New Beginnings
Chapter 041
♥Author♥Angel♥Chua♥
Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong’er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography
Blind date
The old lady ready to go as she arranged the crease in her fine black Hanfu dress made of cotton and a beautiful hairpin on her Haute coiffure hairstyle her age went back ten years younger when suddenly she saw her company she exclaimed: Who destroyed you!?
Why? I like it this much.
hmm... I get it, a cool peacock look, the tails are what? Hanging, thin and stiff?
The fine woman did not have any accessories or put on a head-dress in her hairstyle instead she brushed her hair up and on not so high not so low she wrapped her very long brown hair and put some base substance making it look like so shiny and stiff that it’ll explode in the air anytime. It exposed her long jade-skin like nape. The only thing that makes it difficult to define whether it passed the thin line between beautiful and horrific, was, how did the fine woman make it look like it’s going to explode at any moment she won’t be liking any situation at hand. She is like a peacock ready to open fire her killer hairstyle.
“Ok whatever!” said the old lady not wanting for her to take another hour to change her hairstyle.
“I like you today,” said the fine woman and threw her sly smile. She also did not forget to put in her hair that “break in case of an emergency tool.”
The old lady rolled her eyes and said: “is that necessary? Remember the rules is clear, no eye contacts. Just look cool and please, please, please…” and the old lady paused.
The fine woman waiting for the next phrase she heard..she wrinkled her lips and pouted her pink lips.
“Do not get bored and paint that sweet smile.”
The fine woman smiled, and the old lady pinched her cheeks.
“This is your last chance don’t ruin it.”
A simple Palaquin was waiting outside their house. Where they went to the place where the old lady set-up for her.
After an hour, they arrived at the place and gracefully got out of the Palanquin. The fine woman wore her expressionless face and no eye contacts on her just wait for the person to come and approach the old lady.
The two entered in one of the best restaurant bars in the marketplace. As the state of Liang is known for its bustling streets, even at night there are lots of nightclubs. The filthy wealthy noble bachelors and some days, if you are lucky, may spot a royal spending a dime to the have some fun and escort lady for the night.
The fine woman whispered to the old lady: “Are you selling me here? Look at the guys around us, this doesn’t seem to fit my ideal man.”
The old lady uttered: “just be quiet and look down, here drink some of this.”
“I never drink.” said the fine woman
“Just try one glass.”
The fine woman took the glass and drank it in one shot, and suddenly her face became red. A look in a severe crisis wanted to shout and kick the old lady, but on her voiceless face, she opened her mouth, used her hands to fan her mouth.
Some of the eligible bachelors saw her, and they think she is a lovely lad who had just drunk too much.
“What is this?” asked the fine woman to the old lady.
The old lady said: “its a spirit wine.”
What? I get to drink a spirit? I am ruined then.
The old lady laughed a bit and said: No, its whiskey.
“Oh, I think I will order for more.” said the fine woman looking for the servant who can give them one more drink.
The old lady did not hear what she said as she was spotting some interested parties, but none of them came to propose their intention.
Suddenly around the dark corner is the most fragrant and flowery scent issued on air. The guest just arrived so grand and yet slipped every other guest unnoticed. He took the VIP pass and two of the disguised bodyguards went in first and secured the bar. On it’s every corner, hidden and standby crossbow snipers, spies scattered around the bar. They are ready to kill any moment the location is compromised. His presence is unannounced, and the protocol was passed on to the owner of the bar. This good-looking face, foxy eyes gave a boring look to the dim lights. He ordered the usual drink of the night.
The old lady did not notice the fine woman beside her ordered two more round of drinks and because she was not given a briefing on to “how to drink whiskey,” one on her left and one on her right hand, she gulped the two glass consecutively without blinking, no chasers and it’s done. And the old lady not minding her company is already looking dizzy.
Some of the eligible noble bachelors noticed the fine woman and fascinated by her strong spirit defeating the spirit wine suddenly one brave soul came to them.
On a small tavern, an athletic man wearing a brown sackcloth-like material that served as his hood, covered those cold eyes, thin lips, an expressionless face that remains uninvited, unrestrained, ordered one glass of beer. He did not know the taste was this excellent and addicting before his accident happened. These are one of his few days, he would want to unwind and associate himself to the easy nights of a simple man. While drinking, he once again looks back to his former ways. He asked himself: How many months I have left before I finally take over…and he hangs the question and drinks again.
The bachelor finished drinking came to the fine woman and gracefully interrupted a dizzy dull-witted woman as the wine taking over her strong spirit.
May I introduce myself with this? The noble bachelor gave her a small handkerchief but the fine woman not allowed to have an eye contact suddenly the old lady responded and said: “Thank you, your grace. We will respond after three days if we accept or not.”
After he left, another handkerchief handed by a handsome reserved noble. Another one came and on his female like the voice but looking at his buff body who would have known. It is better if he did not speak to her. The nobleman threw his handkerchief. The old lady laughed a bit before she accepted it. Then another nobleman came his hands are hairy with a thick mustache on his face. The old lady raised her eyebrows eventually took his handkerchief as well.
On the dark corner, two foxy eyes were observing the situation inside the bar, looked at the men who are busily going back and forth to the two women, he asked one of his spies to look at what’s happening at the moment.
The spy on his simple moves went and observe and saw two beautiful women, one is sleeping and one is entertaining. The spy went back to the VIP guest and said: The men were bidding for a blind date for the drooling and sleeping woman.
“What?” The VIP guest exclaimed. You said drooling.. did you double-check?
“Yes, Lotus.”
The VIP’s codename is Lotus Flower, and this is what all of his spies call him.
Suddenly the VIP sit back on his chair, and some kind of feeling awakened him, but he asked himself: How can this be a possible phenomenon, a woman sleeping and oh drooling????
Accept such many and high-end proposals?
He squinted his eyes and curiosity is not registered in his dictionary, but now he wants to try and find it out. He threw his gold handkerchief. The spy saw it, and his eyes went big he asked the VIP.
Are you sure Lotus?
Are you questioning me or concern with me? And he gave a hand signal pointed to the direction of the two women, pouting his lips with some stern face for the spy to obey.
The spy on his anxious face, he may have upset the VIP, obeyed. Like quicksilver, he walked to the table of the two women.
The old lady now holding twenty handkerchiefs and none of them passed her taste looking at their faces and attitudes. Still, she did not mind her companion beside her because she was too busy entertaining and accepting handkerchief proposals while the fine woman already drooling and sleeping beside her.
The spy on his good-looking Hanfu dress but disguised look came to the old lady. When he opened his mouth to smile the old lady saw he is toothless in his front teeth. The old lady gave her a rough look and said: “Whatever it is, this is declined.”
The spy looked at the woman beside her is drooling, and her snoring is getting louder he said: “Even I, myself, cannot understand why do I have to give you this…”
And the spy gave the gold handkerchief. The old lady was stunned unable to say any words became speechless.
The spy waiting for further instructions finally heard: “Tell the majesty, this is booked.”
That means all twenty handkerchiefs will be dropped at the moment and the gold handkerchief will only be taken. The old lady left all twenty handkerchiefs at the table. The noble bachelor saw it and knows what it means. Suddenly, all eyes were searching every corner of the bar. They know a VIP happens to visit the bar and it is compromised place.
All of this happening at the moment but the fine woman still sweetly sleeping and the old lady looked at her and then woke her up.
Wake up! We need to go and will be escorted back by the royal escorts! Hurry!
What? the fine woman still dizzy, half of her eyes open and no sense of time said: “Royal escort? I did not order them to come to fetch me, why are they here?” her voice was sleepy and dull.
The old lady replied: “This place is compromised we need to get out.”
Before the bar was placed on high alert, the VIP already went outside and rode his black Palaquin with three black horses in front, as soon the gold handkerchief was accepted by the old lady.
The VIP asked the spy: How did it go?
Your Highness, the old lady, told me “Whatever it is, this is declined.”
The VIP raised his brows and said: “Oh, that is the first time.”
The spy not yet finished said: “Tell the majesty, this is booked.”
A smile welled from the corner of VIPs eyes and said: “Oh, that is not the first time.”
Hiyah!!! Hiyah!!! the spy let the horse on the fast run and the VIP back to his Palace safe.
The fine woman and the old lady fetched by the royal escorts waiting outside and rode fast to transport them back to their house.
The next day, the old lady on her usual store opening hours opened the corner store while the fine woman went to the market to buy fresh ingredients for today’s customer orders. The gangster leader came in early to serve its third day of a juvenile in penance for his bullying acts, the old lady noticed him waiting at the side of the store. At the same time, a familiar man on his rattan made hat came and pass by the old lady’s store and suddenly helped her. The old lady startled at him and said: “It has been three days and I haven’t seen you for a while since you had an encounter with the short scandal where have you been?”
The man is cold and continued to help the old lady set up the store’s chairs and tables he said: I passed by here, but maybe you didn’t see me, the youngster boy can tell.
Oh, yeah this boy became good now, I think he learned his lesson.
The man is happy in the inside to hear the news but shows coldness in the outside.
After a while just as they finished setting up the tables and chairs the man dusted off his clothes as if saying the job is done, he must leave when suddenly the fine woman came with her baskets full of vegetables. The fine woman on a passing cold stare but the man did not even look at her but took the basket in her hands and helped her like he was a regular helper to their Kowloon noodle house. After doing his job, he put his hat on his head and left without any word. The kitchen chef was intrigued.
The next day the man came again early and was doing the same thing over helping the old lady and the fine woman was resisting still but the man insisting, he rolled his faded peasant outfit and took her basket. His hands and arms were exposed, and the fine woman saw those perfect muscles in place and a small left tattoo in his left shoulder. The man looked at her as if he was searching for her eyes but after it, nothing still. He put on his hat and bid his goodbye to the old lady and left.
The fine woman secretly looked at him from her small kitchen window as he started strolling outside their store. Her eyes looked at his back from his feet up to his head. Swallowing in her throat she said to herself: perfect and proportionate height, scaled muscles and those eyes.
She took off her glance and leaned on the wall, and she thinks she is going crazy. She had never been this wanting or got interested with a man’s eyes and body until now. Those tantalizing eyes every time the man poses in front of her, she cannot describe her feelings. Is she liking him or just want him for a rebound out of her broken heart?
One night, the old lady received a mysterious letter from a messenger coming from a strange someone. She was a bit surprised because the only courier he knows who delivers messages to their store is the man. She asked the courier where is the man, unfortunately, the old lady learned he is not an ordinary courier but a messenger from the Liang Palace who disguised himself in his old rugged peasant clothes.
The old lady suddenly remembered the gold handkerchief and went crazy even before she opened the fragrant envelope in its flowery design she can smell a royal love blooming at the corners of her mind.
And she was right, a summon was passed to the letter, and the owner of the gold handkerchief was requesting for the blind date to commence tomorrow evening. As the letter of instructions read, they will be fetched with a royal escort from their residence. The old lady began to unearth her closet full of beautiful dresses, as she touches them tears were falling down on her face. Some of these Hanfu and imperial dresses from her younger years brought her sweet, bitter and happy memories. She embraced them and letting one of these go to a new owner would help a fine woman get out of a broken heart. They were the most beautiful finest silk made of highest grade fabric, with Chinese head-dress and other gold genuine jade accessories. The old lady hid behind her sad eyes, full of wrinkles of her past glories. She was once a renowned Imperial figure from a family of Aristocrats but now an outcast of society.
The old lady went to the fine woman’s room and woke her up, it’s already sleeping time.
A big shadow suddenly appeared on her door when…
Waahh! The fine woman shouted went to light her candle and was startled.
Are you going to help me or what? The old lady complained.
A Beast! What duh.?! I can kill you in an instant!
The fine woman first time in her life was stunned, her hair raised and goosebumps in her arms started to frighten her. She thought there is a beast at the door of her room that made her quickly grab a cold dagger.
The old lady struggled to come into her room in front of her was a mountain of Imperial dresses, headdresses, and other genuine gold and jade accessories.
The fine woman did not have any choice but to help the old lady bring in all her stuff to her room she exclaimed: Did you went to the night market and spent all your savings?
The old lady smiled and said: It does not matter, here try some of these, I know we had the same size when I was younger in years maybe this would fit?!
The old lady excited as the fine woman tried each one of them and turned to an instant fashion night. The only one audience, a fashion police, and critic is raising her eyebrows, laughed, cried, giggled, screamed, smiled, threw some sarcastic looks, pouted. ‘Til the fine woman came out on her yellow gold, fine, flowy princess cut Hanfu dress. The old woman gave her a thumbs up sign ended up choosing this dress.
After the fashion show, the fine woman wondering she said: “Why are we doing this again?”
It’s for a blind date.
Oh for Qians (heaven’s) sake, I don’t want to go back to that nightclub again. The faces scared me, they all look like ugly frogs.
They all looked ugly to you because you got drunk and ordered more than what you can remember that night, the old lady looking at her in disgust.
The fine woman insisted: I’d like to call off any blind dates… and the fine woman cut her next phrases…
The old lady left on the air… still waiting for her answer but none of it came.
There are only two reasons I can think of why you are calling it off, is it the courier man or is it the broken heart?
The fine woman answered straight: “Neither.” and there was a long silence.
But in reality, she feels her heart already choose someone even at the beginning of time, and she thought she already met this person maybe he is just around her.
The old lady not wanting for her to cry like a river said: Better to die than to harbor a broken heart. So tomorrow night if you refuse, you are as good as dead meat.
The fine woman suddenly squinted her eyes and uttered: “Why would I want to die tomorrow night?”
“Did I not tell you? The winner of the bid that night out of twenty noble handkerchiefs became ineligible when the golden handkerchief is passed. It means, nobody from the noble is entitled except for the Royal member of the family who sweeps the bid and since that night owned every rights and entitlement to his blind date. Anyone who is ignorant of the rules and tries to steal the good is considered treason to the Royals and to the state.
Oh, I didn’t know those rules, you told me, just invent my hair, dress like a lady and then sit beside you, no eye contacts.
There are rules and protocols to follow since we expressed our interest that night for a blind date, we have no right to refuse especially if the interested party is coming from a Royal family. You understand this right?
The fine woman’s ears exploded when she heard about the subject of Rights. Suddenly she feels the need to meet this Royal to try to change this custom. She thinks it does not express the freedom to choose and freedom to decline. The sanctions are too much for just a simple refusal. She thinks this is unfair.
“Alright, set me up. I’ll teach him a lesson even if I die doing so.” The fine woman seems determined she took the old lady’s beautiful dresses and said: “Let’s sleep we still have many things to do tomorrow.”
The old lady got excited and said: Just pray that the Royal after the first meeting would not ask for a second one.
The fine woman suddenly looked at her when she just threw herself to her bed she asked: What happens if a second summon is passed?
“It means, an engagement may happen.”
“Go away, that won’t happen.” The fine woman hugged a snug pillow and closed her eyes.
The old lady let go of her evil laugh she said: You bet!
The next day, the store is closed, and the old lady went to a nearby beauty salon to book for an appointment. She used the Royal seal that came with the letter last night. The fine woman stayed at the opposite noodle house as if she is waiting for somebody to show its face. On the same exact time a tall, athletic and cold eyes man stood in front of the store and saw it was locked. The fine woman looks at him with so much yearning and saw his gloomy eyes, the man suddenly went to the store beside it and asked. The fine woman assumed the man asked their neighbor why they are closed and saw the man left as he slowly walked as if she is losing her breath on every step he takes, away from where she stands.
By this time, the fine woman knows, this is not just a simple feeling. But she cannot let him show herself today and look into those eyes. She thinks, she might have met before but not yet sure when and where. She hid a secret beam inside her heart.
Time slowly ticked, her eyes followed the back of the man until he was gone out of her sight. Suddenly, the old lady tapped her shoulder.
Connect to Chapter 43 Dinner Engagement
Lookback to Chapter 39 Breach of Chasm
♥♥♥
Chapter 042
♥Author♥Angel♥Chua♥
Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong’er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography
Tributary Hunt
The bamboo leaves covered with white ice and the Mansion-house rooftop covered with white snow, a man is standing and staring far from the land of coldness and snowfall.
Yuwen Huai never understood the goodness of life after he retreated into his Zen Mansion and the lucky charm he redeemed from shame and loss entitlements befall to him just like a leaf coming from the sky. He is contented and does not want to go back to the world of politics and activate his cunning abilities but today, a fateful day, a paper snow letter was delivered for his eyes only and Yuwen Huai breathe out heavily.
**
13th Prince Yuan Song and two of its spies from the Eyes of God is the called the Light team, and Prince Zaru and three of his blackguard spies called the Dark team. Yuan Che was giving the final briefing, and he said:
This is a secret and a suicide mission, do you both understand your roles?
Yuan Song replied first he said: Brother, the instructions are simple, search and abduct.
For the dark team, the instructions were also simple, wrap up and destroy on his airy attitude, Prince Zaru raised his one arm and shook his head.
Yuan Che looked at them straight and asked:” What is the cardinal rule in the tributary hunt?”
Yuan Song quickly recited: “tribute hunters must not fall into enemies hands.”
Prince Zaru nodded on his full head.
Yuan Che impressed with his little brother’s improvement he has never heard nor seen his brother this brave and full of knowledge. He may have missed looking after his brother for all these years because of his busy rule on Xioaqi camp one of the most massive troops and Wei’s Elite military men with many stars, children of past heroes and powerful bloodline who thrived in the sea of battlefields.
Yuan Che preferred not to let his little brother join this mission but Yuan Song insisted and that if he is not going to be enlisted, The 13th Prince will cut his wrist in front of him. Yuan Song threatened his brother to prove he his not afraid of suicide, and if he lives, he will surely make Yuan Che be to strip off from his royalty, end in the streets of Wei and exile him just like their sister Chuner.
Yuan Che laughed at his brother’s imaginative mind as if he has seen the end in his mind and it is going to happen soon if he does not abide. Yuan Song on his fierce face looked at him and suddenly sees his little brother like a murdering wolf ready to swallow a human person alive. The 7th Prince had no choice but to let his brother join while Prince Zaru agreed that they will be divided into two teams, the light, and the dark.
That night the three of them made a pact to seal the abnegation of their royal jades that symbolizes their thrones and powers to forsake their prince’s titles and become a tribute hunter. The reward of the hunt will go to whoever wins the subject and accomplishes the goal of the purpose. This is what Yuan Song was capitalizing, and Prince Zaru’s interest was to keep the price and exchange it for some important deals as part of the Wei’s Protectorates just like Yanbei in the past before the whole royal clan of Yan was annihilated. But looking back at where the fabric was cut, the Wei Emperor treated Yanbei differently from all others Protectorates. Yanbei was once like in the middle, a significant Tributary state, and a Protectorate, where the crown prince was detained inside Changan and lived as Yan’s ransom payment for loyalty to the Wei Royal family. This left Yanbei to enjoy the benefits of some Protectorate states more than others have while the difference lies, their crown Prince Yan Xun has direct access to the Wei Emperor’s throne and may have regarded him as a special son.
That night, all weapons ready and Yuan Che’s worries vanished with his re-enforcement plan in case the 13th Prince of Wei will be endangered, and it applied the same to the representative of the protected state from the remote highlands of northwest territories where the Black Prince Zaru descent came from.
While the Eyes of God is temporarily shut down, the Blackguards are actively on duty for the Wei state that acted as the shadow power and preparing for an imminent war of the States. The Wei emperor is not in favor for the upcoming Liang-Yanbei Wedding that will happen in fall, next year and is not happy about his Confederate friend the King Tang of Liang to possibly tie the knot to one of his tributary states, his former rebel Prince almost became his son-in-law of sacrifice for the Yanbei citizens.
Yuan Song wearing ninja costume at the moment and Yuan Che gave him the ninja sword. Yuan Song refused then said: For this mission, if I die, I want the Cheng Yin sword to be on top of my chest.
Yuan Che realizing what his younger brother told him understood and suddenly looked at him with so much pity he turned his back, and on his dark voice, he said: If you do not come back, then I will dethrone you even at your death and declare myself as the Crown Prince.
Yuan Song smiled and replied to his melancholic brother but just hid it with those innocent threatening words he muttered: “Then make sure you do this well and be a good-looking man in case I got a mistake.”
Just like that, the two separated. One having a brave heart and the other, an anxious heart.
Two teams, one suicide mission. Many possibilities may arise, one may fall, the other may return, but one thing for sure and that is not to break their cardinal rule. Xuili troops were not as easy as before. They have learned their lesson well from their tricks and mastered Wei’s forces, some arsenals, and weapons resources while they were commissioned by Prince Yuan Che and used them as a strategic and risky ally troop. Lately, the Xiaoqi camp received an intelligence report that there were grave threats to bomb scare the entire camp without Xuili troops contact and it will be activated by a triggered mechanized switch of some kind to which the Xioaoqi camp will be thrown in chaos and next to ashes. The rumor spread like fire and threatened their very secure state and army of thousands that even the 7th Prince of Wei would not imagine how it will happen as the border control of Wei Valve is in tight and full measure, an army of hundreds is just like ants to the giant’s feet.
Chu Qiao set this up all, and that is what she calls psychological warfare. She knows that she cannot defeat a massive army of the Imperial Palace, but she can throw some damage to their minds. She used this strategy to stop the killing innocent children and mutilate the poor and cease-fire with their bows and arrows so they could provide an aide to the little town at Chang’an and supply food and shelter amidst the winter storm to save some locals if they were still alive. The violent winds of snow hushing her face, on her faux fur hood and a mighty brigade, she blinked her eyes when suddenly saw a man on his ninja suit and his arms were decapitated lying in the snow. Chu Qiao holds his pulse, and on her pity, he ordered the troops to take the man and put him in the carriage. They obeyed her orders. Chu Qiao was not able to find anyone alive in the town not even one children but only this man where they transported him on the carriage. Chu Qiao heard a clanging noise, but then she looked around and seems her brigade did not have some suspicious threat, they returned to normal and went back to Meilin Border Pass camp.
The Xuili troops occupied the Meilin border pass when Yuwen Yue died at the frozen lake and 13th Prince of Wei in the brink of danger protected by the ex-afterlife camper assassins left. He did not let his brother Yuan Che lock their foothold in border pass of Yan-Wei due to Yuan Song’s plea, its whim of peace paid them a very expensive treat as Yan Xun in the expense of Xuili army violently took over Meilin border pass. This is where the last Cheng Yuan his Revenge advocate General who consumed Yan Xun with so much revenge in his heart and once again turn over and inspired the prince to put back Yanbei in their past warring state.
When Cheng Yuan died, Yan Xun did not invite any mourning rites, but a memorial in his name made him a hero of Yanbei and celebrated it. Yan Xun burned his body in the middle of Meilin Mansion as a symbol of victory and let his spirit be at peace where his one of his closest General’s goal was to help Yanbei capture Meilin border pass as Yanbei’s foothold of revenge to Wei. This is the first taste of victory for Yan Xun that led to another and a hundred more and commissioned Xuili army to guard it day and night using some minimal resources, this expensive treat paid him more fame and insult to the Wei Throne.
Chu Qiao passed some orders and the decapitated ninja to be treated in the camp medical facility. The ninja acted like he was frail and unable to carry himself while Chu Qiao took him for pity. The corpsman of Xuili transported him, and some Xuili men in uniform went to accompany him.
It was nightfall, and the ninja whose looking so weak earlier gained much strength and those Xuili men in uniform who accompanied him already killed almost all personnel inside the Xuili medical facility, that leaves them all five to undress and put in their team’s garments, the white and black ninja’s.
Yuan Song detached his arms earlier for some mercy beg looks, he attached it and finally operating like nothing happened. On his white ninja suit and a white headband on his head with an expensive jade at the middle gave him the total look of a handsome killer prince and one of the eyes of God spy thrown him his Cheng Yin sword. First time to use and the story is told, the sword operates best at night and dawn, like an invisible sword where the light and shadow meets, the sword will cut like no other, and it cannot be felt, only seen, the head separates neatly from its neck.
Viper sensed some natural energy, she said to Chu Qiao: I must come out.
Chu Qiao asked: Is there any grave threats?
Viper said: I sensed familiar energy, a light, and shadow, it cuts invisibly and does not offer a promise of life tomorrow.
Chu Qiao asked again: Can you sense any breach?
Viper said: I sense a dark and light power at the same time in this place.
Chu Qiao left to her thinking did not mind it until she thought about the children rehabilitation facility. Suddenly she leaned her body for a while and then decided to walk even if it’s the middle of the night. She took her light garment dress and went out while Viper like a bat flew from corner to corner to inspect the camp and everyone on their head sweetly sleeping.
