Wei Wei furrowed her eyebrows. This kind of gesture could very easily attract other glances and cause those young ladies to fix their attention on her, which wouldn't be anything good.
She couldn't believe Third Prince didn't understand this kind of logic.
Wei Wei opened her mouth to speak and was just going to refuse.
When she heard Baili Jia Jue's voice proclaim levelly. "Continue to move forward. Those without an umbrella go to Eunuch Sun to get a rain cloak. Don't cause a delay."
His last sentence clearly emphasized his criticism of Wei Wei for slowing them down.
Helian Jiao Er's eyes which had just oozed poison now flashed a smiling expression. The maid holding her umbrella slowly curved her lips. That's good, they haven't arrived at Hidden Temple, and Third Prince already started to get impatient with that s.l.u.t. Wait until the plan at Hidden Spirit Temple was implemented. His Highness would regard her as a vile woman even more so!
Other people were also rejoicing in somebody else's misfortune, as they continued to chat and laugh while continuing to move forward. Nobody really went to get a rain cloak at all. Basically, everybody understood Third Prince's intent. Even though His Highness spoke levelly and formally, it's difficult cover up how he spurned Wei Wei in his words.
Only Eunuch Sun didn't think that way. He just stood to one side doing his best to swallow a mouthful of saliva.
Wasn't…. wasn't that fox fur cloak His Highness' favorite article of clothing.
Last year, Young Master Lie got his handprint on it and almost got beaten up by Master into a meat patty.
Yet right now, His Highness unexpectedly put this cloak on a woman? ! ? ! !
Eunuch Sun almost suspected whether his cataracts had gotten worse, or maybe Retired Emperor had given him so much pressure recently that he was dreaming of His Highness finally getting things straight...bullsh*t!
Even if he got it straight, it still wouldn't be with this Miss Helian. That meant that he was only having a nightmare within a nightmare!
What's more, when had His Highness ever asked him to prepare cloaks for everyone?
He didn't even have a single one, you know!
Eunuch Sun's heart was raging, on his face was a rigid smiling expression. It's just that when his senses returned to him, he then discovered that his master already left far away, so he hurriedly brought the umbrella over again.
Wei Wei actually didn't care what Baili Jia Jue was thinking, but she wasn't stupid. The way things turned out right now was much better than before. She could also enjoy this cloak that's giving her warmth with a clear conscience.
Mmmm....wonder how much money his cloak would fetch if she sold it.
"Return it to me after you've washed it." As if he knew what she was thinking, the man's incomparably demonically cold voice once again sounded by her ear. "If I discover again that something that should've been in your possession appeared in the open market, whoever purchased it from you will have their business closed by me."
His last few words were spoken very, very slowly, so slowly that even Wei Wei's scalp felt numb, before that slightly cold, unsympathetic voice faded into the distance.
His entire body was classically handsome, no matter when one looked upon it, it was perfectly self-controlled, without any weaknesses.
Wei Wei silently dispelled her notion of selling the thing. If Third Prince threatened her with some kind of retaliation against her, Wei Wei could completely ignore him, even if he threatened her, as the queen of munitions, she wasn't to be trifled with.
However, the man said instead, whoever purchased her cloak would have his business closed...this kind of two-faced method, how the heck did he think of it!
Wei Wei felt that her own shamelessness couldn't compare to Third Prince. If she couldn't sell it, then she'll just make good use of what was his. In any case, this cloak feels pretty good on.
"Your Highness." Shadow quietly appeared behind Baili Jia Jue, one knee bent on the rainy ground, his entire strong body dressed in black. "Your Highness guessed absolutely correctly. There's an issue with this broken tree."
Baili Jia Jue's eyes flashed. He stood with his back to the sunset and appeared to have come from a manga. In this split second, he didn't appear merely apathetic and graceful, but rather also dense with a killing aura. "Protect Retired Emperor. Today, no one's allowed to enter the temple, if they do, kill without holding back!"
"Yes." Shadow looked down, and his figure was concealed again.
