Chapter 271
Book 24 Chapter 06 - Separating Grat.i.tude And Enmity
Aboard Xie Ziyuan’s carriage and listening to his light-hearted whistling, Xiang Shaolong can realign his focus and reflect on the activities over the past few days.
When he first ran into Li Yuan at Zongsun Residence, Li Yuan is likely a well-meaning friend without any malicious intentions. When he could not bear it any longer and started communicating with Han Chuang, it eventually gave rise to the idea of getting rid of Xiang Shaolong, a potentially huge threat to their States. How Guo Kai came into the picture is anyone’s guess.
They are aware that Xiang Shaolong has a special place in Lord Longyang’s heart. Moreover, he had expressed regret at betraying Xiang Shaolong in the past. Therefore, they chose to keep Lord Longyang in the dark about this affair.
Lord Longyang only happened to run into him when he was actually looking for Feng Fei.
When Han Chuang visited him for the first time and learnt about his plans to steal his sabre from Cao Cuidao’s Qixia College, he probably hasn’t made up his mind to get rid of him or not.
But when Han Chuang mentioned this to Li Yuan or Guo Kai, it inspired them to make use of Cao Cuidao to kill him. When Cao Cuidao is unable to take his life, Han Chuang knows that he has become the main suspect. He chose to avoid Xiang Shaolong while sending Li Yuan to make enquiries.
Li Yuan is truly clever, intentionally revealing Han Chuang and Guo Kai’s partners.h.i.+p and earning Xiang Shaolong’s trust. And he himself is silly enough to divulge Lord Longyang’s plans to secretly whisk him away.
Lord Longyang is probably conscious that Li Yuan and the others are going to make things difficult for him but is unable to prove it, explaining why he is abandoning everything and leaving Lin Zi with him.
Instead, it was Xiang Shaolong who went back on his word and rejected his kind intention.
If not for him spying on their secret meeting yesterday, this chain of events would probably remain a mystery to him.
Surprisingly, he was feeling hurt but without a shred of hatred.
Because he understands that everyone is forced by circ.u.mstances.
At this point, Xie Ziyuan quizzed: "Are you acquainted with Xu Shang? He is originally from Shangcai and is very talented."
Only now did Xiang Shaolong remember that Xu Shang had accompanied Lu Buwei to Qi. As they have not met each other here, he has cleanly forgotten about him. He nodded his head to acknowledge their acquaintance.
Xie Ziyuan updated: "Presently, Qi Yu and him are locking horns over Lan Gongyuan. Lu Buwei appears to be rather lenient towards Xu Shang."
Xiang Shaolong pondered: "If my guess is correct, Lan Gongyuan must have starting dating Xu Shang back in Xianyang years ago. Hey, are you aware that Lan Gongyuan once disguised herself as a serving maid and tried to a.s.sa.s.sinate me?"
Xie Ziyuan was thunderstruck: "Is that so? However, she did underwent special training and her skills are pretty remarkable."
Xiang Shaolong might as well tell him the whole story. Once completed, Xie Ziyuan concluded with a serious expression: "That circus you are talking about must be Bian Dongshan’s Dongzhou Circus. All along, they have been touring and performing at the various States but suddenly, they simply vanished without any news. It looks like the circus members were completely annihilated at Xianyang."
Xiang Shaolong enquired: "Who is Bian Dongshan?"
Xie Ziyuan sighed: "Among the top four disciples of Cao Cuidao, Bian Dongshan is the best, followed by Zongsun Xuanhua, Han Jie and wifey. Bian Dongshan’s forte lies in his agility and parkour skills, and he is a first-rated a.s.sa.s.sin. He often carries out a.s.signments for Tian Dan."
Xiang Shaolong mused: "He must have lost his life at Xianyang."
Xie Ziyuan shook his head, advising: "A few months ago, I heard Zongsun Xuanhua saying that he has just met him. According to hearsay, he had travelled to the Capital of Yan to a.s.sa.s.sinate a Yan General. The people of Yan trembles with fear at the mention of his name. Great General may be highly skilled but an a.s.sa.s.sin’s methods are often undetectable. Great General must not be complacent."
Xiang Shaolong bitterly smiled: "If he wishes to a.s.sa.s.sinate me, this is the best opportunity."
