Return of the Swallow c1-644

by Edited by Deyna up to chapter ~100.

  Li Helan hastily walked forward and lifted the girl with both hands. She took Qin Yining’s hands in hers. “There’s no need to be so polite. Miss Qin is an uncommon beauty alright. Many saw you that day at the city gates and said you were a fairy from the heavens. This seat looked forward to making your acquaintance ever since hearing so. To think we’ve finally met today! Aiyaya, what a beautiful person. This princess is a pig or a dog in comparison!”

  “Your Highness plies me with undeserved praise.” Qin Yining curtsied fearfully and responded timidly, “You are nobility itself, the bright moon up in the celestial heavens. This humble girl is just a weed by the side of the road with a lowly status. How would I dare vie with the moon?”

  Seeing that Qin Yining maintained a genteel, fearful demeanor, her head lowered with cowardice and her tone soft, Li Helan could tell that this was a noble girl who came from a home with very strict rules. She was also very likely an extreme pushover.

  This is the kind of personality that Pang Xiao likes?

  Li Helan sneered dismissively, but her expression grew even warmer.

  “Please don’t say that, isn’t Miss Qin of nobility as well? When your father is an official, my royal brother will be depending on him greatly.”

  Qin Yining curtsied cautiously again, “Many thanks to Your Highness, many thanks to His Majesty.”

  This Qin fourth miss was frightful to the point of being completely useless. What a waste of her good looks!

  Chapter 319: Taking Advantage Of

  Li Helan smiled and plucked a flower hairpin with a golden tassel out of her hair. She stuck it sideways in Qin Yining’s tower of hair. “Miss Qin dresses too plainly. This is a token of this seat’s appreciation. I hope you don’t find it wanting.”

  “How-how would I ever?” Qin Yining timidly cradled the tassel with unadorned hands. She curtsied gratefully, “Many thanks for Your Highness’ gift! This humble girl is currently being punished by being grounded and doesn’t dare dress up. I will cherish this golden tassel hairpin well!”

  “Oh?” Li Helan asked with concern. “Why would big brother Xiao punish such a gentle, beautiful girl as you?” She then smiled with understanding and patted Qin Yining’s shoulder comfortingly.

  “It’s that temper of his again, isn’t it? He’s been like this since we were children. He’s never shown a friendly face to outsiders. Don’t you worry, I’ll bring this up with big brother Xiao when I get back to the palace. I’ll have him stop punishing you.”

  Qin Yining’s teeth ached when she heard the repeated mentions of ‘big brother Xiao’ and ‘ever since we were children’ and ‘never shown a friendly face to outsiders.’.

  Though the princess was engaged to the Marquis of Northern Stability, it was obvious that her hopes for Pang Xiao remained alive.

  Noble daughters were well-schooled in the rules and adhered to the three obediences and four virtues. This princess must’ve grown up in the lap of indulgence and tolerance, so she was used to everything going her way. She didn’t understand the reality of not being able to obtain something she wanted. Now that her marriage wasn’t to her liking, she was certain to try her best to fight for her ‘true love’.

  All this flitted rapidly through Qin Yining’s mind as she suddenly understood why the emperor had bestowed marriage onto the Princess of Anyang and Ji Zeyu. No matter how strong the ties of brotherhood were between Ji Zeyu and Pang Xiao, no man would allow his wife to be fixated on another!

  Li Qitian really knew no limits in his desire to sow discord between the two that held power in the north and south. He was even sacrificing the lifelong happiness of his younger sister!

  The Qin fourth miss sorted all of this out within the span of a breath. She curtsied again, tears glistening in her eyes.

  “Many thanks to Your Highness,” her voice shook. “If Your Highness could speak a few words on my behalf, I would be filled with utmost gratitude. This humble girl thanks Your Highness in advance.”

  Li Helan looked at the harmless little animal who’d just gotten a scrap of food, so delightfully surprised and touched that it was about to cry. Her contempt deepened, but so did her wariness fade away.

  Whether this beautiful and weak girl was pampered or tortured in the Pang Manor, all that the gossip and speculation would serve to do was to ruin the girl’s reputation.

