Chu Fei Yang's grip tightened around the reins of the horse, preventing the carriage from leaving. Seeing the anger in Yun Qian Meng's eyes, he laughed, then made to invite her, “There's no reason for Yun xiaojie to come to our gate without entering. Anyway, Chu wangfu is a mansion bestowed by the previous Emperor, won't Yun xiaojie do me the honor?”
Yun Qian Meng felt annoyed in her heart. Chu Fei Yang's actions were clearly not an invitation; he was forcing her to leave the carriage. Yun Qian Meng smiled and said, “I thank Chu xiang for your hospitality. But chennu has been out for a long while now, and it is inappropriate to stay outside any longer. I hope Chu xiang understands.”
Afterwards, Yun Qian Meng pulled the curtain of the carriage close and ordered Yuan Dong to leave.
“Does Yun xiaojie not want to save houye anymore?” A single sentence from Chu Fei Yang had caused Yun Qian Meng to immediately command Yuan Dong to halt. When the curtain was lifted, her eyes carefully gazed at Chu Fei Yang, and she calmly said, “Does Chu xiang know that this matter cannot be spoken of so carelessly?! In the whole of Fu Guo Gong Fu, is there anyone who does not want to save jiujiu?”
“Since that's the case, won't xiaojie come down from the carriage and follow benxiang to the mansion? There might be an unexpected surprise.” After speaking, Chu Fei Yang released his hold on the reins and entered the gates.
After thinking for a while, Yun Qian stood. Ying Xia following her, also immediately stood up, but advised somewhat worriedly, “Xiaojie, be careful. This might be a trick!”
For Ying Xia who had come from Rongfu, though she currently only had intentions of serving Yun Qian Meng, could not be ignorant of Rong Yun He's feelings. The acts of Chu Fei Yang, brazenly inviting xiaojie in, deeply worried Ying Xia. Not only for Yun Qian Meng's safety, but also for Rong Yun He's feelings.
But Yun Qian Meng had told her and Yuan Dong to stay in the carriage while she left the carriage and followed Chu Fei Yang into Chu wangfu.
“Throw out this man for benwang! Benwang will not keep someone who does nothing! If you want to keep him, let Chu Fei Yang keep that person himself. Don't throw these random people in my Chu wangfu!” But before reaching the garden, the loud and energetic voice of Chu wang could be heard.
Yun Qian Meng did not even need to see the scene to know that Chu wang was surely angry with Chu Fei Yang.
Raising her eyes to take a look around Chu wangfu for a moment, her eyes were met with a sheet of green, pine trees and mottled bamboo were the most abundant in Chu wangfu. Compared to the other estates, this Chu wangfu could be called exotic, even the flower garden did not have a single colorful and bright flower. Perhaps because Chu wangfu did not have a female to manage it.
Except for the greenery, the construction of Chu wangfu was very impressive, but the decorations were rather simple. It could be said that Chu wang was not the type of person who liked living a life of pleasures.
“Wangye, this is the order of xiangye!” Jiao Da turned the tenth Prince over to another bodyguard to bring the tenth Prince to a guest room, as he stayed to explain calmly.
“Don't use his government position to pressure benwang! No matter how high his position is, he still needs to call me grandpa! Let that brat come here, benwang will settle this with him! He really thinks that my Chu wangfu has mountains of gold and silver, that he throws any person here! Why doesn't he send me any good things? He only thinks of me when he needs money? Also, are you biting the hands that feed you? Knowing that I am already old, you are already looking for a new master? You think that Chu Fei Yang has the capability to reach the highest ranked position, so you voluntarily became his lackey?” Chu wang grew angrier and angrier with every word, but to the ears of Yun Qian Meng, he was just ranting because his grandson did not visit him regularly.
Chu Fei Yang chose this moment to walk over smiling and intentionally leaving the space in front of her for Chu wang to see her standing behind him.
Chu wang changed his attitude instantly as his face changed to a smile. He rushed over to Yun Qian Meng and said, “Jiao Da, why didn't you say that yatou came? Benwang has forgotten himself in front of yatou!”
“Chennu greets Chu wang.” Yun Qian Meng slightly moved two steps back and politely bowed to Chu wang.
