by La Mi Tu
Love the house and its crow: love everyone/everything connected to the one you love. Love me, love my dog
“In the past, didn’t he always say that he wished to have a daughter like princess Ming Yue and would give her the best things in the world? Now, princes Zhen Guo is found. The emperor would certainly pamper her to the extreme. For a woman, in this world, the noblest place is the position of the empress. That must be it! That must be it!”
Chun Tao looked at the empress’s spirited looks. She (CT) probably guessed the meaning behind it. “Niangniang, Jingxin hall over there entrusted fifth prince to invite princess Zhen Gu for tea!”
“Tea?” Hearing Lin Ke Xin’s doings, Li Bing sneered, “Feng Qi Qi got the emperor’s favor. She would be extremely honorable, why would she care for a cup of tea?!
Li Bing called Chun Tao to her side. She whispered a few words in her ears. Chun Tao nodded and left Jingde palace immediately.
Inside Jinxuan palace, after Dongfang Lan heard Wanyan Lie’s decision, she said ‘muddleheaded’ two times. She could understand Wanyan Lie’s love for Murong Qi Qi, but like this, is it not letting Murong Qi Qi become a delicious cake everyone wanted to covet?
“Could the emperor not know that him doing this will deepen the contradiction between the princes?! Besides, aijia5 doesn’t want her to enter the imperial family. Aijia only want her to be happy…”
Hearing Dongfang Lan talk till here, Qing Gu sent the other palace maids away. She came to Dongfang Lan’s side, “Miss, there is something this slave doesn’t know if this slave should say it or not.”
Qing Gu being like this, Dongfang Lan guessed that is must be something important. She immediately nodded, “Tell me, what’s the matter?”
Qing Gu gestured with her hand and led a quick-witted little palace maid to Dongfang Lan. When the little palace saw Dongfang Lan, she immediately kowtowed, “Empress dowager, our niangniang is innocent! Our niangniang didn’t attack the emperor!”
“She is…” Seeing this unfamiliar palace maid in front of her eyes, Dongfang Lan was somewhat puzzled. Who is this palace maid? Why did she cry out grievances the moment she came?
“Miss, she’s palace maid Chun Xing from Long Autumn palace’s…who served noble consort Yue.”
It turned out that yesterday, when Qing Gu went to visit the injured Wanyan Lie, she saw a girl who looked like Wanyan Ming Yue. Although the girl was killed by Jing De, but this let a suspicion grew in Qing Gu’s heart.
Sure enough, in the morning, when Wanyan Lie woke up, he ordered the death of all people of Long Autumn palace. Qing Gu saw that the situation was far from good. In the end, she played a small trick and saved Chun Xing. Now, she brought her to Dongfang Lan.
Chun Xing’s eyes were red like apricots. Her voice was choked and her eyes were full of fright. Seeing the pitiful state of the little palace maid, Dongfang Lan let her stand up to answer her questions. However, Chun Xing refused to get up and only shouted innocence for Yue Lan Zhi.
“Our niangniang was good-tempered. Usually, she was never willing to punish a servant. Even if this slave does something wrong, niangniang was still pleasant and wouldn’t even say some harsh words.”
“However, now, suddenly there isn’t even a shadow of niangniang. Outside, everyone is searching to catch niangniang and said that she attacked the emperor, but this slave doesn’t believe it! Empress dowager, this slave is willing to use this slave’s life to guarantee that imperial noble consort is certainly not such a person! Every time, when she saw the emperor, she was like a mouse seeing a cat; how would she have the guts to attack the emperor?!”
The dead Yue Lan Zhi would never have thought that the little palace maid, who only followed her not long ago would want to get justice for her in front of Dongfang Lan.
After listening to Chun Xing, Dongfang Lan frowned. She had never seen Yue Lan Zhi. She only knew that recently she was the most favored consort in the palace.
Since Wanyan Ming Yue and Feng Xie died, Dongfang Lan put her heart in Buddha teachings and didn’t bother with the matters of the harem.
Dongfang Lan also heard some things of the harem. It was nothing more than that Wanyan Lie would favor a new girl after some time and let the harem overflow with vinegar. But, she couldn’t control these things and her heart didn’t have someone she wanted to care about.