  For one blessed by the heavens like Li Helan, Qin Yining was no longer a threat to her.

  The princess couldn’t be bothered to spend time on someone who wasn’t a threat. Even saying a few more words to the girl was a waste of time.

  However, Li Helan was no brainless fool. The lofty status of the eldest princess didn’t afford her to overly forget her manners either. Thus, she took Qin Yining’s hands and carefully went over the mundane details of life. She re-emphasized her promise to plead for leniency on Qin Yining’s behalf and also said that the girl could come to her for anything.

  Such pleasantries were really too fake. Even if Qin Yining was the type of idiot to treat polite remarks as sincere, she probably wouldn’t make it through the palace doors if she really did search out the princess.

  The princess left after a few more moments.

  The Qin fourth miss kowtowed politely in the yard until the princess was no longer to be seen. She finally heaved a sigh of relief, nodded at Xu Weizhi, and hurried back to her ‘punishment’ at Snowtrace Garden.

  Within the carriage, a jeering smile rose to Li Helan’s lips as she closed her eyes in repose.

  Hexiang was softly massaging her mistress’ legs and trying to gauge the princess’ expression. She spoke up lightly, “That Miss Qin is indeed a great beauty, but it’s a pity that her moral character is too cheap.”

  “Hmm?” Li Helan lifted a lazy eyelid.

  “She seduced the prince into behaving abnormally as soon as she appeared. He carried her off in broad daylight! Everyone’s talking about it, how the prince has fallen victim to this beauty—that even a mature, matchless hero is so head over heels that he’s thrown all thought of his reputation to the winds. What a disappointment.”

  Hexiang’s voice was exceedingly gentle and she spoke in a measured pace. It was impossible to resent her words. Not to mention, normally confined deep within the palace grounds, Li Helan quite enjoyed listening to the latest gossip.

  It was just that the topics today really irritated her.

  She poked at a handkerchief with her pure-gold nail guards and commented absentmindedly, “She does have a pretty face, but as a woman, it’s also a sin to be too beautiful.”

  Hexiang asked curiously, “Does Your Highness not think that née Qin purposefully tempted the prince?”

  “It’s not like she could control this matter. What can a singular, weak girl do?”

  “You’re too kind, Your Highness.” Hexiang was quite disgruntled. “In terms of appearance, Your Highness doesn’t lose out on one bit. In terms of birth, Your Highness is the truest of nobility. Just like née Qin said, you are the radiant moon in the skies, she’s just a weed by the side of the road. You’re better than her by far, but the prince is still seduced by her. I really find this hard to accept!”

  Hexiang’s words successfully stirred the irritation and jealousy within Li Helan’s heart.

  Everyone wanted to be pretty, and those born that way were more attractive to men. That was an incontrovertible fact, and it was no use being jealous over it since one’s looks were derived from one’s parents.

  But when she thought of how Pang Xiao avoided her at all costs and kept a beauty in a gilded cage at home, Li Helan was extremely aggrieved. He didn’t even care that people were saying he was a shameless lecher! It was quite obvious from this just how deep Pang Xiao’s feelings ran.

  A newly met née Qin had defeated her with just the girl’s looks alone. So what did all her years of adoration for Pang Xiao mean then?

  Studying Li Helan’s face, Hexiang piped up with increasing anger, “Your Highness is highly refined, but t
his servant isn’t! Seeing how nice you were to née Qin just now, I wanted to rush up and give her a few good slaps! We should tear her face to shreds and see how she tempts the prince then!”

  For a split second, Li Helan really did want to order the groom to turn around, so that she could give Qin Yining a few vicious slaps.

  But she closed her eyes and thought for a moment, suppressing the roiling jealousy in her heart once more.

  “The heart of this matter isn’t with née Qin, but Pang Zhixi. Pang Zhixi is one of the greatest heroes of our time and in terms of looks alone, I am indeed less than née Qin. But in everything else, I am more than superior! I trust that in time, Pang Zhixi will realize how much he stands to gain to become my prince consort!”

  “But, but your consort is to be the Marquis of Anping!” With a single sentence, Hexiang jabbed at where it hurt.

