“I am very grateful to Chu xiang. Please pa.s.s it on to w.a.n.gye that I am thankful for his warning.” At this moment, Qi Luo Yuan finally returned to quietness. Yun Xuan Zhi had Captain Liu withdraw. He advanced towards Chu Fei Yang and personally gave his thanks.
Just a while ago, he and Chu Fei Yang were with Emperor Yu Qian, discussing the renovation of Yang Xin palace, when Chu w.a.n.g’s servant Jiao Da entered with Chu w.a.n.g’s ling pai. Then he took them out of the palace, informing them of what was happening in the xiangfu.
If they were late by even a moment, the soldiers might have already invaded Meng"er’s chamber and ruined her life.
The thought of it made fear linger in Yun Xuan Zhi’s heart. Even his hands broke out in a cold sweat. He was extremely grateful for Chu Fei Yang’s a.s.sistance.
Chu Fei Yang had already recovered his composure. He gestured for Yun Xuan Zhi to stop and stepped out of Qi Luo Yuan.
Yun Xuan Zhi saw that the people outside had already left. He called for Mi mama, carefully interrogating her in order to find out what happened tonight. When he heard Su Yuan’s name, Yun Xuan Zhi’s eyes took on a dangerous expression. He instructed a group of yatou and pozi to carefully watch over Yun Qian Meng before he exited Qi Luo Yuan.
When she heard the commotion outside finally die down, Yun Qian Meng opened her window and inspected the activities in the courtyard. Only then did she slightly relax her beating heart. She went to the door and put the stopper on before approaching the red sandalwood chest and stood before it. She pulled out a gold key inlaid with jade from her sleeves to turn the golden lock on the chest. She opened the lid to reveal the man from before cowering inside. When he saw Yun Qian Meng, his eyes flared with sparks, hatefully looking at Yun Qian Meng with killing intent.
Yun Qian Meng looked at the box that was now dyed with blood, a streak of regret flashed in her eyes then she said in a low voice. “I don’t want to implicate you, but I don’t want want to accompany you to death either. You owe me for today’s a.s.sistance so now please hurry and leave!”
That man naturally saw the look of heartache from Yun Qian Meng. His energy was hanging by a thread and he looked as if he was no longer in touch with reality. His pale lips parted with effort, weakly and full of mocking he said, “I did not think that the daughter of the prime minister would be so petty and miserly. It’s just some sandalwood chest, and you feel so much regret over it. That’s not very decent.”
Yun Qian Meng did not have any more patience to listen to his sharp tongue.
After all, Chen w.a.n.g was only forced into withdrawing his soldiers because of Yun Xuan Zhi and Chu Fei Yang’s sudden appearance.
According to the looks the doctor had while inspecting her room, he might have sensed something was strange and could have informed Chen w.a.n.g. Outside xiangfu there might be people lying in ambush. If this a.s.sa.s.sin isn’t sent away immediately, this man might bring disaster to her.
Thinking this, Yun Qian Meng’s resolve strengthened. The man painfully gasped for breath, his eyes glared at her with malice, as if he was not concerned about provoking her. If he weren’t so weak that angry mouth could be spouting filth!
Chu Fei Yang finally couldn’t bear to watch any longer. Seeing Yun Qian Meng using all her strength and still unable to pull the man out. His voice came from the darkness. “Do you need help?”
His smiling eyes morphed into a dark look as he watched Yun Qian Meng pulling at the man’s collar. But then it returned to its usual brightness and he smiled as he approached Yun Qian Meng.
Yun Qian Meng was already used to Chu Fei Yang catching her off guard and suddenly appearing. Besides, when Chu Fei Yang and Yun Xuan Zhi had come to Qi Luo Yuan together, she knew that he wouldn’t easily leave Qi Luo Yuan. When he had bid farewell to Yun Xuan Zhi she suspected that he would hide at some corner with no people.
It seemed that Chu Fei Yang was in high spirits, no trace of fury on his face. Yun Qian Meng was a little startled. She had ignored his warning not to leave the fu. But he was still quick to come now that she was in this dire situation.
There were some words that lingered in Yun Qian Meng’s heart that she could not speak out loud. Even though she did not call Chu Fei Yang here, his coming was certainly bringing her relief from her problem. At least the matter of dispatching a man out of xiangfu was only an issue of strength, moreover the current situation outside the xiangfu was not unknown to her so she had difficulty in coping.
“I leave him to you. This has nothing to do with me!” Yun Qian Meng let go of the collar and Yun Qian Meng dusted her hands, glaring at the man in the chest all the while, as if emphasizing her disa.s.sociation with him.
Yun Qiang Meng had let go of him with such force that with a loud “Dong” the back of his head hit the chest. He grimaced in pain but did not cry out. He only glared at Yun Qian Meng with red eyes.
Yun Qian Meng had been glared like that by him numerous times throughout the night, she was already immune to it. She only unfolded her hands and said innocently, “It wasn’t on purpose.”
