Miss Yue’s chest feel stifled from anger, and she immediately leapt up from her seat, pointing at Guan Shanjin. “Guan Shanjin! Master Lu is your laoshi, and so I’m your shiniang2. Has all your scripture-studying gone down the drain?”
His shiniang3?
What a shiniang!
Guan Shanjin snorted, the teacup in his hand turning in an instant to powder. Scalding hot tea spilt across the ground, and the heat of the tea left red marks on his fair, jade-like hand.
Mr. Lu gasped lightly, anxiously coming forward to hold up his hand. About to call out for help, Guan Shanjin waved indifferently at him to stop him.
“Laoshi, you don’t need to worry, this is only a small injury.” After all, Guan Shanjin was not a spoiled and pampered lord. In the blink of an eye, the red marks on his hand had faded away, leaving nothing behind.
Mr. Lu still looked worried. Pulling out his handkerchief, he carefully wiped away the traces of tea left. Next to them, the expression of Miss Yue was very entertaining. She glared harshly at Guan Shanjin, looking like she desperately wanted to pounce forward and take a bite out of him. But knowing that she had no ability to do so, her eyes could only turn bloodshot with anger.
Man Yue was watching the show with delight. Without noticing, he had laughed out loud.
“You don’t have anything better to do?” Guan Shanjin cast him a side-eye glance. Unlike the past, he was in no hurry to placate Mr. Lu, instead he sat there in a lordly manner. His demeanour was elegant and awe-inspiring, making Mr. Lu’s attitude look as though he was being overly familiar.
Naturally registering that his behaviour was rather awkward, Mr. Lu’s face paled. With knitted brows, he tucked the handkerchief in Guan Shanjin’s hand, straightening up and about to retreat.
“Laoshi.”
“Hmm?” Mr. Lu lowered his lids, refusing to look at him. The sun’s rays shone upon his gentle face through the window, and he looked exquisite like jade. His long eyelashes trembled lightly with every breath, hiding his shame and anger.
Guan Shanjin sighed silently. He had never seen Mr. Lu reveal his upset so outwardly before, and his heart somewhat softened, along with his attitude. “Thank you, laoshi, for your concern.”
“This is as expected.” Mr. Lu glanced at him swiftly from the corner of his eye. Although it was quick, Guan Shanjin was still a skilled martial art expert, and his vision was exceptional. Deftly, he caught the depression and dejection in Mr. Lu’s eyes, and so he could not help but reach out and hold his hand, grasping it firmly within his palm.
Miss Yue saw that things were not quite right, so how would she be able to endure it? Striding forward, she wanted to yank Guan Shanjin’s hand away. However, without waiting for her to even reach out, Man Yue, with a look from Guan Shanjin, had gotten two tall and beautifully built maidservants to block Miss Yue. The only thing that was missing was physically subduing her.
“Guan Shanjin! What do you mean by this?!” Yue Mingzhu stamped her foot. The two maidservants seemed well trained in the martial arts, and were obstructing her completely. No matter how she tried to force herself through, she was unable to move a step forward.
“Yue Chonghua, I’ve previously made myself very clear already. Before the wedding, it’s inappropriate for the couple to see each other.” Guan Shanjin completely disregarded Miss Yue who was dancing about like a clown. With a pair of charming, alluring eyes, he watched the young master of the Yue family shifting about uncomfortably.”
“Yes, yes. We understand the intentions of the general! It’s all because of my father and me, spoiling my sister. General, for Mr. Lu’s sake, please don’t fuss over this with her.” Young Master Yue cupped his hands together non-stop, his handsome face blushing red. However, his sister was still making trouble beside him, and his forehead was covered with cold sweat.
“Miss Yue is still young and so ignorant, and I can understand that. However, no matter how ignorant she is, she shouldn’t treat Mr. Lu’s fortune like a game. Such a shiniang, I really cannot afford one.”
“Haiwang.” Mr. Lu’s brows creased slightly. He seemed to only just realise at that moment that his position with Guan Shanjin was too intimate. Moving his hand slightly, he wanted to free himself, only to be gripped even more tightly. “Miss Yue is the type to be very frank. As the Great Southern Garrison General, why get angry over her?”
“Frank?” Guan Shanjin laughed thinly, being noncommittal. He studied Mr. Lu calmly for a while, and suddenly let go. “Alright, I’ll listen to laoshi, and won’t remain angry with shiniang.”
Guan Shanjin waved at the two maidservants, and they quickly withdrew. Miss Yue shot forward.
“Xiao San’er4!” Losing his composure, Young Master Yue yelled in alarm. He could not believe what he had just seen. His sister had actually raised her hand, swinging it towards Guan Shanjin. She was seeking her death!
“Hmph!” With a turn of his head, Guan Shanjin avoided this slap. However, as Miss Yue had used too much force, she stumbled, nearly falling down. Fortunately, Mr. Lu reached out to support her, and so she did not make a greater fool of herself.