A journey that would've originally taken only an incense's time in a horse's carriage, now without a carriage, in addition to it raining and slippery slopes, even if it was orderly, when they reached the hilltop, they sky was already getting dark. Fortunately, the rain stopped at last.
The imperial guards who led at the front ran over and was going to knock on the door when they heard an elderly voice arrive. "Ahmitahba, repent and be absolved of crimes, I didn't know honored guests have arrived. Please pardon me for not having gone out to meet you, ah, please forgive me for not having gone out to meet you."
That voice was deep and low, was graceful, yet also contained a tranquility that couldn't be put into words, making the person who heard it very easily want to relax their emotions and conform to the natural course of things.
The imperial bodyguards looked left and right, only hearing the voice, but unable to see the person. The door also couldn't be pushed open so they became so anxious their foreheads started to sweat.
Baili Jia Jue walked over nonchalantly, his gaze fell on his waist, the tone of his voice was emotionless. "The knife has been let go."
"Third Prince is indeed bright." After the voice dropped, that wood door slowly opened as an elderly man stood there empty-handed, about sixty years of age, white beard and white eyebrows, his entire body covered by a casaya. This was precisely the head of the temple.
He circulated the beads on the strand of buddhist beads and burst out laughing. "I learned that Retired Emperor was coming, so vegetarian food has already been prepared at the temple. How about following me to first invite Retired Emperor over? It's been awhile since I've seen Third Prince, I'd like to consult with Third Prince regarding some Buddhist doctrines."
Basically everyone in Dragon War Empire knew the grudges between Third Prince and Shaolin Temple.
This was how it happened. That year, this temple's head was still an unbridled self-centered show-off who infiltrated the beggar's clan as their ****leader within the entire capitol.
He'd beat up anybody without a moment's thought, yet fell at the hands of a little boy.
As for this matter, it's also because the abbot had bad luck. At that time, he actually recognized the wrong person, and had Third Prince mistaken as the son of that family, so he kidnapped him to the top of the mountain.
After that...they were pounded! ! !
You tell me, how could there be such a boy in the world!
Even if he was ferocious, he still should've fought back while he was being captured!
That way, they wouldn't have been completely wiped out.
Even until today, whenever Abbot Fang Zhang thought about a person from that time, he would get so angry his teeth ached, especially when recalling his words 'It's pretty interesting to be kidnapped!'
Did they look like they're playing a game! Did they! ! !
From that day forward, they were completely swept clean by the officers.
At that time, Abbot Fang Zhang finally found out that it turned out the boy wasn't anyone other than the world famous Third Prince.
Because of this, Fang Zhang truly received a mental blow, everything he did since then was for the sake of defeating this genius Highness!
This rumor was no longer a secret in the capital.
That's why, when Fang Zhang had just finished saying those words, everybody's gaze turned towards Baili Jia Jue.
Yet he only brushed away the dust that wasn't on his fingertips and casually said. "You want to tra
de blows with me?"
"I'm consulting you regarding Buddhist doctrine!" Fang Zhang corrected Baili Jia Jue's statement without any change in his expression.
Baili Jia Jue uttered 'mm' then smiled shallowly like a devil. "Then forget it, I don't know Buddhist doctrine."
Fang Zhang quickly opened his mouth. "It's martial arts! Martial arts!"
"Oh." Baili Jia Jue lazily yawned. "The mountain is too cold, I don't feel like moving."
Fang Zhang:...then we should still trade blows, are you toying with me! ! ! !
Chapter 183 - Storm Clouds Approach
"Abbot Fang Zhang, don't be rash!" Once the novice monk saw that the situation's getting out of hand, he immediately wrapped his arms around Abbot Fang Zhang's ankles!
"Let me go!" Head Abbot Fang Zhang managed to boorishly swipe his sleeves as his face flamed in anger. Where was there any of the beauty of an immortal usually present before other people. "Today, if I don't beat this stinky fellow until he pisses in his pants, then my last name is not Fang!"
