Chapter 41
Book 4 Chapter 7 – Escape from Daliang
5 days later, Xiang Shaolong was able to get off the bed and walk. Besides the wound under his armpit, which still gave him some pain, he has regained all his strength.
The relations.h.i.+p between him and Zhao Qian has grown to a point that they cannot bear to be apart from each other. Although they are in hiding in the room all day long, they don’t find the confinement difficult at all.
Ever since that day, Ji Yanran had not returned and according to Zou Yan, Prince Xinling has always been suspecting her so he’s keeping a very close eye on her.
Xiang Shaolong believes that Daliang’s security will ultimately loosen up, because that is human nature, there’s no way they can carry on with this forever. Besides, even after such a thorough search revealed nothing about their whereabouts, anyone would have thought that they have escaped.
That night just as they were embroiled intimately, Ji Yanran arrived and upon seeing the blus.h.i.+ng Zhao Qian, her own face reddened as well, which made her look even more alluring and beautiful.
Xiang Shaolong’s body was all heated up but he dare not get into the real act with Zhao Qian and on seeing this lady whose beauty is more than Zhao Qian arriving, he was secretly overjoyed. Just as he was about to start flirting with her, Zou Yan came up.
Xiang Shaolong had no choice but to let go of Ji Yanran whom he was half forcing into a hug and let her sit on the rug.
Ji Yanran stared at him daintily for a moment, blaming him for behaving more and more rudely with her before she said, "10 days ago I sent some people out of the city and ordered them to dress up as both of you, even carrying a fake wooden sword with the purpose of letting others discover them. Now the plan is indeed working. Yesterday Prince Xinling personally led the troops and went towards the border of Chu in pursuit. The security at the gates of Daliang is more relaxed now, so it’s time for you to leave."
Xiang Shaolong and Zou Yan both cheered, they did not expect Ji Yanran to have such a splendid plan. What is even more rare is that she only talked about it after the plan is a success, which shows how much self control she has.
Ji Yanran looked at Xiang Shaolong with sadness and unhappiness, her pretty face revealing how she cannot bear to part with him.
Xiang Shaolong was stunned and he asked, "You’re not leaving with us?"
Ji Yanran shook her head, "I really wish to, but if I leave, everyone will know that I am connected with you and I will put many others in jeopardy, maybe even Mister Zou included. That day Prince Xinling came to search this observatory precisely because Yanran kept finding excuses to come here and look at the stars, and that aroused his suspicions."
Xiang Shaolong knows this to be the truth so he sighed and asked, "Then when can we meet again?"
Ji Yanran smiled prettily, "Don’t worry! Yanran’s greatest wish in life is to be able to a.s.sist the new saint in unifying the world so that the people need not have to suffer wars any more, so I will not let you off from now on."
Xiang Shaolong shook his head with a bitter smile, "I don’t believe that I’m really the new saint. Even if I can return to Zhao, the way will be fraught with dangers. If you want to find the true new saint, you’d better be more patient in your search in case you find the wrong person and regret it in future." His words were filled with jealousy, naturally because the reason Ji Yanran fell for him is all because he is that new saint.
A strange look flashed past Ji Yanran’s face and she lowered her head, not speaking.
Zou Yan said seriously, "What you’ve said further affirmed that you’re the new saint, because the especially bright star that represents you is now being chased by other stars. According to the heavens, you’ll need at least 20 years before you can unify the world and before that you’ll naturally face countless dangers."
Xiang Shaolong’s body trembled as he heard all this and looked at Zou Yan dumbfounded and for the first time he dare not belittle this ancient astrologer because it is indeed about 20 years later that Emperor Qin unified the warring states and became the first emperor in history.
Ji Yanran suddenly said, "Mister Zou, Princess Qian, Yanran would like to ask you to wait outside the hall for a while. There’s something I have to speak with Xiang Shaolong about."
Zou Yan and Zhao Qian understood her meaning so they went out the room and even closed the door.
Ji Yanran’s head was still lowered as she said quietly, "Xiang Shaolong, I want you to know clearly that Ji Yanran likes you as a person, and it has got nothing to do with whether you’re going to be the new saint or not."
Xiang Shaolong knows that his words earlier have hurt her and was feeling extremely apologetic so he reached out to hug her.
Ji Yanran exclaimed angrily, "Don’t touch me!"
