Chapter 2

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I dare not tell my father about what happened. Taishou’s third young master may also be afraid of losing face and didn’t make this matter public.

As a result, I hide in ZuiYing building everyday to feel smug and savor my heroic deeds.

However, this world is dependent on blessings and misfortunes. There’s always sorrow after having joy. Before I am satisfied with myself, I will be bewildered to cause trouble.

The cold rain has started. When the wind blows it’ll fall with large leaves and petals, coldly and gently. As if it were another torrential rain.

I just came out of the tea house and was turning into an alley. I was preparing to go to the brothel but suddenly, a dozen people in black quietly landed in front of me.

Kidnappers? I blinked and looked at the man in front of me.

The woven rush raincoat and a bamboo rain hat they wore are like flowing smoke. They are staring their swords covetously[1].

I was so frightened. I was just about to ask whether they wanted money or color when I smelled a gust of incense, light as a smoke, thin as a fog.

Before I could react, I felt the figure in front was shaking. The light and shadow blurring, then I could only see nothing.

When I woke up, the first thing that caught my eye was the ceiling of a carriage. The drooping spikes of silk are like willows and flowers. Along with warm embroidered gold quilts.

I opened my eyes wide. The slight bumpiness on my body made me know that I was now in a luxurious carriage.

“Are you awake?” A faint light came. What strikes me is a delicate young man. Those eyebrows half curved into crescent moon, star eyes tinged into some paint. It’s a beauty! My eyes lit up. I was about to get up when I found my whole body was as soft as cotton. No amount of strength can’t help.

“I’ve used cartilage powder on you. Now you can’t move around at will.” The man spoke softly with a smile on his face.

“Who are you? Where are you taking me?” I blinked with all my strength, sparing no effort to exert my charm.

“My name is Tong Jin. My master wants to see you and ask me to take you to the capital.” His voice still spoke softly, like the ripples of water under the breeze.

I listened dimly. My head felt dizzy. After a short while, another darkness came.

The horses hoof hastily. The dust was rising. I woke up and slept, slept and woke up. All the trivial matters around me were taken care of by the boy named Tong Jin.

When we entered the bustling and populous capital, I didn’t know how long I had been in the carriage.

“Who's your master?” I asked. I was afraid and uneasy. This mysterious man didn’t know what position he was in. In YangZhou City, under the eyes of Murong family, this was already grand and openly embarrassing. I was wondering what methods would be used against me? I have no enmity with people recently but I was suddenly taken away. It’s really a big injustice in the world!

I disappeared abruptly. It’s hard to guarantee that my father wouldn’t be furious, digging up three inches of land in YangZhou and demolish ZuiYing building.

This imagination alone makes one’s scalp numb.

“Here we are.” I was blindfolded and pushed into a soft sedan chair. I’ve been swinging along the way.

When the black cloth blindfold was untied, I found myself lying on a soft bed.

Incense sticks burns the treasure tripod[2], flowers inserted into jade bottles, and two rows of pearls and emeralds standing on the steps.

In front of him was a young man in a royal robe, a fur coat, a golden crown, and a jade belt. I saw his sword eyebrows were slightly porch and indifferent, but there was an inviolable imposing manner between his eyebrows. Amazing!

I made a comment in my heart.

After watching silently, the man opened his mouth and said, “Is he Murong Fang Qing?”

One of the guards around replied respectfully, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

I am shocked!

Your majesty! Is this man the Emperor? The Emperor who cleared the universe and pacify the Central Plains?

How? I felt dizzy.

Why did he send someone to catch me here? And use such a big extravagance show?!

From my personal point of view, in fact, they can just bring me down by using *****, or they can just send in a random officer or soldier. They can capture me easily. Why bother so much? Does the Emperor have too many people around? I blinked and was puzzled.

I looked at the Emperor pitifully, hoping that he would let me go. As I look at the Emperor, he was also looking at me.

“He’s really Murong Fang Qing?” The Emperor reconfirmed it lightly.

“Yes.” The guard answered nervously.

I know that guard. The one who caught me—Er, no. It’s the one of masters who asked me back. When he was facing me, he was as fierce as a tiger. Now he’s like a good little sheep to the Emperor.

