Chapter 176: Let's Take a Bath Together

  The weather in Shu was great, and Song Chuyi's injuries had slightly improved, so she asked Ji Yu to accompany her on a stroll around Tianjing.

  The sky is a brilliant blue, the lake is like a mirror, reflecting the surrounding red maples, yellow apricots, and green pines. Afternoon sunshine warms, gentle breeze rustles, Song Chu stands under a hundred-year-old silver apricot tree by the lake, narrowing his eyes to savor this rare peaceful moment.

  Ji Yu stood beside her with his sword drawn, gazing down at the silver ginkgo leaves in the water being gently caressed by the breeze, creating ripples.

  If it weren't for the withered leaves falling, it would be like a still painting.

  In the silence, the rustling sound of footsteps on fallen leaves grew louder, and as it drew closer, Song Chuyi closed her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips.

  A moment later, a middle-aged man's voice sounded, "But Mr. Huaiyin?"

  "Who is it?" Ji Yu turned his head to look over.

  When strangers meet and their eyes intersect, a slight chill runs through his heart, and he sighs to himself, "What sharp eyes!"

  Song Chu turned around and smiled slightly at the middle-aged man, saying "Lord Heng".

  Zhu Heng glanced at Ji Yu again, hesitated for a moment before taking a step forward towards Song Chu, also putting on a smile, "The scenery of the Heavenly Realm is beautiful, sir, I hope you're enjoying it!"

  "Wherever you are, as long as your heart is at ease, isn't that a good thing?" Song Chu asked.

  Just like now, Zhu Heng and Song Chuyi are standing here, but Zhu Heng's heart is not necessarily at ease.

  Zhu Heng was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Sir is indeed wise, I have come specifically to find you! Sir is really easy to find!"

  Ji Yu heard the words, her eyes slightly turned and fell on Song Chuyi. The other day, Song Chuyi had an injury on his body, so he stayed in the small courtyard to rest and hadn't come out yet. He came to Tianjing today, probably specifically to wait for Zhu Heng!

  Song Chuoyi didn't explain and instead asked, "I don't know what important matter Lord Heng has come here for?"

  The king has recently been quite fond of male beauty. Ya-Wen's words were full of emotion as he spoke. Zhu Heng stared at Song Chu-Yi, but unfortunately did not see any change in her expression, and continued to say: "I heard that Mr. knows a man named Min Zi-Huan... I've been chasing him for two days, and yesterday I almost caught him, but was blocked by his loyal subordinates. He is now seriously injured. I'm afraid he won't be able to go far, and it shouldn't be difficult to catch him, but after thinking about it, there are some things that don't quite add up, so I came to ask for Mr.'s advice."

  "Heng Da-ren, please go ahead and speak." Song Chu-yi's expression remained calm as ever.

  Zhu Heng thoroughly gave up observing her and directly asked, "Sir, do you know what identity this person has and why there are dead soldiers guarding him?"

  "Why must Lord Zhu be so evasive? Everyone knows that I have had dealings with Min Chi, and I do not deny it. When I mention him to the Emperor, there is a hint of revenge in my words." Song Chu smiled lightly, brushing off the fallen leaves from his shoulder, and raised an eyebrow at Zhu Heng, "He is now serving under Wei country. The people of Wei have secretly entered Shu with their dead soldiers. What does Lord Zhu think?"

  Zhu Heng's expression turned solemn. He had previously only thought that Min Chi was not an ordinary person and had also heard that someone was specifically sent to investigate him. He had vaguely heard rumors about the two of them, but he didn't understand the details, so he suspected that Song Chuyi deliberately recommended this man to King Wang with ulterior motives. However, he hadn't thought deeper than that. The strategist from Wei State brought a large number of elite soldiers into Shu, and definitely wouldn't help Shu State with construction!

  Thinking of this, Zhu Heng's eyes occasionally glanced at Ji Yu's body.

  What's more obvious than that - aren't you also carrying a dead body?

  Song Chu'er pretended to be unaware and smiled, "This is Ji Yu. A friend I met in the state of Wei."

  "Ah, nice to meet you!" Zhu Heng was taken aback and cupped his hands in greeting.

  The courtesy of clasping hands and returning thanks.