Chu Fei Yang looked at the Yun Qian Meng now, saw that compared to her earlier anxious appearance she was much relaxed now. He suddenly called out, “Jiao Da, get this man out!”
Hearing this, Yun Qian Meng suddenly turned to Chu Fei Yang. She saw a man come out of the other corner of the room. It was Jiao Da, Chu w.a.n.g’s personal bodyguard.
Jiao Da quickly walked towards the chest and single-handedly lifted the man, hanging him over his shoulder. Then he jumped off the second floor window towards the high walls of the xiangfu. His movement was fast and agile, Yun Qian Meng had never seen anything like it!
Chu Fei Yang walked towards Yun Qian Meng and seductively said. “Do you want to go over and see?”
“Xiangye is joking. That person had nothing to do with chennu. Chennu doesn’t care. If xiangye doesn’t have anything else to do, then leave!” How could Yun Qian Meng see what he was trying to do, she had after all, been tormented for half the night, she needed the time to tidy up the mess from the events of tonight.
But Chu Fei Yang did not seem to be angry at her refusal or banishment. He leisurely said, “After all the trouble he’s caused, how can you let him off easy? You don’t know even know who he is, how will you be able to get back what you have lost today?”
Hearing these words, Yun Qian Meng lifted her head and looked at Chu Fei Yang. She saw the a smile show through both his eyes and lips. She thought carefully about the meaning behind his words, then her heart was filled with great alarm. Could it be that he did not mean to hand the a.s.sa.s.sin over to Chen w.a.n.g?
Chu Fei Yan grew impatient at Yun Qian Meng’s slow a.n.a.lysis. Quickly taking advantage of her confusion, he pulled her onto himself, one hand hooked around her waist. Following the path of Jiao Da who had just left, while taking advantage of the cover of the night, lightly crossed over the high wall of the xiangfu and carried her over to an already prepared carriage to ferry Yun Qian Meng away to some unknown place.
“I’m warning you…” Inside the carriage, that a.s.sa.s.sin’s eyes shone with at ominous glint at Yun Qian meng and Chu Fei Yang. He was about to say some fierce words but was lazily interrupted by Chu Fei Yang.
“If you have time for rubbish, it would be better for you to conserve your energy. In a while you will be quite busy.”
These obscure words made the a.s.sa.s.sin close his mouth. Yun Qian Meng looked to Chu Fei Yang for answers, but he was currently resting with his eyes closed, refusing to converse with her.
The carriage rushed forward madly. The night’s cold air pa.s.sed through the curtains and entered the inside of the carriage, blowing away the warmth of the three bodies. Together it made everybody feel very cold!
Yun Qian Meng saw that scenery outside of the window pa.s.s by quickly. The time the carriage spent along the road was also long. The quietness in the carriage made the distance seem longer. Eventually, her ears caught a “mimi” sound and a spray of flowery smell permeated the air, bringing in an extravagant fragrance. It caused some of the occupants to knit their brows.
“Xiangye, we’ve arrived” Jiao Da who had been driving steadied the carriage and called out with a low voice from where he sat outside.
Chu Fei Yang slightly pouted his lips before he opened his eyes. He swept a glance at the increasingly ugly face of the a.s.sa.s.sin and softly commanded Jiao Da. “Good! First, bring him through the back door to the third floor of the Floating Fragrance House. Benxiang will be there in a moment.”
The softly swaying curtain was abruptly opened. Jiao Da stooped his head into the carriage and pulled out the a.s.sa.s.sin, once again propping him on top of his shoulders. With the struggling a.s.sa.s.sin, he entered the backdoor.
“Xiangye really knows how to enjoy life. Even though it is late in the evening, he still doesn’t forget to pay a visit to this nest of pretty women. Chennu does not have the time to waste with xiangye and will take my leave.” Yun Qian Meng knew in her heart that if she set foot in that place, she would be cast out of the house by Yun Xuan Zhi. Even worse, he might even parade her around the streets in shame. Thus, before Chu Fei Yang opened his mouth she spoke first to gain the upper hand.
But Chu Fei Yang only calmly and leisurely pulled out from under his seat a bundle wrapped in cloth. From inside he pulled out an elegantly colored brocade cloak for men. Not waiting for Yun Qian Meng’s reaction, he wrapped it around her body and carefully lifted the hood up to cover her head, making sure to cover her too conspicuous delicate face. Finally he carefully arranged the cloak’s sides to disguise Yun Qian Meng’s female frame.
“I don’t want to go. Is xiangye intending to force me?” But Yun Qian Meng from start to finish was not appreciative. Underneath the hood she wore an icy expression.
However, Chu Fei Yang would not let her escape. His big hands part.i.tioned the cloak and grabbed Yun Qian Meng’s wrist. While Yun Qian Meng was thinking of resisting he had already pulled her out of the carriage and brought them to the backdoor.
