A life of two souls traveling through time

Chapter 437 Mu Liang asks Liu Jiangxi for help

Mu Liang led Qi Qiang and others to Liangdu City after more than half a month of carriage driving under the scorching sun. This time, because Lao Zhou was not there, and there were rumors that bandits in Jingsong State were rampant again, and even the tributes of the court were robbed, Li Yunye was worried about his brother's safety, so he sent three skilled guards to follow him.

Several people checked into the Liangdu Inn before sunset. Since Qi Qiang and his three guards were in the capital for the first time, they found everything very curious. After dinner, Mu Liang asked a steward to take them around Liangdu City, while he went to Fengqifang alone to visit Hong Qing.

Hearing that Brother Liang, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, had come, Hong Qing was overjoyed. She completely ignored Yun Mama's persuasion and declined the invitation from the talented Ouyang Han, and invited Mu Liang to the attic.

"Brother Liang didn't even send a message in advance that he was coming to the capital. If I wasn't free tonight, wouldn't your trip be in vain?"

Hong Qing handed Mu Liang a cold drink and then sat down opposite him, her tone filled with joy but also a hint of anger.

"If we can't meet tonight, tomorrow is fine. I'll stay in Liangdu for a few more days this time, so there's no rush." ​​Mu Liang smiled slightly, his eyes full of tenderness, just like when he was a child. While speaking, he also looked at Hong Qing carefully and asked with concern, "I haven't seen you for more than half a year. How have you been?"

"It's still the same as before. What's good or bad about it? If I have to say something good, there is one. I've been favored by the prince recently, and I've gained some glory in front of others. In the past two days, several petty officials have even come to flatter me, a brothel girl. Don't you think it's funny?" Hong Qing lazily took a sip of the cold drink and said to Mu Liang lightly. She couldn't help but laugh like a silver bell.

Mu Liang said nothing, but lowered his eyes and smiled. It was good that Hong Qing was under the protection of the prince, but the emperor's favor was like flowing water. He still hoped that she could leave the brothel as soon as possible and live a stable life again. However, he had already advised her two or three times before, so he couldn't persuade her again now.

"When did Brother Liang arrive? I'll ask Dafeng to find someone to clean up the yard..." Seeing Mu Liang smiling without saying anything, Hong Qing knew what he was thinking, so she changed the subject and asked.

"No need to trouble you. I've brought a few people with me this time. We can stay in the inn together." Before Hong Qing could finish her words, Mu Liang waved his hand and said with a smile.

"The courtyard is empty anyway, why bother staying in the inn? Could it be that Brother Liang wants to distance himself from Qingqing?" Hong Qing curled her lips in disappointment and sighed sadly.

"Don't have any wild thoughts. It's just that there are too many people with me this time and the courtyard can't accommodate them all. Besides, I won't stay long. I'll just have to stay in the inn for a few days." Mu Liang smiled bitterly and began to explain.

"I'll host a party at noon tomorrow. Can you invite Sister Jiang Xi to gather in the courtyard with us?" After hearing Mu Liang's explanation, Hong Qing's dim eyes brightened up again and she continued to smile.

"The sister Jiang Xi you are talking about is Miss Liu Jiangxi, the talented lady from Beijing?"

"Of course it's the talented lady Liu!" Seeing Brother Liang's surprised face, Hong Qing also smiled, then she turned her head to look at the dark sky outside the window and couldn't help but sigh: "About half a year ago, she was harassed by the grandson of Master Yan at the temple fair. I ran into her and helped her out. Afterwards, we talked for a few sentences and felt that we had a sense of mutual respect, and we got along well without realizing it. It's still incredible to think about it now. We are two people with different identities and ages, but we became close friends after chatting."

"Miss Liu has always been aloof and proud. Her extraordinary knowledge and state of mind are unique in the entire Liangdu City. Such a young lady from an official family is indeed rare, but I feel relieved to have Miss Liu as your companion in the capital." Hong Qing's words made Mu Liang suddenly realize, but he was not surprised that Miss Liu would be close to a brothel girl like Hong Qing. After all, she was not comparable to ordinary women, and she had done many shocking things when she played with her brother before.

"Yes, with her here, I can speak my mind. I don't have to keep it in my heart and drink to relieve my sorrow." Hong Qing's beautiful eyes sparkled with light, and she smiled gently. Then she asked Mu Liang, "How is Mr. Li?"

"Yeah, he's fine." Mu Liang also nodded and smiled.

Afterwards, Hong Qing talked to Mu Liang about some anecdotes that happened in Liangdu City in the past six months, and before they knew it, it was the second watch. Hearing the sound of the night watchman downstairs, Mu Liang asked to leave. Although Hong Qing was reluctant, she knew that the two of them were only brother and sister now. It was late at night, so it was not convenient for her to keep him, so she personally sent him down from the attic, and then asked the maid Dafeng to send him out of Fengqifang.

