Chapter 344: Going Out for a Drink

Chapter 344: Going Out for a Drink

After learning that Cheng Yunshuo had taken the tea she had sun-cured, Li Bihan was on edge.

She quickly dispatched someone to find Cheng Yunshuo, and upon learning that he had left the mansion, she became even more anxious.

As time passed, she could only comfort herself, thinking that Cheng Yunshuo hadn't noticed anything unusual and had simply wanted to take the tea to drink at the military camp.

That night, Cheng Yunshuo did not return to the mansion.

Qingfeng informed Lu Lingyun that Cheng Yunshuo had gone out to drink with the Du brothers and, having drunk too much, stayed overnight at the Du family's place.

Upon hearing this, Lu Lingyun simply nodded.

Over the years, Cheng Yunshuo had kept in touch with the Du brothers, and even after Du Ruo entered monastic life, it hadn't affected their relationship.

In fact, it had become even better than before.

Whenever something big came up, Cheng Yunshuo would step in to help them.

In the past few years, with Cheng Yunshuo's support, both brothers had gotten married.

When Lu Lingyun heard that Cheng Yunshuo had gone out to drink with them, she didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

"Yunshuo, what's wrong with you today? You've been drinking non-stop," Du Yang asked, looking at the somber Cheng Yunshuo at the tavern outside.

Cheng Yunshuo shook his head, managing a smile, "It's nothing."

"You can fool others, but you can't fool your brothers!"

"Exactly! And there's nothing we can't talk about between us!"

Du Yang and Du Tai added.

Over the years, they had always received Cheng Yunshuo's support, and they treated him like family!

Originally, when their sister Du Ruo had suddenly gone to the temple to enter monastic life, they had worried that it might have displeased Cheng Yunshuo and that he might later take it out on the Du family. But to their surprise, Cheng Yunshuo's attitude towards them hadn't changed at all; in fact, it had become even better.

Whenever they needed help, Cheng Yunshuo would step in without hesitation, going above and beyond what he did when Du Ruo was still with them.

"How is A'Ruo doing now?" Cheng Yunshuo finally asked after their persistent prodding.

"A'Ruo is doing very well. I saw her last month, and she's just the same as before."

"Speaking of which, we have to thank the young mistress. Although A'Ruo has been living a monastic life for over six years, the young mistress has been sending her all her necessities, making sure she lacked nothing."

At this, Cheng Yunshuo's brow softened a bit.

Perhaps it was because Lu Lingyun had taken care of everything behind the scenes, sparing him any worry, or perhaps it was because Du Ruo hadn't lacked for anything in terms of food and clothing.

At this moment, Du Tai, with a bowl of wine in hand, spoke up, "By the count, A'Ruo should be coming out soon! She originally said she would observe seven years of mourning for her aunt, and now it's already June. She should be out in just a few more months."

Cheng Yunshuo's eyes brightened at the news, "A'Ruo, she's coming out."

"Yes!" Du Yang responded, "Yunshuo, it's been tough on you these past years. A'Ruo is stubborn as a mule, reckless and undisciplined. When she comes out this time, we'll set her straight for you!"

"Exactly! Who else would be so willful, deciding to go into mourning on her own and just leaving? It's only because she married you that another family wouldn't have divorced her!"

Du Yang and Du Tai observed Cheng Yunshuo's expression as they spoke. Seeing him fall silent again, they began to speak well of A'Ruo.

"Yunshuo, don't let that girl get to you. When she comes out, we'll straighten her out for you and personally take her back to the Marquis's Mansion."

"Yes, A'Ruo's temper must have mellowed over the years. She won't be the same as before. Give her one more chance."

Du Yang and Du Tai were afraid that Cheng Yunshuo would abandon A'Ruo. Their sister was lucky to have married Cheng Yunshuo, even if it was just as a concubine.

Her temper and behavior would have gotten her sent back to her parents' home if she had married someone else.

They didn't know what had happened between them, but from their view, Cheng Yunshuo was already a great guy.

Cheng Yunshuo had a high status, a good family background, wealth, influence, and was righteous. What more could A'Ruo want!

He had a few concubines at home, but in these times, what man of status didn't have a few wives and concubines? Moreover, she was just a concubine, not the primary wife, so why act so high and mighty.

But because of this, they were worried that Cheng Yunshuo would send A'Ruo back to her parents' home.

As they spoke, Cheng Yunshuo fell silent again. He drank heavily, ignoring both of them, leaving Du Yang and Du Tai scratching their heads.

Soon enough, Cheng Yunshuo was completely wasted.

"Yunshuo, you're drunk. Let's get you back," Du Yang said.

Hearing about going back, the drunk Cheng Yunshuo sobered up a little and shouted, "I'm not going back!"

"Where will you go if not back?"

"Just not back!" Cheng Yunshuo, like a drunk throwing a fit, put up a fight, "I'm not going back, not going back!"

"Alright, alright, you're not going back. Then come to our place," Du Yang said, looking at Du Tai. Together, they helped Cheng Yunshuo up and said to Qingfeng, "Qingfeng, go back and tell them your master's staying with us tonight."

"Yes."

Qingfeng quickly ran back.

Meanwhile, Du Yang and Du Tai carried Cheng Yunshuo home. As they left the tavern, they ran into an old monk.

Cheng Yunshuo was drunk, and Du Yang and Du Tai weren't much better. They were unsteady on their feet, and the collision caused them to step back, with Cheng Yunshuo falling towards the old monk.

The old monk was skinny and shriveled, with white hair and beard. Despite looking frail, he caught Cheng Yunshuo with ease.

The drunk Cheng Yunshuo opened his eyes blearily and looked at the old monk, "Who, who are you?"

"This old monk's name is Yuanqing. Amitabha."

"What Yuan, what Qing... Your head's pretty round..." Cheng Yunshuo's gaze was vacant, staring foolishly at the monk's bald head.

Du Yang and Du Tai, now sober, quickly went over to support Cheng Yunshuo.

"What master, who's a master? I don't want a master, I don't want anything, I don't want anyone," Cheng Yunshuo mumbled incoherently.

"Yunshuo, you're drunk," Du Yang and Du Tai apologized to the old monk, "Master, we apologize."

"No harm done. Amitabha," the old monk said, making a Buddhist gesture and stepping aside.

Du Yang and Du Tai carried Cheng Yunshuo back, with Cheng Yunshuo muttering all the way.

"I'm not going back."

"No one's asking you to go back!"

"She's not her, they won't come back, they've all left me."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Who are you talking about!"