Liang Yuzhou. How could it be him?
She had thought that after a peaceful year in Huzhou, Liang Yuzhou might have given up looking for her.
Who could have expected that, after all the twists and turns, they would reunite in the Chu family in Yunzhou in such an incredible way.
The moment their eyes met, Liang Yuzhou's eyes roiled like a stormy sea. It seemed as if countless emotions broke through the dam and poured out.
But it was only for a moment. Then his eyes became calm again, and his eyebrows and eyes were cold.
Even without his luxurious clothes, his nobility was undiminished. In a simple Taoist robe, he looked like an otherworldly immortal.
"Daddy, is this the Taoist priest you invited?"
Chu Yueying was completely captivated. She had thought that the Taoist priest with profound Taoism her father mentioned must be an old man with a white beard. She never expected it to be such a handsome young man!
He was more handsome and charming than any man she had ever seen!
And this cold Taoist priest seemed to glance at her. Chu Yueying's heart fluttered.
Chu Shangxu said, "Don't be rude. This is Taoist Priest Qingzhou."
Then he smiled apologetically at Liang Yuzhou. "This is my little daughter, Ying'er. She's been spoiled. Please don't mind, Taoist Priest."
Liang Yuzhou nodded slightly, looking aloof and detached.
"This is my wife's niece, Miss Song."
Song Wanchu shifted her gaze from Liang Yuzhou. Restraining her emotions, she said calmly, "I won't bother the Taoist Priest from performing his rituals. Uncle, I'll go first."
Just as she turned around, Liang Yuzhou suddenly said, "This Miss Song looks somewhat familiar."
Chu Yueying seemed to sense the subtle tension between them. She looked at Liang Yuzhou and then at Song Wanchu, her eyes full of curiosity.
Both Taoist Priest Qingzhou and Sister Wanchu have the accent of people from the capital. Maybe they've really met!
Song Wanchu's shoulders suddenly stiffened.
It was as if a blunt knife was digging at her heart bit by bit, adding new wounds to the ones that had never healed.
It exposed those unforgettable past events to the sun.
She didn't have the courage to turn back. She tried to raise her head and refused to show any sign of guilt.
"The Taoist Priest must be mistaken. We don't know each other."
She fled quickly, her legs feeling weak.
Chu Yueying didn't understand what was going on. She trotted after her.
Auntie had arranged for Song Wanchu to stay in Plum Shadow Pavilion. Behind the small courtyard was a large expanse of plum groves. Red and white plum blossoms were in full bloom. The shadows of the plum blossoms danced on the windows, looking elegant and poetic.
But Song Wanchu had no mood to appreciate it.
Nanzhi and Suyue had packed their luggage early. They brought in hot water and refreshments.
When washing her hands, Nanzhi noticed that Song Wanchu's hands were trembling slightly.
"Is the young lady feeling cold? I'll go and get a hot water bottle for you."
Although the winter in Yunzhou was a bit warmer, the young lady was afraid of the cold and easily caught a cold.
Come to think of it, this was all the root of the illness left by the miscarriage three years ago...
The past was too painful to look back on, so Nanzhi didn't want to mention it anymore.
After drinking a cup of hot tea, Song Wanchu finally felt a bit warmer, but she was still restless.
Liang Yuzhou had actually become a Taoist priest. This really surprised her.
And she had a vague feeling that his appearance in the Chu family was by no means accidental.
He was a crazy man. Although he looked cold and self - restrained in the Taoist robe, Song Wanchu knew very well that deep down he was a stubborn wild beast.
The Taoist robe couldn't hide his true nature.
Her hands began to tremble again.
Chu Yueying was eating candied fruits, but her mind was full of Liang Yuzhou's appearance.
"Sister, are you sure you've never met that Taoist priest? He's so young. How could he have seen through the world of mortals and become a Taoist priest?"
Suddenly, she blushed shyly, her eyes shining brightly, and her full cheeks flushed.
Looking at her innocent and infatuated cousin, Song Wanchu felt bitter.
"I have a bad memory. Even if I've met someone, I don't really remember unimportant people."
She hoped her tone sounded calm.
The brief encounter just now had made Chu Yueying unable to taste the sweetness of the candied fruits.
