The buildings along the Luo River banks stretched out to the left and right. Not too far ahead there was a tall campanile, magnificently towering high over the Luo River dividing the city into two sections.
Li Jing sighed and said, "I had never thought that when we parted that day, it's only now that we can meet again. Su Mei is really something; were it not for her, I, Li Jing, could forget about sitting here with you, reminiscing over the old times. Therefore, when I heard Li Mi rose up in rebellion, I knew something bad was about to happen, I rushed to Xingyang immediately, and found out that you guys have rescued her out.”
Xu Ziling felt a lump in his throat; he nearly burst into tears. Struggling hard to control himself, he said in heavy voice, "Why did Li Dage let her return to Xingyang that day? Didn't you know that Xingyang's Longtou Mansion was a very dangerous place to be?”
Li Jing smiled wryly and said, "Su Mei's kindness to me was as heavy as the mountain, how could I, Li Jing, be that kind of ungrateful ? It's a pity that she had had her mind made up. Knowing that I would stop her, unexpectedly she left a letter and quietly left me. At that time my internal injury had not been healed, if I ran after her, we would come across more wind and rain. Upon recovering from my heavy injury, I went to Xingyang to look for her, but Su Mei refused to see me. I had no choice but to go to Luoyang first, and then continuing into Guanzhong. And now I am working for the King of Qin.”
Listening to this, Xu Ziling was dumbstruck.
Turned out that was what happened!
※ ※ ※
Dong Shuni's countenance turned cold, "Anybody that Da Jiujiu like, I don't!” she spoke indifferently.
Seeing Kou Zhong was staring at her with his big eyes, she stomped her feet and snarled, "What's so strange about that? Can't I pick someone I like? Da Jiujiu has never liked my Die, but Niang was happier than any woman out there. Niang used to say previously they were free to select any partner from among the wildfire.”
Kou Zhong breathed a sigh of relief instead. Smiling, he asked, "In that case, can I get lost now?”
This time it was Dong Shuni who stared at him with her big eyes. "Did you hear what I said?” she said, "I said I don't like you anymore; don't you feel sad and broken hearted?”
Kou Zhong stood up, stretched his limbs, and started to walk toward the cabin door. Without stopping, he said, "Of course I am deeply grieved. I just want to go back to my room and cry my eyes out. Ha …”
Kou Zhong turned around to catch the precious porcelain vase Dong Shuni was throwing at his back. Giggling, he said, "I have a really bad habit: I don't like to be manipulated by others. I prefer to eat soft food, but refuse to have hard food [i.e. amenable to coaxing but not coercion]. Ha!” With a wave of his hand, he whisked the porcelain vase back toward Dong Shuni.
While Dong Shuni was frantically catching the vase, he pushed the door and swaggered out.
‘Bang!'
The vase was thrown once again; it crashed against the door and disintegrated into pieces.
※ ※ ※
"How's Su Mei doing?” Li Jing asked in concern.
Xu Ziling heard his own voice responding, "She is in Baling, and she is married now.”
Li Jing sounded cheerful, "I am really happy for her. Which family is so lucky to have her?”
Xu Ziling was visibly shaken; he looked at Li Jing in disbelief.
Li Jing was puzzled, "Why did your, Xiao Ling's countenance, look so strange? Is there something wrong with Su Mei's husband?”
Xu Ziling asked in surprise, "Su Jie married another man, Li Dage did not feel disappointed?”
Frowning, Li Jing said, "If Su Mei has a place to call home, I can't be more happy than that. Is there any problem with this man?”
After staring at Li Jing for half a day, Xu Ziling shook his head and said, "I do not dare to be positive about it.”
Li Jing laughed and said, "You nearly scared me to death. Who is this man anyway? Isn't Baling Xiao Xian's territory?”
Xu Ziling nodded and said, "This man is precisely Xiao Xian's man, his name is Xiang Yushan.”
Li Jing's countenance changed, "What?” he blurted out.
Xu Ziling was shocked, "Is there really a problem with him?”
Li Jing showed a pained expression. It was quite a while before he sighed and said, "Whether in himself this man has a problem, I am not sure at all; but I do know … ay! Xiao Ling, please forgive me for having a hidden trouble too hard to mention, hence I cannot fluently tell you all I wanted. Heavens! How could there be such a coincidence?”
Xu Ziling's brain traveled at the speed of light; he spoke heavily, "Just now Li Dage said that you are working under the King of Qin. Isn't the King of Qin Li Yuan's second son, Li Shimin?”
Li Jing nodded, "That's him all right,” he replied, "He also has high regards toward you. Aren't you looking to make a breakthrough in doing great undertaking? He is going to be a good emperor.”
Xu Ziling laughed coldly and said, "Can he ascend to the throne? He is merely the King of Qin, but the heir apparent is actually Li Jiancheng. Just by listening to Li Dage, I know the rift between the two brothers. Li Clan is facing a disaster, big chaos will arise. Li Dage still want to mingle in this muddy water?”
Li Jing solemnly said, "Xiao Ling, you have grown up, your knowledge and experience are greatly different from the past, but I, Li Jing, am not the kind of person who sees trouble and shrink back.”
After a pause, his eyes glittered like frost and snow as he gazed on the Luo River below, which water flowed in perpetuity, and then he said slowly, "The trials and tribulations of a nation today are the same as in time past, unless it obtained enlightened sage as its lord, it cannot be governed peacefully. And the problem facing the nation is not for the squeamish. Nowadays, who did not know that the Li Clan's territory was won over by the King of Qin? Also, only he has the talent and morality and conduct, which will benefit thousands of people. Xiao Ling, do you understand what I am saying?”
Xu Ziling's heart was vexed, as if there was a heavy stone weighing the pit of his stomach; after taking a long, slow breathe, he felt slightly comfortable. He said, "Li Dage is not in Guanzhong, but came to such a dangerous place like this, what is this all about?”
Lowering his voice, Li Jing replied, "I came to Luoyang this time is indeed for a very important matter, but right now I cannot tell you yet.”
And then he pulled Xu Ziling up and said, "Come with me, your Sister-in-law must be worried sick waiting for us!”
"Sister-in-law?” Xu Ziling blurted.