Chapter 60: To Use Intrigues and Schemes
Bai Aoxue saw Jun Yeyan who looked at Jun Wuhen with unconcealed hatred, as if he would pounce on Jun Wuhen the next second and dismembered him.
Bai Aoxue was anxious, while Jun Yeyan also turned round to see Bai Aoxue as he could read her mind.
Bai Aoxue looked at Jun Yeyan whose eyes were full of sorrow. Finding sadness in his eyes, Bai Aoxue’s entire chest seemed to be blocked, which made her unable to breathe.
Some unnamable pain that she didn’t understand came over as if it was going to swallow her.
Jun Yeyan saw Bai Aoxue shaking her head. Her eyes were full of concern. Jun Yeyan finally calmed down because of those worried eyes.
Jun Yeyan was just like this. He could burst into anger in a second, while correspondingly, he also could calm down in an instant.
Fortunately, instead of noticing the abnormality of Jun Yeyan, everyone was paying attention to that statue and Jun Wuhen who was happy. Bai Aoxue heaved a sigh of relief.
“Lord Chengxi, you don’t need to care about this. It seems that my effort worth it. I hope you can cherish it.” Qi Liange didn’t tell the origin of that statue, but his words confirmed that the statue was not easy to be found.
“Men! Be careful to move this statue back to my sleeping quarter. Remember to be careful. Even a little bit of scratch and scribble are not allowed! ” Jun Wuhen looked at those servants and warned them seriously.
Everyone had their own thoughts about Jun Wuhen’s decision of transporting the sculpture back to his palace.
Eunuch Zhao ordered servants to lift the red sandalwood box carefully and gently. They then slowly receded from everyone’s view, which also closed the secret that everyone wanted to snoop.
Jun Wuhen, who came back to himself from surprise, immediately looked at Jun Yeyan, only to see that Jun Yeyan looked at Bai Aoxue who sat opposite him with infatuation as if he didn’t see that statue at all.
Jun Wuhen seemed to be irritated by Jun Yeyan’s behavior. He then gave a snort of contempt forcefully.
At this time, Luoyan’s clear voice sounded.
“Luoyan together with Mobei’s amba.s.sadors greet Lord Chengxi.”
When they heard the voice of Luoyan, everyone recalled Princess Luoyan who was forgotten because of the statue.
Jun Wuhen resisted his unhappiness and looked at Luoyan with a smile: “Princess Luoyan, please make yourself at home. You don’t need to be so polite.”
When those people present listened to Jun Wuhen’s words, they were astonished in different degrees. Those people who were concerned most were a few ministers’ sons who were obsessed with Luoyan.
In addition, Liu Manyun, who sat beside Jun Wuhen, kept pretending to be happy.
Jun Wuhen’s words were vague. Everyone thought that he probably wanted to take Luoyan as his own or granted marriage to her and the son of one of the ministers.
But Bai Aoxue felt that Jun Wuhen intended to own Luoyan.
First, Luoyan was beautiful and young, and that attractive wildness was her special feature. Second, once Luoyan married him, Mobei was under his control. After all, Lord Mobei loved Luoyan the most.
Jun Wuhen’s intention could be seen by anyone who was sensitive.
However, Luoyan was coming just for Ye Zhaojue. Would Jun Wuhen allow them to get married? After all, Ye Zhaojue wielded the military power. Their marriage would only pose threat to Jun Wuhen.
Jun Wuhen wouldn’t allow the existence of potential danger. If she wanted him to approve, she should probably make a lot of efforts.
Bai Aoxue looked at Luoyan who was standing in the central. Such a woman was indeed lack of gentleness and was more wild and unruly. It was normal for a man who was sick of those gentle and pet.i.te official daughters like Jun Wuhen to be interested in Luoyan.
Luoyan smiled lightly: “Lord Chengxi, you are too polite. This time, I take the heart of pursuing peace with me, and I also bring some small gifts. I hope that you can love them.”
When Jun Wuhen listened to Luoyan’s words, he was very happy. The peace of Mobei was the greatest thing for him. He didn’t care those gifts at all.
Moreover, the pursuit of peace of Mobei was already the best gift.
“Hhh, since Princess Luoyan is so sincere, of course, I will give you your due. You can sit down now.” Jun Wuhen laughed, while his eyes were flashing lights like a wolf that kept looking at Luoyan.
“Thank you, Lord Chengxi!” Luoyan didn’t reject, then she quickly walked to her seat. Her behavior was straightforward and nimble.
Bai Aoxue looked at Luoyan and appreciated her even more.
“Everybody has a seat.” Jun Wuhen organized his emotions and waved his hand majestically.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Ministers respectfully replied.
Looking at everyone in the room, Wuhen faintly said: “I’m sure that you’ve already known the purpose of today’s banquet. General Ye Zhaojue, the greatest hero of Chengxi, triumphantly returns. Nothing would make us happier.”
“General Ye has done so much for Chengxi. The deceased Emperor once said that General Ye was the pioneer of Chengxi. Chengxi is becoming more and more prosperous because of those heroes like General Ye.” Jun Wuhen looked at Ye Zhaojue with appreciation.
After Ye Zhaojue heard the words of Jun Wuhen, he stood up then said: “Your Majesty over praised me. These are all my duty. It is also every man’s duty to protect our country. Chengxi is worthy of my effort!”
Ye Zhaojue sat down after saying that.
Jun Wuhen couldn’t wait to say: “I appreciate that word ‘worthy’! I wasn’t wrong about you, General, so did the deceased Emperor! Chengxi is lucky to have such a hero like you!”
