Chapter 133
Book 12 Chapter 12 – Heartbroken Over A Silk Painting
Pa.s.sing through the corridor, he came to the outer hall and saw Qin Qing’s beautiful figure standing right in front of the window. She is staring at the garden beyond the window and seems to be thinking about something.
Xiang Shaolong could not resist going up to her back and softly asked: "A penny for your thoughts?"
Qin Qing must have predicted that he will past by and wasn’t surprised at all. She did not turn around but plainly state: "Is Grand Tutor Xiang interested to find out?"
Based on these words, Xiang Shaolong affirms that she has feelings for him as these words have crossed the line on an ordinary conversation. Moreover, she is someone who is not into relations.h.i.+ps, making it even more striking.
Xiang Shaolong is stunned and wanted to cower back but he likes her special attention towards him. Summoning his courage, he answered: "Hei! If I am not interested, I would not have asked in the first place."
Qin Qing turned her slender frame around and her icy face is just an arm’s length away from Xiang Shaolong’s own face. Her eyes s.h.i.+ning sharply, she simply remarked: "I am thinking, if Official Xiang knows that I am here, would he take a detour and avoid me?"
Xiang Shaolong could not take it anymore and dryly laughed: "Grand Tutor is thinking too much. Oh! Have you seen Yanran and the rest?"
This strong-willed woman refused to back down and scolded: "Don’t change the subject. The people I hate the most are the traitors who bring harm to the King. The other types of people I also hate are those who have a high opinion about themselves, pretending to protect women but actually regard women like us to be nothing more than goods. Have I wronged you?"
Xiang Shaolong had a taste of her temper before and bitterly laughed: "It seems that I am not any better than Lu Buwei. Ai! I have apologised to you already and only made a mistake by advising you to accompany Lady Hua Yang in Bashu! Until now, you are still unwilling to let me off?"
Due to Xiang Shaolong, Qin Qing may have cultivated a new habit, which is to maintain her icy expression but wanted to laugh out at the same time. Finally, she gave up and burst into giggles and her cold expression begin to thaw. She viciously shot him a look and declared: "Yes! I am dissatisfied. And I will never forgive you!"
This is the first time she is flirting with him. Xiang Shaolong’s heart warmed up and was about to retort when footsteps were heard.
Both of them knew that the Crown Prince has arrived and quickly parted.
Xiang Shaolong hurriedly bade her farewell but Qin Qing’s teasing expression has been engraved into his heart forever.
Under the protection of the Eighteen Guardians, Xiang Shaolong rode towards the outer palace. Coincidently, he ran into Lord Changping who is deploying the palace guards guarding the palace gates. Lord Changping pulled him aside and whispered: "The Yan ladies are really something!"
Xiang Shaolong could only mumble a reply.
Lord Changping is young and curious, asking: "Premier Lu’s third daughter is delicate-looking and well-skilled with the sword. When I woke up this morning, her performance is still fresh in my memory. Hei! How is she related to you? Why did she test your reaction with that stance?"
Xiang Shaolong felt extremely intimate, as if he is chatting with his army buddies in the 21st century. Their conversations will be filled with women, fighting and curses at the instructors. He smiled: "I think that this is called a large tree attracts the most wind!"
Lord Changping chortled: "Well said. Your newly created proverb suits you very well. My stubborn sister has come to know about our friends.h.i.+p and demanded that we bring you home to meet her."
Xiang Shaolong can feel a headache coming: "Can we talk about this later? You know that I have many things to attend to."
Lord Changping smiled: "You cannot escape from her grasp. Just show her a few strokes and make her happy on account of our friends.h.i.+p. Otherwise, she will give you a hard time during the hunting fair."
Xiang Shaolong was startled: "She is taking part as well?"
Lord Changping replied: "It is her big day! She will lead her female army in a grand and imposing parade."
Xiang Shaolong was swept off his feet, exclaiming: "Female army!"
Lord Changping sighed: "It is an army of aggressive ladies just like my sister. Normally, they will look for expert swordsmen to compete their sword fighting skills. Even w.a.n.g Jian is terrified of them. Personally, I think this is the main reason he slipped off to guard the Northern Border. If not for the fact that you are at the farms most of the time, you will not be spared too."
Xiang Shaolong finally understood and burst out in guffaws. Lord Changping added: "An Gu is leaving tomorrow to guard the eastern Pa.s.ses. We have always been on good terms and will organize a farewell dinner tonight. Why don’t you come along too and humour sister Ying Ying?"
Xiang Shaolong has always like Lord Changping for he does not put on any airs and is easy to get along with. Moreover, it is An Gu’s farewell dinner. He consented immediately.
Lord Changping is pleased and left him.
Back at the Command Centre, he was detained by Jing Jun. Jing Jun excitedly reported: "There are three things! Ah!" He yawned.
Xiang Shaolong stared at him, asking: "You have been busy the whole night?"
Jing Jun nonchalantly replied: "As Third Brother instructed, I spent half a night chatting and coaxing her and the other half indulging her. That’s why I am so tired."
Xiang Shaolong was tongue tied and did not know how to advise him. Embarra.s.sed, he asked: "What are the three things?"
Awkwardly, Jing Jun began: "First, the three sister-in-laws mentioned that if you can afford the time, please join them for lunch at Qin Qing’s residence. Xiang Bao’er