by La Mi Tu
“Doctor, how is she?”
Now, from the four contestants of Xi Qi, only Li Yun Qing was fine. Now, he had become the one to bear the responsibilities.
“It’s only injury of the skin. No harm.”
The doctor applied medicine for Murong Qing Lian; however, some places were too intimate. So, he could only wait till Murong Qing Lian went back and did it herself.
Now, the pitiful Murong Qing Lian’s whole body would hurt very much every time she moved. Although it was the same as how that doctor said, that it was injury of the skin, but her whole body was full of fine thread-like wounds, burning with pain. When had ever she been so bitterly in pain before?!
It was all because of that damned Murong Qi Qi! This bitch actually wanted to kill her today! If it wasn’t because Jia Lan reached out a helping hand, Murong Qi Qi would’ve definitely tortured her, bit by bit, till she died!
Thinking back about Murong Qi Qi’s vicious tactics, Murong Qing Lian was full of hatred. She actually was defeated by Murong Qi Qi, that rubbish. When she goes back, she doesn’t know what kind of joke she would be in front of others. No! She must find Murong Qi Qi to recover this humiliation! Otherwise, she wouldn’t have the face to go back to Xi Qi!
Although she hated Murong Qi Qi, but Murong Qing Lian also knew that if it wasn’t because Jia Lan had saved her, she would’ve definitely died on the platform. So, although her whole body was in pain, she limped over to Jia Lan. She cupped her fists and thanked Jia Lan.
“No need to thank me. I only did it for someone else.”
Jia Lan was too lazy to look at the woman in front of him. While touching his bandaged arm, he walked away with Jin Yu from Murong Qing Lian.
“No matter what, I still thank you!”
Murong Qing Lian bowed heavily towards Jia Lan’s back.
“Oh…”
Jia Lan laughed and turned his head to look at the sincere Murong Qing Lian.
“You were lucky! It’s only this one time! However, I still need to remind you, you are not someone who could afford to offend Murong Qi Qi. You also couldn’t win her at fighting. It’s better to do as she said. Live your life while behaving! This is my advice to you!”
After leaving these words, Jia Lan left without turning back.
Seeing Jia Lan treat her like this, Murong Qing Lian couldn’t help herself from making a ‘bah’ sound of contempt.
At this time, Murong Qing Lian had completely forgotten how she previously begged Jia Lan to save her. She’d also forgotten that Jia Lan got injured because of saving her. Her small self-esteem was deeply angered by that last sentence of Jia Lan. What did that person mean? How come he made it sound like he’s someone on the same boat as Murong Qi Qi!
“What kind of thing is he to dare to teach me?!”
Murong Qing Lian humphed once. The little bit of gratitude in her heart for Jia Lan was gone.
Inside the carriage, Murong Qi Qi was curled up in Feng Cang’s arms. She was quiet like a well-behaved cat, making Feng Cang somewhat unable to adapt to it.
“What’s the matter?”
Feng Cang’s hand went through Murong Qi Qi’s smooth, black hair. His lips gently fell on Murong Qi Qi’s forehead.
“Are you still thinking about Murong Qing Lian? How about I find someone to catch her back?”
“No need.”
Murong Qi Qi leaned lazily on Feng Cang’s shoulder. Her fingers played with the hair of Feng Cang which was hanging on his shoulder. However, her eyes flashed astuteness.
“I was just thinking about who Jia Lan is. What relation does he have with Murong Qing Lian? Wangye, I’ve been feeling that the tests Dong Lu gave in this tournament were a bit odd. There’s certainly a mastermind who gave them his support. It’s just, I don’t know if that mastermind is Jia Lan or not…”
“Jia Lan is someone from Penglai Island.”
* * *
Bengong: this palace/ I, used by females of the imperial family
Wang/wangye: prince of the first rank
Chapter 104: Don’t Want To Answer, Then I’ll Kiss You (2)
* * *
Feng Cang’s answer was somewhat surprising to Murong Qi Qi, but after thinking about it, it sounded reasonable. It’s just, didn’t Penglai Island always not intervene in the matters of the mainland? Why did they help Dong Lu this time?
