Chapter 15#

Daxi, Zhejiang, a good place, with standard Jiangnan scenery.

When Liu Nian knocked on the Hua family’s door, the family was making large wontons for the New Year, with thin skins and a filling of shepherd’s purse and pork. The aroma of the filling could be smelled from afar.

A young wife, her ten fingers covered in flour, answered the door and poked her head out to ask him, “Who are you looking for?”

“Hua Rong.”

The young wife’s expression immediately flickered, and she pushed her hand to close the door. “Hua Rong has gone to the capital. If you have business with him, go find him in the capital.”

Liu Nian lowered his head, extended his sword, and blocked the door.

The young wife was a little scared and quickly ran into the inner room, shouting, “Someone is looking for Hua Rong! Mom, Dad, come out quickly.”

The so-called investigation thus began.

The four members of the Hua family stood before Liu Nian with their hands hanging down.

Liu Nian asked about his appearance, and the head of the family immediately answered, “Straight eyebrows, long eyes, a straight nose, half a head taller than me, a mole on his right earlobe, and he’s a mute.”

Without even thinking, it seemed this person had memorized it, and not just once.

Liu Nian smiled, took out a portrait of Hua Rong, and spread it on the table. “Is it him?”

The four family members glanced at it and immediately nodded in unison.

“What is your relationship to him?”

The old man spoke up, “I am his second uncle. His father and brother are both dead. He has no direct relatives.”

“As far as I know, Hua Rong also has a sister, twelve years older than him, who married far away a long time ago and hasn’t been back for eight years, right?”

The old man immediately nodded.

Liu Nian smiled again, shook the portrait, and looked at it against the light. “Why don’t I find her and let her see if this is her brother Hua Rong.”

The family immediately started shaking their legs, no longer looking at Liu Nian, but at their own toes.

Liu Nian’s smile faded. In a flash, his hand had already clamped around the old man’s neck, his fingers tightening. “You’d better tell the truth. I’m a very impatient person.”

The old man choked, his face turning purple. Before he could speak, the young wife had already knelt on the ground.

“Great… hero, I’ll… I’ll talk. The person in the portrait is not Hua Rong.”

Liu Nian immediately turned to look at her, his eyes faintly glowing.

The young wife’s voice grew lower and lower. “Four years ago, a mute came to our house, oh, the person in the painting, and gave us a lot… a lot of silver, saying that from now on, the name Hua Rong would belong to him. He also instructed that no matter who came to ask, we must insist that he is Hua Rong…”

“Then where is the real Hua Rong?”

“The real Hua… Rong, he took even more silver from him and said he was going to another place. I don’t know where, but he must be living happily.”

“Four years ago, the person in the painting came here, bought an identity, and also sealed your mouths.” Liu Nian pondered, sorting out his thoughts, folded the portrait, and put it in his bosom.

“Master Hua Rong, you really are meticulous in your planning…”

“There are a lot of two-man comic acts in the manor! Master, do you want to watch?” On the same day, at the same time, in the Funing Prince’s Manor, Hua Gui’s voice was as loud as ever.

Hua Rong opened his eyes, nodded, and then gestured for Hua Gui to untie his bandages.

It had been more than half a month since he was trampled, and his injuries had only just begun to improve.

According to the doctor, the elephant hadn’t stepped on his leg bone, only damaged his flesh, which was a great fortune among great fortunes.

But Hua Rong was still dejected. He sighed at the horrifying wound and gestured, “It’s so ugly, how can I face people in the future?”

Hua Gui immediately rolled his eyes. “It’s not your face, nor is it your ass. What can’t you show people?”

Hua Rong glared at him, took a new bandage, carefully wrapped the wound, tied a beautiful knot, and then helped Hua Gui to stand up slowly.

“It’s good to be lame. I guess no official will like to press on a cripple!” Hua Gui immediately grinned.

Hua Rong snorted coldly, not looking at him, put on his signature green shirt, picked up the black gold fan, and opened it with a “whoosh.”

“Even if it hurts to death, I must walk beautifully. Who am I? I am the dashing Master Hua…” After fanning himself, Hua Rong gestured, turned around, and indeed walked without a limp, fanning himself as he went to watch the excitement.

The excitement in the Prince’s Manor was indeed a sight to behold. The two-man comic acts were gathered in a dedicated courtyard, with nameplates hanging on each door, bearing the names of the performers.

It was morning, and Han Lang had not yet returned from court. More than a dozen stools were scattered around the courtyard, and it was a chaotic scene of rehearsals.

Hua Rong entered the courtyard, tilted his head to watch, and fanned himself with great interest.

“Young Master Hua is also interested in two-man comic acts?” A voice suddenly came from behind him. It was Han Lang, with one hand on his shoulder.

“Then let’s perform one.”

That hand pressed down again, pushing him onto a stool.

Hua Rong cooperated, even picking up a powder puff and powdering half his face white.

“You,” Han Lang pointed a finger. “Perform the one I taught you. Remember the lines.”

The man, terrified, squatted behind the chair and cleared his throat.

