Chapter 62
Book 6 – Chap 6 – The Spring and Autumn Annals of Lu
They have just arrived at the Wu residence when Tao Fang came up to them and said, "I was about to send someone to look for you, and luckily all of you came back."
Xiang Shaolong was startled, "What can be so important?"
Tao Fang replied with a smile, "It is important matter indeed, but it’s something good. His Majesty has ordered you to enter the Palace immediately to see him." He then pulled him aside and added with a low voice, "Shaolong, don’t blame me for being an old nag, but at the duel yesterday, the way the Empress looked at you was very strange, you must be careful!"
Xiang Shaolong knew the meaning behind his words and said rea.s.suring, "I know what to do. Even if it will not implicate anyone, I would still not do such a dishonorable and foolish act."
Tao Fang knows that he is a man of his word and is relieved.
Xiang Shaolong turned his horse around and after rejecting the offer from Wu Zhuo and the rest for escorts, he rode towards the Qin Palace.
The width of the streets of Xianyang is between those of Handan and Daliang, but only in comparison with the few larger streets in the capital of Zhao and Wei. On average, the streets of Xianyang are a lot wider.
He has just turned into the street leading south when Xiang Shaolong had a feeling he was being watched.
It’s a feeling that’s very difficult to put into words.
Xiang Shaolong was secretly startled.
Maybe it’s because he has meditated so frequently that his senses have become so sharpened. He’s also feeling perplexed why would anyone spy on him.
The place is linked to the market at the south side with shops and residences mixed together. On both sides of the road a huge tree is planted at a s.p.a.ce of about every 2 feet and the trees grew in lush abundance so it’ll be easy for the secret attackers to hide themselves.
He swept the area with his eyes and noticed a few suspicious characters.
Two men were seated at a table next to the window at the 2nd floor of a restaurant and when they saw Xiang Shaolong looking up, they immediately lowered their eyes and pretended to chat.
Another person is a hawker with a stall selling a.s.sorted goods at the side of the road, surrounded by a group of people who seem to be buying something. They were haggling about the price but Xiang Shaolong noticed that he was staring at the area where he stood and was so nervous that he could see the vein popping on his forehead.
Amongst the people who had their backs to him, two to three of them were stout looking men and most likely is part of his gang.
On the other side of the street opposite this masquerade hawker, 2 persons saw Xiang Shaolong riding over and hurriedly snuck behind a tree, obviously up to no good.
However Xiang Shaolong was thinking about something else.
It’s not strange that someone will want to hatch a plot to kill him but the strange thing is how did that person manage to know his route and timetable so accurately.
The only explanation is that the other party knows that King Zhuangxiang had summoned him into the Palace, therefore they are able to set a death trap for him on this only route to the Palace.
And judging by the numbers, his enemy was not afraid that he would have escorts because when they made the plans they would not have expected him to travel alone.
He can’t help but feel secretly startled once he thought of this.
By now he can almost be sure that the person who wants to kill him is Lord Yangquan because he is the only one who can be sure of the King of Qin’s every move through Lady Xiuli and he is the only one who has the guts and power to deal with him.
He’d actually turned to deal with him after he has dealt with Jing Jun?
The sound of a horse carriage was heard.
Four horse carriages carting hay came towards him, with a rider on each carriage. They were split into 2 carriages in each group and riding towards him close to the pedestrian path on the left and right sides of the road, leaving a few feet of s.p.a.ce in between and enough for him to run straight across.
Just by looking at the time, place and way the horse carriages appeared, Xiang Shaolong knows that something is wrong.
At this point of life and death, he dare not delay and he held Jifeng’s reins lightly as he pretended not to notice and rode towards the horse carriages and at the same time secretly drew out 2 steel needles from his waist and hid them in his palms.
Both sides got closer to each other.
Xiang Shaolong was secretly thinking it hilarious. He clasped the horse’s belly lightly with his thighs and Jifeng who has been his steed for quite some time already understands his needs and immediately increased its speed and in an instant was riding between the 4 carriages.
This move was totally beyond the expectations of the other party and the 4 men riding the carriages all cried out in unison and revealed a sinister look.