  Li Helan took a few deep breaths in and shook her head. “Even if he’s not my prince consort, he’ll know the merits of following me.” The look in her eyes sharpened into resolution. “Hexiang, send a calling card to the Pang Manor when we get back. I will see Pang Zhixi tomorrow! He can’t hide from me forever!”

  “Understood,” Hexiang assented respectfully. I can finally relax now.

  ……

  At the same time in a third floor room of the Ascending Sparrow, Ji Zeyu’s pale, slender fingers picked up a white porcelain wine jug and reached out to pour Pang Xiao a full cup.

  Pang Xiao grinned and threw the cup of wine back.

  His actions brought an answering smile to Ji Zeyu and he too drained his cup.

  The two polished off the entire jug without a word before putting their cups down to smile at each other, having refound the camaraderie of their youth.

  Chapter 320: Close Friends

  After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere between the two wasn't as tense as it’d originally been.

  Pang Xiao rinsed out his mouth. “Did you have anything particular in mind when you sought me out today?”

  Ji Zeyu put down his chopsticks and studied the dishes in front of him. He suddenly lifted his head, a complex mix of emotions swimming in his expressive, naturally flirtatious eyes. All distilled to silence in the end.

  “You like the Qin girl?”

  Pang Xiao hadn’t expected that his sworn brother would be so direct. He didn't want to keep anything from Ji Zeyu, so nodded. “Yes, I do like her.”

  “But don’t forget, she’s the daughter of the man who killed your father!” Ji Zeyu’s tone grew a bit urgent.

  Pang Xiao looked down, a thousand thoughts running through his mind as he went over everything that had happened recently. He sighed in the end. “I know.”

  It looked like he had to be slightly on his guard. He wouldn’t hurt his brother, but neither could he be completely open and trusting.

  Seeing the prince’s crestfallen spirits and conflicted expression, Ji Zeyu connected this reaction to Pang Xiao carrying off the Qin girl and interpreted things in a different way. Some sympathy actually flourished in his heart.

  “Forget it. Since you like her, it’s no big deal to keep her by your side in the future. She’s so young, it’s not like she participated in that affair. She bears no fault for it—and wasn’t she stolen away and thrown into the wilderness? If it wasn’t for her good fortune, she wouldn’t have lived until today.

  “Just treat her hardships of yesteryear as penance for the sins attributed to her. You’re a hero, there’s no need for you to nurse a grudge against a little girl. And also, do less of this carrying-people-off business in the future. It might destroy your reputation.”

  Ji Zeyu’s voice was low and his tone noncommittal, but every word he spoke was out of consideration for Pang Xiao.

  Outsiders only knew him as an ice cube who kept everyone at an arm’s length away. However, Pang Xiao knew that though this fellow normally didn’t talk much, that never was the case when it was just the two of them.

  They were sworn brothers after all. The brotherhood of so many years wouldn’t be wiped out that easily.

  “Alright.” Though the prince couldn’t explain the details to his brother, that didn’t impede him from accepting Ji Zeyu’s good intentions.

  The marquis smiled slightly at Pang Xiao’s reaction, then sighed. “I was too rash and impulsive that day when I attacked the surrendered Yan convoy. I didn’t know then that you really did like the girl, and that you’d go in search of her. That’s all my mistake. Thank goodness she’s fine and you’re fine, or I’d really die of guilt and regret.”

  Gossip of Pang Xiao rescuing the girl had been relegated to a fantastic tale of nonsense. Zuo Jinwei had paid a heavy price for his secret reports and playing the emperor for a fool. The prince had been able to completely extract himself from the mess in the end.

  Pang Xiao grinned brightly at Ji Zeyu. “I have to thank Sir Zuo for that. I didn’t actually do anything.”

  “Oh?” Ji Zeyu arched a brow.

  However, Pang Xiao didn’t care to continue this topic. Pivoting, he said, “I haven’t congratulated you on your upcoming nuptials yet. Marrying the Princess of Anyang isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You need to grasp the opportunity well.”

  Becoming prince consort would mean that the marquis would be Li Qitian’s brother-in-law. By then, even if the emperor was wary of the nobility, he’d have to think twice before touching Ji Zeyu. He’d have considerations of face and family ties to consider first.