"Oh, Manager Mu, are you leaving? You rarely come back in half a year, so why don't you stay for a while?" When Mu Liang arrived at the lobby of Fengqifang, Mother Yun came forward to greet him with a smile.

Although Mother Yun was somewhat annoyed tonight because Hong Qing turned down Mr. Ouyang's invitation because of Shopkeeper Mu, after all, Shopkeeper Mu was now the second boss of the famous Li family in Jiangnan, and the apparent friendship had to be maintained and he could not be offended.

"It's late. I'll come back another day. Thank you for your hard work, Mother Yun." Mu Liang naturally realized that Mother Yun was being falsely polite to him, so he just smiled, bowed, and left.

Seeing the other person disappear at the door, the smile on Yun's mother's face also disappeared with a cold snort, and she turned and went upstairs.

The next day, Mu Liang brought Qi Qiang to Li's shop, gave him a few instructions, and then went to visit Zhuo's house.

Old Madam Zhuo was as amiable as ever. When she saw Mu Liang, she was so happy that she took his hand and started to ask him about his well-being. Naturally, she also began to care about her niece, Madam Li, and her grandson Li Yunye.

After Mu Liang Yiyi answered, he took out the handwritten letter from his brother and asked the two guards behind him to present the gifts. These were all local specialties from the south of the Yangtze River prepared by Li Yunye himself.

Mrs. Zhuo received the letter and was so happy to see her nephew's filial piety that she could not wait to open the letter in front of others. Reading the greetings and thoughts of her nephew in the letter, the past events came to her mind vividly, and she couldn't help but burst into tears and sobbed.

Mu Liang hurriedly stroked the old lady's back and comforted her softly.

Because Censor Zhuo was not at home, Mu Liang stayed with the old lady in the Zhuo mansion for a while and was about to get up to say goodbye, but was forced by the old lady Zhuo to stay at the mansion for lunch. He could not refuse and had to ask his escort to go to the Liu Mansion next door to pass on a message to Miss Liu.

Liu Jiangxi accepted Hong Qing's invitation and was about to go out. When he heard the words from Li Jiahu, he naturally understood and then brought the words back to the courtyard.

Although Hong Qing felt a little disappointed when she learned about this, since it was Old Madam Zhuo who asked her to stay, she understood that Brother Liang, as a junior, could not refuse. At least Jiang Xi was by his side so he would not be alone and feel lonely.

They thought there was still a chance but didn't want to miss it again. On the second day, Hong Qing was suddenly summoned by the prince to the summer resort outside the city to accompany him, so the two of them never had the chance to meet in the courtyard. Even on the day Mu Liang left Liangdu City, Hong Qing still couldn't come back to see him off.

"Shopkeeper Wood!"

Before leaving Liangdu, Mu Liang came to the outside of the courtyard and stopped for a moment, then he sighed and turned to get on the carriage, but he heard a call from behind. He turned around and saw Liu Jiangxi coming towards him.

"Miss Liu, long time no see." The two were not close friends, so Mu Liang stepped forward and greeted her politely.

"This is the letter Hong Qing left for Manager Mu." Liu Jiangxi also returned the greeting slightly, and then handed a letter to the other party.

"Thank you." Mu Liang took the letter, nodded and smiled again, but couldn't help but sigh.

"Hong Qing was summoned by the prince, and she couldn't..." Liu Jiangxi noticed Mu Liang's sad face, and thought that he was disappointed that Hong Qing didn't come to see him off. When he was about to explain, he heard him say:

"Ms. Liu did not despise Hong Qing in the capital and allowed her to keep him company. Mu Liang is very grateful, but I would also like to ask Miss Liu to persuade her to make plans early and leave Fengqifang. If she needs any help, she can go directly to Li's shop and ask someone to send a letter to Jiangnan. I will do my best to help her."

"So this is what Shopkeeper Mu is worried about?" Liu Jiangxi heaved a sigh of relief when she saw that Shopkeeper Mu did not blame Hong Qing. His worries were naturally what she often worried about for Hong Qing, but Liu Jiangxi also knew that Hong Qing did not want to owe Shopkeeper Mu any more favors, so she would definitely not ask him no matter what.

"I treat her like my own sister, so naturally I hope she can live a good life." Mu Liang couldn't help but sigh again.

"Hong Qing is now favored by the prince. Even if she wants to escape, it will be difficult. But Shopkeeper Mu can rest assured. If there is a chance, I will do my best to help her."

"Mu Liang would like to thank Miss Liu here." The determination on Liu Jiangxi's face touched Mu Liangming, and he solemnly bowed to Liu Jiangxi again.