Chapter 26: Could It Be That It Was Not Just A Play But A Real Act?
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"Do you believe that if you say one more word, I will press you into a coffin first?"
Meng Chang'an once again tapped Young General Lin's head with the map. Only when he obediently closed his mouth did she sit back in her original position and lean back. Calmly, she said, "Look at you, making a big fuss. It is just inviting her to an appointment in a brothel, nothing as frightening as you are making it out to be!"
Meng Chang'an wanted to personally visit the Xueyue Pavilion to investigate, but she was well aware of her current status. If this so-called Prince Consort were to go wandering in a brothel as soon as he got married, not only would there be rumors and schemes from the Emperor and his sons, but even the Empress Dowager alone could end her life.
Even though the Young Master is not afraid of death, she also doesn't want to rush into the blade seeking death.
Therefore, in this case, it would be most appropriate if she could bring the Princess with her.
Seeing Lin Xingyang react as if encountering a snake or scorpion when the Princess is mentioned, Young Master Meng couldn't help but feel indignant for the Princess: "Her Highness is not as cruel as you think. Besides being occasionally mischievous, she is generally very gentle. She is also not as petty as you imagine. Do not misunderstand her anymore in the future!"
"Mischievous? Gentle?"
Lin Xingyang couldn't help but shiver at those words.
Even though he hasn't directly clashed with Li Qiubai, he's heard a lot about the Princess’ bold style and achievements. Seeing Young Master Meng trust the Princess like this, Lin Xingyang couldn't help but sympathetically say, "Sister, I think there might be some misunderstanding on your part..."
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Young Master Meng didn't pay much attention to Lin Xingyang's sympathetic gaze, considering it a joke without dwelling on it. After a slight hesitation, she casually asked, "By the way, you have been in the capital for quite some time. Have you heard anything about the past between Princess and General Qi?"
“Heh, you are quite a two-faced woman. When I asked you earlier, you said you were just pretending and nothing is real, and now you are showing some interest?"
"Lin Xingyang!"
Seeing that Young Master Meng was about to get angry again, Lin Xingyang didn't dare to tease further and playfully said, “I was wrong, I was wrong. I will not make fun of you anymore, alright?"
Seeing Young Master Meng's face slightly calming down, Young General Lin continued, "I do not know about any past between them; after all, it is just rumors and gossip, and I do not know if it is true. But what I do know is, even without you—oh, I mean, your elder brother—General Qi could never become the Prince Consort. Do you understand?"
Meng Chang'an furrowed her brow, puzzled. "Why?"
With that, Lin Xingyang put away his playful demeanor, lowered his voice, and explained seriously, "I guess you do not know. The current Princes allowed to participate in politics by the Emperor only hold nominal positions without real power. Only your Princess wields a sword hanging over the Emperor's head. The royal family lacks familial bonds. Do you think the Emperor would dare to let her marry a powerful minister?"
After Lin Xingyang said this, Meng Chang'an figured out some of the key points.
Since the founding of the Great Chang Dynasty, there has been the Huwei* Army under the control of the Duke of Dingguo. The founder decreed that the tiger might army would only protect Chang Dynasty and would not serve any reigning emperor. If faced with an incompetent ruler causing suffering for the people, this powerful army could choose a wise ruler from the royal family to ascend the throne directly. This ancestral decree has been upheld since the establishment of Chang Dynasty until now.
*Tiger might/fear-inspiring/powerful, not sure if it's the name or just a description
The current Duke of Dingguo, Lu Jing, is Li Qiubai's maternal grandfather. In those years, Duke Lu had only one daughter, the late Empress Lu Xiyao, who gained fame as a woman. Originally, the command of this powerful army had passed to Empress Lu Xiyao. However, after her death, the command returned to Duke Lu, and he, in turn, passed it on to Li Qiubai.
The Lu family has been loyal for generations, and on the surface, everything seems peaceful between them and the Huwei Army. However, in the end, the Huwei Army is still a sword hanging over the Emperor's head. Even though this military authority is now in the hands of his own daughter, he still cannot let his guard down.
Therefore, she is different from ordinary Princesses. Her husband can be an ordinary commoner or a knight, but he cannot be any powerful official or nobleman.
Thinking of this, Young Master Meng couldn't help but sigh, and couldn't help but feel more and more sorry for the Princess.
The faint hint of sourness, originating from who knows where was dispelled by this sudden surge of heartfelt concern.
Seeing Young Master Meng seem to have figured things out, Lin Xingyang relaxed his serious expression. He didn't delve into deeper thoughts with her or mention his speculations about the Princess. He casually asked, "For these matters, would it not be better to ask the Princess directly? Why come to me, an outsider?"
"I asked, but she did not want to say. I cannot force her, can I?"
Speaking of this, Young Master Meng could not help but feel a bit frustrated, "At that time, she insisted that I kiss her before she would tell me. Is that not clearly indicating she does not want me to know?"
Lin Xingyang paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, teasingly saying, "Sister, do not be afraid! Faced with such provocations, you should just kiss her directly! Kiss her fiercely! Keep kissing until she begs for mercy, then you will win!"
Young Master Meng immediately rolled her eyes at him, "Enough! It is not like you do not know whether I like men or women!"
"Well, I really do not know..."
After muttering under his breath, Lin Xingyang cupped his own cheeks, winked at Young Master Meng, and playfully asked, "So tell me, can a handsome, charming, and dashing young man like me catch your eye?"