“He has a weak face, but so excellent in martial arts?” The Emperor asked doubtfully.

Excellent in martial arts? Is that me? I beamed at once. It was really a beautiful misunderstanding! I like to hear people say that I have excellent martial arts, so I smiled sweetly at him to show my agreement.

The Emperor stayed for a while and jokingly said, “I heard Murong’s fourth young master is smart and romantic. I can’t imagine how dare you exert your charm in front of me. Impatient?[3] Indeed, it’s better known to meet.[4]”

Is that a compliment? Thinking about it, I still didn’t understand. So I smiled at him sweetly again to show my courtesy.

I am under the eaves of other person, I have to bow my head. It’s nice to be polite anyway.

Perhaps I was too polite. Even the Emperor was moved. He raised his eyebrows. The guard immediately got the message and picked me up and took me to the Emperor’s bedchamber.

How powerful! I began to admire the guard. A single look and action could understand the meaning and make the most direct and quick response! It’s the best interpretation of the word "jieyuhua"!

Now I began to understand why some Emperors would cherish their words as gold. Not only for the sake of "the ruler has no joke", but most importantly for the sake of giving his servant an appetite—you can make people do things without talking. Just leave some gas to warm your stomach!

I lay on the dragon bed. My body was too soft to move, only my eyes looked around.

Resplendent![5]—only this word can be found to describe it. It was indeed the place where the Emperor lived, much better than ZuiYing building.

Close your eyes, take a deep breath. Just feel the fragrance floating around. This feeling is not generally proper!

The dragon bed isn’t everyone to lie down, nor lie to it every day. Now I had the chance, I should seize it! Maybe then later I can return to ZuiYing with this achievement. I dared lie down in the Emperor’s dragon bed, where else I dare not lie down?

Before I could finish thinking about my life, I heard the subtle wind of clothes on the bed. I opened my eyes at once, I was surprised to see the Emperor, I didn’t know when he was sitting next to me.

“Hello.” I greeted with a smile.

The Emperor vaguely smiled and said, “I’m quite good. But I’m afraid I’m good while you’re not.”

Why? I’d like to ask. Does it seem like I’m clueless? In serious cases, it may leave a stain on my reputation in Wulin. That’ll be not my pleasure.

So I had to pretend to understand. I also imitated his warm smile.

I think this expression is really useful. Many things that I don’t understand or things that are difficult to express can be used as a substitute. The standard is ambiguous.

But after seeing my reaction, the Emperor face changed. He held up my chin and said, “So calm! Do you want to play tricks or don’t you put Zhen* in your eyes? Don’t try to use your martial arts to resist against me. Don’t forget that you’ve been hit by the secret anesthetic of Da Nei...”

T/n: "I/me" of the Emperor; Zhen- I/we (imperial use)

He pinched my chin painfully that I could only look at him with my eyes gleaming with tears to show my approval.

I’ve been wronged! Lord Qing Tian* I really want to beat the drums and cry for grievances. I never thought of playing tricks, I can’t even afford to play. What’s more the Emperor, who dares not put him in their eyes? I don’t want this method even if I want to die. Especially in that final accusation, I felt even more wronged than Dou E.[6] How can I think of using martial arts to resist? I don’t even have martial arts. Even if I wasn’t in your great secret medicine, I still can’t resist.

T/n: Qing Tian means upright and honorable (official)

However, I still have full of grievances and could only swallow them in my stomach. This situation is better than that of others. Those who know how to do things are good players. And I—always think of myself as the best of the best!

I make my face so pathetic and pitiful. I successfully changed the Emperor’s mood. He picked his lips, which is also regarded as lifting the crisis.

“Really interesting. I don’t know who else can see the look of the famous Murong fourth young master? Maybe I’m the only one...”

In fact, I really want to correct him. Apart from him, my family has seen everything from top to bottom, from left to right, from master to servant. (The reason is very simple, this is my deceitful masterpiece to cheat people), but considering the loyal advice jars on the ears[7], I gave up the chance of criticizing imperial scales. Fang Qing, bow your head and say nothing! Pretend to be good!

“I can’t believe your appearance could defeat Liu Hai and seriously hurt Chen Dexun’s son.” He said in an unbelievable tone while looking at me up and down.

