by La Mi Tu
“Say who is behind you, then bengong1 will let you off!”
Murong Qi Qi’s voice was very low. So low that only the two of them could hear.
Speak out? The palace maid shuddered. Making her confess that it’s the empress who let her deliberately break the porcelain box so that Murong Qi Qi would not have any paint to use? Then in the end, she would also die!
In just a moment, the palace maid weighed the pros and the cons. She decided to protect Duanmu Qing.
“Princess, this slave begs you. Please let thsi slave go!”
The palace maid cried hysterically. She was gambling, gambling that Murong Qi Qi wouldn’t dare to treat human life as grass, gambling that Murong Qi Qi would care about the so called virtues and morality and will be forced to let her go under public pressure.
to treat human life as grass: to kill people as if you’re cutting grass/a politician acting with total disregard for the life of his countrymen
The palace maid’s hesitation made Murong Qi Qi’s last vestiges of compassion die. The palace maid completely estimated wrongly. Not everyone can fathom Murong Qi Qi’s mind. The dagger once again appeared in Murong Qi Qi’s hand. The dagger went down. A trail of red once again surfaced.
“Bengong just needs some color. Bengong doesn’t want your life.”
Murong Qi Qi’s voice was very soft and gently without a trace of evilness.
“Bengong’s future husband has an evil doctor. I heard that as long as there’s still one breath inside the person, he’d be able to save that person. Don’t worry, the heavens want virtues. Besides, bengong will soon be marrying to Bei Zhou, that’s why bengong also needs to amass good fortune. So bengong will absolutely not kill you!”
‘Still one breath’. Those words made the palace maid’s whole body turn cold. Does she (MQQ) mean that all her blood will be drained till there’s only one last breath left? Then, how can she still live?
The palace maid, who previously had illusions about princess Zhao Yang’s character, completely lost hope. She could only struggle and shout over and over: “Empress niangniang2, save me!”
This shout let people see the hidden intention. The way they looked at Duanmu Qing also became strange. By this time, although on the surface, Duanmu Qing looked dignified, but in her heart, she was hating this palace maid for not carrying out the mission well. Such a small thing and she can’t even do it properly. And the fact that she (palace maid) actually confessed that it was her (DQ) intention to kill made her hatred grow even more.
“Since you’ve mentioned empress niangniang, then bengong cannot not give face to empress.”
The drained blood was almost enough. Besides, she had already achieved her purpose. Murong Qi Qi finally let go. The palace maid, who had bled excessively, stumbled. She fell from the platform onto the ground. Blood spilled all over. Two eunuchs immediately came forward and dragged the palace maid away.
Seeming to have sensed the empress’ intention to kill, the palace maid began to struggle.
“Empress niangniang, have mercy, ah! Niangniang, please forgive this slave ! Niangniang… …”
“Still not blocking her mouth!”
Even if Duanmu Qing could camouflage well, but at this moment, anger couldn’t help but rise. Seeing Murong Qi Qi’s faintly smiling eyes, Duanmu Qing’s heart thumped. Her hand unconsciously touched her belly.
So it’s like that… …. Coldness flashed in Murong Qi Qi’s eyes. Using her to get pregnant. At this moment, she turned against this benefactor. In the imperial family, it seemed that there’s always such ungrateful people.
Murong Qi Qi’s cold eyes scanned Duanmu Qing’s belly, making Duanmu Qing’s whole body shiver. Why does she have a feeling of being targeted by a hunter?
“Niangniang… ….”
The palace maid was still struggling. Her mouth has just been blocked and she was dragged down by force.
She’s just a small palace maid. Was there a need to kill? Murong Qi Qi looked at the bloodstains on the ground and sighed slightly. But there were so many of such innocent souls. She already gave the palace maid the right to choose. It’s just that she didn’t grasp the chance. After all, there are only a small number of smart people… ….
Just as Duanmu Qing was becoming ill at ease, a ‘the incense has burned’ could be heard, making everyone’s attention go back to the competition. Ming Yue Xin and Longze Yu Er had already finished. Even Murong Qi Qi put down her brush.