Chu Qiao came to the children rehab facility and found the guards awake, and they bowed to their General when suddenly Chu Qiao threw her knife at her back sensing someone is following her. The two Xuili guards ten times alert when they saw what she did they swallowed their throats as if they were the ones hit and not the tree nearby.
Chu Qiao saw all the children, and they were sleeping safely in their sweet pillows, her heart at peace she went back to the Generals quarter while Viper still did not come back.
Star starry night, the ground on its white snow quiet while five men lurking inside the camp where three dark entities dug out holes in the perimeter and planted some devices of doom courtesy of the Blackguard spies.
Lookback to Chapter 40 Buried in the Snow
♥♥♥
Chapter 043
♥Author♥Angel♥Chua♥
Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong’er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography
Dinner Engagement
An elegant young woman came in and on her yellow gold princess cut Hanfu dress, a peacock killer hairstyle, a fierce-looking face, like a queen of the night came to fulfill the blind date of a royal. A shocked foxy eye zoomed in, the Liang Prince who has never been caught in a surprise was stunned, showed those chinky eyes can become big like an owl.
“You!?”
“Yes me!”
Chu Qiao sat down without even being told and put her feet wrapped in white socks on top of the table. She plays with her fingernails disregarding him, a bland, cold eye is an unwelcome sight. She did this as a sign of disapproval out of this no choice blind date.
The Foxy Prince on his never been stunned face suddenly shook his head and on his fancy yellow robe and fragrant presence issued on-air hold his breath and bring out his two front white teeth to beam at her.
The foxy face became even foxier, sexier on his beam, Xiao Ce cannot stop himself beaming his front teeth to this lovely face, he clapped his hands. One of his palace servants came he said: “Bring me another table.”
The servant nodded and as quick like the wind, a table was beside the table where Chu Qiao’s feet were on top. Xiao Ce flashed a sexy smile to this beautiful guest while he was doing something under the table. Eventually, Xiao Ce mirrored her guest. He brought out his feet, on white socks, and banged it on top of the table. Xiao Ce’s fingers were tapping the corner of the table, while he put the other hand on his jaw. Xiao Ce looked at her like the Foxy Prince is going to do it forever, continuously flashing his foxy eyes and a beam on his mouth.
Chu Qiao feeling bored and somewhat irritated, it seems this Royal Prince is just as cool as the white snow outside, she said: “My time cannot be wasted, I have work to do tomorrow.”
Xiao Ce still looking at her like he has never seen her in a century said: Oh, apologies, a blind date is not complete without dinner. Xiao Ce clapped his hands twice, and a kitchen maid came out and serve their meal course.
Chu Qiao felt that this royal is as determined to irritate her like what she has been doing for the past few minutes suddenly said: “Oh pretty please, do not forget the whole turkey, slowly cooked and roasted… Chu Qiao’s voice on sweet husky voice when suddenly she changed her tone like the loud thunder, looking at Royal’s foxy eyes, said: “I WANT IT WELL DONE AND ON FIRE!!!”
Suddenly, Xiao Ce’s composure did not change into any and still went to give her that beam, sexy and foxy gaze. He even went closer to her and lifted her soft jaw using one of his gentle point fingers. Putting his face close to her, Xiao Ce sniffed her scent, went closer to her lips, closed his eyes then smiled. But the unthinkable happens. He moved away the foxy eyes from her face, leaned back to his seat, banged his feet on top of the table. He said it blatantly: “FINE! your wish is my command!”
Bring in the turkey! And oh WELL DONE AND ON FIRE!
Xiao Ce on his formal face, cried at his servants to obey as they were standing like ice, but turned back his face to his pretty guest beaming, painted lots of happiness in the corners of his eyes.
Inside the palace kitchen, the maids and staffs were around some noise. The sounds of clanging and clamor, everyone is trying to put the turkey on fire. They knew they were dead the moment it fails. See, the turkey isn’t well done. How are they supposed to put this on fire, they asked. The Palace will be in a state of the emergency situation.
While the two VIPs waiting outside Li’s garden, they heard the sounds of busy chefs and maids. Apparently continued to play at each other’s unsightly blind date table. Xiao Ce untamed, back to tapping his fingers on the corner of the table, feet on top of the table while Chu Qiao suspended some air on her mouth, her face looks like a bubble fish. This is not a good sign. A sign of bored mood, her feet on top of the table and still biting her fingers waiting for the promise of Turkey!
Xiao Ce unable to keep still, waiting for the promise of turkey, he broke the silence and said: “I like it this much, you become prettier when you are upset just like before.”
Chu Qiao caught something in corner of her mind, she thought what did just Xiao Ce, she uttered: “Just like before?” Xiao Ce has no reaction.
Not in the mood of flowery talks she replied: And you are not giving any justice here. That golden handkerchief huh? How come it just turned down all the other rights of the noble? What is it for me? Chu Qiao rolled her eyes in front of him.
Xiao Ce put down his feet under the table, sat straight and muttered: “The Golden Handkerchief. Like a Golden Buzzer. It is a shortcut baby! Why you did not like it? I am the high roller baby, the blue-chip, the one-time lucky dime, a jackpot prize!”
Chu Qiao replied sarcastically she said: “Do I have to like this golden buzzer? Do not call me baby!”
Xiao Ce replied fast: “No, but I guess You should. I can call you baby! I am someone whom other’s are dying to take on a date like this. Don’t I deserve your praise? I was waiting for days yet you did not come. How come?”
Chu Qiao ears exploded she replied: “I got your invitation just last night. So unlucky, I didn’t have any chance to refuse it! It is a one-way ticket, and there is more to this golden handkerchief buzzer of yours. Chu Qiao paused and saw Xiao Ce’s twinkling eyes she was really annoyed. she said: And, and… if I don’t show myself…
Xiao Ce said: Surely, if you didn’t show your face today, then it’s a beating the buzzer baby!” Xiao Ce still looking at her and Chu Qiao giving him an awkward look.
Hmm…
The Prince in deep thinking, he thinks someone might have intercepted his invitation. Before this, he personally selected his personal bodyguard dressed in disguise to deliver the message.
Chu Qiao said: What if I kill you now so I won’t sell my neck at your garrison yard!” Chu Qiao did not change her sarcastic almost shouting ranting voice, and the foxy prince even loved it and became more alive and attentive.
Kill me and bury me, baby. If you would be the last face I will see on earth, I will be the happiest person to die. It’s your call baby! Xiao Ce did not stop his silver tongue and Chu Qiao did not stop her trash talk to the goat prince.
“Shut up your smooth talks! Don’t look so not informed!” Chu Qiao still on his voice full of irritation and Xiao Ce loves every moment of it, he frequently flashes his eyes and beams of perfect white teeth.
The kitchen staff and maids are talking inside almost can be heard by the two as they gossip about the situation outside, one maid said:” I had never seen the Lotus prince in this way before.”
Another one came and said: “And I have never seen a fine woman like her breaking all palace protocols and the Prince yields on her!”
And they laugh out loud unable to control their laughs when suddenly Xiao Ce scoffs…
“The Turkey? Do we have to wait forever?”
On his low male voice slightly shouted enough to hear his calm but a sarcastic voice. A sure sign of not so good feedback later.
And the chefs don’t know what to do, more clamor sounds heard from the kitchen. Xiao Ce’s attention went back to her esteemed guest, said: “Do you really want a turkey and not the royal meal that Liang’s finest chefs have prepared for this dinner?”
Chu Qiao’s in between a stern and joyful muse, she secretly laughed in the inside for she sees Xiao Ce might be giving up. She got it when the Prince secretly exchanged a begging glance for her to cancel A WELL DONE TURKEY ON FIRE.
The Liang Palace was a bit in chaos while the two did not give up playing, demanding and irritating each other. The two not aware of the situation at the Throne room, the Liang Palace was declared in an emergency state. You are looking at the Jinwu Palace surrounded by smoke and the royal palace guards started to sound the alarm of panic.
Suddenly, the sounds of foot marches started to echo in the palace. Xiao Ce, a bit concerned, leaned on his right ear to focus on the sounds. A marching Royal palace escort took their shields and spears and headed to Jinwu Palace, and summoned the Head of Ministry of Kitchen, all of its Palace corridors and courtyard on thick smoke when another kitchen staff rushed outside, carrying the turkey, went out first.
The royal escorts went to follow the smoke but the kitchen staff sensed he is being chased suddenly smelled fear, ran as fast as he could but some guards went ahead of him. They found him and blocked his way. The guards looked ugly. All of a sudden laughed at him and bullied him.
The kitchen staff seems trapped and he is in “no way out of the situation”, he put down the burning turkey on the grassy ground, closed his eyes and formed a body position of martial arts. Then took all of them down in a blink of an eye. He claps his hands then pick up the burning turkey like nothing happened. The royal guards in pain were not able to counter react quickly and found themselves tied up. They did not expect the Crown Prince kitchen staff was very excellent at martial arts, disguised in his thin body. Returning to his normal posture, he bowed his head and said: “I am sorry, you are blocking and putting the government on delay, nothing personal, Lotus prince is on a death and life situation if this turkey is not delivered on time, so I must go.” He is now seen in a fast walk.
The kitchen staff came, he knelt and bowed his head with two of his hands offered the whole turkey, well done but burning on fire was presented to his Highness Xiao Ce. While the thin kitchen staff having a black face because of the smoke of turkey he just brought in.
Xiao Ce feeling proud of his kitchen staff, still gave Chu Qiao a moment of flirty eyes, threw a sexy stare then asked her lovely guest: “Feel like marrying me now?”
Chu Qiao about to say something when the royal guards of the Emperor suddenly arrested the kitchen staff. Xiao Ce on his cool but foxy formal eyes, he turns his head to them, he nodded looking at what they are doing he said: “Very well, what is the crime?”
Another Eunuch from the King’s palace came behind looking like an ugly duckling full of black ink in his face (must have come from the smoke), reads the decree in front of them, he said: “The head of the Ministry of kitchen is thereby summoned and be put to trial to explain while the palace was set on smoke and alarming everyone as if the palace was set on fire. The kitchen staff will be put to prison and will wait for the verdict within three days. The order of King Tang.”
Tong!
Everyone was stunned with the loudness of the gong and saw another Eunuch holding the King’s palace gong!
A decree like this is like music to his ears the foxy Prince winked his eyes. He showed a smirk in the corner of his lips enough for them to see him relax, but really everyone around was nervous. Xiao Ce downplayed what happened and giving a hand gesture that they should go away but before they go, he stated: “I am the Crown Prince of Liang, do you dare to arrest my servants in front of the future crown princess and Queen of Liang?
Suddenly Xiao Ce opened his eyes and looked at them fiercely but finished it on a debonaire smile. Still calm and composed, he threw that conniving glance to Chu Qiao. As if he was begging her to help him save the kitchen staff.
Chu Qiao got those looks, she said in a cold tome: “If he is arrested tonight and I become the crown princess tomorrow, I will not forget what happened today.”
With a stern face, she continued: “I will make sure I get to revenge him later.”
Chu Qiao looking so fierce and Xiao Ce loved it so much, and the Prince being an opportunity chaser he said: “In fact, I am giving the engagement ring tonight for making the happiest night of my life today, I finally found my Qiao Qiao.”
Chu Qiao suddenly stunned and repeated the name: “Qiao Qiao? Who?”
She raised her eyebrows waiting for an answer from his foxy eyes.
Xiao Ce esteeming the lovely lady in front of him:” We were supposed to be engaged if you want to become the crown princess and get your revenge for the poor kitchen staff right?”
And again the Prince gave him a wink and beautiful eyes, he took her hands then he shouted from a nearby standby servant and said: “The wild Lotus flower ring?”
Xiao Ce opened his palms waiting to receive the engagement ring while Chu Qiao staring disgustingly at what he is doing. She keeps still when suddenly a basket from the heavens came down in between them.
Petal rain started to fall and a fragrant scent issued in the air, everyone falls on their knees. They look into the two cute rabbits as the female must say yes, Xiao Ce in his dreamy state eyes already dreamed of it and his mind was far away. (lol)
Suddenly Chu Qiao looking at Xiao Ce who closed his eyes slightly hit his temple and on her calm voice she said: “Try your luck next time.”
Xiao Ce suddenly came back to the real world said: “Did I hear it right?”
“Yes, you did!” Chu Qiao said it sarcastically.
“Does it means, I have a chance now? Tell me, Qiao Qiao, the last time I did, I just wished for the star.” Xiao Ce looking so sincere but Chu Qiao did not fall for it she said: I am not Qiao Qiao, or whoever that girl is, I am not her.
Xiao Ce a bit confused asked: You don’t know me at all? This time his voice is like hurting. Chu Qiao shook her head from right to left and said: “Royal Prince of Liang, It was a beautiful evening to have spent it with you and this turkey, can I take it out?”
Xiao Ce looking stunned as if he is talking to a new person never been acquainted in the past, the prince quickly shook his head and on his curtsy: It was a lovely, fire burning and splendid evening spent with you then Prince added: “And YES…the turkey goes to the lovely lady. I will send another summon, and You must come and meet me again.”
Xiao Ce looked at his kitchen staff he added in his low male calm voice: “And you, you know what to do for the turkey next time.”
The Prince stood and walked tall, his finest servants followed his back with some diffusers and flower petals they threw on his path issued a fragrant smell until he was gone.
Suddenly the kitchen staff handed it over to another Liang servant and said: “A special “to go” for the lovely lady you will accompany and ferry with this turkey back to her residence.”
**
The blind date is over, and yet the Prince of Liang cannot recover from the peacock hair, her lovely eyes and face and he giggled like a child when he remembers the engagement ring, the burning turkey and thought of himself: “Of all the riches I can give, why ask for a turkey? Do I look like a poor prince?”
The Prince’s eyes stared in the mirror, ordered his servants to mess the Tigers comfort zone.
Chu Qiao on her way home suddenly asked the royal escort to stop by to a street and she took off her cape and went down from royal palanquin. By this time, the turkey has black skin from burning and asked earlier for the servant to sprinkle a small amount of water. Chu Qiao looking at the three street kids waiting for her, she asked them to get a knife, and she peeled the skin of the turkey and told them: “Saturated fat is not good for health, so remember to peel the skin after the fat is burned.”
The kids obeyed her, and they ate heartily and said: “This is the best turkey I have ever eaten in my whole life, thank you, Miss Chu.”
The Liang servant on his extended neck cannot believe what he saw and thinks this is the sweetest scene he has ever witnessed in his life, he was touched how Chu Qiao intended to take home the finest dish from the Liang Palace and share it to the poor.
Chu Qiao rubbed the children foreheads, and she said: I am sorry, I am late today. See you tomorrow, and Chu Qiao went back to the Palaquin and finally home.
The next day, Chu Qiao was walking when suddenly finds their street full of people that she can’t even walk to see it.
She asked herself: “Did someone died or raided a house?”
She looked around and saw the people on their spring clothes, some on faux leather, fur cape, thick Hanfu dress, they don’t look like they were anxious not even worried but were saying words, she heard: My gosh if I were the girl, I would say yes. She’s a lucky girl, who would have thought.., She’s a Cinderella. If I were her, I would marry him. This is royal in love to a commoner chef, really? A prince fell in love with the kitchen chef? Maybe the fastest way to a prince’s heart is through a turkey? If I only knew, I would cook him the best-roasted turkey, ha…ha..ha.. and the ladies and people gossiping around she heard it all.
Chu Qiao have no idea about the people’s murmur seems to be describing who she is, her brows wrinkled and displayed a pair of cold eyes, she scoffs: “Ahem, ahem..she cannot fall just for these yellow flowers, can I pass? Kindly let me pass?”
Her eyes like an owl on the slow white snowflakes falling, suddenly looked amused when she saw what happened to their Kowloon noodle house and a man just finished decorating he left. Chu Qiao did not see his face immediately read the note posted in the doorway of their Kowloon house.
“Wooing is like, “I want a well done and turkey on fire,” suddenly a palace on smoke and fire on a spring, then sunrise came, a prince has to answer to all of his subjects. You broke my heart at first but left me a fire last night. Can’t wait to see my Qiao Qiao again.”
While the crowd was cold but warm in the inside feeling in love, a man happens to pass by and saw the plumage of yellow tulip flowers around the Kowloon noodle house premises and some small space were left, just enough for a customer to pass the main entrance. The man saw the reaction of the fine woman, and he sees the woman somewhat shocked but then as if she is looking for someone. The man that day, did not show its face and settled himself just by looking at the fine woman in a distance, passing slow motion cold stare, he thought: “she found an interesting suitor,” and it looks like he won’t have any space left for him, he continued to walk away from the scent of tulip flowers.
Connect to Chapter 45 Graveyard of Flowers
Lookback to Chapter 43 Dinner Engagement
♥♥♥
Chapter 044
♥Author♥Angel♥Chua♥
Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong’er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography
Iron Bone encounters White Prince
Two shadows were lurking inside the General Quarters. Chu Qiao back to her quarters when suddenly a sack was thrown into her head. A woman on her hellish eyes and lips caught a black ninja with a black band, a jade in its middle head and smells ferocious but another bloodthirsty figure took him and hypnotized him, and he fell trap into it.
A spy disguised in Yanbei uniform carried a woman away from the Meilin border pass camp and put her down, took out the sack in her head while her hands were tied at her back. Chu Qiao in the presence of the white ninja, on its long majestic white cape hood, white boots inlaid with intricate gold designs, a white band on its head with a jade crystal, unsheathed the Cheng Yin sword in his hand. He closed his eyes and turned around to show his fresh, handsome face, plum lips out in the cold but narrow eyes to meet her.
The White Prince opened his eyes and was astonished at the woman in front of him. While the woman did not even blink and not sensing any fear out of his silverish sword ready to cut at any moment.
The White Prince unable to say or move from its place he just stared at her so shocked but calm and composed, he uttered: “Are you a ghost?”
Chu Qiao did not speak to answer but suddenly moved quickly and she back tumbled in front of him and using her feet she kicked the two spies who disguised themselves in a Yanbei uniform. Suddenly two spies were down feeling the pain that Chu Qiao let them taste and she went back to her calm stand and looked at the White Prince on her fierce eyes, she said: Can a ghost kick flesh and blood spies?
The White Prince was assured, her presence is not a ghost, he sensed the woman is ready to kill him, he raised his sword, and the sword like magic went invisible. Chu Qiao’s back is killing her in pain, as the flower tattoo, trickles its light, it activates her powers, but then she shuns it by humming an ancient oracle when she closed her eyes and kept it under control, the wind blew so strong as the snow in the road started to fall and two figures are standing there, no one dares to make the first move.
Chu Qiao’s back is glowing and about to burn, but she is determined not to use its powers suddenly passed out and just like that, she fell like a snow falling in the ground and the White Prince’s eyes dilated and rushed to catch the woman on her fall, when all of a sudden an arrow was shot at his back, he protected the woman.
A white horse is waiting nearby a lonely tree far from the outside of Meilin border pass is blinking its eyes suddenly the White Prince whistled, and the horse ears recognizing its master’s long and consecutive whistles quickly ran. The White Prince managed to put the woman at the back of the white royal horse when it went down on its knees to receive the woman and the White Prince. The White Prince although aching, tapped the horse and like a flash, they rode away from Meilin border and after two hours they reached the Wei Valve gate.
Two cold far eyes put down its bow and white feather arrows and said to his servant: A’Jing it is done, one down but the Star taken by him.
“The World, you cannot announce your presence and expose yourself to vulnerability you must stay as an unknown entity, and most of all control yourself. The little King Prince will take care of her or die at the worst and while waiting you may continue your efforts as your wedding is approaching and remember your what happened that day, on that platform.”
Yan Xun on his black hood twitched his palms until one of the feather arrows was broken, his eyes in tears he walked away and hope for a better situation with his Star.
**
The White Prince carrying the beautiful Xuili General on her light garment on his hands was very tired and pale, he tapped the royal button and the Wei Valve received the Royal Prince from the entrance to an elevator-like mechanism that transported then both bodies vertically down and then another shortcut route to the Wei’s Crown Prince palace.
Yuan Song with an arrow shot is aching on his back walked towards his royal room, he broke his protocol when he put the woman down in his royal bed gently and did not ask anyone for any help. Like his nomad ancestors, a hunt like this is a prize in his eyes, he went to lit a tea candle nearby and let the thin red curtains of his royal bed drape, little clinging sounds echoed in his royal room. Yuan Song did not mind himself although aching at his back went beside his bed to look at the prey from his hunt and just watched the lovely arches of her face, her eyebrows, her sleeping eyes, although his back is gushing with blood, he just wanted to see her face over and over. Even if it means, he will lose more blood at every second delay of emergency treatment, he is like a god today and not human looking at this long-time-no-see love of his life.
Yuan Song suddenly felt the biting pain in his back, put a blue, royal jade beside the sleeping beauty, he crawled towards the south of his room and pulled the bell asking for immediate help he can no longer hold when his blood loss was flowing all over his room, he passed out.
The south side of the Palace where the royal maidservants rushed to the 13th Prince palace and suddenly found the 13 Prince Yuan Song in a bloodbath, the maidservants thought he is dead, and they screamed for help while others ran towards the Royal family doctors. After a few minutes, the royal family doctors came and found the 13th Prince Yuan Song in bloody horror, did not carry him to his bed. Right on the spot. lying in the expensive carpet, cut his white ninja dress and gently wiped the blood in the expensive carpet while the maidservants are welling tears in their eyes, the doctors surrounded his body and looked for any signs of life.
His Chi flow is very weak they quickly put some acupuncture in his meridians to stop the blood loss, another doctor examining the wound on his back hold him sideways and cut some white cloth and poured out some spring water about to start surgery and pull out the white feather arrow. The doctor and their assistants, although its winter and cold, their foreheads sweat as they used acupuncture to insert an anesthesia drug on his principal body meridians and suddenly the aching Yuan Song stopped his aching sounds and went to asleep.
After a few hours, the Wei Emperor after learning what happened to his crown prince rushed to 13th Prince Palace and saw him on his bed, and his face turned to pale and was very shocked.
The Wei Emperor wrinkled his brows and raised them so high, looked at the doctors, the eunuchs, the guards and the maidservants and nobody wants to talk when suddenly the Old Royal Eunuch in the palace opened his mouth he said: “Your Majesty, the protocol was broken, and someone must pay the price, but take a look at this.”
The royal eunuch showed him the blue jade in the middle of his 13th Prince Yuan Song royal palace bed indicating immunity to the guest in his bed, and all of the servants understood but is not sure what would the Wei Emperor orders to do. The Wei emperor saw the Cheng Yin sword beside his son’s bed and in the corner of his eyes remembered it. The Wei emperor is a bit nostalgic and happy that his son was able to use it. Looking at him now, he is severely wounded, the head royal family doctor came to him and said: “Your Majesty, we have done the best we could and the surgery is a success, it means, he will live.” And another royal medical assistant came forward and showed him the white feather arrow.
The Wei Emperor took the white feather arrow and stared at it, he coldly raised his eyebrows and then finally uttered: “First a protocol was broken, gather the guards of the 13th Prince and will not live to see the sunrise,” the room was wrapped in terror upon the first order of the Wei emperor.
“Second, a blue jade was presented to the traitor of the Wei State indicating immunity to honor the seal of the 13th Prince of Wei, the woman beside him does not have any entitlements to occupy this Royal bed. Because of the 13th Prince of Wei used his Blue Jade for the first time, it shall be honored for three days and after it, a verdict shall be passed on and the woman be put on special trial and if found guilty she will receive its punishment for trespassing the 13th Prince of Wei’s royal bed.”
“Third, a white feather arrow indicating he was shot by the Rebel Prince Yan Xun, summon the 7th Prince of Wei.”
All of Wei State servants from high to low bowed their heads in front of the Wei Emperor, and the Wei Emperor on his usual aristocratic face left the room where he found all of his concubines outside the 13th Prince Palace waiting, they all bowed when they saw him and the Wei Emperor did not even look at them as he walked straight to the Shen Jin Palace.
**
At dawn, an iron pole in the middle of the Xuili camp was erected and a Black Prince was tied to it by iron shackles suddenly woke up but cannot put down his head due to the neck iron cuff with small pointed iron spread around it like a sharp vampire tooth standing upwards. If the Black Prince attempts or even accidentally puts his head down may do a suicide of his own life. The Black Prince on his fierce eyes, a jade band in his head, a horrific face of black ink and slightly raised neck and all of the Xuili military officials and enlisted personnel has never seen this kind of torture in public while its centurion is not on site they started to chat and surround him.
