Chapter 127
Book 12 Chapter 06 – Before The Funeral
Xiang Shaolong returned to the Wu residence.
The fire that night only burned down a rice granary. The rest of the buildings are not affected.
Over the past ten days, two thousand of the elite family warriors entered Xianyang City separately, increasing their fighting prowess.
Riding Jifeng, he rode through the main gates with Teng Yi, Jing Jun and the Guardians. The air is filled with loud noises as the warriors are busy erecting sentry posts and other fortifications.
Xiang Shaolong was feeling great and jumped down his horse, wanting to inspect their work. Tao Fang came up and welcomed: "Lord Longyang is waiting for you in the main hall."
Teng Yi glanced at the huge courtyard in front of the residence and did not see any horse carriages or escorts. Puzzled, he asked: "He came alone?"
Tao Fang nodded.
Xiang Shaolong is excited to see him as well and know more about matters in Wei, including news about Zhao Ya. With Tao Fang, he entered the hall to see Lord Longyang.
He did not put on a fake beard this time but was dressed as a commoner to keep a low profile.
Tao Fang left the two men alone and Lord Longyang happily exclaimed: "I am delighted to see Brother Xiang doing well."
Xiang Shaolong smiled: "From your tone, it seems that I should count my blessings to be able to stay alive."
Lord Longyang faintly sighed: "Countless people inside and outside of Qin are dying to kill you. There has been news that you are opposing Lu Buwei. With Lu Buwei’s growing influence, even I am worried for you!"
Xiang Shaolong is already used to this drag queen’s emotional outbursts. He bitterly smiled: "Paper cannot contain a fire. Nothing can be concealed from the world."
Lord Longyang was astounded and asked: "What is paper?"
Xiang Shaolong kicked himself, remembering that paper is only invented during the Han Dynasty. He lied: "It is my hometown dialect which refers to silk material."
Lord Longyang ‘understood’ and added: "I am here to pay my last respects to your late king. It is strange to have two kings die within four years. Everyone is heavily suspicious and Lu Buwei is really brave."
Xiang Shaolong knew that he is trying to trick him and sighed as well. Changing the topic, he asked: "How is Prince Xinling doing?" Lord Longyang coldly replied: "This traitor got his just desserts. I don’t think he will ever recover his former glory. My spies reported that he is indulging in women and wine and even disband many of his family warriors. Under these circ.u.mstances, the King should not make things hard for him anymore."
He lowered his voice and revealed: "Zhao Ya is very sick!"
Xiang Shaolong was stunned and exclaimed: "What!?"
Lord Longyang sighed: "When she was sick, she kept calling your name. Prince Xinling was so furious he did not step into her bedroom at all."
Xiang Shaolong was grieved upon hearing this. How he wished he can grow two wings and fly to Daliang straight away.
Lord Longyang a.s.sured: "Brother Xiang can rest easy. I have pet.i.tioned the King and brought her into the palace and send the best physicians to take care of her. If Brother Xiang is willing, I can send her to Xianyang City but you must wait till she gets better."
Xiang Shaolong was taken aback: "She is so sick that she cannot travel?"
Lord Longyang intimately replied: "Lovesickness is the hardest to cure!"
Xiang Shaolong could not be bothered about the double meaning in his words. Impulsively, he declared: "No! I am going to Daliang to fetch her."
In a gentle voice, Lord Longyang advised: "Brother Xiang, do not let your emotions overwhelm logic. Xianyang City is now the battleground for all the strongmen of every state. If you leave like this and return to find your family annihilated, it will be too late for regrets."
Xiang Shaolong was not fully convinced and insisted: "I will send someone to fetch her. Can Lord please send someone capable to come along as well?"
Lord Longyang agreed: "No problem. Prince Zhen has an excellent opinion of you. If he knows it is to help you, he will do his best. The King agreed to take care of Zhao Ya also because you rescued Prince Zhen."
Xiang Shaolong put Zhao Ya’s issue aside and asked: "Except for Tian Dan, Li Yuan and General Pang, who are the other representatives?"
Lord Longyang disclosed: "Prince Dan represents the state of Yan and your old friend Han Chuang is here. Everyone is eager to collaborate with Lu Buwei and you better watch your back. They dare not do anything in Xianyang City but if Lu Buwei sends you out of Qin, there will be people trying to kill you."
