Chapter 76
Book 7 Chap 9 – Despicable Fiend
Xiang Shaolong arrived at Zhao Ya’s main hall, which he first came when newly arrived. Those decorations and trinkets were still placed on the shelves like before, but his state of mind has changed totally.
Why didn’t she invite him to that quiet and elegant little building at the garden, allowing Li Yuan that favor but treating him so shabbily. If that’s the case she might as well not ask him to come so early.
Character aside, Li Yuan is indeed the dream man in a woman’s bedchamber and even Ji Yanran was once impressed by his poetic skills. A pity he is of such character.
Just as he was deep in thought, Lady Ya arrived. Her ladies-in-waiting took their leave after paying their respects.
Xiang Shaolong was secretly wondering why Xiaozhao and the rest of the maids were missing. Lady Ya came to sit down next to him and said, "Mister Dong is so nice to agree to come earlier, your presence brings glamour to my humble abode."
Xiang Shaolong looked towards her. This mature beauty is glowing, a look of flirtatiousness between her eyes, her body soft and dainty and extremely alluring.
The more beautiful and enchanting she is, the angrier he felt, guessing that she must have enjoyed Li Yuan’s care, that’s why she has returned to her flirtatious behavior.
He said roughly, "Lady’s residence is even better than the residences of those Princes and Marquis, so how can I bring more glamour."
Zhao Ya’s dainty brows frowned on hearing this. How can there be anyone who takes such polite talk to be the truth and although she felt a little displeased she did not flare up so easily like she did in the past. Of course this is because right now her heart is still filled with Li Yuan’s loving so she did not take it to heart as she replied, "How is the progress of your farm at the Hidden Army Valley?"
Xiang Shaolong was taken aback. An astute person like him, on seeing Zhao ya’s mannerisms, already knows that Li Yuan has successfully obtained her heart, to the point that she has temporarily forgotten about ‘Xiang Shaolong’. That’s why she has regained her lost sophistication.
This should be something worth being happy about, at least Zhao Ya won’t be hara.s.sing him now that her heart is with someone else. However, he still feels very unpleasant, and wants to hurt her and see her upset.
He suppressed this urge and asked with a smile, "Let’s not talk about business today. Why does Lady want me to come earlier?" This time it was Zhao Ya’s turn to become speechless.
Of course she’s doing this because she has a slight interest in this horse fanatic, but right now Li Yuan has suddenly barged into the picture and taken her heart, at least for now, so she no longer has the earlier feelings of l.u.s.t.
She sent someone to pick up Xiang Shaolong earlier because deep in her heart she thirsts to be with him. This Dong Kuang has an unusual aura of being rough and at the same time filled with philosophical thoughts, overbearing yet gentle and when combined, gave her a refres.h.i.+ng yet exciting feel. When with him, she never knows what he will say next or if he will do anything surprising. And his att.i.tude towards her blows hot and cold, as if he doesn’t care about her but yet as if he is very interested in her. In short, with him around, she has no time to think of anything else.
This is a feeling that Li Yuan is unable to give her.
While she was enjoying herself with Li Yuan, she can’t help but pretend that he is Xiang Shaolong but with this unrefined man who bears a little resemblance to Xiang Shaolong, can make her forget everything instead.
What would it be like to be intimate with him?
Once she thought of this, she shocked even herself and secretly reprimanded herself. Why is it that after seeing him, her original strong memory of Li Yuan immediately faded?
Xiang Shaolong saw her hesitant look and his fury soared and he stood up immediately. Zhao Ya was startled and lifted her head to look at him quizzically.
Xiang Shaolong said in a serious tone, "Has Lady fallen for that fellow Li Yuan, that’s why you’ve become so cold towards me?"
Zhao ya’s delicate body trembled as she exclaimed, "Ah! No!" By now she cannot guess at all how the other person managed to say out what is in her heart so accurately.
Xiang Shaolong smiled, "That’s all right, but if what Li Yuan stole was my precious horse, then I will never let him off." He stretched lazily and with a laugh, said, "I better take a walk around the streets, I’ll come back later to join in the feast so that we need not sit in awkward silence wondering what we should talk about."
Zhao Ya was totally lost as she stood up and pouted, "Mister Dong! Can’t you show me some consideration? Am I incomparable to a horse in your mind?" Once she said that, she knows she has made a freudian slip because won’t that mean that she is regarding herself as his horse? Xiang Shaolong looked at her nonchalantly but was secretly gloating. He turned around and started walking towards the door and said offhandedly, "That fellow kept pitting himself against me. Fine! Then let me do something and s.n.a.t.c.h Ji Yanran over, that will give him a taste of having his beloved taken by others."
Zhao Ya wanted to run after him but stopped when she heard the 3 words Ji Yanran.
But she dare not laugh at him, because his words revealed a great confidence, making one feel that once he says something, he’ll definitely accomplish it.
