Heroes of the Fantasy World

Chapter 630 Young Love

(3)

The sudden visit of an old friend seemed to disrupt his daily life. Qu Boyan, who was always known for his wisdom and elegance, actually ran home immediately after completing his routine, sweating profusely.

At that time, Wuchuan Town was short of soldiers and horses, so ordinary officials could not be allocated horses.

When he arrived at the door of his house, he saw his wife Guo Yu waiting anxiously there. Qu Boyan stepped forward and asked, "How long have they been waiting?"

Guo Yu said: "You just got here this morning, hurry up and take a shower and change your clothes!"

"No need for that." Qu Boyan said as he walked, "When facing old friends and classmates, why should we go through so much formality?"

  It was the first time for the servants who followed him to see Qu Boyan in such a state. They were all stunned with astonishment. Their expressions seemed to be saying: Is this still the Qu Boyan we remember?

After Qu Boyan finished speaking, he quickly shook off the people around him and went straight to find him.

Two knights dressed as wandering knights were waiting in the house.

"Ah Jing? Junior Sister Yue?" They both stood up. Qu Boyan walked over and shook Jing's hand warmly, saying, "It's been many years since we last met. I hope you are doing well."

Jing Ji replied, "Bo Yan, you too. I thought Qu Boyan would become a military commander, but I didn't expect him to become a civil official now? It's fate that plays tricks on us!"

"No, no, two years ago I accidentally learned that General Gao needed counselors to help. In order to revive the Qu family, I had to come to Wuchuan to try my luck. I can do anything as long as I can display my talents." Qu Boyan saw his wife Guo Yu also coming slowly, went to greet her, and introduced: "Madam, these two are my fellow students in Yuyi Academy, and you should have met each other a few times."

Yue Qingling then asked without hesitation: "Xiaoyu, when will you take me to see the treasure you just mentioned?"

"Qingling!" Jingzhi scolded, "This is not our home. We should at least show some respect to the owner."

Yue Qingling seemed to be deliberately singing a different tune and provocatively said: "What's the matter? Xiaoyu is willing to show it to me, so why can't I watch it? You guys just talk about your things, we women will wait obediently by the side, are you satisfied?"

"I...how could I have ever said that?!" Jing Ji looked at Qu Boyan and Guo Yu helplessly.

"Well, it's not really a treasure, just a painting." Guo Yu seemed a little apologetic and tried to smooth things over: "You guys chat slowly, I'll go prepare some tea."

The three of them took a break and took their seats.

"I wonder if you two have anything important to tell me since you have come from so far away?" Qu Boyan asked first.

Jing Ji said, "Brother Boyan, we came here not only to reminisce about the past, but also to convey the words of the academy's owner, Zhao Xiaomei. These words are so important that we cannot use letters to deliver them."

"Please say there are no outsiders here."

Yue Qingling continued, "Saint Murong Yan is back! Moreover, she has made her own 'prophecy'. Soon, the emperor will pass away, and then the world will fall into the hands of the Taiping Dao!"

After hearing this, Qu Boyan immediately disguised his expression as usual and said, "The emperor is old, and everyone knows this. If it weren't for the imperial teacher Sima Tu who had been feeding him with the 'immortal medicine', I'm afraid the emperor would have passed away long ago. If this matter alone is used to prove that the Taiping Dao had the intention of rebellion, it will be difficult to convince the public."

"The medicine will run out." Jing Ji said calmly, "What's more, the immortal medicine of Taiping Dao is made from the blood of the Saint. Before the overall situation is determined, Sima Tu will definitely not stop looking for the Saint Murong Yan."

"In other words, the Taiping Dao will frequently invade the northern border." Thorn's tone became more certain.

