Chapter 9

After reading the announcement, Liang Xiao quickly left the residence of the Grand Minister and returned to Qingyun Lane, where it was already past noon.

Tuniu had originally intended to pay respects to the master who taught Liang Xiao archery, but Liang Xiao stopped him. Liang Xiao repeatedly warned him not to mention it to anyone. Tuniu, annoyed by the constant nagging, rolled his eyes and angrily said, "Xiao, are you not treating me as a brother anymore?"

"No, I just want you to be more careful and not talk recklessly."

"Do I look like someone who talks recklessly?" Tuniu's face turned red.

Liang Xiao stared at Tuniu for a long time, then nodded forcefully, "Yes, you do."

"Fine, we're done!" Tuniu shouted in anger, turning and walking away.

Liang Xiao laughed and didn't chase after him, returning home on his own. He and Tuniu had known each other for many years, and they had declared they would break up countless times, but it never lasted more than a day. Perhaps in half an hour, Tuniu would come looking for him again.

Upon entering the house, Liang Xiao first went to the west wing. As usual, his mother, Liang Miao, was busy at the loom. Hearing Liang Xiao's footsteps, she looked up, then lowered her head and continued working.

"The food is in the pot, and the soup is on the stove. Help yourself."

"Mother, have you eaten yet?" Liang Xiao leaned over the loom, seeing the sweat on his mother's forehead, feeling a sudden sense of guilt.

"I've already eaten." Liang Miao, noticing her son's strange expression, laughed, "What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing." Liang Xiao scratched his head. "Um... I met Hu Lai again today and had a confrontation." He recounted the incident at the Grand Minister's residence, concluding, "Mother, I... caused trouble again."

Liang Miao stopped the loom, glanced at Liang Xiao, and frowned. "What you did was indeed inappropriate. Attacking someone in front of so many people, how can you ensure no one will notice? If you want revenge, challenge him openly. Losing won't be shameful, and if you win by chance, he won't have much to say."

Liang Xiao rolled his eyes; his mother, being a single mother, was no less bold than any man.

"I understand." Liang Xiao had wanted to say he would challenge Hu Lai right away, but at the last moment, he said, "I will practice archery and then challenge him."

"Good, that's what a man should do." Liang Miao nodded in satisfaction and resumed her work.

Liang Xiao left the west wing, the sound of the loom behind him making him feel very heavy-hearted. Although his mother spoke lightly, he knew that everything depended on Hu Lai maintaining his dignity. If Hu Lai decided to use his family's power against him, they would be like ants facing a giant beast, with no ability to resist.

He had been impulsive just now, seeking only temporary satisfaction without considering the serious consequences.

Liang Xiao stood in the corridor for a moment, then entered the east wing. The prisoner, Huan Jun, was sitting by the window, gently rubbing his leg, his single, sharp eye watching Liang Xiao with a cold expression. "Did you find anything?"

Liang Xiao didn't speak, sitting down opposite him and bowing respectfully. He recounted the events, concluding, "Huan Jun, there is no one named Huan Sheng in Shi Li. I have failed to live up to your trust, and I am truly ashamed."

The prisoner looked at his palm and said calmly, "From what you say, it seems you are giving up?"

"Yes." Liang Xiao turned his head, looking at the west wing, and after a moment's thought, said, "I have never met you before, and it was presumptuous of me to seek your archery skills. Guangling City is full of hidden dragons and tigers, and I am just a commoner. I can't play such games and should step back."

The prisoner nodded. "What you say makes sense. Wealth and honor come with risks, and they are not suitable for everyone."

Liang Xiao bowed again, got up, and was about to leave when the prisoner called him back.

"Come here." The prisoner extended his left arm as if holding a bow. "Feel my shoulder."

Liang Xiao hesitated for a moment, "Huan Jun, I cannot accept a favor without earning it. I must decline." He bowed deeply and left, closing the door behind him.

The prisoner remained still, watching Liang Xiao leave, a faint smile flickering on his lips.

Outside, Liang Xiao's lips also curved into a faint smile, which quickly faded. He walked steadily into the kitchen, took the food from the stove, and began to eat.

After finishing his meal, Liang Xiao went to the west wing, sat by the loom, and continued his eye exercises. Liang Miao found it strange and looked at him several times but said nothing, continuing her work.

Mother and son each busied themselves until late at night. Liang Miao finished weaving the brocade, raised her hand, and gently massaged her sore shoulders. Liang Xiao quickly stood up and moved behind her. "Mother, let me help you."

Liang Miao raised an eyebrow, "Why aren't you practicing archery, and instead learning such a servant's skill?"

"Mother, sharpening the axe doesn't hinder chopping wood. The time to practice archery hasn't come yet, and practicing now would be in vain. Massaging is a servant's skill, but a son massaging his mother, what's shameful about that? Lao Lai, even in his old age, still entertained his parents in colorful clothes."

"What story is this?" Liang Miao asked in surprise, "Xiao, what's the connection between this Lao Lai and Laozi? And where did you hear these stories? I've never heard them before."

Liang Xiao broke out in a cold sweat, having accidentally revealed a slip of the tongue.

Liang Xiao took some effort to cover up the story of Lao Lai, returned to his room, washed up, and got into bed. However, he didn't sleep, but instead listened intently to every sound outside.

After a long time, he suddenly heard the window of the east wing rattle twice, followed by the sound of Huan Jun's cane tapping the ground. Then, the door of the wing creaked and returned to silence.

Liang Xiao wanted to get up and check, but he didn't move.

He could roughly guess who had come. He also knew that neither of these two were ordinary people, and with his abilities, he couldn't hide from their senses. It was better to remain still and see what they were up to before making any moves.

After leaving Shi Li, he had returned to ask the village head about the amnesty, not just making it up. When he mentioned Huan Sheng's name, the village head's expression was suspicious. He must have known Huan Sheng and that Huan Sheng was not in Shi Li, or even nearby, which is why he suggested Liang Xiao inquire in the vicinity.

Since he knew Huan Sheng, he must also know the prisoner. When he heard about the amnesty, he would certainly come to investigate. Liang Xiao's goal was to lure him here to see who this prisoner, Huan Jun, really was. If it was too dangerous, it would be better to keep his distance to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

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