Those matters of those women of the harem had nothing to do with her, an elder woman. So, no matter who Wanyan Lie favored, pampered or loved, Dongfang Lan was indifferent. Even if those consorts fiddle in front of her, she wouldn’t intervene. Over time, those consorts didn’t come to her for justice anymore and her ears got a lot quieter.
Not to mention Yue Lan Zhi, even those other women Wanyan Lie pampered at Long Autumn palace, Dongfang Lan had seen none of them.
Most of the time, she’s at the temple. When she returns, she also likes it quiet. Moreover, Wanyan Lie seemed to particularly favor sickly beauties. All the mistresses of Long Autumn palace had been too weak to even stand up the wind. On hot days, they even wore a veil when coming out. So delicate, making Dongfang Lan dislike them even more. So, she was simply too lazy to summon those consorts lest those consorts have a weak body and became sick, making their feelings of mother and son separate.
Now, hearing Chun Xing seek justice for Yue Lan Zhi and her demeanor didn’t seem to be lying, Dongfang Lan nodded. She motioned for her to go on.
Chun Xing choked and told Dongfang Lan one by one how afraid usually Yue Lan Zhi was of Wanyan Lie, how he humiliated her, how she had miscarriage and how every time Wanyan Lie would torture Yue Lan Zhi.
When she heard Chun Xing say that Yue Lan Zhi’s miscarriage was caused by Wanyan Lie’s forced intercourse and besides, after the miscarriage, Wanyan Lie didn’t bother with Yue Lan Zhi’s physical discomfort and still had intercourse, Dongfang Lan was stunned. It was as if it was not the Wanyan Lie she knew. “How could the emperor do such a thing? How could this be?”
“Answering empress dowager, ever word this slave said is the truth! The old imperial physician who had been treating niangniang can testify!” Seeing Dongfang Lan doubting her words, Chun Xing got anxious and immediately kowtowed hard on the ground.
“Empress dowager, imperial noble consort is really innocent! That day, after the emperor entered Long Autumn palace, this slave was worried that niangniang would call this slave, so I waited outside. However, imperial noble consort didn’t come out again. Such a weak person like niangniang and also because the miscarriage her body was weak, how could she leave the palace on her own?! Even more, she couldn’t have attacked the emperor. Asking empress dowager to inspect this matter!”
Chun Xing wholeheartedly wanted to seek justice for her master. Her head knocked heavily on the ground. It didn’t take long for her forehead to swollen. The skin broke. Blood streamed along Chun Xing’s nose. Drop by drop, it fell on the ground.
“Qing Gu!” Dongfang Lan gestured at Qing Gu. Qing Gu quickly pulled Chun Xing. She wanted to pull her up, but she didn’t expect Chun Xing to be a stubborn girl. “If empress dowager doesn’t accept Chun Xing’s request, Chun Xing won’t stand up!”
“Are you rebelling now?!” Dongfang Lan’s palm slammed on the table, “Do you want to threaten aijia? Aijia hates being threatened the most! Servants, drag this insensible palace maid out and beat her to death!”
“Empress dowager, imperial noble consort is really innocent! Asking empress dowager to please investigate! Empress dowager, why don’t you think why in ten years, Long Autumn palace changed nine imperial noble consorts? Where did those women went to? Empress dowager, human life is beyond value, ah!”
Chun Xing’s plead didn’t get Dongfang Lan’s mercy. Although Qing Gu wanted to help Chun Xing, but the empress dowager issued an order; Qing Gu could only let people drag Chun Xing out. After a while, someone came to report that Chun Xing had been beaten to death.
“Bury her!” Dongfang Lan turned the Buddha beads in her hands. Her head was
lowered for a long time. Qing Gu returned and nodded at Dongfang Lan. Only then, was she relieved.
“Is that child still well? Were you able to keep it a secret from everyone?”
“It’s only wound of the surface. After taking care of it for a while, she would get well. How did empress dowager know that our Jinxuan palace have the emperor’s people?”
“Hehe, under the whole heaven, every spot is the emperor’s ground; to the borders of land, every individual is the emperor’s minister. Everywhere is the emperor’s, not to mention this palace!” Dongfang Lan’s hand paused at rolling the beads. “Qing Gu, you go and personally take care of Chun Xing. Don’t let anyone find her. After this thing passed, aijia will personally ask her about Long Autumn palace’s matter!”