Just now, Ming Yue Xin and Longze Yu Er saw how Murong Qi Qi took human blood. Their hearts were also scared. They didn’t expect that of Murong Qi Qi, who had seemed so weak, but her actions were so scary.
Recalling the scene of painting with blood, Longze Yu Er was suddenly somewhat afraid. She was afraid that if she lost, Murong Qi Qi would really want her pair of hands.
But after a second thought, she’s a country’s princess. Even if Murong Qi Qi didn’t give face to the monk, she needs to give face to the Buddha. Murong Qi Qi wouldn’t do anything to her. Moreover, she still has Murong Qi Qi’s ‘information to be used against her’. By that time, if Murong Qi Qi made things difficult for her, then don’t blame her (LYR) for betraying and announcing everything!
Not giving face to the monk, giving face to the Buddha: not giving face to Longze Yu Er but needs to give face to emperor
Three paintings were taken up by six palace maid to be displayed to the public. The two maids in charge of Murong Qi Qi’s painting saw the bloodstained dagger and shook with fright. They cautiously took the painting in fear that if something went wrong, they would end up like that palace maid.
All three paintings painted a garden full of chrysanthemum, but the styles were very different.
Ming Yue Xin’s painting was full of gold, very extravagant. Longze Yu Er used more colors. The painting was colorful, making it look more beautiful and youthful. And Murong Qi Qi’s painting attracted everyone’s attention.
Firstly, it’s because of the style of painting; using blood as paint was too shocking. Secondly, it’s because of Murong Qi Qi’s painting. Ink for the branches and leaves. Blood for the flowers, buds and butterflies. This was a chrysanthemum map! Blood colored chrysanthemum that was full of killing intention, making people who looked at it really frightened!
“Rustling sound of the west wind flew over the garden full of plants. Pistil fragrant cold butterflies are difficult to come. If in that year I become the young emperor, announce that the peach flowers will blossom in the first season.”
Ming Yue Cheng stepped forward on his moon clogs, holding a wine bottle and with a body covered in the smell of alcohol, walked shakily up the stairs towards the painting. He read out loud Murong Qi Qi’s poem that had been written on the right side of the painting.
“Good poem! Good poem, ah!”
Ming Yue Cheng’s voice was loud. The poem coming from his mouth sounded particularly charming. These officials present, which one is not an expert? When they heard this poem, they couldn’t not be impressed by the aloofness and arrogance of the poem. Is this really made by a rubbish? Why did such a little girl have such a state of mind?
“You won!”
Ming Yue Cheng looked at Murong Qi Qi.
Previously, they were too far separated from each other and he didn’t look carefully at her. Now, she’s standing right in front of him. He carefully took this girl into his eyes. Although this girl’s just ordinary, but she has a pair of eyes that are more bright than the sun, and is able to make the precious gem on earth lose against this pair. Why didn’t anybody notice it before?
“Bengong refuses to accept!”
Not waiting for Ming Yue Cheng to speak again, Ming Yue Xin jumped in.
“Ming Yue Cheng, are you still Nan Feng’s people? How can your elbow turn the wrong way and help outsiders?! Did she give you some benefits?”
Elbow turns the wrong way: favor an outsider instead of someone on one’s own side
* * *
Bengong: I, us
ed by the females of the imperial family
Niangniang: used to refer the females of the imperial family by someone of lower rank
Chapter 52: Cut Off Her Pair Of Hands
* * *
Ming Yue Xin addressed her imperial big brother only by his name, which made Murong Qi Qi frown. It seemed that Nan Feng really wants to change their crown prince, that’s why this princess could act so brazen and speak like this towards Ming Yue Cheng in front of Xi Qi’s people.
When Murong Qi Qi’s frown fell into Ming Yue Cheng’s eyes, it made his heart feel warm. So many people, yet only Murong Qi Qi would frown because of Ming Yue Xin’s words and feel wronged for him. So many people, yet only Murong Qi Qi would give him sincere encouragement and wouldn’t look at him with different eyes.
Murong Qi Qi didn’t know that just a casual frown would help this pitiful crown prince make the decision that he would strongly uphold for the rest of his life.
Ming Yue Cheng didn’t speak, making Ming Yue Xin feel that he was in the wrong, so she also became triumphant.
