Chapter 248: Chapter 248
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
As Chu Qiao and the others entered the side chamber of the Anyuan Temple, Chu Qiao’s face turned red with embarra.s.sment, resulting in Jingjing and the others chuckling in amus.e.m.e.nt. Only Xiaofei seriously kowtowed to the statue with reverence, before turning around and glaring at the group making a ruckus behind.
With the smoke from the incense coiling around in the air, the entire hall was deeply consumed by a serious silence. The Guanyin statue that wore a peaceful smile sat on the altar, overlooking the peaceful worship hall that was illuminated by the sunlight that pierced through the incense ashes that floated in the air.
Zhuge Yue’s voice was right by her ear. With an overwhelming gentleness, he quietly stated, “Praying needs to be done sincerely.”
Chu Qiao turned her head around, looking at his crystal clear eyes, before smiling at him. In her smile, one could see a sense of seriousness, and at the same time, there was a tinge of childish playfulness. She turned around and knelt down. Her hands were placed together, and in her heart, she spoke the words that countless women had prayed before.
First bow, please protect him, ensuring that he is always healthy and safe.
Second bow, please help us to always be together, never separating.
Third bow, please grant our wishes to have a healthy child.
Bowing again, she was ever so sincere. On her face, there was a serenity that one had never seen before.
Buddha, you have protected so many people before. Today, please protect me as well.
Jingjing, Pingan, and some others were smiling at her demeanor, with Xiaofei beside them warning them to respect the deities. Yue Qi and He Xiao were outside chatting and gossiping. As they started to talk about how one of their officers had been caught by his wife when visiting the brothel, the crowd of guards burst out in laughter.
Deep into autumn, the weather was beginning to turn cold. Under the vast skies, she knelt there before the deity, only feeling that life was so peaceful and serene, and her past memories of blood and war were ever so far away. Her mind had never been so peaceful before.
Zhuge Yue helped her up, and embracing her, his lips lightly pecked her forehead as they smiled at each other.
Jingjing, with her sharp eyes, immediately grabbed Xiaofei, and started to rant, “Look look! Sister and sister-in-law are being disrespectful to the deity!”
Hearing that, stifled laughter started sounding out. Even though Zhuge Yue did not mind, Chu Qiao’s face was light red as she escaped from his embrace. Yet, her hands clasped Zhuge Yue’s arm, refusing to let go.
“Are we going to stay on the mountain and eat the vegetarian meals?” Zhuge Yue asked.
Before Chu Qiao could even reply, she saw that Pingan was making a weird face at her. She understood him and said, “Let’s descend the mountains. We are all carnivores, let’s not pretend that we are elegant”
Hearing that, Pingan quickly rushed up, and started telling Zhuge Yue about how some restaurants tastes amazing, with Jingjing agreeing at his side. Zhuge Yue flicked Pingan while jokingly scolding him, “This brat!”, before leading everyone out of the temple.
After giving a huge amount of donations, the temple prepared a quiet corner of the garden for them. As Yue Qi and the others went ahead to prepare the horses for them to return, only Zhuge Yue and Chu Qiao, along with a few others were remaining in the garden surrounded by autumn leaves while chatting.
Before sitting for long, Xiaofei suddenly began to fidget. Chu Qiao initially thought that she wanted to pee, so Chu Qiao pulled her aside, onto to see that Xiaofei was extremely fl.u.s.tered, and only after hesitating for a while did Xiaofei reveal that there was a fortune teller in the temple. His fortune telling was extremely accurate, and his medicines were all miracle medicines. The fact that she could have two kids was also thanks to his medicines. Yet, Yue Qi and Young Master did not believe her. This time around she could only come to purchase it secretly.
Naturally, Chu Qiao did not believe her. Deep down, Chu Qiao thought the fact that you could have a child was thanks to Yue Qi. How is that even remotely related to a fortune teller? Yet, seeing how she was so sincere in her words, Chu Qiao could not bear to reject her, so she accompanied Xiaofei after telling Zhuge Yue they would be away for a while.
