He led Lu Chang’sheng into the main courtyard.
Inside, patrol guards moved back and forth from ti to ti.
Lu Chang’sheng could sense a faintly sharp presence coming from a dozen or so courtyards nearby, sowhat reminiscent of the arrangents made during the previous encirclent of the Evil Cultivator.
Shi Cong smiled, but said nothing.
Though the current setup was not aid at Lu Chang’sheng, it was good that it made him sowhat cautious.
After all, he was an official, and there was still a difference in faction between himself and Lu Chang’sheng.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Inside the inner hall, a group of officials had been waiting for so ti.
As Lu Chang’sheng entered, Zhu Qing, seated at the head and absorbed in writing, happened to look up, revealing a finely featured face touched with a subtle trace of heroism.
After having Lu Chang’sheng seated, Zhu Qing discussed recent affairs with him, making no ntion of past unpleasantness.
In Zhu Qing’s view, the fact that Lu Chang’sheng had followed through with the planned visit showed he was willing to lower his head; and after her own interactions with Zhu Er, her state of mind and outlook had shifted, so there was no need to fuss about minor old matters with Lu Chang’sheng.
And at such an occasion, bringing up the purpose of going to the Spirit Realm was improper, so Lu Chang’sheng did not ntion it either.
After a brief exchange, Zhu Qing rubbed her temples and said, "I’m a bit weary today. Let’s leave it there."
Lu Chang’sheng’s heart sank a little.
He had co prepared for the Empress to make requests of him—what he feared more was if she had no requirents whatsoever.
That would an he no longer held much value in her eyes.
Burdened by this, Lu Chang’sheng stayed sowhere near the Shi Mansion.
By afternoon, he found an opportunity to visit an old acquaintance’s residence.
"Who are you looking for?"
A servant sized up Lu Chang’sheng, then asked.
This was the Liang Mansion, presently one of the most prominent noble households in Black Mountain Prefecture.
Ordinary folk would never dare to knock on this door.
"Is Master Liang in? Chang’sheng has co to pay his respects."
Lu Chang’sheng said.
"Chang’sheng?" The servant muttered, instinctively turning inside to announce the visitor.
As gatekeeper of a noble house, he could hardly lack discernnt. With one look, he could tell Lu Chang’sheng was hardly ordinary—if not a noble, then at least a master from another wealthy family.
Such a person must be reported to the master. Whether to receive him or not was up to the master to decide.
But, just a mont later, sothing seed to dawn on him. He stuck his head out again, a hint of excitent and uncertainty in his eyes. "May I ask, are you Scholar Lu in person?"
Lu Chang’sheng replied with a smile: "I dare not claim such a title, it is but a shallow fa."
The servant’s face instantly lit up in delight as he ushered Lu Chang’sheng inside.
"You let in without even announcing —aren’t you afraid your Master Liang will scold you?"
Lu Chang’sheng said.
The servant replied, "If I kept you waiting outside, that’s when I’d be scolded!"
Upon further inquiry, Lu Chang’sheng learned that over a decade ago, the Liang Mansion had established a rule: anyone surnad Lu who ca to visit was to be received inside imdiately.
This rule had been set by Old Master Liang Yun himself. At the ti, so descendants objected, but upon hearing of it, Liang Yun had, most unusually, flown into a rage and expelled those grumblers from the mansion.
Lu Chang’sheng felt a surge of emotion.
Uncle Liang still rembered him, after all.
Soon, he saw Liang Yun in the rear courtyard.
Liang Yun, now quite aged, sat slumped in a chair, staring blankly into the distance.
"Is Uncle Liang suffering from hysteria?"
Lu Chang’sheng asked a man beside him, about fifty years old.
This was Liang Yun’s eldest son, Liang Ping. His skin was dark and, though he’d spent over a decade among the upper class, he still hadn’t quite shed his old air.
Yet his manner was steady enough—it was little wonder Liang Yun chose him as successor.
"Yes, it happened just recently. No one noticed until one night, when I ca to call him for dinner and found him like this."
Lu Chang’sheng sighed to himself.
With his current dical skills, there were few illnesses he could not at least treat, yet hysteria was still one of those with little recourse.
He walked up to Liang Yun and sat beside him, looking out at the sa empty space.
There was nothing there but emptiness.
"You’ve co?"
Suddenly, Liang Yun spoke.
Lu Chang’sheng’s heart lifted. He nodded and said, "Yes, I have co."
"You’ve left?"
"???"
"Why are you here again?"
Studying Liang Yun, Lu Chang’sheng was shocked to realize he had underestimated the severity of Liang Yun’s hysteria.
Not long after, Liang Yun dozed off in his chair, a trace of shine at the corner of his mouth.
Lu Chang’sheng could only turn and leave.
"Uncle Lu, we had ant to send word to you before, but it’s been so busy here lately that no one could get away."
Seeing Lu Chang’sheng looking at him, Liang Ping gave a bitter smile.
As he addressed Lu Chang’sheng, he hesitated a mont, then decided on "Uncle."
In truth, they were not far apart in age, but recalling his father’s instructions, he still used the old mode of address.
This was a sign of respect for Lu Chang’sheng’s ability and position.
"It’s nothing," Lu Chang’sheng replied.
After so further conversation, Lu Chang’sheng stated his purpose for visiting.
Liang Ping patted his chest and said, "Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it."
Seeing how simply he said it, Lu Chang’sheng thought nothing more of it.
He only wanted Liang Ping to deliver an invitation to Yan Yun for him.
Currently, Yan Yun and Zhu Qing were both staying at the Shi Mansion. Under such circumstances, he could hardly call on Yan Yun directly and put others in a difficult spot.
As an official of Black Mountain Prefecture, it was not difficult for Liang Ping to deliver an invitation letter for him.
He hadn’t expected, though, that he would end up waiting for two days.
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