Chapter 217
Book 19 Chap 11 – Returning Good For Evil
Xiang Shaolong had wanted to slip away but he was dragged by the recently promoted and over enthusiastic Li Si to see Xiao Pan. Ji Yanran was not as happy as them and went home on her own.
Although this time it cannot be considered a complete victory, but it’s a huge change for the better. Want Chi, w.a.n.g Ling, Lords Changping and Changwen were all in high spirits as they surrounded Xiang Shaolong, this great mastermind into the inner court to see Xiao Pan.
On seeing everyone arriving, Xiao Pan walked down from his dragon throne, so touched that his eyes turned red from the emotions.
Xiang Shaolong was a bit confounded as he looked at Xiao Pan striding towards him in an imposing manner.
Suddenly he felt as if Xiao Pan is a total stranger, yet at the same time so close that he’s like his own son.
The kind of two extreme reactions clas.h.i.+ng together gave him an exceptionally strange feeling.
In another few years, Xiao Pan will be crowned as Emperor.
And his relations.h.i.+p with this future Emperor Qin, will have to come to an end.
He has to leave.
Because he does not wish to be drenched in the blood of the soldiers and civilians of the Six States. He is totally weary towards wars.
Xiao Pan’s actual age is 19 years old, and he absolutely has the air and commanding presence of a ruler of the times who feels that he is way above all other living things.
He may be half a head shorter than Xiang Shaolong but his shoulders are broad and his limbs muscular with a squarish face and big ears. The most striking is his eyes, when he glanced over at Xiang Shaolong, even he felt a chill in his heart.
In the past, when Xu Xian and Lord Lu found out that he is not Lu Buwei’s illegitimate son, they immediately pledged loyalty to him. And now w.a.n.g Ling and w.a.n.g Chi are devoted to him without any reason at all. Xiao Pan is just that kind of natural born political leader who has the charisma to make others submit to him.
One can imagine that when the time comes for him to be officially crowned as Emperor, he will become even more remarkable.
Xiao Pan came to Xiang Shaolong and grabbed his hands tightly as he exclaimed with joy, "Grand Tutor, we’ve succeeded."
Li Si and the rest surrounded the two of them and shouted out their congratulations. All of them were beginning to sound a little nonsensical.
All along, in the power struggle between a ruler and his power-holding official, the fight is never completed without some form of bloodshed.
But with this Black Dragon, a stroke of genius, they immediately sliced off more than half of Lu Buwei’s power which he had painstakingly built up over many years and at the same time, possibly crushed the plans that he had been secretly making. To be able to achieve such an outcome without a single soldier or bloodshed, how can one not feel strangely touching.
With the current situation, it is absolutely impossible for anyone to raise a coup. Even the civilians of Xianyang will rise up to support Xiao Pan, not to mention the military which has always been loyal to the royal family.
Xiang Shaolong replied with a smile, "I should take a rest too, will your Majesty please grant me the permission."
Xiao Pan sighed, "Much as I am extremely unwilling to do so, I can only accede to your request. But once anything happens, Grand Tutor must come back to help me."
Xiang Shaolong felt as if a weight has been lifted off him as he said, "In politics there’s Lord Changping and Li Tingwei and in military there’s the two Supreme Generals. Your Majesty, just do as you deem fit!"
Everyone roared with laughter.
Because Xiang Shaolong is as good as saying, don’t come disturbing me if there’s nothing wrong.
Li Si chided laughingly, "Lord Xiang please do not make fun of me. With Xiang Shaolong, I will always be the same Li Si you met outside the city initially when you came back from Zhao."
Xiao Pan said, "When does Grand Tutor plan to return to the farm for your temporary leave?" On hearing his emphasis on the two words ‘temporary leave’, all of them revealed a knowing smile.
Instead Xiang Shaolong grabbed Xiao Pan’s hands tightly, so tight that he could feel their flesh and blood merged together as he answered, "After we eliminate Qiu Risheng’s Warrior School and after Xiao Jun’s wedding, I’ll return to the farm and take my temporary leave as you wish. I should still be in Xianyang for another ten odd days. Heh, I want to go home for a shower and change in order to get ready for the feast tonight."
Xiao Pan let go of Xiang Shaolong’s hands unwillingly as he uttered emotionally, "That I, Ying Zheng, will have this day, is all thanks to Grand Tutor."
That he, as a ruler of the country, is willing to say such a statement, us enough to move everyone.
Only Xiang Shaolong truly understands the hidden meaning he is conveying.
