Chapter 82 : You are like a person

Song Shihe went looking for Shiwu, but when he saw he wasn’t in the room, he stepped back outside. After walking a few steps, he ran into him on the road.

When he saw Faer, he snorted and walked over. “What are you doing here?”

Faer replied, “Young Master, the Taoist priest lost his way. The young lady ordered me to escort him back.”

Song Shihe waved him off disdainfully. “I’ll take him. You can go now.”

Faer: “Yes, I’ll take my leave.”

Song Shihe then led Shiwu back to the guest quarters.

Shiwu asked, “Young Master doesn’t seem to like that maid?”

As they walked, Song Shihe said, “Everyone around Song Ying is annoying. I’m telling you, don’t be fooled by that girl’s silly and clueless look. She’s extremely ruthless.”

Shiwu chuckled. “But I think the eldest lady seems very kind. And that little maid is rather cute.”

Song Shihe turned around, stood in front of him, raised his finger, and wagged it. “Shiwu, you’re still too naive. You don’t understand how treacherous people can be. Song Ying is terrifying, and that maid of hers is like a vicious dog wearing human skin.”

Shiwu’s eyes turned slightly red. “Now that you mention it… Didn’t you say Miss Song once harmed you when you first came to Nanshan?”

The mention of this caused Song Shihe to jump in frustration. “Anyway, just don’t mess with her. Just have fun here in the capital with me, I’ll show you the world!”

Shiwu: “Thank you, Young Master.”

Song Shihe took Shiwu to the most bustling market, and then gathered his close friends to dine at Shangyue Tower.

Shiwu, being introverted and fond of peace and quiet, felt overwhelmed by the rowdy group. He soon made an excuse to step outside for some fresh air.

“Hey, Taoist priest?”

Shiwu turned around at the sound of the voice and saw a man approaching.

“What temple are you from?”

Shiwu replied, “Nanshan Ridge Peak Viewpoint.”

The man nodded and circled Shiwu with curiosity. “Young Taoist Priest, are you alone?”

Shiwu: “I came with friends.”

“Who are they?”

A voice suddenly called out, “Brother Wen Jun!”

Song Shihe walked over and took Shiwu’s arm, introducing the two. “Shiwu, this is Young Marquis Wen from the Marquis of Qingyi’s residence. Brother Wen Jun, this is Taoist Priest Fifteen who accompanied my grandfather.”

Wen Jun: “Nice to meet you, nice to meet you.”

Shiwu: “Hello, Young Marquis Wen.”

Song Shihe asked, “Brother Wen Jun, are you here alone? Want to join us?”

Wen Jun waved his hand. “No need. By the way, is Song Ying not at Xiaohanju?”

Song Shihe pulled a sour face. “She came back yesterday but didn’t even bother to say hello.”

A flicker of unknown emotion passed through Wen Jun’s eyes. “Alright. Have fun.”

“Brother Wen Jun, take care,” Song Shihe waved, then turned to Shiwu. “Let’s head back in.”

Shiwu said, “Young Master, I need to return first.”

Song Shihe said, “It’s still early.”

Shiwu gently pulled back his sleeve and said, “Young Master, I’m not much of a talker. If I stay, I’ll only spoil the mood for you and the others.”

Shiwu had been sitting quietly the whole time. Whenever someone asked him something, he would respond, but never said anything more. Eventually, everyone lost interest in talking to him.

After a moment’s thought, Song Shihe said, “Alright, I’ll have someone escort you back.”

Shiwu: “No need. I remember the way. I can go back on my own.”

Just then, someone came to urge Song Shihe back inside. He didn’t push the issue and said, “Okay, I won’t stop you then.”

Standing at the inn’s entrance, Shiwu looked at the roads branching out on both sides and asked the waiter, “Excuse me, which way to the Marquis of Ningyuan’s residence?”

The waiter pointed left. “Go this way, then turn left at the corner…”

“Thank you.”

Shiwu stepped out of the inn then turned right.

