Chapter 252
Book 22 Chapter 11 - Clearing All Misunderstanding
When Xiang Shaolong woke up, it was already well into the day. In fact, it was Xiao Yuetan who extracted him from his slumber.
By now, Xiang Shaolong enjoys special privileges within the Troupe. After ordering his breakfast to be served to his room, both men sat down to talk and eat intermittently.
After Xiang Shaolong told Xiao Yuetan his story, Xiao Yuetan could not help but wipe off his own sweat, affirming: "It is a blessing that Li Yuan is a man who values your friends.h.i.+p. Otherwise, it will be curtains for you last night. With Li Yuan’s support, the circ.u.mstances are now highly favourable. Even if you reveal your ident.i.ty, the people of Qi dare not offend you and moreover, Li Yuan will not allow it to happen."
Xiang Shaolong quizzed: "Did you gain any new information?"
Xiao Yuetan divulged: "Compared to yours, my job is relatively easy. Grandmaster Zou (Yan) is still alive and is currently residing at Qixia College. The people of Qi wors.h.i.+p him like a living deity and if you ever choose to reveal your ident.i.ty, you should reveal it with his blessings. If Grandmaster Zou informs the King of Qi about the unbearable consequences of your demise, I guarantee that even if someone points a sword at his (King of Qi) throat, he would not dare to harm you."
Xiang Shaolong was overjoyed: "Let me first meet up with him before we decide what to do next. Can Brother Xiao make the necessary arrangements?"
Xiao Yuetan swore: "You can count on me. I will act on it by today. Lu Buwei is due to arrive this afternoon. I will send my men to put Zhang Quan under strict surveillance. The moment he gets the money will also be his unlucky moment."
Xiang Shaolong reminded: "Do not inflict serious injuries on him. I still need him to indirectly gain knowledge about Lu Buwei’s plans."
Xiao Yuetan coldly hissed: "Killing someone like him will only dirty my hands. Shaolong can put your mind at ease."
He laughed: "Do you remember my colleague Zongsun Heji? He happened to be Zongsun Long’s nephew and I will seek his a.s.sistance in spying on Zongsun Long’s strategies. Since young, he has been disgruntled with this uncle of his. Moreover, he is a great admirer of Feng Fei and we can appeal to his sense of justice to help us out. But if Shaolong is willing to come out into the open with your original ident.i.ty, I am certain that even the powerful and reckless Zongsun Long would not dare to do anything rash. Ai. Now that you are alive and can return to Qin, there is no one who will risk antagonizing you, especially the Three States of Han, Zhao and Wei. Each State wishes for the other States to make a move against you and bear the crime of killing you. What wishful thinking!"
Xiang Shaolong nodded in agreement.
Ever since he was on the run, the Three States have combined efforts to hunt and kill himself. Now that the window of opportunity is over and they are seeking peace with Xiao Pan, who, in their right mind, would want to cause trouble for him, Xiang Shaolong. The best thing about this is on the surface; the people of Qi have to put up a show of doing their best to safeguard him, in order to maintain the cordial relations.h.i.+p between Qi and Qin.
In the eyes of the people of Qi, their primary target is their longstanding nemesis Yan, not Qin nor Xiang Shaolong.
With the support of the influential Li Yuan, Xiang Shaolong felt that he can become himself again whenever he chooses to and not live life in constant fear of being discovered.
Xiang Shaolong can gingerly feel his natural outstanding aura revitalizing his body but is slightly reluctant to give up the present role he is playing. He laughed: "Li Yuan is representing Chu, from Han we have Han Chuang and Qin is of course Lu Buwei. Who are the other three representatives from the other three states?"
Xiao Yuetan updated: "Coming from Wei is obviously your old friend Lord Longyang. From Zhao comes Guo Kai. For Yan, Prince Dan dare not make the trip in person but sent his Chief General Xu Yizhe. This man has been promoted and awarded the t.i.tle of Lord Yangle by the King of Yan."
Xiang Shaolong bitterly laughed: "It is truly a congregation of old friends. Which is the most famous brothel around here? We should reserve two tables there and hold a gathering for old time’s sake!"