Yue Mingzhu’s face had turned blood red, and even her eyes had reddened. Smashing all formalities and politeness, she raged, “Guan Shanjin, don’t think that no one knows about your filthy intentions! Master Lu had said before, that he was unwilling to hurt you, and that’s why he had no choice but to stay by your side! A teacher for a day, a father for life. He is so concerned over you, but you…”
“No choice but to stay by my side?” Guan Shanjin interrupted Yue Mingzhu’s complaints, and looked at Mr. Lu expressionlessly. “Hmm?”
Mr. Lu took two unsteady steps back, his face ashen. His back, however, was very straight, like a pine tree.
This strong yet fragile image once had the brightest colours within Guan Shanjin’s heart. When Mr. Lu had just arrived at the Lord Protector’s residence, Guan Shanjin was only ten. He was so unruly that no one could subdue him, and he had only just caused a famous erudite scholar to quit in anger. This elegant and shy youth in front of him was not worth his time at all.
Who would have guessed that this youth was different from his appearance? Mr. Lu had the foolishness of a scholar, and was humiliated and teased daily by Guan Shanjin. He always looked very wretched, and there were a few times he was truly angered as well. However, unlike the previous teachers, he neither fled for his life, nor swept away in anger. He was extremely patient, and kept thinking of ways and means to get closer to Guan Shanjin.
Once at a poetry session, Guan Shanjin had caused Mr. Lu to be embarrassed outrageously. He no longer remembered the specific details of that matter, only remembering that Mr. Lu’s placid face had paled, and was glaring at him. In those eyes, there was an embarrassment, a hurt, a wretchedness, and a faint hopelessness.
However, Guan Shanjin cared for nothing. Since he was a child, his feelings had always been fickle, holding no loyalty to anyone. The pain and sorrow of people next to him had no way of moving him, and it was as though he had nothing to do with this world. No child had to learn how to be close to their parents, but Guan Shanjin needed to.
The concept of blood relatives was not innate to him. He knew that this was his father, and that was his mother, but it was only a superficial knowledge that one could glean from words. From young, he was already aware that he was different from others. However, he was clever and precocious. Before others could notice that something was wrong, he already knew how to hide his nature, and pretend to be a normal child.
As such, with a bright smile, he watched Mr. Lu remain stiffly in the poetry society, both surprised by Mr. Lu’s tenacity, as well as feeling excited over it. He could not wait to see where the limits of Mr. Lu’s patience were, and what he had to do to rip this mask of strength off his face.
He stared at the white-clad figure. Under the warm spring sun, he seemed to be covered with a gauze woven with light, and his breathing seemed to shatter the silence.
The slender back was pencil straight, and nothing could bend him. That distinct suppleness and strong will was very surprising.
After the poetry session, Mr. Lu became quieter than usual. However, he still stayed by his side, gently discussing the ongoings of the session. Guan Shanjin listened, his ear seemingly itchy.
He suddenly spoke, “Master, did you have fun during the session today?”
Originally discussing the poems of the Great Xie, Mr. Lu fell silent abruptly. Wretchedly, he adjusted his seat, facing him properly for a few moments before responding, “The spring weather was wonderful, there was excellent writing all around, and friends were abound.”
Guan Shanjin burst out laughing. “Master, in my life, you’re the most shameless person I’ve ever met.”
Mr. Lu’s pale face looked completely bloodless. With slightly knitted brows, he stared at the delighted Guan Shanjin.
“A teacher for a day, a father for life. Since I’ve become your master, I’ll stay by your side. If I’m shameless, then let me be shameless.” His voice ended with a quiver.
Guan Shanjin understood that this was Mr. Lu using all his courage, ignoring his dignity and face. He was wretched, miserable, yet very sincere. Guan Shanjin himself was heartless, but could grab hold of other’s emotions very well. Whether or not a person was sincere, or if they had intentions of using him, nothing could be hidden from his eyes.
No matter the reason for Mr. Lu gritting his teeth and tolerating his cruel words and actions, it still moved him.
Would this sort of sincerity be forever unchanging? Would such a strong will ever snap? Mr. Lu’s image was carved indelibly in his heart.
From that day on, he no longer deliberately humiliated Mr. Lu. The things Mr. Lu could teach him were not much, his talent was only so-so, and it was nothing exceptional, very mediocre. Before two years had even passed, there was nothing more he could teach Guan Shanjin. And from then on, Guan Shanjin too was thrown into the military camp by his father.
Before he left, Mr. Lu even came over specially to see him, and gave him a heavy and solid bag. Inside the bag, there were a few newly published collections of works, as well as some snacks. All of these were useless things on the battlefield, but Guan Shanjin had laughed, as he was very amused.
This was Mr. Lu. Old-fashioned to the point of silliness, and his attitude towards him had never changed.
Unknowingly, this person had been placed into Guan Shanjin’s heart, a position, where other than his family and his childhood buddies, no ordinary person could occupy.