As soon as the words were spoken, Young General Lin was punched on his cheek and a look of disgust can be seen on Young Master Meng's face.
Recoiling from the pain, Young General Lin, undeterred, continued, "You see, even an outstanding man like me cannot catch your eye. What kind of man in this world could attract your attention?"
As he finished speaking, the carriage had already come to a stop in front of the Drunken Immortal Inn.
Young Master Meng couldn't be bothered to waste more words with Young General Lin. She disdainfully glanced at him and didn't bother looking at him again. Instead, she focused on putting away the map and preparing to disembark from the carriage.
Not receiving a scolding unexpectedly, Young General Lin gathered courage and continued, "Also, not to mention the group of chirping birds and swallows* in your sect. If the Princess alone, who is such a beauty, cannot catch your eye. Who else in this world could attract your attention?"
*spring scenery/concubines/prostitutes/beautiful girls
"So, I really do not know whether you prefer men or women. However, regardless of whether you like men or women, with your bad eyesight, I doubt anyone will catch your eye in the future. I think you might end up living a lonely life... Awoo..."
Only when Young Master Meng kicked him directly out of the carriage did Lin Xingyang realize that this sister's temper was still as bad as ever.
"Would you like to tell me again who has bad eyesight?”
Right as Young Master Meng was about to add another kick to Young General Lin, who was already on the ground, someone familiar emerged from the Drunken Immortal Inn, causing her to change her course.
"Prince Consort? Young General Lin? What are you…”
Upon seeing Qi Yi emerging from the Drunken Immortal Inn, Young Master Meng's first thought was the steward's mention of the Princess meeting a friend when she left the mansion. Subconsciously, a speculation arose in her mind.
Could it be that the Princess came to meet General Qi?
The moment this possibility crossed her mind, the faint sourness that she had managed to suppress unknowingly resurfaced in Young Master Meng's heart.
Her already not-so-pleasant complexion instantly became even more unpleasant.
Upon hearing that familiar voice, Lin Xingyang didn't linger on the ground for too long. He hastily got up, dusted himself off, and greeted Qi Yi, "General Qi, what a coincidence! I and the Prince Consort here were just fooling around."
As if sensing the subtle hostility from Young Master Meng, Qi Yi didn't want to stir up trouble. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Lin Xingyang, he tactfully departed with his entourage.
Each carriage from the princess's residence had a distinctive emblem. When the carriage stopped in front of the Drunken Immortal Inn, the Princess sitting by the window on the third floor had already taken notice.
"She is here. Are you not leaving yet?"
Li Qiubai's chosen private room location was strategically placed, allowing the person sitting by the window to have a clear view of the bustling activity on the main road leading to the Drunken Immortal Inn.
Therefore, Ye Wuyou, who was sitting across from her, naturally also noticed the arrival of that carriage.
Perhaps it was due to Young General Lin's rather embarrassing exit from the carriage, with his face meeting the ground, for a moment, both individuals sitting higher up couldn't discern who had accompanied Young Master Meng.
However, upon realizing that there were others with Young Master Meng in the carriage, the Princess involuntarily furrowed her brows slightly.
"Why should I avoid her?" Ye Wuyou turned to glance at Li Qiubai's somewhat displeased expression, smiling as she said, "I suddenly changed my mind and do not want to leave. Do you not want to see how she will react when she sees us in the same room?"
Indeed, upon hearing this, the Princess immediately darkened her expression.
"You dare!"
"Do not worry, I will not mess around." Ye Wuyou picked up the sword from the table, stood up, and said, "I just want to see who, between us two 'sisters-in-law,' is more important in her eyes!"
Having said that, Ye Wuyou boldly opened the door of the private room and walked out.
At this moment, Young Master Meng at the entrance of the Drunken Immortal Inn had already led Lin Xingyang through the large doors of the establishment.
"This way, Prince Consort, Her Highness has been waiting for you for quite some time. Please follow me."
Just as Young Master Meng stepped through the entrance of the Drunken Immortal Inn, a servant hurried over to guide them. Leading the two of them directly past the bustling staircase in the lobby, they took a quiet path to the side with no one around.
Lin Xingyang wiped the dust off his face and exclaimed, “I did not expect this. So, the Drunken Immortal Inn is the property of your Princess."
Unlike Lin Xingyang's surprised expression, Meng Chang’an seemed indifferent to whose property it was. She casually asked the guide in front of him, "Young brother, do you happen to know who Her Highness is meeting here today?"
"This humble one dare not speak more, and I hope the Prince Consort will forgive me."
With that, Meng Chang'an felt hesitant to inquire further.
Following the narrow path, they avoided the crowd and ascended to the third floor. Young Master Meng then noticed that this upper level was surprisingly quiet. Unlike the lively scene downstairs, the hallway on the third floor was only frequented by a few servants carrying dishes.
Just as Meng Chang’an was about to inquire about which private room the Princess was in, she suddenly spotted a young female swordsman emerging from the corner at the end of the corridor.
Upon seeing that familiar face, Meng Chang'an felt a surge of joy.
Ye Wuyou!
Young Master Meng didn't utter any unnecessary words. With a slight movement of her hand, she swiftly threw three thin blades toward the person in the distance.
Author's Note:
Ye Wuyou: Your Highness, let us see who is more important!
Ye Wuyou died.
