Chapter 171: My Dear Majesty, Please Let Go (1)
Translator: Guy Gone Bad
At night, Ten-miles of Huaihe River was busy. There were hundreds of colorful and exquisite pleasure boats. The sparkling lamp lights added one touch of mystery and temptation to the beauty of the night.It was the most famous place of recreation in Liuyun City, full of brothels and singing prost.i.tutes who would make men lavish a fortune on their laughter and service.
In the middle of the Huaihe River, there was an exceptionally gorgeous huge pleasure boat, which was also the most famous pleasure boat in the city - Fairy Ferry.
It was a 300-meter long boat from the deck to the end. There were three floors of the cabins and each floor had dozens of rooms. It was a luxury and fancy boat.
Right now was the busiest time of the day on Fairy Ferry. Girls were playing instrumental music and singing. You could hear laughter, flirts, even some lewd words, and everything that could indulge yourself into the surreal pleasure.
Something was happening in a room on the third floor.
“Official Xia, I know you are an honest and upright man. You are loyal to the emperor, to our country. You have my respect for that! Here"s a toast to you!”
Baili Xi stood up from his seat, smiling on his lips, holding up his wine gla.s.s to Xia Yuanzheng next to him, meaning that he was proposing a toast to Xia.
“Prince, I don"t deserve it!” Xia Yuanzheng was scared to jump from his seat. As he jumped too abruptly, his chair fell down on the ground and made a big noise.
Xia Yuanzheng, who was already overwhelming with panic, was startled even more because of the sound. But he had more important things to deal with.
He grabbed one gla.s.s of liquor in his hands and raised it high up over his head, bowed forward and knelt down to his knees although he was trembling, and said in a quivering voice,
“Your highness, this is too much for me! How can a prince personally propose a toast to an official? I should make a toast to you. I am flattered for what you said. It is my obligation to die for his majesty and the country of Riyao.”
Then Xia Yuanzheng raised his head and drunk the entire gla.s.s of liquor. But he was still on his knees.
Baili Xi"s smile on the corner of lips was gone. He glared at Xia Yuanzheng who was on his knees and squeezed the gla.s.s so tightly that the veins on his hand popped out.
The vibe suddenly got cold down.
The other two officials fell from their chairs and knelt down, and dared not to breathe.
“Haha.” Suddenly, Baili Xi chuckled.
His chuckle lightened the mood of everyone in the room as if suns.h.i.+ne broke into the dark clouds.
Baili Xi sat down again. Coldness in his eyes was gone. And he became nice and gentle again,
“Official Xia, why are you so nervous? Stand up. The night is just beginning. Don"t be such a b.u.mmer.”
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” Official Xia apologized and said, “it is my fault. Sorry for killing your mood. Three gla.s.ses of liquor as punishment! Three gla.s.ses of liquor as punishment!”
Then he poured liquor and drunk three gla.s.ses. Then his face was the color of pork liver.
Baili Xi gave him a faint look but said nothing. He said to a boy beside him, “I have heard a lot about Fairy Liuyue for a long time. Do I have the chance to listen to her music tonight?”
“Your highness, Liuyue should feel lucky to have you her audience. I will go get her to play instrumental music for you.” The boy flattered him.
Then he cowered a few steps back, then straightened up, opened the door and went out.
What just happened was seen by a tiny, thin girl who was hiding outside the window.
It was no one else but Xia Liang.