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Ysabel, Jaya, Laoren, Anh, you are welcome. 9Dragons, Apu, Sky, I think Huang Yi is too ruthless. Oftentimes his 'women' are beautiful to the extreme, one is prettier than the last, but when describing ugly women, he also went quite far. Sir Hugo Drax, as long as you don't do that out of pity ... Critical, I don't quite get what you said. What would you like to say? Zlack, just because the woman is not pretty does not mean she is fake. But we'll see ... <-- smiling mysteriously. DongBin, thanks, I hope so too, but there are so many things to do, and I only have so little time. Bocah, thanks for your support I sincerely hope we won't get to that stage. So far I managed to meet my own deadline ...

Book 4 Chapter 7 - Learning The Art of Taking Refuge

The big boss' mansion was situated in the center of Xingyang's inner city. Previously it was the official residence of the governor in charge of the city. After it fell into Zhai Rang's hands, he built extension to the building. The originally magnificent mansion house now became even more spectacular.

Xingyang was located south of the stream crossing the Grand Canal, along the canal connecting the land west of the Yellow River, passing Hulao [lit. Tiger Cage] and Yanshi, two cities, and continued on to the Eastern Capital Luoyang, comprising of several major water ways; therefore, Wagang Army was able to grow their roots and establish their foundation here, posing a significant threat to the Sui dynasty.

If the Eastern Capital fell, not only it would cut off the waterway link between the west side of the Capital and the East, psychologically the victor would also be able to leap to the throne over the numerous militias and overlords all over the world [tian xia, i.e. China].

Due to its strategic geographical position, Xingyang has become the transit center of Yellow River's Grand Canal and other rivers, also an unavoidable fast horse relay station of past dynasties; for this reason, ever since Spring and Autumn, the Warring States period, it has been exceptionally thriving. In term of east-west waterborne transport center, its importance was second only to Luoyang.

Even in this chaotic time of war, Xingyang remained unusually prosperous. Along the street section from the southern gate to the Big Boss Mansion, grain retailers, oil mill, grocery stores and restaurants stood in great numbers, their doors were interlinking with each other.

The streets were exceptionally wide and could accommodate ten horses running side by side; the exact ambience of big town, big city.

Xingyang and the nearby Xingze along the Grand Canal, one was primary, the other one secondary; these two cities were practically one.

If Xingze's pier were of the same scale as Xingyang, it would also become the shipping and distribution center, plus Xingyang was transit center for southern ships and northern horses, as well as the goods shipped between the River Wei and the Grand Canal.

Both places were located along a major route, in between was a very long official road, the houses and stores on either side of the road were linked together, became a major feature of this city.

From time to time, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling saw towering temples and pagodas, tall buildings and big houses. They mused that no wonder Wagang Army wanted to seize this big city to be their base of operation.

After they arrived at the big boss mansion, Susu led them to have a bath and change their clothes; she also repeatedly urged them to abide by the rules before taking them to the hall of Zhai Jiao's lady chamber to see this arrogant Miss.

The two boys saw the reverent and respectful expression on Susu's face, as she bowed humbly and complied fully with the courtesy, and stood with both hands hung down in front of the big miss of the Zhai family who was sitting on the host seat on a raised pedestal; just like a prisoner under interrogation.

After barking her order to the servant girls and old servants on her left and right to withdraw, which included even Susu, Zhao Jiao stared coldly at the two boys for quite a while, without any intention of asking them to sit down at all.

While the two boys were cursing her in their heart, Zhao Jiao said, "Tell me again.”

Kou Zhong sighed inwardly and took a deep breath, and then he vividly narrated what happened that day to her. Afterwards he asked, "I wonder where Miss was at that time?”

Zhai Jiao barked with her hoarse voice, "Right now I am asking you, or are you asking me?”

Kou Zhong was speechless; he did not know how to respond.

Xu Ziling was angry too. "May I ask Miss, is Da Longtou in?” he asked.

Zhai Jiao slapped the small table by her side, she roared, "What a brazen slave material! Are you deaf? Always speaking unnecessary words; perhaps you want me to give you a beating before you are willing to behave yourselves.”

[Translator's note: slave material 奴材 nu cai, nu - slave, cai - material. During Deer and Cauldron project, the word was奴才 nu cai - slave. I don't know whether the text is incorrect or Huang Yi intentionally used奴材 instead of奴才. Unless somebody could verify for me, I will use the literal translation: slave material.]

Kou and Xu, two boys looked at each other in astonishment. They brought this important and very useful information, who would have thought that they were considered slave material this and slave material that, and each time she opened her mouth she was shouting about beating and killing?

Seeing the two boys finally kept quiet out of fear, Zhai Jiao started to feel satisfied. Pointing to Xu Ziling, she said, "You look a bit honest, you tell me.”

Suppressing his anger, Xu Ziling said in low voice, "Please inquire, Miss.”

