Chapter 219
Book 20 Chapter 2 – Failure Despite Preparations
After Zhu Ji instructed Xiang Shaolong to sit next to her, she stared at the night scene of Xianyang through the curtains of the carriage.
The main street was packed with joyous Qins who were our celebrating the Spring festivities and the birth of the Black Dragon.
Houses were decorated and sounds of firecrackers popped continuously, an especially sharp contrast to Zhu Ji’s empty and helpless state of mind.
Ever since King Zhuangxiang pa.s.sed away, Zhu Ji has never truly been happy.
Her whole life was made possible because of Lu Buwei, but is also destroyed because of Lu Buwei.
Maybe even she herself cannot determine the grudges and grat.i.tude she has with Lu Buwei.
Lao Ai may look like he is successful on the surface, but ultimately he’s just a p.a.w.n being made use of by the various factions.
What’s unexpected is that with Zhu Ji’s intellect and formidability, once she’s fixated with men, she’d actually become so muddleheaded.
Just as he was secretly lamenting, Zhu Ji’s fragrant lips gently asked, "Shaolong! What should I do in future?"
Suddenly, Xiang Shaolong felt as if he has once again stepped into the time machine and has gone back to the days in Handan when he first met Zhu Ji. He was stunned, "Your Majesty…"
Then he’s as a loss for words.
Zhu Ji turned her delicate body and stared at him as she said, "Sorry!"
Xiang Shaolong was taken aback, "Why do you say that?"
Zhu Ji lowered her head and replied piteously, "I myself have no idea what I’m doing. But sometimes, I really wish that someone would kill you."
Xiang Shaolong knows she’s referring to her approval of the duel between him and Guan Zhongxie so he sighed and said, "I will never blame your Majesty, no matter what, I will never blame you."
Zhu Ji’s delicate body shuddered as she lifted her head to look at him. After a long moment, she suddenly said, "Is that Black Dragon real or a fake, I beg you do not keep it from me."
A sudden fury rose in Xiang Shaolong, knowing that Zhu Ji is still making plans for Lao Ai. He said icily, "Of course it’s real, can such a thing be faked?"
Zhu Ji stared at him morosely for a moment before she turned back to look out the window again, saying with a wry smile, "Shaolong, you’re angry. Sometimes I really wish that you’d hit me or scold me, then I’ll feel a little better."
She paused and continued, "I know you too well. From the way you answered me just now, I know that is a fake dragon. Such a grand plan, you must be the one who thought of it because no one would be able to pull off such a trick better than you."
Xiang Shaolong felt heated as a feeling so strange that even he cannot understand rose up in him. He went near to her tiny ear and said gently, "Right now I really feel like giving your Majesty a thorough beating!"
Zhu Ji’s delicate body trembled and with an "Ah!", turned her body around, a mixed yet ecstatic look shot out from her eyes.
Just as Xiang Shaolong was about to seal her fragrant lips with a kiss, the carriage stopped suddenly. They have arrived at the Palace.
Xiang Shaolong secretly sighed.
There can never be even a slight change in Fate after all.
When Zhu Ji arrived at the feast, Xiao Pan, Lu Buwei and the other officials welcomed her warmly as usual, everyone behaved as if nothing has ever happened.
Pu Hu and Du Bi also attended the feast, their expression serene.
If Qiu Risheng were to have the chance to come here and take a look, he will surely feel that his sacrifice is not worth it at all.
However Xiang Shaolong was in a bad mood over Guoxing’s death and when he was seated at Li Si and Lord Changping’s table, he asked quietly, "Where is Guan Zhongxie?"
Both of them heard his menacing tome and was shocked. They asked in unison, "What does Shaolong plan to do?"
By now Xiang Shaolong has found Guan Zhongxie, who was seated about five tables below him along the line. He was talking to Lu Niangrong, Xu Shang and Lian Jiao.
Lord Changping tried to lighten the atmosphere and said with a laugh, "Those three talented ladies indeed live up to their reputation. Although their song has ended, it seems that the her alluring voice is still reverberating in my ears."
Xiang Shaolong took a deep breath and said, "I want to kill Guan Zhongxie!"
The both of them were utterly shocked and left speechless for a moment. Li Si could only utter, "Shaolong please think it over."
At this point in time Xiao Pan, Lu Buwei and a group of senior officials have just finished taking turns to offer a toast to Zhu Ji and were all seated in their respective places. The grand hall, which can seat a thousand odd people quiet down as they waited for Zhu Ji to speak.
Fury raged through Xiang Shaolong as he suddenly stood up.
Everyone’s eyes were immediately attracted to him as they concentrated on him.
Xiang Shaolong stood up with a grand aura and said loudly, "The last time I had a duel with Official Guan, the dual had to be stopped because Official Guan’s sword was broken. I see today that Official Guan is carrying another precious weapon and suddenly my hands are itching for a fight. I hope to have another duel again with Official Guan, to liven the atmosphere up. Would your Majesty and the Dowager please grant me this request."
The great Hall was suddenly quiet, everyone was taken aback, obviously no one expected Xiang Shaolong would do something like that.
In fact, for the last two duels, Xiang Shaolong was forced into battle. Only this time, because of his anger over Guo Xing’s death, he volunteered for the duel.
Right at this moment, everyone knows that Xiang Shaolong is really furious at Guan Zhongxie and is determined to kill him.
Lu Buwei’s expression changed slightly. He gave a cold snort and hurriedly reply before Xiao Pan and Zhu Ji could say anything, "It’s a joyous occasion tonight, it’s not appropriate to flash weapons around. If Shaolong, because of personal grudges…"
There was a long laugh, which came from Lao Ai. He sn.i.g.g.e.red, "That’s a poor remark from Lord Lu. Was the last duel a day of great sadness for you? Then why were you wholly supporting that duel?"
Lu Buwei’s eyes shone brightly as he stared hard at Lao Ai for a moment. He was about to retort when Guan Zhongxie stood up and said, "Commander Xiang have very sharp eyes indeed to be able to tell that my new sword ‘Shooting Sun’ is a rare treasure from the state of Qi and not easily broken. That’s what aroused his interest and if your Majesties and Lord Lu allows, Zhongxie would be most happy to oblige."
Xiao Pan laughed, "That’s what a good son of the Great Qin should be like, would the Dowager please grant this request."
Zhu Ji looked intently at Xiang Shaolong for quite sometime before her pretty eyes revealed a look of grat.i.tude as she nodded her head, "Our Great Qin has always protected our country with military finesse, and these two beloved officials have embraced the importance of our Great Qin’s military essence. I give my blessings."
Xiang Shaolong knows that Zhu Ji has misunderstood him, thinking that he is venting his frustration on Guan Zhongxie because of the humiliation she had suffered. But he couldn’t be too bothered about this right now and after thanking her for her approval, he and Guan Zhongxie left their seats to walk towards the center of the hall.
Everyone could feel the atmosphere that is so heavy that it makes one unable to breath.
This is the third time the both of them are dueling.
Both times, Guan Zhongxie was disadvantaged; will he be able to turn the situation around this time?
On a certain level, Xiang Shaolong is indeed taking a risk this time. Or