The fortune teller donned a head of white hair, looking lonesome and mysterious. At first glance, one really felt as though he was somehow deity-like. Upon seeing Chu Qiao, he immediately said how she must be a person of great wealth, yet she was tied down by all kinds of bonds in her life. As long as she remained faithful to the Buddha, there would naturally be ways to resolve everything. Hearing that, Xiaofei keep nodding, as though telling Chu Qiao, “Look, this mister is so accurate.”
Yet, Chu Qiao could immediately tell that this was what this fortune teller would tell everyone. Who would not be tied down by bonds for their entire life? As for wealth, anyone could tell by looking at the quality of the clothes that they wore.
Xiaofei sat before the store and started her fortune telling, completely engrossed. Chu Qiao, on the other hand, felt extremely bored and suddenly noticed a familiar figure. Seeing that, she was completely stunned. After a while, she lowered her head and informed Xiaofei that she would be leaving shortly, before she quietly followed over.
It had been six years.
In the floating red leaves, he wore a set of white clothes, looking ever so normal, without the energy and spirit that he once possessed. With the autumn wind blowing past, his sleeves lightly fluttered, waving in the air.
“Your Highness, do you want to drink water?” A servant who seemed to be 18 to 19 walked up. Although dressed like a male, the voice gave away the fact that she was a young woman. Her back was facing Chu Qiao, so Chu Qiao could not see her face.
Zhao Song turned around. One could see how his face, which once was plump and childish, completely carefree, had completely slimmed down. Even though his body still stood upright, it was obvious that he was tinged with a sense of fatigue and lonesomeness. His eyes lost the spirit that he used to have, with only calmness and maturity remaining. Even though he was only slightly over 20, his two sides were already beginning to turn white.
He shook his head and calmly instructed, “I wish to walk around alone.”
The young girl did not move at all, and lifted her head up slightly. Holding the water, the breeze caressed her face, bringing a sense of familiarity to Chu Qiao. The servant suddenly lifted her head, and firmly asked, “Your Highness, are you waiting for someone?”
Zhao Song’s face seemed somewhat unhappy. He frowned and asked, “What did you say?”
“Your Highness, you have not left the palace for long, but why do you suddenly feel so interested today?”
It was obvious from Zhao Song’s gaze that he was even more unhappy, as he flashed a meaningful glare at the girl before walking off. The servant was taken aback, as she chased up, and tugged on his sleeves and advised, “Your Highness, have you forgotten about 14th Highness’ words?”
Being pulled by her, Zhao Song turned around slowly, his eyes deep like a lake, not revealing his emotions. He deeply stared into that young girl who was dressed like a man, and firmly declared, “Wuxin, not everyone in the world owes you something. Is your hate too strong?” Having said that, he turned and walked off into the autumn forest.
That young girl stood back facing Chu Qiao. Her figure seemed so frail in the swaying branches, as though wind could just come by and blow her away. There was a sense of loneliness that could never seem to be erased, overflowing from her fingertips, wave after wave. She stood so still, and after hesitating for a long time, she finally made up her mind as she wiped her face with her sleeves, as though wiping away something, before chasing after Zhao Song’s footsteps.
With her departure, the forest returned to the peace it usually had, with birds chirping in the wind. A scene flashed before Chu Qiao’s eyes, as she was once again reminded of how so many years ago, he wore a set of sapphire blue that was embroidered with colorful birds and beautiful clouds. In his hand, there was a golden horse whip, as he told her proudly, “I think you are the prettiest of all the maidservants. How would it sound if I made you my general in charge of watching over the gates?”
With the wind pa.s.sing by, she suddenly felt cold. Xiaofei’s voice drew nearer in search of Chu Qiao, snapping Chu Qiao back into reality. Chu Qiao then went back while holding the hands of this mother of two.
The crowd seemed to be rather tired from roaming the entire area. As they went down, they took the carriage. In the shaking carriage, Zhuge Yue saw that Chu Qiao did not seem to be in very high spirits, and asked if she was tired. Chu Qiao said that she was indeed tired, before leaning on Zhuge Yue’s shoulder and falling asleep.
Zhuge Yue held her hand, and felt that she was extremely cold. He suddenly felt a tad worried as he instructed Yue Qi to rush.