Ever since Chu Qiao took over the Xuili army, General Chu taught the entire cavalry her time-tested principles including the value to respect every right of an enemy especially if the enemy becomes a prisoner of war (POW). Apparently, the catch was considered a prized one, looking at the jade in its head confirmed its high value as one of the Royals from the Northwestern territories. A longtime rival of Yan Royal clan in dispute with the Yanbei’s land mass, who would like to rule and occupy Yanbei instead of settling in their own cold, harsh and all year round winter season native land experiencing only the heat of the sun once in a year, then back to its cruel beautiful land mass of snow. The Bathuja family grew up healthy and mighty not to mention they were known to be the “favored Batuja Royal Family”, a protectorate northwestern state against the “annihilated Yan Royal Family” in the middle ground of a protectorate and a more tributary state in nature as they provide security to the Wei state borders at the North.
Rewinding to story of Yan Schicheng, the King of Yan was commissioned by the Wei Emperor, the overlord of all the Western States to guard its outside borders and provide military strength using its Yan Generals, who were also sons and descendants of the hero’s blood rose from the same nomads ancestors that made up the strong Western Regime. The Yan Royal household ruled over all vast lands of the North and call it Yanbei. It is to be understood that Yan Royals was an extension of manpower that initially occupied the North. They claim that they were the only Royals who were direct descendants from the Yuan Royal Throne, the only legitimate blood brother to the past Western emperors. Unfortunately, the present Wei emperor due to his friction in politics especially to the Wei Valve elders forgot to balance each other’s side and fell into his selfish agenda’s, forgot Yan’s Schicheng loyalty, used it to abuse the entire Yan Royal household and hence the result of today.
The Yan Royal Clan was known for its white feather arrows, finesse, know-how maneuver and a target shooter of their preys. They never fail on this area as their blood as cold as Wei’s descendants, they train their young at an early age to join the hunting grounds in the wild forests of Yanbei and eventually enlists them in the military. The only difference was, Yan descendants hunts for animals, on their cold hearts but provincial mindset but Wei descendants, a colder heart but urban mindset, hunts human as their prey and their proceeds continued to paint the outside Empires a picture of fear and displays their might, the parade of their military stars leading hundreds and thousands of heavy cavaliers.
The Wei Emperor sat on his throne, informed of the white feather arrow, he played it in his hands and was in deep thinking. The Rebel Prince white feather arrow, although he has not seen him for years knows him very well and in his deep thoughts: This act reveals more of his present condition even if I did not see him face to face. The woman beside the 13th Prince of Wei is not an ordinary one but a General of Xuili Army sleeping sweetly in her wounded Enemies bed. The Wei emperor rose and slowly walked from his throne still in deep thinking: “I get it. The Rebel Prince escape Changan, played like a rabbit for a while, became a snake to his best friend Yuwen Yue, lost his tiger for a while and put her to hibernate but now suddenly seeing her alive and…. and…my son at the expense of his life.. what could it be? Cannot comprehend this stupid mess.”
The Wei emperor was so focused on the marrying of Liang-Yanbei states, and this became an oversight. The Rebel Prince hid his Crouching Tiger that played an essential role in their battle to Meilin Border pass manning the Xuili Army and advancing his troops towards Changan. The Wei Emperor remembered Yan Xun married 18 concubines in a day after the ice lake incident but slept to no one, leaving the Yan throne no heir at the moment but that act alone contributed to his riches and provided him more allies than his present Princes.
The Wei emperor tapped his fingers in his jaw while its Eunuch is following him like a dog at his back he said: “it’s a killing-me-softly strategy but what happens if I will convert this Xuili General of his as the 13th Prince of Wei’s crown princess and eventually inherit the throne through a royal grandson? Will this put the rebel prince Yan Xun heart to die and fan away any hopes in his heart? What is the most dreadful a man can receive but a broken heart and shattered dreams? And not to mention to grant the 13th Prince of Wei’s wishes, a slave not even a commoner married to the next heir of Wei’s throne.
And oh to make it worst, she is a traitor to Wei State but she is also remembered as the first woman to join the Wei’s elite forces and granted her the High Order of Archer Coach next to the 7th Prince Yuan Che. What could be the political implications if he allows such change in his Imperial government?”
The Wei emperor turning the overcards he laid on his table reveals he is losing big time, but on this card, he will sweep the win at the end of this game and put closure.
And the Emperor on his curious face he asked the Eunuch: is this what Yuan Che mentioned before his “Ghost love”?
The Eunuch answered: “Your Majesty, I’d rather think whoever the woman is, it is his source of inspiration, with the 13th Prince condition it is hard to recover but we have seen him stronger than before, and that is after the icy lake tragedy, his ideas changed and view of the world became different.”
The Wei Emperor thought the Eunuch is right and has a shrewd observation about the changes on the 13th Prince behavior towards the Empire and the fight to continue the future of Wei’s Throne. He had to overlook those small details of his 13th Prince Son and had been so focused with the rebel prince. The Wei Emperor for the first time in two years had a sincere smile in the corners of his eyes, and he is not getting any younger who would have thought that he would realize that the candidate woman, the next Wei Queen is just the wild kitten around the wild bushes. The only thing that concerns him is his political parties, the aristocrats and nobles. Will they yield if a decree is to be passed? This will be a significant change.
The Eunuch looking at the Sunny Wei Emperor suggested: Your Majesty, may I present a proposition? Why not set up a contest and justify the selection, not just likely to be your influence but if the wild kitten will get the majority of the political parties the chances for the throne will be very positive and will avoid a lot of problems for the 13th Prince of Wei as the next heir to your throne.
The Wei Emperor suddenly turned to his back and looked at his Eunuch straight in the eyes, but the Eunuch on his clasp hands in front of him bowed his head, said: Pass a decree, write all your propositions. Invite all fine and lovely princess, nobles maidens for the selection of the crown princess of Wei. It shall be done before my time passes out. The Wei Emperor suddenly looked at the beautiful scenery of the Chisui lake on its crystal clear calm waters he added: I would also like to see the first-born grandson through the blood of the 13th Prince of Wei, flesh, and blood of Wei’s future.
Yuan Song after few hours woke up and opened his eyes and saw the curtains of his royal bed. He slightly turned to stand, but a presence halted him as his body was wrapped in silk gold with bandages in his back up to his chest. Waking up like this and seeing a pair of beautiful eyes is one of the happiest days of his life he joked: “Did I just gave up the status of being single and woke up with the real love of my life and not anymore a ghost love?”
The woman not wanting to ruin the moment of this little King’s prince because of his injury she said: “Maybe? and Chu Qiao moved her eyes away from him arranging the royal blanket she also added: “You are badly injured you need more rest, we can continue to talk about it later.” Yuan Song put a smile when he heard it and closed his eyes he went back to sleep.
It has been three days and Yuan Song still on his bed resting from his injuries, but a lot of things already happened inside the Wei Palace. The Wei Emperor honored his three decrees, executed all the royal guards who were not able to look after the safety and protection of His Highness the 13th Prince of Wei that happened on the night of the tributary hunt.
Next, the Wei Emperor put Chu Qiao on trial for trespassing the Crown Prince Royal Bed but this is just to frame up Chu Qiao that the 13th Prince Yuan Song, the Crown Prince of Wei saved her from Meilin Border Pass. Everyone shocked when they heard they were lovers and Prince Yan Xun as part of the love triangle not in favor of it. Out of his jealousy, shot the 13th Prince of Wei. The Prince of Wei out of his love took the Xuili General and fabricated a love story in between them. The Wei Emperor also announced that the rebel prince Yan Xun was actually hiding his Tiger General and does not have real plans on attending his wedding day to tie the knot with Liang state just like what happened two years ago when Yan Xun abandoned Princess Chuner and used the wedding day to rebel and execute his perfect escape. The Wei Emperor stated that Yan Xun has been hiding his relationship with his Tiger General and the Tiger General not in love with him but with the 13th Prince of Wei for the longest time, Chu Qiao and the 13th Prince of Wei we’re lovers. The news broke out, and the King of Liang went furious. But Yan Xun did not have any reactions about it, he just rode away and settled at the far side of Xiu Xiu mountains and stayed there for three days.
The Wei Emperor faked his proceedings by spreading the news he is not in favor of this love affair between the 13th Prince of Wei to the Xuili General and will execute Chu Qiao. Suddenly Yuan Che came in between to meddle and prevented the Emperor to put Chu Qiao’s public execution. As Chu Qiao’s former boss, Yuan Che gave a lengthy speech about her chivalry, her achievements under his command and then ended by stirring the hearts of the political parties, Palace concubines, Wei Valve elders, the Ministers and the Wei Generals that unless they have memory lapse Yuan Che strongly said: “Do not forget, The Emperor passed on a decree about General Chu and she is next in rank to the 7th Prince of Wei Throne, the High Order of MU LAN as the Archer Coach of the entire Xiaoqi Elite forces blossomed under the cavalry of the late General Yuwen who went to the afterlife.”
Yuan Che did this out of his own accord, and the Wei Emperor knows how to push the buttons of everyone around him, he responded: Well, the High Order of MU LAN is the only decree that cannot be affected by any of the subject actions from the time it was passed on going forward. And the Eunuch came in front of the Emperor’s vast subjects such as the Wei Valve elders, Palace concubines, entire Wei noble of Zhao, and even the whole Yuwen household attended and heard the decree once again:
“To govern the world with civilization and suppress rebellion with the military. The commanders and generals are ridgepoles of the nation and the mainstays of the government. So, I would like to promote talented persons only based on their ability not their background. The lady named Chu Qiao is well-educated and trained in military exercises is both virtuous and talented. She treats her Lord with loyalty, serves the emperor with honesty and acts like Mu Lan, she becomes a good model. She is assigned to be the Coach of Arrow in the Qiaoqi camp. I hope you can die in the battlefield, forget selfishness in the interest of the public and not disappoint my expectation.”
Chu Qiao’s eyes blindfolded dressed on her Archer Coach of Wei uniform and in front of everyone just announced her presence. The Wei Emperor does not execute an important official wearing Wei’s outfit, but the crowd is not aware. The Emperor ordered Chu Qiao to put away her Xuili General uniform and specifically let Chu Qiao wear her former Mu Lan Archer Coach uniform when she was still serving at the Xiaoqi camp. In effect, the entire political parties, political clans such as the Yuwen’s, the palace ministers, Wei Valve elders, and the whole of noble society can relate and increase sympathy on behalf of her. The Wei Emperor accomplishing everything in his control turned a successful purpose through Yuan Che without even forcing or influencing him. And the rest of the nobles murmured in the crowd, passed their judgments and forgot about the subject of treason.
Suddenly Yuan Yang, like a prosecutor came into the picture and spoke about the subject of treason. Chu Qiao like in the hole of a needle need to pass this trial in his presence and spoke: “Do not also forget that the MU LAN of this empire broke the Xiaoqi military code of loyalty. Treason cannot be forgotten and must be punished by execution.”
Yuan Che stood up once again, like a lawyer he reasoned: I Yuan Che, did not forget the provision of pardon stated in the subject of Treason. Chu Qiao, the MU LAN of the empire may have joined the rebel prince Yan Xun and stayed by his side. But do not also forget that the Yuwen household commissioned her as the secret spy agent of sacrifice to protect our Empire and the last time I checked, the Eyes of God heir Yuwen Yue, his bodyguards Yue Qi and through her influence in the Xuili army fought to save him at the frozen lake but eventually died. If you have any doubts about her valor and her loyalty, I Yuan Che opens this stage for everyone to come and execute her now.
Yuan Che’s eyes even welling in tears but stern face because he again remembered Yuwen Yue and the rest of the noble crowd was also doing the same. Although the name of Yuwen Yue has been forbidden for the longest time, once again the hearts of the nobles came to remember this brave young general and lost heir to the Eyes of God is all they can remember and not the news that He died fighting for her maidservant Chu Qiao.
The Wei Emperor secretly laughing in the inside for he even excelled in accomplishing his goals by this method and means, the rebel Prince Yan Xun will surely be in anger and will not be able to recover.
Suddenly, heavy steps were heard, like on a big screen, so grand and powerful Yuwen Huai, the former Supreme Court highest Official came to the stage and looked at Chu Qiao. He untied her neck from the pole, untied her hands and took out her blindfold. Everyone was astonished at her beautiful face, all the nobles in awe and wonder, her face was shining like a light to their dark hearts.
Chu Qiao looked at the beautiful crowd but loathes them in her heart, she heard it all, and suddenly all of her memories came back to her, but for some reason, she does not feel she owns them all. Just like his first encounter with Yan Xun, a lot of her memories were retrieved from that time but cannot respond the way she was before. Because like a puzzle needs its missing pieces, what happened today was a missing piece she put into place. Especially when she heard the name Yuwen Yue and what happened to him was one thing she is searching. Chu Qiao heard about the frozen lake, the rebel prince, but something bothers her when the Wei Emperor storytelling their love affair with the 13th Prince Yuan Song? Chu Qiao cannot believe it and still asks herself what is the truth of the matter, are they really lovers?
The Wei Emperor, by all means, using all methods to mousetrap his subjects while inflicting pain to the rebel Prince Yan Xun discovered that the rebel Prince in all his might and power, put up a cold facade trying to protect his Tiger General. It is now all in his hands and just waiting for the full recovery of the 13th Prince, and the selection of the crown princess will commence. What can be more painful in the world than to see your beautiful General ending in the Bed of Yuan Throne, instead of the Yan Throne? A mortal enemy won’t be able to recover from it.
Lookback to Chapter 42 Tributary Hunt
♥♥♥
Chapter 045
♥Author♥Angel♥Chua♥
Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong’er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography
Graveyard of flowers
Looking at the yellow tulip garden outside the Kowloon House, became an attraction site to the customers and other foreign people started to flock the street. It made the Old lady’s business bloom at the corner of Xue Fu street.
The Lotus Prince continued to woo the fine woman, and the palace brushed it off. Known to be a playboy Crown Prince, King Tang said: “Another fine jewel Xiao Ce is adding to the palace?” and did not bother to know who she is. Even after the palace was set on smoke and fire, Xiao Ce went to his father to explain and saved Liang’s Palace Kitchen head from the guillotine, and freed the kitchen staff who saved Xiao Ce’s face in front of the fine lady, delivering the smoking turkey on fire to their dinner table.
A day after the other, the old lady and Chu Qiao surprised to see a Kowloon house empty of the yellow tulip garden. Suddenly sees a red carpet spread on the ground, while carpenters constructing on-site setting up a grand imperial design around its premises. Two of the Royal guards standing in the entrance. Chu Qiao’s eyebrows wrinkled and seem to know who is the mastermind behind of all of this, she asked: “What is this?”
The royal guard not looking at her, said: “The Crown Prince blocked the entire street today and no customers or people allowed to walk the street except the palace servants and His Highness. Chu Qiao heard it and her ears somehow irritated. Will the Crown Prince come to their Kowloon House and be their guest today? The Old lady have guessed, she ordered the kitchen chef: “This is an expensive visit, do not delay, go market and cook the best dish we can offer.”
Chu Qiao murmuring showed her disgruntled face and obeyed the old lady’s order. “Did I left any footwear that night and this Foxy Prince coming for a site visit? As far as I know, I only took a turkey that’s it.”
While the fine lady rushed to the market, she bumped into a familiar face. Upset and somewhat tired basket full market goods flew on air, dumped to the ground. The familiar face anxious, pick up the goods on the ground without looking to the fine woman. Somehow Chu Qiao stunned to see his fresh face, cold eyes, the athletic body then suddenly her world went on the slow motion. While the man continued his efforts. After it, the man helped the fine woman get up, and both of them stand avoided each other’s stare. The man squinted his eyes and broke the silence he said: “My fault, I am blind today” and he looked away from her. Chu Qiao, not upset did not even hear what he just said. She received the basket from him and did not remove her eyes from the man. The man seems to be in a hurry, he bid his goodbye. A cold air passed in between them, Chu Qiao was speechless, and the man walked away.
Chu Qiao walked straight to the kitchen started to cook. She slowly sliced onion but her eyes and mind nowhere. A fine woman is now looking at the empty walls, mesmerizing dreaming of those cold eyes of the man she just bumped into the market. Suddenly she was startled to hear the sounds of a drumroll, it came to disrupt her fantasy moments. Chu Qiao rolled her eyes and looked at the small kitchen window, and she knows, she is always right.
Xiao Ce who owns the day and every corner street in Xue Fu announced its grand entrance. Two white power horses in front adorned with gold reins, a flashy red Palaquin glittering in gold parked at the street still distant from the Kowloon noodle house and a fragrant smell issued on air, the road was intoxicating and alive. Xiao Ce stepped down from his grand Palaquin and walked in the red carpet with his finest Liang maidservants threw petals of flowers in the Street and the flowers dripping from his face and his robes, a Prince is walking so heavenly in a small Xue Fu street.
Suddenly the Prince reached the main entrance and looked at the total package of the Kowloon house he commented: “Hmm… this is so nice.”
“Welcome to the Kowloon noodle house Your Highness,” said the old lady and Xiao Ce gave her a foxy smile.
The Kowloon noodle house transformed into a little palace that matched his Jinwu palace. Instead of small tables inside and chairs, a presidential table and a throne-like chair were set up likewise a cup made of jade were brought to the Kowloon house. All of his palace kitchen staff is present and his home-grown tea leaves courtesy of his palace for the first time was taken out of Xiao Ce’s palace by its strict clearance.
The Prince settled in the chair, on his foxy but calm eyes were looking around, and he started to clap his hands, the kitchen staff served his home-grown tea.
The standby musician started to play the Zither near the Presidential table, this is Xiao Ce’s style of courtship where every woman on his palace fell for him but not Chu Qiao. Xiao Ce still not spoken a word of order, enjoying the mood and every string strummed by the Zither musician he turned to the Old lady: “I presume you know why I came and blocked the entire street just to see her.”
The Old lady on her courtesies she bowed and her hand’s clasps in front of her is not the first time to see and meet the Prince she said: “Our apologies Your Highness and gratitude as well for the Yellow tulip garden you sent to our humble Kowloon house. Due to its transformation and the high volume of customers, we were not able to respond to your summons, and therefore we know we must be punished.”
Suddenly Chu Qiao heard what the old lady said, she is preparing herself in case any of this happens she plans to escape but thought what about the street kids and the poor she is taking care off? Xiao Ce did not waste more time he said to the Old lady: Very well, I am a democratic Prince, I listen to explanations and if I think it is reasonable enough I give second chances. Do not abuse my goodness or this Kowloon house will be put to ashes. The Prince on his slip of tongue did not mean this, but he has to put a stern facade to make the fine woman obey and attend the three-night Banquet in his Jinwu palace, and it will start tonight, it cannot be refused. Chu Qiao did not come out to see him when suddenly the Prince got bored and finally stood and walked outside the Kowloon house.
Another servant came to the old lady before all of the Prince envoy left slid a bag of gold as payment for this expensive treat and pester of their time. The old lady said: “The Prince is very generous, I will make sure that we attend tonight’s first day of Banquet.”
Chu Qiao relieved finally she can relax a bit and continue her fantasies.
The first night of Banquet Chu Qiao attended out of her obedience of respect to the Old lady, and it went fine, Xiao Ce changed his playboy moves from an aggressive to a laid back Prince. In the distance, he observes her like the apple of his eyes hoping he would make her fall on those stolen glances and secret blinks and winks of his foxy eyes. Xiao Ce drinking wine and socializing occasionally showed her, he was talking to the other beautiful ladies and not to mention showcasing his concubines with matching curling of his hair in its ears to catch more attention from her. Chu Qiao not getting any of his signals silently enjoyed the night by drinking and laughing but made sure she can now handle the spirit wine than the last time, she slept drooling in the high society nightclub. Then when its time to leave, she made sure she did not leave any of her footwear as she does not want the Foxy Prince to come to pick it up and block the Xue Fu street again. On her beautiful Red Hanfu dress courtesy of the old lady, and peacock signature look of her hair, step inside the Palaquin and spoke to the royal escort to ride back to her residence.
A man was waiting on the street but hid when suddenly a royal Palaquin passed by. He waited for the fine woman to get out and looked at the beautiful woman who tripped her foot as she was already drunk but managed to keep herself, his excited blood suddenly back to its calmness, he squinted his cold eyes and left the street.
The next day, the man continued his efforts helping the old lady and this time she is very quiet and just feeling every moment with the presence of the man she did not reveal to the old lady they bumped into each other at the marketplace. The man sensing some changes in her behavior and he is somewhat anxious in the inside but calm in the outside. After a few moments, he bid his goodbye again, and Chu Qiao smiled at him for the first time and gave him the sweetest looks. The man as if somewhat forced to reciprocate gave her a cold glance, and expressionless face left her a blank face and a fool’s stare.
Chu Qiao attended the second-night Banquet and Xiao Ce still not giving her the usual attention and courtesies and just passing glance, frequent distant eye contacts with her she did not bother what is this all about. Xiao Ce thinks, this banquet is not affecting her and not getting any jealous stares from her. Instead the unthinkable happens, she enjoyed the night carefree and wild, as she gulps another round of spirit wine. It was the seducer Xiao Ce who wasn’t able to control himself, broke his laid-back rules.
He went beside her, took the goblet then went to drink it straight. His eyes looking at her started his smooth talk he said: “Ah, this spirit wine, taste so good but not for a fine woman like you, must abuse it.”
Chu Qiao gave him a sleepy stare and a muse in her lips, she is saying something but Xiao Ce cannot understand when suddenly she vomited in front of his robes. Xiao Ce not alarmed, he kinda expected it had a calm face, Chu Qiao holds his shoulder and about to fall to sleep, and Xiao Ce carried her. In front of his banquet guests and concubines, he showed it to them this stranger weird hairdo guest was the apple of his eyes. And all eyes registered her face, and her not so friendly behavior gave birth to some palace rumors.
Xiao Ce took the drunk guest to his palace and placed her in his bed. The Liang Palace is not as strict as the Wei’s palace where the crown prince of Liang may entertain any of his invited guest in his royal bedchamber and a little bit more private than Wei palace, the royal guards are not confined inside its royal bedchamber. Xiao Ce looked at her and said: “Qiao Qiao, it seems there are things I don’t know about you, what happened to you after the frozen lake where Yuwen Yue died in it, what did Yan Xun did to you before and after his marriage. And your failed engagement with the Wei Crown Prince Yuan Song, I am the only one left for you. Look at you, here you are at my bed, I am the happiest man in the world.”
Xiao Ce not usually shows his gentleman side took off his robes and went to change in his sleeping robes and on his hands were warm thick silk blanket. Then the Prince looked at her lovely face and spread the blanket over her body then he went to sleep beside his royal bed, in his expensive carpet with pillows all around while the sleeping beauty’s noise, on top of his fragrant and heavenly royal bedchamber, became a music to his ears, he drifted peacefully.
The next day, a bell sounded, and Chu Qiao was startled she cried. Suddenly the Liang Prince on his open sleeping robes, his chest was exposed was stunned. Suddenly, Xiao Ce woke up, stood up, put his hands on his waist and asked the lovely fine woman on top of his bed: “Qiao Qiao easy, can’t you see a Prince is sleeping, and you are so noisy?” complained the Crown Prince.
Chu Qiao is touching her peacock hairdo as if looking for something in their Xiao Ce said: “Looking for this?” a small cold weapon Xiao Ce took off from her hair last night.
Chu Qiao suddenly thought if Xiao Ce got his secret weapon from her hair, what else did this prince take from her? Chu Qiao also saw the Prince chest exposed to her and Xiao Ce got those looks.
Xiao Ce secretly laughed in the inside, he knows those looks of a woman very well, he turned his back to her and said with his foxy eyes enjoying this very moment with her: “If I tell you something happened last night in between us would you yield to me?”
Chu Qiao, checked herself and all of her clothing is complete and wrapped her like a cocoon, she thought it is impossible to happen. Xiao Ce showing his natural side, off the camera’s and limelight suddenly took off his sleeping robes and Chu Qiao saw Xiao Ce’s naked chest, unconsciously swallowed in her throat. Xiao Ce attempting to seduce her is too late where the subject is already sober. Xiao Ce somewhat showing his foxy eyes in front of her, he slowly took his robes last night and put it back to his naked upper body. Chu Qiao sees some trace of vomits suddenly remembered what happened.
Chu Qiao feeling relieved while Xiao Ce gently raised her lovely jaw, he said: After me, tonight’s Banquet is canceled, and you won’t be sent home yet to the Old lady, we have to meet someone today. Xiao Ce smirked at her, and Chu Qiao gave a stern but soft look to counter Xiao Ce’s foxy flirty eyes.