  "Is there anything else, Mr. Heng?" Song Chu asked.

  Zhu Heng saw that Song Chu had subtly given the order to expel the guests, but it was actually his own previous suspicions that had provoked her. He couldn't very well clarify things, so he could only cup his hands and say: "I have an impolite request, I hope Mr. will forgive my audacity."

  "It doesn't matter, within my capabilities, I won't decline. When I first met you, Mr. Zhu, your expression seemed to have some doubts, so I continued, 'I had some epiphanies in the beautiful mountains and rivers of Shu, now I've resigned from my official position in Qin, planning to stay in Shu for a while, maybe a few months or three to five years, or even settle down. However, there are many tribes in Shu, and the roads are complicated, so I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Zhu, to take care of me often."

  Recalling Song Chu'er's behavior when she first arrived in Shu, Zhu Heng immediately believed her words seven or eight tenths. As for this small request, he thoughtlessly agreed to it, "It's a trivial matter! If you have any difficulties, just tell me."

  Since Song Chu had a request, Zhu Heng brought up the request again and added a few more points, "King Wang has been in a bad mood these past few days, saying that he must catch Min Zihuan no matter what. You also know, sir, that the Battle of Ba and Chu is currently slightly in favor of Chu. Although our Shu state and Ba state have never gotten along, after all, we are connected by bone and tendon. For King Wang to mobilize 30,000 troops to find a man who has run away with his daughter, it's really... not the best timing."

  Zhu Heng sighed helplessly, bowed deeply and said, "I see that Your Majesty gets along well with Master Zhuang. I'd like to ask the master to advise Your Majesty. I'll take my leave here!"

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, he took a few steps forward, stretched out his hand to help him up, and said, "Lord Heng, there is no need for this. When I recommended this young man to His Majesty, I did not expect that His Majesty would be so attentive, leading to today's situation. If I can persuade His Majesty, it is also what I should do."

  "Where is it? The strategist of Wei State brought death warriors to secretly enter Shu State, and also thanks to Mr. reminding." said Zhu Heng.

  The two men exchanged a few compliments and walked side by side back to Wang City, chatting and laughing.

  This encounter, however, gave Song Chuyi a different impression of Zhu Heng. She had originally thought that Zhu Heng was just a narrow-minded person, but now she realized that he might be because he had been closed in these mountains and had never gone out, so his understanding of the Central Plains was not so detailed, but his ability and loyalty to Shu were beyond doubt.

  Led by Zhu Heng, Song Chu Yi and Ji Yu directly entered the palace.

  After waiting for a while outside the hall, the messenger invited Song Chuyi to enter.

  Because Song had very few discussions with the Shu king about government affairs, and had many novel and interesting ideas, he was favored by the Shu king. These days, he was being advised by his ministers and felt dizzy and confused, and the women in the harem were not only common but also sticky and annoying, making him feel very annoyed. At this time, hearing that Song came to pay respects, he suddenly became spirited.

  The servant led Song Chuyi through the grand hall, circling around several corridors before arriving at a secluded spot. Looking inside, she saw wisps of steam rising up and thought to herself that something was off.

  She had just thought of this when she heard the voice of the King of Shu, "Help Mr. Huaijin change his clothes and come down to soak with me for a while."

  It was originally a hot spring here, with a small area, but the water quality is very good, and it was built into a semi-detached house and garden.

  "The king is being considerate, I understand." Song Chuyi took a step back, avoiding the servant who came to help her undress. "The king also knows that Huaichen was injured a few days ago and the scab has not fallen off yet, it's really inconvenient for him to get in the water."

  "Hmm, I've had a headache for the past few days and my memory isn't what it used to be." The King of Shu said lazily.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, a glance downwards revealed that the King of Shu was naked and soaking in the hot spring, with steam rising up, but the water was very clear, and everything inside could be seen very clearly.

  "Wang Shang is really magnificent." Song Chu said sincerely with praise.

  It doesn't matter where the boast is from, men are great everywhere, Shu Wang smiled and had someone bring a sedan chair for Song Chu.

  Although Song didn't really have an interest in watching him take a bath, since he didn't mind, what was she being so reserved about? So she sat down comfortably and chatted idly with the King of Shu.