Baili Jia Jue smiled faintly, his face indifferent. "Your last name isn't Fang to begin with."
Bang!
Head Abbot Fang Zhang's temples pulsed, his whole body was exploding!
Eunuch Sun was doing all he could to block at the front, holding his horsetail whisk as he advised. "Abbot, please calm down, calm down!"
After he finished speaking, he wanted to cry as he said in his heart, Your Highness, you shouldn't keep provoking the abbot, couldn't you see that he's so angered by you he's almost spitting blood?
Behind them, the young girls and lords blanked out, one after another. Was this really the most virtuous head abbot from Hidden Spirit Temple?
He truly didn't seem like it!
On the other hand, Wei Wei didn't feel that there's anything unusual here. Both her master and Elder Huan was also like this, ordinarily they appeared particularly like divinity, yet as soon as they hear the two words Third Prince, they'd no doubt immediately exhibit both love and hate, gnashing their teeth.
It could be seen how capable His Highness was at drawing out hate, she reckoned that it'd be impossible to find a second prince who's so two-faced in all of Dragon War Empire.
"Fang Zhang, Retired Emperor's still waiting for the vegetarian food. It's not too late to wait until the meal is finished before you and Third Prince start your discussion." In any case, let's first go, dear. If you continue like this, your temple's image will be shattered completely!
Head Abbot Fang Zhang deeply took in a breath, and brushed his own kasaya. When everyone came to their senses, he already regained that level and calm celestial's appearance. His change in attitude was extremely quick, making Wei Wei especially sighed. This Fang now was also an image of a Celestial emperor.
Baili Jia Jue was as before, the indifference on his face unchanged, as if the older person's words wasn't taken seriously at all.
Head Abbot Fang Zhang again clenched his hands, and thought about the fact that there's still one more night to fight, so he slowed down his voice. "Everyone, please follow me. The female benefactors' meal's set up in the west wing, the male benefactors' are on the east wing."
Having heard this, a young lord listlessly curled his lips. "I even thought that males and females are going to be together. This is boring."
"Don't worry. Wait until tonight when we can tour the pavilion. There'll be plenty of opportunities." A few young lords acquainted with each other smiled and turned to look towards the girl's side while fanning themselves before they followed Head Abbot Fang Zhang to the east wing.
The daughters from influential families had actually already expected this kind of situation. Although they'd all reached marriageable age, and each of them had someone they adored, so much so that their heartbeats were somewhat quicker today, yet in ancient times, what they were most careful about was their reputation. Fang Zhang arranging everything in this way was to straighten their d.e.s.i.r.es, like a mother guiding them. Keeping them out of reach of the males, yet keeping them in their minds.
"Female benefactors, we're here." The little novice monk leading the way put his palms together and bowed.
A young lady with the last name Liang sized up the area with a quick glance and wrinkled her brows slightly. "How come the place is so small?"
The young monk paused in his steps as he was leaving and smiled lightly in reply. "The temple is crude, we ask for the lady's forgiveness."
When a slightly deep voice transmitted over. "Hehe, it seems Liang Ai Qing's beloved daughter is dissatisfied with the arrangements at the temple."
It turned out to be Retired Emperor, who'd already finished his vegetarian meal. Behind him, there was a minister to assist him as well as...womenfolk.
An extremely familiar figure made Wei Wei's fingers clench one by one.
That figure accompanied the group of women, wearing a simple white long skirt embroidered with dark lotus flowers. A jade pendant hung low on her c.h.e.s.t. Her long hair was gathered into a flower. One hand was rotating the translucent bright buddhist beads, while the other hand rested on top of her maids supporting arm. She slowly walked towards this side, her complexion was fabulously maintained. She clearly was already thirty years old, however she looked to be just past twenty. At that time, she relied on this kind of pure, tender, and soft appearance to capture the heart of that sc.u.m of a father of hers.
Su Yan Mo!
A name she wouldn't forget in this lifetime.
