Li Shimin stretched and got up from his chair, "Alright, it's getting late, I need to find a place to sleep."
He found today's events incredibly entertaining. If Li Xiuning hadn't held him back, he would have wanted to personally step in and help Yue Fei vent his frustrations when their clothes were being stripped. "Yue Fei, is it? Come, let's have a couple of drinks!"
He beckoned Yue Fei and then walked out of the hall with Li Xiuning and others.
Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Xu, seeing this, also announced that the discussion of state affairs would be temporarily adjourned, and the rest would be discussed tomorrow.
Han Shizhong grabbed Liang Hongyu and said with a smile, "My lady, let's go home!"
With the northern expedition imminent and another chance to personally lead troops into battle, he was in high spirits.
However, Liang Hongyu suddenly became shy. Han Shizhong was unaware, but she knew very well that at this very moment, there was another Liang Hongyu in the Han household!
"Husband, why don't you go back first? Your concubine has some other matters to attend to."
"Hey~~ Whatever it is, put it aside for now. Your husband is in a very good mood today!"
With that, Han Shizhong, without regard for her protests, pulled Liang Hongyu outside.
Despite Liang Hongyu's numerous excuses, he brushed them all aside. Reluctantly, she was dragged along by him.
The Han family's residence was not large, only three courtyards deep.
The main gate was open, and the butler sat under the eaves, basking in the sun. Seeing the couple return hand in hand, he stood up and greeted them with a smile.
"Master, Madam!"
Han Shizhong continued his steps towards the inner courtyard, calling out to the butler as he went.
"Inform everyone to prepare good wine and food! Your master is happy today, everyone gets a reward!"
"Also, go find my old comrades and invite them over for a drink!"
"Yes, Master!"
The butler bowed to his retreating back before going to relay the instructions to the servants.
However, after taking just two steps, he suddenly turned his head to look at Liang Hongyu and muttered to himself.
"That's odd, wasn't Madam teaching the maids martial arts in the back courtyard just now?"
"How did she end up with Master so quickly? And this outfit... I don't think I've ever seen her wear it before?"
After thinking for a long time, he couldn't figure it out and simply shook his head, heading towards the kitchen.
In the back courtyard, before entering, Han Shizhong could hear the sounds of martial arts practice, the grunts and shouts of the maids.
"These girls are really well-taught by my lady. Still practicing martial arts at this hour. Come, let's go see how they're doing."
Han Shizhong, completely unaware of what was about to happen, still smiling, pulled Liang Hongyu along as they walked in.
But as soon as they moved, they heard reprimands from within.
"No, your sword strikes need to be higher!"
"Your leg work needs more practice. Your stance is too soft, how can you stand firm when facing an enemy?"
Han Shizhong shivered and instinctively looked at Liang Hongyu. Hearing the voice again, he released Liang Hongyu and rushed into the back courtyard.
In the courtyard, beside the maids practicing martial arts, stood another Liang Hongyu, dressed in white!
Looking at the Liang Hongyu accompanying him at the door, dressed in red, Han Shizhong was instantly dumbfounded!
Damn it, what kind of situation is this!
The Liang Hongyu in the courtyard saw her husband return and affectionately stepped forward, intending to help him remove his official robes.
Seeing this, Han Shizhong retreated several steps, his face filled with horror, "Who are you? Don't come near me!"
Liang Hongyu was bewildered by his shout, "Husband? What's wrong? Did something bad happen in court?"
"Get away~ Let me think for a moment!"
Han Shizhong sat down on the ground, his gaze flicking back and forth between the two Liang Hongyus.
The Great Tang West Records had a story about the Monkey King's doppelganger. Could it be that he had encountered a real and fake Liang Hongyu?
The Liang Hongyu in the courtyard, seeing his strange and unfocused gaze, followed his line of sight towards the entrance.
Upon clearly seeing the figure at the door, her entire body suddenly froze.
Why was there someone identical to her standing there?
"Who are you!"
Immediately, she sensed something was wrong. Grabbing a spear from the nearby weapon rack, she walked towards the Liang Hongyu at the door.
The maids practicing martial arts also unconsciously stopped their movements and looked over.
But as they looked, they froze.
Two Liang Hongyus stood facing each other, one in red, one in white. The scene was extremely bizarre.
"How did it become two Madams?"
"No, the one in white is the real one. Madam has been wearing this outfit all day~"
"Then what's going on with this one in red?"
"Does Madam have a twin sister?"
Snapping back to reality, the maids couldn't help but start guessing.
"I am Liang Hongyu, you are, and yet you are not," said the red-clad Liang Hongyu from the Great Tang, her expression a little unnatural.
"How presumptuous! I've seen people impersonate others, but never have I seen someone dare to impersonate in front of the real person! If you don't confess truthfully, don't blame me for being merciless with my spear!" The white-clad Liang Hongyu was somewhat annoyed.
She had also heard the maids' discussions, but how could she have a twin sister?
This person before her, using whatever means, had disguised herself so realistically and dared to come to their door. If she didn't teach her a lesson, wouldn't people think the Han family was easy to bully?
The red-clad Liang Hongyu gave a wry smile. She shouldn't have returned with Han Shizhong just now.
It was also her soft heart, unable to bear forcing herself to leave, otherwise how could such a scene have occurred?
"I am truly Liang Hongyu, but, I am you from a year later~"
When she was summoned to the Great Tang, the year was winter of 1142. At that time, she fell seriously ill and almost died.
But how could the Liang Hongyu opposite her possibly believe her words? Without a word, she drew her spear and lunged at her.
The red-clad Liang Hongyu had no choice but to parry passively. For a moment, the two engaged in a lively exchange.
However, as time went by, the more they fought, the more eerie the white-clad Liang Hongyu felt.
Why were the martial arts and techniques of the person opposite her exactly the same as her own?
No matter what spear techniques she used, the other could always block with the same moves, and knew her weak points intimately?
Finally, exhausted and panting, the two reluctantly separated.
The white-clad Liang Hongyu's cheeks were flushed red. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she asked again, "Who exactly are you! Why are you disguised as me!"
"Also, where did you learn your spear techniques!"
Liang Hongyu casually put down her spear, walked to a chair, and sat down, thinking about how to prove her identity while looking at her counterpart.
After a long while, she said, "I am truly you, you from a year later. I can prove it."
"You~, oh no, there are three moles on the right side of our butt~"
"My left ear is the most sensitive~"
"I love to eat~~~"