Seeing Murong Qi Qi go into the stage of thinking, Feng Cang couldn’t help himself from kissing her forehead again.
“Alright! Qing Qing, don’t think about this anymore. I already let someone go investigate! You worked so hard today; you need to rest well and relax. There’s a hot spring here. Do you want to go take a bath in the hot spring?”
“Hot spring?”
The Murong Qi Qi who was tangled up in the matters of Jia Lan, immediately sat up after hearing about a hot spring. From her eyes, flashed a light as dazzling as the sun.
“Wangye,1 there’s really a hot spring? Where? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?! I like hot springs the most!”
Seeing that Murong Qi Qi liked it, Feng Cang was also happy. Especially after seeing her joyful like a small deer, he felt happy from the bottom of his heart.
“I’ll take you tonight! The condition is that you obediently eat well!”
The hot spring Feng Cang talked about was located at the Fengyu villa outside of Yongzhou City. This was part of Feng Cang’s territory and also his holiday villa. When they arrived at Fengyu villa, Murong Qi Qi became mesmerized by the beautiful scenery in front of her.
From the distance, it looked like a red cloud. After getting closer, she found out that it’s a garden full of red plum blossms.
“My mother loved red plum blossoms. So, father planted this place full of red plums. Every winter, father would bring mother here to relax and take a bath in the hot spring. Only when it’s nearly the thirtieth of December, under the repeated urgings of grandmother and uncle, would they return back to the capital.”
Feng Cang walked hand in hand with Murong Qi Qi in the red plum garden.
Hearing Feng Cang talk about the story of his parents, Murong Qi Qi could only imagine how in love great general Feng Xie and princess Ming Yue were. It was said that princess Ming Yue was known to be the world’s number one beauty. Feng Xie also had the title of the world’s number one handsome man. They were the ideal couple and attracted the envy of others.
Feng Xie and Wanyan Lie were friends who’d played together since young. Their relationship were closer than real brothers. Wanyan Ming Yue and Feng Xie were also childhood sweethearts. The two had been engaged since they were very young. Wanyan Ming Yue was just over sixteen when she married Feng Xie. A year after becoming his bride, she gave birth to Feng Cang.
Don’t know if it was the scene that recalled memories or because at his side was the woman he loves, but something had evoked Feng Cang’s memories of his parents. Today, Feng Cang said a lot of things about Feng Xie and princess Ming Yue. Murong Qi Qi didn’t say a word and only listened quietly to Feng Cang’s memories of the past.
“After father and mother passed away, I didn’t want to come here again. I was afraid that after seeing this garden full of red plum blossoms, I would think back about the happy past. So, I let people seal off the villa. Only now, when I planned to bring you here, did I let people clean it up.”
Now, Murong Qi Qi understood why Feng Cang didn’t bring her before. This Fengyu villa had been sealed by Feng Cang for sixteen years. This was the first time it had welcomed its owner after so long.
“Wangye, I will stay with you!”
Murong Qi Qi buried her head in Feng Cang’s chest. Her arms were tightly around Feng Cang’s narrow waist.
“Wangye, I will stay with you in the place of great general and princess for this whole lifetime!”
Murong Qi Qi’s ‘promise’ let Feng Cang’s eyes get a bit wet. His big hand tapped Murong Qi Qi’s nose.
“It wouldn’t take long any longer before you also call them father and mot
her. Qing Qing, come with me. I’ll take you to a place.”
The place Feng Cang mentioned was a solitary grave site at the back of Fengyu villa.
“My father’s bones are still here, but my mother had been burned into ashes. Although uncle wanted to bury my parents together in the imperial tomb, but I insisted on burying them here. This was the place father and mother liked the most. Inside are my father’s bones and my mother’s dress. It’s just, in here should be three people. My unborn little sister should also be here. At that time, she was only seven months and still in my mother’s belly. She was burned to ashes together with mother.”
Murong Qi Qi was a bit surprised and also happy that Feng Cang brought her to visit the great general and princess Ming Yue. Could this be considered him taking her to meet his parents?