Inside the imperial study, Jing De whispered a few words in Wanyan Lie’s ears. Wanyan Lie put down the brush in his hand, “Oh? Empress dowager personally killed Chun Xing? Didn’t see it wrongly? Are you sure she died?”
“Answering emperor, she has already died and stopped breathing.”
“Then, it’s good! Haha, didn’t expect this girl to have a strong temper and actually reported at the empress dowager’s….”
“Emperor, although empress dowager isn’t your birth mother, but she treats you not badly! Besides, she never asks about the matters of the palace.” After hearing Jing De’s words, Wanyan Lie laughed, “That’s right. Empress mother is indeed not bad.”
Chun Xing’s matter, along with Wanyan Lie’s words, had been forgotten by everyone. No one would remember that once in Long Autumn palace, there was such a palace maid. Also, no one would reprimand the empress dowager for sentencing a palace maid to death…
After Murong Qi Qi’s identity was known, unexpectedly, there were no rumors and there was also no news against her. The public opinion was more against Li Qiu Shui. For a time, the battle of fifteen years ago at Yandang mountain was once again stirred. More people began to explore the deep reason behind Feng Xie’s defeat. Of course, these were effectively initiated by the hidden initiator…Feng Cang.
Inside Tingsong building, Murong Qi Qi leaned lazily against Feng Cang’s arms. She looked for a comfortable position and laid down like a lazy cat.
Although before, she’d experienced those painful tangling, but after getting to know Feng Cang’s true identity, Murong Qi Qi had the feeling of having pushed away all clouds and now able to see the moon. Her mood became cheerful. Plus, she won a bowl full of gold and silver from the gambling dens, of course her mood was good. She had been mumbling songs.
Compared to Murong Qi Qi, Feng Cang had been worried about one thing. That is the reason behind Wanyan Lie giving Murong Qi Qi Long Autumn palace. Especially the way Longze Jing Tian and Wanyan Hong looked at Murong Qi Qi in the hall, such possessiveness made him unhappy. He wished he could dig out those two’s eyes!
“Wangye,6 what’s the matter?” Seeing that Feng Cang hadn’t spoken for half a day, Murong Qi Qi raised her head. Her hand pinched Feng Cang’s chin, “What are you thinking about, ah?”
“Qing Qing…” Feng Cang held Murong Qi Qi’s hand and put it on his lips. He bit her fingers lightly, “I’m worried…”
“Worried?” The moment she heard Feng Cang’s words, her expression turned serious. She sat up and looked at Feng Cang, “What happened?”
* * *
Wangfu: residence of the prince of first rank
Zhen: I, used by the emperor
Niangniang: used to call all the females of the imperial family by others
Bengong: this palace/ I, used by females of the imperial family
Aijia: I, used by an empress dowager
Wang/wangye: prince of the first rank
Chapter 124: Attend A Banquet (2)
* * *
Murong Qi Qi’s tense appearance made Feng Cang’s mood a lot better. He reached out and pushed away the hair on Murong Qi Qi’s forehead. His fingers stroked that red cinnabar mole on her forehead. “Qing Qing, you’re so beautiful. I’m afraid more and more people would come and fight with me over you…”
Feng Cang’s was so subtly eating vinegar, making Murong Qi Qi laugh. She was thinking about what it was. It turned out to be this. “Wangye,1 my heart only has you and doesn’t have him!”
Speaking till here, Murong Qi Qi left Feng Cang’s arms. She stepped on the ground and picked up a small drum. Her small hand tapped gently on the drum. Her toes danced with the drum’s rhythm. She twisted her shoulders and waist and her fingers hooked Feng Cang.
“My heart only has you and doesn’t have him. You have to believe my feelings are true. My eyes are for you to look. My eyebrows are for you to shade. It was never for him. My heart only has you and doesn’t have him. You have to believe my feelings are true. Only you are my dream. Only you are the one I miss. My heart doesn’t have him.”
“Since that day, I sent you home. That day, I could only hate and scold myself, blame myself for not making you stay at that time and dig my heart out in front of you, to let you see clearly, if I have him in my heart.”
I changed the lyrics a bit to a more literal meaning
Different from the songs Murong Qi Qi had sung in the past, this song had a particularly strong sense of rhythm. And she followed the beat, twisted her waist and occasionally casted a glace of temptation at Feng Cang, making Feng Cang’s heart jump very badly.