Chu wang felt rather happy at this. He could not help thinking that Fei Yang really did not have any manners, unlike this yatou. The fact that Yun Qian Meng was being respectful to him really made him feel extremely happy.
For a moment, Chu wang circled Yun Qian Meng, a smile on his face and satisfaction in his eyes that he was not able to hide.
On the other hand, Yun Qian Meng was looking at Chu Fei Yang, where he was currently talking to Jiao Da. Her eyebrows seamlessly knitted for she did not know whether or not his words could be trusted.
But on the other end, Chu wang, who was staring at Yun Qian Meng, saw her expression and immediately rushed to Chu Fei Yang. Wishing he could just carry his grandson and throw him over to Yun Qian Meng, Chu wang angrily said in a low voice, “Go over there quickly! This is the first time she came here, how can you ignore her like this?!”
Hearing that, Chu Fei Yang raised his head. He saw that under the sun, Yun Qian Meng, in her long pink dress standing on a stretch of green, looked as lovely and as alluring as a bud ready to bloom.
Though, unlike her weak and delicate image, Yun Qian Meng's expression was filled with irritation especially directed at him, it even contained some anger.
Chu Fei Yang smiled, then said to Chu wang beside him, “Doesn't grandpa have a box of Hu Ge? Qu Ling Ao is currently waiting for this Hu Ge to save his life.”
Chu wang immediately took the hint to go back to Yun Qian Meng and spoke as if he was showing off treasure, “Yatou, how's the body of that youngster, Ling? Benwang wanted to visit him, but Fu Guo Gong Fu is heavily guarded by Imperial Guards. Although I really want to, I'm unable to go and visit him.”
He was being rather polite, so Yun Qian Meng immediately bowed and said, “Many thanks to wangye's concern. Jiujiu's condition has not worsened, this is already good fortune within misfortunes.”
Chu Nan Shan nodded his head as he listened, his eyes contained some barely noticeable cleverness hidden in his smile, “Good thing it hasn't worsened! But to let his condition continue like this is not a solution. Haven't those taiyi invent better medicine? If you need anything from grandpa, yatou need not be modest.”
Yun Qian Meng saw Chu wang's was seriousness and sincerity, but she still managed to catch the glimpse of wisdom in his eyes, and thus knew that Chu Fei Yang had surely mentioned the Hu Ge to Chu wang. She said a bit awkwardly, “My thanks to wangye, but I'm afraid that wangye will also be unable to help in this matter.”
Chu wang became anxious at Yun Qian Meng's words. He immediately made to reassure her and said, “Yatou, tell me about it. Maybe grandpa will be able to do something to help.”
Seeing him like that, Yun Qian Meng looked at Chu Fei Yang, who was not far away. Lowering her head, she thought for a while and slowly said, “Today, chennu went to Pu Guo An to ask for a herb, but Jiu Xuan shitai said that the precious Hu Ge had already been stolen. The soil of Western Chu is not suitable for growing Hu Ge. It had already been difficult for chennu to know that Jiu Xuan shitai had a box of it, but the will of heaven toys with humans, and this good opportunity has been lost.”
After her explanation, Yun Qian Meng's eyes gradually fogged. She seemed to be blaming herself for going too late.
Seeing the delicate appearance of Yun Qian Meng, the hardened-heart of Chu Nan Shan suddenly softened. He was so worried that he paced up and down in agitation. He only stopped after a while had passed and he approached Yun Qian Meng. His eyes glanced at Chu Fei Yang, and said in a low voice, “Yatou, to tell you the truth, grandpa actually has a box of Hu Ge.”
“Are wangye's words true?” Yun Qian Meng's eyes suddenly emitted lights of hope. The eyes that were teary a while ago regained their usual calmness.
But Chu wang currently looked like he was having a difficult time and hesitant to open his mouth. But because the vivid eyes of Yun Qian Meng stared straight at him, after a while, he mysteriously spoke in a low voice, “Yatou does not know, but this was something that Fei Yang's grandmother left. Before she passed away, she said that this Hu Ge was extremely precious, and can only be used as a betrothal gift to the daughter-in-law of our Chu Family. Yatou, it is not that grandpa won't help you, but we should respect the deceased. Grandpa definitely could not defy the wish of my deceased wife. Don't you think so? Well, of course, if yatou is willing to be my daughter-in-law, grandpa will immediately send the Hu Ge to Xiang Fu.”
