And with this, we"re sort of a quarter through the story! Anyway, ready for this chapter? Despite the t.i.tle of the chapter (sounds comical to me), it gives more clue for the actual truth behind the whole problem in Anxi.
Chapter 30 – The Crown Prince and Dog Translated by HaruOngy at Geniusly Plain (If you can see this line, you must have read this in the aggregator site which illegally steal various works. Be shameful of yourself for not appreciating the translator"s hard work. Don"t think only you want to have it the easy way. Support the fanbase and translator!)
Ever since the Emperor let the Crown Prince raised outside for a month, the Crown Prince actually was a little unable to restraint his heart.
He stood in the middle of layer upon layer of palace walls while listening to the sounds of wind and rain which cut off the picturesque land. He had already built himself a fictional figure in the world yet Chu Xun felt it was meaningless. In the future, throughout the year, he would stay forever inside the Ninth Heaven"s imperial palace. The youth occasionally heaved a sigh.
Hence, when Mei Qian Deng brought him and shuttled back and forth in the night, in Chu Xun"s inner heart an excitement rose indistinctly. Mingled with nervousness and worried antic.i.p.ation, those that would happen and those that were unable to predict, no matter what was the result all of them made him felt an antic.i.p.ation and surge.
On the other hand, Mei Qian Deng this boor seemed to have opened the huge gate to a new world for him.
In that world, there had glint and flash of daggers and swords, had loyalty and fearlessness, had swift desire and hatred as well as long love between man and woman.
When he followed Mei Qian Deng, that"s not right! When he brought Mei Qian Deng along, Chu Xun felt like daring to venture out into the world.
The Qing Feng Ming Yue Brothel was brightly lit. Mei Qian Deng half forced half compelled[1] Chu Xun to change to a night clothes and even covered his face. They were two shadows squatting on the roof of the Qing Feng Ming Yue Brothel. This building was like a nine-storey exquisite paG.o.da. The higher they went, the higher the higher the rank. Those that had the ability to receive the beauties" serving on the ninth floor were no longer just based on money. Only those of highest n.o.bility had the right to enter there.
Tonight, the Qing Feng Ming Yue Brothel was quiet all around. The bright moon hang outside the building. The workers who were responsible of guarding outside the building seemed to have been cleared completely. No one stopped Mei Qian Deng and Chu Xun from intruding.
Chu Xun was very careful and prudent as he squatted on the roof. He only felt that he had done the horse stance until his legs were still trembling.
He asked Mei Qian Deng, "What do we do next?"
"Wait."
Mei Qian Deng removed a tile but she noticed she couldn"t see clearly the situation inside the building. She thought that it must be back during the construction year, they had added some techniques to prevent peeping. Thereupon, Mei Qian Deng signalled Chu Xun to wait at the same place. She drew a circle on Chu Xun"s head before she left.
Chu Xun squatted at there. Because both his legs were quivering and he was squatting unsteadily, he changed to a sitting posture. Both his knees were separated at both sides while both his hands propped up at the front to stabilise his centre of gravity. He frowned as he bewildered. Why did this boor draw a circle at this Crown Prince? Why, this is just like in the opera script where Sun Wu Kong[2] drew a circle for Tang Seng[3] to prevent little demonesses from kidnapping Tang Seng. Tsk, this Crown Prince has far better ident.i.ty, much appetising than Tang Seng"s meat.
In Chu Xun"s far sight, he watched Mei Qian Deng singlehandedly rummaged around the windowsill of the ninth floor. Her body was light as feather. In another blink, she disappeared, unknown to him where she went.
The time slowly flowed. Chu Xun waited in a trance on the roof. Nearby was the sound of dance and songs and music sound. An occasional barking sound could be heard from far away. The commoners in the capital city liked to raise dogs. Chu Xun waited as he got more and more worried. He lifted his head to look at the moon. That far away barking repeated continuously. "Bark, bark, bark."
It was a long time later that Mei Qian Deng returned from another direction. She slapped Chu Xun"s head. "Now, there"s no one. Quickly follow me." Because she was standing while Chu Xun was squatting, looking from higher level view, Chu Xun"s head was positioned right at Mei Qian Deng"s hand. It was just right to touch.
Chu Xun, "Oh!" He was very excited. His eyes shone brightly. Finally, he could move!
It was in a flash so he didn"t notice Mei Qian Deng"s disrespect. By the time he notice, he had already been brought inside the building by Mei Qian Deng. They steadily landed on a roof beam inside a certain vacant room. He held his head as he swore to settle the accounts at an opportune moment. It was exactly at that moment that the door of the room was opened.
