Spring Once More

chapter 12

(Traditional Chinese cover scanned by Dairytea)

Chapter Twelve

I think myjaw just hit the ground after finally getting a good look at w.a.n.g Rui.

I knew thathe must be effeminate to have been targeted by Chai Rong, but I’m having a hardtime shaking off the image of Hero w.a.n.g in his prisoner getup. In my head, heshould be a real man’s man with perhaps a few delicate facial features, butthis man before my eyes – oh my, oh my…

A long,almond face, lily-white skin, ink-black eyes that seem to be wet with ripples…His hair untied, bound in bed by the five flower tie,his white robe making him seem all the more thin and fragile… Oh dear lord… Nowonder the young prince went so far as to kidnap this tanhua on the street in broad daylight. If I were gay, I wouldn’tlet this juicy piece of meat slip by me, either. Seriously, dude, why you gottalook like this?

Well, atleast he still has one redeeming trait – his voice. “You foul dog! You may killa man but not humiliate him! The bright heavens above govern all that is below!Your sins of l.u.s.t and delusion shall be punished by heavenly judgment! If you’restill a man, kill me now!”

I straightenmyself. “Good Hero w.a.n.g, let us have a conversation.”

Hero w.a.n.g scoffsindignantly, “Between a man and a beast can be no conversation!”

For cryingout loud, this pretty boy is a f.u.c.king nerd who only knows books.

I pull a chairover and sit with my legs crossed. “My good hero, this prince comes before youtoday to ask for forgiveness. I was wrong to have done those things. I lost allmy virtues, and am no better than a swine or a hound. But after nearing death,I had an epiphany. I have decided to return to the side of virtue and abandonmy evil past… In other words, I will not force you again!”

w.a.n.g Rui howlsin laughter. “What is this I see? A jackal or wolf quitting meat? A tiger orpanther fasting for Buddha? How comedic!”

I sit closerto the bed. “Brother w.a.n.g, I am offering my most sincere apologies, and I praythat you can forgive me. Let us forget all the unpleasant matters of the past.From this day forward, I wish to be a friend to you.”

“Forget?!”Hero w.a.n.g continues to laugh.

Then itoccurs to me. Why of course! No regular ol’ guy would want that to happen to them.It’s bound to cause some lifelong trauma whether the act was successful or not.w.a.n.g Rui’s laughter becomes more and more unsettling and really gets to me. I movein a little closer.

“Her- I mean,Master w.a.n.g. I know the old Chai Rong deserved to be struck down by lightningfor what he did, but I’m telling you that Chai Rong died by your hands. You’vedone society a favour and had your revenge. The Chai Rong you now see beforeyou is a new man. I’m talking to you as a fellow man. One should let thebygones be bygones, and with his head held high he is still a good man throughand through.”

His laughterceases and he turns to me. “Knave! No need to dress in sheep’s clothing. Allthe lives of the w.a.n.g household lie in your hands, so I can do little but obey.If you dare, let my house go, and dispose of me alone!”

Now I’m justfrustrated. It’s clear I won’t be able to reach him this way any time soon. Iguess being a gentleman takes not only a kind heart but even more patience.Sighing, I approach the bed. w.a.n.g Rui lets out a disdainful scoff and shuts hiseyes in preparation for whatever his fate may be. I flip him over, and heshakes as if he were zapped. Seeing the pathetic sight of his eyes squeezedshut and teeth gritted, I really feel like a f.u.c.king bandit about to rape somevillage girl.

Sighingagain, I make quick work of the binding. His eyes are still closed and his jawclenched. I’m feeling a little ticked off now. h.e.l.l, do I really look like af.u.c.king pervert! I throw the ropes aside and tidy my sleeves.

“Believe itor not, Master w.a.n.g. I ain’t that pervert Prince Chai Rong from before. I’m aman who loves only beautiful girls! Your house is still in the hands of theempress dowager, and I can’t do anything about it for the time being. You stayput here for a few days, and when she lets your house go, I will let you go, asheaven and earth are my witness. Take it how you will.”

After takingmy stand with pa.s.sion, I turn and stride off in a proud manner, chest thrownout, back straighter than ever.

Out the sidechamber, into the courtyard I go. It’s really nice out. The early spring sun isnot too strong, and it’s perfect weather for a stroll. I enter a walkway thatleads to a rock formation. I manoeuvre around the rock and come to an opens.p.a.ce – a large, clear lake. The emerald ripples gleam under the sunlight. Onthe other side is a nice stretch of gra.s.s decorated with numerous Taihu stonesof varying sizes. I find a rock and sit down facing the water.

Heaving a bigsigh, I wonder aloud, “I hope I’ll find my way back before nightfall.”

“Oh dear, isthe prince lost in his own house?”

I turn as aman in black steps out from behind the rock formation. A chuckle escapes me.

“Long time nosee, Master Su!”

An ancient roping method. The binding is looped around five essential point,the neck, arms and wrists, with the arms folded behind. This is standard forprisoners charged with serious crimes.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Dairytea:

( w.a.n.g Rui is actually a pretty boy?! *A*  )

Chapter Thirteen

Spring Once More by is licensed under a .