Seems like we’re lost…” ”Impressive,” Fu Shen scoffed, casually pointing, “Just walk anywhere. The courtyard is so small, you could walk out with your eyes closed. Isn’t there a small building ahead?” Du Leng, ashamed, didn’t dare to make a sound and silently pushed Fu Shen towards the building. They stopped in front of a three-story small building, and Fu Shen raised an eyebrow interestedly, saying, “A scripture building? How secluded.” They had passed many halls, and although Fu Shen had been distracted, he could estimate their location within Qingxu Temple. This scripture building was in a remote location, far from the monks’ quarters, hidden behind a large grove of trees, appearing rarely visited. ”Let’s go in and see.” Du Leng struggled to carry Fu Shen and the wheelchair up the steps, panting heavily: “Can’t get in. The door is locked.” Fu Shen went to look and said, “No problem.” He flipped his hand and somehow produced a small knife, quickly breaking the bronze lock. With a push, the two wooden doors opened wide, releasing a musty smell of old paper and dust. Du Leng: “…” Fu Shen’s hands were too fast. Du Leng hadn’t even seen his movement, and the heavy bronze lock was like a small toy in his hand. Most importantly… how could a sick person casually pull out a knife! The book hall was covered in dust. Du Leng huffed and puffed, moving the wheelchair over the threshold.
The article has been edited to remove extraneous details while ensuring the plot remains coherent.
A mere physician, unlike those warriors who could easily carry the marquis upstairs. “Forget it,” Fu Shen said, unable to bear it, supporting himself on the armrest to stand, “I’ll walk myself.” His knee bones were completely shattered, and his tendons were damaged, but he could still stand. With proper care, he still had hope of recovery. However, in the short term, he couldn’t walk normally, and even after the wounds healed, he wouldn’t be able to stay on the front lines for long like before.
Fu Shen’s Injury News Could Not Be Concealed, and the Emperor Immediately Ordered Him to Return to the Capital for Recovery. Fu Shen Had Long Known the Emperor Was Wary of Him, but Didn’t Expect Him to Be So Impatient.
He Could Only Respond in Kind, Exaggerating His Injuries to Protect Himself. The Appearance of Disability Was Entirely for the Emperor’s Benefit. However, Fu Shen’s Bones Had Almost Healed, and He Could Walk for a While Without Issue. However, He Had to Maintain the Pretense in Front of Others, Careful Not to Reveal Any Flaws.
Du Leng Knew His True Condition. To Make the Limp Convincing, He Even Provided Fu Shen with a Special Pill That Could Cause Leg Weakness and Loss of Sensation.
Du Leng Closed the Door and Cautiously Advised, “Take It Slow. You Haven’t Walked Much Recently. Be Careful Not to Fall.”
Are Your Legs Still Painful?”
“A Bit, But It’s Fine,” Fu Shen carefully found his balance, supporting himself against the wall as he slowly walked past the bookshelves. “No one has been here for a long time, and it’s not been cleaned. But the steps at the entrance are clean, as if people frequently pass through. How strange.”
Du Leng pushed the wheelchair behind him. Fu Shen went upstairs to the second floor, glanced at the dilapidated books disinterestedly, and when he reached the end of the room, he suddenly made a soft “Hmm?” sound.
Du Leng didn’t understand. Fu Shen walked back and forth in the room, frowning and saying, “Downstairs.”
They returned to the first floor, walking back and forth again. Fu Shen tapped the walls methodically. Du Leng, seeing his furrowed brow, couldn’t help but ask, “General, what’s wrong?”
“Something’s not right,” Fu Shen said. “Don’t you feel it? The rooms on the second floor seem larger than those on the first floor.”
Du Leng shook his head blankly.
Fu Shen instructed, “Count how many steps from the door to this wall, then go upstairs and follow the same route.”
Du Leng did as told and quickly ran down from the second floor, looking shocked. “The second floor is at least one step longer! Could it be…”
Fu Shen raised a finger, signaling for silence.
He whispered, “Go find General Wei, bring a few people, and some wet firewood…”
“
Chapter 38 Dispute | Quarrel at the Bedhead, Reconciliation at the Bedfoot
“You…” Yan Xiaohan’s heart was racing, the feeling of stepping into emptiness not yet completely dissipated, he glared at Fu Shen, so angry he was stammering: “You…”
Fu Shen’s attitude was particularly good, particularly gentle: “Mm. Go ahead.”
Yan Xiaohan: “…”
As the saying goes, one doesn’t hit a smiling person, let alone a high-mountain flower like Lord Fu who rarely gives a good face. Yan Xiaohan said “you” for a long time but couldn’t get out a second word, his authority as head of the household completely swept away. So he turned his anger elsewhere, launching into a tirade at Wei Xuzhou: “Why are there still people here? I told you to dig three feet deep, not even leaving a mouse hole unturned. How did you handle this? I asked you to bring people to guard Qingxu Temple, what did you do, huh? You’re even playing along with him!
Wei Xuzhou was aggrieved: “I, I…”
“What are you ‘I’ing!” Yan Xiaohan said sternly, “What if it’s not just one person hiding inside, but a gang of thieves? With you three, aren’t you just delivering a meal?”
“And you!” He finally found his scolding momentum, turning to Fu Shen, “Risking your life alone, think about your identity before causing trouble! These aren’t ordinary petty thieves, but desperate criminals who dared to assassinate His Majesty in the imperial palace. If a real fight breaks out, you’re inconvenienced, these people can barely protect themselves, who can protect you?”
He was truly angry, and people around couldn’t help but shrink their necks. Fu Shen said sincerely: “My lady’s criticism is right, I will definitely be careful in the future and not make the same mistake again.”
Yan Xiaohan felt Fu Shen hadn’t heard a single word, that admitting fault was purely to placate a child. Feeling heartache, he broke free from his hand and gave him a cold glance, saying: “Frivolous.”
Then he no longer paid him any attention, walking straight towards the black-clothed man nailed to the pillar.
Fu Shen had been publicly snubbed and was momentarily stunned. His wrist hung in mid-air, still in the shape of reaching out, he unconsciously curled his fingers, as if suddenly awakening, drawing his hand back to his front, looking somewhat at a loss at Yan Xiaohan’s back.
In his memory, he seemed to have never seen Yan Xiaohan truly angry; that person was usually restrained, and even if angry, would not direct it at him. Fu Shen realized he was always the one being coaxed, believing himself beyond reproach, always waiting for others to apologize, then going with the flow to forgive or ruthlessly cutting ties. Even when placating, he had never lowered his stance, only using sweet talk and playful jokes to smooth things over.
But on a day when the one who indulges no longer indulges, the one who compromises no longer compromises, he would know the taste of being abandoned.
The scene was awkward, with no one caring about the person who rushed out of the scripture building. Those who knew the story were worried, while those unaware thought these two were indeed incompatible. Fu Shen hadn’t figured out how to handle the situation, but the matter was resolved, and with the Flying Dragon Guard handling the case, he felt Yan Xiaohan probably wouldn’t want him to be in the way.
He sighed, signaling Du Leng to leave, saying to Wei Xuzhou: “I’ll take my leave…”
Before he could finish, Yan Xiaohan, as if with eyes in the back of his head, coldly said: “Where are you going? Come here.”
Fu Shen didn’t understand and didn’t move.