“Zhao Che will be marrying soon.” Chu Qiao was rather taken aback as she lifted her head at Zhuge Yue. He replied, “He has not had very good fortune these years. He was almost going be a bachelor for life. You do not know the bride, but I guess you would like her. She is the young daughter of the leader of Donghu. Her name is Wan Yanrou. Although her name sounds gentle, she had always been a crazy woman. Despite that, she is known to be sincere and kind. When she comes to the capital, I will bring you to meet her.”
Chu Qiao nodded, and suddenly remembered something, but did not say anything.
After the autumn festival, the weather started to turn colder, with the entire lake froze over. A huge snow came, coloring the entire heavens white, with only the interior of the rooms feeling comfortably warm, causing everyone to feel an urge to slack off.
In these days, there were a lot of people rushing around in the Grand Marshal’s Residence, and Zhuge Yue seemed to be rather busy too. Even Yue Qi could not be found. According to Xiaofei, he was sent on a mission by Zhuge Yue and had already left for a week.
On that night, Chu Qiao casually asked Zhuge Yue, yet he tried to be mysterious, and said that he was going to give her a surprise. The surprise came earlier than expected. Three days later, Sun Di sent his men and brought to her personal letters and official doc.u.ments. It turned out that the Grand Marshal of the Xia Empire had sought Chu Qiao’s hand in marriage from Tang Empire, as Chu Qiao was now officially affiliated with the Tang Empire. The first dowry had already reached the Tang Empire.
Upon hearing the news, Zhuge Yue was still in bed. Wearing silky white pajamas, he supported his hand with one hand, with an expression that seemed like he was smiling, laziness written all over his face.
Chu Qiao walked over and threw the letter to him, and asked, “What is this?”
Zhuge Yue earnestly replied, “What is wrong? I was preparing for our wedding. Isn’t it only natural?”
Chu Qiao frowned. “My ident.i.ty was rather sensitive in the Empire. Are you not afraid that there will be gossip?”
Zhuge Yue smiled and dismissed that concern. “I am going to get married, how is that gossip related to me?”
It was as though a hole had been poked into the hot water bag, as the warmth seeped out and filled her entire heart. Chu Qiao’s smile overflowed as she squatted down and leaned her head on his leg, and stayed there.
Zhuge Yue sat up and hugged her, as he bent down and rubbed her hair with his forehead, and whispered, “I thought about it for so many years. How could I allow you to marry me so silently? I would definitely inform the entire world, and tell everyone that you are mine.”
Following that day, the entire place suddenly became super busy. Chu Qiao did not know what kind of methods Zhuge Yue had used, but all of Zhen Huang City had seemingly had some kind of memory loss as no one remembered that she had once helped Yan Xun escape from Zhen Huang City, and no one talked about how she had resulted in two fruitless Northern Campaigns. Even more, no one mentioned how she had personally killed the Third Prince, Zhao Qi.
In the next few days, the ladies of the various big families visited the residence one by one, with all kinds of rare gifts. Even some officials who were not particularly close to Zhuge Yue and Zhao Che had given their share of gifts out of courtesy.
On the third of December, news came from Sheng Jin Palace that the Emperor was on his last legs from the illness, and summoned Zhuge Yue into the palace. By right, when the Emperor was sickly, apart from the Princes or his royal siblings, he was not supposed to summon any officials. Yet, as the Emperor’s life hung by a string, no one would know when he would breathe his last breath. As such, Lord Mu from Lingnan along with the kings from n.o.ble families all requested to meet the Emperor. At this moment, letting Zhao Che face the crowd alone in the palace was not a good move. As such, Zhuge Yue applied to enter the palace as well. Being so sick, what could the Emperor say? In fact, to Zhao Yang and others, they would also be rather uncomfortable with letting Zhuge Yue be on the loose while everything was happening in the palace. With that, Sheng Jin Palace became busy as the greatest powers in the Empire were gathered in such a small place.
Yet, on the night that the various leaders all entered the palace, the Donghu army situated in the West of the city started to fight with the personal army of the Mu family. No one knew the precise reason for the fight, but by the time Chu Qiao was rudely awoken by the ruckus, the entire sky had been colored red, with messengers being blocked from entering the palace. It was obvious that someone had intentionally done so.