Chapter 258
Book 23 Chapter 05 - Touring Cow Mountain
Li Yuan is a guest resident at Tingzhu Villa, which is located just two streets away from Tingsong Villa. From this arrangement, one can infer that Feng Fei’s status is equivalent to that of a State Chancellor Li Yuan.
Arriving at the Villa entrance, he reported his name Shen Liang to the sentry. Upon hearing his name, the guard came to attention and respectfully saluted: "Good day to you Master Shen, Chancellor has left instructions about your possible visit. However, Chancellor has just left the Villa. Would Master Shen like to leave a message?"
Xiang Shaolong initially wanted to leave a note asking Li Yuan to come and look for him but rationalize that it is inappropriate given his lowly status. He simply remarked: "I have to trouble Mister to inform Chancellor that I did came by. That’s all."
At this juncture, the central gate swung wide open and an elaborate carriage escorted by several riders in the front and back drove out of the residence. As the carriage window curtains are not drawn up, the pa.s.senger could not been seen.
As the carriage drew further and further away, Xiang Shaolong suppressed the urge to inquire about its occupant and began trekking his way home.
The weather was excellent; it was cold but it was a comfortable kind of cool. As Xiang Shaolong strode along the congested and lively streets among other pedestrians and vehicles, his heart, on the other hand, was feeling lonely and solitary.
While he was on the run, all his energy and time is dedicated towards avoiding enemy search teams and related considerations. Although he has entered Lin Zi and is now surrounded by both old and new friends, he was feeling lonesome instead.
He glanced about his surroundings, soaking in the magnificent views of the Qi Capital, deeply experiencing the meaning of the proverb ‘Surrounded by luxury, feeling sad and lonely’.
Besides Xiao Yuetan, there is no one he could trust.
The most maddening fact is that he did not have any warriors at his personal disposal. Otherwise, he could simply send someone to keep Han Chuang under surveillance and easily determine if Han Chuang would betray him or not. For example, if Han Chuang visits Guo Kai on a regular basis, it would indicate his disloyalty.
The Three States have always been on intimate terms with one another and Guo Kai’s Lady Boss is Han Chuang’s clanswoman Han Jing. If he wants to do something against Xiang Shaolong’s interests, both men would definitely form a partners.h.i.+p. Under those circ.u.mstances, even Lord Longyang could not voice his objection.
Their only stumbling block is Li Yuan but whether Li Yuan would risk offending the Three States to protect him is still an unknown fact.
As his mind weighed down with these issues, his senses suddenly tingled with alarm. A single horseman is seen riding towards him from the front and as he got nearer, the rider gazed downwards at him, checking: "How do I address Brother?"
Xiang Shaolong stared at him with astonishment and after confirming that he has never seen this man before in his life, he raised his alertness and quizzed: "What is going on?"
The rider was reasonably polite and smiled: "My Mistress is Lady Qingxiu and I was commanded by her to invite Mister to meet her. As Mistress did not tell me the honourable name of Mister, I had to trouble you for it."
Realizing that the convoy which departed earlier from Tingzhu Villa belongs to Lady Qingxiu, Xiang Shaolong secretly thought: either Li Yuan has told her about his presence in Lin Zi or his disguise is really terrible.
Thus, he gave his name as Shen Liang and accompanied the horseman to meet this beauty who has had an unhappy marriage.
Boarding Lady Qingxiu’s carriage that was waiting by the roadside, the beauty who has concealed her gorgeous face behind a few layers of veil greeted in her usual wintery voice: "How are you doing, Great General! Please sit beside Qingxiu."
Xiang Shaolong is feeling disappointed that he did not get to see her face. Additionally, he is conscious that her invitation for him to sit down beside her is not because of intimacy but rather a more convenient way to hold a secret conversation. He hurriedly stabilized his emotions and sat down.
A whiff of womanly fragrance began invading his nose and mind as the carriage move slowly along the busy highway of the ancient capital.
All of a sudden, his loneliness has completely evaporated. As the carriage shook occasionally, causing their shoulders to knock against each other, he could not help but recall the wonderful and moving time in Daliang when Ji Yanran shared a similar episode with him.
Lady Qingxiu plainly state: "Great General’s masquerade is truly brilliant. If not for Qingxiu hearing about Great General’s arrival in Lin Zi from Chancellor Li (Yuan), I would not have recognized you."
A relieved Xiang Shaolong bitterly smiled: "I certainly hope Chancellor Li would not tell everyone he met that I am here in the State of Qi."
Lady Qingxiu was displeased: "Chancellor Li is not someone who does not know what he is doing. He did not hide the truth from me because after all, Qingxiu is the best friend of Grand Tutor Qin!"
Xiang Shaolong shot his mouth off: "I thought Your Ladys.h.i.+p is not on good terms with Chancellor Lee!"
Looking out of the window through the curtain, Lady Qingxiu kept silent for some time before softly suggesting: "It is snowing again. I wonder what scenery Cow Mountain will offer? Is Great General interested to accompany Qingxiu for a tour of Cow Mountain?"
Xiang Shaolong did not expect her to propose a tour out of the blue and even invited him to accompany her. He stammered: "Cow Mountain?" At the same time, his heart was filled with surprise and shock at her warm hospitality.
The sky began to darken as flakes of snows gently and feebly descended on earth.
Appearing to be in deep contemplation, Lady Qingxiu stared out of the window and gently articulated: "Touring Cow Mountain during the rainy Spring season is widely regarded as the top attraction among the eight top touring locations of Lin Zi. Due to recent deforestation, Cow Mountain is wastefully degenerating into a barren highland. Fortunately, after a bout of tree planting, it is overheard that it has regained its spread of bountiful forestry and seas of greenery. Of course this cannot be seen as it is still winter!"
Xiang Shaolong finally discovered the origin of the saying: As barren as Cow Mountain. He nodded: "Since Your Ladys.h.i.+p is feeling adventurous, I dare not reject your offer."
After instructing the convoy to proceed towards Cow Mountain, Lady Qingxiu enthused with antic.i.p.ation: "When Qingxiu was young, I did visit Cow Mountain with my late father. It was