On Xiao Ce’s usual secret getaways used the third-day to tour Chu Qiao somewhere between Wei and Liang States. The Prince wrote a letter to the Old lady not to worry and promised to ferry her back to their residence tomorrow. While Emperor Tang is not in favor of his son going anywhere in between those borders, Empress Yuan granted it. No one knows a scheme was devised in advance, to assassinate the crown prince. The present-day Empress became the crown prince stepmother. Before the Empress seat, the Empress was first a concubine to Xiao Ce’s Grandfather. Later, she was promoted to become the Empress of Liang after the first Empress was deposed. Queen Yuan gave birth to Xiao Ce’s other siblings named Xiao Yu and another younger brother named Xiao Yun. When King Tang was so consumed of his anger towards the First Empress which happens to be a distant cousin of Zhan Ziyu, she received a decree from King Tang. As a result, the baby crown prince grew up in the lap of Concubine Yuan, the present day Empress of Liang.
The Empress never suspected Chu Qiao. To their eyes, she is like another grass that Xiao Ce may turn to jewel if the prince gives her Fu (luck), her future would be better and would just end up at Liang’s Harem, a palace for concubines. Chu Qiao’s low and unknown status made them underestimate her and Xiao Ce likes it this way.
For the past two nights, Xiao Ce has been thinking over why Chu Qiao did not seem to relate to him at all. Like they just met each other when in the past, they have gone through life and death situation. Xiao Ce learned his lesson through her pure heart’s intention to save him and not harm him, and he also became an adviser to her when she was in her heart struggles to help the wanted or turn over to her heart’s desire. What’s worst is to admit and find himself playing the role of a vulgar lover to the public but hides as a sincere secret lover in front of his Royal family. This is to protect her and not to draw much attention whether he is for real or not, Xiao Ce, a master of disguise. For the past few months, the Prince can only manage to source information through Zhan Ziyu and pay and provide information when the rumor spread out that the Xuili General was about to be engaged to Prince Yuan Song, he cannot just let it happen. Using his sources, Xiao Ce schemed to frustrate then sent someone to break the engagement. In doing so, he believes he is saving Chu Qiao from the death of her heart. Because Xiao Ce knows and feels that Chu Qiao was somehow screaming for help while Yan Xun is shackled and locked up to his sister Xiao Yu’s wedding bells.
However, one thing that Xiao Ce would not be able to control if war will happen between Wei and Yanbei because of this scheme. He imagined, if the Wei Emperor discovers the crown princess of Wei was abducted by Yan Xun the night before his wedding, the world will go to war. Chu Qiao situation can be compared to a priceless hostage held in Yuan Song’s arms. But Xiao Ce’s spies sent him reports that Chu Qiao broke out with the help of someone, her right-hand Viper and the Xuili Deputy General He Xiao. Did not waste time to help her break free from Wei Valve and even rumors said that Yan Xun coordinated its movements and no one would ever admit if it's true.
Without so much friction in between them, Chu Qiao starting to like this playboy, Prince. She thinks she met him a few weeks ago; thus, Xiao Ce purposely acquainted her with his concubines, heard trivial stories about his first love, almost met his childhood friend Sun Di, but introduced to crown prince right-hand man Tie Yuo. Chu Qiao feels, she knows him more than anyone inside his palace. Attending two consecutive Banquet in the Jinwu palace gave her a sense of belongingness. She became comfortable, and without harsh judgments, she is able to freely express herself for not being hesitated or confined. As compared to the Wei palace, there are a particular set of rules to follow and Royal protocols not meant to be broken.
Chu Qiao somehow learning to slowly follow this foxy Prince wisdom and principles, times of daring and irritation moments increased between the two. It blossomed to a beautiful ground of two souls expressing their natural behaviors without being caught up hiding away’s secrets, in the pursuit of ambitions and pride.
Unlike Chu Qiao’s relationship with Yan Xun, where it was toppled with secret agenda’s and ambition, their interactive way of understanding was just icing to the cake. However, when it comes to their trust, it already eroded by a time when Yan Xun’s gave away his heart by revenge. Yan Xun’s only liability is to take care of his kingdom, it cannot be unattended. With Xiao Ce, the prince never hid anything behind in front of her beautiful face and took everything in face value, no hidden meaning. The Prince can only rest a bit whenever her presence is around. His masks are down, he can be of his true self without being beguiled.
Xiao Ce and Chu Qiao like the olden times went on a tour, in a familiar yet painful place of memories. Near to Chu Qiao’s past residence when she was still living a low status of a maidservant in the Yuwen household. Xiao Ce who does not love to tour but when he learned to be the master of disguise, he already used to put his life in danger. The two dressed in their ordinary clothes, like regular people walked in the memorial sites of slaves.
It was nightfall after a long trip from sunrise to sundown finally arrived at the graveyard. Xiao Ce like a boy scout ready for many things lit a small candle and the aroma issued on air, it also revealed the names of the graves. Chu Qiao standing still read the names: LingXi and Zhi Xiang. Xiao Ce also took out two white roses on his backpack and offered it to the graves. Chu Qiao somewhat confused she thought: why would the Prince do such humble thing, then she asks the prince: “Who are they? Your slaves?
Xiao Ce confirming his theories in mind looked at her and said: “No, they were your siblings who died.”
Chu Qiao suddenly shocked she asked: “Are they?”
Xiao Ce in his calm and full voice confirmed it: “Yes they were.”
Chu Qiao touched their tablets and looking back from her memories recovered some moments, she held her tears, and Xiao Ce expected this to happen, he let her tears fall.
After some time, another presence showed itself to the slave tombs, wearing a faux fur cape, a white Hanfu dress made of expensive silk and a white hood gave her a divine-like face like hers. Not surprised, Xiao Ce arranged this meeting in advance and finally revealed to Chu Qiao the reason why her engagement failed. Chu Qiao met Xiao Ba.
Xiao Ba on her tearful eyes, when she saw her. Chu Qiao was just receiving her in her arms in with eyes welling in tears suddenly realized her sister saved her from Yuan Song’s political engagement. Chu Qiao would be used as prey, but her sister came in between to destroy all sorts of Wei Emperor’s plans at the important night. How did this happen? Who else could be the director of such cunning acts? Maybe the foxy Prince can answer.
The memorial site became a reunion site of the two. Another lost and found part of Chu Qiao’s memories. With the help of the foxy Prince who is just happy seeing them reunited again. The rest of the story of how did this happen, the foxy Prince promised to spend his sources to show his love with Qiao Qiao, whether in and out of seasons he is ready to rescue her. A different kind of love, extravagant, and expensive, courtesy of the foxy Prince heartbeat.
Connect to Chapter 47 Ask for Wisdom
Lookback to Chapter 43 Dinner Engagement
♥♥♥
Author’s note:
This is one of the deviations from the original to continue what is in the drama. The original novel involved a lot of characters and complicated scenarios, while this fan fiction captured only what was necessary to maintain the storyline. The chapters 39, 41,43, 45, 47, 49 are advanced readings while chapters 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 were the retro chapters. I intentionally put it in an alternate style of writing to create simultaneous events happening at the same time together as we see all the characters coming into the picture and finally the most awaited one, Yuwen Yue. If the reader wants to connect the dots to understand in a broader sense, one will have to do a backread starting from the breakaway chapter 40 and follow the even sections and then go back to chapter 39 to follow reading the odd chapters, and you are ready to read chapter 51. Hope you will all enjoy these 10 chapters. -AC
Chapter 046
♥Author♥Angel♥Chua♥
Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong’er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography
Marriage in crises and an Engagement not engaged
Yanbei in its solitary and beautiful landmass amidst the unrest of its bloodbath reached one of their pinnacle days to seal the position of its King and Queen that will ensure their future generations of freedom, of peace and security for its citizens.
As the wedding day approaches, so is Yanbei’s promising future but a not for its royal Prince as its Tiger General was held in hostage at the land of slavery and hunting preys.
At the bosom of Southern Liang is Princess Xiao Yu watching and never got tired of looking after the Yanbei’s Royal Prince affairs. The most beautiful yet quietly dangerous princess is busily preparing her wedding gifts to the groom and her wedding gown, one of the best and finest, created from the hands of Liang’s designers. Wrapped it in golden red, yellow and brown colors, an autumn bride inspiration.
While the Liang Princess is preparing for her upcoming wedding of the year, her journey was not easy, her subjects of their own empire were also dependent on her future with the King of Yanbei able to provide for military might and power as it rose from the embers of its downfall. Xiao Yu can only hope for this union to protect Liang and able to reach the sleeping dragon blade, now that it’s awakened.
“Your Highness, it is going to be announced, and the selection has been made.”
A nearby cavalry has been summoned to prepare its sword and horses. The mission is unclear, and once again the certainty of coming back to attend the union is bleak.
On the other side, the Wei Empire once again displayed its splendor and might. A grand stage was set at the north side of the Imperial Shen Jin Palace and in a few moments will announce the final selection for the 13th Prince crown princess, the future heir to the throne. Everyone was excited including the palace concubines, Wei Valve masters, Shrine Elders, the Yuwen household Yuwen Huai and his secret Madame (this is Princess Chuner who attended arranged by Yuan Song), other invited protectorate states like the Batuha family Princess Zama and the Bathuja King (missing Black Prince Zaru), Yuan Che and its Xiaoqi Elite forces with most intriguing of all, first time visitor from the desolate land of the East. A longtime ally who went to sleep is the most awaited esteemed dignitary of the Wei Emperor.
A week before the election day itself, though the Wei Emperor has not been in good terms with Southern Liang lately, the Wei Emperor passed a decree to send the invitation for political reasons and hoping for a counter-reaction from Liang Empire. Unfortunately, the King of Liang sent its laid-back response and declined the invitation citing valid reasons such as their entire empire is preparing the upcoming wedding of the Year, the union of two States Yanbei and Liang. Therefore Liang Empire would not be able to attend even if the selection of crown princess was set to be the day before the wedding, followed by engagement on the same day where Yanbei and Liang tie the knot.
After hearing about the invitation, the Crown Prince of Liang asked his father to send him as the representative to attend the important announcement of Wei’s crown princess. Unfortunately, King Tang cannot risk his son’s life especially the wedding will be in less than a week, it is too risky. Xiao Ce was depressed and used this reason not to attend Liang empire’s preparation and practice for the wedding. Xiao Ce did not come out of his Palace for the entire week. But in reality, he already set up a Pandora’s box and sent it in advance as a gift to the 13th Prince of Wei Yuan Song, he said: It’s a classic gift, a masterpiece only Xiao Ce can give.
The Prince of Yanbei also got not an invitation but a royal correspondence coming from the Wei Emperor. Yan Xun crushed the correspondence and did not eat his meals that day. Yan Xun on his heavy heart and cold eyes made up his mind. For all these years, he was careful on his moves and thought that through this, he would be able to protect both, his Yanbei and his A’Chu. But this time the Wei Emperor figured out that brought A’Chu in danger and sacrifice herself for the good of all. Yan Xun figured out too that the Black Prince Zaru is an important card in the table. If he can trade him off in exchange for A’Chu it would save his Tiger General although, in his hands, he has been controlling himself not to kill him as for YanXun, Zaru’s blood would settle a deep wound in his heart and maybe half of the debt they must repay for the slain Yan royal family.
Meanwhile, a beautiful princess on her adorned head-dress and the Imperial golden-yellow dress was attended by hundreds of palace maids. She looks like as if she is going to participate in a wedding and not a simple announcement of selection and tomorrow her engagement day with the 13th Prince Yuan Song and she has been forbidden to see the Prince ever since the contest of selection began.
An expensive cavalry from the East just arrived and announced its presence at the entrance of Wei Valve gate, a platoon of soldiers in front of the visitors and the Qinghai Queen and its three princes stepsons and thousands of cavalry behind their backs. On its beautiful black paladin, a jade skin like stepped down but the Queen Zhejue face covered with a veil and his two stepsons riding their own palanquin also stepped down.
Second Prince Ra Zheng, on his smoked silver Hanfu Imperial dress, fur cape made of fox’s skin like a fog cloud floating on the ground, his famous sword on his side and face unseen wrapped with silver metal mask is looking so majestic and exudes elegance, his waist belt holds the bluish jade of the Qinghai empire, cannot be left behind from the fashionable style of the Westerners. While the Sixth Prince Ra Zhun on his red Hanfu and red fur cape looks on fire, face covered with mask made of rose gold finish, flowing like a fire on the cold snowy ground with his two swords on his waist, a red jade band of belt is wrapped around his waist, his looks resemble that gorgeous man Wei Shu Ye, the late Wei valve master on his most compassionate eyes, and lovely arched eyebrows, one would have thought Wei Shu Ye is alive.
The seventh prince Ra Yue’s paladin arrived late. While the three royals from the East entered the Wei Valve gate, another one was announcing its grand presence, the Seventh Prince of the East, the crown prince of Qinghai Ra Yue stepped down and on his face covered with golden mask bearing the Qinghai’s crown prince seal everyone understood he is a heavy guest almost equivalent to the King of Qinghai and the unsheathed Poe Yue Jian sword on its side. The cold wind blew in his face, he inhaled deeply and exhaled his breath, in his cold heart, he felt his feet back to his homeland. On his white fur cape made of white foxy’s skin as if he is floating and not walking on the ground, white flakes of snow dropped along his cape exploded the coldest presence from them all and Ra Yue like a silent man longing for his homeland, his Imperial dress with intricate gold quilted design at its hem he stands tall. All white, cold as the snow falling, a royal belt in his waist adorned with pure white jade walked slowly and unhurried. Behind him were thousands of white foot soldiers and beside him was handsome Zuo Zong.
The crowd in awe, welcomed him but in reality he conditioned his mind that anything about the past is over except for the day he faces the Prince of Yanbei and nothing but an empty vessel set foot on this brutal Empire who assassinated his character and easy to disown him at once are such weaklings and aristocrats afraid to face the truth and maybe a ghost.
The Queen of Qinghai is her first time to visit the Wei Empire and the nobles and the crowd all felt astonished as she was a different presence in their eyes that hid behind the veil of mystery and all they could imagine was the most beautiful face of a human on earth. While the palace concubines looking so fierce at her as if they have already seen her face and got envious, the Wei Emperor looking at her so stunned. All the Wei Emperor could see is a thin veil and a stance of a lovely face beyond match when it is compared to the concubines. The Wei Emperor broke the silence as the Queen sits on her throne-like chair: “Greetings, welcome to the Wei Empire, and the King of Qinghai never failed to surprise me.”
Queen Zhejue on her calm voice she replied: “My pleasure, Your Majesty the King is not well, so He sent his Queen along and three of his Princes including his crown prince Ra Yue.”
The Wei Emperor eyes went big, he never had many surprises until today said: “I did not expect this, this is again another surprise, did the crown prince of the King of Qinghai hid for so many years finally arrived?
“Yes, Your Majesty, as we speak he is walking at the moment, he is the man in the middle of the red carpet.” The Queen feeling proud of his Qinghai Crown Prince son, walk of fame, she looked at him and secretly admired Ra Yue the way he took the crowd in awe, he does not need any training she said it to herself.
The Wei Emperor’s big eyes shifted and saw only the Seventh Prince who arrived late and walking on the splendid palace ground while all of Wei’s palace maids, the nobles, and the palace ministers bow to the Qinghai Crown Prince at the center, he walks slowly, tall and godly stature straight to the red carpet straight towards an empty royal sit. Queen Zhejue cold as ice, did not react, Zuo Zong behind his back tall and proud and the entire Yuwen household was astonished to see him, suddenly went through confusion. Yuwen Gao did not blink his eyes and look straight to the sword. He cannot be wrong he exclaimed: “The Poe Yue Jian sword!”
While at the other side, the Wei Valve household and its cavalries like bees buzzing and murmuring looking at the Sixth Prince who is also the first time to present his face to the stunned Wei Empire. The Sixth Prince broke their protocol who took off his rose gold mask and showed his face in front of everybody to steal away the crowd’s eyes from Ra Yue. Princess Chuner whose face is also covered with thin veil turned up and slightly opened her veil to look at the Sixth Prince who is just in front down to her seat, their eyes locked for a moment. Yuwen Huai looking back and forth to both of them felt anxious on air and a little bit jealous of how the Sixth Prince of Qinghai gave her that look. Yuwen Huai gently asked his Madame to put back her veil: Princess, did you forgot the 13th Prince instructions?
Chun’er on her stunned face did not put back her veil and just stared at the Sixth Prince who at this moment took off his eyes on her and looked at the crowd who just clapped at him and he raised his two hands to please the crowd while the Wei household was feeling shocked. And what if Ra Zheng takes off his mask and offers his face to the crowd? Will, the crowd, accept what is happening at the moment, will they rejoice that this presence resembles two of their esteemed warriors and brave generals of the Wei state?
Yuan Che observing the Sixth Prince, he cannot possibly argue that what he is looking at is not Wei Shu Ye but how come he owned and ended up an Empire of his own? Wei Shu Ye died and was buried to their ancestor’s temple, he was stabbed to death by the Wei Emperor’s royal guards for defending his childhood friend and first love Princess Chuner. But look at him right now, on his grand appearance what would be the effect of this to their Empire? Is there anything they have to find out and dug six feet below to prove to the world that Wei Shu Ye the Wei valve master already died two years ago and they are looking at an entirely different Prince coming from the East?
Finally, Ra Yue sat on the Throne-like chair and brushed off Ra Zhun’s crowd stealer face, he is seated next to his stepmom and near the seat of Wei Emperor at his right hand. Yuan Che is sitting at the left side of the Emperor while the right-hand seat is waiting to be warmed by the 13th Prince of Wei Yuan Song and just below him is the seat of the selected crown Princess. While Ra Zhun and Ra Zheng seated near Yuan Che. Zuo Zong is standing right next to Ra Yue and is the only Prince men allowed to stay beside the Eastern Royals seat.
Ra Yue aloof, emotionless and his looks intense as the 13th Prince of Wei, Yuan Song finally arrived. Yuan Song looking so handsome and grand, his handicapped arm has never been a liability to him. He seemed so reasonable and valiant on his Imperial dress that matched the crown Princess dress, this is the day, he will finally know as the official announcement of the crown princess will be proclaimed. The contest was held within three days, and the Emperor was the one who selected the crown princess, and Chu Qiao does not understand why she was always on top. In fact, she is not skilled on how to act, and whine with social graces. If this is war, surely she can form her strategies to win, but this is like a beauty contest. She does not know what to wear or how to wear the Imperial dresses. Or even paint her cheeks with make-ups. She made sure she won’t pass the crown princess standard for Wei. She is the only candidate who did all the opposite and yet the Wei Emperor not surprised and even love it more. Hence, a hundred palace maid is now following her back, as she walks into the palace corridors, her eyes are calm but wear a heavy heart trailing the palace ground to the north of Shen Jin Palace.
Another woman sneaked into the crown princess room and took all of her belongings and suddenly hid behind the palace and patiently waits for the moment of chaos.
Chu Qiao finally reached the palace ground and saw all the people of Wei, the nobles from young to old, Palace concubines, Wei Valve Ministers, Shrine Elders, Yuwen Household and other political parties are present, and she also saw the fresh faces covered with metal masks, she did not bother to look at. Chu Qiao is looking for the familiar faces but looking at none. She sharpened her senses hoping for a ray of hope to chase her feet. She looks back and thought about the poorest of the poor and the rest of the crowds outside shouting, wailing, fighting to see and hear who will be their next crown princess. These thuds of noise made her heart strong to walk and not faint. She knows behind those doors are poor people whose future is etched in her hands if she becomes the better half of the next heir of Wei Throne. She did not expect this turn of fate. Not even her own preference to serve as she vowed to help Chu Jing and Yanbei citizens. But after a few weeks of staying in Wei she suddenly realized whether Wei, Yanbei citizens or Chu Jing citizens, they are all the same people who need her help. Big or small ways, she is compelled. She learned to share her fortune when she visited some of the poor villages in secret. Whenever there is extra, she gave it away like shelters and food for the needy. She also provided extra hands to treat those sick people living in the streets.
On her short stay at Wei, Chu Qiao was again reminded how the slavery system works, from the Royals down to their dog slaves. The nobles exploiting the distribution of goods and merchants controlling the price of the products gradually put an increment increase of prices from grain to other basic commodities such as coal, wood, cotton, silk, and food. The Merchants always try to reason the price is higher to the poor people because of the heavy taxes imposed by the Imperial government to support Wei Empire projects and infrastructure that does not really give benefit to the people but rather to royals and ministers alone. While outside Merchants smuggle some goods from other States and sell it high to the Wei Empire, the price is like gold. These merchants become rich in a short span of time, and without sweat, all the gold and money goes into their pockets and left the poor on worst conditions. Unfed, unsheltered and even sell their bodies for a bowl of porridge soup. As long as Wei imports their goods from these merchants of fortune, these merchants do not buy any exports coming from Wei. Because they think it is not practical to buy costly stuff and empty their wallets. Or break even their necks to cut off their trades. At the end of the day, the winner takes it all. The merchants who know how to handle greediness goes home with massive profits. You have to take out your heart and conscience. As gold and money come in, it respects only a master who knows how to manage the profit-loss trade and those who know how to multiply it at the expense of other people’s unfortunate events will get twice as more.
Southern Liang benefited from these as they are the experts and excellent traders while Yanbei is like a beneficiary to Liang, the more profits go to their economy, Yanbei is paid twice coming from an interest of their gold and other resources that Yanbei is exporting to support the raw materials they need to produce a particular product. For example, the famous silk road of Yan, sometimes the trade between the finest silk and grain is as equally important as to dress well than to eat and live well. Chu Qiao felt the need for a change especially to the slavery system of Wei, but she realized it is all connected to the Throne to influence change whether utilizing military might or tongue to pass the decrees. She said if there are no more rays of hope for herself, she will accept the fate and decides to become a beam of hope to others.
The elegant crowd held their breath, as they all turned to see and mesmerized when they saw who is the beautiful lady walking, she was the least they expected as the news circulated she violated every law and broke almost all of the Palace protocols. Yuan Song on his proud eyes heard all of those. He is very happy for the patience of his Father towards her. He often goes to his father to influence him. Yuan Song thought his Father is an accomplice. However, the Wei Emperor having been more experienced and seasoned than him when it comes to Imperial Leadership, He made his son believe, He actually agrees with him. In fact, this is already arranged. Chu Qiao has no chance to see the 13th Prince Yuan Song ever since her trial. It was strictly forbidden. The Wei Emperor knows his son’s tricks and bypass routes, he ordered close security of royal guards to lock down his palace. One day the 13th Prince revolted to the Wei Emperor’s strict orders and made all of his palace maids worry for their necks and heads. He went on hunger strike just to see Chu Qiao. Chu Qiao heard this and not wanting to engage to a dead prince she wrote a letter, sneak into one of his palace guards and bribed it just to hand over the message to the pale almost dying Prince. Yuan Song got the letter and just like a child, he had been so blind of this act. The 13th Prince did not know that his Father was all behind it when the Wei Emperor forced Chu Qiao to write him a letter addressed to Yuan Song. Chu Qiao just wanted for the Prince to live out of her unselfishness, she yielded to his soon to be father-in-law.
Yan Xun not cordially invited at Wei’s big event went to breach its walls. Who knows better its secret pathways but the rebel prince who grew up in its walls. Yan Xun not able to put forth the foot of his armies to attack Wei Valve, although he grew mightily, he is still budding Empire compared to the ten thousands of Wei Empire foot soldiers. The rebel Prince made an effort by organizing a group of Yanbei military stars such as He Xiao, Ge Qi and the General of Xuili army’s dark spy Viper to join him in this mission. As selfish as he is, he changed his mind about trading the Black Prince in exchanged for General Chu.
Yan Xun intends to keep the Black Prince, and there won’t be any trades when he promised, he said to his servants: “If I have to pour out again another Yan blood to buy her freedom, then I will have these veins shed it, but I won’t trade Zaru. If I have to sit here and meditate again in the middle of Yan-Wei road just like what I did before and pass by a bloodbath at JuWei street, then so be it.” Yan Xun closed his eyes and opened them so calm yet bold.
Xiao Yu was informed by one of her spies, Yan Xun went out of the border of Yanbei suddenly broke some ceramics in her hands. Xiao Yu trembled a bit when she heard what Yan Xun did and wants to go before him, but the concerned spy girl said: “Princess, you cannot let him know you are spying him and let him figure out, you know everything about what he is doing. Let’s continue to become his invisible eyes until the union of two states is a success. For once let him do what his heart asks him, for he won’t be able to do it when he ties the knot to you.”