Who would have expected that the mischievous imp of the past who only knows how to hara.s.s palace maids will ultimately become the famous Emperor Qin who will unify the world?
Outside the palace doors, it was filled with people trying to take a look at the ruler and when they saw Xiang Shaolong coming out, cheers erupted immediately.
The sounds of hooves were heard. Guoxing, leading a troop rushed out from the side and saluted him from a distance.
On seeing Guoxing wearing his military uniform, like a changed man with his suave demeanor, Xiang Shaolong remembered the way Jing Jun looked when he wore his official uniform for the first time. He can’t help but feel a deeper sense of closeness towards Guoxing.
Guoxing came up to him and accompanied him as he rode towards the Wu residence. He said with a quiet laugh, "I’ve been waiting outside for quite some time. Earlier when Lao Ai and Lu Buwei came out separately, the crowds all jeered at them and they were so livid their faces were contorted. But when Great General Xiang emerged, you received the loudest cheers."
Seeing little children in their brand new clothes setting off firecrackers and playing catch at the side, Xiang Shaolong has never felt so relaxed before.
Xiao Pan has finally stabilized his throne and in future, he’s the only person who will settle scores with others. People like Lu Buwei and Lao Ai will only be fit to become his sparring practice targets.
Guoxing said, "Master Xiang, please trust me. In future I will follow you with absolute loyalty."
On hearing the change in his behavior, Xiang Shaolong showed his magnanimity by saying, "I will be leaving in about 10 odd days and Xiao Jun will take over my position for the time being. Just follow Xiao Jun and work well with him, this is also the best opportunity for you to mend relations with him."
After Guoxing nodded his head in agreement, he lowered his voice and said, "After 5 of those a.s.sa.s.sins escaped, they all ran to Du Bi’s General Residence to hide from the search. From what I understand from Qiu Risheng, they will masquerade themselves as warriors from our Warrior School and attend the feast tonight.
Xiang Shaolong asked in puzzlement, "Did they think they still have a chance at a.s.sa.s.sination tonight, or do they not know that all who enter the Palace to attend feasts are not allowed to bring weapons?"
Guoxing replied, "Qiu Risheng is not that careless, he just hopes to make use of those people to regain some prestige of his school."
Xiang Shaolong said nonchalantly, "Fine, then let me see what this Qiu Risheng looks like tonight. If not because of Lao Ai, I would have torn his school down today."
On hearing this, Guoxing was petrified and secretly relieved that he has ‘changed his loyalty to the wise ruler’, otherwise he would be one of those who would face utter humiliation.
Guoxing added, "I heard that this morning Dan Meimei attempted suicide by hanging herself but luckily she was saved."
By now Xiang Shaolong only feels pity and no hate towards Dan Meimei. But it’s really not convenient for him to interfere in this matter so he could only secretly lament that much as he would like to help, his hands are tied.
He can’t stop himself from asking, "Is Dan Meimei’s heart with Lao Ai?"
Guoxing gave a mysterious reply, "I’m afraid she’s the only one who knows. But there has been talk amongst the servants going around Drunken Wind Loft, saying that the person Dan Meimei is really interested in is you, Master Xiang."
Xiang Shaolong was startled as he exclaimed hoa.r.s.ely, "That must be a mistake, otherwise why would I not feel anything at all."
Guoxing b.u.mped his shoulder as he replied, "A woman’s heart is most unfathomable. Or maybe it’s a wrong rumor!" By then they have reached the Wu residence and Guoxing left after saluting.
As soon as Xiang Shaolong thought of his own wonderful and warmhearted family, all thoughts of Dan Meimei were cast to the back of his mind immediately.
As soon as he stepped into the house, his men told him that the famous courtesan Yang Yu from Drunken Wind Loft is here to look for him and currently waiting at the East Hall.
Xiang Shaolong was taken aback and he could roughly guess that this visit must be related to the unsuccessful suicide attempt by Dan Meimei and can only secretly heave a sigh.
He is almost of the mind to instruct his men to send Yang Yu away but ultimately he could not harden his heart to do it. After a brief internal struggle, he went to the East Hall.
This beauty was devoid of her makeup and wearing a plain outfit, and looks even more pleasing to the eye then when she was all decked up and heavily made up. Although she’s still incomparable to the previous night’s s.h.i.+ Sufang, but her delicate beauty can still be considered rare.
Up until now he still cannot decipher the inner workings of this lady of the night’s heart.
Is she forced to harm him because she had to submit to Lu