by La Mi Tu
“It’s Taji Guli! She snatched Xiao er and threatened to kill him!”
“Taji Guli?” Dongfang Lan quickly came over and took Feng Xiao from Feng Qi Qi. At this time, Wanyan Ming Yue and Feng Xie also rushed over. “Oh God! That heartless woman! She wants to kill Xiao er!” Dongfang Lan was very angry. “Servants, go and search the city! Find this snake-hearted woman!”
“Grandmother, I had already let Ah Kang seal off the capital!”
“Good! Dare to touch aijia’s3 little great-grandson! Must find her!”
Feng Cang and Dongfang Lan had the same attitude. He held Feng Qi Qi’s hand and his voice became cold. “Taji Guli was truly courageous to sneak into the regent’s residence? Don’t know…who gave her this courage?”
When he said this, Feng Cang’s eyes swept over the guests who had come to congratulate him. The chilliness in his eyes made everyone feel scared. What did the regent mean? Could it be that Taji Guli was related to these guests? Did a guest bring her in?
These people were scared as soon as they thought of those methods of Feng Cang. Those officials were all ‘you look at me, I look at you’. No one dared to utter a word, but in their heart, all were wondering “who actually did this ‘good thing’!”
“Ji Xiang!” Feng Cang called out Ji Xiang. He pulled off the tiger tally from his waist and tossed it to her. “Pass on my orders. Let the Eagle troup seal off the city gates. All people are not allowed to leave the capital. You, take some people and search each and every house for me! Benwang4 wants to see who has such great courage to actually harbor an imperial court criminal! If the one who harbors the criminal was found, catch him! If he resists, kill him!”
“Yes!” Ji Xiang took the tiger tally and rushed out.
After doing these, Feng Cang softly comforted Feng Qi Qi. After a while, Feng Qi Qi’s tears stopped. Dongfang Lan treasured this great-grandson, Feng Xiao. She carried him and left the place, accompanied by Wanyan Jie and Wanyan Ming Yue.
The main character of this one-month birthday banquet had already left, but Feng Cang didn’t plan to let these officials return.
“Sit! Let the feast begin!” Feng Cang said so but called over the housekeeper Feng Qi. He (FC) whispered a few words to him (FQ) and then Feng Qi retreated.
“Thank you all for attending the full moon banquet of my son! Thanks a lot!” A ‘thanks a lot’ was said from Feng Cang’s mouth, but it was full of coldness. Feng Cang knew that although his wangfu’s manpower was limited, but their defense was still very much available. Today was Feng Xiao’s full moon banquet so, there wasn’t enough manpower, but he never expected that Taji Guli would sneak in.
Every single person who entered wangfu could only come in with an invitation card. That could only mean one thing. Taji Guli entered wangfu with one of the officials in front of him. In other words, someone in the court had taken Taji Guli in. It seemed to Feng Cang that this was an extremely dangerous signal!
Although Dong Lu, Xi Qi and the Jurchen clan had become history, Longze Jing Tian and Taji Guli weren’t captured yet. Now, Taji Guli was actually in the capital of Bei Zhou, indicating that someone in the court was in collusion with her.
Who on earth was it? Who had such a great courage to take Taji Guli in?
When Feng Cang was silent, Feng Yu commanded the people to serve the dishes. Delicious foods were put one by one on the table. However, the people sitting there all had lost their interest in tasting. Assassinating the regent’s little shizi5, how big of a crime was it?! No one could take on the fury of Feng Cang.
When everyone was worried, Mu Hua’s heart also felt unsettled. Taji Guli was really crazy! She actually sneaked into the vision of Feng Cang and also wanted to kill Feng Xiao! This woman was so stupid! Didn’t they discuss it already that everything should go according to the plan? This woman looked very smart, but why did she lose her mind today?
Feng Qi led the people and searched the whole wangfu carefully. Until the afternoon, did he come back to the front hall.
“Wangye6, this is the clothes we found at the side of the latrine. Taji Guli killed a maid of wangfu and changed into the maid’s appearance. The corpse of the maid had been found in the latrine.”
Feng Cang sent the invitation cards for the one-month birthday banquet of Feng Xiao to the officials in the capital. Moreover, the invitation cards of the regent’s wangfu were specially customized. It was simply impossible to fake it. Feng Qi took out the invitation card from the clothes and handed over with both hands. Feng Cang took and looked at it. The name on this card was an official from the capital.