“The spring scenery is beautiful today, the bees are buzzing.”

The first two lines were simple, and Hua Rong could barely match his mouth shape, flapping his hands and diligently imitating a bee.

After a few more lines, it became a bit difficult. The man began to speak his lines, his voice trembling.

“There must be a reason for killing. May I ask, my lord, what crime has my Chu family committed?”

Hua Rong didn’t follow this line very well, mostly failing to keep up.

The man’s voice behind the stool rose. “You dog who tramples on human life, I’ll fight you to the death!”

Then came the sound of wind, like a sharp weapon cutting through the air.

Hua Rong raised his fan, covered his mouth, and indicated that he couldn’t keep up.

But the performance behind the stool continued.

The voice began to panic, clearly having failed in the fight and been subdued. “What are you doing? Are you crazy? I’m a man!”

The following sound effects were extremely brilliant.

The sound of collision mixed with panting, anyone could tell it was a man raping another man.

Han Lang’s eyes lit up. He approached, extended a finger, and lifted Hua Rong’s chin. “You may not know the first part, but you should know this part, right? If you do, let’s do it again.”

Hua Rong pursed his lips, fanned himself lightly, and reluctantly cooperated once.

“Not like it. Master Hua, you are not professional.”

The second time, the third time. By the third time, it had some meaning. Hua Rong was sweating, cold sweat dripping down his forehead.

“The chrysanthemums are blooming on the path.” Han Lang pinched his chin, pinching it tightly. “Is the name of this two-man comic act pleasant to hear? Young Master Hua, are you very hot? Fanning yourself in the first month of the year, and you’re still sweating profusely.”

“It’s not hot, it’s just that my leg hurts a little.” Hua Rong gestured. “The chrysanthemums are blooming on the path. The Prince is truly talented.”

Han Lang squinted, lifted his long gown, and indeed saw the wound bleeding, staining the bandage red.

“Unfortunately, if the wound isn’t healed, it’s not good to open the chrysanthemum.”

“The chrysanthemums bloom on the path, and the love of beautiful boys is shared throughout the nine provinces. The Prince is so elegant, what does Hua Rong’s leg matter?” Hua Rong gestured word by word, smiling dashingly, his cold sweat drying up in an instant.

After the clouds and rain, one feels a little tired. Han Lang pillowed his head with his hands and began to feign sleep.

The scene in his memory was still vivid.

The Chu family, originally court physicians for generations, had for some unknown reason suddenly resigned and moved south after Zhou Huaijing ascended the throne.

That year, there was chaos in the south, with remnants of Han Yan’s faction entrenched there, which led to Han Lang’s southern journey.

The scene of meeting that voice was still fresh in his mind.

It was in a restaurant. At that time, Han Lang was sitting in a private room on the second floor and heard someone downstairs making wild remarks. “Who says Daji was a demon? I say she was the number one meritorious official in the Investiture of the Gods.”

The voice was crisp, with a heavy rolled-tongue accent, exactly the same as the Emperor who had just lost his voice.

Han Lang chased out the door, but the person was no longer in sight downstairs.

“Replying to you, sir, that was the young master of the Chu family on West Street.”

The owner’s words were like spilled water, instantly extinguishing all signs of life for the Chu family.

That night, the stars were sparse. The Chu family was exterminated, and Han Lang finally found that voice, learning that the owner of the voice was named Chu Mo.

Just as in the two-man comic act just now, Chu Mo knelt on the spot, looking at the blood of his relatives on the ground, and asked him, “There must be a reason for killing. May I ask, my lord, what crime has my Chu family committed?”

“Your crime, and the crime of your Chu family, is this voice of yours.” At that time, Han Lang bent down, caressed his throat, as if caressing a most precious treasure. “From now on, you have no name, you no longer exist. The only thing that exists is this voice.”

Chu Mo’s eyes widened at that time, a fire burning in them. He was still an upright and spirited young man, somewhat similar in character to today’s Lin Luoyin.

“The chrysanthemums are blooming on the path.” Thinking of this, Han Lang chuckled, his fingers stroking Hua Rong’s cheek beside him. “The love of beautiful boys is shared throughout the nine provinces. Master Hua, your couplet is absolutely perfect.”

Hua Rong immediately grinned, looking beautiful and silly, revealing a mouthful of large white teeth.

If he really was a member of the Chu family and had witnessed that scene, had seen how Chu Mo’s chrysanthemum was opened, then his composure was indeed extraordinary.

Everything was still just speculation.

Han Lang was waiting, waiting for Liu Nian’s return, then all speculation could be confirmed.

Another half a month passed, and Liu Nian did not return.

The snow in the capital began to melt, and the wind was no longer biting, carrying only a slight chill.

Hua Rong had recovered greatly. He could walk, but he could no longer run.

He was still very regretful about this and gestured to Hua Gui, “This way, I can’t do business with Official Qi anymore. He likes to play eagle catching chicks.”

Hua Gui seemed to be in a bad mood, didn’t even look at him, and just shoveled rice into his mouth with a “hula” sound.