  Ji Zeyu naturally understood that Pang Xiao was thinking of him. His answering smile was a bit forced. “I have no feelings for Anyang, and I know she likes you. His Majesty issued the decree for the marriage—the two of us can only obey it.”

  “I thought so.” Pang Xiao reached out and clapped Ji Zeyu’s shoulder. “I know you very well. You’re so used to freedom and never had the time of day for any girl. How would you possibly acquiesce to marrying the princess? Once you’re the prince consort, some parts of your future will be set in stone. You’ll have to make ten times the effort of others to take another step forward.”

  “I’m not afraid of any of that.” Ji Zeyu smiled faintly and drank from his cup, his Adam’s apple bobbing through a high, pure-white collar. “I’m most afraid that us three brothers will end up at each other’s throats.”

  The third floor of the Ascending Sparrow had been reserved entirely by them. Close followers were on guard outside, so they spoke with perfect comfort and ease.

  Pang Xiao’s lips stretched with melancholy. “They say that holding a position means that one will be concerned with anything to do with it. There’s some truth to that. How would any of us back then have ever thought that one day, we’d want more because of an increase in status?”

  “Not out of greed, but for self-protection,” Ji Zeyu interjected.

  “Right, for self-protection and to protect those we care about.” Pang Xiao nodded.

  The two looked at each other and chuckled wryly.

  They were both in the same position, their deeds so glorious that their liege had become wary of them.

  Pang Xiao knew in his heart of hearts that they were both holding back in today’s conversation, that both were on their guard. But this was inevitable. Their current positions meant that they could no longer be as carefree as before.

  With great accord, the two drank and chitchat idly, setting aside the weighty discussion of business. They talked about what they’d seen and experienced since they’d parted, the sights of the different regions of the world.

  There was quite a bit of difference between Tatar territory in the north and Great Yan to the south. As the two chatted, they seemed to experience the world through the other’s eyes.

  Any outsider would’ve been immensely surprised to see how the two were interacting. Even Li Qitian had never seen such a talkative Ji Zeyu or the true Pang Xiao behind all of his masks, just simply enjoying a gathering with friends.

  Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu shared the same thoughts at the
moment.

  No matter how their worlds changed, no matter what path they walked in the future, it would be enough if they could reminisce past events, tease and argue with each other, and set aside all thoughts of identity and conflict when they met in the future.

  Dusk fell when they’d enjoyed themselves to their hearts content. They summoned servants to help them change as both had had a bit too much to drink. Though they weren’t plastered on the ground, they were in very high spirits.

  Alcohol had painted Ji Zeyu’s face was a deep red, further emphasizing his unparalleled beauty. “Pang Zhixi, your silver-white Ferghana horse is with me now. I’m not giving it back.”

  “Unacceptable, I gave it to Yining.” Pang Xiao accidentally let slip Qin Yining’s given name, thanks to alcohol loosening his tongue.

  Ji Zeyu frowned. “Too bad. Finders keepers. What does a girl want with such a good horse?”

  “A pet.”

  Ji Zeyu snorted with laughter. “I don’t care, I’m just informing you. What, are you going to come steal it from me if I don’t give it back?”

  “You…” Pang Xiao chuckled himself. “Since when did you become so shameless? You’re the one who took my darling’s possession. You’re a man! Isn’t it embarrassing to take a little girl’s horse?”

  “Who says I’m just taking a horse? I… cough cough…” A dry throat sent the marquis coughing, which then sent him vomiting. His followers quickly helped him rinse out his mouth.

  Watching from the side, Pang Xiao wanted to throw up as well. The marquis waved at him without lifting his head.

  “Let’s drink again some other day,” Pang Xiao said. “I’m heading home now.”

  Ji Zeyu nodded wordlessly. It wasn’t until his brother’s horse was far from the tavern that Ji Zeyu took a seat on a round chair, massaging his temples with his eyes closed. He sighed softly.

  Chapter 321: To Care About

  Large flakes of snow drifted through the air on Pang Xiao’s way back. Since it was growing dark, Pang Xiao and Huzi decided to push their horses into a faster gallop. They made it back to the manor before the hour of the dog.