As Yun Qian Meng listened to Chu wang's words, she immediately understood the hidden meanings in his words.
The thing was, she did not know whether or not Chu Fei Yang was also using this to intercede.
What he had said a while ago about repaying him with her marriage was recalled in her mind at this moment and Yun Qian Meng, who was usually clever, was not able to know precisely the truthfulness of his words.
But, realizing that she had put Chu wang in a difficult situation, Yun Qian Meng did not force him to do something he did not want to. She smiled and said, “I have made things difficult for wangye. Since that's the case, chennu will search elsewhere. I believe that I will surely find someone who will be able to give up this precious possession.”
While speaking, Yun Qian Meng had turned around and acted as if she was already leaving. A feeling of anger rose within her heart, because she did not like being pressured by others.
Chu wang was uneasy when he saw that Yun Qian Meng was about to leave. He immediately blocked her path and said, “Yatou, don't be so in a hurry to leave. We can discuss more about it if you need anything. Grandpa is not an unreasonable person.”
Yun Qian Meng's face showed the hint of smile, but declined the offer, “Wangye, since ancient times, marriage is very particular with the wishes of one's parents and the advice of a matchmaker. Chennu surely cannot give a reply to wangye's request. But, chennu has an idea, if wangye would like to listen to it.”
Chu Nan Shan immediately nodded rapidly when he saw that Yun Qian Meng had ceased trying to leave and had instead wished to propose a solution. “Sure, sure. Tell me about it!”
Yun Qian Meng smiled and slowly said, “Today, Chennu has encountered two places with Hu Ge. If wangye could lend this box to me first to save a life, then chennu will give a box of Hu Ge back once chennu has found another somewhere else. What does wangye think of this idea?”
After listening to her idea, Chu Nan Shan's demeanor suddenly sagged, and the eyes that were glowing a while ago suddenly became dull. He unexpectedly pouted and said disappointedly, “If you cannot find another one, then will benwang never see a daugher-in-law in this lifetime? Yatou doesn't understand, my wife's dying command was that without Hu Ge, there shall be no daughter-in-law, even if one married and passed through the threshold of the Chu Clan's gates, they would not be recognized by the ancestors. Ay, even if yatou's way is good, it cannot be!"
Hearing him say so, Yun Qian Meng's anger miraculously disappeared. She could not help but think the situation to be funny. This Chu wangfei really had a lot of last words before she died and the words all seemed to be specifically working against her.
It was suspicious whether or not Chu wangfei really said those as her dying words, or if everything was just made up by Chu wang.
At this moment, Chu Fei Yang walked with Jiao Da, who had a rectangular box made of high quality red wood in his hands. He walked to Yun Qian Meng to give her the small wooden box. “This is the Hu Ge.”
But Yun Qian Meng was still rather suspicious and cautious. She raised her crystal clear eyes to stare at Chu Fei Yang. He was in high spirits but his eyes contained no schemes, so she smiled and accepted with a nod. “Many thanks to wangye and Chu xiang. Chennu asks to be excused.”
Afterwards, she turned around and left Chu wangfu.
Right after she left, Chu wang immediately started to stamp with rage. He pointed at Chu Fei Yang but was not able to say anything. Instead, Chu Fei Yang spoke first, “You knew that it was for saving someone's life, but you still wanted to profit from someone's misfortune. You really brought disgrace to the fame and glory of Chu wang.”
When Chu Nan Shan heard his grandson describe him as such, he rolled his eyes. After easing the tension in his body, he shouted, “I'm getting you a good wife, how dare you say that to your blood-related grandpa?! I don't believe that you don't have any intentions for that yatou. If you don't like her, why did you bring her to the wangfu? Chu Fei Yang, can you say that you don't have any selfish motives?”
“I do have some selfish motives, but I am not unprincipled and despicable! I will not forcefully make demands like you were, being so rude and unreasonable!” after that, Chu Fei Yang also left Chu wangfu with large strides.
“He-he-he—unfilial descendant!” Chu wang pointed at the receding figure of Chu Fei Yang trembling for a while, but his rage ended with just these words.
Yun Qian Meng went to the carriage. They immediately rushed straight to the small yard where Xia mama lived and gave the Hu Ge to Ying Qiu, and intentionally left Ying Xia there so that the two can prepare the antidote while she and Yuan Dong immediately rushed back to xiangfu.