The one who first entered was a woman. A gentle and lithe woman, her voluptuous beauty was very captivating. The quality of the beauties in the Qing Feng Ming Yue Brothel had always been needless to say. She moved lightly with lily steps[4] then she turned around to welcome. The second person entered the room. It was a man. His appearance was a first-cla.s.s but there was a strong sinister and ruthless flavour in his dignified appearance. He could be considered as a mature yet permeating with demonic quality beautiful man.
Chu Xun suddenly frowned. In his heart he scolded once, f.u.c.k his old mom. Wasn"t this person his eldest brother-in-law, Bai Qiu Qu?!
The rumour in the capital was not an unfounded story. This fuma really went in and out of the brothels.
Mei Qian Deng softly told him, "This woman is the one we"re supposed to persuade."
Chu Xun scrutinised that woman again. Her face revealed a lascivious pose. It was a woman stirred by love who was engrossed when facing her beloved one with yet unaware that her appearance had betrayed her. In this world, women were usually far harder to control than men. It was because women were emotional creatures. When they made a decision, it was based on their heart instead of their reasoning.
He could only listen to what those people below him conversed.
The woman, "Lord Young Master, does the Grand Princess really want to divorce you?" When she asked this question, it was less of worry but more of rejoicing covertly.
"Things that shouldn"t be asked, shouldn"t be asked." Fuma Bai"s face turned dark. He was not an easy to be close with person. Between him and the Grand Princess, it was as if two ices hanging on the eaves during winter. It was hard to imagine this sort of pair of frosty husband and wife to be deeply in love until old age.
That woman obviously was reluctant to part with fuma yet she was not dare to throw herself in his arms. She seemed to be completely fear this fuma.
Bai Qiu Qu sat on one side and poured himself a cup of tea. A moment later, he asked her, "You"re anxious to meet me, only to say such matter to me?"
The woman knelt. "Lord Young Master, nu[5]……" She wavered and hesitated. She didn"t know from where she should start. "A few days ago, someone came and threatened nu. He[6] wanted nu to say bad things about Qing Feng Ming Yue Brothel in public. That person even said…… the Grand Princess never had Lord Young Master in her heart. If Lord Young Master ever got in trouble, she will surely not stand together through thick and thin with Lord Young Master and will not help Lord Young Master to ask for mercy. Qing Feng Ming Yue Brothel is inevitable to collapse. Even if there is no one try to use nu, there will still be other methods for Qing Feng Ming Yue Brothel to collapse. However, if nu helps them, it can make sure Lord Young Master not dead. Who truly love Lord Young Master, who is willing to stay together with Lord Young Master in life and death, at that time Lord Young Master will surely be able to see clearly."
Bai Qiu Qu listened. There was no change in his face. The body however had changed to standing from sitting. He looked down while standing in front of that woman, giving her a huge tension.
"Nu previously was brainwashed by that person to actually agree to their request. After a few days of careful thinking, nu felt deeply uneasy and hence was anxious to meet Lord Young Master. It doesn"t matter if nu is dead or alive. To accompany Lord Young Master in death or not, it too doesn"t matter. Nu only wants Lord Young Master to be safe. Nu hopes for Lord Young Master to sharpen your vigilance. They seems to be going to make their move." After she finished saying, she kowtowed her head towards Bai Qiu Qu.
Bai Qiu Qu said, "Since you have realised your error and show repentance, I will let you live. Remember your own ident.i.ty. It"s fine to just do properly your own work."
"Yes."
"Also, take back that idea of yours. No matter what the Grand Princess did, she is forever my wife. I forbid you b.i.t.c.h to make irresponsible remarks. Don"t let me say this for the second time." When Bai Qiu Qu looked at the woman, there was a disgust in his eyes. He had never felt it was worthy to give his true heart to the others. Only Chu Yin alone. But the laughable thing was Chu Yin was like that too. She absolutely felt unworthy to give her true heart to anyone.
I offer my heart to the bright moon yet it drains to no avail under the bright moon"s s.h.i.+ne.
"Retreat then."
Bai Qiu Qu rubbed between his eyebrows. Unconsciously, he revealed a slightly exhausted appearance.
The woman silently wept. Just as she was going to stand up and retreat, two figures came down from above suddenly.
Chu Xun only saw a firework before his eyes. After the gale, when he opened his eyes he saw his own eldest brother-in-law. Chu Xun blinked his eyes repeatedly. When he opened his mouth, what came out was, "Imperial Brother-in-Law……"
Bai Qiu Qu, "Crown Prince?!"