Xiao Yu said: You are right, I must be patient and should not let myself rush into some things like this. I lost my penpal Yuwen Yue because of her, I cannot make that happen to my true love Yan Xun. I will wait for your updates, keep tracking them.”
***
At sunset, as the eve of the engagement day finally closes, a man snatched a woman from her palace. She struggled, but when the man does not want to let go of her hands, she finally unsheathed her sword and so is the man on the corner of his cold eyes and perfect draw of the sword he gently respected her sword hungry of a fight. Suddenly two shadows are dancing in the expensive tiles of the palace,. A whoosing blade marks all around moved from one place to another and all of sudden another woman came out and the man left confused, the first woman hit his head and ran from them. Without minding who is the man, and the woman who looked like her, her dress like hers, she walked away from them.
***
The dawn came, all is well and went back to normal. A Princess on her wedding gown and the Prince of Yanbei finally on his handsome but fake joy in his face a final look of the Prince saying goodbye to his Princehood and welcome his Kinghood on his wedding gown accepted the new Queen of Yanbei hands. All invited guests celebrated the day as the joy, and social graces fade, around the corner are foxy eyes mind’s somewhere and thinking about someone.
***
The engagement happened at the same time, the wedding day is set. The winter bride-to-be was in red veil followed by a hundred palace maids and is forbidden to reveal its face within nine days. The crowd hungry for the new look of their crown princess will have to wait for it until it arrives. For now, they have settled for the taste of wine and gluttony of moveable feast at Wei’s Banquet table. Whereas the Prince of Yanbei set his marriage within 9 months, the 13th Prince of Wei has 9 days before he settles to the nest of love.
Connect to Chapter 48 Broken Star
Lookback to Chapter 44 Iron Bone encounters White Prince
♥♥♥
Author’s Note:
Watch out for the Epilogue of this as my treat for everyone for putting this chapter at the top. I am cutting this short to proceed with the exciting chapters ahead. Thank you for turning this chapter as one of the top grosser.
Chapter 047
♥Author♥Angel♥Chua♥
Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong’er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography
Ask for Wisdom
A man felt he has lots of time to waste in the world, but now he isn’t sure if this is still true. Feeling cold and a bit anxious about the Prince of Liang advance deposits to the apple of his eyes, he went in a journey to the Woolong mountains and promised to be back after seven days to find himself and ask for an advise. The man arrived in the Woolong mountain to ask one master, the one who taught him for almost a year out of his wounded heart and spirit.
“You came, it must be urgent.” The master sitting in a Zen position started to speak first even if he is not looking at him he must have sharp senses and felt the man’s presence, and the master did not move.
“Yes master, it is I, and it will be a short visit.”
The Master replied: Short visit, why do you have saddle good for a week? Yuwen Yue on his cold eyes did not speak.
The Master asked: Have you found her?
Yuwen Yue inhaled and gently said: “No master I have not.”
The Master confronted him: Then why are you here?
Yuwen Yue looking far at the vast mountains: “I came to find myself.”
The Master gave him a muse and inquired: “This time, did you lost yourself again?”
Yuwen Yue told the master honestly: “I think so.”
The Master replied: “Then you have found someone.”
Yuwen Yue on a short cold answer: “Maybe..”
The Master concluded: “Maybe its a yes and maybe it’s a no.”
Yuwen Yue not definite but he asks: “Master you told me an Ode once:
*Her artful smiles, with its alluring dimples. Her beautiful eyes are so clear. The unadorned upon which is to paint. What does this mean?”
*The Master said, “Very few go astray who comport themselves with restraint.”
*The Master said, “The gentleman wishes to be slow to speak, but quick to act.”
*The Master said, “Virtue is never solitary; it always has neighbors.”
Then the Master finally said: “Yue learns a lesson and understands them ten times. Go away you are not doing what you need to do and come back and explain ten times of what you understood.”
Yuwen Yue on his journey from the Woolong mountains was cut short when the Master suddenly sent him home to find his path of happiness. Yuwen Yue cannot hide the sparkle in his eyes that finally made him realize, it is time to set his heart into goodness, free of bad intentions.
Back to Xue Fu, a little town in Southern Liang, Yuwen Yue lived a humble life, with no trace of aristocracy and Zuo as his distant spy not living in one roof, occasionally report to him once in a while paved their way to scout the place and espy the culture of people and its government. Once again, like what happened after the tragic frozen lake incident, he was able to successfully blend into the Liang people without being suspected of his high position. Yuwen Yue was so good at it that he was able to slip from the cunning and smart Xiao Ce and bypass Xiao Yu’s astute royal spy leader of the Southern State.
After his meeting with Zao Baocung from the thousand caves, he went back to Qinghai Palace and studied lots of literature and poetry of his own Empire. Yuwen Yue also resumed on his princely duties, and his Father put a decree to accept the Throne, but he wrote his Father to give him ample time to adjust and know his subjects and his royal family very well before taking it over. The King of Qinghai little by little admiring his Son’s attitude towards the Eastern Throne increased his confidence that his Son would be able to become a good King, would unite the political bones with its sage tribal leaders, deprived of Patrilineal leadership. He expects that his son would achieve many accomplishments than what he has done to the Empire.
Yuwen Yue also visited the Wei state on his metal mask when the invitation was passed to her stepmother Queen Zhejue to attend the proclamation of the selected crown princess of Wei. Learning about the ally between the Wei Emperor and her stepmother, Yuwen Yue became distant and quiet thereafter. Not mention when he first saw Chu Qiao at the Wei grounds walking like a real princess, his cold heart skipped a bit. Yuwen Yue thought how did this happen? And did Yan Xun after the frozen lake tragedy used her again to bring more gains to his advance his troops? Yuwen Yue had lots of questions in his mind that he is not able to talk or even look at any other people around other than to Chu Qiao. No matter how Yuwen Yue would like to speak to her and come for a quick chat, the Wei crown princess was heavily guarded as if she will disappear at the moment. Yuwen Yue controlling himself have to be distant, looks cruel and cold on his metal mask careful for his actions. He knows people are looking at him because of his Poe Yue Jian Sword and Zuo Zong behind his back, he is a complete attention grabber. Even if the Sixth Prince of Qinghai Ra Zhun often reveals his face to the crowd as they socialize to shift the nobles attention such as the Wei Palace concubines, Yuwen Household, Wei Valve masters, Shrine Elders, and other political parties present except for Liang and Yanbei, you can always see that fascinating eyes towards Ra Yue.
Yuwen Yue’s eyes following Chu Qiao like a dog and many of the people on the crowd did not really notice it because of his metal mask face. He thinks his mask is really working to his advantage, but Chu Qiao on her usual keen and sharp senses felt his stares directed towards her and suddenly felt wary about him. While Yuan Song took her hands and he let her feel as they walked together like a real couple.
But Yuwen Yue could not help himself as he sensed that cold rebellion on air, he thinks Chu Qiao loathes being paraded to the nobles. The nobles raised their brows at her, also heard gossips spread on the air, rumors about her past track record as the former low maidservant of the Yuwen household. Yuwen Yue twitch his palms while Zuo Zong said to his ears: “Your Highness, what is wrong with you? I have never seen you twitch your hands until today.”
And on the eve of the engagement, Yuwen Yue started to disguise himself. He started to walk like one of the palace guards and used the same uniform carrying the Poe Yue Jian Sword on his side. On his face is the metal mask making him hard to identify. When he reached the crown princess palace, he put down his mask and walked like the usual Yuwen Yue, the heir of the Eyes of God. Yuwen Yue knows the Wei palace very well and does not need any lead and this worked for his advantage to see Chu Qiao. Whatever is the consequence, he is not afraid and would want to seize Chu Qiao to end this show. Save her from this cold-blooded Empire. Yuwen Yue being a rule breaker at the moment did not think of any and made himself dull exposing him to more dangers. Just to see her again, He went inside the Wei princess palace and broke several royal guards necks.
After that fateful night, Yuwen Yue woke up on Wei palace bed like nothing had happened, but he remembered his last scene with Chu Qiao when suddenly Zuo Zong greeted him: Your Highness, is there something wrong?
Yuwen Yue told him: “Did you just…”
Not yet finished with his inquiry, Zuo told him: I followed you, your Highness, because you look like a crazy Prince of Qinghai earlier who breached the Wei crown princess palace. And the Zuo Zong really impressed with his master brother Yuwen Yue continued to talk like he is rewinding the past scene earlier and a corner of a smile in his face, said: “You walked like you know all the routes of this palace and then broke some necks just for the Wei, crown princess. I wonder are you planning to steal her and start a war at her engagement tomorrow?”
Yuwen Yue suddenly back to his senses he straightened his back and told him: “No, I was just…making some fun tonight testing the Wei crown princess if she is really into the Wei crown prince because it seems she is looking for someone and not really happy at her engagement.”
Zuo Zong gave him a sly smile and said: Really? I heard she is a low maidservant that rose from the ranks with the help of her master Yuwen Yue.
Yuwen Yue was unable to hide the truth to Zuo who is very clever and needs no more explanation he finally admitted on his cold eyes and sad face: “I was just … looking into maybe a chance of finally saying goodbye to her.”
Zuo not buying his master’s words he further said to him: Really Your Highness? Is this how you end your tragic story? After you came to the frozen lake to show yourself in front of your rival and having a dull mind after all warning of this Yue Qi, your former bodyguard whom I heard really looks like me? Tell me… Zuo on his teenager mind was making his Master admit he is after Xinger whom he can finally confirm that Xinger was the selected Wei crown princess of the moment.
Yuwen Yue stopped making some funny excuses and did not answer him back is like a cold YES to Zuo. Zuo told him: Master brother, whatever happens, I would not let the frozen lake happen to you again, and myself end up like Yue Qi. Everyone knows You are better than that but you disregarded it all, and Yue Qi was just brave to walk this selfless with you. If I can bring back time, I would think first of your safety and defy your orders, but with Yue Qi, his loyalty is never a question.
Zuo suddenly brighten his eyes and told Yuwen Yue: What if we do a role play? Say I am Yue Qi and make this Empire go crazy?
Yuwen Yue suddenly gave him a cold laugh and said: enough, we are on a business trip and tomorrow is a big day, who knows I might decide at any moment to kidnap THE WEI CROWN PRINCESS? With an emphasis on the end of Yuwen Yue’s sentence.
Zuo Zong on his smiley eyes he said: I am all the way with you, but maybe I can never understand how Yue Qi would have done everything to keep you both.. but then eventually meets his sad ending.”
Yuwen Yue on his calm but cold face remembers Yue Qi and their last stand at the frozen lake two years ago. And then remembered Chu Qiao again, she drew her Canhong sword to him where he slipped a few times on his sword fight with her, he thinks she became better and had been practicing her martial arts very well until he was momentarily distracted by another woman of the same face and age. Yuwen Yue confused inside his metal mask face, one cannot distinguish who is the real Chu Qiao. He was caught off guard but safe because of Zuo’s smart moves.
**
Back to Xuefu Street, Yuwen Yue calmly walked and saw the Old lady but none of that beautiful face he was looking for. He came in and asked: Old lady, where is your chef today?
The old lady replied: “Oh, she is on vacation leave today. Come back tomorrow.” Yuwen Yue on his cold eyes politely bid his goodbye to the Old lady, but the old lady started to look at him as a silent suitor, a man whom he feels have good intentions with her when suddenly came back to the old lady and said: “Can you tell your chef, I will be out for a while too but I will be back after seven days?”
The Old lady suddenly confirmed her thoughts said: “Oh, where are you going?”
Yuwen Yue simply replied on his casual cold voice: “I will be meeting someone but I will have to trek mountains to reach their place.”
The Old lady feeling truthful on what he said: You go and come back safe, you know she will be fine here and maybe will miss you when you come back. The old lady not looking at him when she said this and was just writing on her table and Yuwen Yue gave a slight smile, like a beam of hope and collateral on his journey, he left.
The Old lady on her sparkling eyes, looked at his back as he walked tall until suddenly gone.
Meanwhile, it has been less than a week after his journey to the Woolong Mountains, and Yuwen Yue came back sooner than expected and on his usual daily morning routine walked the streets of Xue Fu to deliver the parcel. He passed by the usual route and look at the old lady’s Kowloon noodle house to see if the fine woman back to her chef duties but he noticed they opened their usual business hours earlier than usual.
He came in and asked the old lady: You opened earlier than usual.
The Old lady replied:” You are back ice-cube man, did you meet your someone?”
Chu Qiao, a fine woman in his eyes, happen to pass by while the two was talking and Yuwen Yue looked at her as if he hasn’t seen her for decades.
Yuwen Yue replied to the Old lady but the Old lady looking at his eyes and to Chu Qiao when Yuwen Yue and Chu Qiao’s eyes locked for a moment, he spoke: “I just did.”
And Chu Qiao heard it, she wants to giggle inside but is he referring to her? She thought maybe he is engaged or happily married and have family abroad so Chu Qiao back to her stern face and walked inside her kitchen.
Yuwen Yue momentarily stopped the moment, now back to the Old lady when the Old lady asked him: “oh, what is the meaning of that? Are you going to visit us less than usual?”
Yuwen Yue shifted his squinted eyes to the old lady and said: “In fact, I am going to visit you more often, and I am here to ask you for your permission.”
The Old lady stunned at what he said as if she would have not thought of all the people in the world, this cold man suddenly asking her permission.
The old lady joked: “Be clear with your intentions and who are you visiting here? Do not forget I am a single lady too, always available or is it the tiger beauty inside her kitchen den?” And Yuwen Yue became the laughing-stock of the Old lady being obvious now, he is not visiting for her but the tiger beauty at her kitchen’s den.
Yuwen Yue back to squinting his eyes, ride-on on the Old lady’s joke he replied: Hmm… let me think for a second, his face became cold and formal. Then look at the Old lady’s face, he squinted his eyes with a slight smile, he said: “My father would be very pleased with you, just to be clear, I am going to visit the Tiger beauty often and be part of her kitchen’s den.”
The Old lady on her beautiful smiling face approved the cold man’s request. Yuwen Yue about to go when suddenly Chu Qiao came out with two baskets on her hands and Yuwen Yue came to help her casually, and the fine woman gave it to him. Their hands touching each other sent some electrifying sense on her veins. She managed to make it the usual with this guy, But after not seeing him for quite a while, she is almost wanting to cuddle the cold man.
After a whirlwind event with Prince of Liang who is wounded and resting in his palace, she is still trying to put back the pieces of her life when her royal friend almost in the verge of losing him is not what she expected.
What happened there remained a mystery, as the Crown Prince of Liang has a lot to explain to the Palace. Chu Qiao, just like the olden times, put herself in defense but this time Xiao Ce revealed too that he is skilled. So they killed more assassins than what they did before in the city of Chang’An hunting grounds. This time Chu Qiao sharp and leveled up her martial skills while Xiao Ce wounded, this is his first real encounter defending his beauty and himself. He suddenly triggered a weapon to alert all his spies nearby and his secret army following from the outside borders of Wei rushed him back to the palace. Sun Di the Viceroy General, explained to King Tang what happened and Chu Qiao was devastated seeing the playboy Prince in this condition, she did not leave his side, not until today.
Chu Qiao told Yuwen Yue: “Will you help me deliver this to the Liang Crown prince Palace?”
Yuwen Yue heard it clear and a bit hesitant but managed his cold face he replied shortly: “Sure.”
Chu Qiao happy to hear his approval she said: “Alright here is the payment, and where is your horse?”
Yuwen Yue testing this fine woman he said: “I don’t have a horse, I walk to deliver parcels.””
Chu Qiao said: Oh, is that so? We can walk.”
Chu Qiao thinks this is going to be a fine day, a little bit longer than usual to be together, with the man she believes, she likes at the moment.
Yuwen Yue took one of her baskets as Chu Qiao hesitated the second and their eyes met and settled some of their feelings in there, they walked out of the Kowloon noodle house quietly walking under the early morning sun.
Two souls walking together on the peaceful grounds of unknown place to many, away from chaos and their empires was the perfect vacation to breed under the spring season of blossoming plum flowers, its scent sending them love on the air, was a breath of fresh air, a budding romance at the perfect moment in time.
Connect to Chapter 49 And it begins, late again
Lookback to Chapter 45 Graveyard of Flowers
♥♥♥
Author’s note: (*) In asterisk, I borrowed some lines which I sourced it from the Classical readings of Chinese Philosophy Book three, his Kongzi Master dialogue to the Ji Family of the Ancient times of China. Enjoy reading and will continue to move on to the next chapter.
Chapter 048
♥Author♥Angel♥Chua♥
Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong’er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography
Broken Star
Let go of me! hastily said, Chu Qiao
No! on his cold voice, said Yuwen Yue.
Chu Qiao did not think twice, she unsheathed her sword, and the man put down her hands and was battling his inner self if he is going to take off his metal mask or not, but Chu Qiao suddenly struck him, and Yuwen Yue counterattacked her, but he obviously controlled the swordplay, suddenly another Chu Qiao came in front of him and Yuwen Yue was bewildered.
Who are you? Yuwen Yue on his cold voice and Chu Qiao heard his voice clearly.
It does not matter who I am, said the Xia Chong, I am the real Chu Qiao, and she is the imposter.
Xia Chong is protecting Chu Qiao at the moment she whispered to her: Go! and do not ever come back!
Yuwen Yue heard what Xia Chong said when suddenly Xia Chong hit his head and was thrown into a daze his metal mask over his face, but another handsome young man came to counter Xia Chong and defended Yuwen Yue from its blade. Zuo was quick and accurate he was able to get out of the Wei crown princess palace without any guards because Yuwen Yue already broke some necks for them to sleep. Xia Chong fierce eyes she settled and meditated for a few minutes and the plan must continue she said. Suddenly another lady came out from the hiding and revealed her face, it is Xiao Ba, both looked at each other’s eyes and nodded.
Chu Qiao suddenly walked past Yuwen Yue, and she took a glance from his metal mask for she cannot ignore him and was already wary at him earlier at the banquet especially when she just heard his cold voice now, suddenly a pool of memories flashed back to her like she is watching a movie. And not to mention the Poe Yue Jian sword he is holding, and its silver bells clinging on their fight pumps her blood and coordinate her movements with the air around them, and she became like an amateur to his contender but improved this time, she is able to counter attack him.
While Chu Qiao was walking along the corridors, she cannot shake off the scene earlier and the metal mask man and the Poe Yue Jian sword she asked: “Who is he? I think I have met him before but could not recall where.” Chu Qiao stopped and remembered the woman who told her to go, it really looks like her from head to toe, she wondered: “is she her sister or what?”
Chu Qiao continued to walk at the long palace corridors heading north where the banquet was held earlier when all of a sudden a man raised his sword eyebrows and jumps from its nearby trees talked.
“What would the World get if the Star is lost in the heavens?”
Chu Qiao ears on a sudden glee, she turned around but did not see anybody until Yan Xun came close to her back and out of his long-suffering held back emotions kissed her lips.
Chu Qiao did not close her eyes not even responded to that kiss, she was just stunned at what the Prince of Yanbei is doing and then she pushed the Prince, and Yan Xun let her go.
Yan Xun immediately broke the silence and said: “That kiss was meant for the days I have restrained myself not to come and see you at the Xuili mountains and secretly walking through the Meilin border, it is not open for any interpretation.”
Chu Qiao on her angst and a tearful eye she said: “Why are you doing this?” and she put her head low dropping some tears. She let go of those tears when in front of the whole Wei Empire earlier she walked so tall and brave.
Yan Xun suddenly took her hands and said: I don’t have much time to answer your questions, but please hold my hand if you must, but I am not going to force you to come, you are free to decide whether you wanted to go with me to Yanbei or become the Wei Crown Princess tomorrow morning.
Chu Qiao looked at him on his tearful eyes she threw the question to Yan Xun: If I come, what happens to you? Will you be the next King of Yanbei tomorrow morning?
Yan Xun on the rush, took this moment to answer her straight and quick: I am the King of Yanbei whether you stay or not, that is not going to change. And Yan Xun took her hands and Chu Qiao on her cold feet halted him and said: I just wanted to be clear to you, I wanted to come but wanted to stay here as well.
Yan Xun lifted her small beautiful face and said: Then come. Suddenly Yan Xun feeling not so sure of Chu Qiao he moved his face back to her, he squinted his eyes and said: Don’t tell me you have fallen in love with 13th the Prince of Wei and its cold-blooded empire?
Chu Qiao did not answer and Yan Xun can only hold Chu Qiao’s first response and that is To come, the Prince of Yanbei carried Chu Qiao and run towards a secret pathway to which another two shadows are trailing just a few minutes ahead of them where Yuwen Yue slept, and they are walking shoulder to shoulder assisted by Zuo.
Yan Xun saw the two but he is rushing to find their way out, and it’s not a priority to scold these two unfamiliar faces today. When Yan Xun reached the first stratagem, Chu Qiao back on her two feet suddenly remembered this place. She used to pick plum blossoms for.. for… Chu Qiao gaining some memories she said: It’s for the fourth Master Yuwen Yue. Yan Xun unaware of her condition still he replied: Yes, you used to come here and there I used to play here. Yan Xun even told her a short story, we banged our heads in that cave, and we are going to repeat it again today. Hold on tight!”
The Merlin is still the same and nothing has changed even at night, a master who knows to play around its stratagems can bypass everything and go out safe from Wei State and arrived at Yan-Wei road. The night worked for their advantage especially at the middle of moon rise which is shining brightly today. Yan Xun tapped two of the sturdiest vines, and he gave it to Chu Qiao while and he held the other one and said: On three we need to swing and jump to the cave.
Chu Qiao at the edge of the Merlin mountain holding the vine she nodded at Yan Xun then smiled at him for she already recovers some of her past memories around Merlin including a flashback of the Castle Peak nearby and remembers its fall and a man caught and save her. She said to herself: “Must be the fourth young master..”
Chu Qiao swung on air and landed just as Yan Xun said while Yan Xun also for a second came to where she is. Yan Xun told her: This is the place where I met you after the hunting field, do you remember? Chu Qiao seems busy with her Fourth Young master fragmented memories she said: “I cannot remember.”
Yan Xun estimating her looks he grabbed her and said: “Tell me not to marry and I won’t!”
Chu Qiao gave eye to eye with him and Yan Xun holding her waist she did not struggle but just looked at his face, another look and no words, another pity stare she threw at him and still no words came out of her mouth.
Yan Xun impatient and like a bomb his time ticking and he must have an answer, Yan Xun gave her a pity stare: “You don’t have to tell me you love me, all you have to do is to order me, and consider it done…” and Yan Xun waited for words but only cold air in between their lips, not one word was ever said.
Chu Qiao still looking at this eyes on all of her mixed emotions at the moment, a Prince is with her in the eve of his wedding, and her mind is what, wondering somewhere with this Fourth Young Master of the Castle Peak? She is unfair. Indeed, life is not fair.
As they trek the cave’s narrow pathways, Chu Qiao suddenly gathers back her fragmented memories with Yuwen Yue when they were trapped in the cave. She can’t help herself. Yan Xun finally reached the end, and they got out of the cave. Yan Xun trying to make her remember their lost times he said: Remember this road? This is where I meditated at the middle, and you came so fiercely in front of the Wei Valve troops? You also call me the Kang Prince because I am like a Prince who is ready to make Yan-Wei road a Kang bed and sleep on it.”
Chu Qiao never said a word but felt as if she is compelled to say a thing: Yan Xun: “I want you to become the King of Yanbei and serve its people and change the world. That is the dream I have, that is why I came to Xuili.”
Yan Xun stopped walking and told him he said: “Then be my Queen..”
Chu Qiao thinking of her empire and Wei poor people said: “I can’t…”
Yan Xun turned an angry face and said: That means you would like to be with me but for some reason, you can’t? Why?
Chu Qiao told him: I don’t want to be the cause of your hindrance to serving your people, and the Princess of Liang will be broken-hearted… I have seen her spying around and saw her face even if distant, one can tell she loves you and will you sacrifice her life for the sake of you. You have already a life with her after I went missing for almost a year. I cannot let you lose it just because I am here and still lost with my memories.
Yan Xun told her: A life with her? No. I never did have any life until I saw you again and I never thought I would find you still…I thought you were dead. I don’t care about your lost memories. We can make new ones, we have many moments to make.” Yan Xun putting everything in the line, his pride, his people, his honor and his emotions to make Chu Qiao decide.