Zhai Jiao's expression relaxed slightly; she nodded and said, "How did you climb up the beam? Based on Die's martial art skill, how could he not know that you were hiding there? Moreover, based on Die's martial art skill, even if someone was hiding in the chest wanting to mount a sneak attack on him, it is unlikely that he would succeed. I'll say Die did not look like he received any injury at all; that man covered in Buddhist monk's robe mustn't be my Die.”

Kou Zhong was stunned. "This matter is very easy to confirm,” he said, "As long as Miss asks Da Longtou, won't everything be clear?”

Zhai Jiao roared, "Shut up! Who allowed you to talk?”

Xu Ziling smiled wryly and said, "I was just going to say the same thing. Find Da Longtou, one question, and the whole truth will be revealed.

Zhai Jiao's plump, but not exquisitely shaped huge breasts, which looked like inflated protrusion on her chest, heaved violently up and down several times; her big eyes glowered at them as she said, "I will deal properly with this matter; you stay here, wait for Die to be back.”

Xu Ziling knitted his eyebrows and said, "How long must we wait?”

Zhao Jiao was a bit gentler toward Xu Ziling; unexpectedly she was willing to answer, "Ten days, eight days, nobody can tell. What can you do? I cannot feed you for free.”

Hearing that, Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong looked at each other. This Big Miss of the Zhai family, whom Susu said that her temper was not good, but her character was very good, did indeed treat them as slave materials who came to seek shelter to her.

Kou Zhong tested her, "Excuse me, Miss, may I talk now?”

Zhai Jiao seemed to particularly loathe Kou Zhong; she impatiently said, "Speak quickly.”

Kou Zhong pressed on, "Is it possible for us to rest for several days, and we'll decide on what kind of work we do after Da Longtou returns?”

Zhai Jiao replied crossly, "I wish I had known earlier that you are a lazy guy. Was the rest last night not enough? Whenever the kitchen lacks manpower, you go there to help. Remember, you are not allowed to tell anybody about this matter; otherwise I will chop your head.”

Kou and Xu, two boys did not know whether they should cry or laugh. Right there and then they decided that they must persuade Susu to leave with them.

At the kitchen, the two boys moving and lifting, chopping melon and slicing meat, washing the dishes and plates, and were very busy in general until late at night before they could return to rest in the small room for the workers.

While they sighing in despair, Susu came. Apologetically she said, "I don't understand either, why Miss treats you this bad. But my two good brothers [didi, younger brother], please bear with it for a while. When Da Longtou returns, everything will be different.”

Kou Zhong tried to analyze the situation, "I think she is annoyed that we unmasked the fact that she was abducted. She is the kind of person who puts emphasis on saving her face; naturally she is not happy.”

Susu was displeased, "Can you not talk abut her like that?” she said.

Xu Ziling shrugged his shoulders and said, "Now your Miss is clear about the whole thing, Jiejie has also fulfilled your obligation, it would be better if we leave immediately, go to Luoyang to find Li Dage.”

Susu's pretty face changed slightly; she shook her head helplessly.

Kou Zhong was confused, "Could it be that Susu Jie does not miss Li Dage?”

Biting her lip, Susu said in small voice, "Even if I do, what's the use?”

Hearing that, the two boys' heart sank. Could it be that this divine woman had the heart, but in his rush to be a ruler Li Jing did not have the dream?

Susu looked at the two boys distressingly for a moment, and then she said with a hollow laugh, "Your Li Dage's ambition is higher than the sky, he does not have any care about boy-girl feeling; I plead you from now on not to put he and I together, is that alright? Besides, I basically am unworthy of him.”

The two boys were left speechless, they both felt sorry for her, although they did not understand why she thought that she was unworthy.

Susu changed the subject; she smiled and said, "You have not had the opportunity to tell Jiejie your encounters after we parted; why don't you let Jiejie listen?”

It was just like the two boys have just met the only family they had in this whole wide world; chatting and laughing they narrated their experience this past year or so.

Susu's pretty face blushed slightly as she said, "Two Didi are so bad; all day long the only thing in your mind is visiting brothels.”

Xu Ziling did not expect that after telling her about all kinds of exciting and dangerous adventures, the only thing Susu noticed was this aspect. Feeling terribly wronged, he said, "It was Kou Zhong's idea, I was only forced to follow him.”

Embarrassed, Kou Zhong laughed awkwardly, "You, this guy, only know how to put the blame on me; you yourself don't have that desire?”

Susu's pretty face turned even redder; she irately said, "Stop it! All men are like that.”

The two boys looked at her in astonishment.

Susu lowered her pretty face, suddenly she spoke in mosquito-like voice, "Do you want Jiejie to serve you?”

Xu Ziling was greatly shaken, "Susu Jie!” he gasped.

Susu distressingly said, "Jiejie already accompanied other men, and you are not my flesh and blood Didi, so what's the problem?”

Kou Zhong's countenance changed, "How could Jiejie be good with other men? Li Dage … hey …”

Big drops of tears rolled down from Susu's elegant eyes; hanging her head low she said, "Jiejie is only a servant, master's order, I must obey; how can I make decision for myself?”

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