The fuma"s eyelids kept twitching while the edge of his eyes shrunk slightly. He actually didn"t recognise these two people in black clothes who suddenly appeared. When he heard Chu Xun"s voice, it made him truly surprised. Bai Qiu Qu absolutely had never thought the dignified Crown Prince who was the national treasure delicately brought up in the palace for more than ten years would come out to do such dangerous matter.
It was a very awkward moment. Mei Qian Deng and that woman were outsiders. Both of them were calm as the two of them stretched out their hands at the same time. One of them wanted to rush forward to protect Bai Qiu Qu but was stopped by Mei Qian Deng"s fast as lightning move. She cleanly chopped that woman unconscious. Bai Qiu Qu secretly thought it was not good. When he wanted to attack, it was already too late. After Mei Qian Deng had finished chopping, she conveniently moved to behind Bai Qiu Qu. Bai Qiu Qu felt a cold on his neck. When he lowered his head, he saw a cold sword was pressed onto his neck.
"Crown Prince, what do you mean by this?"
Bai Qiu Qu was not someone who clung abjectly to life. He was intolerant of others. He would seek revenge just for an angry face. The Bai family ancestors had fought side by side with the founding Emperor. His family had the credit of founding the empire and hence for many generations had enjoyed glory, splendour, wealth and rank. What would he be afraid of? He had nothing to be afraid of. However, a man who was never content was like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. The things he wanted, by hook or by crook he would obtain them. No matter it was the zhuangyuan rank nor the Grand Princess.
Oh, right, Bai family still have a death-pardoning gold medal.
Chu Xun blinked his eyes. His mind rotated at lightning speed. This boor originally said they were coming here to persuade that woman to defect. When Chu Xun was waiting for her on the roof, he had prepared a pile of mental draft in his stomach as preparation to use his eloquent tongue. With his brilliant lotus tongue[7], he would pull that woman to the right side. It was ultimately useless…… it was different from what he imagined.
"Why does Imperial Brother-in-Law have to ask again?" In the end, the Crown Prince was quick-witted as he threw that question back to Bai Qiu Qu.
Bai Qiu Qu"s face turned unsightly. He coldly smirked. "Ah Yin choose yesterday to divorce me. Nan Bai Cheng too just had to enter the capital yesterday to accuse before the Emperor. Today you all have already been so anxiously make a move. In the end, she was unwilling to spare half a feeling for me."
Chu Xun didn"t know how to reply.
He could see clearly. Although Bai Qiu Qu was not an honest and kind person, he was sincere towards his elder sister. Unfortunately even if he used up all his tricks, he never obtained the Grand Princess" heart.
"Let"s go." Mei Qian Deng shoved Bai Qiu Qu from the back. She didn"t let Chu Xun to speak further. If he spoke more, it would be easier to reveal the flaw.
Outside the door stood Mo Nian Yuan who had changed his face. He showed a victory sign at Mei Qian Deng. The "that person" who that woman previously said defected her was this person. Not only that, yesterday the kind (phony) person who was outside the palace gate was him as well. Now, Chu Xun in a weird clothes detained the fuma back to the palace while Mei Qian Deng led them. The route they took was even the main door.
The crowd watched in succession. They didn"t recognise Chu Xun but fuma Bai"s face most of them knew. All of them were surprised. "Fuma Bai really come and visit the Qing Feng Ming Yue Brothel?!"
Pa.s.ser-by A: "Who are the two youngsters beside fuma Bai? Why are they catching fuma Bai?"
Mo Nian Yuan the little trickster changed into a gossip trumpet, "I heard just now fuma Bai called the youngster walking at the front Crown Prince."
Ah!
So it was actually the Crown Prince.
On the third day since Nan Bai Cheng entered the capital to accuse before the Emperor, the gossip had raised a hue and cry in the capital city.
The latest one was——the Crown Prince personally took action as he feel outraged for the Grand Princess and fuma Bai was caught in adultery red-handed.
This imperial family"s show was very splendid!
[1] Basically, fully forced Chu Xun
[2] The Monkey King, one of the main characters in Journey to the West
[3] Xuan Zang, a Buddhist monk who is one of the main characters in Journey to the West, who is said to have body that can grant immortality to anyone who eats him.
[4] A light, graceful walking
[5] Literally, this servant/slave
[6] The original text didn"t reveal the gender of that person so I"ll be using the "male" term until the truth reveals
[7] Figuratively, with highly literate and splendid speak (or eloquent mouth)…. Yes, I know, it"s almost redundant but that"s how the original text is like so just think of it as being stressed out by the writer.
Translated by HaruOngy at Geniusly Plain (If you can see this line, you must have read this in the aggregator site which illegally steal various works. Be shameful of yourself for not appreciating the translator"s hard work. Don"t think only you want to have it the easy way. Support the fanbase and translator!)