At that time, Mother was already at her limit, her stomach vomiting air, her body getting worse by the day. However, before others, she still appeared as dignified as before. Even though her illness already was beyond cure, she never lost face in front Su Yan Mo.
She knew she wasn't going to make it, so she made an entreaty to Helian Guang Yao to consider their more than dozen years of mutual affection as husband and wife and be lenient towards their daughter.
Her mother had never asked anyone for anything in all of her life, yet as her time drew near, for her daughter's sake, she begged for the first time.
She only remembered that woman bringing a maid to their side room and with her every word, every statement, mocked Mother. "Older Sister, don't be foolish. Do you think it's any use to push yourself like this. So what if you're stronger and more talented than me, hasn't your husband still chosen me in the end. That's why I say, heh, everyone has their own fate, don't argue with the heavens. In the end, the one to suffer will still be you..."
Wei Wei closed her eyes tightly, when she opened her eyes again, her pupils had already become clear and bright.
It was truly ridiculous, when the Su family started a rumour outside that her mother was rude and unreasonable, did they consider what their own family member had done. She hadn't gotten married, yet already had a child with another woman's husband!
Ruined and orphaned, forced to leave home, homeless.
Such a big enmity, on this day, she finally saw the main culprit of all these!
Wei Wei slowly released her hands and restrained her temper to restore her as calm as a breeze demeanor.
It's just that when the minister with last name Liang heard Retired Emperor's words, his complexion changed in an instant, immediately kneeled on the ground, and anxiously explained. "My daughter is still young and spoke harshly without any bad intent, I beseech Retired Emperor to forgive her!"
"Sigh." Retired Emperor smiled as he waved his hand, appearing extremely affable, without the slightest bit of anger. It's just that his next statement actually made the Liang family's daughter's complexion also immediately change. "If she's dissatisfied, don't hesitate to go down the mountain, how's there any crime or not, my dear subject, Official Liang, is being too serious."
Minister Liang wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Yes, you're absolutely right."
"Within the monastery, it's still better to preserve the tranquility." After Retired Emperor finished this statement, he led all the ministers and continued to mov
e forwards, without any intent to ask the one with last name Liang to rise. The Liang family's daughter was dazed. She actually couldn't imagine that because of a statement from her, they'd fall into this plight.
Could this be what they meant by imperial power?
She didn't understand, but that didn't mean that those ministers didn't understand.
Recently, the Liang family had been favored. Being overly favored, they became arrogant. Retired Emperor wasn't like the emperor, his heart was wise and his eyes bright. This trip to Hidden Spirit Temple, besides wanting to pray for blessings, he wanted to seize this opportunity to examine the moral conduct of these daughters from prestigious families. Since the first one to stick her head out was the Liang family's daughter, then he should still exert a bit of pressure.
To avoid other people making moves that they shouldn't make...
Chapter 184 -
Bestowing favours and disfavours, since ancient time, this was an emperor's method.
Helian Wei Wei observed this scene and took it all in without saying anything and merely curved her lips up. She's afraid this stay at Hidden Spirit Temple wouldn't be as peaceful as Retired Emperor d.e.s.i.r.ed...
"Eldest Miss." Wei Wei was just going to enter the side room to dine when she was stopped by a noticeably pretty maid's voice.
That maid was none other than Su Yan Mo's personal maid of many years, Little Lian.
She slowly walked towards Wei Wei, wearing light pink long skirt, covered in silk and satin, although she couldn't be considered outstandingly beautiful, she still always radiated a cultivated bearing.
She was only a maid, yet everything she ate and used was better compared to the one who truly carried the Helian family's blood.
"Eldest Miss, My Lady knows that you've been driven away from the clan, and is suffering, probably without much money to use, so she had me give you these jewelry. They lady said that you're also already at marriageable age, so you'll need these things for your dowry."
She deserved to be the head maid who'd followed by Lady Su's side, clearly concealing disdain within her eyes, yet each word spoken was appropriate to the circ.u.mstances.
The Anarchic Consort c1-1376 Page 88