The waiter scratched his head. “Did I point the right way? Why’d he go the opposite direction?”

“Waiter…”

“Coming…”

—

As Shiwu walked along, he suddenly froze.

It seemed… he was lost again.

Da da da.

Hearing the sound of horse hooves behind him, Fifteen stepped aside to stand by the roadside.

A luxurious carriage stopped in front of him. Wen Jun pushed open the window from inside and asked, “Young Taoist priest, why are you here alone? Where is Song Shihe?”

Fifteen replied, “Young Master Song is still at the restaurant, so I’m heading back to the Marquis’ Mansion on my own.”

Wen Jun chuckled, “But this isn’t the direction to the Ningyuan Marquis’ Mansion.”

Fifteen nodded sincerely, “This humble one knows. This humble one is lost.”

Wen Jun found him quite amusing and said, “We’re all friends here. I’ll give you a ride. Please, come in.”

Fifteen glanced at the night sky, didn’t hesitate, thanked him, and got into the carriage.

The carriage was warm. Wen Jun glanced leisurely at Fifteen, who was sitting upright.

He was very composed and allowed Wen Jun to observe him without discomfort.

When the carriage turned a corner, Wen Jun asked, “How old are you this year, Taoist Priest Fifteen?”

Fifteen replied, “I just turned sixteen.”

Wen Jun leaned back lazily, “Oh, half a year younger than Shihe, but you seem so much more mature and steady than him. The way you sit there silently reminds me of someone.”

Fifteen was puzzled. “Who?”

Wen Jun smiled, “Song Ying. You’ve heard of her, right?”

Fifteen nodded. “Elder Song’s eldest granddaughter.”

Wen Jun shook his head with a chuckle. “That young lady is also a quiet type well, her silence is just a façade.”

“But once you provoke her, she’ll talk your ear off until it falls off hahahaha.”

Fifteen looked innocent. “Did the eldest lady say that about Young Marquis Wen?”

Wen Jun nodded in amusement. “Of course. Song Ying and I clicked at first sight, fell in love at second sight, and tried to kill each other by the third.”

“Kill each other?”

Seeing Fifteen’s confused expression, Wen Jun nodded, twirling his folding fan, “Exactly. Sometimes she puts on the same clueless expression you do, pretending to know nothing when she actually knows everything. Sometimes, I really feel like tearing off that fake face of hers.”

Fifteen lowered his eyes. “Sounds like Young Marquis doesn’t like Miss Song very much.”

Wen Jun: “Hey, how could I not like her? So many women have passed by me, but my eyes only ever landed on her.”

Fifteen pressed his lips together and said nothing more.

Wen Jun shifted to a more comfortable position, half reclining as he stared at Fifteen, muttering to himself, “I really wish the person sitting here right now were her…”

Fifteen: …

Ningyuan Marquis Mansion.

Fifteen got off the carriage and bowed to Wen Jun. “Thank you, Young Marquis Wen.”

“Send my regards to Lord Song and Miss Song.”

“Certainly. Take care, Young marquis.”

However, the carriage remained still. Wen Jun kept his eyes on the Marquis’ side gate, waiting for someone to open it, and watched the servants come out.

Wen Jun asked, “Where’s Song Ying?”

The servant was stunned for a moment, then bowed and replied, “The young lady should be resting.”

“So early?” Wen Jun closed the carriage window. “Let’s go.”

Fifteen stood quietly, watching the carriage disappear into the distance with a heavy expression.

A servant came forward and asked, “Master Fifteen?”

Fifteen replied, “Please take me to see Lord Song.”

Servant: “This way, please.”

Once he got permission, Fifteen entered Song Yunshan’s study.

Song Yunshan was leaning over a table, flipping through scriptures. Without even lifting his head, he said, “You’re back.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t be dazzled by the glitter and glamor of the capital.”

“Fifteen understands.”

Song Yunshan finally put down the scripture and looked directly at him. “Who did you meet today?”