As she was just walking back to Qi Luo Yuan from a side entrance, she saw Mi mama was approaching them in a hurry and anxiously said, “Xiaojie, Qu gonggong was sent by the Empress Dowager earlier, and has been waiting for you in the side room for half a day.”
Hearing that, Yun Qian Meng's expression tightened. She immediately went to the room along with Mi mama. Qu gonggong was sitting in the chair but his eyes were anxious, and Yun Qian Meng inferred that his leaving the palace to see her was surely a secret. She immediately approached him and bowed, “Yun Qian Meng came late. I hope that gonggong can forgive me.”
Once he saw that Yun Qian Meng had finally arrived, Qu gonggong could not help the relief he felt and stood up. “Xiaojie doesn't need to be over-courteous. Today, nucai came over to tell xiaojie words from the Empress Dowager.”
There was caution reflected in Qu gonggong's eyes and noticing that he came here alone, Yun Qian Meng ordered Mi mama to go out and keep watch. “What instructions does the Empress Dowager have?”
Now that there were no other people in the room, Qu gonggong carefully said, “The Empress Dowager had nucai come here to tell xiaojie that establishing family relations are possibly not doable.”
Yun Qian Meng discerned the hidden meaning and immediately replied with a smile, “Qian Meng understands! Gonggong, please tell the Empress Dowager to take care of her body.”
Qu gonggong slightly nodded deep inside at Yun Qian Meng's expression that did not show any sadness for the loss. He bowed and made to leave, but was stopped by Yun Qian Meng, “I boldly ask gonggong, whether Shui'er and Bing'er are now on duty in the palace?”
It's had already been so long, but Shui'er and Bing'er have yet to come back to xiangfu, which made Yun Qian Meng curious about what happened. But, information was very inaccessible at this time and she really was not able to inquire about anything.
Qu gonggong's expression slightly changed when he heard Yun Qian Meng's question, then in a low voice, “It should be reasonable for xiaojie to know this. Shui'er and Bing'er were killed by the assassin the other day.”
After that, Qu gonggong nodded to Yun Qian Meng, then quickly left.
The words shocked Yun Qian Meng greatly. She had thought that the Empress Dowager had made other arrangements for the two of them. She did not expect that they had already passed away.
She suddenly thought of what Chu Fei Yang said to the tenth Prince the other day. She did not yet know if it was related to Shui'er and Bin'er.
But, the news that Qu gonggong brought today was actually a good news for Yun Qian Meng.
During this time, Emperor Yu Qian was suspicious of Fu Guo Gong Fu. He naturally would not let the Qu Clan have any relations with the Rong Clan, and would also not let anyone related to the Qu Clan gain any favor to prevent increasing the Qu Clan's influence, which would make it difficult to root them out in the future.
Yun Qian Meng had originally not wanted to become anyone's chess piece anyway. She was naturally happy to clear her connection with the palace.
In the next ten days, Su Yuan and company had found more evidence to prove that Qu Zhang Qing had stayed in the borders for too long and delayed coming back to the capital.
But, the moment Chu Fei Yang brought the craftsman to the Imperial Court, all the sounds of query were suppressed. After a lot of effort and war of words, he unexpectedly washed Qu Zhang Qing's reputation clean of betraying the country and colluding with the enemy in half a day.
On the same day, Emperor Yu Qian ordered Wu daren to withdraw the guards outside Fu Guo Gong Fu. He not only restored the official position Qu Zhang Qing held, but even rewarded a lot of precious antiques to Fu Guo Gong Fu as recompense.
But just as the matter of Qu Zhang Qing had ended, the Northern Qi had attacked the northern borders of Western Chu. In this instance of Western Chu being totally unprepared, they were able to continuously conquer five cities of Western Chu, causing the anxiety of the citizens who worried that the capital might one day fall into the hands of the people of the Northern Qi.
But instead, the Emperor had made a rather surprising move. He sent neither experienced people like Chu Fei Yang nor Chen wang who volunteered to be sent to the front lines of the battlefield, but intentionally commanded Hai junwang of Hai wangfu together with the fourth brother of Emperor Yu Qian, Rui wang, to lead the battle.