Chapter 142
Book 13 Chapter 09 – Hatred From Marriage Rejection
When he woke up the next morning, the pain from his injury has been greatly reduced and the swelling has subsided.
Xiang Shaolong was full of praise for Teng Yi’s herbal concoction. Teng Yi warned: "For the next two days, you must not exert yourself. If the wound reopens, you will take a longer time to heal."
Xiang Shaolong was inspired: "I have the best excuse against Mo Ao and Guan Zhongxie’s a.s.sa.s.sination plan. I will not partic.i.p.ate in the hunting fair due to my injury. After all, in terms of hunting, every one of you is way better than me."
Teng Yi smiled: "But many people will be disappointed."
He added: "There are more news from the farm. Uncle Qing has produced a foldable crossbow according to your suggestion that can be easily hidden inside our clothes. He will need another ten days to complete the prototype."
Xiang Shaolong was overjoyed. The foldable crossbow is as powerful as an ordinary one except that it can be concealed. This is one of his inspirations from his knowledge as a modern 21st century man. With the blacksmiths of Yue working hard, he is able to increase the prowess of his elite forces by another notch.
While he was having breakfast, Lu Buwei sent someone to summon him.
Xiang Shaolong was reminded about Lu Niang Rong’s marriage proposal and could feel a giant headache coming. Without a choice, he made his way to the Premier Residence.
At the door of the Premier Residence, he ran into Guan Zhongxie who politely paid his respects and smiled: "I had wanted to find Official Xiang for a drink but was too busy with work. I am so fortunate to run into you today. Since we have met now, why don’t we have dinner together later? We can invite the two brothers Lord Changping and Lord Changwen and have a good time together."
Due to their complicated relations.h.i.+p, Xiang Shaolong found it hard to decline and agreed. He pretended to apologise: "Because of Lu Xiong, I caused Official Guan to be demoted by one rank. I..."
Guan Zhongxie laughed loudly and pulled him aside. In a low voice, he commented: "Official Xiang need not be bothered about this. Lu Xiong deserves this punishment and no one else is to be blamed. In fact, he is to be blamed for my demotion instead of you."
Xiang Shaolong’s heart became icy cold. This man is extremely crafty and even he cannot help but be alarmed.
After fixing a time and place for dinner later, Xiang Shaolong went ahead to see Lu Buwei in the study room.
Lu Buwei is having his breakfast and invited Xiang Shaolong to join him. In a serious tone, he questioned: "I heard from the Infantry guards that Shaolong was a.s.sa.s.sinated outside the City yesterday evening and was even injured. What is going on and do you know who did it?"
Xiang Shaolong replied: "They are all masked men but unless I am mistaken, one of them is Tian Dan’s General Dan Chu."
Lu Buwei’s face changed colour and pretended to eat his food to hide his emotions.
Xiang Shaolong can understand the reason for his reaction. If Tian Dan had succeeded, Lu Buwei will be the main suspect. This is equivalent to Tian Dan plotting against Lu Buwei.
Xiang Shaolong frankly state: "Tian Dan already knew that I am Dong Horse Fanatic. He has captured a friend of mine and wanted to blackmail me. Luckily, I could tell that my friend has been killed already and I threatened to kill him for revenge. Thus, he wanted to kill me first."
Lu Buwei was silent for some time. He finally replied: "I wonder how did he find such a perfect opportunity to attack you. Just like that stupid Lu Xiong, he must have bore grudges and was dissatisfied with you. Luckily, I was the one who sent you back and had no time to instruct my men to a.s.sa.s.sinate you. Otherwise, I will be a key suspect too."
Xiang Shaolong was full of admiration at Lu Buwei’s demeanour and persuasive skills. It is no surprise so many people are willing to work for him or work with him. For example, the words he mentioned earlier are full of intimacy and sincerity.
Xiang Shaolong divulged: "In Handan City, Tian Dan did hint to me that he is working with someone in Xianyang City and he is confident of dealing with me. He is obviously not referring to you but one of the six officials at the meeting yesterday."
Lu Buwei nodded: "Lu Gong, Xu Xian, w.a.n.g He and Meng Ao are above suspicion. The remaining are Cai Ze and w.a.n.g Wan. Cai Ze is more suspicious as I was the one who took over his Premier position. Hng! How dare he pretend to be loyal to me! Watch how I get rid of him!"
Xiang Shaolong was shocked: "I think you should investigate further!"
Lu Buwei coldly smiled: "I know what I am doing. Yes! Have you made up your mind about Niang Rong?"
Xiang Shaolong recalled the saying ‘A true man must be ruthless’ and hardened his heart: "Premier Lu has such a high opinion of me. How can I not recognize it? This matter..."
He was interrupted by a shrill voice outside the window: "Hold it!"
Both men had a big fright when Lu Niang Rong came in dressed in fiery red. She faced Lu Buwei first and informed: "Father must not blame the guards for failing in their duty. It was me who told them to keep quiet about my presence."
Xiang Shaolong hurriedly stood up and paid his respects.
Lu Buwei frowned: "Commander Xiang and I are having a secret discussion. How can Rong’er eavesdrop on us?"
Lu Niang Rong stood proudly before them and declared: "As long as it concerns my future, I have the right to know. In Qin, do as the Qin people do. The Qin has a custom of girls choosing their husbands. As the daughter of the Right Premier of Qin, I should enjoy this right too. Am I mistaken?"
Lu Buwei and Xiang Shaolong glanced and each other, not knowing how to deal with this stubborn girl.
Lu Niang Rong’s gaze fell on Xiang Shaolong’s face. Showing displeasure, she arrogantly proclaimed: "To marry me, you must first defeat me in all areas. After that, you will be qualified to be ONE of the men who are suitable for my hand in marriage."
Irritated, Lu Buwei hissed: "Rong’er!"
Lu Niang Rong stomped her feet and whined: "Father! Do you really love me?"
Lu Buwei shrugged his shoulders to Xiang Shaolong, showing that he is powerless too and softly advised: "Xiang Shaolong is unparalleled in his character and swordsmans.h.i.+p. Of course Father loves you."
Xiang Shaolong is greatly amused. He had to agree to the marriage so that he can live past the hunting fair and Lu Buwei will not suspect him to be Mo Ao’s killer. To his surprise, this third daughter of Lu Buwei is eavesdropping on them outside the window and create a disturbance, fulfilling his wish indirectly.
Lu Niang Rong sauntered to the front of Xiang Shaolong and raised her attractive face, a.s.sessing him. She insisted: "I didn’t say I do not like him! But there is someone who is better than him. Unless he can prove that he is better than this man, I will never choose him to be my husband."
She was facing Xiang Shaolong but her words are directed at her father. Her att.i.tude is a revengeful one, as if she is insulting Xiang Shaolong in return for rejecting her hand in marriage earlier.
She may be very enticing but because Lu Buwei is his sworn enemy, Xiang Shaolong has no feelings for her. He smiled: "Who is this gentleman Third Mistress is attracted to?"
Lu Niang Rong’s lips curled up and shot him a look, challenging: "It is none of your business. Let’s see how you fare at the hunting fair!"
Xiang Shaolong bitterly smiled at Lu Buwei: "I am afraid Miss will be disappointed."
Lu Buwei frowned: "Rong’er, watch your words. Shaolong