By the time Xiang Shaolong disappeared outside the door, she was still thinking about the 4 words ‘beloved taken by others.
Hai! The fresh and interesting terms he used can be comparable to Xiang Shaolong. Suddenly, she knows why Li Yuan still cannot totally replace Xiang Shaolong.
Once she thought of this, her mood dimmed and she refuses to think further.
Walking alone at the streets of Handan, Xiang Shaolong thought of the wars that will occur after Xiaopan ascend the throne and can’t help but feel melancholy.
This vast land, after hundreds of years of war has finally come to a point in history that they must rejoin after being separated for so long and him as an ‘outsider’ had a hand in this change. If he did not come here, does it mean all these would not have happened? No matter how intelligent he is compared to others, this is one question that can give him a headache just thinking about it.
"Brother Dong!" He heard the call and was first at a loss for he momentarily forgot that he is supposed to be Dong Kuang. He turned around after recollecting his thoughts.
It turned out to be the Marquis of Pingshan, Han Chuang with 7 to 8 personal guards whom one can tell at a glance that they are highly skilled. All of them looked energetic and were stoutly built. Although they were not as tall as Xiang Shaolong, they still looked imposing.
Xiang Shaolong exclaimed in surprise, "I thought I was the only one who loves a stroll, I did not expect Marquis of Pingshan to enjoy this too."
Han Chuang’s expression was serious and he did not reply immediately. Only when he came up next to him did he grab his arm warmly and said as they walked along, "Come! My guesthouse is just around the corner, we’ll speak at my place."
Xiang Shaolong was surprised by the sudden warmth for he did not expect his att.i.tude to suddenly turn 180 degrees from his original frosty behavior.
He can’t help but follow him back to the guesthouse and even after he sat down in the hall, the 10 over swordsmen still stood around them and did not leave, making the atmosphere extremely serious. It seems like secret society bosses out for negotiation.
Han Chuang dispensed with the usual polite talk or serving drinks and said solemnly, "D.amn that Li Yuan, not giving both of us any face at all. He publicly shaved off my eyebrow, how extremely hateful."
Xiang Shaolong suddenly understood. So he has been sending people to keep an eye on Zhao Ya and saw that Li Yuan has gone to look for her and stayed for a length of time which is sufficient for them to do a lot of things before leaving. He was therefore livid and is now regarding him, the other love rival, to be on his side as well. However, it can be said that Han Chuang felt that regardless of looks, status or power, he surpa.s.ses Xiang Shaolong so he does not regard him as a strong foe but as for Li Yuan, it’s another matter.
From this he can see that Han Chuang is serious about Zhao Ya, to the extent that he’ll like to bring her back to Han so that he can enjoy her freely at home but his dream is not shattered by Li Yuan.
He could not find anything to say in response in such short notice. Han Chuang’s eyes gleamed fiercely as he said, "Why is it that Brother Dong slipped out so quickly?"
Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that he must be on his way to look for Zhao Ya to ask for an explanation when he saw him walking out, therefore he changed his mind and went after him to drag him home.
He gave a cold snort and said, "What I cannot stand the most is being treated coldly and rudely. If I don’t leave, what else can I do there, da.mn his grandmother!"
Han Chuang shared the same thoughts and snorted, "I, the Marquis of Pingshan, has seen many people in my life, bit I’ve never seen such a conceited fellow. Who does he think he is? It’s all because of his sister’s connection. I really don’t understand why Lord Chunshen thinks so highly of him. If Li Yanyan can’t give birth to a son, let’s see how smug he can be."
Until now Xiang Shaolong has no idea why he was pulled here. A person like him with such a high status, there’s really no need for him to find someone like him just to pour out his complaints.
Han Chuang’s expression looks clouded as he said angrily, "In order not to offend the Chus and affect the grand plan for cooperation, I am already controlling myself not to fight with him over Learned Lady Ji, but he won’t even let off Zhao Ya. No wonder ever since he came, that s.lut Zhao Ya started ignoring me."
Only now did Xiang Shaolong understand how deeply Han Chuang is mesmerized by Zhao Ya so he sighed, "There are many beauties in the world, why don’t Marquis just ignore her. That’s why I prefer rearing horses. If you treat a horse well, they will treat you well without any other thoughts, unlike women and conniving people who are hard to keep."
Han Chuang was silent for a moment before he actually laughed and slapped his shoulder, saying, "It’s really interested talking to you, but I must get back at him. Li Yuan was such a brag, I’d like to see how formidable his sword skills are."
Xiang Shaolong was startled and exclaimed, "Marquis, you’re not thinking of personally dueling tomorrow?"
The corners of Han Chuang’s lips curved up into a sinister smile, his eyes turning icy as he lowered his voice and said, "Why would I do such a silly thing. I’ve already made preparations, even if Li Yuan is taught a lesson, he won’t be able to know that I was behind it."
Xiang Shaolong knows that people like him who use underhand methods will never reveal all the details, and seeing that he is willing to