Hua Rong had no choice but to lie on the table and point at the dishes on the table. “Dry-fried green beans, dry-fried beef noodles, dry-pot long beans. Master Hua Gui, you know I rely on my behind for a living and can’t eat dry things… Who on earth angered you that you have to take it out on me like this?”

Hua Gui snorted and cleared the bowls with a “clang.” “Then you can ask the Prince’s Manor’s cook to make it for you. Anyway, you’re the favorite now.”

“Ask… ask and wait for you to chop me to death?” Hua Rong pouted, gestured angrily, and followed him step by step.

After following him out of the kitchen, he followed him out of the courtyard. When Hua Gui turned his head, he would look at the sky, fanning his black gold fan quickly, not feeling guilty at all.

Sure enough, he followed him all the way to Liu Yun’s private courtyard. Hua Rong grinned, thinking to himself that his guess was indeed correct.

The one who had angered Hua Gui was indeed Liu Yun.

Liu Yun had recovered greatly and was currently practicing formations.

Practicing formations was one thing, but he had even hired an assistant to run errands for him.

Hiring an assistant was one thing, but this assistant happened to be a woman, with dark eyes, so tender that you could pinch water out of her.

Anyway, Hua Gui got angry just by looking at her and wanted to go back and make dry food for Hua Rong.

“Why are you still setting this up? You can’t learn it no matter how many times you set it up.” As soon as they met, Hua Gui rolled his eyes, meaning he looked down on Liu Yun a million times over.

Liu Yun then sighed, “It’s best to have someone test the formation, but this formation is dangerous…”

Hua Gui’s eyes immediately lit up.

“Master! Great Hero Liu Yun said the formation needs someone to test it.”

Hua Rong stumbled, gritted his teeth, and gestured, “Why call me? Is my life not valuable?”

“It’s better to be suffocated by a formation than to be fucked to death by a man. This is called dying a worthy death!”

Hua Rong stumbled again, having no time to correct his use of “dying a worthy death.” He came up, squatted down, and gestured to Liu Yun, “Why did you hire this maid to help?”

Liu Yun understood and was stunned. “My hands and feet are weak now, I can’t even move a small stone. Of course I have to ask for help.”

“But don’t you think my Hua Gui is stronger?” When gesturing this, Hua Rong was sneaky, not letting Hua Gui see. “I’ll test it for you. Remember to ask him for help.”

After speaking, he stepped into the formation, fanning himself lightly, as if he were strolling down the street.

It was already late at night when he finished his official duties. Han Lang returned to his room, coughed, but did not see Hua Rong.

Someone below reported, “Young Master Hua is trapped in Young Master Liu Yun’s formation and is still hanging upside down from the jujube tree.”

Han Lang said “oh,” and as usual, took off his official robes layer by layer and tied on a large robe over his bare chest.

The person below was still kneeling.

“Just let him hang,” Han Lang waved his hand. “Let him hang until Liu Yun learns how to solve the formation. You go to the study and bring me my memorials.”

The memorials were brought, and the room was brightly lit, but Han Lang suddenly felt bored.

Without Hua Rong, the room seemed to have become cold and deserted.

At this moment, someone announced from outside the door, “Reporting to the Prince, the Eldest Young Master requests an audience.”

He had invited the person himself, so Han Lang was not surprised. He ordered wine to be heated and raised his cup as soon as Han Yan entered the door. “I remember it’s been a long time since we brothers drank together.”

Han Yan nodded, took a seat, and drank the wine in one gulp.

Han Lang filled his cup again. “We won’t have many opportunities to drink together in the future.”

“You’re right. I’ve been poisoned. The poison is called ‘Jiang Li,’ and I am indeed about to leave.” After a pause, Han Lang said again, not sadly, but calmly.

Han Yan chuckled, swirling the cup in his palm, and looked around. “Why don’t I see your ‘Dian Qian Huan,’ Master Hua?”

Han Lang did not answer.

“Don’t you ever think that he is not a simple person?”

“Thank you for your concern, big brother. This matter is already under investigation.”

“You have suspicions and still need to verify them?” Han Yan’s smile began to carry a hint of mockery. “Funing Prince, Grand Tutor Han, when did you become so indecisive?”

Han Lang was suddenly silent.

Having suspicions but not eliminating the person, yes, when had he become so indecisive?

“He is a toy, a very fun toy so far.” After a short pause, Han Lang immediately added, “Big brother doesn’t need to be so concerned about my private life. You should consider my suggestion.”

“What suggestion?”

“After I die, take my place to assist His Majesty.”

Han Yan still smiled, the resentment in his smile clear. “Let’s not talk about that today. I heard you recently acquired a talent.”

“Who?”

“Lin Luoyin,” Han Yan said word by word. “It is rumored that he won a victory in the southwest.”

“That’s right. He is indeed a talented general.”

“I heard he uses a left-handed sword.”

“Yes.”

“Congratulations,” Han Yan said after a while, bringing the cup to his lips and drinking it very slowly, sip by sip.