Ye Zhaojue’s answer quite pleased Jun Wuhen, which could be seen from his cheerful expression.
And all the officials also echoed and nodded.
Bai Aoxue secretly observed the expressions of them. She wasn’t interested in such a valueless opinion of Jun Wuhen. Indeed, the emperor was actually the most hypocritical.
Finding that Luoyan was looking at Ye Zhaojue with obsession, Bai Aoxue couldn’t help being anxious about her uncle. Women like Luoyan were actually quite like her.
As long as they’ve chosen the one, they would remain unchanged in their whole lives.
Well, has she chosen someone? Thinking about this, Bai Aoxue turned to look at Jun Yeyan, but saw he bowed his head. She didn’t know what he was thinking.
At this time, Bai Aoxue also felt that someone was looking at her with undisguised interest.
Gently frowning, Bai Aoxue saw a pair of lovely and charming eyes along that gaze. His eyes were like being filled with water. He smiled, but that smile didn’t come from his heart.
Bai Aoxue did not evade. She looked at Qi Liange without flinching.
Qi Liange was like a cunning and even shameful fox that always liked to trap other people. He could make them feel grateful after being caught, while anyone who was worldly would feel grat.i.tude when they confronted with his peerless face.
This was probably the charm of Qi Liange. Although Bai Aoxue didn’t hate him, she didn’t like him. She was more interested in the cinnabar mole in the middle of his eyebrows.
It was brilliantly red like blood, while was flirtatious and gorgeous.
Just when Bai Aoxue and Qi Liange were looking at each other, Jun Yeyan looked at Qi Liange and thought unhappily: why does he look like a woman? Bai Aoxue keeps looking at him just because of his face. Should I show Bai Aoxue my appearance?
Seeing that Qi Liange kept looking at her but didn’t say anything, Bai Aoxue didn’t care about him anymore.
When she just withdrew her gaze, she saw Bai Suxue looking at her with hatred. She then said ironically: “Well, are you disappointed about your fiancé after seeing the handsome face of Prince Peerless?”
Although Bai Suxue’s voice was weak, how could Jun Yeyan, who specialized at martial arts after years of practices, not hear her? Jun Yeyan was waiting for Bai Aoxue’s reply silently.
“What does his appearance have anything to do with me? Do you think that everyone cares about appearances like you? Are you really so stupid to think that a dyed sparrow can pretend to be a phoenix just because it stands higher?” Bai Aoxue said faintly.
However, she didn’t know that her words directly touched Bai Suxue’s sore spot. Bai Suxue also did not expect that her words would be so vicious even stronger than last time.
After so many times of quarrel, Bai Suxue was so stupid that she didn’t notice that although Bai Aoxue was indifferent, she was dark inside. Her words could always. .h.i.t the nail on the head.
When Jun Yeyan listened to Bai Aoxue’s latter sentence, his s.e.xy thin lips under the mask twitched fiercely. He then decided that he would never quarrel with Bai Aoxue in the future.
Jun Wuhen, on the other side, was still talking with ease and fluency as if his words were limitless, while those people who were listening to him were numbered.
“Well, today, I’ve said a lot. Presumably you are all hungry. Men!” Jun Wuhen realized that he has said enough.
“What is your command, Your Majesty?” Eunuch Zhao, who was waiting beside him with his back stooping down, asked respectfully.
“Serve the dishes!” Jun Wuhen said faintly.
After receiving the order, Eunuch Zhao cleared his throat and said: “Serve the dishes!”
The small eunuch at the entrance also took the order and followed: “Serve the dishes!”
The sounds of serving the dishes have followed each other one after another. After a while, the well-trained eunuchs and maidservants walked into the Imperial Garden with fine meals.
Bai Aoxue also began to observe those people who entered the garden. Finally, at Jun Yeyan’s section, she saw the eunuch Little Qingzi whom she saw behind the rockery.
That little eunuch had a sneaky look. He headed for Jun Yeyan with a delicate tray.
On the contrary, Jun Wuhen, who sat above, was at the same time looking at Jun Yeyan without blinking.
In order not to give the game away, Bai Aoxue withdrew her gaze. She then saw a maidservant who went towards her. She was the one who talked with Little Qingzi and who gave him those poisons.
She walked toward her also with a delicate tray. Bai Aoxue slightly narrowed her eyes and observed this girl. This girl’s hands which were holding the tray were still shaking.
Maybe her conscious troubled her for doing so.
The maidservant put the small and delicate dishes one by one uneasily, during which she dared not to look up at Bai Aoxue.
Bai Aoxue disdainfully turned her head to another side, while behind Eunuch Zhao, she saw a little eunuch shaking his head towards her. He looked very familiar.
After checking him carefully, Bai Aoxue found out that he was Cangsheng who went to Prime Minister’s mansion to announce the imperial edict together with her. It seemed that he was also one of Jun Wuhen’s favorites.
Bai Aoxue noticed that Cangsheng opened his mouth then spoke to her silently.
After Cangsheng finished, Bai Aoxue carefully put those words together then found out what his words.
Do not drink the wine in that cup.
Cangsheng thought that Bai Aoxue didn’t understand him, so he said word by word without making a voice.
Fortunately, since everyone was chatting, no one saw the interaction between Cangsheng and Bai Aoxue.
Bai Aoxue was grateful to Cangsheng for his behavior. She and Cangsheng knew each other only because of that poem, while he was risking his life to help her.
She must have this friend because of this!