The hay was thrown into the sky and there was an archer hidden in each of the carriage of hay. They stood up from the hay, c.o.c.ked their arrows and at the same time aimed it at Xiang Shaolong.
Xiang Shaolong roared and Jifeng dashed forward. At the same time he waved his hands and the needles flew towards the back.
Before the archers in the 2 front carriages had a chance to shoot, the flying needles were already embedded in their faces and they fell back into the haystack.
The other 2 blindly shot their arrows in their haste and lost their aim. The arrows flew past his back, crisscrossing each other.
Xiang Shaolong chortled and Jifeng ran full speed ahead and in an instant, disappeared far away into the long street and there’s nothing his enemies can do.
Xiang Shaolong met King Zhuangxiang and Zhu Ji with her ‘son’ in the inner hall of the Imperial Palace and naturally Lu Buwei was there as well.
The hall was elegantly decorated and King Zhuangxiang sat alone at the head on a raised dais while Lu Buwei and Xiang Shaolong sat on his left and Zhu Ji and Xiao Pan sat on the right, each of them with a table in front.
The palace maids came in and laid out the food and wine and retreated. The guards were standing guard outside, which makes this lunch has the atmosphere of a family gathering.
Xiao Pan’s att.i.tude was serious and did not sneak a peek at Xiang Shaolong at all.
Zhu Ji was also more reserved and although she’s even more beautiful now and is not as forward like before.
The huge windows on both sides of the hall was wide open and they can see the curving corridors outside, the lush woods and flowers, serene and quiet without any human voices at all.
King Zhuangxiang said with a smile, "Premier told me this morning that Shaolong will be leaving in a few day’s time to help me capture Zhao Mu so that I can vent my hatred. Both Empress Ji and I are very touched so we must invite Shaolong over immediately for a meal as a boost to your journey."
Xiang Shaolong felt a great liking towards King Zhuangxiang because not only is he gentle, but there is a sincerity about him that comes from the bottom of his heart.
Maybe because he was held hostage in Zhao for a long period of time and suffered humiliation there, he did not have the haughty air of King Xiaocheng.
Just looking at how devoted he is towards Zhu Ji and his grat.i.tude at Lu Buwei’s help, combining forces with this great merchant to deal with his own countrymen, one can tell how much importance he places on relations.h.i.+ps.
And there’s another reason why Xiang Shaolong feels especially for him.
In this world, he is the only one who knows that the leader of the world’s strongest state, only has 3 more years to live.
He hurriedly bowed his head and gave his thanks.
King Zhuangxiang suddenly said kindly, "My son has something to say?"
Zhu Ji and Lu Buwei’s eyes turned towards Xiao Pan and the look in their eyes were filled with unending love like King Zhuangxiang as well.
Xiang Shaolong was secretly laughing, all these 3 people treated Xiao Pan like their precious son, but he’s actually a fake.
At the same time he was shocked. Xiao Pan must have heard the killer of his mother, Zhao Mu’s name and hence revealed a strange look of alarm which was sitnessed by King Zhuangxiang.
Xiao Pan looked at Xiang Shaolong and said with disappointment, "Grand Tutor has to leave without even having any chance to teach me anything."
The 3 of them laughed.
Zhu Ji furrowed her pretty brows, "Will this be too much of a risk for Grand Tutor?"
Xiang Shaolong laughed, "The more dangerous it is, the more suited it is for me. Do not worry Empress Ji, I will be careful."
Lu Buwei chuckled, "I am very confident of Shaolong and knows that he will certainly succeed."
King Zhuangxiang loves Xiao Pan a lot and said to him with a smile, "I am extremely happy that my son respects and loves his tutor so much." He turned towards Xiang Shaolong and added, "If Grand Tutor is free these few days, you can spend more time in the Palace to teach the Crown Prince. The way you blocked w.a.n.g Jian’s 3 arrows at the square yesterday, my son was so excited that he kept telling everyone about it!"
Xiang Shaolong can’t help but exchange a look with Xiao Pan and secretly exclaim that he’s formidable. By doing this now, if this lad becomes especially close towards him in future, no one will suspect that it’s due to any other hidden reasons. He agreed