Feng Xie’s and Wanyan Ming Yue’s grave had clearly been cleaned. There were a variety of fruits, barbecue and pork legs. In front of the cemetery were three yellow incense sticks. The smoke followed the wind. Around the entire grave was a layer of a light smell.
“Father, mother, this is my wife and also your future daughter-in-law.”
Feng Cang held Murong Qi Qi tightly while introducing his beloved woman to Feng Xie and Wanyan Ming Yue.
“Her name is Murong Qi Qi. She is the woman I found after searching for a long time. I love her. From the first time I set eyes on her, I fell in love with her. I love everything about her more than I love myself. Today, I specifically brought her here to see father and mother. I believe you will also like her!”
“This year, I’ll stay at Fengyu villa to spend the new year with you. When we go back to the capital, we’ll hold the wedding. In my whole life, I would only have her as wife. I would love, protect and pamper her like how father loved mother! We will definitely lead a happy life, have children, grow old together and never leave or betray each other!”
Murong Qi Qi got tears because of Feng Cang’s words. He really took her here to ‘see his parents’. This man’s mind is so delicate; how could she not love him?!
“Wangye…”
Murong Qi Qi quietly leaned against Feng Cang and looked at the vigorous characters on the tombstone. In her heart, she quietly made a promise: “General, princess, I would love wangye in your stead. Rest in peace.”
Fengyu villa’s open hot spring emitted hot air. The temperature was moderate. In this winter night, it gave infinite warmth. Although this was an open hot spring, but it had been divided into two parts; one for men, one for women.
Murong Qi Qi, Su Mei and Su Yue were at one side. Feng Cang, Wanyan Kang and Jin Mo were at the other side.
Wanyan Kang put his ear against the wall and listened to the sounds from the other side. However, Jin Mo pulled him back with his other ear.
“Hey, hey, Jin Mo, what are you doing?!”
“Fifth highness, can you act like a gentleman?”
Jin Mo scoffed a bit after seeing Wanyan Kang’s behavior. No matter what, listening against the wall like a woman, would be looked down on.
Seeing Jin Mo so serious, Wanyan Kang also scoffed.
“I don’t believe that cousin brother doesn’t have any other thoughts, right, cousin brother?! Don’t you want to go to the other side to take a look at cousin-in-law, ah?”
Feng Cang didn’t speak. His black hair was let loose in the water like black seaweed, making volts in the water. That exceptionally, devilishly beautiful face was even more mesmerizing in the hazy mist.
“Alright! You remained silent, I will take it as if you agreed. Jin Mo, don’t be so serious. You haven’t meet a woman you love yet. If you meet one, you would be more tempted than me.”
Towards Wanyan Kang’s words, Jin Mo once again snorted disdainfully. In the end, he closed his eyes and ignored Wanyan Kang. He didn’t want a woman! What he pursuits is the highest medical skills! How could he be the same as these commoners?!
At the women’s side, Su Mei and Su Yue left after soaking for a while, leaving Murong Qi Qi to lean quietly at the shore. The mist and water of the hot spring covered her neck and hid all the other parts.
So comfortable! Since no one was here, Murong Qi Qi took off the Water Moon Mirror. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the warm water temperature. It seemed as though it had been a long time since she was comfortable like this.
This time, the fact that Bei Zhou had gotten first place at the tournament of the four countries made her finally relieved. She hoped that when she returns to the capital, the empress dowager wouldn’t continue to make trouble for her. She’d already achieved the request Dongfang Lan made…
As Murong Qi Qi was relaxing with closed eyes, suddenly she heard some footsteps. Murong Qi Qi opened her eyes. She silently pulled the robe from the hanger at the shore and wore it. Just when she wrapped herself in it, a person in black appeared in front of her.
This man had a doll mask on. A pink and white doll mask. The red mouth smiled very sweetly. At both cheeks of the doll were a touch of blush. Where the eyes should be, were two black holes. A pair of astute eyes were inside it.
“Who are you? Why are you dressed like that and deceiving people?”
Murong Qi Qi looked at the other party. Two silver threads appeared in her hand.
The person in black looked somewhat surprised after intruding the hot spring. When he saw that face of Murong Qi Qi, he stood there, unable to move.