Xiao Yuetan is elated: "Shaolong is finally in the mood to crack jokes!"
In this instance, the sound of knocking can be heard. A maid reported: "s.h.i.+ Sufang’s Boss Jin is here and wishes to see Manager Shen."
Xiang Shaolong was caught by surprise but Xiao Yuetan a.s.sured: "He is a bit of a hero to some extent and is definitely not a sc.u.m. Shaolong, there is no harm in seeing what he wants."
After putting the fruit seed underneath his tongue, he proceeded to the front hall to meet Boss Jin.
Boss Jin may have met Xiang Shaolong in Xianyang before but he obviously failed to recognize him. In addition, Xiang Shaolong’s speech is now littered with occasional odd stuttering, erasing any potential doubts.
Once the usual pleasantries have been exchanged, both men sat down according to their status as host and guest while serving maids offered hot tea. Using his ‘fruit seed voice’, Xiang Shaolong stuttered in phases: "I wonder what instructions does Boss Jin have for Little Brother?"
Boss Jin boisterously laughed: "Of course I am here to congratulate Brother Shen on your promotion to Manager. If that fella Zhang Quan is still manager, you will never catch me alive in this place."
Xiang Shaolong is not the least bit surprised because Zhang Quan is indeed a detestable *******. But Boss Jin is someone who is exposed to worldly affairs and by right; he would not speak badly of someone in such a straightforward manner. For him to make this comment, his real intention is to test Xiang Shaolong.
Xiang Shaolong laughed in return: "I pray that in the future, I, Shen Liang, will not be the reason for Boss Jin to ignore us."
Boss Jin leaned over slightly and whispered: "There are rumours flying all over, prophesizing that Miss Feng will retire back to her hometown after her Lin Zi tour. I wonder if the rumour is true?"
Xiang Shaolong bitterly laughed: "How do you expect me to answer you? Are you forcing me to lie to you?"
Boss Jin is greatly pleased: "I got it. I specially paid you a visit because I wanted to arrange a meeting between Sufang and Miss Feng. Sufang has always admired Miss Feng’s talent."
Xiang Shaolong accepted: "Although I cannot decide for my Mistress, I do not foresee any problems with the appointment. Can Boss tell me what is a good time to meet?"
Boss Jin proposed: "Let’s meet again this afternoon. It would be better if we are both around during the meeting."
In his mind, Xiang Shaolong raised a red flag, knowing that it will not be an ordinary conversation. Otherwise, Boss Jin need not be around.
Although Boss Jin shares the same status as him, which is the post of a Troupe General Manager, in reality, their standing is worlds apart.
After all, he is the owner of the Troupe. Although s.h.i.+ Sufang enjoys more prestige than him, she is legally just the leading female actress under his banner. On the other hand, he, Xiang Shaolong, is just a highly ranked runner.
Boss Jin is only being polite when he asks for Xiang Shaolong to be present as well.
Xiang Shaolong acknowledged: "I got your point. However, can Boss reveal some traces of the discussion topic? It will be easier for me talk to my Mistress."
Boss Jin nodded: "I will have to trouble you to tell Miss Feng that somebody is plotting to win the Song & Dance compet.i.tion at all costs."
Recalling the Soft-Boned Beauty Lan Gongyuan, Xiang Shaolong immediately understood his point: "I got it. I will inform Mistress right away."
Boss Jin cheerfully bade farewell and took his leave.
Xiang Shaolong wanted to look for Xiao Yuetan first but he has already left his room. Zhang Quan intercepted him once again and began badgering him with questions but Xiang Shaolong dismissed him with vague answers before excusing himself and headed to Feng Fei’s building.
Feng Fei and her fellow performers are busy rehearsing in the inner hall and Dong Shuzen, Zhu Xiuzhen appeared to be slightly haggard. Xiang Shaolong believed that after leaving his room, Dong Shuzen probably went to look for Zhu Xiuzhen to discuss the latest develoments. It is likely that they even engaged in lesbian 5ex, explaining their present lethargy.
Noticing his arrival, Little Ping’er intentionally hid at a corner, refusing to face him.
Alternatively, Xinyue is batting