Chapter 196
Book 18 Chapter 02 – A Grand Scheme
The next morning, Xiang Shaolong, Ji Yanran and the others sent Zou Yan out of the City. After accompanying him for ten over miles on foot did they finally bade farewell.
Zou Yan left with a laugh and took off with about a hundred family warriors. Wu Guo led a thousand Cavalry soldiers to continue escorting him.
By the time Xiang Shaolong is back at Xianyang City, it is already evening time.
The snowstorm that ended last night started once again.
Thinking about this final departure, he was filled with extreme grief!
He was experiencing mixed emotions after interacting with this great philosopher who also happens to be one of China’s foremost mathematician.
If not for this great man, he may not gain Talented Lady Ji’s love or may have even lost his life back at Daliang.
Stepping into the residence, Tao Fang welcomed: "Ying Ying has been waiting for you for almost an hour in the eastern chamber."
Xiang Shaolong frowned upon hearing this. Excusing himself from his wives, he headed to the eastern chamber.
Ying Ying is reaching the end of her patience. The moment she saw him, she snarled: "Where the he11 have you been?"
Xiang Shaolong had a sudden revelation. Even if Ying Ying changes her mind, he will never accept her love.
This is not because she is Guan Zhongxie’s woman. For a modern man like him, a woman’s virginity is unimportant.
In the past, he has been wooing her because he is doing it as a favour to the Lord Changping brothers and he is lecherous too. But after knowing her better, all his feelings for her have been eradicated by her fickle-mindedness and her lack of priorities. Even if someone holds a knife to his neck, he will not be willing to pursue her anymore.
After this enlightening revelation, Xiang Shaolong politely invited her to take a seat, asking: "What can I do for Miss Ying?"
Sensing the cold and unfriendly tone in his voice, Ying Ying was momentarily stunned. Lowering her head, she protested: "I know that you are feeling troubled. Ai! I don’t know what to say. You will be fighting Zhongxie in three days and I am really worried for you!"
Seeing that she is not here to dissuade him from fighting, Xiang Shaolong’s impression of her improved slightly. Recollecting his new secret weapon: Hundred Battle Sabre and his new set of sabre skills, he smiled: "Thanks for your kindness. Life is full of battles, isn’t it? Only from battles can life becoming more exciting."
Frankly speaking, if not for Guan Zhongxie’s challenge, he may not have created this wonderful sabre skill.
Ying Ying raised her head slightly and panic is written all over her face. She advised: "I don’t know why I come to find you. Zhongxie has been practising his swordplay every day and has a.n.a.lyzed every move to counter spear attacks. Ai! Everyone knows that you are not good with spear fighting. Even with the Flying Dragon Spear, I am afraid… Ai! I am very worried!"
Xiang Shaolong plainly checked: "Aren’t you worried about Guan Zhongxie?"
Ying Ying nodded her head slightly and softly remarked: "It is best not to fight but I know no one can make both of you change your minds."
Lowering her head again, she slowly thanked: "Thanks for your advice that day. I have given deep thought over your words and have agreed to marry Yang Duanhe. I haven’t informed my brothers yet. After the duel, Duanhe will seek my hand in marriage."
Xiang Shaolong was taken aback but at the same time, he set his mind at ease.
He has met Yang Duanhe before and he is the most outstanding military leader under w.a.n.g Ci’s command. In the past, Lu Gong and Xu Xian thought highly of him too. However, he has no idea that Duanhe is also wooing Ying Ying.
Based on the current circ.u.mstances, whoever that marries Ying Ying will gain plenty of favours with the military and royal family. Only Guan Zhongxie is an exception.
Slightly fearful, Ying Ying peeped at his expression and tested: "Are you unhappy?"
Xiang Shaolong naturally would not show his strong feelings to her. He is certain that she really loves Guan Zhongxie so even if she does not marry him (GZH), she cannot marry himself (XSL) too. He solemnly state: "This is a wise decision. Yang Duanhe is an excellent man."
Ying Ying stared at him angrily in silence.
Xiang Shaolong bitterly smiled: "Since Miss has decided on her future, she should not waver again."
Ying Ying intimately asked: "Don’t you blame me at all?"
Xiang Shaolong sighed: "What do you want me to say?"
There couldn’t be a better answer than this. Ying Ying calmed down and thought for some time. Finally, she concluded: "Be careful!"
