Chapter 11
Book 1 Chapter 11 – The Affections of a Beauty
When Xiang Shaolong returned to the guesthouse, Tao Fang is already waiting for him.
After Chunying and the rest of the maids carried in their breakfast, they left.
Tao Fang sn.i.g.g.e.red and asked, "Is that flirtatious horse exciting?"
Xiang Shaolong replied from the bottom of his heart, "Extremely exciting."
Tao Fang stopped smiling and said seriously, "Master brought up the issue of your duel with Lian Jin to his Majesty, his Majesty was very happy and chose the duel to be at dusk the day after tomorrow. I think it’s best that you do not tangle with women for these few days, conserve your energy. You must win this duel."
Xiang Shaolong replied with some embarra.s.sment, "Don’t worry! I’m the kind that of person that, with more women I have, the more energetic I am. If there are no women, I’m more lethargic instead." When he saw that he looked doubtful, he added, "Don’t forget that on the night we dealt with the horse thieves, Ting Fangs.h.i.+ was sleeping with me."
Of course Tao Fang does not know that he did not copulate with Ting Fangs.h.i.+ that night, and after looking at him with admiration, said, "Now you’ve become the center of attraction in Handan, and on the same par as Master, even Guo Zong, who made his fortune from ironworks, was asking about you."
Xiang Shaolong exclaimed in surprise, "What? There’s actually someone else who is equally wealthy as our Master?"
Tao Fang replied, "There is only one such person in the state of Zhao. If we were to measure the number of Master’s livestock using valleys, then the weapons that Guo Zong made from iron can be measured using s.h.i.+ps. Not only did he supply weapons for the whole of Zhao, but also to all the other friendly states, earning a large sum of money." He lowered his voice and continued, "Because of this, his Majesty is more fond of Guo Zong than our Master, because Master’s Father is a half-Qin, that’s why he has such a strange name."
Xiang Shaolong’s heart lurched, as if he has a hazy idea, but is unable to describe it clearly.
Tao Fang added on, "I received confidential news last night, that rascal Wu Tingwei is very displeased with you, and very much wanted to have your Yan n.o.bility, Shu’er. That’s why he has decided to disregard Master’s orders and will kill you before your duel with Lian Jin. It seems like I will have to bring you along to pay a call to Young Master, so that that rascal will not dare to make any rash moves."
Xiang Shaolong was still thinking about the matter regarding Master Wu having Qin blood in him. No wonder he wanted so much for a Zhao to win Lian Jin, but maybe that’s not what he truly felt, but did this to show the Zhao Emperor that he is totally on their side. That’s why he refused to speak up for the Yans, and instead gave a beauty like Shu’er to him because of this thinking of his.
In the warring states period there is nothing more important that bloodline, so from this it can be seen what a difficult task it would be to unite the people from so many different countries. When he heard what Tao Fang said, he asked, "Will Lian Jin be helping that rascal deal with me?"
Tao Fang is really open with him now, and did not try to hide anything, saying "Even if you put a sword to Lian Jin’s neck now, he would not dare to start the fight first. That scoundrel went around picking fights because he wanted to get his Majesty’s attention. However his Majesty has always ignored him, and even told the people around him that he’s not happy that our Master have found a foreigner to make our own swordsmen look bad. Not that he’s got this chance, he would not want to spoil it."
Xiang Shaolong thought that this King Zhao is so narrow minded, how can he every accomplish anything great. He said with a laugh, "Without Lian Jin, I’m not afraid of that rascal, he can’t possibly find a few hundred people to attack me, right?"
Tao Fang was extremely impressed with his humor and chortled, "Of course not, and besides, he has to do this secretly. But it’s still better to pay a call to Eldest Young Master. Among Master’s 17 sons, Eldest Young Master is the most capable and is in charge of all business with other states. And he has a beautiful daughter Wu Tingfang who may have the opportunity of becoming the empress, but his Majesty is still hesitating about accepting Young Grand Missy because of Master having Qin blood in him. The n.o.bility in the royal family are all objecting to this."
Xiang Shaolong is getting all confused from all these. Things that look very simple on the surface, is actually extremely complicated, so he nodded his head and replied, "All right! I’ll pay a call to Eldest Young Master once I have the chance."
Tao Fang replied, "What chance or no chance, I’ll take you to see Eldest Young Master immediately. We need to gain the upper hand and not let Wu Tingwei strike first."
Xiang Shaolong furrowed his brows and said, "At least let me change my clothes first!"
Tao Fang laughed, "Hurry up! I’ll wait here for you."
Xiang Shaolong slipped back into his room hurriedly.
Shu’er and the 4 maids were rus.h.i.+ng to make his warrior clothes so that he can wear it to see the King of Zhao. Xiang Shaolong’s mood turned for the better, and his hands started roaming over the 5 ladies and enjoying their careful ministrations at the same time, making his one mistress and 4 maids all blush to their ears before he left with Tao Fang on horses to the Wu residence.
They came to the bustling martial arts practice field, went around the large mansion where they say Master Wu the other day, walked past a garden to another grand courtyard.
The two of them were invited to wait in the large hall.
After a while, a warrior walked out and invited Tao Fang in, leaving Xiang Shaolong alone, who wondered why that Eldest Young Master did not see them both?
At this point in time that warrior walked out again and told Xiang Shaolong, "Would Master Xiang please follow me!"
Xiang Shaolong followed him and went into another side hall first before abruptly turning left into a garden.
Xiang Shaolong was suspicious, and that warrior’s steps quickened suddenly. Right at this time, there was a flash of sword, and 2 long swords shot out from the bushes on either side, aiming straight at his left and right side.
Luckily he has an intuition long ago, and without advancing or retreating, just stood on the spot and drew out his sword. "Clang clang", not only did he force his enemy to retreat, but he also injured one of them.
30 odd warriors came out from the bushes and behind the tress, and one of them is Wu Tingwei, and he was heavily surrounded.
Xiang Shaolong stood there holding his sword, obviously not afraid