She couldn't sit still anymore. After staying for less than a quarter of an hour, she said she didn't want to disturb Song Wanchu's rest and left in a hurry.
Song Wanchu couldn't stop her. She wanted to remind her of something, but didn't know how to start. In a daze, the teacup slipped from her fingers.
The tea splashed on her skirt.
"Is the young lady tired?"
Nanzhi thought the young lady's state was very strange. While helping her change the skirt, she asked.
Suddenly, Suyue ran in, her eyes full of fear. "Young lady, I... I saw..."
Nanzhi scolded gently, "We're guests here. If you act so panicked, people will laugh at us!"
Suyue stamped her feet anxiously. "I saw Second Master Liang! He was wearing a Taoist robe, and Uncle Chu even called him Taoist Priest Qingzhou!"
Nanzhi was shocked and quickly looked at Song Wanchu.
No wonder the young lady had seemed a bit strange as soon as she entered the door.
That crazy man had tracked them down!
"He still has the nerve to come!"
She hugged Song Wanchu. Although she was so angry that her whole body was trembling, she still pretended to be calm and comforted Song Wanchu.
"Miss, Young Master Shi is here to protect you. And this is Auntie's home. How dare he do anything rash?"
But even as she said this, she didn't feel confident.
Back then, that crazy man had even dared to run into the Crown Prince's sword and break into the Princess Dowager's bedroom just to snatch the young lady back!
Song Wanchu forced a smile. "When we met just now, we both pretended not to know each other. He'll probably leave after performing the rituals and treating Auntie's illness. We'll just stay at Auntie's place and go out as little as possible."
After winter was over, she would still return to Huzhou.
Both Nanzhi and Suyue were skeptical.
...
Liang Yuzhou followed Chu Shangxu to the main courtyard where Ning Shi lived - Chunhui Hall.
Shi Luohan had just sent Ning Shi back and was about to leave.
The two bumped into each other right at the courtyard gate.
Shi Luohan was furious and clenched his fists tightly.
But Liang Yuzhou was not surprised at all. In comparison, he was much calmer.
When enemies met, their hatred flared up. Moreover, they were both love rivals and enemies.
It seemed as if an invisible war was raging between them.
Chu Shangxu didn't notice yet. He still introduced them cheerfully. "This is Taoist Priest Qingzhou, and this is Miss Song's adoptive brother, Mr. Shi."
Liang Yuzhou gently twitched the corner of his mouth. "Pleased to meet you."
Shi Luohan tried his best to restrain his anger and sneered. "So young, yet he dares to claim to be highly skilled in Taoism and medicine. He can't be a quack, can he?"
"Mr. Shi is also very young, yet he can run a famous escort agency in the south of the Yangtze River and dominate the area. Can't I?"
Shi Luohan was indeed quite famous in the south of the Yangtze River. Chu Shangxu didn't find it strange that Liang Yuzhou knew about him.
He even thought that since they were of similar ages, although they were a bit suspicious of each other at first sight, they might become friends in the future.
Liang Yuzhou ignored Shi Luohan. "Please lead this poor Taoist to Mrs. Chu's bedroom, Master Chu."
"My wife is waiting in the room. Please, Taoist Priest."
In the room, Ning Shi was already prepared. "Please feel my pulse, Taoist Priest."
As soon as Liang Yuzhou entered the room, he smelled a faint fragrance. He looked around but didn't sit down in a hurry.
"What symptoms has the madam been having recently?"
Ning Shi said, "Since I got pregnant, I've always felt stuffy in my chest. I can't sleep well at night and often wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. My appetite is also poor."
She had invited many doctors, and they all said it was a normal phenomenon in the early stage of pregnancy.
But now four months had passed, and it was still the same. Ning Shi felt that something was wrong.
This wasn't her first pregnancy, and she knew her body very well.
Liang Yuzhou's gaze fixed on the red coral on the table.
He walked over, picked it up, and weighed it in his hand.
Chu Shangxu looked solemn. "Taoist Priest, is there an evil spirit causing trouble?"
Liang Yuzhou smiled faintly. "There's no such thing as an evil spirit. What's really causing trouble is people's hearts."
With that, he smashed the red coral on the ground.