She stood up.
Xiang Shaolong sent her to the door. Just before she left, Ying Ying whispered: "If I can choose, I want you to win. This is not only because of me but also for Qin. I have finally understood the big picture."
Before she finished speaking, hot tears are already gus.h.i.+ng out of her eyes. Helplessly looking at him intimately for one last time, she turned around and leapt up her horse, galloping away.
In a daze, Xiang Shaolong stared at the snow clad Xianyang City, thinking about the end of this relations.h.i.+p. He swore never to get involved with any more beauties for as long as he lives.
But thinking back, it is hard to know what fate has in store for him.
Madam Zhuang and Li Yanyan are two good examples.
Back at the inner hall, just as he is enjoying some playtime with Xiang Bao’er, Teng Yi and Jing Jun came back from work. Teng Yi has a stern expression on his face while Jing Jun has an apologetic look.
Ji Yanran knew that something is amiss and asked for an explanation.
Sitting down, Teng Yi slapped the table and scolded: "I have told this kid umpteen times not to mess with Guoxin. How was I to know that he could not hold back when he saw him?"
Xiang Shaolong smiled: "Second Brother, calm down first. Little Jun, tell me what this is all about."
Everyone was shocked at Xiang Shaolong’s indifferent att.i.tude. Even Jing Jun was stunned. He explained: "Third Brother knows me best. Ai. I am not saying Second Brother does not know me but it is two different kinds of knowing."
Teng Yi was amused and Wu Tingfang cannot help but laughed: "Don’t beat around the bush. What is it?"
Putting on a helpless and innocent expression, Jing Jun shrugged his shoulders: "I am not the chief troublemaker this time. I was just touring Drunken Wind Brothel and ran into those [email protected]/* */ from Weinan Martial Arts School. Naturally, Scarface Guoxin is among them. I intended to ignore them but they made some sarcastic remarks and even insulted Third Brother. I won’t repeat what they said but they are very arrogant because they have Lao Ai supporting them. I can bear with personal insults but I cannot take it when they slander Third Brother."
Zhao Zhi frowned: "What did they actually say?"
Teng Yi replied in a deep voice: "They did go too far with their comments. They mentioned that Third Brother is Lu Buwei’s gay partner. Hei. To think they even dare to spread such rumours."
Her eyes s.h.i.+ning with agitation, Ji Yanran coldly hissed: "If I hear it personally, I will kill them all on the spot."
Wu Tingfang was furious: "Little Jun, what did you do to them?"
Jing Jun bitterly smiled: "There are only eight of us but there are ten over of them. Moreover, Guoxin is highly skilled so we did not gain much advantage and two of our men are injured. Incidentally, Lao Ai showed up and got them to back off and apologise. As Second Brother has instructed, I avoided any confrontation with Lao Ai. Holding my anger, I left immediately but Second Brother still holds it against me."
Teng Yi chided: "What did I tell you? I have told you many times not to patronise the brothels but you keep disobeying me."
Xiang Shaolong was still as composed as ever because he had long antic.i.p.ated Lao Ai to become more and more insolent.
After a short contemplation, he questioned: "What are the kinds of people in Weinan Martial Arts School?"
Jing Jun took the chance to redeem himself: "The best fighter is naturally the School Founder and Master Qui Risheng. There are quite a significant number of military leaders who are graduates of this school. After him are the three key instructors which includes Guoxin. The other two are Changjie and Jinliang. All of them are first rate swordsmen who are now working together with Lao Ai. In a way, Lao Ai has more than a hundred family warriors after they joined him. These men hoped to be promoted based on Lao Ai’s close relations.h.i.+p with Empress. I heard that Lu Buwei is very dissatisfied with the school’s reopening but cannot say anything because of Empress’s support!"
Teng Yi added: "The fighters in Weinan Martial Arts School are made up of swordsmen from different states. Not everyone is a top fighter but there are some experts among them too. Every one of them is using you as an inspiration and hope to defeat you. By defeating you, that person will be crowned the number one swordsman of Qin and his value will increase by many folds. Ai! Everyone thought that you are the Crown Prince’s favourite subject because of your sword skill!"
Xiang Shaolong fantasized that this is always the worry of being the number one swordsman as always read in wuxia novels. If not for his high official post and his Guardians protecting him, he would have been waylaid on the streets every now and then.
Nodding, he swore: "Let them