Xiang Shaolong is an expert in the field of love and knows that she finds it a loss of face if she accedes so he ignored her warning and jumped over, pressing her down on the rug and kissed her hard on her lips.
Ji Yanran gave a token struggle before her stronger reaction took over and she can’t help but want to join with him immediately.
After their lips parted, Ji Yanran said sadly, "Tomorrow morning, Mister Han Fei will escort the grains he borrowed back to Han. Yanran has made arrangements with him, one of the carriages carrying the grains will have a secret compartment in it and it will certainly be able to bring you out of Daliang safely. Xiang Lang! Alive, Yanran will belong to your Xiang family and no matter what I will look for you. Don’t forget about me!"
Xiang Shaolong and Zhao Qian hugged each other as they lay in the secret compartment under the carriage and left Daliang without much trouble towards the ca.n.a.l. When they reach that place they will change into traveling by boat and follow the river up west to the Han border.
Late snow was falling outside and the carriages moved slowly. With thick blankets lining the bottom of the secret compartment, the 2 of them don’t feel too uncomfortable at all. In fact they felt as if this is a warm and sweet little heaven.
The 2 of them behaved intimately for a while before they suppressed their desire so that they will not lose self-control and engage in the real act.
Zhao Qian looked at the top of the secret compartment and said sincerely, "I’ve never seen a girl more beautiful and intelligent than Sister Yanran. Just a little trick from her and she can escort us out of Daliang comfortably."
Xiang Shaolong looked at her beautiful profile but his mind was on another matter as he asked with a smile, "Would you mind not being a Princess!"
Zhao Qian turned around, leaned her face in her hands, her pretty eyes s.h.i.+ning as she looked at him with love and said, "Qian’er will only mind one thing, and that is not becoming Xiang Shaolong’s woman. I don’t care about anything else."
Xiang Shaolong kissed her lips lovingly and said with a low sigh, "That will make things easier. I’ll find a way to hide you, then report that you’ve been killed by Xiao Weimou so you need not return to the palace and become a pitiful princess."
Zhao Qian was ecstatic, "Will you really do that for Qian’er? You’re not afraid Imperial Father will punish you?"
Xiang Shaolong boasted, "I am the new saint, how can I possibly be so easily dealt with." He continued with a chuckle, "Actually I’m doing this for myself, it’s been to torturous suppressing myself."
Zhao Qian blushed brightly as she buried her head in his arms, saying quietly with a mixture of shyness and happiness, "Whenever Xiang Lang wants Qian’er, I’ll give myself to you."
Xiang Shaolong was touched and hugged her tightly.
Zhao Qian said gently, "Didn’t Qian’er ask Xiang Lang to kill Zhao Mu for me as revenge? I’ve now changed my mind, and only hope I can flee far away with Xiang Lang. I don’t care about anything else."
Xiang Shaolong secretly sighed, what about avenging Shu’er? Zhao Mu and him, there can only be one.
The carriage stopped, it has reached the pier at the ca.n.a.l.
3 s.h.i.+ps from the state of Han with twin masts returned to Han with the 10,000 stone of grains.
Xiang Shaolong and Zhao Qian, with Han Fei’s cover, came out and hid inside a small cabin.
Although all the soldiers on the s.h.i.+p are Han, Han Fei is still cautious in case news gets leaked out.
The 2 of them were happily ensconced with each other especially now that they have unlocked the restriction of not being to join as one and both knows what will soon happen. Nothing much needs to be said about the flirtatious Xiang Shaolong, but even the usually gentle princess is starting to become bolder.
Han Fei sent his trusted aide to send them their dinner and the both of them sat shoulder to shoulder on the rug, enjoying the meal.
Xiang Shaolong wanted to drink some wine but Zhao Qian forcefully took his wine cup away and said coquettishly, "No! Zhao Qian will not allow you to drink, I want to yo be fully aware of what you’re doing."
Xiang Shaolong looked at her pretty face and said while shaking and bobbing his head, "Even if wine will not intoxicate, the person will still feel intoxicated. Later when I see Princess’s beautiful body lying on the bed, I will definitely be thoroughly intoxicated, how can I still stay sober!"
Zhao Qian fed him a piece of meat as she exclaimed happily, "So well said, and making me so happy on hearing it. I’ll reward you with a piece of meat."
Xiang Shaolong took the piece of meat in his mouth and leapt over hugging her and extending his hands to loosen her clothing, saying with a smile, "Let me take a look at