Chapter 91
Book 9 Chapter 05 – Stealing the bell while covering the ears
Xiang Shaolong had yet to turn back to his residence when Zhao Ya’s carriage pa.s.sed Han Chuang’s carriage and entered the driveway.
Xiang Shaolong sighed and approached her carriage, opening the door personally.
Zhao Ya simply stared at him and asked softly: "Can you get up and start walking?" Flexing his limbs, he escorted her into the hall and answered: "If I continue to stay in bed, I will be bored to death"
Zhao Ya jested: "You are healthier than Lord Longyang. He is still bedridden. He probably needs another 10 odd days before he recovers completely."
She continued in a low voice: "What did Han Chuang say to you?" Xiang Shaolong did not want her to run into Shan Rou and Zhao Zhi and led her to the east guestroom. Without a care, he said: "Nothing worth mentioning. That lecher saw the twin sisters I had and wanted to borrow them for a night. I turned him away instead. Humph! So what if he is unhappy, I hate this kind of perverts."
His words are half true. It is true that Han Chuang did have that intention. It is untrue as it is not his actual motive. Zhao Ya could not distinguish the truth and nodded in agreement, adding a few words criticising Han Chuang.
Xiang Shaolong was guilt-ridden. Seriously speaking, he is not better off than Han Chuang. He is also the one who s.n.a.t.c.hed the Tian sisters from Zhao Mu. The only difference is that they followed him willingly!
Out of a sudden, Zhao Ya grabbed his arm and led him out of the side door into the garden. As they walked to the pond at the centre of the garden, she whispered: "What is the relations.h.i.+p between Zhao Mu and you? Why did he take special care of you? Why did he look for you so early today morning?" Xiang Shaolong was taken aback. Knowing that she is working for King Xiaocheng, he shrugged his shoulders and insisted: "You ask me; I ask who? I have no need to explain to anyone why someone is treating me well or ill-treating me! I don’t give a [email protected]/* */"
They reached the poolside and Zhao Ya dragged him to sit down together before laughing: "I love to see your angry look; it is like watching a stubborn child."
Xiang Shaolong pretended to be upset but was very intimidated. Based on her attention to details, his winking at Zhao Mu (during Tian Dan’s dinner) could not escape her eyes. He wonders if she has reported this to King Xiaocheng.
Zhao Ya innocently leaned on him. Wrinkling her nose, she complained: "Oh! You are reeking of herbal smells. It is clogging my nose!"
Xiang Shaolong rudely shot: "n.o.body asked you to follow me!"
Zhao Ya laughed like a blossoming tree and looks like she is enjoying herself.
Xiang Shaolong was curious: "Your old flame entered the city to commit murder and you can still be carefree and unbothered. Just what in the world is going on?" Zhao Ya smoothly picked a yellow leaf from a short tree and sniffed on it: "This leaf is more fragrant than you."
Stunned, Xiang Shaolong demanded: "Are you not listening to me?" Zhao Ya’s beautiful gaze floated over. Batting her eye, she replied: "Your voice is so special and full of character. I cannot stop listening even if I want to" Followed by a giggle, she chuckled: "Dong Horse Fanatic is just like the others, thinking that it is Xiang Shaolong who did the killings. The ignorant cannot be blamed. You were not aware of Handan’s affairs so you can only guess blindly."
Xiang Shaolong was laughing to himself but on the outside, he gnashed his teeth cursing: "Who else can it be that hates Le Cheng so much that he must kill him?"
Zhao Ya leaned even closer with half of her enticing chest resting on his arm. She threw the leaf into the river and looked up to the moon and spoke softly: "Must you hate someone to kill him? If you want to know who may be Le Cheng’s killer, you must first tell me what did Zhao Mu said this morning. Ai! Didn’t you know that I am concerned about you?" Xiang Shaolong bitterly laughed: "You are really concerned about me? I think you are more afraid that I may die and cannot detain the real Xiang Shaolong."
Zhao Ya’s face reddened and cooed: "I am concerned about both of you! Frank enough? Tell me quick."
Xiang Shaolong was mesmerized by her tireless spirit and evoked his past happy memories where they often have the usual couple’s tiff. Charmed, he was lost in thought.
A smile formed on Zhao Ya’s face and she sighed; "You are always in your own world and do not care about me. Handan City is full of danger and any mistake would lead to the annihilation of your entire clan. I cannot protect you and you are still acting angry."
Xiang Shaolong pretended to be perplexed and replied: "He did not tell me any secrets but came to ask me more about Chu. I could tell that the Marquis of Julu was troubled and I guessed he must have been traumatized by the formidable old flame of yours."
After a moment’s thought, Zhao Ya faintly said: "This matter should be kept from you but I am afraid that you may get involved with Zhao Mu so I have to force it out from you."
Xiang Shaolong was delighted to know that his guess was accurate. Le Cheng is a two-headed snake whose loyalty is shuffling between King Xiaocheng and Zhao Mu. Both parties will suspect each other to be the mastermind.
Zhao Ya reached to his ear and disclosed: "Zhao Mu is the chief suspect in Le Cheng’s death."
Xiang Shaolong feigned shock and cried: "What!?" Zhao Ya stated: "That’s all you need to know and do not ask anymore. Ai! Zhao Mu is really stupid, measuring others by his own yardstick and made this wrong move. King Xiaocheng no longer has any hesitation about this man and will not hold back anymore."
Xiang Shaolong frowned: "In this case, why didn’t King Xiaocheng seize Zhao Mu immediately?" Zhao Ya coldly snorted: "Did you know how Le Cheng died? Over two hundred of his best men killed or injured in the time needed to boil a cup of tea. Zhao Mu did not have such capabilities and must have received a.s.sistance from someone. Besides, we have no evidence and dare not act rashly. The king had wanted to recall Lian Po or Li Mu but we will fall into the mastermind’s trap. Ai! We are all in a dilemma."
"Oh heavens," Xiang Shaolong told himself. Even Tian Dan has been embroiled into this case. Maybe Li Yuan will be implicated sooner or later. Le Cheng’s death has brought about many effects.
Thinking ahead, Xiang Shaolong acted alarmed: "Guess I better head out to the farm tomorrow and leave this place of deceit. I will focus on horse-breeding and occasional pleasures of the flesh and happily live this life."
Zhao Ya whined: "If you really leave, then what is to become of me?"
Xiang Shaolong declared: "You are you; I am I. What has Princess got to do with me? You promised to be frank and only shared little t.i.tbits of information with me like I am begging you for it. I seriously don’t give a hoot about your information. If not for your soothing touches, I would have thrown you out of the house and here you dare to ask me what is to become of you!"
Not only was Zhao Ya not offended, she was laughing till she nearly couldn’t catch her breath. Holding her belly in pain, she asked: "Have you fulfilled your promise? You only know how to anger others. Ai! Times pa.s.ses fast when I am with you. Too bad I still have to visit my brother in the palace. Shall I come by to accompany you later?" Xiang Shaolong moaned: "If you want my wounds to reopen and bleed, then come and find me! This is called sacrificing blood to accompany the jade beauty"
Zhao Ya cried: "You rejected me again; am I not attractive to you?" Xiang Shaolong started to undress and hissed: "If you don’t believe, feel free to check out my body."
Zhao Ya