He saw Mr. Lu as someone extraordinary, and loved him deeply. He dared not defile him the slightest, and despite loving him, Guan Shanjin had never thought of keeping him exclusively for himself. Whatever Mr. Lu wanted, he would give him, only wishing that he could gain a smile from this beauty. For Mr. Lu to get his heart’s desires, Guan Shanjin was willing to endure anything, even if he had to suffer a loss.
“Laoshi.” Seeing that Mr. Lu did not speak, Guan Shanjin could not be bothered to ask for the reason anymore. “Since laoshi thinks this way, then I won’t keep you back any longer.”
He gestured, speaking to Man Yue. “Send the guests away.”
“Yes.” With a big smile, Man Yue stood up. He ceremoniously cupped his hands towards Young Master Yue. “Young Master Yue, you heard it for yourself as well. It’s not that I don’t want you here, but it’s due to the Yue family making enough of a fuss in the general’s estate today. Since what Miss Yue wants is Mr. Lu, then, just take Mr. Lu and leave! I’ll get people to bring Mr. Lu’s things over too, and I hope that Mr. Lu and Miss Yue can live together to a ripe old age, hand in hand together!”
“Haiwang…” Mr. Lu called out, his voice small but rough.
This seemed to have been out of his expectations. With only a blink of an eye, Man Yue was able to kick him out of the general’s estate right in front of the general himself. As for Guan Shanjin, he did not even look at him, turning a deaf ear and paying no heed to them.
“Hmm?”
“I did not…” Mr. Lu looked sorrowful, and seemed to want to explain something, but Miss Yue had grabbed his hand first.
“Hmph, since the general has promised to let him go, you must keep your promise! Don’t see that Mr. Lu’s heart has softened, and then come to the Yue family’s estate to ask for him!”
“Scram.” Guan Shanjin waved his hand lazily, as though he was chasing away something dirty and offensive to the eye.
“Hmph!” Yue Mingzhu was so angry that her teeth hurt, but she did not dare to cause any more trouble. Pulling Mr. Lu along, she swaggered away from the general’s estate.
Instead, Young Master Yue was not as unrestrained as his sister. His intentions in coming here were also not to take Mr. Lu away. The progression of the matter had caught him off guard. There were times when he wanted to intercede, but did not know what he could say to prevent kicking the hornet’s nest. In the end, he could only watch bitterly and leave after cupping his hands together in greeting.
The noise had finally settled. Man Yue drank his tea with narrowed eyes, jeering, “Haiwang-gege, how could you bear to push Mr. Lu out of here? Don’t tell me you believe what that Yue child said.”
In truth, Man Yue did not believe that Mr. Lu had no choice but to stay. In his eyes, when Guan Shanjin saw Mr. Lu, it was as though he was blind, and his brain became useless. Whatever Mr. Lu wanted, he would give them all, spoiling him to no limits. There were essentially no words that could describe how much he pampered him.
Although he did not like how Mr. Lu led Guan Shanjin along, Man Yue still believed that Mr. Lu had feelings for Guan Shanjin.
Guan Shanjin laughed lowly, pinching Man Yue’s soft and plump Chin. “I naturally don’t believe that Yue child. Even if Mr. Lu did say such a thing to her, it was only to coax her. Mr. Lu has always been soft-hearted, I know this very well.”
“Then why did you…”
“I’ve been too indulgent towards Mr. Lu.” Guan Shanjin lowered his lashes, skimming the scum off the surface of his tea elegantly before sipping it. “He is my teacher, and should know very well where his position stands. Why did he invite Wu Xingzi for lunch this afternoon? How did his hand get injured?”
“Oh?” Man Yue laughed out loud. This time, Guan Shanjin was truly extremely biased.
“If there’s no longer the South Garrison General behind Mr. Lu, do you think Yue Dade will be able to take it?” Guan Shanjin sneered.
In the past, Guan Shanjin was willing to have no bottom line for Mr. Lu. He loved this man, and indulged him, but in the end, Mr. Lu was still only an ordinary commoner! After so many years, that foolish and honest youth from the past had finally changed. Guan Shanjin felt a little bitter.
Mr. Lu was not someone who had so many tricks up his sleeve. As long as Guan Shanjin thought things through, he could see the various flaws. He knew very well that it was not that Mr. Lu completely had no feelings for him, just that these feelings were like a treasure covered in dust, and what was left was sadness.
“You still want to tie Mr. Lu to your side?” Man Yue pursed his lips, displeased.
“I need him to still remain by my side in the future, and be my beloved one.” Guan Shanjin laughed, his eyes narrowing. His tone was soft, but in it, there was also a bone-chilling cold.
Man Yue could not help but frown and shudder, understanding what Guan Shanjin had in mind.
Now, he actually pitied Mr. Lu a little.
Guan Shanjin truly was a fickle one with no loyalty.
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