Chu Qiao on her hoarse voice does not want to utter these words but she needs to say it to let him go, her head low, tears welling in her eyes, she said with bitterness: “Don’t do this Prince Yan Xun, it makes me hope we have a chance together when in the first place we didn’t have any at all. You have a responsibility to your people, and that is why I came to help you. After you wed with the Liang Princess, consider me gone and I won’t bother you even one strand of your hair. Thank you for your support and help with Xuili Army and continuous sponsorship with the Children Rehabilitation Facility. With the new Queen of Yanbei, Xuili won’t be able to make it with the new regime. Consider it my last request, that you provide a decree to release the Xuili Army, they have suffered enough and paid their debts in full, let them retire to the mountains of Xuili and let them live as a free man and not as a traitor to Yanbei, their homeland.”
Suddenly Chu Qiao saw some needles coming at Yan Xun’s back she used her Canhong sword to counter them, but then Yan Xun was snatched away by some black ninja’s and gone. The woman in black ninja suit opened her eyes then insert a tiny needle in Yan Xun’s neck and went to sleep while Chu Qiao was accidentally hit by a needle at her right arm, she ran into the woods to look for Yan Xun but unfortunately she became drowsy and laid her body to the cold forest.
That same night, an Old lady pass by the forest and saw the fine woman in her Imperial night-gown and her Canhong sword she is holding on her wrist and its sheath not far away from her grasp. She checked if the fine woman is still breathing and the old lady ordered her servants to take the fine woman, and they carried her into the paladin. She said: She won’t survive a day if we do not pass by an old friend.
The Old lady stopped at her Old friend near the Wei and Liang border states. She told her Old friend, she must have been poisoned and must be given an antidote. She also explained that she must not stay for long but will come back for her after a week. Her Old friend nodded and did not have anything to say they smiled at each other.
Yan Xun woke up like he went to a dream, he was suddenly disoriented but his servants came to undress him and put on his wedding gown, and he did not object. He was looking at them like strangers, but A’Jing came and said: “Your Highness, in a moment Princess Xiao Yu will arrive and you must give exaltation to your ancestors before the wedding rites happen.”
Viper and He Xiao was imprisoned by Xiao Yu and ordered her spies and servants to lock them in the secret prison in Liang.
“Where am I?.” said Chu Qiao looking at her arm which has been cut and has been bandaged. And the Old friend of the Old lady smiled at her with a tobacco cigar halfway spent on his hand not saying any words but puffing smoke in front of her face. Chu Qiao went curious and rephrase: Master, what am I doing here?
The Master Xie’s eyes squinted then walked, Chu Qiao deafening on the silence on the air asked again: “I am supposed to attend a Prince Wedding..” and after a while, she thought changed her statements again she said: “no I am supposed to be engaged today.”
Master Xie Tai Shan gave a graceful smile in his face and showed her a path. Chu Qiao learned that the Master is mute and unable to speak, she followed him until she saw her Canhong sword beside two mossy cenotaphs, she touched it and rubbed to see its surface.
Her eyes went big and moved away looking very stunned, and she realized: “Master is this… is this…”
Unfinished saying and she suddenly realized that the man in her memories went to the afterlife looking at this mossy cenotaph.. she looked again at the Master who nodded his head with an expressionless face. Suddenly the mute Master sitting somewhat near the cenotaph uttered words: “the man in your memories has already died two years ago and you Chibi did not improve.”
“Master I thought…” Chu Qiao unfinished saying and Master Xie Tai Shan said: “I am mute not until today.”
Chu Qiao asked: “Who are you?”
“It does not matter who I am, but I am the person who brought him to the house of the nobles and his mother, my sister died in their hands.”
Chu Qiao suddenly touched the cenotaph with engraved inscriptions in Chinese, with silent tears in her eyes said: “The Fourth Young master and..”
The old Master said: “His mother.” Chu Qiao now looking at the second cenotaph beside it.
He is the Fourth Young Master of the Yuwen household am I correct?
Yes, he is and the owner of the Poe Yue Jian sword, he also gave you the Canhong sword.
“I remember both swords she said softly.” Chu Qiao picked up her Canhong sword beside the cenotaph, but she does not still understand why the Fourth Young master died at such a young age.
Tell me what happened to him, Master. Why did his life end?
The Master went to recall back Yuwen Yue’s fateful end in the hands of Yan Xun he said: “Fourth Young master gave the benefit of the doubt despite the caution and warning from his best guards who told him its a trap and dead-end road. Some said he came to face the Prince of Yanbei and save a maidservant whom he endears the most. Some said he is a fool for doing so, that he is a disgrace to the family he served for all these years, he is a failure to the Empire and does not deserve a decent grave. Here in this empty tomb, May the remembrance of his good deeds be remembered especially to the woman in front of me should realize the life he gave up for the sake of her and live it well.”
Chu Qiao dropped on her knees: He is the man in my memories I cannot be wrong, his memory of his face may have faded and erased but his good deeds wrapped in coldness never went to sleep. I can still feel it every night and long for its presence.
“Now that you know his story, you should move on and live your life well. Take this memory of you, and when all is finally whole, this is a place open for you,” said the Master who stood up and left Chu Qiao alone.
Chu Qiao now sobbing as she heard the Old Master’s words for her reckoning, she slowly touched the Fourth young master empty tomb and hold her heart in pain, she feels she can never turn back time, she is creeping in the dark agony of her memories. Questions that linger without answers. Did she allow this thing to happen that led to his death? It’s a shadow of gray in her heart, remained undiscovered.
“I swear, if there is another lifetime for both of us, I will make sure not to waste it just like this…” Chu Qiao said, sobbing and lost the sense of time, she did not know how long she has been there until it was already dark.
For seven days she stayed with the forest little wooden house with the Master, she gathered fresh Plum blossom flowers every morning and brought it to the empty tomb until she realized she cannot go near the Cenotaph anymore because it has been full of flower encircled around it. She created a pathway so she could come near and touch it and tears just fall into her eyes until one day…
Fine woman, do you want to waste your life in this empty grave?
Chu Qiao awakened and just like her usual routine, she slept beside the empty tomb, and it’s already dark skies before she trails back to her feet at the little wooden house. The Master’s house across her small wooden house also taught her the proper sword fight and how to use the Canhong sword according to its traditions and powers under the bitter moon, Chu Qiao learned and remembered them all through his help.
“Who are you?” Chu Qiao said with sternness in her voice.
The Old lady said: You won’t be able to repay me if you knew who I am. Trust me on this, it is not where you are supposed to be. The Old lady gave her a compassionate look, she knows she is mourning for the death of whom? Of whom she is not even sure if the man is really dead or not. The Old lady being a realistic and thinks empty tombs are just a memorial and so long as the body of a person is not yet found, she knows it is a hanging story to tell and only fools to believe in.
Call me your Old lady, I am offering you a lifetime of goodness, come with me and I will help you recover your life back together. Get up and ride with me. I have already asked my Old friend to take you with me.
Chu Qiao looking at her eyes saw sincerity she said: “I’ll go with you on one condition.”
“What is your condition?”
“Let me live my life in service to the people.” That is all I ask, said Chu Qiao.
Sure, you are free to roam around and serve the people said the Old lady and Chu Qiao bid his goodbye to the Master who is waving his hands she shouted: “One day, I shall come back to revisit you. Thank You!”
***
Xiao Yu now a married woman, came to his husband on their first night to celebrate it, his husband who is wearing their honeymoon robe, Yan Xun at his back looking over the beautiful mirror of the moon at the river lake somewhere at Xui Xui Mountains.
Not in the mood to make his first moves, Xiao Yu on her beautiful Hanfu lingerie came to him and said: “May I say something?”
Yan Xun, a gentleman but on his poker face, was startled and said: “What is it, my Queen?”
Please do not be upset, but I think Chu Qiao about to kill you on the eve of our wedding day. I saved you but saw her run in the forest. We also captured her right-hand Viper and her Deputy General, but I also let them go because it seems they were not in companion with Chu Qiao but to the Prince of Yanbei that night. Ge Qi finally confessed it.
Yan Xun was confronted at the moment as Xiao Yu looked down waiting for his answer he said: “And if I confirm it is true, what will you do?”
Xiao Yu said: Nothing, I just wanted to know the whole truth even if it means this marriage is not up for the good start.
Yan Xun somewhat giving white lies he said: That night I came to Wei to save her so she can serve the King and Queen of Yanbei. You must not forget she is one of the General of Yanbei, the General of Xuili Army and many Yanbei citizens follows her. If there is one famous person we should have as an ally, please do not forget her.
Xiao Yu contented with Yan Xun’s white lies, she said: My King, thank you for letting me know, and I won’t forget that frame of mind. I just want to be open to you and do not want to run this marriage by emotions only, but I would like us to have an honest conversation especially in matters of state, Liang becomes a Vassal state who submits to your authority and you the King of Yanbei vested the authority to me as your Queen in Yanbei.
Yan Xun nodded he said: “I understand my Queen. Shall we end this night with many talks about our state or enjoy the moonlight of the river lake?” Yan Xun went back to see the golden light at the middle of the river lake he thought of himself: “A’Chu, it should have been you, why did you tried to kill me and now left me no choice but marry the Princess of Liang. Is this what you want for me?”
Xiao Yu was a bit in pain to know their first night was just watching over the river lake under the bright moonlight. She tried her best to join her King and be quiet until they fell to sleep.
The next day, Xiao Yu found herself alone in their honeymoon bed. She checked herself as if she is looking for signs if something has happened between her and the King of Yanbei but everything seems reasonable. While Yan Xun is busy cooking in their royal kitchen to serve her Queen bed and breakfast, he thinks this is the best revenge he will give to Chu Qiao as Yan Xun thinks Chu Qiao went back to Wei and choose to be the 13th Prince Yuan Song crown princess over Yanbei’s Queen position. Yan Xun promised to let Chu Qiao regret her decisions as he decides to fake his actions to show some sweet nothings to the new Queen of Yanbei.
It was already nightfall when they arrived in the XuiXui mountains, Xiao Yu has never been into this place, she opened the royal palace windows and saw the white snowy grounds of Yanbei’s grasslands, ten times colder than Liang state. She wrapped herself and breathe the fresh air courtesy of His Majesty’s warm hug on her back. She was stunned but she likes it very much.
**
Yuan Song has never been drunk and never stepped on his never been before touched 13th Prince harem, now on his sober mind and eyes, surprised to see himself lying with a girl beside him.
Whoah! Who are you?
I am your servant your Highness, you were so drunk last night, you picked me from all of the ladies last night and gave me this…
Yuan Song saw the jade and said: No! It was a mistake. I thought you looked like her, but I never want to give you this jade.
The girl wanted to blackmail the 13th Prince of Wei she said: Then the 13th Prince of Wei has no word of honor, I shall take my life at this moment. The girl crying in her torn dress and almost Half-naked body ran to-the Palace Harem’s open window and about to do a free fall to commit suicide when suddenly Yuan Song’s quick hand got her arms and suspended on air. The girl is crying she said: Let go of me, If I do not become yours, then it is better to die than to end up in the streets.
Yuan Song realizes the girl’s plea he hastily uttered words of nowhere of which he will regret later he said: No, you can keep the jade and be my first concubine after I wed with Wei crown princess. Just don’t do this to your life and my wedding is only one day away, I cannot ruin it with this news breakout from my own harem.
The girl heard and agreed, she cooperated to the Yuan Songs plea and smiled and wiped her tears as the Yuan Song pulled her and she ended up on top of the 13th Prince chest. Yuan Song inhaled and exhaled in front of her and laugh out loud he said: I did not expect I would have a concubine first before a crown princess in my bed. Ha…Ha…Ha.
The girl slightly leaned on his face and said: You will soon choose me over her or vice versa, forsake her and choose me instead.
What makes you so sure? Yuan Song on his cold voice raised his brows.
Because I am merely good at whatever a partner wants or wishes for said the girl.
That will have to come after, the 13th Prince on his usual childishness did not worry about this little mishap incident, and he told her: “So this news that I came here has to be sealed and should not be known to the Wei, crown princess. And you have to know your place. She is my first love and no one else.”
The girl laughed out loud and said: Let’s see who’s going to end up crying and come to me for comfort and she smirked at him.
Yuan Song got annoyed he slightly pushed her from his chest and stood up straight. Yuan Song gaining back all of his pride and stature he put his two hands at his back, walked tall, chin up, heads up high as if nothing happened.
**
Ra Yue back to his Qinghai Palace, he ordered Zuo to send the letter to his Father and asked for an extended vacation leave before he takes over the throne. He sites valid reasons like his need to seek enlightenment and know more about his royal family by his own means. The Qinghai King agreed and sent the response letter. Ra Yue received it. There is a corner of hope in his heart to find himself and really let go of any hang-ups that might impede his rule to his Empire, make his heart whole in taking over the Kingdom and run it with justice and freedom. He learned this from Chu Qiao and the ordinary people, the poor of the poorest. His plans are all set, ready to go back to Wei, leaving his crown and his splendor in search for his heart.
In the absence of any lead on how to breach the moon kingdom, Yuwen Yue resolved to himself to wait for the right time for the Skyshadow woman to help. He received news from her that all is well for his band of brother and were all treated well according to the orders the Secret Princess before she left for a journey and does not have a definite time when she will come back. Ra Yue has been slowly uncovering the mysteries and secrets of the Chu Jing kingdom with the help of Zuo Zong, the 2nd Prince Ra Zheng and on rare occasion, the 6th Prince Ra Zhun sometimes comes to give the 7th Prince a surprise visit to irritate him and challenge him always.
Yuwen Yue now all set, took off his royal garments and back to his former pauper life, the prince went out of the gate like nobody, and no one noticed it. Zuo following his back while the others left but he gave specific instructions to contact them if there is an emergency case situation. Yuwen Yue slipped the Queen’s narrow eyes on his activities, and now riding back to Wei.
In reality, Yuwen Yue have many questions left unanswered after the Wei crown princess engagement. He is surprised to see Chu Qiao not responding to him the way it was before. What’s more intriguing is, she met a real one and an imposter one. Is it possible that they were a twin sister? Yuwen Yue did not have any peace of mind until that day he saw with his own eyes two people of the same face and figure. One is holding the Canhong sword, and the other hit his head. He is not going to rest until he figures it out who is the real Chu Qiao and know who the imposter is. Or is it one of Yan Xun’s trap? Yuwen Yue is set to find out, but he will use what he learned from the frozen lake. He promised himself not to leak his identity and blend well with the ordinary people by growing his beard and Wearing ragged clothes. Being already used to this kind of life once, now he is going to try it again. Zuo will be on the standby and will be a second party looking after him until both of their feet landed in Wei this time in the sheep’s clothing of a peddler that works to deliver parcels to as far as the south which is the state of Liang.
Yuwen Yue, a handsome man did not slip Liang’s beautiful girls eyes including a fine woman living at the Xue Fu street, a fine chef who serves every customer with a sincere heart and retires to the streets at the end of her work. Almost all of their customers never forget to come back to their Kowloon noodle house to taste their bestseller’s dine-in bowl of Ginseng soup and catch a glimpse of her beautiful face.
Connect to Chapter 39 Breach of Chasm
♥♥♥
Chapter 048
♥Author♥Angel♥Chua♥
Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong’er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography
Broken Star
Let go of me! hastily said, Chu Qiao
No! on his cold voice, said Yuwen Yue.
Chu Qiao did not think twice, she unsheathed her sword, and the man put down her hands and was battling his inner self if he is going to take off his metal mask or not, but Chu Qiao suddenly struck him, and Yuwen Yue counterattacked her, but he obviously controlled the swordplay, suddenly another Chu Qiao came in front of him and Yuwen Yue was bewildered.
Who are you? Yuwen Yue on his cold voice and Chu Qiao heard his voice clearly.
It does not matter who I am, said the Xia Chong, I am the real Chu Qiao, and she is the imposter.
Xia Chong is protecting Chu Qiao at the moment she whispered to her: Go! and do not ever come back!
Yuwen Yue heard what Xia Chong said when suddenly Xia Chong hit his head and was thrown into a daze his metal mask over his face, but another handsome young man came to counter Xia Chong and defended Yuwen Yue from its blade. Zuo was quick and accurate he was able to get out of the Wei crown princess palace without any guards because Yuwen Yue already broke some necks for them to sleep. Xia Chong fierce eyes she settled and meditated for a few minutes and the plan must continue she said. Suddenly another lady came out from the hiding and revealed her face, it is Xiao Ba, both looked at each other’s eyes and nodded.
Chu Qiao suddenly walked past Yuwen Yue, and she took a glance from his metal mask for she cannot ignore him and was already wary at him earlier at the banquet especially when she just heard his cold voice now, suddenly a pool of memories flashed back to her like she is watching a movie. And not to mention the Poe Yue Jian sword he is holding, and its silver bells clinging on their fight pumps her blood and coordinate her movements with the air around them, and she became like an amateur to his contender but improved this time, she is able to counter attack him.
While Chu Qiao was walking along the corridors, she cannot shake off the scene earlier and the metal mask man and the Poe Yue Jian sword she asked: “Who is he? I think I have met him before but could not recall where.” Chu Qiao stopped and remembered the woman who told her to go, it really looks like her from head to toe, she wondered: “is she her sister or what?”
Chu Qiao continued to walk at the long palace corridors heading north where the banquet was held earlier when all of a sudden a man raised his sword eyebrows and jumps from its nearby trees talked.
“What would the World get if the Star is lost in the heavens?”
Chu Qiao ears on a sudden glee, she turned around but did not see anybody until Yan Xun came close to her back and out of his long-suffering held back emotions kissed her lips.
Chu Qiao did not close her eyes not even responded to that kiss, she was just stunned at what the Prince of Yanbei is doing and then she pushed the Prince, and Yan Xun let her go.
Yan Xun immediately broke the silence and said: “That kiss was meant for the days I have restrained myself not to come and see you at the Xuili mountains and secretly walking through the Meilin border, it is not open for any interpretation.”
Chu Qiao on her angst and a tearful eye she said: “Why are you doing this?” and she put her head low dropping some tears. She let go of those tears when in front of the whole Wei Empire earlier she walked so tall and brave.
Yan Xun suddenly took her hands and said: I don’t have much time to answer your questions, but please hold my hand if you must, but I am not going to force you to come, you are free to decide whether you wanted to go with me to Yanbei or become the Wei Crown Princess tomorrow morning.
Chu Qiao looked at him on his tearful eyes she threw the question to Yan Xun: If I come, what happens to you? Will you be the next King of Yanbei tomorrow morning?
Yan Xun on the rush, took this moment to answer her straight and quick: I am the King of Yanbei whether you stay or not, that is not going to change. And Yan Xun took her hands and Chu Qiao on her cold feet halted him and said: I just wanted to be clear to you, I wanted to come but wanted to stay here as well.
Yan Xun lifted her small beautiful face and said: Then come. Suddenly Yan Xun feeling not so sure of Chu Qiao he moved his face back to her, he squinted his eyes and said: Don’t tell me you have fallen in love with 13th the Prince of Wei and its cold-blooded empire?
Chu Qiao did not answer and Yan Xun can only hold Chu Qiao’s first response and that is To come, the Prince of Yanbei carried Chu Qiao and run towards a secret pathway to which another two shadows are trailing just a few minutes ahead of them where Yuwen Yue slept, and they are walking shoulder to shoulder assisted by Zuo.
Yan Xun saw the two but he is rushing to find their way out, and it’s not a priority to scold these two unfamiliar faces today. When Yan Xun reached the first stratagem, Chu Qiao back on her two feet suddenly remembered this place. She used to pick plum blossoms for.. for… Chu Qiao gaining some memories she said: It’s for the fourth Master Yuwen Yue. Yan Xun unaware of her condition still he replied: Yes, you used to come here and there I used to play here. Yan Xun even told her a short story, we banged our heads in that cave, and we are going to repeat it again today. Hold on tight!”
The Merlin is still the same and nothing has changed even at night, a master who knows to play around its stratagems can bypass everything and go out safe from Wei State and arrived at Yan-Wei road. The night worked for their advantage especially at the middle of moon rise which is shining brightly today. Yan Xun tapped two of the sturdiest vines, and he gave it to Chu Qiao while and he held the other one and said: On three we need to swing and jump to the cave.
Chu Qiao at the edge of the Merlin mountain holding the vine she nodded at Yan Xun then smiled at him for she already recovers some of her past memories around Merlin including a flashback of the Castle Peak nearby and remembers its fall and a man caught and save her. She said to herself: “Must be the fourth young master..”
Chu Qiao swung on air and landed just as Yan Xun said while Yan Xun also for a second came to where she is. Yan Xun told her: This is the place where I met you after the hunting field, do you remember? Chu Qiao seems busy with her Fourth Young master fragmented memories she said: “I cannot remember.”
Yan Xun estimating her looks he grabbed her and said: “Tell me not to marry and I won’t!”
Chu Qiao gave eye to eye with him and Yan Xun holding her waist she did not struggle but just looked at his face, another look and no words, another pity stare she threw at him and still no words came out of her mouth.
Yan Xun impatient and like a bomb his time ticking and he must have an answer, Yan Xun gave her a pity stare: “You don’t have to tell me you love me, all you have to do is to order me, and consider it done…” and Yan Xun waited for words but only cold air in between their lips, not one word was ever said.
Chu Qiao still looking at this eyes on all of her mixed emotions at the moment, a Prince is with her in the eve of his wedding, and her mind is what, wondering somewhere with this Fourth Young Master of the Castle Peak? She is unfair. Indeed, life is not fair.
As they trek the cave’s narrow pathways, Chu Qiao suddenly gathers back her fragmented memories with Yuwen Yue when they were trapped in the cave. She can’t help herself. Yan Xun finally reached the end, and they got out of the cave. Yan Xun trying to make her remember their lost times he said: Remember this road? This is where I meditated at the middle, and you came so fiercely in front of the Wei Valve troops? You also call me the Kang Prince because I am like a Prince who is ready to make Yan-Wei road a Kang bed and sleep on it.”
Chu Qiao never said a word but felt as if she is compelled to say a thing: Yan Xun: “I want you to become the King of Yanbei and serve its people and change the world. That is the dream I have, that is why I came to Xuili.”
Yan Xun stopped walking and told him he said: “Then be my Queen..”
Chu Qiao thinking of her empire and Wei poor people said: “I can’t…”
Yan Xun turned an angry face and said: That means you would like to be with me but for some reason, you can’t? Why?
Chu Qiao told him: I don’t want to be the cause of your hindrance to serving your people, and the Princess of Liang will be broken-hearted… I have seen her spying around and saw her face even if distant, one can tell she loves you and will you sacrifice her life for the sake of you. You have already a life with her after I went missing for almost a year. I cannot let you lose it just because I am here and still lost with my memories.
Yan Xun told her: A life with her? No. I never did have any life until I saw you again and I never thought I would find you still…I thought you were dead. I don’t care about your lost memories. We can make new ones, we have many moments to make.” Yan Xun putting everything in the line, his pride, his people, his honor and his emotions to make Chu Qiao decide.
Chu Qiao on her hoarse voice does not want to utter these words but she needs to say it to let him go, her head low, tears welling in her eyes, she said with bitterness: “Don’t do this Prince Yan Xun, it makes me hope we have a chance together when in the first place we didn’t have any at all. You have a responsibility to your people, and that is why I came to help you. After you wed with the Liang Princess, consider me gone and I won’t bother you even one strand of your hair. Thank you for your support and help with Xuili Army and continuous sponsorship with the Children Rehabilitation Facility. With the new Queen of Yanbei, Xuili won’t be able to make it with the new regime. Consider it my last request, that you provide a decree to release the Xuili Army, they have suffered enough and paid their debts in full, let them retire to the mountains of Xuili and let them live as a free man and not as a traitor to Yanbei, their homeland.”
Suddenly Chu Qiao saw some needles coming at Yan Xun’s back she used her Canhong sword to counter them, but then Yan Xun was snatched away by some black ninja’s and gone. The woman in black ninja suit opened her eyes then insert a tiny needle in Yan Xun’s neck and went to sleep while Chu Qiao was accidentally hit by a needle at her right arm, she ran into the woods to look for Yan Xun but unfortunately she became drowsy and laid her body to the cold forest.
That same night, an Old lady pass by the forest and saw the fine woman in her Imperial night-gown and her Canhong sword she is holding on her wrist and its sheath not far away from her grasp. She checked if the fine woman is still breathing and the old lady ordered her servants to take the fine woman, and they carried her into the paladin. She said: She won’t survive a day if we do not pass by an old friend.