“Zhou De Li?” Feng Cang read aloud. After hearing the name, those who waited for the results, quickly looked around to see where this bastard Zhou De Li was hiding. Just looking around one time, they discovered that this person simply didn’t come.
“Go to Zhou De Li’s house!”
After waiting for a while, Feng Qi hurried back. “Wangye, sir Zhou fainted in his own carriage. It seemed that he was drugged.”
Only after listening to Feng Qi’s words, did Mu Hua’s heart relax. Fortunately, Taji Guli wasn’t so stupid. She still knew to take someone else’s card to enter. However, don’t know where this stupid woman was hiding now! He hoped she didn’t go to the prime minister’s residence. At this moment, don’t implicate him at all.
“Since no one was involved, I troubled you to take this trip here today! My beloved son was frightened today. Benwang has to catch the culprit to avenge my son, so I won’t keep everyone company anymore. Please enjoy, everyone! Feng Qi help benwang kindly take care of the guests!” Feng Cang stood up and apologized, then he held Feng Qi Qi’s hand and went to the back.
“What actually happened?” While they walked, Feng Cang asked Feng Qi Qi. At this moment, he was rushing to see Feng Xiao. A moment ago, he only took a glance and didn’t look closely. Now, it was certain that Taji Guli wasn’t brought by the visitors. The first thing he had to do was to see his baby son first.
Feng Qi Qi carefully told him what had happened. After listening that Feng Qi Qi had cut off Taji Guli’s hand, Feng Cang’s eyes showed an approved look.
“Who saved Taji Guli? Was it Longze Jing Tian?”
Feng Cang mentioned Longze Jing Tian, made Feng Qi Qi somewhat surprised. “It’s not him. I know the voice of Longze Jing Tian. Why do you think it’s him?”
“If Taji Guli can hide in Yan capital, Longze Jing Tian also can. I’m worried about them joining forces. That’s going to be trouble….”
An unprecedented arrest was being carried out outside wangfu.
The commoners were furious when they learned that little shizi from the regent’s residence was almost killed. They earned a lot of money due to the birth of this little shizi. He was practically their lucky star! Now, someone wanted to kill little shizi? Who was actually so heartless! He/she was really a bastard! Out of anger, the commoners of Yan capital also volunteered to help the Eagle troup find Taji Guli’s whereabouts.
As Mu Hua was hoping in his heart for Taji Guli to not hide at his place, this woman indeed hid at the prime minister’s residence.
“Hey, Guli, how are you?” Duyi patted Taji Guli’s face. The housekeeper of the prime minister’s residence had already found a doctor to bind up Taji Guli’s left hand. Fortunately, Duyi had already deal with the broken left hand. If not, she would die of bleeding. It would then be the end of her life.
“Die, wouldn’t die….” Taji Guli’s lips were pale as she frowned. The pain from her broken hand made her shiver all over. “Duyi, Thank you…today….”
“Don’t mention it! Don’t be so foolish next time! It’s impossible for you to fight against Feng Cang with your own strength alone.”
When he spoke this, Duyi thought of Feng Qi Qi. That woman was quick and cruel. And the golden threads in her hand was a weapon that totally could take away a human life. Fortunately, he was prepared. Otherwise, they would all die today at the regent’s residence.
“Feng
Qi Qi is very powerful! You can’t afford to offend her!” Duyi gave Taji Guli a word of advice. “In the future, you better don’t go to provoke her!”
“No…I have to take revenge!” As soon as she remembered her left hand was cut off by Feng Qi Qi, Taji Guli hated Feng Qi Qi from the bottom of her heart.
Previously, she thought that Feng Qi Qi gained the favor of Feng Cang by the virtue of beauty. Now, she knew that she was wrong. This woman had strong power. However, Taji Guli didn’t think that she was less than Feng Qi Qi. Today, it was an accident. She was careless, and the other party had many people. If it was one-on-one, she may not lose to Feng Qi Qi.
Duyi saw the ‘unwillingness to submit’ from Taji Guli’s eyes. This woman had lost her left hand because of her stubbornness and obstinacy. Now, she still refused to repent, and remained so stubborn.
