MLIAM Chapter 21
by VolareYu Shuli was absentmindedly at his own capping ceremony.
Originally, the capping ceremony should have been performed by the father or elder brother. However, Yu Shuli had neither a father nor an elder brother. In the end, it was his grandmother who overruled the objections and placed the cap on his head amidst strange looks from the crowd.
Upon returning from the Temple, Yu Shuli searched everywhere for Wei Yan but couldn’t find him. He assumed that the events of the day had made Wei Yan disgusted with him, so he had run off as if fleeing.
He was too lazy to even attend his own banquet and felt listless all over.
If he had known that Wei Yan would react so strongly, he would have held back those words even if it killed him. He shouldn’t have asked those questions.
Wei Yan had been called away by an invitation.
The invitation was signed by Princess Jiangning. Yu Shuli subconsciously thought it was a matchmaking attempt arranged by his father.
Thinking that he should still refuse in person to save the girl from waiting in vain if he didn’t go, he informed the gatekeeper of the Prime Minister’s Residence that he would be back soon and that Wei Yan didn’t need to wait for him.
However, the gatekeeper was too busy and didn’t remember at all, so naturally, he didn’t inform Wei Yan.
Of course, this is all a story for later.
Yu Shuli followed the invitation’s instructions and arrived at Orphan Alley.
This alley was named Orphan Alley because it was so desolate and the people living there were a mixed bag. Children who strayed into the alley often went missing, hence the name “Orphan Alley.”
The day Yu Shuli and Wei Yan encountered the robbers was also in this alley, which made him more vigilant.
He took each step carefully, keeping his eyes open and his ears alert, fearing that a few more thugs would emerge from the shadows. However, the person standing in front of him was indeed a delicate young lady.
Yu Shuli hid his clenched fist behind him, cursing himself for being overly cautious, and gave an awkward laugh. “Hello, are you Princess Jiangning?”
Jiangning sized him up with a grave expression, her heart filled with doubt. “You are… Yu Shuli?” She seemed to think that this delicate-looking young man didn’t match the rumored image of a rough borderland general.
Fortunately, Yu Shuli nodded. “Sorry… Do I look a bit fierce? I thought some bad people were calling me to this kind of place with ill intentions.”
Hearing him say this, Jiangning was slightly stunned and shook her head. “I am a lady. Meeting you in public will damage my reputation.”
Yu Shuli expressed his understanding.
Jiangning stared at Yu Shuli for a long time, her face slightly flushed, and confirmed again, “Are you really… Yu Shuli?” This time her tone was obviously different, her voice trembling.
Seeing that the other party looked like she was about to cry, Yu Shuli quickly comforted her. “I am… What problems do you have? You can tell me. If your parents are forcing you to meet me, I can also visit them and help you refuse.”
Jiangning was stunned. This idiot actually thought she wanted to marry him?
As expected, he was just a pretty face, only good looks no substance.
But this was fine. If he was not smart, it would be easier to deceive him.
“You misunderstood… I am not here to meet you for a marriage proposal.” Jiangning finally looked away, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Then who are you?” Yu Shuli frowned in confusion.
“You are Wei Yan’s good friend, right? He asked me to find you…” Jiangning said tearfully, “I… I failed to elope with him. Today, at his capping ceremony at the Temple, his family sent someone to find us and exposed the matter… He… He is now being punished in the Temple…”
Upon hearing this, Yu Shuli’s expression changed. “What did you say?”
Jiangning wiped the tears from her cheeks, trying to compose herself. “I said… I am Princess Jiangning. I have a private relationship with Wei Yan. Now his family knows and they are giving him a private punishment. Outsiders can’t enter the Temple, and I am a weak woman, so I have no choice but to come and find you.”
Yu Shuli’s voice turned cold as he asked, “Where is the Temple located?”
Jiangning’s face lit up with joy. “Are you willing to help me?”
Yu Shuli frowned impatiently. “Stop talking nonsense, tell me the location quickly! With his health, being punished is no different from taking his life! Why are you still being so coy?”
Jiangning was scolded but didn’t get angry. She just cried aggrievedly. “I am not sure.”
She was crying with pear blossoms in the rain, seemingly sincere about Wei Yan.
“Not sure about what? Not sure if I am his friend?” Yu Shuli realized that he was being too fierce and quickly softened his tone. “I am indeed not, but you can explain clearly, and I will go and rescue him.”
Only then did Jiangning nod, revealing a smile, and finally said the address she had been preparing for so long.
Yu Shuli turned around and left.
After he left, Jiangning slowly revealed a triumphant smile.
Broken Cliff Ridge, a place where nine out of ten die.
Everyone in the Capital City knew about the terror and steepness of this mountain range. Even the local mountain people would not enter the mountains alone without a companion.
This was because the cliffs of Broken Cliff Ridge were as steep as if they had been cut, with jagged rocks and dense fog in the forests, occasionally accompanied by ferocious beasts. The beasts were mysterious and elusive, chasing people but not biting them to death, only leading them deeper into the forest.
In the end, those who strayed into the forest either succumbed to the poisonous miasma and got lost, or accidentally stumbled off a cliff and fell into the abyss, their bodies never to be found.
Yu Shuli was not from the Capital City and usually didn’t inquire about such forest secrets.
He only knew that Wei Yan was in grave danger.
Yu Shuli had long heard about Wei Yan’s uncles and knew their character very well.
After Wei Yan separated from the family, they couldn’t bear to see Wei Yan gradually recover, let alone now that Wei Yan had passed the provincial examination. With his strength, passing the imperial examination was just one step away.
Now that the main family had caught him with a small handle, they would naturally blow it out of proportion.
Engaging in a private relationship was a small matter, but if it was blown up, Wei Yan’s personal virtue would be tarnished, and not only would he lose the opportunity to take the imperial examination, but he would also face imprisonment.
Yu Shuli absolutely couldn’t let this happen.
Wei Yan had waited too long for this day of the imperial examination.
Yu Shuli left the city and rode his horse with his sword, galloping all the way, his figure quickly disappearing into the forest.
A drizzle began to fall from the sky, and soon after, it was pouring rain.
After a flash of lightning, the horse suddenly stopped without warning, its hooves losing balance, almost throwing him off. Fortunately, Yu Shuli was highly skilled in martial arts and grabbed it, pulling it back.
After a series of pulls, he finally set off again.
Yu Shuli was soaked to the bone, lying on the horse, constantly stroking its back, and whispering to soothe the frightened steed in the heavy rain.
Fortunately, the horse was quite intelligent. It was a warhorse he had brought back from the army camp, so after initially being uncomfortable with the bad weather, it slowly adapted. It didn’t try to escape or throw Yu Shuli off again.
The man and the horse galloped all the way, the reins flying quickly, splashing a pool of muddy water.
In the forest, there was no trace of human presence, and it was covered with thorns.
The thickets of thorns were too narrow for the horse to enter. Yu Shuli had to dismount, tie the horse to a tree, wipe the rain off his face, and feel concerned.
Although this road was near the official road, it was too dangerous. Generally, temples would not be built in such a dangerous and desolate place.
In fact, apart from the moment he first heard the news and felt panicked, after this rainstorm, Yu Shuli’s mind had gradually become clear and calm.
He had already realized that it was likely that Jiangning was lying to him.
The sticky and decaying aura seemed to form an invisible net, enveloping Yu Shuli completely.
Hesitating for a moment, he sighed.
Although he knew there was a high probability that it was a lie, should he go in… or not?