The delighted sounds of prost.i.tutes immediately came into their ears. But once they were actually inside, no beautiful women came out to greet Chu Fei Yang. It puzzled Yun Qian Meng for a moment and she struggle abated.
She was pulled step by step up the stairs by Chu Fei Yang. At last they stopped in front of a side room, a snarl came from within. “Get lost! I am not changing into that!”
That voice was familiar and the tone was nasty. Apparently it was the a.s.sa.s.sin.
“What are you doing to him?” Yun Qian Meng raised her head, the reluctance had disappeared from her big, clear eyes and was replaced with a look of cunning.
Chu Fei Yang shrugged his shoulders and replied innocently, “He’s so filthy. Making him more presentable would ensure that he doesn’t defile other people’s place.”
Yun Qian Meng could detect the grin on the corner of his lips at the continuous angry snarls coming from the room. She guessed that Chu Fei Yang must be using unconventional means to deal with that a.s.sa.s.sin.
“Who is he?” Even though the a.s.sa.s.sin was obviously caught, Chu Fei Yang did not urgently bring him to Emperor Yu Qian to receive credit for this achievement. Instead he had brought the a.s.sa.s.sin to this unexpected location. Presumably, this a.s.sa.s.sin might be a person of influence.
Chu Fei Yang’s replied simply, “The a.s.sa.s.sin!”
When Yun Qian Meng looked at him again, the smile on Chu Fei Yang’s face had already vanished. His face like water, he calmly stood before the door of Floating Fragrance House. When Jiao Da opened the door, Chu Fei Yang pulled Yun Qian Meng inside with him.
“Aiya! This guest is certainly very handsome.” Beyond Yun Qian Meng’s expectations, this Floating Fragrance House had a dozen plump girls. Their clothes were garish and beautiful, the attire could be described as revealing. Each were dressed up, wearing makeup from head to toe and emitting a salacious aura. When these brothel girls saw the young and handsome Chu Fei Yang enter, wearing the clothes of the great and proper n.o.blemen, they all turned around and stood up.
Yun Qian Meng’s impression of Chu Fei Yang’s personality was that he was one who enjoyed having multiple partners.
She did not expect that Chu Fei Yang had no interest in these faces covered in rouge and powder. At this moment he only emitted a cold air from his entire body. He shot a cold look, causing the women to stop in their steps. Jiao Da immediately presented a bag of silver to the leader of the girls, following which he opened the large door of the Floating Fragrance House. The leader of the girls then ordered the others to leave.
Inside the room of the Floating Fragrance House was isolated from the outside noise. Yun Qian Meng looked and saw the a.s.sa.s.sin was reclining on a cus.h.i.+on beside the bed.
Right now his body was wearing the clothes of the brothel girl. A red slip was faintly discernable from within the yellow muslin dress. The white skin made one’s imagination roam. The messy hair from just a moment ago had been tiedied up by somebody. The black hair coiled into a bun was decorated with cheap beaded hairpins and fresh flowers. Yun Qian Meng could not help but laugh.
“This look suits you!” The a.s.sa.s.sin reclining on the cus.h.i.+on did not move for a long time. Yun Qian Meng guessed that his injury must have been very serious. She was not afraid that he would be able to do anything to her so she approached him, her eyes full of smiles as she sized him up carefully.
No wonder many sounds of anger could be heard from outside earlier. Thinking of how this unyielding man was being treated, it was a given that he was venting out his anger in a murderous manner.
Now very tired, he closed his eyes at Yun Qian Meng’s smile. What the eyes don’t see, the heart doesn’t greive over！
“Somebody forgot to give him makeup! Benxiang and Jiao Da are men and have no knowledge of these things. So we are troubling Yun xiaojie.” Chu Fei Yang said while drinking tea.
When the a.s.sa.s.sin heard these words he suddenly opened his eyes. His bloodshot eyes were filled with resentment, but he could not repel Yun Qian Meng’s determination to tease him.
Yun Qian Meng saw the already prepared table filled with rouge and powder. A streak of mischief flashed through her eyes. Her hands grabbed all kinds of items and methodically applied them. After a while, she dusted off her hands and took two steps back to admire her masterpiece.
Before she knew it, Chu Fei Yang was already standing beside her. When he saw the a.s.sa.s.sin’s makeup he smiled and gave his commentary. “This look is 100% new and original! It suits you.”
Yun Qian Meng only smiled and did not speak. She had only given him a smokey eye look, but just seeing this arrogant a.s.sa.s.sin reduced to this state lightened her mood. Chu Fei Yang was probably of the same mind...
Yun Qian Meng’s train of thought suddenly came to a halt. The smile on her face slowly disappeared. Her eyes turned to Chu Fei Yang who was smiling faintly. Did he, just for the sake for her to vent her anger, bring the a.s.sa.s.sin to this place?
Translated by: korezmi
Editeb by: seriouspotato