Chapter 244
Book 22 Chapter 03 - Ancient Opera
Xiang Shaolong observed Zhang Quan beating around the bush and not going straight to the point. He guessed Zhang Quan is testing his limits before revealing the full picture. He affirmed, "The money is very tempting and I would hate to be Brother Zhang’s enemy. However, Mistress (Feng Fei) and I have an affinity for each other. I will not repay her trust with malice."
His words are tactfully chosen, making his stand clear that he will not do anything against Feng Fei’s interest.
Zhang Quan cunningly scoffed, "Brother Shen is mistaken! Why would I cause any harm to Mistress (Feng Fei)? For the past few days, I admit that I am upset with her for demoting me. But thinking back, it was my own fault. Thus, I do not have the right to bear any grudges."
Xiang Shaolong was curious, "What does Brother Zhang expect of me? Whatever I can do, Brother Zhang can do better. There is no need for you to lose those glittering pieces of gold into my pocket!"
Zhang Quan leaned towards Xiang Shaolong and whispered, "Are you aware than Little Ping told somebody she has affections towards yourself?"
Xiang Shaolong frowned, "What has this got to do with the deal? Anyway, I don’t believe she will tell anybody she likes me."
Zhang Quan snickered, "She did not say it out word for word but she often talks about you in front of the others. Based on her personality, it is as clear as day that she has taken a serious liking to you."
Xiang Shaolong can feel his head aching.
In the present situation, he cannot allow himself to be entangled in any relations.h.i.+ps. Moreover, he is too softhearted when it comes to handling the fairer s.e.x. All these complications will only add to his burdens and he secretly warned himself to resist such temptations. He rejected, "Brother Zhang need not speak any further. Making use of Sister Ping to achieve our goals is beyond me. How about this? I will plead with Mistress (Feng Fei) to promote you back to your original appointment and I will serve as your a.s.sistant Manager. We will all be on good terms once again. Isn’t this better than all the daily infighting?"
Noticing his resolute countenance, Zhang Quan was irked and cussed, "Brother Shen is too naïve. Do you really believe that you are promoted to my ex-position because Mistress (Feng Fei) believes in your abilities? She is only using you as a scapegoat! In fact, she is already in love with a mystery man. After her trip to Lin Zi, she will disappear with him to an undisclosed location, leading a life of seclusion and happiness. According to my estimations, she will pretend to develop feelings for you and use you as a diversion, drawing attention away from the real culprit. You will die a wrongful death."
Xiang Shaolong was outraged, "Who is that man?"
Zhang Quan groaned, "I will not have come to you if I know who he is. Except for Little Ping’er, n.o.body knows about Feng Fei’s affairs."
Xiang Shaolong’s opinion of Feng Fei is becoming less and less favourable.
And it is all because Zhang Quan’s words make perfect sense.
Feng Fei is as wise as an owl. She is unlikely to place all her hopes and safety in his hands and yet she gave him such an impression. She is obviously trying to stir up his heroism, painting herself as a helpless damsel who requires his protection. In actual fact, she could have easily planned her own retreat from Qi.
On the other hand, Zhang Quan has been bribed by someone to destroy her grand plan and detain her for his (the rich person) personal enjoyment. Even if he (rich person) cannot win her love, he will have her body.
Feng Fei is like a limited, top quality gem, which everyone wishes to acquire. Although no one can openly use force to obtain her, there will be countless schemes to achieve the same result.
The circ.u.mstances are unbelievable.
He was unlucky enough to be drawn into this turmoil.
Zhang Quan a.s.sumed that Xiang Shaolong has changed his mind. He took his money pouch out from his bosom and counted five ingots of gold. He put his arm around Xiang Shaolong’s shoulders and gently persuaded, "My mastermind is a high ranking and influential man in Qi. He is one in a million. Brother Shen only need to do your job well and you may be even rewarded with an official post. He loves Mistress (Feng Fei) whole-heartedly and will give her a good life. At the end of the day, take it that we are doing Mistress a huge favour."
There is no way Xiang Shaolong will trust his words.
But if he puts himself in Zhang Quan’s shoes, he will too bluff about have a rich and powerful backer in Qi because it is indeed an effective way to coerce the weak into submitting.
Xiang Shaolong plainly requested, "Let me try to understand the situation more thoroughly before I commit to a decision. Brother Zhang, please keep your gold for the time being. Ai! Regardless I work with you or not, you should give me some time to consider your proposal."
Looking at his unwavering appearance, Zhang Quan nodded, "All right, but you must give me an answer by the time we arrive in Lin Zi."
After Zhang Quan left, Xiang Shaolong is still fixated in his daydream.
Will Feng Fei really use him as a scapegoat for the man of her dreams?
With her refined and lovely facade, it is hard to imagine that she is such a despicable person.
From the beginning, he had a.s.sumed Zhang Quan to be Dong Shuzen’s lapdog, but it is apparently not true after a.n.a.lyzing his (Zhang Quan) tone.
Dong Shuzen is trying her best to get rid of him, while Zhang Quan is trying his best to bribe him. Their actions are contradictory to each other.
He is getting more and more muddle-headed when Xiao Yuetan returned to the room.
Listening to Xiang Shaolong’s exchange with Zhang Quan, Xiao Yuetan frowned, "Never in my wildest imagination did I expect Feng Fei’s retirement to cause such a big hoo-ha. It appears to me there is indeed a mastermind trying all means and ways to have Feng Fei all for himself. To a certain extent, Zhang Quan’s words sounds logical. Feng Fei enjoys the respect of numerous Kings and Lords. If she takes the trouble to ask for a.s.sistance, she will have no lack of capable men coming forward to offer their protection. And yet she has to be so secretive about the whole thing. Thus, I conclude that her mystery lover is someone unique, maybe even someone who has a lowly status. Exposing this person’s ident.i.ty will cause disaster to befall upon him."
Compared to Xiang Shaolong, Xiao Yuetan has a better understanding about the mentality of the rich and powerful. He queried, "Is Feng Fei so wicked that she will really use me as her scapegoat?"
Xiao Yuetan grinned, "Let’s wait and observe the situation further. I am sure things will be clearer after some surveillance. Our Shaolong is no pushover after all; whoever dares to scheme against us can expect a scheme in return."
Xiang Shaolong agreed.
Who would have thought that such a small Song & Dance Troupe would involve such complications?
Watching the Song & Dance Troupe rehearsal, Xiang Shaolong finally understood how Poetry, Singing and Music can be amalgamated into one body. In the past, either he did not pay much attention to these performances or he only stare at the beautiful main character. In this moment, he can feel himself immersing into the presentation and can fully appreciate every component of it.
By itself, the 30 odd member orchestra led by Yun Niang is show-worthy.
Yun Niang plays a set of 8 hanging bells, representing the 8 ancient and original tones (Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do). Ranging from big bells to small bells, they took up one-fifth of the s.p.a.ce in the hall. She strikes the bells in a graceful posture, mesmerizing the audience with her nimble stances and dance steps. It is no wonder why she is highly respected by Feng Fei.
Xiang Shaolong a.s.sumed that Yun Niang is aware of Feng Fei’s plans to disband the Song & Dance Troupe. Thus, she is using every opportunity to get close to Xiao