“This is a decoction. Drink it every morning and evening. This is herbal plaster. It should be changed every five days.”
The doctor who had bandaged the wounds of Taji Guli, wrote prescriptions and handed them to the housekeeper. “If there is nothing else, I will take my leave! I will come back to visit this girl tomorrow!”
“Alright, thank you!” Duyi smiled and sent the doctor. He waited until the doctor carried his medicine box and turned to go. A dagger appeared in Duyi’s hand and was directly plunged into the back of the doctor.
* * *
Er: term of endearment
Wangfu: residence of the prince of first rank
Aijia: I, used by the empress dowager
Benwang: I, this king, used by the prince of first rank
Shizi: heir of the prince of first rank/ crown prince by the main wife
Wangye: the prince of first rank
Chapter 187: Wanyan Kang And Su Mei’s Wedding (1)
* * *
“Ah….” The doctor didn’t make a sound yet, he already fell head first on the floor and died. If this doctor knew that he would be killed after the examination, perhaps he wouldn’t have take this trip.
“Why did you kill him?”
The housekeeper of the prime minister’s residence was anxious after seeing Duyi like this. “He saved somebody just now. Why did you kill him?”
“Housekeeper, don’t you know the word ‘kill them to keep their mouth shut’? If he gives us all away, then it will be troublesome! At that time, it isn’t just us who will be unlucky, but also your master….” Duyi pulled out the dagger from the doctor’s back and rubbed the blood of the dagger on the corpse. Only then did he put away the dagger.
Kill (them) to keep (their) mouth shut: murder somebody to prevent them from revealing a secret.
“You guys…ay….” The housekeeper didn’t know whether it was good or bad for Mu Hua to cooperate with these people. Just as he didn’t know what to do, Mu Hua returned to the prime minister’s residence.
When he saw the injured Taji Guli and Duyi, Mu Hua was very surprised. “Why are you all here?”
“She was injured. I couldn’t find her comrade, so I brought her here.” Duyi shrugged his shoulders. Only now did Mu Hua saw Taji Guli’s broken left hand. He was very startled. “Princess Guli, your hand?”
“It was Feng Qi Qi that bitch who injured me!”
Taji Guli gritted her teeth at the mention of Feng Qi Qi’s name. This woman was too heartless! She (FQQ) actually cut off her (TG) left hand! What else could she do without a left hand? Wasn’t it the same as being a rubbish then?!
After listening to Taji Guli said that all this was done by Feng Qi Qi, Mu Hua was even more surprised. He more or less knew about the abilities of Taji Guli whereas Feng Qi Qi was so delicate and sweet. A moment ago, when she was shedding tears in front of Feng Cang, she was so pitiful. It didn’t show at all that her martial arts was actually so outstanding and her method so vicious.
“I must take revenge! I must!” Taji Guli’s face was pale. The pain from her broken left hand constantly reminded her of everything that happened today.
“You shouldn’t think about these things now. Let’s talk about the revenge things later on. Because you went to the regent’s palace today and almost injured little shizi1, Feng Cang has already let people seal off the city gates. He even mobilized the Eagle troop to search the city! Presumably, it won’t be long before they will search here!”
“They even dare to search the prime minister’s residence?” Duyi was somewhat unconvinced. After all, Mu Hua was the prime minister. How insolent was Feng Cang that he wouldn’t not give face? Wouldn’t it cause any criticism for searching a first rank high official’s residence?
It must be said that Duyi’s thoughts were silly and naive. Mu Hua could already see his (DY) naiveness from the face of Duyi.
“Duyi, you really don’t understand Feng Cang. As long as he cares about it, even if he needs against the heaven, he will still do it. Today, Princess Guli touched his forbidden spot. Don’t mention my prime minister’s residence, even if it was the Imperial Palace. Feng Cang will make people search it!”
“Search the city?” As soon as Taji Guli heard it, she wanted to stand up. “My brothers are still in the inn of the city. Aren’t they in danger? I have to go find them! I….”
Before she could stand up, Taji Guli was hit by a wave of dizziness. Duyi quickly stepped forward to hold her. “You are already like this. Why are you still so impulsive! If you go out now and was caught, aren’t you throwing your life away?!”