This passionate woman, her face was as bright as the moon. Her eyes restored their usual confidence and also contained strong love. The lyrics coming from her mouth were passionate and full of vitality. Feng Cang had never heard such a strange tone, but it was a catchy song.
Finally, Murong Qi turned and jumped into Feng Cang’s arms. She looked seriously into his eyes, “Only you are my dream. Only you are the one I miss. My heart doesn’t have him.”
This way of Murong Qi Qi’s confession was novel and unique. And the love words from the lyrics expressed her inner feelings. It swept away all those worries of Feng Cang. This little woman, ah. She really made people couldn’t help but love her! Love her and also couldn’t extricate themselves!
“My heart also only has you, Qing Qing!”
F*** Longze Jing Tian, f*** Wanyan Hong. As long as the person in Murong Qi Qi’s heart is him, as long as Murong Qi Qi insisted, why should he worry about those things! Naturally, there would be people pursuing a good woman! However, Murong Qi Qi is his woman. Let all those damn flies f*** off! If they don’t f*** off, then ask if his sword would allow or not!
Because of Murong Qi Qi’s song < > made these young couple’s hearts got closer. Seeing the woman he missed day and night in front of him blinking her deer like eyes, Feng Cang’s ready to make trouble heart began to get active. If he could, he truly wished he could jump on Murong Qi Qi sooner!
“Qing Qing…” Feng Cang swallowed, “If, I mean if…if my identity is Feng Cang and if it always would be Nan Lin wang and you’re Feng Qi Qi, then, how should we continue?”
Feng Cang’s question also troubled Murong Qi Qi for a long time. Although the confusion between the two of them had been solved, but in the eyes of others, they’re blood related siblings, ah! If they’re together, then wouldn’t they face the opprobrium from the world?
“Wangye…” Murong Qi Qi nestled in Feng Cang’s arms, “Why don’t we wander the horizon after getting revenge for father and mother and become a pair of happy and free birds?!”
Murong Qi Qi also thought about this problem. She didn’t want Feng Cang’s identity to be exposed. If by chance, the three countries didn’t want to let go of former Qin’s blood, by then it would be hardship and killings again. It’s better to retreat to the jianghu2 and become an idle pair. How nice would that be?!
What Murong Qi Qi had said matched Feng Cang’s thoughts. Now, Feng Cang truly felt that Murong Qi Qi was a gift sent by the heaven. What he thought about was always being said by Murong Qi Qi. Such a consonance of the heart was really a good feeling.
“Qing Qing…” Lookin
g at Murong Qi Qi’s bright like jade face and also that pair of eyes which was able to hook people, Feng Cang felt a burst of distress. He hesitated for a long time before saying, “Can I sleep here tonight…the feeling of holding Qing Qing while sleeping is so good…that is, if you mind, I’ll go back…”
A big man said his thoughts a bit shyly like that and he also didn’t dare to look at her. Such a thing happening to this devilish beauty in front of her, made Murong Qi Qi want to laugh and also love Feng Cang even more.
Murong Qi Qi didn’t say anything making Feng Cang’s distressful heart become even more shy. To outsiders, he and Murong Qi Qi were now ‘siblings’. If a big brother slept in a little sister’s chamber, that would influence Murong Qi Qi’s reputations. Although, he indeed wanted to get Murong Qi Qi very much, but now, it’s still not the right moment.
“Or, wait till we leave this place full of conflicts and then…”
Feng Cang stood up and wanted to leave, but when he walked to the door, he was hugged by Murong Qi Qi from behind.
‘Boom, boom…’ Feng Cang’s heart beat very fast. Could, could it be…
“Doesn’t wangye love me?” Murong Qi Qi’s voice with some resentment came from behind Feng Cang. It was cold with a touch of depression, making Feng Cang surprised. He quickly explained, “No, Qing Qing, I didn’t mean this…”
“I heard that when a man really loves a woman, he would find ways to be with that woman day and night and won’t leave her for a moment. He would also rack his brains to let her heart belong to him and use various tactics, act coquettish or take the initiative…Wangye’s performance of now made me very sad! Could it be that I don’t have much appeal to wangye? That’s why wangye gave me such a cold back so easily…?”