Xie Ziyuan officially remarked: "On the contrary, while you are here, Great General can put your mind at ease. Bian Dongshan is fiercely loyal to Great Qi and would never do anything that will put Great King in a difficult position. However, it would be a different story if you leave the territory of Qi. The people of Yan nicknamed Bian Dongshan as The a.s.sa.s.sin with a Hundred Faces. His art of disguise is unfathomable and unsurpa.s.sed. One cannot predict his next appearance or new ident.i.ty."
For the time being, Xiang Shaolong cannot be bothered with Bian Dongshan. Recalling Zhang Quan’s theft of the song sheet, he shared the story with Xie Ziyuan too. He added that Feng Fei has composed a new song and even if Lan Gongyuan chooses to perform the stolen song, it would not affect Feng Fei.
Xie Ziyuan was infuriated: "It must be Qi Yu masterminding the theft. He tried to woo Feng Fei in the past but was rejected by her. Thus, he hates her to the core. I will take care of this. I, Xie Ziyuan, would not condone these shameless acts by Yuan Yuan."
The carriage is now entering Jade Orchid Brothel. At this time of the day, the brothel is not open for business yet and the gigantic courtyards are so peaceful they seemed like an isolated world away from the rest of the city. From the rear courtyards, hints of music can be heard.
The two men got off the carriage and started walking towards the exceptionally grand Performing Hall situated at the rear courtyards.
Xie Ziyuan whispered: "In the past, when the Great King is much healthier, he loves to frequent the Performing Hall for song and dance performances, saying that the courtesans here are much more lively. What does he expect? Courtesans who enter the palace may never get to leave. Firstly, they may unknowingly offend the King and be sentenced to death. Secondly, they may be retained by the King and after one night of pa.s.sion, be relegated to a harem of forgotten concubines. In fact, there is no difference between the two outcomes."
Xiang Shaolong thought to himself: In comparison, Xiao Pan’s self control is admirable.
Xie Ziyuan sighed: "The Great King has a dream, which is seeing the Three Famous Courtesans performing simultaneously in front of him. He has tasked us with this mission and demands for it to be accomplished at all costs. This can be considered his only dying wish, which allows him to last till today. Otherwise he would have… Hey!"
Xiang Shaolong finally comprehended the intricacies behind this grand birthday celebrations. This clearly demonstrates the empty boasts of Qi as well as their culture of instant gratification.
With this laid back mindset, not only has this huge country failed to become the leader of the Eastern States, it has constantly disrupted allied talks which happens to be the only way to curb the aggressiveness of Qin.
At this juncture, a melodious tune filled the air. It was a group of courtesans singing in unison. With crystal clear voices and fantastic beats, Xiang Shaolong was drawn into the music.
Xie Ziyuan proudly proclaimed: "This was the composition I created at the lounge that night. It can be considered one of my best works."
Xiang Shaolong guffawed: "Does that mean that the rehearsal is ending?"
Xie Ziyuan burst out laughing and crossed the ledge into the Performing Hall.
At the heart of the Performing Hall, there were nearly sixty courtesans who are waving multicoloured dance ribbons, materializing into countless formations, resembling different clutters of coloured clouds encircling an elaborately dressed Lan Gongyuan who was singing and dancing in the centre. It was a mesmerizing sight.
By now, Lan Gongyuan was singing solo.
Witnessing her soft and flexible pet.i.te frame bending to fas.h.i.+on all sorts of extreme and enticing dance poses, coupled with the highs and lows, pauses and stretches in the song, it felt like a performance by heavenly maidens, causing the observers to experience the sensation of entering the heaven realm where immortals reside.
Arranged at a side were a group of forty musicians who were playing music and generating a delightful ambience within the Performing Hall.
Besides Qi Yu and a gang of ten odd Qi locals whom Xiang Shaolong does not recognize, the audience comprises of Xu Shang as well.
Once the song finishes, Qi Yu and the others broke out into applause and cheers.
Abandoning the rest of the crowd, Lan Gongyuan approached Xie Ziyuan and Xiang Shaolong. Smiling like the blossoming of a flower, she cajoled: "Why took Official Xie and Great General so long to come over?"
Probably concerned about the ‘Song Theft’ issue that Xiang Shaolong mentioned, Xie Ziyuan apologized before pulling Lan Gongyuan aside and speaking to her in private.
Qi Yu and the others started walking towards him while the courtesans were all paying special attention to him. Whispering and giggling among themselves, they are radiating with pa.s.sion.
Xu Shang greeted Xiang Shaolong with a military salute as per the laws of Qin. He added with a