Don’t say he believes it. I don’t believe it myself? I beat and hurt people?

But who are Liu Hai and Chen Dexun? In order to seek the truth, I carefully asked, “Chen Dexun is?”

“Humph!” The Emperor snorted with a smile, “You’ve lost too many generals that you suddenly don’t remember?“

I didn’t make a sound. Such a big dead cat asked me to swallow it, and almost swallow me dead. Where did I get a lot of defeated generals?

“Chen Dexun is the Governor of YangZhou. Liu Hai is the master of his third son, who used to be my guard.” He told me with disapproving attitude.

“It was them...” Speaking of my heroic deeds, I just wanted to show off. I suddenly remembered that they were the Emperor’s men. It’s the so-called hitting dogs also depends on its owner. I hit them, the Emperor probably thinks I didn’t give him face. So I swallowed hard on what I just said.

But how did the Emperor know this? Isn’t he busy? How can he care about these little things? Ugh!

It seems the real heroes were not discovered by themselves but from others. Even if I want to hide them, I can’t.

One more thing that puzzled me was... if I heard correctly, the Emperor said that I severely wounded the third son? In my impression...I just punched him. Usually my fist can only cry a child. That time I knocked the third son, I’ve played beyond my ability. But, seriously hurt? Is it possible? Do I have hidden potential that I haven’t even discovered myself?

The Emperor looked at my expression and suddenly laughed. He also gently touched my head (that reminds me of a puppy)

Seeing my obedient behavior, he was very satisfied. He continued to solve my puzzlement, “I happened to be in YangZhou that day. When I saw Chen Dexun’s son carried back by others, I sent someone to ask him clearly. I then knew that he had a conflict with you in the brothel. After that, I looked at his injuries. There were only two scars on his body, one was slightly bruise while the other was fatal. It hurt his internal organs with feminine strength. It wasn’t serious at the moment. However, such injuries were the most troublesome. It would be better not to lie down for a year and a half. I didn’t expect you at such a young age is so good at the internal skills of beating cattle from a distance.” The Emperor said. This time he gave me a special look, “I also heard that you not only hurt him badly, but also easily defeated Liu Hai. I knew Liu Hai. Although he isn’t a top expert, he still has good martial arts background, but he can’t even take one of your moves. At that time, I thought you were not just a simple character, so I paid attention to you.”

At this point, he stopped and raised his eyebrows at me. To which means if I understand.

But I really didn’t understand what he was talking about. Is this "the Emperor’s personal visit in secret" or "the three heroes and five righteousness of prosperous Dynasty[8]"? Sounds like a sea of fog to me.

First of all, I can be sure that I don’t have any powerful internal skill of beating cattle from a distance. But if it wasn’t for me, why would Taishou’s third son have to plant for a year or two?

Wait, think about it, think about it again... It seems that I wasn’t the only one who hit the third son. Cui Xiu also hit him!

But Cui Xiu is just a weak man in the brothel. It’s impossible...

Is Cui Xiu a hidden martial arts expert? Is he responsible for the injury of Taishou’s third son? This thought flashed through my mind. I shuddered and looked up in panic, but it just happened to be in the Emperor’s eyes.

He was looking at me with a smile, “Did you understand?” He said. His right hand kept touching my face, his fingers rubbing around my neck.

I understand... I really understand this time. So the Emperor’s traveling incognito was purposeful.

“Let’s not waste time then. A moment of spring night is worth a thousand ounce of gold[9].” He smiled and slowly said the words that made me see stars.

I don’t have a fever, do I? I didn’t listen, did I? Spring night? Who and whom?

“It’s not your first time, is it? Then don’t pretend to be a novice.” The Emperor raised his eyebrows, a little disapproved of my panic.

I want to cry without tears. This is the first time but also not the first time.

I smiled stiffly, “I’ve tried countless times to be active. But it’s still the first time to be passive...”

The Emperor also smiled strangely at me. He did not stop his work at hand. He picked my clothes with his left hand and pulled them with his right as easily as he peeled an orange.

I blinked awkwardly. Hoping to blink a few tears and drag out the Emperor without much sympathy.