The Old lady stopped at her Old friend near the Wei and Liang border states. She told her Old friend, she must have been poisoned and must be given an antidote. She also explained that she must not stay for long but will come back for her after a week. Her Old friend nodded and did not have anything to say they smiled at each other.
Yan Xun woke up like he went to a dream, he was suddenly disoriented but his servants came to undress him and put on his wedding gown, and he did not object. He was looking at them like strangers, but A’Jing came and said: “Your Highness, in a moment Princess Xiao Yu will arrive and you must give exaltation to your ancestors before the wedding rites happen.”
Viper and He Xiao was imprisoned by Xiao Yu and ordered her spies and servants to lock them in the secret prison in Liang.
“Where am I?.” said Chu Qiao looking at her arm which has been cut and has been bandaged. And the Old friend of the Old lady smiled at her with a tobacco cigar halfway spent on his hand not saying any words but puffing smoke in front of her face. Chu Qiao went curious and rephrase: Master, what am I doing here?
The Master Xie’s eyes squinted then walked, Chu Qiao deafening on the silence on the air asked again: “I am supposed to attend a Prince Wedding..” and after a while, she thought changed her statements again she said: “no I am supposed to be engaged today.”
Master Xie Tai Shan gave a graceful smile in his face and showed her a path. Chu Qiao learned that the Master is mute and unable to speak, she followed him until she saw her Canhong sword beside two mossy cenotaphs, she touched it and rubbed to see its surface.
Her eyes went big and moved away looking very stunned, and she realized: “Master is this… is this…”
Unfinished saying and she suddenly realized that the man in her memories went to the afterlife looking at this mossy cenotaph.. she looked again at the Master who nodded his head with an expressionless face. Suddenly the mute Master sitting somewhat near the cenotaph uttered words: “the man in your memories has already died two years ago and you Chibi did not improve.”
“Master I thought…” Chu Qiao unfinished saying and Master Xie Tai Shan said: “I am mute not until today.”
Chu Qiao asked: “Who are you?”
“It does not matter who I am, but I am the person who brought him to the house of the nobles and his mother, my sister died in their hands.”
Chu Qiao suddenly touched the cenotaph with engraved inscriptions in Chinese, with silent tears in her eyes said: “The Fourth Young master and..”
The old Master said: “His mother.” Chu Qiao now looking at the second cenotaph beside it.
He is the Fourth Young Master of the Yuwen household am I correct?
Yes, he is and the owner of the Poe Yue Jian sword, he also gave you the Canhong sword.
“I remember both swords she said softly.” Chu Qiao picked up her Canhong sword beside the cenotaph, but she does not still understand why the Fourth Young master died at such a young age.
Tell me what happened to him, Master. Why did his life end?
The Master went to recall back Yuwen Yue’s fateful end in the hands of Yan Xun he said: “Fourth Young master gave the benefit of the doubt despite the caution and warning from his best guards who told him its a trap and dead-end road. Some said he came to face the Prince of Yanbei and save a maidservant whom he endears the most. Some said he is a fool for doing so, that he is a disgrace to the family he served for all these years, he is a failure to the Empire and does not deserve a decent grave. Here in this empty tomb, May the remembrance of his good deeds be remembered especially to the woman in front of me should realize the life he gave up for the sake of her and live it well.”
Chu Qiao dropped on her knees: He is the man in my memories I cannot be wrong, his memory of his face may have faded and erased but his good deeds wrapped in coldness never went to sleep. I can still feel it every night and long for its presence.
“Now that you know his story, you should move on and live your life well. Take this memory of you, and when all is finally whole, this is a place open for you,” said the Master who stood up and left Chu Qiao alone.
Chu Qiao now sobbing as she heard the Old Master’s words for her reckoning, she slowly touched the Fourth young master empty tomb and hold her heart in pain, she feels she can never turn back time, she is creeping in the dark agony of her memories. Questions that linger without answers. Did she allow this thing to happen that led to his death? It’s a shadow of gray in her heart, remained undiscovered.
“I swear, if there is another lifetime for both of us, I will make sure not to waste it just like this…” Chu Qiao said, sobbing and lost the sense of time, she did not know how long she has been there until it was already dark.
For seven days she stayed with the forest little wooden house with the Master, she gathered fresh Plum blossom flowers every morning and brought it to the empty tomb until she realized she cannot go near the Cenotaph anymore because it has been full of flower encircled around it. She created a pathway so she could come near and touch it and tears just fall into her eyes until one day…
Fine woman, do you want to waste your life in this empty grave?
Chu Qiao awakened and just like her usual routine, she slept beside the empty tomb, and it’s already dark skies before she trails back to her feet at the little wooden house. The Master’s house across her small wooden house also taught her the proper sword fight and how to use the Canhong sword according to its traditions and powers under the bitter moon, Chu Qiao learned and remembered them all through his help.
“Who are you?” Chu Qiao said with sternness in her voice.
The Old lady said: You won’t be able to repay me if you knew who I am. Trust me on this, it is not where you are supposed to be. The Old lady gave her a compassionate look, she knows she is mourning for the death of whom? Of whom she is not even sure if the man is really dead or not. The Old lady being a realistic and thinks empty tombs are just a memorial and so long as the body of a person is not yet found, she knows it is a hanging story to tell and only fools to believe in.
Call me your Old lady, I am offering you a lifetime of goodness, come with me and I will help you recover your life back together. Get up and ride with me. I have already asked my Old friend to take you with me.
Chu Qiao looking at her eyes saw sincerity she said: “I’ll go with you on one condition.”
“What is your condition?”
“Let me live my life in service to the people.” That is all I ask, said Chu Qiao.
Sure, you are free to roam around and serve the people said the Old lady and Chu Qiao bid his goodbye to the Master who is waving his hands she shouted: “One day, I shall come back to revisit you. Thank You!”
***
Xiao Yu now a married woman, came to his husband on their first night to celebrate it, his husband who is wearing their honeymoon robe, Yan Xun at his back looking over the beautiful mirror of the moon at the river lake somewhere at Xui Xui Mountains.
Not in the mood to make his first moves, Xiao Yu on her beautiful Hanfu lingerie came to him and said: “May I say something?”
Yan Xun, a gentleman but on his poker face, was startled and said: “What is it, my Queen?”
Please do not be upset, but I think Chu Qiao about to kill you on the eve of our wedding day. I saved you but saw her run in the forest. We also captured her right-hand Viper and her Deputy General, but I also let them go because it seems they were not in companion with Chu Qiao but to the Prince of Yanbei that night. Ge Qi finally confessed it.
Yan Xun was confronted at the moment as Xiao Yu looked down waiting for his answer he said: “And if I confirm it is true, what will you do?”
Xiao Yu said: Nothing, I just wanted to know the whole truth even if it means this marriage is not up for the good start.
Yan Xun somewhat giving white lies he said: That night I came to Wei to save her so she can serve the King and Queen of Yanbei. You must not forget she is one of the General of Yanbei, the General of Xuili Army and many Yanbei citizens follows her. If there is one famous person we should have as an ally, please do not forget her.
Xiao Yu contented with Yan Xun’s white lies, she said: My King, thank you for letting me know, and I won’t forget that frame of mind. I just want to be open to you and do not want to run this marriage by emotions only, but I would like us to have an honest conversation especially in matters of state, Liang becomes a Vassal state who submits to your authority and you the King of Yanbei vested the authority to me as your Queen in Yanbei.
Yan Xun nodded he said: “I understand my Queen. Shall we end this night with many talks about our state or enjoy the moonlight of the river lake?” Yan Xun went back to see the golden light at the middle of the river lake he thought of himself: “A’Chu, it should have been you, why did you tried to kill me and now left me no choice but marry the Princess of Liang. Is this what you want for me?”
Xiao Yu was a bit in pain to know their first night was just watching over the river lake under the bright moonlight. She tried her best to join her King and be quiet until they fell to sleep.
The next day, Xiao Yu found herself alone in their honeymoon bed. She checked herself as if she is looking for signs if something has happened between her and the King of Yanbei but everything seems reasonable. While Yan Xun is busy cooking in their royal kitchen to serve her Queen bed and breakfast, he thinks this is the best revenge he will give to Chu Qiao as Yan Xun thinks Chu Qiao went back to Wei and choose to be the 13th Prince Yuan Song crown princess over Yanbei’s Queen position. Yan Xun promised to let Chu Qiao regret her decisions as he decides to fake his actions to show some sweet nothings to the new Queen of Yanbei.
It was already nightfall when they arrived in the XuiXui mountains, Xiao Yu has never been into this place, she opened the royal palace windows and saw the white snowy grounds of Yanbei’s grasslands, ten times colder than Liang state. She wrapped herself and breathe the fresh air courtesy of His Majesty’s warm hug on her back. She was stunned but she likes it very much.
**
Yuan Song has never been drunk and never stepped on his never been before touched 13th Prince harem, now on his sober mind and eyes, surprised to see himself lying with a girl beside him.
Whoah! Who are you?
I am your servant your Highness, you were so drunk last night, you picked me from all of the ladies last night and gave me this…
Yuan Song saw the jade and said: No! It was a mistake. I thought you looked like her, but I never want to give you this jade.
The girl wanted to blackmail the 13th Prince of Wei she said: Then the 13th Prince of Wei has no word of honor, I shall take my life at this moment. The girl crying in her torn dress and almost Half-naked body ran to-the Palace Harem’s open window and about to do a free fall to commit suicide when suddenly Yuan Song’s quick hand got her arms and suspended on air. The girl is crying she said: Let go of me, If I do not become yours, then it is better to die than to end up in the streets.
Yuan Song realizes the girl’s plea he hastily uttered words of nowhere of which he will regret later he said: No, you can keep the jade and be my first concubine after I wed with Wei crown princess. Just don’t do this to your life and my wedding is only one day away, I cannot ruin it with this news breakout from my own harem.
The girl heard and agreed, she cooperated to the Yuan Songs plea and smiled and wiped her tears as the Yuan Song pulled her and she ended up on top of the 13th Prince chest. Yuan Song inhaled and exhaled in front of her and laugh out loud he said: I did not expect I would have a concubine first before a crown princess in my bed. Ha…Ha…Ha.
The girl slightly leaned on his face and said: You will soon choose me over her or vice versa, forsake her and choose me instead.
What makes you so sure? Yuan Song on his cold voice raised his brows.
Because I am merely good at whatever a partner wants or wishes for said the girl.
That will have to come after, the 13th Prince on his usual childishness did not worry about this little mishap incident, and he told her: “So this news that I came here has to be sealed and should not be known to the Wei, crown princess. And you have to know your place. She is my first love and no one else.”
The girl laughed out loud and said: Let’s see who’s going to end up crying and come to me for comfort and she smirked at him.
Yuan Song got annoyed he slightly pushed her from his chest and stood up straight. Yuan Song gaining back all of his pride and stature he put his two hands at his back, walked tall, chin up, heads up high as if nothing happened.
**
Ra Yue back to his Qinghai Palace, he ordered Zuo to send the letter to his Father and asked for an extended vacation leave before he takes over the throne. He sites valid reasons like his need to seek enlightenment and know more about his royal family by his own means. The Qinghai King agreed and sent the response letter. Ra Yue received it. There is a corner of hope in his heart to find himself and really let go of any hang-ups that might impede his rule to his Empire, make his heart whole in taking over the Kingdom and run it with justice and freedom. He learned this from Chu Qiao and the ordinary people, the poor of the poorest. His plans are all set, ready to go back to Wei, leaving his crown and his splendor in search for his heart.
In the absence of any lead on how to breach the moon kingdom, Yuwen Yue resolved to himself to wait for the right time for the Skyshadow woman to help. He received news from her that all is well for his band of brother and were all treated well according to the orders the Secret Princess before she left for a journey and does not have a definite time when she will come back. Ra Yue has been slowly uncovering the mysteries and secrets of the Chu Jing kingdom with the help of Zuo Zong, the 2nd Prince Ra Zheng and on rare occasion, the 6th Prince Ra Zhun sometimes comes to give the 7th Prince a surprise visit to irritate him and challenge him always.
Yuwen Yue now all set, took off his royal garments and back to his former pauper life, the prince went out of the gate like nobody, and no one noticed it. Zuo following his back while the others left but he gave specific instructions to contact them if there is an emergency case situation. Yuwen Yue slipped the Queen’s narrow eyes on his activities, and now riding back to Wei.
In reality, Yuwen Yue have many questions left unanswered after the Wei crown princess engagement. He is surprised to see Chu Qiao not responding to him the way it was before. What’s more intriguing is, she met a real one and an imposter one. Is it possible that they were a twin sister? Yuwen Yue did not have any peace of mind until that day he saw with his own eyes two people of the same face and figure. One is holding the Canhong sword, and the other hit his head. He is not going to rest until he figures it out who is the real Chu Qiao and know who the imposter is. Or is it one of Yan Xun’s trap? Yuwen Yue is set to find out, but he will use what he learned from the frozen lake. He promised himself not to leak his identity and blend well with the ordinary people by growing his beard and Wearing ragged clothes. Being already used to this kind of life once, now he is going to try it again. Zuo will be on the standby and will be a second party looking after him until both of their feet landed in Wei this time in the sheep’s clothing of a peddler that works to deliver parcels to as far as the south which is the state of Liang.
Yuwen Yue, a handsome man did not slip Liang’s beautiful girls eyes including a fine woman living at the Xue Fu street, a fine chef who serves every customer with a sincere heart and retires to the streets at the end of her work. Almost all of their customers never forget to come back to their Kowloon noodle house to taste their bestseller’s dine-in bowl of Ginseng soup and catch a glimpse of her beautiful face.
Connect to Chapter 39 Breach of Chasm
♥♥♥
Chapter 049
♥Author♥Angel♥Chua♥
Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong’er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography
And it begins, late again
The gates of the Jinwu Palace opens, Yuwen Yue did not bother to go inside but let Chu Qiao come in using the Liang Prince jade stone pass, the royal bodyguards let her in. Yuwen Yue turned his back when suddenly he saw a spy but he gave the spy a cold stare and he continued to walk. Yuwen Yue usually walks unarmed with some icy daggers hid somewhere in his clothing. Not to mention Zuo is always looking after him and his back as if they do know each other but occasionally meets in some tavern houses where Yuwen Yue provides a unique alert with a trigger mechanism it creates a vertical fog of smoke first and then flares up to lighten the skies.
The Jinwu Palace is full of green vines and bushes all around its walls, Chu Qiao passed by and smelled the fragrant fresh flowers all around. A heaven’s scent palace where Xiao Ce lives. Chu Qiao suddenly stopped walking when she saw the back of the Prince. The Prince for the first time got out of his bed this morning, wearing his royal red robes looking so grand and elegant stood beside the Yin-Yang green topiary at the garden of hundred flowers.
Xiao Ce turned to look at her, his foxy eyes gave her a gentle glance, he said: “Why do I feel like you are now in love with this gorgeous Prince in front of you?”
Chu Qiao suddenly change her face mood into a stern one and answered Xiao Ce’s question with another question she said: “Why do I have to endure so much insult in front of an ugly Prince who keeps on saying about love?”
Xiao Ce on his foxy eyes looked at her, said: “I see sparkles in your eyes” Xiao Ce turned to his back and then look at his right and left sideways, he continued: “As far as I know I am the only man in front of you. Are you in love with me, now that you felt as if I will die at and miss your chance of a lifetime to marry me?”
Chu Qiao hit his shoulder and Xiao Ce on pain: “Ouch…I have not healed there completely.”
Chu Qiao gave her a beam showing her perfect white teeth and said: “Oh sorry, I will double it the next time you tease me again.”
Xiao Ce always felt good whenever she is around he said: “Hey! Those two baskets, this is for me?”
“Here is a good soup for you, to help you heal and recover strong.”
Xiao Ce looked at her eyes, clapped his hands and said: “Bring me tables and chairs here at the garden and serve the baskets here.”
A nearby servant came, took the baskets while some servants arranged the tables and two chairs to set up a garden dining area at the middle of the green Yin-Yang topiary garden.
The two sat down and ate together as they enjoy each other company, Xiao Ce apologized to Chu Qiao and said: “I am sorry I won’t be much around for quite sometime after my father’s angry subside it will only be the time I can come out of the palace and roam around freely.”
Chu Qiao understood and said: “Then I’ll come to visit you often here whenever you would like to have a quick chat with a friend, you know where to reach me.”
Xiao Ce’s heart leaped for joy but did not show it to the fine woman in front of him he beamed: “The future belongs to those who wait.”
Chu Qiao suddenly arched her brows and asked: “What do you mean by that?”
“Who cares, you will know in time.” Xiao Ce said, flirty foxy eyes flashed, and he continued to sip the Ginseng soup Chu Qiao cooked for him he continued: “Ah, this is the best in town. Not even the Kitchen Ministry is able to cook food like this. Shall I pass a decree to assign you to replace the head of the Ministry of the Palace kitchen?”
Chu Qiao laughed and said: “Look at me, so thin, do you pity your friend or want to kill me here?”
Xiao Ce laughs too: “Ha…Ha…Ha… sorry I forgot that Qiao Qiao. Such a frail body but beautiful face, even if you do not cook at all, just looking at your pretty face, and my stomach is full.”
Chu Qiao feels the Liang Prince have good recovery days, she also laughs: “Ha…Ha…Ha. now that I see you alive and kicking, my visiting pass is expiring today.”
Xiao Ce joked and said: “If that’s the case should I invite more stabs to my body for the tiger beauty to come and visit me often like today?”
And Xiao Ce laughs, but Chu Qiao gave him a formal face and Xiao Ce coughs and said: “I am just making some fun, I didn’t mean it that way.”
Chu Qiao’s face from serious turned to laugh and suddenly bid his goodbye to the Liang prince.
“Why are you leaving so soon?” Xiao Ce flashed anxious face.
“I have things to do, so I’ll go,” said Chu Qiao who stood up and slowly walked away from the Liang Prince.
Xiao Ce shook his head from left to right but a foxy smile across his face, while his father King Tang passed by and saw his son’s happy face, warms his heart. The King has never seen his son’s countenance blooming like a flower.
Chu Qiao finally reached the gate and walked back home to the Xue Fu Street she wondered: “Where is the peddler man? Why didn’t he waited for me?”
It’s already nightfall and Yuwen Yue back to his small lodge room, he stared in the sky and saw the stars shining in the darkness. He just stared at it, as if he is going to do it forever he thought to himself: “She should know me, but why does she acts as if I am a stranger to her? I have only a month left before my vacation is over, I must know if she is the imposter or the real Chu Qiao.”
Yuwen Yue left all his thinking to the fine woman that night, he decided to test his thoughts to find out the truth.
Chu Qiao looking at the same stars Yuwen Yue looking at the moment she thought to herself: “Why do I feel this way? Is this first time or it happened before? Why do I feel something different with this peddler man and I am always on top of the world whenever I am with him?” Chu Qiao left it all in the air and then suddenly drifted to the land of dreams.
The next day, Yuwen Yue walked at Xue Fu street, but the Kowloon house is still closed. Chu Qiao on her way to the market when suddenly Yuwen Yue like a ghost was following behind her coldly and quietly. Chu Qiao suddenly turned her back and was startled when she saw Yuwen Yue she said: “Hey! you’re a ghost!”
Yuwen Yue did not say any and continued to walk he turned his face to her and said: “I’ll help you with your marketing and carry your baskets for free.” Chu Qiao secretly giggled in the inside but unlikely responded to him she said: “I don’t need your help, I can manage.”
Yuwen Yue’s time is running out, so he needs to forcefully let the fine woman accept his offer he said: “If you do not accept free of charge help, I’ll make sure to bug you twenty-four hours a day and seven days week.”
Chu Qiao stunned with what the man said she said: “Are you for real?”
Yuwen Yue replied and said: “Why not? Where everyone asking for my help for a fee and with you I am offering it for free.”
Chu Qiao thinks it will give her a benefit without anything in return she said: “Okay stop right there.”
Yuwen Yue suddenly stunned at what she said, he stopped. Looking at her while Chu Qiao puts the baskets in his two hands he accepted. Another bag at her back she put it criss-cross in his body.
Chu Qiao determined to punish Yuwen Yue for insisting his help while she didn’t ask for it and she thinks he will give up anytime soon he thinks he is abused. She gave him the first test of today’s marketing activity.
Chu Qiao bought lots of vegetables, and they were usually big in size. Yuwen Yue occasionally looking at her with a cold stare and hint of mischief, Chu Qiao put her stern face she asked: “Why are you looking at me like that? Are you giving up?”
Yuwen Yue straighten his back, but his eyes are coldly revolting, his hands holding the two baskets were full of large size vegetables, and it is hurting his back. Chu Qiao tapped his shoulder and said: “Come on buddy, you are better than this, you can do it right?”
Yuwen Yue replied coldly and said: “Who said no?”
Chu Qiao gave him a sly smile and said: “Fine!”
Chu Qiao turned to the vendor and asked for the price of the biggest Wintermelon, and she said: “The largest one please,” and Chu Qiao looked at Yuwen Yue and smiles at him she continued: “for my Wintermelon shake later.”
The vendor looking at Chu Qiao’s peddler man gave him a pitying look she said:” Here you go, can the man still carry it?”
The Wintermelon is really impossible for one person to handle as it is really the largest in size. Chu Qiao came close to Yuwen Yue, tapped his shoulders and said: “This is the sturdiest body of all the peddlers in this town,” then Chu Qiao looked at him.
Yuwen Yue on his coldness he put down the two baskets he said to Chu Qiao: “Take these baskets.”
Yuwen Yue gave the vendor a cold stare first before he took the ginormous Wintermelon the market that day and put it in his shoulder like no effort then walked straight as if there is no load in his shoulder walking so tall and proud.
Everyone was looking at the two while they were walking and the people in the market are gossiping around and caught their attention.
The market people said: “the peddler is very strong, I cannot carry that horrible wintermelon, so big! not in my lifetime!.. only a god can carry it straight to the Kowloon noddle house…is he crazy in love with the beautiful woman..no it’s his boss… no, he is being punished by the gods.”
Chu Qiao heard it and on her bully face feels she scored big time today and found a slave, she laughs at the back following Yuwen Yue then returns to a regular face after she saw him watching her at his end.
Yuwen Yue occasionally turns his back to check if the tiger beauty is still carrying the two baskets full of vegetables and he still finds everything in order. He secretly admired her frail but strong body as she took the baskets full of vegetables while he is hurting his back with this gigantic wintermelon.
Day after day Yuwen Yue came to the Kowloon noodle house and did the same thing over and over without any complaints, only cold face.
The Old lady sensing some mutual feelings in between them but their lips were tightly sealed, only actions but no words. One day, Chu Qiao sneaks to check where is the man’s home, he saw Yuwen Yue looking after the street kids she was also feeding after her work and discovered that he is doing the same. This act moved her heart a bit and made her decide to approach the man.
At midnight Chu Qiao cannot sleep and went to knock the room of the Old lady she asked: “May I come in?”
The Old lady did not have any choice and said: What in the world are you thinking, and you are still awake?
“Muqin, I have stayed with you for long, I have also made your business prosper, and you have made me discover what is life all about. Tomorrow morning I must know what is the man after for.”
“How do you plan to confront him?”
I will ask for you to close the business tomorrow and I will cook for him then we will sit down and talk.
Okay consider me on travel tomorrow I will go to my distant cousin Zhan Ziyu to visit him. Its been a while since the last time I saw him.
Thank you. I will make sure your Kowloon house is safe with me.
The next morning Chu Qiao closed the Kowloon noodle house, but it is open for Yuwen Yue. Knowing Yuwen Yue’s routine she waited outside, and for some reason, he came in late today, suddenly the man in the front of her is looking strange on his cold face but did not utter any words.
Yuwen Yue is staring particularly with her Hanfu looks such an expensive dress and hairdo (not the peacock hairstyle though) but simple plum flowers inserted on the right side of her head, highlighted her eyes with some makeup and clean face, that made her so beautiful and alluring. Yuwen Yue blinked and gave a cold look at her although, in the inside, he feels really attracted to her.
Chu Qiao broke the silence: “Ahem, Ahem, are you going to just stare at me like that and will not ask any questions?”
Yuwen Yue coldly said: “No, but I am curious why the Kowloon house is closed today. Is it a holiday?”
Chu Qiao would really want to hit him, she thinks his clothes did not match his physical appearance and somehow resembles an aristocratic facade whenever he is with her. She did not answer him.
Chu Qiao saw his actions yesterday when he was feeding the poor kids in the street, he seems to be an ordinary reasonable man and not cold, aristocratic brat-like attitude today. Chu Qiao walked inside the Kowloon. She admired Yuwen Yue looks today wearing the same clothes every day, really? She uttered to herself.