“Ming Yue…,” the person in black softly said. His voice was hoarse and slightly trembling as if he was suppressing his emotions.
“What did you say?”
Murong Qi Qi thought she heard the two words ‘Ming Yue’, but she wasn’t sure. When she looked again, the person in black had recovered his composure. He looked deeply at Murong Qi Qi once. Then he turned and jumped into the bushes.
“Miss, what’s the matter?”
Su Yue, who’d already dressed, came over. When Murong Qi Qi looked again, the person in black was gone.
“There’s a stranger here!”
Murong Qi Qi pointed in the direction the person in black had disappeared.
The moment she heard a stranger had broken in, Su Yue immediately rushed over there. Su Mei also heard the noise. After hearing the commotion at the women’s side, the men also found out that a person in black had appeared. Feng Cang quickly got dressed and rushed to Murong Qi Qi’s side.
“Qing Qing, are you alright?!”
Feng Cang’s voice returned Murong Qi Qi to sanity. She quickly picked up the Water Moon Mirror and attached it to her face.
“Wangye, I’m fine and very safe!”
After everyone got dressed, Su Yue came back.
“That person in black is very familiar with the villa. This subordinate followed him to the plum garden and then lost sight of him.”
Su Yue was a bit upset. She let the person in black escape under her eyes. Truly a dereliction of one’s duty.
The moment he heard from Su Yue that the other party was very familiar with the villa, Feng Cang’s expression sank. He immediately summoned Fengyu villa’s housekeeper and let the whole villa be searched. However, they searched for a whole night, but they didn’t find a single sign of the person in black. This matter caused suspense.
“Who is he?”
Murong Qi Qi bit her lips and recalled that person’s stature and then painted out that man’s appearance. When Feng Cang saw the doll face on the painting, Feng Cang was surprised.
“This is a powder doll mask that father had bought for me when I was a child!”
Hearing that, the housekeeper of Fengyu villa immediately went to the study to search. He found that the only thing missing was a doll mask.
It seemed that this person was very familiar with Fengyu villa! Who is he? Murong Qi Qi couldn’t think of anyone. Feng Cang also couldn’t think of anyone. The whole villa had been turned over, but there were no signs of that person in black. Feng Cang could only let people strengthen the patrol.
After this, the person in black didn’t
appear again. It was like he had evaporated from the world and never appeared again.
Murong Qi Qi constantly remembered everything about that person in black. She remembered he’d said the phrase ‘Ming Yue’. What does this Ming Yue mean? Is it princess Ming Yue? It’s just, princess Ming Yue had already passed away for so many years; why would this person use this name with such deep feelings to call her? Could this person in black be a follower of princess Ming Yue?
These questions had been hovering in Murong Qi Qi’s mind. Before finding the answers to these questions, she won’t tell Feng Cang about this. If the person in black comes again, she would catch him and let him make all of these clear!
Finally, the 30th of December arrived. This year, because of the tournament of the four countries, Feng Cang and Murong Qi Qi were able to spend the new year at Fengyu villa. To be able to spend the new year with Feng Cang, made Murong Qi Qi very happy. Presumably, the annual lively palace banquet and the cumbersome court etiquette just couldn’t compare to spending time with your beloved one.
30th of December here refers to the Chinese lunar calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, it’s somewhere between the end of January and the beginning of February
Beside Feng Cang and Murong Qi Qi, there were also Su Yue, Wanyan Kang, Jin Mo, Ruyi and Jixiang present.
On the night of the 30th of December, Feng Cang announced that everyone at Fengyu villa, regardless their status, would not be going home before getting drunk. This made the people who looked after Fengyu villa very happy. Wanyan Kang held a wine gourd and drunk wine with Ruyi and Jin Mo. Su Mei, Su Yue and Ji Xiang, these three young girls, were chatting at one side. Feng Cang and Murong Qi Qi laid on the heated brick bed and looked laughingly at the others.
“Wangye!”
Fengyu villa’s housekeeper smilingly went to Feng Cang and Murong Qi Qi while carrying wine.
“This little one, as the representative of the people from Fengyu villa, toasts to wangye and wangfei.2 I wish wangye and wangfei forever love and be together for hundred of years!”