However, it seemed that the situation was contrary to expectations. The Emperor reacted and stopped. He looked strange, his face flushed, his breathing became heavy, and his eyes straightened. He was muttering to himself, “It’s really an expert. I can’t even control it.”

With that said. The Emperor pressed me underneath as soon as I turned over, his warm breath blew into my ears, “I originally wanted to take it slowly. But if you come to seduce me with so much experience, then I am not polite.”

Seduce...

I seduce him...

When?

I immediately remembered the "The Secret Summary of Romantic" in my mind, and think about what mistakes I should not have made. It will make a person I don’t want to seduce think I want to seduce him. Deadly ah... It’s an insult to my many years of romantic history to miss at a crucial moment.

“Has anyone ever said you look cute right now?” The Emperor’s wet tongue glided past my ear, causing me to shiver.

“No.” I found my breathing a little difficult because the Emperor’s hand was groping me irregularly, challenging my judgment. “I am the one who always said that others are lovely.”

However, this sentence seemed to step on the tip of the knife. The Emperor once again attacked the city and plundered the land, making me gasp desperately.

Woo... I missed it again...

“Don’t talk about your experiences before me.” The Emperor said viciously. He kissed my lips with his.

I just want to have a discussion between romantic experts. There are three thousand beauties in his harem, but I’m not bad either. Even if I have more experience than him, he need not be jealous of me!

“In fact, you’re also good looking. That is, your experience isn’t as good as mine. The problem is definitely not your appearance. Well, maybe you’re too busy to take time to train, so you don’t need to feel inferior.” Up to now, I still hold a glimmer of hope that the Emperor might let me go after a dogleg.

I smiled blatantly at the Emperor, only to find his face had been hardened to stone and blackened to ashes.

“Shut up!” The Emperor’s voice was as cold as the water in the cold winter, reminding me that not only did I step on the tip of the knife, but also hit the blade.

Woo! Missed for the third time. This is the first time I praised people. I never thought I would be wrong.

Sure enough, if you say more, then more mistakes. If you say less, then less mistakes. Is it true I only have the life of being praised, but not to share of praising?

I missed three times. I don’t know if I would be given Ling Chi* by sneaking a look at the Emperor. His face was a little rusty. Indeed as expected is the Emperor, mood can be freely.

T/n: Ling Chi means the lingering death or the death of a thousand cuts (an old form of capital punishment)

“I think it’s better for us to do something more meaningful now. Don’t talk about nonsense that’s not there.”

Threat! Definitely a threat! His eyes clearly threatened me...

But that’s all I can do to obediently threatened him.

Struggling to death?

“It’s not impossible to do it, but don’t you think it’s better for two people to do it willingly? According to my—Er, no, according to other people’s experience, two people are more able to develop their respective strengths and make up for their shortcomings makes the best of each other. I have a proposal, don’t know if you want to listen...”

The Emperor’s eyes flashed before he said, “Say!”

“I think...Well, I personally think I’m better on it. After all, I’m more experienced, skilled, and gentle...” When I saw the Emperor’s face gradually changed from light to deep, I immediately added, “Guarantee can make you feel as if you fell from heaven to hell, and comfortable to climb from hell to heaven.“

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Footnotes

1• idiom. to glare like a tiger watching its prey / to eye covetously

2• tripod – ancient cooking pot with two looped handles and three or four legs

3• pòbùjídài. (idiom) means itching to get on with it

4• wénmíngbùrújiànmiàn. (idiom); knowing somebody by their reputation can’t compare to meeting them in person

5• jīnbìhuīhuáng. (idiom) gold and jade in glorious splendor/a dazzling sight. (e.g. royal palace)

6• this is actually a Chinese play during Yuan dynasty (c. 1241-1320) Dou E was wrongly convicted of crimes by a corrupt court official... You can find more information here - The Injustice of Dou E

7• idiom. a piece of advice is often different from one’s own ideas and this one might find it difficult to accept. This idiom came from Historical Records - Old and Well-known families. For more information, visit here- link

8• three knight-errants and five righteous one – novel edited from stories of late Qing dynasty. For more information, here - link

9• a line from a Song Dynasty poem "Chun Ye" by Su Shi. Often used as a metaphor for the first night of marriage.

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