Yue Qingling continued, "If the people in the northern borders are harmed by the Taiping Dao, I'm sure the general won't feel good about it either?" "The general has already spent all his wealth on disaster relief and to fill the gaps in food and wages. If he can't pay the taxes for the first half of the year, he will probably be recalled to the court for questioning. The envoys ordered to collect taxes have already arrived in Wuchuan, and they visit the general's mansion every day like a death warrant." Qu Boyan finally put down his airs and opened his heart at this moment: "Alas, after working here for a few years, in addition to learning how to rob Peter to pay Paul, I also have to learn how to avoid being discovered by others what I'm thinking. If people find out, no one will survive tomorrow."

Jingzhi comforted him: "You are so tired, why don't you come back to Yuyi Town?"

"I have finally managed to get a position as an official, and Boyan really doesn't want to bring shame to my family... Also, the reason why Xiaoyu's father agreed to this marriage is because I can work under the general." Qu Boyan lost his arrogance and became dejected and helpless in the blink of an eye.

"What exactly should I do to make everyone live a good life?" Qu Boyan shouted to the sky.

Jing Ji deliberately imitated Zhao Xiaomei's tone and replied, "Since the Taiping Dao is coming, let them come! We just need to drive them away and disperse them, and then take away the people's wealth they have robbed to comfort the people and gradually ease their resentment. In this way, the general can also breathe a sigh of relief."

"The Taiping Daoists are also civilians. Killing someone means paying with one's life, right?!" Qu Boyan hesitated and said, "This strategy is not only unreasonable, but will also offend the Imperial Master Sima Tu. It is hard to imagine what the consequences will be."

Yue Qingling was getting impatient, so she stood up and cursed, "Why don't you understand? You're just an aide! As long as the general acquiesces, who knows who would do such a thing!"

"Acquiescence..." Qu Boyan suddenly had an idea: "This is a brilliant plan! But..."

Thorn asked, "Just what?"

"The envoy sent by the court is pressing for help. If the general is recalled to the court, he will be put under house arrest and Gao Ang will never be able to return to Beizhen!" Qu Boyan scratched his head and thought for a while: "There is a way, which requires someone to take a risk. As long as the imperial edict and official seal used by the envoy to prove his identity are stolen, he will have no choice but to return. But who can do such a thing? The envoy has hundreds of personal guards around him!"

Yue Qingling smiled charmingly: "You don't have to worry about this."

"To be honest, there are more than two of us traveling with us to Wuchuan this time." Before Jing Ji finished speaking, a green figure suddenly appeared outside the window. He introduced, "Also, our Senior Brother Su!"

Su Qing muttered to himself as he climbed over the window: "I heard everything just now, fellow apprentices. I thought you could be more capable and let me show up later."

"The chivalrous thief Su Qing!" Qu Bo finished speaking, and there was a sound of a teacup being smashed from the other side. It was Guo Yu who had just made tea: "Who is this? How did he suddenly appear?"

"My name is Su Qing!" Su Qing went over to pick up the fragments and looked at them. He nodded with satisfaction and said, "By the way, can I take a look at the precious calligraphy and painting that Madam Qu just mentioned? I have no other intentions, I just want to broaden my horizons."

Yue Qingling stood in front of Su Qing in shock and said, "Let me take a look first. How can he appreciate calligraphy and painting? He must want to steal the treasure!"

Su Qing did not refute, but just shook his head with a smile.

Guo Yu recalled and remembered that Su Qing was the rude thief who broke into her boudoir that day. Although he did not do anything rude, he facilitated her love with Qu Boyan. So she agreed to let everyone see the painting.

The painting is not signed by anyone. It is an ink painting of a scholar intoxicated by the mountains and rivers, but there are some popular poems on it. It is rumored that they are written by Xie Lingyun himself.

For some reason, Qu Boyan and Guo Yu were always fascinated by it.

Seeing this, Su Qing just smiled slightly, turned around and left.

He slept on the roof until nightfall, and then went to say goodbye to Jing Ji and Yue Qingling. Before leaving, he said, "The painting is fake, but the emotion in it is indeed rare. Remember to protect each other, no matter what happens."

After saying this, the thief disappeared into the night.