Chapter 29: "Ye Feihong"
Using Spirit Medicine to refine an immortal pill was the usual course of things. Even eating these Spirit Medicines alone could be considered normal practice, but Hong Xiaobao treated them like simple vegetables, and just made a dish out of them!
“This is a secret recipe that I developed lately. Father Emperor, how does it taste?” Hong Xiaobao was grinning foolishly, as a little child that found a peculiar stone, and wanted to show it to his mother.
“En, it is really tasty. A first-cla.s.s dish!” Hong Wenqing said after tasting it carefully, with a satisfied nod.
“Hah, tasty? Then I’ll bring some more!” Hong Xiaobao was beaming with joy, as he ran hurriedly into the kitchen. “Wait for me, I’ll make two more meals for you all!” He said as he ran through the gate.
“This child … HaHa .” Hong Wenqing shook his head with a smile. “But, his bearing is very likable.”
“Yes !” Empress Qiao Xianxian held Yun Caixiao’s hand, as her face showed signs of pity. She then said with a sigh, “Oh, Caixiao. As you can see, our Xiaobao is outstanding in every matter other than martial arts. know that you’re a martial arts prodigy, therefore we won’t demand you to stay with Xiaobao… We will also not blame you.”
Although Qiao Xianxian thought that Hong Xiaobao was meant for Yun Caixiao, she knew that she could not demand such a thing from her. She was most aware of her child’s condition, therefore she expressed her feelings first, to avoid any embarra.s.sment.
“Empress, Your Majesty shouldn’t worry herself.” When Hong Xiaobao was mentioned, Yun Caixiao smiled lightly. “ already discussed this matter with Xiaobao. am willing to wait three years for him. So long as in these three years he can bring up even the tiniest bit of true qi, then would be willing to wait another 6 years for him. With Big Brother Xiaobao’s talent then once he makes his first step, the following ones should be very easy!”
When Yun Caixiao said that, Hong Wenqing and Qiao Xianxian looked at her with a gratified gaze.
“Oh, Caixiao, you were so wronged by us …,” Hong Wenqing said, while shaking his head. “The most precious time of a girl’s life was sacrificed for my Xiaobao … Ahh, since you’ve already made your decision, then shall honor it. And shall guarantee that you will not suffer any kind of bullying!”
“ En ,” Yun Caixiao lowered her head with a slight blush.
The atmosphere in the whole room was a little depressing, so Qiao Xianxian said “*Sigh*, our Xiaobao celebrates his birthday, and he even went to make some food for us! But here we are sitting here, all sad and depressed. Let’s drink this Profound Yuan and Purple Jade Soup in honor of Xiaobao…. But I must say, Caixiao, you are such a good child, so clever and attractive! It’s truly Hong Xiaobao’s fortune that he could’ve met you.” As she said that, she picked up a bowl full of soup, and gave it to her.
This move of hers was quite affectionate.
“Thank you, Empress … “ Yun Caixiao was astounded by Empress Qian Xianxian’s words, and her complexion was red. She then said with a small voice, “Tasty … “
“Ha Ha, it’s good that you like it.” Hong Wenqing stroked his beard with a smile. Suddenly, an imperial guard came into the room and reported, “Your Majesty, Thunder Sound Pavilion elder, Ye Feihong, has arrived and seeks an audience with Your Majesty.”
“Ye Feihong ?!” Hong Wenqing asked surprised. He was startled by this unexpected visit, so his brows wrinkled greatly. “His intention being … ?”
“It may be so .” Qiao Xianxian naturally understood Hong Wenqing meaning. She patted Yun Caixiao’s hand and said, “Caixiao, you should not be afraid, let’s go and look up to what mischief this Ye Feihong is up to!”
“En !” Yun Caixiao said with a nod.
“Mother Empress, I’ll also go.” The Third Prince, Hong Haoyun, stood up. “ feel they are up to no good… they may even have some ideas regarding Younger Brother Bao!”
“Nonsense !” Hong Wenqing said with a deep veneration. “What good will there be of you going? Go back and practice your martial arts! Do not come back, unless ordered to do otherwise!”
“No, I must go!” Hong Haoyun said firmly, “Whoever wants to hurt my Younger Brother Bao, I’ll break his legs!”
“This is the Thunder Sound Pavilion elder, Ye Feihong! A 8 star martial artist. Do you have any skill to go and show off?!” Hong Wenqing said anxiously. “Go back, and practice your martial arts!”
“Even if I am unable to defeat him now, give me 10 … maybe 20 years and will be sure to top him!” Hong Haoyun said. “In any case, if he wants to hurt Brother Bao, will not forgive him!”
Seeing Hong Haoyun manner, Qiao Xianxian sighed lightly. The Third Prince was not Qiao Xianxian’s son. His biological mother had died at birth, nevertheless she loved him as her own kin, especially since he was quite close with Hong Xiaobao.
Ye Feihong would not visit them without any cause. It was obvious that he came here for Yun Caixiao, and although Hong Xaoyun was simple-hearted, he was not stupid, and he knew that there would be some disturbance in the imperial palace.
“Your Majesty, please let Haoyun go with us.” Qian Xianxian sighed lightly.
“This …. Ok, let him go.” Hong Wenqing was finally convinced by the Empress words “Let’s have a look at the purpose of elder Ye Feihong’s visit …”
Naturally, Hong Wenqing had heard about Hong Xiaobao’s and Ye Jinning’s affair, but he did not want to interfere with the matters of juniors … He certainly did not expect that Ye Feihong would take this matter so seriously, so he wanted to avoid any conflicts, if possible.
When these four people; Hong Wenqing, Hong Haoyun, Qiao Xianxian, and Yun Caixiao arrived at the Xuan Yang palace, they saw another four people waiting for them.
One of them was a young man, which was obviously Ye Jinning. Near him stood Yun Shengxuan, and beside him stood a man that looked to be 40 years old. His posture dignified, his brows wrinkled, and his face showed an angry expression.
There was one more person that looked like an middle- aged scholar. He was calm and composed. His bearing was a little like that of an Confucian erudite. There was a “Saint”[1] character embroidered on his left sleeve. When Hong Wenqing saw it, his eyes narrowed a little, Saint Academy? What were they doing here?
Although Hong Wenqing had his doubts, he could not voice them out, so he simply said, “Thunder Sound Pavilion Elder, Ye Feihong’s honorable self visited Us, please excuse Us for not coming out to meet Elder.” He then looked at the nearby scholar, and said, “ wonder who this honorable master might be?”
“This one’s name is Zuo Shixian of Saint Academy. I greet Brother Hong!” Zuo Shixian cupped his hands in a polite greeting.
“So it was Brother Zuo all along! I have heard of Brother Zuo’s great reputation before! It is indeed fortunate to meet Brother Zuo here!” Hong Wenqing was a little surprised by Shixian’s politeness, so he hurriedly returned the greetings.
Although he was an emperor, and his status was aloof, it was only in the eyes of the common people.
He still needed to show some respect for the masters of Jiang Hu, like Ye Feihong or Zuo Shixian.
“Humph. You can exchange your greetings later. I have something to speak with Mr.Hong,” Ya Feihong said with a dignified tone. And although he said these words to Hong Wenqing, he actually looked at Yun Caixiao.
“Really? Hong Wenqing’s heartbeat became irregular when he heard that, but he tried to remain calm. “Then please say!”