I Ruined the Long Ao Tian Script-Chapter 151
Under the Same Sky
"...Not really convinced," the leading soldier answered honestly. "Who could possibly 'accidentally' smash an imperial mausoleum for fun?"
Xu Shulou sighed and rose from the rubble.
"Don’t act rashly," the tomb guards quickly pointed their spears at her. "No need to resist—just come with us. You’ll only spend a few months in jail at most. There’s no need for a life-or-death struggle!"
"Stop lying to me," Xu Shulou said bitterly. "Destroying an imperial mausoleum is a capital offense."
The lead guard shrugged. "If it were our dynasty’s mausoleum, you’d lose your head. But the Xiao Kingdom has fallen. What official would bother sentencing you to death for this now?"
Xu Shulou froze, then turned to confirm—the words "Sacred Virtue Stele of Emperor Xiao Juncheng" were unmistakably carved into the tomb.
Her heart churned with conflicting emotions. "The Xiao dynasty… is already part of the past?"
"Of course," the guards replied, eyeing her strangely.
"..."
"The Xiao dynasty lasted over two centuries—that’s not exactly short," one guard cautiously added. "If you had some grudge against the Xios, no need to take it out on us. We’re not even from the Xiao Kingdom. Just got the short end of the stick and were assigned to guard this old tomb."
"...I won’t make trouble for you. Take me to the magistrate."
"Right away!"
Given her apparent ability to smash through an imperial tomb barehanded, the guards didn’t dare offend her. They escorted her so attentively that it almost seemed like an honor guard delivering her to the yamen.
The new dynasty had moved its capital elsewhere, leaving this ancient city of two dynasties as merely a prosperous ordinary town. The local magistrate clearly cared little about the former dynasty’s tomb. At first, he casually ordered the bailiffs to throw her into prison—but when Xu Shulou offered to pay for repairs, his expression shifted instantly. After extorting a hefty sum from her, he didn’t even bother locking her up and sent her on her way, thoroughly satisfied.
———
On Dustless Island, Bai Roushuang rubbed her stiff neck. "Go tell them—if they keep talking nonsense, I’ll lead a raid on their mountain gate!"
"Yes, Elder Bai!" the disciples responded promptly.
"Elder Bai, quite the temper you’ve got," a teasing female voice chimed in.
The disciples startled. "Who’s there?!"
"I’ve come to invite you to dinner, Elder Bai," the voice continued, amused. "Would you honor me with your company?"
They turned to see a figure leaning against the hall’s doorway, twirling a gaudy folding fan. Backlit, her face was indistinct, but her silhouette alone exuded effortless charm.
Bai Roushuang only needed to glimpse that profile to know exactly who it was.
"..." She smiled. "I knew you’d come back!"
When had this person ever broken a promise?
———
A month later, in a mortal town.
Xu Shulou wandered leisurely through the human world, buying chestnut cakes here, chilled rice wine there, until she happened upon a candied fruit shop and stepped inside.
The door was adorned with an intricately beaded curtain—clearly, the owner took joy in life’s little beauties.
As Xu Shulou lifted the curtain, the beads chimed softly, announcing her arrival.
The shopkeeper greeted her with a warm smile. "First time here, miss?"
"..."
"Since it’s your first visit, I’ll give you a sample of each. Try what you like before buying."
Xu Shulou stared at her, the woman’s face overlapping with a memory of noble elegance. She accepted the offered fork and small plate, popping a pickled plum into her mouth—and suddenly, her eyes reddened.
The shopkeeper blinked, then hastily handed her a handkerchief. "Miss, what’s wrong?"
The cloth was freshly laundered, carrying the crisp scent of soapberries. Xu Shulou held it carefully, swallowing the title that nearly slipped out. "Nothing. Just… suddenly homesick."
The woman’s expression softened in understanding. "Been away long?"
"Too long."
"Why not return?"
Xu Shulou smiled. "Now… the world is my home."
Another chime of beads sounded as someone entered—a scholarly middle-aged man, his clothes dust-streaked, a basket of vegetables in hand.
The shopkeeper gave Xu Shulou an apologetic glance. "Excuse me, miss," before turning to the man with a light scold. "Look at you, all dirty again! What’s in the basket?"
Xu Shulou kept her back to them, listening as the most familiar voice from her memories answered, "Wang Er’s dog went missing. Reported it to the yamen, and I helped search half the day. On my way back, he insisted I take these greens."
She turned. "You work for the yamen?"
The man smiled sheepishly. Though his robes were smudged and his hands full, his warmth was undeniable. "Just a minor ninth-rank official, nothing grand."
"Don’t let him downplay it," chimed in an elderly woman selecting candied fruits with her granddaughter. "Official Xu is the most beloved official in Xianyou County! Whether it’s a missing pig or a lost dog, he helps without complaint. Knows his books too—fills in at the school whenever needed. Last month, when my granddaughter fell ill and the county ran out of medicine, he rode for hours through several towns to fetch it. Came back with his thighs rubbed raw—blood soaking through his pants, awful to see!"
Official Xu winced. "Must you tell everyone about my thighs? And please, keep your eggs for your granddaughter. No need to visit the shop daily either."
"Who said I’m here for you?" The woman waved him off. "It’s your wife’s skill that brings me! Can’t get my girl to take medicine without these sweets."
The man grinned at his wife. "True. Her candied fruits are the best."
She rolled her eyes.
Xu Shulou laughed. "In that case, I’ll take one pack of each."
"Can you finish so much?" the shopkeeper gently cautioned. "They keep well, but fresh batches taste better."
"I’ll manage. I adore these."
"Very well, I’ll pack them for you."
"Dear, if no more customers come, close up for dinner," Official Xu said, wrapping the treats in oiled paper. "I’ll cook your favorite sweet-and-sour fish tonight, and we’ll use these greens for a mixed salad."
"Sounds perfect."
Xu Shulou settled the bill, took one last lingering look at them, then turned away with a smile. Carrying a large paper bag of candied fruits, she strolled down the long street and handed Bai Roushuang a pickled green plum by the roadside.
Bai Roushuang had been picking through items at a small stall. After paying with copper coins, she hurried to catch up. "Senior Sister, where should we go next?"
At the end of the street, beneath the setting sun, Xu Shulou paused and turned back to smile at her. "The snow lotuses of Tian Mountain are about to bloom. I’d like to see them."
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