Is he not earning and unable to buy new clothes at the Hanfu boutique? Having this premise in mind, she asked: “Is someone taking care of you?”
“What do you mean?”
Yuwen Yue followed her back and wrinkled his brows when he saw inside the Kowloon house, closed windows, a table for two in the middle and only just right amount of light. Suddenly the skies issued lightning and after a few seconds a loud thud of thunder was heard, they both look at into their eyes.
Yuwen Yue somewhat stuck out there he said: “Whatever this is all about, I really wanted to talk to you, but I have to go.”
Chu Qiao feeling the same said: “Me too, as much as I wanted to ask you something, I have to go and Chu Qiao took her coat and other blankets.”
The raindrops started to fall until it gradually issued heavy rain with sharp lightning and massive thunders, both walked out of the Kowloon house. Chu Qiao started to walk fast while Yuwen Yue left standing outside the Kowloon house when suddenly he ran to follow her and began to walk by her side.
Chu Qiao startled she asked: “Why are you here? I thought You have some important thing to do.”
A loud thunder struck them nearby, Yuwen Yue embraced Chu Qiao when the Tiger beauty complained: “I think you are delaying me.”
Chu Qiao looking straight to his eyes and to her body. Yuwen Yue meets them with a blush in his cheeks and red ears, he slightly pushed her aside and said: “I thought you are going to be hit by the thunder and seems you are going to the same direction where I must go. Let’s go together.”
Yuwen Yue cold as the ice brushed off his off tangent moves and went distant to her.
Chu Qiao did not say any, but she knows that both of them when they were still inside the Kowloon house earlier, they are already thinking the same thing. Both people walked separately, drenched in the rain and arrived at the same street looking for the street kids.
The rain is still heavy, and it is the first spring rain of the year, distant thunders and lightning issued on air, but the two fearlessly walked the streets and bravely looked for the street kids.
Yuwen Yue looked at every corner where these little ones can make a shelter while Chu Qiao did the same thing when suddenly Yuwen Yue saw the three kids hiding below the vegetable pallet containers, he shouted: “I found them.”
Chu Qiao on her joy ran as fast as she could towards them, and like a family, they hugged each other to warm these kids. The street was empty of people, and all stores are closed leaving them the only people who are barely holding on tight until the heavy rain and possible storm gets past.
Its been hours and the rain did not stop, one can tell this is not just a simple passing rain, but now this is no doubt a storm warning as the wind blows hard with swooshing sounds the trees and the dilapidated building is swaying hanging tightly to their roots.
One of the youngest kid cried when she heard the loud thud of thunders and flashes of lightning then Yuwen Yue looked at his instant family of the moment and suggested: “We won’t last the cold night if we will not find proper shelter and eat a warm porridge.”
“Let’s go to my lodge and find your temporary shelter.” Yuwen Yue took the two kids, and Chu Qiao cuddled the youngest, they walked towards Yuwen Yue’s lodge.
Chu Qiao surprised to see how simple and organized his lodge, she cannot help but admire Yuwen Yue but still keeps a cold facade in the outside. Yuwen Yue put down the two children, one on his back and the one from his chest he gave them blankets as they were chilling and wet all over.
Like a family of his own, he went to make the kids first comfortable, and Chu Qiao put down the youngest. Yuwen Yue went to boil hot water while Chu Qiao undresses them and Yuwen Yue gave her the blankets.
Without words in between, it’s like an instinct, they know what to do like a real family tonight. Yuwen Yue picked up the clothes of the kids and gave them a quick laundry and put it the Kang bed so it can dry easier. Yuwen Yue took some thick blankets from his closet and gave them to Chu Qiao. Chu Qiao arranged the quilts in the tiled floor of his lodge where she covered the three kids naked body and warm their little bodies while their clothes are being dried up.
Yuwen Yue still busy in the kitchen when suddenly Chu Qiao came and looked at him drenched from the rain and wet all over, his rugged hairdo gave him a clean-cut look, and fresh face like there is nothing to worry in the whole world. Yuwen Yue looked at her too and said: “You are wet unfortunately I can only lend you my own Hanfu dress.”
Chu Qiao nodded, and Yuwen Yue put down the knife and went to his suitcase and gave her his Hanfu. It is the only Hanfu dress he did not wear yet, and Chu Qiao closed the Chinese divider from his room to change her wet clothes.
Yuwen Yue still dripping while he is cooking porridge for his instant family for tonight, Chu Qiao came, and on the loose Hanfu dress, Yuwen Yue cannot help himself but look at the tiger beauty.
Chu Qiao, on the other hand, came to finish what Yuwen Yue was doing and she said: “Change your clothes, you are dripping and making the place wet.”
Yuwen Yue nodded and not on his usual obeying attitude left her at the kitchen and took off his clothes. Unfortunately, he only keeps three sets of Hanfu dress, the gray and the dark blue one, while the white one used by Chu Qiao and she looks like a little tiger inside the lion’s dress. He is wearing the gray one, and the dark one was soaked in the rainfall outside when he dried it the sun earlier.
Yuwen Yue put his dress on his Kang bed and increased the fire in it to warm the whole room where the children were still chilling, and he told them: “Do not go to sleep yet without food in your stomach, wait for the hot porridge, and then you can sleep after.”
Chu Qiao was so quick at what she is doing, and her cooking was done. Yuwen Yue started to smell the delicious aroma and quicken his hungry mood suddenly went to his kitchen and found the Tiger beauty.
Chu Qiao was about to serve the big bowl but the tiny bowls already set up at the table, and Yuwen Yue was just pleased on how she had prepared it. Chu Qiao also boiled hot tea for the man of the house while Yuwen Yue wrapped on their blankets took the kids and help them eat first.
After sometime when the kids were done Yuwen Yue checked their clothes if it’s already dry and it is, he helps the three kids put back their clothes while he is barely naked on his upper body. Chu Qiao cannot help herself but frame this memory in her mind, that she just stared at the father figure of this three kids and she is the mother of the house.
Suddenly Yuwen Yue was at her side he woke her up: “Hey, I know you are hungry, let’s eat.”
Chu Qiao was startled and responded: Yes, this is for you.”
The rainfall is still heavy, the wind blowing so hard outside, and the thunder and lightning continued to roar at the rooftop while the two pairs of eyes are looking at each other as they eat their dinner for tonight.
The two finished their bowls together while the three kids slept with their heads on Yuwen Yue’s warm blankets. Chu Qiao after eating did not stand up neither Yuwen Yue as if both not feeling tired, they just stared each other faces under the dim light, one can tell they are waiting for one another to open their mouths to talk.
Chu Qiao broke the silence and asked: “You did not answer my question earlier.”
Yuwen Yue remembered, his poker face and coldly said: “Was it not still obvious?”
Chu Qiao thought of it for a second: “You are single and live in this secluded lodge.”
Yuwen Yue did not respond but looking at her, Chu Qiao continued: “I will ask you once, and you must answer me honestly.”
Yuwen Yue’s heart is on the fast lane, he took off his eyes, and he is still finishing his porridge, he asked: “What is it?”
Chu Qiao said: “Do you really like me?”
Yuwen Yue on his cold ears heard, but he replied: “Isn’t it obvious?”
Chu Qiao on her angry face she said: “I am asking you politely but what is this? All you said was, “Isn’t it obvious?”
“What would you like to hear? Marry me?” Yuwen Yue on his cold face, the voice is so normal, but his heart exploded in front of the beautiful lady whose kissable lips under the dim lights is hard to resist, he refused to look at her face.
Yuwen Yue suddenly paused and stopped eating his porridge then took the cloth beside his bowl and wiped his mouth.
Chu Qiao startled, a marriage proposal was just issued on air when she was just asking if he likes her or not.
Yuwen Yue this time came closer to her and repeated: “Marry me, or never it doesn’t change the fact that you also want me.”
“How sure are you, that I want you? Chu Qiao is testing this man’s firmness.
Yuwen Yue answered: “I saw you following me around.”
Chu Qiao cannot believe what Yuwen Yue said, and her cheeks blushed, and her ears turned to red.
Yuwen Yue said: “I won’t ask for the third time if you won’t say yes.”
Chu Qiao does not want to let go of this moment, asked: “And if I say yes?
Yuwen Yue looked at her confirming if this is happening for real, he coldly said without any hint of emotions: “Tomorrow will be a fine day to wed.”
Chu Qiao ears exploded, and on her stunned face, she said: “Huh? Are you crazy?”
Yuwen Yue on his cold voice but fast beating heart he said: “Are you worried?”
Chu Qiao responded: “Of course No, why would I?”
Yuwen Yue straightened his back and came close to her he said: “Then marry me.”
Yuwen Yue considered Chu Qiao’s long pause as a YES he continued: “Tomorrow morning we are going to wed.”
Chu Qiao feels like saying yes and no at the same because she feels this is what the old lady was talking about love, but she is a little bit anxious about her condition if this man ever finds out who she is, the man might divorce her or blame her for not telling him the truth.
Chu Qiao responded on her cold voice: “The last part..just for you to know, you weren’t asking. You already decided that I marry you, so be it.” Chu Qiao waiting for his response.
Yuwen Yue heard this moment of his life suddenly kicked the table and break some chairs and jumped so high until he bumped his head on the roof but he is back to the real world, those did not really happen, he merely said in a cold voice: “Alright, consider it done.”
“Wait..” said Chu Qiao, “I haven’t known your name or who are your family.”
Yuwen Yue in his cold voice said: “My name is Ra Yue, and I am a peddler man, and you have a lifetime to discover who my family is, and your name is Qiao Qiao right?” Yuwen Yue faked his response to see if Chu Qiao will tell the truth about her, as he signals himself that he is now entering the truth-finding the path.
Chu Qiao got irritated and said: “No my name is Chu Qiao, remember that. Chu Qiao’s introduction was short.”
Yuwen Yue so quiet he said: “Alright Chu Qiao tomorrow morning you will be Mrs. Ra Yue.”
Chu Qiao feels this is so fast and feels right and wrong at the same time. However, she really wanted to be with this man, so she did not bother to argue.
The next day, Yuwen Yue had it all arranged. With the help of Zuo, the preparation was cut into half. Yuwen Yue already planned this strategy, he thinks it is the only way.
Yuwen Yue looking so handsome but cold, dressed in his red Hanfu clothing and also sent a gift to Chu Qiao a red veil and a wedding gown that matched his.
The reception happened at the Kowloon house where the old lady did not have time to prepare and just offered her place she finally said at the end of her tiring day: “I went for travel overnight but came back with a wedding to attend the next day. This is so fast.”
The invitations were limited and almost did not leak out as the wedding looks unplanned for everyone but for Yuwen Yue he has long been planning this past few months since he got out of Qinghai empire.
This slipped the Liang crown prince spies and was not able to be informed, but right after the wedding of his Qiao Qiao, his spies confirmed she already got married with whom? asked the Prince to his spies and the spies told him: “Married to a peddler man.”
What? Xiao Ce eyes went Like a full moon and in denial cannot believe it he asked again: “Did you double-check?”
Yes, Your Highness, he is a poor peddler man and lives in a secluded lodge near Wei and Southern Liang borders.
Xiao Ce in deep denial cannot believe, and he went to sneak out his palace that was heavily guarded but failed. Thus, he was not able to come to visit his Chu Qiao’s wedding.
As the day ended, all customs and traditions were followed by Chu Qiao and Yuwen Yue as newlywed, both bowed to their family and friends of the moment, even Zuo disguised as a wealthy merchant who came and acted as Yuwen Yue’s young and rich Lord sponsor for his wedding. The two men exchanging glances while Chu Qiao and the old lady was blinking with their eyes, the old lady understood her friend is now finally free of her broken heart and can only hope that she could move on from the empty tomb.
Following the traditional customs of the Chinese wedding, the groom will have to wait for three days before he can finally bring the bride to their home. Yuwen Yue has to send dowry to the Old lady late, and he went to bring in some gifts of gold and money he earned during his honest job of being a peddler man.
On its third day, the man and woman left Xue Fu street to stay at Yuwen Yue’s lodge. And what happened after that should have been a happy ever after where life is at its peak, the two souls finally together and their hearts at peace but it seems it is not. The end of something only promised to born the start of another life. Both will have to look forward as man and wife.
The look back at Chapter 47 Ask for Wisdom
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Chapter 050
♥Author♥Angel♥Chua♥
Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong’er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography
First Installment
Yuwen Yue a slow to a quick thinker man, calm like the waters and cold-blooded but romantic at heart did not put so much effort into consuming their first night together as man and wife. Chu Qiao felt the same and did not bother her husband for their honeymoon, so their bodies remained untouched.
Chu Qiao careful not to let Yuwen Yue know her superb gongfu martial arts, she can only practice when the husband is not around. Yuwen Yue’s lodge is secluded that means she can practice from the nearby trees and spacious ground, she tumbles thrice to pick the laundry and release them on air then flies like a flower to catch them all one by one until she reaches the door of the lodge. Feeling contented on her martial arts, she smiles and saw an adorable Cangwu bird flying around the trees.
They lived normal lives where the wife stays at home and cook, do laundry and wait for the husband to come home from work, and both were contented until one-day Yuwen Yue asked his wife Chu Qiao to go with him at the jewelry shop. Yuwen Yue had this all frame up to discover if she is really Chu Qiao.
Zuo had to be the owner of the jewelry shop and bought the entire business. Yuwen Yue took his wife to the famous jewelry shop of Liang and Chu Qiao was just following behind him said: This is not a place for the poor, what are we doing here?
Yuwen Yue did not answer and told her: Wife, wait for me for a second.
The jeweler came and looked at Yuwen Yue’s dress and his wife. On his cold eyes and airy attitude he spoke to Yuwen Yue looking down to them: All are custom made orders, and only a royal can afford to pay. Suddenly the jeweler putting some bully face in front of Yuwen Yue was just quiet but Chu Qiao heard what the jeweler said she looked around and faked her sweet voice to Yuwen Yue: “Honey, I want this, this and this.. and even that necklace at the man’s neck I want all of it.”
Then Chu Qiao’s eyes went fierce with a fake smile spread on her pretty cheeks she added: “Let’s buy it all, or else, it’s not going to be pleasant here.”
Chu Qiao waiting for Yuwen Yue’s reaction she expected his husband to be angry at her sudden change of behavior and whim of luxury even if they were poor. Yuwen Yue asked the Jeweler: “Is there any lay-away plan including the necklace in your neck?”
The Jeweler suddenly told the guard to fetch the two people in his jewelry store when suddenly Zuo Zong came on his orange Hanfu robes and ask like a boss: “What is the situation here?”
The Jeweler was stunned as the owner does not really come here for any visits until today said: “These two people here want to buy our custom made in the shelf display. And this man insulted me when he asked if we have any lay-away plan. This is not a cheap store!”
Zuo twitching his palms he smiled and looked at him so fierce he said: But they are the customer, who knows they were only dressed as peasants but in the inside were wealthy lords or even royals?
Zuo looked at Yuwen Yue and said: “My apologies for the bad attitude here. Pick your choice, and we will arrange a lay-way plan for you.”
The Jeweler suddenly his eyes become big but cannot refute the owner’s words he said: “Sure Young Master Zuo, I will arrange it now.”
Chu Qiao on her bully face she said: “Honey… remember the necklace at the man’s neck.”
Zuo laughed and said: “We will include it for you, madame.”
Chu Qiao on her social graces said: “Thank you Master Zuo, you never fail to support us and also you were the biggest sponsor during our wedding.”
The Jeweler heard it and suddenly felt as if he is trapped here he said: “Here take this necklace I never wanted it until today.” The Jeweler obeyed his young Master Zuo but his face grumbling and wants to revenge later.
Chu Qiao politely accepted and said: “Thank you, Mister, you have learned your lesson well.”
Yuwen Yue calm and seriously looking for the ring he said: I forgot to buy an engagement ring for my wife and I cannot wait for it. Yuwen Yue on his calm face he said: “I am taking this ring here.”
And the ring on the display was not just an ordinary ring. If someone touches it, a trigger will alarm, and it was said that it will rain a hundred blade, so it is impossible to breach or even steal it. Zuo planted this couple of months ago and became the central attraction of the jewelry shop he ordered the Jeweler: “Deactivate the alarm and grant the request quick!”
The Jeweler is opinionated judging his customer’s clothing was not in favor of this customer because they are poor and ever since then they do not offer layaway plans for their pieces of jewelry. The Jeweler read the policy of the ring: It stated, the ring can only be loaned for a specific time and to release it would mean one will buy a….. what duh?
“What?” said by Yuwen Yue.
“A far kingdom? Sounds weird,” said the Jeweler.
Yuwen Yue looked at Zuo, this is not part of the policy they agreed before.
Master Zuo came forward and explained the policy to Yuwen Yue: Mister, please understand, if a value was set upon this prized ring then we have already sold to a black hood customer who has been visiting the place to buy it since then. We cannot measure the value of this ring until you buy a far kingdom and that is the only condition set in its policy and the ring can be yours.
Yuwen Yue said: “So are you saying that I buy a far kingdom for me to own this ring?”
“Yes.” said Zuo and added to gave Yuwen Yue an idea on how to obtain the ring he joked on him: “or steal it from here.” Zuo’s eyes were secretly exchanging signal from his Master brother.
Yuwen Yue looks calm but cold in the inside suddenly sees a group of goons who entered the Jewelry shop. The place seems normal, and the Jeweler came out and said: “The alarm was deactivated Mister this ring can be yours on one condition, now that you are aware of its policy?” The Jeweler back to its professional look and voice confidently knows Yuwen Yue cannot possibly own the ring.
Chu Qiao finally caught her attention on which his husband is interested. She was stuck to her feet and as if a time lapse flashed at her, her memories of the killer ring owner.
Yuwen Yue noticing some changes on Chu Qiao’s behavior he sensed something is happening to his wife. But he was momentarily interrupted when the goons started to introduce their ruffian presence.
Yuwen Yue and Zuo Zong looked at each other so fierce as if waiting who would draw the first move, Yuwen Yue is unarmed. While Zuo Zong has hidden his sword inside his majestic Hanfu robe.
Chu Qiao sense the dark presence around them, she looked at Yuwen Yue first but if she makes a move she knows she will be exposed to the man in front of him looking so cold and uninvited. She cannot possibly ruin this marriage. Chu Qiao is torn between her defense instincts or letting his husband defend her instead. But how can she expect his husband to protect her if what she knows her husband is a simple peddler man delivering parcels to different customers? How can she count on him to defend their lives both? Chu Qiao closed her eyes and waiting for that moment of attack, she triggered the alarm. Snatching the ring, she quickly pulled her husband’s shoulder and at almost the same time her body and Yuwen Yue’s body down to the ground. Holding the ring, she pinched the ring and landed on Zuo’s temple. Zuo got dizzy, went for a blackout. Suddenly, on a spiral movement, his body down to the ground. A slight injury on his forehead but better than cut his neck from the flying knives, nobody moved.
Suddenly a non-stop a hundred flying knives were flying all around the jewelry shop. Yuwen Yue was looking at Zuo questioning him, while the Jeweler crying and crawled on the expensive tiled floors he said: “I am sorry I pushed the wrong button, I wasn’t able to deactivate the alarm but activated the goons of this shop.”
Yuwen Yue amazed with his wife’s ability, this is incredibly amazing agility, flexibility, and accuracy of the target he thought of himself. This is twice the skills he trained Xinger, his low maidservant who became his bedchamber. Yuwen Yue cannot possibly believe, this is Chu Qiao who is the same as Xinger. Chu Qiao is the current Wei state crown princess, and he is finding the truth of the matter after the night he was hit at his head, this is how it happened like what was done to Zuo. Again Yuwen Yue gave himself a little bit chance to doubt and undoubted his wife.
Zuo recovered of the hard-hit little object he put the ring on his Hanfu and he had to let all the flying knives fly first same as Yuwen Yue who is the real owner of this famous jewelry shop. He is giving some silent signals to Zuo and the meaning was: Did I tell you to put up goons around this shop?
Zuo gave him a signal on his eyes, and it meant: No, I did not do it either, I just added another condition on the policy aside from what you told me.
Yuwen Yue thinks they were compromised by the Jeweler. Calm and composed his body dropped to the floor, looked at Chu Qiao. The wife seems to wait for a hundred knives flying all over to stop, continuously cutting the necks of the goons except for one, their leader outside watching what is happening inside the jewelry shop.
Yuwen Yue looked at who is at the door, the entire face is covered with a black mask except for those chinky eyes he hides but exposed at the moment did not come inside and like the cold wind, gone. After half an hour, the knives were exhausted, and Zuo stood up first to find the Jeweler. But the Jeweler sneaked out of the back door of the jewelry shop nowhere to be found. Yuwen Yue calmly stood up and helped his wife but Chu Qiao picked up herself looking at the chopped necks, this needs an explanation to the authorities she said to her husband.
Yuwen Yue replied: We will not, but you have some explaining to do. Chu Qiao did not look at Yuwen Yue as she knows what she did earlier is not a simple wife’s actions.
Master Zuo came back and said to Yuwen Yue: Apologies for what happened here, you are an innocent customer and have no knowledge about this bloodbath. Take this ring it is yours now, let’s close the story here and will report to the authorities about the Jeweler who conspired with it and will make him will be responsible for it.
Yuwen Yue accepted the ring and put it into his pocket. Chu Qiao thinking why does the ring interest his husband so much? And the policy earlier before the chopping of necks, needs to buy a far kingdom? What kingdom?.. she asks herself.
It was already dark when they arrived at the home, and Chu Qiao did the usual cooking. The husband rested and does not move in their dining table looking serious and thinking deeply. Yuwen Yue thinks its time turn some secret cards to the table, on his expressionless face suddenly threw a cold dagger and in almost blink of an eye, fast as the wind, Chu Qiao ears rushed and felt the pressure countered it with her paring knife.
Clang! Like a sound of the bell, all force in the air was frustrated. Two cold daggers fell to the tiled floor issuing an echo sound on air.
So precise he thought, then Yuwen Yue raised his brows and back to an expressionless face. Chu Qiao sensed his handsome husband is cold but for some reason at their distance can predict everything her husband will do at the moment. She sat down and put the big bowl of ginseng soup in the middle of two small ceramic bowls. Without looking at Yuwen Yue, she took the chopsticks and picked the little cubes of soft tofu floating in the soup and gently put it to her husband’s small bowl. Chu Qiao is not afraid of Yuwen Yue’s cold, expressionless stares, suddenly broke the silent war on air and said: Husband…
Yuwen Yue cut her off and with the rush tone, said: “The walls have ears, you don’t have to explain if you don’t want to pass this through illegal channels.”
Back to the Greenhills courtyard, this is who Yuwen Yue of the moment, cold and uninvited, he suddenly feels he is in a familiar place with a familiar bedchamber Xinger. Yuwen Yue felt everything real and this woman in front of him was his so-called “star(Xinger)” child. Yuwen Yue added: “before we eat, I want you to have this…”
For some reason, everything his husband spoke to her, Chu Qiao understood but not all of it yet, she took the ring and said to her husband: “If my ears heard it clearly, this ring can be yours on one condition, buy a far kingdom?”
Chu Qiao starting to be aware that Yuwen Yue has lots of secrets other than being a simple peddler man, she is beginning to doubt his husband but she reminded herself: “I have a lifetime to know him but why do I feel I have known him for so long and this ring, looks like the owner is a maidservant from a nobles place. Am I recollecting some memories again?”
Yuwen Yue sensed his wife is just staring at the ring, he said: “Go ahead, do not be afraid to take it, it has always been yours in the first place.”
Chu Qiao replied: “It WAS mine?”
Yuwen Yue decoding her statements he said: “It WAS all yours until today.” With an emphasis on “was,” the two of them have exchanged secret information.
Yuwen Yue picked soft tofu and put it in the lips of Chu Qiao and once again, Yuwen Yue locked his eyes on those red, wet, and kissable lips, he thought he won’t be able to resist for another second to kiss them.
Chu Qiao sensing some cold stare in there but a wanting husband as well, she opened her beautiful mouth and received the soft tofu and ate like normal. Yuwen Yue still cold and expressionless, all of his adrenaline rush of the moment went back to calm waters, and he started to eat.
After the sumptuous dinner, a card was revealed, on his bed with thin curtains surrounding it, smelled the fresh plum flowers of the spring and went to Yuwen Yue ‘s nostrils sending him back to his childhood and Greenhills courtyard. He retired the day with his wife on his side sweetly sleeping, he thought about the star child, and Yuwen Yue drifted away to the land of memories and dreams.
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