Ming Yue Xin ordered the two palace maids to show her work to the crowd. She didn’t believe that this girl’s painting would be better than hers. She had started to learn painting when she was three. It’s been thirteen years since then. The paints she used was able to let the river change colors. How could she be worse than Murong Qi Qi?!
“Look!”
Not waiting for Ming Yue Xin’s triumph to pass, someone pointed at the sky and shouted.
A colorful cloud drifted down. Only when it came near, did the people realise that it was a group of butterflies. The one in the lead was a blood red butterfly.
It’s already autumn. Butterflies weren’t common. Now so many butterflies had appeared and they were flying towards the paintings, making everyone surprised. What’s happening? Could it be that these butterflies came for the paintings?
The crowd hadn’t yet understood the situation when the butterflies flew towards Murong Qi Qi. These little things landed on the chrysanthemum on the painting. Their small wings were twinkling and immediately, a ‘miracle’ appeared!
Originally, Murong Qi Qi’s painting only had ink color and blood color. Now because of these butterflies, the chrysanthemums were covered in colors.
These butterflies had different colors and they landed on different chrysanthemum. Their wings glittered and it immediately became a live colored chrysanthemum painting. And that largest blood red butterfly landed on the biggest chrysanthemum in the center. The wings glittered under the sun and showed different kinds of colors.
“How beautiful!”
Bai Yi Yue’s ‘how beautiful’ voiced out the inner thoughts of everyone. Having seen so many paintings, but none were comparable to this ‘live’ painting.
“A miracle!”
An old official shouted. Then he knelt down and shouted: “Auspicious sign from the heavens, bless my Xi Qi!”
After seeing someone take the lead, immediately people knelt down and shouted ‘ten thousand years’. This boot-licking made Longze Yu smile look like a blooming chrysanthemum as if the painting was made by him. Now, Murong Qi Qi looked very pleasing in Longze Yu’s eyes. He completely forgot about the bet. In a moment of impulse, he opened his mouth: “Zhen1 announces that Murong Qi Qi has won!”
Just some words made Ming Yue Xin’s and Longze Yu Er’s thoughts stop at a dead end. The two’s faces immediately became greyish. Especially Longze Yu Er. Her own father said so, could it be that he really wanted her to gift her pair of hands to Murong Qi Qi?
“Bengong2 refuses to accept!”
Ming Yue Xin rushed over, took Murong Qi Qi’s knife from the table and cut the painting into two.
“Be careful!”
Seeing Ming Yue Xin take action against Murong Qi Qi, Ming Yue Cheng screamed. He wanted to rush to Murong Qi Qi’s side, but a man beat him to it. Not waiting for the dagger in Ming Yue Xin’s hand to touch Murong Qi Qi’s clothes, Feng Cang threw her away with a flying kick.
‘Bang!’
Ming Yue Xin’s body hit the table like a broken kite. She immediately coughed blood. Seeing his empty arms, Ming Yue Cheng revealed a bitter smile. How could he have forgotten that Murong Qi Qi was already promised to Feng Cang?
Seeing Feng Cang embrace Murong Qi Qi, that woman was so near, yet he was unable to reach out his hand. It made Ming Yue Cheng feel hatred. He hated himself for being powerless, hated himself for not being able to protect her. Instead, he can only watch her go away with someone else… …
Although knowing that nothing had happened to Murong Qi Qi, Feng Cang’s heart couldn’t help but beat faster.
“Qing Qing, are you alright?!”
“I’m fine!”
Murong Qi Qi looked at the butterflies lying on the ground that Ming Yue Xin had killed, and her heart felt some pain. She broke out of Feng Cang’s embrace and walked towards the torn painting. She gently picked up the wings and cut up bodies of the butterflies and wrapped them carefully in a handkerchief.
“It’s been hard on you! I will take revenge for you!”
Murong Qi Qi waved her hands at the butterflies in the air. They seemed to understand Murong Qi Qi, circled around her once, flashed their wings and then left.
After doing all of these, Murong Qi Qi slowly walked towards Ming Yue Xin, making Ming Yue Xin very scared.
“What… … …what do you want, want to do?!”
“These are my stuff!”