Xiang Shaolong was wondering if he should tell Lord Longyang that his a.s.sa.s.sins are led by Yan’s Xu Yi Luan when Lord Longyang continued: "Li Yuan brought Chu’s youngest Princess along and hoped to match-make her with Prince Zheng. Lu Buwei has agreed on his behalf but Lu Gong, Xu Xian and Du Bi are voicing strong objections. If the matchmaking fails, Lu Buwei’s prestige will be affected."
Xiang Shaolong commented: "The success of the matchmaking depends on the Empress’s decision. However, Lu Buwei will use some devious method to make her agree with his suggestion."
Lord Longyang whispered: "I heard that the Empress favours you greatly. Why don’t you sow discord and destroy Li Yuan’s plans?"
Xiang Shaolong feared seeing Zhu Ji. If things go wrongly and they got together, he will have a guilty conscience and it also affects his standing and reputation. He sighed loudly: "It is because she favours me that it is difficult for me to say anything."
Lord Longyang knew his character and concluded: "I came here in secret and cannot stay too long. Tomorrow morning, I will send someone to look for you. His name is Ning Jia and he is my trusted subordinate. He is capable and smart. With him accompanying your man to Daliang, the trip will be a success."
Xiang Shaolong thanked him profusely and sent him out.
Coming back into the house, he held a discussion with Teng Yi and Tao Fang.
He originally wanted Jing Jun to fetch Zhao Ya but he needed all the men he can muster now. Finally, he got Wu Guo to fetch her with five hundred elite warriors.
In the middle of the conference, Qin Qing actually sent someone to find him.
The three men were caught by surprise. Has this pure and virtuous beauty finally fallen in love?
By the time Xiang Shaolong, Teng Yi, Jing Jun and the original Eighteen Guardians reached her place, it was nightfall, adding to the ambiguity of the situation. Everyone got seated at the simple main hall and two pretty maids begin to serve tea. Second Uncle Fang, the housekeeper, brought Xiang Shaolong, Teng Yi and Jing Jun into the inner hall.
Jing Jun was elated that his beauty treats him as an important guest while Xiang Shaolong is disappointed that this visit has nothing to do with their personal romance.
Men are like that. Even if they are not interested, they would not mind women falling in love with them as long as it is trouble-free.
Still in her mourning clothes, Qin Qing has a serious expression on her face. She greeted them and sat down in the host’s seat.
Upon knowing that they have not taken their dinner, she instructed her maids to serve cakes to them and the Guardians.
Xiang Shaolong and his men did not hold back their appet.i.tes and munched on the cakes. The cakes are delicious and Jing Jun is full of praise for them.
Noticing her furrowed brows, Xiang Shaolong could not help but ask: "Why is Grand Tutor Qin looking for me?"
Qin Qing faintly sighed: "I may be thinking too much but something has happened today that I don’t feel good about."
The three men were shocked. Putting their cakes down, they stared at her.
Qin Qing is uncomfortable with three men staring straight at her, especially Jing Jun’s s.h.i.+fty eyes. Lowering her head, she described: "I went to the royal temple today to change the flowers at the late king’s altar. When I was about to leave, I was waylaid by Premier’s guest-advisor Lao Ai."
The three men’s expression grew heavy as well.
Jing Jun was incensed: "How daring! I must teach him a lesson. Who cares where is he from."
Teng Yi questioned: "Doesn’t Grand Tutor Qin have any warriors escorting you?"
Qin Qing responded: "Not only do I have warriors escorting me; even the two Premiers are at the Royal Temple. When they heard my cries, they ran out."
Jing Jun coldly smiled: "Now Lu Buwei is in trouble!"
Teng Yi kicked him under the table.
Qin Qing faced Teng Yi and sincerely pleaded: "Brother Teng, please do not regard me as an outsider. Sister Yanran and I click very well. That’s why I invited everyone here to discuss this."
Teng Yi was embarra.s.sed and awkwardly agreed: "Sure! How did Lu Buwei handle this affair?"
Qin Qing’s expression became more serious and slowly described: "Lu Buwei did a good job. In front of Premier Xu and myself, he got Lao Ai to kowtow and apologise. He even publicly censured