“But they are my brothers who have been following me for years from the cradle to the grave. I, I can’t abandon them!”
From the cradle to the grave: go through fire and water/willing to risk one’s life
Taji Guli struggled to stand up, but she who had lost too much blood, was less capable than desirable.
Less capable than desirable: not as strong as one would wish
Duyi sighed after seeing Taji Guli like this. “Don’t torment yourself anymore! I’ll take a look for you! Where is the place? I’ll go inform them!”
“It’s the Hengtong Inn in the west of the city.” Taji Guli’s forehead was drenched in cold sweat. Today’s move was nonetheless a mistake. But what Taji Guli didn’t expect was that Duyi would rescue her. Now, he was even willing to take the risk to inform her people. Previously, she was always arguing with him for some trivial matters. “Thank you….”
“Don’t mention it.” Duyi waved his hands and turned to Mu Hua. “Prime minister, is there anything you can do to help us? If by any chance we are caught in the prime minister’s residence, it won’t do you or us any good.”
“Hero Duyi, you can rest assured. This old man has a way to send you all out of the city. Go and return quickly. Please don’t stay too long. I’ll let people inform His Highness Longze. As soon as everyone is here, this old man will send you all out of the city.”
With the things being like this, Mu Hua could only do this.
If Taji Guli didn’t act arbitrarily, there wouldn’t be such a big mistake. However, the problem had already happened. He could only send Taji Guli and Duyi away from the city as soon as possible. In case the Eagle troop searched the prime minister’s residence and found clues, then not only would they be finished, even the things he and Wanyan Hong had planned would be exposed. Then the gains do not make up for the losses.
The gains do not make up for the losses: more harm than good/ not be worth the effort
Duyi left the prime minister’s residence and went to the west of the city as Taji Guli said. He had yet to arrive at the Hengtong Inn, but he could already hear the sound of fighting. Duyi was shocked and immediately rushed forward. As he turned to the corner of the street, he could see the bloody ground.
It was already dusk now. The red glow of the sunset spread over the earth and had dyed the black armor of the Eagle troop warriors with a layer of orange radiance.
There were more than ten bodies lying on the ground. Among them was a bearded man. Duyi had seen him before. He was Taji Guli’s left and right-hand and ha
d always followed her. After seeing these dead bodies, Duyi sighed softly and turned around to leave.
As soon as Duyi arrived at the prime minister’s residence, Taji Guli immediately asked him the whereabouts of her comrades. Duyi was silent for a moment and shook his head. “When I went, they were already dead. A total of eighteen people, eighteen dead bodies.”
“No….” Taji Guli held her head and shouted. Tears started to roll down from the corner of her eyes. “Why was it like thus? They shouldn’t have died! It’s me, it’s me who wanted to show off! It’s me that harmed them!”
These eighteen people followed Taji Guli for over a decade. They had experienced big and small battles with her, and were very loyal to her. Now, it had turned into eighteen cold corpses. How could Taji Guli accept this?!
“It’s all my fault! It’s me who harmed them!” Taji Guli kept hitting herself on the head. Because of the severe movement, the wound of her bandaged left hand started to bleed again.
“Hey, have you had enough?!” Duyi grabbed Taji Guli’s hand to prevent her from hurting herself again. However, Taji Guli kicked Duyi to the ground. “I’ll take revenge! I’m going to find them to get revenge!”
Taji Guli supported herself to get up. She had just taken two steps but was roared by Duyi. “Enough! Taji Guli, don’t make a fuss, please! You have already harmed yourself and harmed your men! Do you want to kill us too?! Are you not done yet? This is not your desert! You are also not that noble princess of the Jurchen clan anymore! Wake up!”
Duyi’s words made Taji Guli froze there. Afterwards, she burst into tears. The image of Taji Guli had always been quite rigid. She wasn’t like this even when her younger brother was killed and her clan fell apart. Now, she was crying like that, made Duyi somewhat bewildered, as if he had done something evil.
“Instead of crying, wipe off your tears and run for your life. Afterwards, come back for revenge!”
Longze Jing Tian appeared in the room and looked at Taji Guli with a calm face. “Didn’t we say to act together?! Because you decided on your own, we were almost exposed. Please calm down next time and think clearly. Don’t go harm others!”