Lu, the master of time and space, the charming rogue with great stamina, Zheng returned to the ancient world once more.
Lin Wan went to work as usual, Liu Qingyan took Du Yueyao on medical rounds daily, and Shen Ying diligently cultivated at Peach Blossom Plain.
Lu Zheng seemed to slip back into his idle routine.
He occasionally visited Baiyun Temple, the City God Temple, or Wuxiu Manor.
…
One day, Renxin Hall was unusually quiet, and Lu Zheng, feeling bored, suggested taking Liu Qingyan out for a stroll.
Liu Qingyan was tempted but felt shy in front of Du Yueyao, so she invited her along.
Lu Zheng had no objections. It was broad daylight, and he had no ulterior motives, knowing he could summon them anytime at night.
“It’s been ages since we went to Yuling Garden. Let’s watch a play today!” Liu Qingyan said, her eyes sparkling.
“Great idea!” Du Yueyao clapped, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
After spending time together, Du Yueyao had grown familiar with them, knowing Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan were easygoing.
Liu Qingyan was gentle yet playful, while Lu Zheng was steady with a touch of whimsy, allowing Du Yueyao to relax and reveal her adventurous side beneath her refined exterior.
Lu Zheng wasn’t surprised. In ancient Chinese tales, noble ladies often had such personalities.
The ancients were honest indeed!
Having finished lunch, the trio headed to Yuling Garden, with one of Du Yueyao’s guards trailing at a distance.
…
Du Yueyao, alone in Tonglin County, was accompanied by a maid, a servant, and two guards arranged by Du Yuru.
The maid and servant stayed at home, while the guards took turns daily, their task to follow Du Yueyao, usually keeping watch near Renxin Hall.
Du Yuru intended for the guards to handle minor troubles at the clinic, but after a few days, they noticed no ruffians or troublemakers appeared.
It made sense. Given Lu Zheng’s status, the local troublemakers had likely been warned off by Constable Liu at the county office.
…
Today, Du Yueyao joined Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan. With Lu Zheng present, she was surely safe, but duty-bound, the guard followed.
Seeing him, Du Yueyao called him over, “We’re going to Yuling Garden to watch a play. With Brother Lu here, I’ll be fine. You can rest.”
“Yes, miss!”
The guard, already instructed on such matters, bowed and turned to Lu Zheng, “Will you return home directly, sir, or stop by Renxin Hall?”
Lu Zheng glanced at the sky, estimating the play would end around mid-afternoon, making a return to Renxin Hall unnecessary.
“Straight home, to the Liu residence for dinner.”
“Yes, sir!”
The guard understood and took his leave.
“Let’s go!” Du Yueyao clapped, smiling.
They arrived at Yuling Garden, booked a private room, and settled in to enjoy the performance.
*The Legend of Hongling*.
“Another *Hongling*?” Lu Zheng asked.
“It’s a classic at Yuling Garden,” Liu Qingyan said. “Never gets old.”
“Absolutely!” Du Yueyao nodded eagerly, agreeing with Liu Qingyan.
Lu Zheng, “…”
Fine. The play combined acting and singing, repeatable like Chinese opera or foreign musicals.
Lu Zheng pondered bringing a rechargeable projector to show them modern special-effects films.
Create a miracle?
Well, perhaps not. It might attract the Demon Suppression Bureau, branding it as heresy and leading to a grim fate!
Yuling Garden served tea and snacks, while Lu Zheng brought out peanuts, seeds, and… juice, relaxing with the two women to enjoy the play.
At the end, Lu Zheng shook his head, noting he’d dealt with the descendants of the great boar. Scanning the hall, he saw no notable figures.
After the play, Lu Zheng led Liu Qingyan and Du Yueyao out through a small rear door of the garden’s private rooms, only to encounter a refined young man with a servant.
Zhao Wenrong!
He, too, had been in a private room and was leaving.
Seeing Lu Zheng’s group, Zhao Wenrong’s eyes flickered, a trace of unease crossing his face, but he adjusted his robes and bowed, “Greetings, Master Lu. I apologise for my past offence. Please forgive me!”
Though more polite than before, his tone carried unease and distance.
Lu Zheng glanced at Zhao Wenrong, his eyes sharp, then smiled and returned the bow, “You did nothing serious. Shopkeeper Zhou apologised, and the matter’s settled. Bringing it up again makes me seem petty.”
Zhao Wenrong relaxed, forcing a smile, realising Lu Zheng truly didn’t care about him or the incident. From Zhou Mingsheng’s reports, Lu Zheng had no interest in associating with him either.
Meeting by chance, Zhao Wenrong greeted politely but distantly, stepped back, and gestured for Lu Zheng’s group to pass.
Lu Zheng nodded, not standing on ceremony, and led Liu Qingyan and Du Yueyao out of Yuling Garden. Looking back, he saw Zhao Wenrong and his servant head in another direction.
Lu Zheng rubbed his chin, his eyes flickering thoughtfully.
“Who was that? He seemed a bit scared of Brother Lu,” Du Yueyao asked curiously.
“A big shot from Yizhou Prefecture, tried to buy my shop before,” Lu Zheng said with a smile.
Liu Qingyan then recounted the earlier events to Du Yueyao.
“He must’ve learned Lu Lang’s status somehow. The next day, he backed off, returned the shop next to Sweet Pastry House to the broker, and put it up for sale.”
Du Yueyao huffed, passing judgement, “A spoiled rich kid.”
Liu Qingyan nodded, smiling, then looked at Lu Zheng as if seeking confirmation, “But not a crime worthy of death, right?”
“Huh?” Du Yueyao looked confused, glancing between Liu Qingyan and Lu Zheng. “How did it jump to a death sentence?”
She didn’t believe Lu Zheng would kill over such a trivial matter, especially since it happened over a month ago. If they hadn’t run into him today, Lu Zheng likely would’ve forgotten him.
Lu Zheng nodded calmly, “He’s got ghost energy on him.”
“What!” Du Yueyao gasped.
Noticing people staring, she shrank back, lowering her voice, “He’s haunted!?”
Her expression mixed fear and excitement, like a modern girl visiting a haunted house.
Of course, she wasn’t too scared with Lu Zheng nearby.
Lu Zheng rubbed his chin, his tone teasing, “Yeah, probably been cozy with that female ghost for a while.”
Du Yueyao: (*°ω°*)
