Chapter 103
Book 10 Chapter 6 – The Deciding Factor
While Xiang Shaolong is still undecided, Empress Jing stood up. He was expecting her to storm out in a huff; instead, she walked slowly to the window and released a long breath, gazing at the trees and flowers. Xiang Shaolong followed her lead and leaned on the window sill, scrutinizing her chiselled face.
Although her face is peach-red, her mesmerizing eyes show that she is still dwelling on her past. Switching between happiness, anger, sadness and pain is all alternating on her face.
Xiang Shaolong is sure that the drug is taking effect, causing her to reveal her hidden and suppressed expressions. She has even forgotten her original intention to get Xiang Shaolong to harm Zhao Ya.
This Queen of Zhao seems to be in a trance as if she has taken some mind-altering medication. Exhibiting an unusual side of her, she seems to have lost her normal will power and sense of preparedness.
Xiang Shaolong plucked up his courage and reached out with his hand around her soft and tender shoulder. "What is Her Majesty thinking about?" he soothingly asked.
Empress Jing appears to be immune to his touch. Shaking her head, she cried: "I hate him!"
Xiang Shaolong was taken aback and coaxed: "Who dares to offend Your Majesty? Hei! Do you want another cup of wine?"
Irritated, Empress Jing scowled: "Wouldn’t drinking wine make me feel even worse than before?!" She did not even turn her head and stared at him through the corner of her eye.
Xiang Shaolong has a guilty conscience and dare not incur her wrath. Releasing his grip on her shoulder, he nodded: "Yes! If you cut water with a knife, the water will still flow on. If you drink, the alcohol entering your upset liver will be transformed into tears."
Unknowingly, he sprouted a line from Li Bai, the great Tang Dynasty Poet. Due to his limited memory, the verse is modified and doesn’t make any sense.
Empress Jing muttered: "If you cut water with a knife, the water will still flow on. If you drink, the alcohol entering your upset liver will be transformed into tears." Her curvy figure started to shake and she faced him with her eyes s.h.i.+ning with coldness.
Xiang Shaolong is so nervous that his hands and feet turned into ice. He cursed himself for acting like an unrefined boor and yet came up with a fantastic line like that.
The chill in her eyes faded rapidly as Empress Jing sighed: "What a moving verse! It is subtle but yet pleasing to the ear. For so many years, this is the first time I am touched by poetry." Ending, her face became even more reddish.
Xiang Shaolong was relieved. He is certain that she was recollecting her past with Prince Xinling, causing her pretty eyes to turn cold. It appears that Prince Xinling has dealt her such a heavy blow that she is still unable to let go after so many years. Her tryst with Zhao Mu is likely to be a form of revenge. In this case, she must be ignorant about Han Chuang’s and Prince Xinling’s conspiracy.
Prince Xinling gained her true love while Zhao Mu is all about perverted satisfaction and excitement.
After they gazed at each other for some time, Empress Jing warmed up and state in a low voice: "Dong Kuang! You are a special man."
Xiang Shaolong tested the waters by reaching over and holding her snow white jade hands. Her hands are well-manicured with long fingernails.
Empress Jing rotated slightly and allowed her precious hand to land in this man’s grasp.
Just as Xiang Shaolong is about to pull her into his embrace, Empress Jing retracted her hand. Her delicate eyes show signs of awakening as she coldly snorted: "Does General Dong know why I have summoned you?"
Xiang Shaolong was dismayed that the effects of the drug are subsidizing and this woman is recovering her usual clarity. He nodded: "Please give your orders and I will not fail you."
Xiang Shaolong left Han Chuang’s residence and headed to Zhao Mu’s residence at once. The traitor is not at home and he left a message and head back to the Command Centre to liaise with Teng Yi. After his report, he sighed: "There are bound to be some setbacks. Now, we can only rely on military might. I thought that we can seduce her and break Zhao Mu’s 5exual control over her. Who knows...! Ai!"
Teng Yi rea.s.sured: "She has not given you the ‘evidence’ to plant in Lady Ya’s residence. When you meet up again, just increase the dosage."
Xiang Shaolong shook his head: "First, we may not be drinking. Second, I am not used to such methods to deal with women. Forget it! It is better than Ya’er leave Handan City and we have one less consideration."
Teng Yi informed: "Talented Lady Ji just sent word that she has informed Xiaocheng that she will return to Wei tomorrow. From what I see, her departure will stir up some debates and speculation, especially from Li Yuan and Lord Longyang."
Xiang Shaolong could understand his meaning.
This selfish and devious Li Yuan will not give up on an opportunity that is within his reach. Lord Longyang will suspect that she is leaving to rendezvous with Xiang Shaolong.
Her leaving of Handan City will not be as smooth as expected.
Teng Ti added; "You need not fret over Yanran. I have made arrangements. Earlier, I have sent someone to move the Tian sisters secretly to the farm. Tomorrow, they can escape to Xianyang with Mister Zou (Yan)."
Xiang Shaolong is still worried: "How will you deal with Lord Longyang and Li Yuan?"
Teng Yi explained: "Lord Longyang will not resort to force with Talented Lady. He will only send spies to observe in secret. He will also notify the Wei border guards to track her movement. As long as we do not allow his men to reach Wei, everything will be taken care of."
Xiang Shaolong nodded at his brilliance. With him controlling the City Guards, killing Lord Longyang’s spies is a piece of cake.
Teng Yi continued: "From my estimates, Li Yuan may resort to force when necessary. He cannot send his own men to attack her and can only ask Tian Dan for a.s.sistance. I will personally escort Talented Lady Ji and Zou Yan with an army of Zhao soldiers. We will lay down a decoy and send them to Han instead. This will take care of Li Yuan’s ploy."
Xiang Shaolong laughed: "Yanran is not a common and weak woman. She is full of wisdom and strength to protect herself. Let Big Brother see to this. I still need you her to watch over Zhao Ming Xiong and company. We must pay extra attention to the men on Zhao Ming Xiong’s name list."
Teng Yi asked: "There is something that I still do not comprehend. Why would Zhao Mu want to get the Qi army involved? With Xiaocheng’s death, he will be in power. Killing Li Mu and Lian Po will be easy, not to mention idiots like Guo Kai and Cheng Xu. I am certain that he still suspects Empress Jing and treats you like a p.a.w.n. His real trust should lie with Zhao Ming Xiong and not an outsider like you. He can even blame you for opening the gates to the Qi army and killed Tian Dan and Li Yuan at the same time. No one is better than Zhao Mu in understanding the ambitions of Qi and Chu against the Three State Ally."
Xiang Shaolong ran these thoughts in his head and nodded: "Second Brother is right. Zhao Mu will never be satisfied with our independent att.i.tude. But things are too complicated and Tian Dan, Li Yuan will surely have a plot against Zhao Mu. We can only react to whatever situations that arises