Who in the world does not know you?

Chapter 46 Words are no proof

Luo Xin could sense that Qing Chuan had something he wanted to say to her.

From the moment she entered the room with the copper basin in the early morning and saw Qingchuan, she knew he had something on his mind.

They had lived under the same roof for so long, and she had taken care of him closely for so many years, so she could naturally sense the changes in his emotions.

"Young Master, your second brother Yun Luobai has returned alive. You should be happy, so why don't you seem as carefree and relaxed as usual?"

It would have been better if Luo Xin hadn't mentioned Yun Luobai. But the moment she did, Qingchuan was momentarily lost in thought, his past memories surging and sweeping through his mind.

Qingchuan never imagined that Yun Luobai would return to Ningzhou Prefecture alive.

Since their parting three years ago, everyone had a very bad feeling that this might be the last time they would see Yun Luobai.

To this day, Qingchuan still remembers the last time he saw Yun Luobai, which was at the Honggu Restaurant.

At that time, Yun Luobai's body was already swaying like a duckweed in the wind, but it was Yun Luobai who proposed meeting at the Honggu Restaurant.

He first told Ning Qi, who came to visit him at home, about the matter, and Ning Qi then told the other two people about Yun Luobai's idea.

That was the last time the four childhood friends would get together.

Yun Luobai held a cloth in one hand, and after saying a few words, he would cough violently. Each time he covered his mouth with the cloth, bright red bloodstains could be seen.

A large plate of brightly colored red oiled beef tripe was completely devoured by Yun Luobai, who was suffering from tuberculosis and constantly coughing up blood, without anyone else touching it.

Qingchuan only remembered that his eldest brother, who was usually very talkative in front of others, was silent and sighing, while the fourth brother sat at the table and wailed. He had bought out the entire Honggu Restaurant that day, so that apart from the fourth brother's crying, no other guests could be heard making any noise.

For them, whose average age is not even twenty, the concept of life and death is far too distant.

But seeing Yun Luobai laughing and coughing up blood while eating heartily, no one could feel good about it.

Qingchuan never accepted that Yun Luobai was ranked second and that he was ranked third.

Because Yun Luobai was a child that Yun Ping picked up and adopted at his doorstep, no one knew Yun Luobai's birth date and time. Just because Yun Luobai looked older than him, he was ranked second. If that's the case, judging age solely by appearance, Ning Qi's square face with his bushy beard made him look mature enough for them to call him "uncle."

In the past, whenever Luo Xin mentioned that Yun Luobai was Qingchuan's second brother, this esteemed young master Qing would always immediately refute her.

But this time, Qingchuan did not refute it.

Yun Luobai has escaped death and returned to Ningzhou Prefecture. Everyone who is close to him should be happy.

Qingchuan should naturally be happy too, but he seemed preoccupied.

Yun Luobai has been back in Ningzhou Prefecture for some time now.

But Qingchuan and Yun Luobai reunited in the mourning hall of General Yun Que's mansion, where the funeral of courtesan Mu Li was being held.

The time span in between is neither long nor short, but it simply doesn't make sense.

Qingchuan knew that Yun Luobai was gentle and refined, humble and steady. During the years they grew up together, Yun Luobai, his nominal second brother, always accommodated him in everything.

So if Yun Luobai really survives and is cured of that damned tuberculosis, he will definitely come to visit him.

Qingchuan didn't expect that this wait would last for nearly half a month. When they met again, it was Ning Qi who brought Yun Luobai with him.

They came to investigate a case, fearing that it was this famous young master who had killed the courtesan of the Rouge Pavilion, so they came to find out the truth.

Qingchuan had some questions in his mind.

He felt that with Yun Luobai's return to Ningzhou Prefecture, many things must be undergoing subtle changes.

"Luo Xin, do you think that at my age, I shouldn't be indulging in wine, women, and pleasure all day long and doing nothing? I should be doing something serious."

Qingchuan's words made Luo Xin, who was sitting next to him on the same bed, raise an eyebrow.

Even though this young master's behavior is usually erratic and cannot be reasoned with, Luo Xin still suspects that Qingchuan has lost his mind or taken the wrong medicine.

"for example?"

"For example, passing the imperial examinations or making contributions on the frontier. Don't most ordinary people have these kinds of thoughts when they're young? How should I put it, you could say they have lofty ambitions?"

"Young Master, your most pressing task right now is to preserve the family business. It's fine if you just stay a spendthrift and live a peaceful life, but if you really try to make a name for yourself, the consequences could be unimaginable."

"Is it really that exaggerated? You don't believe in my abilities?"

"It's precisely because I trust you so much, young master, that I know very well that with your family background and personal abilities, you're bound to cause quite a stir."

Qingchuan scoffed at this and pouted at Luo Xin like a child.

Luo Xin sighed softly. She knew very well that although her young master seemed crazy and unreliable on ordinary days, his heart was actually as pure and clear as a mirror.

"Recently, there have been rumors in Ningzhou Prefecture that General Yun Que is a powerful and influential figure who commands 200,000 troops on the border. If he were to form an alliance with the West Kingdom and launch a counterattack against the Central Plains, even if troops were temporarily transferred from elsewhere, the other generals of the Great Hui Dynasty would not be a match for him. If such rumors can be heard in Ningzhou Prefecture, which is so far from the border, it is hard to guarantee that the emperor will not become suspicious if they reach the capital."

"Two hundred thousand, is that a lot?"

"However, apart from General Yun Que, there is no other serving general in this dynasty who can be described as brave and skilled in battle. Your 200,000 Yun Que troops are the most elite army in this dynasty. If you lead your troops to turn against us and head straight for the Central Plains, your military strength will probably only grow stronger day by day."

"My father probably never intended to rebel. I'm his only son. If he really had such thoughts, he would have told me. Besides, what would he do if he rebelled? All he knows is fighting wars. What good would becoming emperor do him?"

"We can pass the throne to you, young master, and let you become emperor."

Luo Xin said with a smile, while gently smoothing her long, thin, black braid.

Her hands were fair and soft, and they certainly didn't look like the hands of a maid who did rough work.

"How can you say such head-death things in broad daylight and still be so calm and collected?"

"If the general really rebels and succeeds, then you will be able to become the emperor. I will be happy for you."

"What if we fail?"

"No matter where you die, young master, I will die with you."

A look of surprise crossed Qingchuan's face. He glanced at the pretty woman beside him in a daze, but quickly smiled with relief.

The morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting a slant of light on her oval face. Her tone was calm and composed, as if she were chatting casually with him, or perhaps confiding her innermost thoughts.

"Alright, if I become emperor in the future, I will make you, Luo Xin, empress, to repay the promise we made today to live and die together."

"Words are no proof."

"What, do you want me to draw up a written agreement for you?"

"That's not necessary..."

As Luo Xin spoke, she looked out the window. At that moment, the housekeeper, Lan Xiang, dressed in an elegant purple dress, appeared and looked at the two people inside the room with a smile on her lips.

"Butler Lan, you heard what the young master said, could you be our witness?"

Lanxiang nodded gently upon hearing this, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

A major earthquake struck Qingchuan.