Chapter 197
Book 18 Chapter 03 - Irreconcilable
After w.a.n.g Ci left, Xiang Shaolong summoned Jing Jun and informed him that w.a.n.g Ci has agreed to propose marriage for him and will even bring w.a.n.g He along. With a joyful cry, Jing Jun somersaulted several times on the spot and skipped away happily.
Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi watched in amus.e.m.e.nt.
Teng Yi’s eyes are glittering with tears and signs of memory recall.
Xiang Shaolong knew that he is thinking of his first wife and several kinsmen who have died a tragic death and felt sad too.
Teng Yi sighed: "If not for that tragedy, Little Jun will not enjoy today’s fortune. Heaven’s Will is truly unfathomable. No matter what, our brotherhood will stand the test of time."
Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that it is not Heaven’s Will that is unfathomable but that there is no way to change the Will of Heaven! He himself is living in history and it seems like there is no way he can change anything too.
Teng Yi suggested: "Third Brother can go home to take a rest. I can handle the workload. Except for the occasional disturbance by people of the Premier Mentor Residence, the city is generally peaceful."
Remembering the incident where the Zhou siblings were being beaten up in public, he shook his head, sighing: "Guan Zhongxie is not an upright man so his men are rotten too. When I kill him the day after tomorrow, either you or Little Jun will take charge of the Imperial Infantry. Only till then can the citizens of Xianyang City enjoy real peace."
Teng Yi laughed: "If you let those people who think you will lose hear these words, they will be bewildered and a.s.sume that you are just bragging. Only for those like me who have fought against your Hundred Battle Sabre will understand that you are in fact very humble."
Xiang Shaolong did not expect Teng Yi to have a humorous side of him and laughed too: "To be happy, we must work hard for happiness. From my experience of fighting Lian Jin and w.a.n.g Jian, every duel I fought has changed my life. I wonder how will my life change after the duel with Guan Zhongxie?"
Teng Yi stood up and escorted him out of the Command Centre main gate. As they walked side by side, Teng Yi remarked: "It is not all hard work but wisdom too. I really cannot comprehend how you can design such a fearsome weapon and a deadly skill to match it. When you went out alone to practice at the farms, Yanran, Qin Qing and I were talking about you. We all agreed that you are deeply mysterious and seems to have the ability to foretell the future. Do you remember that night at Qin Qing’s residence? All she said was Lu Buwei wanted to punish Lao Ai for hara.s.sing her and you can predict the rest of Lu Buwei’s actions. That is something impossible."
Guilt-ridden, Xiang Shaolong smiled: "That is just a moment of inspiration! Second Brother need not think too much."
At the gate, Xiang Shaolong patted Teng Yi on the shoulder and joked: "Thanks for Second Brother’s reminder. I will make a detour to Qin Qing’s place. In this cold and snowy weather, there is no warmer place than a beauty’s bosom."
Amidst their laughter, Jing Shan came up to them with Jifeng. Xiang Shaolong somersaulted onto the horse and rode towards the Qin Residence. The northern wind is blowing hard and large amount of snow is acc.u.mulated everywhere. There is hardly any pa.s.ser bys.
As Teng Yi watched Xiang Shaolong galloped off, he could not help by feel a sense of wonder.
This steadfast brother of his is not only changing the fates of everyone around him but is even changing the fate of everything under the sky.
At Qin Qing’s residence, the beauty reported with suspicion: "Your guess that Empress is pregnant with Lao Ai’s child is not without basis. Yesterday, the Empress sent some men to Yong Du. It is speculated that she intends to move to the Dazheng Palace there. Needless to say, she is afraid of being exposed."
A guess is a guess and facts are facts. Now that this guess has been proven to be a fact, Xiang Shaolong’s mind is in turmoil and he had to sit down for a while.
The women in this era will use herbs to prevent pregnancy if they wanted to make love without bearing offspring of their partner. That is why Zhu Ji can service Zhao Mu, Guo Kai and many others in Handan City without being impregnated. Now, she willingly got herself pregnant for Lao Ai. This proves that she is completely under his control.
One can say she no longer view Xiao Pan as her child. In the future, she will whole heartedly support Lao Ai and hope that he can replace Xiao Pan.
Qin Qing can tell that he is troubled and quietly sat down beside him.
Xiang Shaolong inquired in a deep voice: "Where is Yong Du?"
Qin Qing answered: "Yong Du is our old capital. Like Xianyang City, it is north of River Wei and is about a hundred miles upriver. You can reach there by boat within three days. It is a huge place with Dazheng Palace and Zhannian Palace. It is also the city with the most temples and religious activities."
Xiang Shaolong fell into Qin Qing’s bosom and laid down, using her laps as a pillow. Gazing at her unrivalled beautiful face and features, he sighed: "I think Lao Ai will become another Lu Buwei in no time."
Qin Qing was annoyed: "Isn’t this part of your grand plan?"
Xiang Shaolong did not know how to reply.
How is he supposed to tell Qin Qing that he knows the future and can only act accordingly? Even he has to tolerate the rise of Lao Ai so that one day, Lao Ai will contend with Lu Buwei according to the historical records.
He was indeed the mastermind behind this scheme and in fact, everything is proceeding very smoothly. But due to his deep feelings and guilt for Zhu Ji, he felt terrible inside.
He remained silent.
Instead, Qin Qing comforted: "I am sorry! My words are too harsh. At the end of the day, it is not your fault entirely. You are also acting to circ.u.mstances! If Lao Ai listened to every command of Lu Buwei, many people including you would have lost their lives already!"
Xiang Shaolong hooked his hand around Qin Qing’s neck and forced her to bend down, enjoying a fulfilling kiss together. He stretched himself and decided: "I am staying here tonight!"
Qin Qing was embarra.s.sed and shocked at the same time. "How can we do this?" she cried.
Xiang Shaolong knew long ago she will not be so daring and is just teasing her. Sitting up, he hugged her and softly asked: "Didn’t you say I can do whatever I want?"
Qin Qing solemnly state: "At least you must finish your duel first! Otherwise, Yanran and the others will blame me!"
Xiang Shaolong was delighted: "It is decided then! If Grand Tutor Qin breaks her promise, don’t blame me for forcing myself on you."
Qin Qing was stunned: "Forcing yourself on me! Ai! You are terrible! Ai! Get lost! I am not speaking to you anymore."
Looking at her angry yet delighted expression, Xiang Shaolong can feel all his troubles disappearing. After taking advantage of her again, he left with a happy heart.
Leaving her residence, he saw that it is still early so he entered the palace to look for Li Si. He also took the chance to tell Li Si about Xiao Pan’s intention to make him the Law Minister.
Initially, he thought that Li Si will be disappointed. Unexpectedly, Li Si was overjoyed: "Actually, I am eyeing this post but was concerned that Feng Qie may beat me to it. This is better than I imagined."
Xiang Shaolong can never understand all the politics and power grabbing. But he is certain that Li Si will be a powerful official supporting the future Qin s.h.i.+ Huang so he will definitely enjoy official promotions.
Li Si gratefully thanked: "I