Murong Qi Qi picked up the dagger from the ground and carefully wiped the blood on it.
“Don’t, don’t come over! Imperial big brother, save me!”
Seeing Murong Qi Qi getting closer and closer, Ming Yue Xin endured the pain in her heart and asked help from Ming Yue Cheng: “Big brother crown prince, save, save me!”
“Too late!”
Now, she finally knew that Ming Yue Cheng was the crown prince, was her big brother and wants to get help from him? Murong Qi Qi smiled, revealing a row of white teeth. Step by step, she got closer to Ming Yue Xin, the dagger in her hands also slowly went up.
The other party was obviously a small white rabbit, but it let Ming Yue Xin felt fear.
“No! No! Big brother crown prince, save me!”
Ming Yue Xin crawled on the ground and wanted to escape from here. She now knew what it meant to be afraid. She knew that Murong Qi Qi was not someone to make trouble with! However, it’s too late… …
“Qing Qing… … …”
Just as the dagger in Murong Qi Qi’s was about to go down, Feng Cang came up behind her. He took over the dagger and put Murong Qi Qi into his arms. Seeing that Feng Cang has saved her, Ming Yue Xin felt grateful. She has forgotten about that kick he had just given her. She looked smitten at Feng Cang: “Wangye3……”
Ming Yue Xin thought that Feng Cang’s heart was moved for her. That’s why he didn’t bear to let her lose her pair of hands. So that’s why he helped her. She didn’t expect that the following words coming out of Feng Cang’s mouth would be like a thunderbolt to her!
“Qing Qing, such a thing, let me do it, lest it makes Qing Qing’s hands dirty……”
Not waiting for Ming Yue Xin to come out of her daze, a pair of jade hands got cut off at the wrist by Feng Cang.
“Ah… …”
Only a scream could be heard. Ming Yue Xin fainted from the pain and that pair of hands flew in the air, flew towards the crowd.
“Ah… ….”
Those who were watching saw those bloody hands flying towards them, and they dodged. In the end, the two hands fell on the ground and were contaminated with mud. The originally smooth surface became ugly because of the blood and the mud mixed together.
“Ai, what a pity… …”
Everyone was in shock, but Murong Qi Qi said it was a pity.
The moment that Ming Yue Xin’s hands were cut off, Feng Cang flew her away from the platform to avoid Ming Yue Xin’s blood dirtying their clothes. And at this time, Murong Qi Qi
’s ‘what a pity’ couldn’t help but make Ming Yue Cheng look at her once again. Could it be that she thought about Ming Yue Xin’s backing, Nan Feng country, and was now regretting it?
“Obviously on the body, it’s very attractive. Why is it so ugly when cut off? Really a pity!”
Murong Qi Qi’s voice sounded faint. Ming Yue Cheng almost felt completely terrific… …So this is what she felt pity for! This girl really is different, making it so that people couldn’t help but love her.
* * *
Zhen: I, used by the emperor
Bengong: I, used by the females of the imperial family
Wangye/wang: prince of the first rank
Chapter 53: Longze Yu Er’s Hidden Card
* * *
The time from painting till cutting off the hands has only been one hour, but there has been such a change, making the people in the imperial garden feel frightened. The way they looked at Murong Qi Qi became even stranger.
“Servants, quickly bring princess Xin down for treatment!”
Longze Yu was the fastest to recover from the shock.
Nan Feng’s princess’s hands has been cut off in front of him. It happened so fast that he was too late to stop it, making Longze Yu’s expression become very ugly. Just now, he was immersed in the happiness of ‘good fortune from heaven’, now he couldn’t help but get a headache because of Ming Yue Xin’s matter. If Nan Feng country asked for who was responsible, what should he do then?
One side is the ‘trying to form a marriage alliance’ Nan Feng country, the other side is the arrogant Feng Cang with Bei Zhou glaring like a tiger behind him. Which side to choose is the problem that Longze Yu must consider now. A mere Nan Feng country, Xi Qi is not afraid of. But if this matter isn’t handled properly, offending both sides; by then, the two sides put together will cause him many troubles.
Longze Yu is considering about his country and empire. Longze Yu Er is thinking about how to keep her hands.