Chu Wang Fei

by Ning er

  Against the questioning of Chu Fei Yang, Chen wang assumed an indifferent expression, but those hawk-like eyes of his were targeted at Jiao Da, who was supporting Qu Zhang Qing. He noticed at once that his hair was disheveled, he was left with only one pair of trousers to cover his body, his face wan and lifeless; even his bearing seemed to lack energy, as he was leaning completely against Jiao Da for support. He must have been undergone torture while injured.

  Su Yuan, seeing that Jiang Mu Chen's gaze stopped on Qu Zhang Qing's body, began to fear that Chu Fei Yang would use this opportunity to drive a wedge between them, and immediately explained, “Wangye, please inspect. Xiaguan, Qin daren, and Zheng daren were all only asking Qu Zhang Qing some questions, we never used any form of torture. Xiaguan can be the most stupid person on earth, but would still know that Qu Zhang Qing is one of the key witnesses in this matter, xiaguan will keep him alive as long as he hasn't admitted to his guilt.”

  Hearing these words, Jiang Mu Chen waved a hand to let Su Yuan retreat. He looked atChu Fei Yang and said in a cold voice, “Su daren has already said everything so clearly. What does Chu xiang have left to worry about? This was originally a Three Department Hearing, if Chu xiang stays here too long, it will inconvenience the whole matter. It would be better if you left of your own accord.”

  “Benxiang naturally has no qualms about leaving this kind of filthy place! However, benxiang came to retrieve Qu Zhang Qing.” Jiang Mu Chen's cold expression and voice could scare away everyone else, but not Chu Fei Yang, who did not even look the slightest bit perturbed.

  At this moment, his face still wore a shallow smile, the perfect arc of his mouth allowed no one to find fault with him. Even in the hall of the Ministry of Justice that reeked of the pungent smell of blood that would force even officials to have inner tremors, Chu Fei Yang was calm and smiling, his twinkling eyes radiating with a bright playfulness, as dazzling as a heavenly body in the pitch black night, a perfect simile for the juxtaposition of his fresh attitude against this dismal and gory justice hall.

  Hearing this, Chen wang smiled frostily, as if mocking Chu Fei Yang's wishful thinking.

  “Does Chu wang think his joke is funny? Qu Zhang Qing is a traitor to Xi Chu. Never mind Chu xiang, even the Emperor himself can't release him from the custody of the Ministry of Justice. Chu xiang and Chu wangfu have long been negligent of the situations of the Imperial Court. That you are wasting your efforts and time today, could it be because of a certain someone?” Jiang Mu Chen was reminding Chu Fei Yang that he should act according to his status, and not push himself to a state of no return because of a certain someone.

  But Chu Fei Yang was not one to be easily defeated with a few jabbing words that would have made thinner-skinned men retreat at once. He merely shrugged, and flashed an insipid smile at Chen wang, calmly replying with a question, “Is it not true then that Wangye's actions are all products of jealousy regarding benxiang's relationship with that certain someone?”

  Chu Fei Yang's voice had not died down yet, but the temperature in the hall still filled with steam immediately dropped down several degrees. Chen wang's gaze was frostier than ice, and his entire posture had a glacial stiffness to it. Those cold eyes were fixed on Chu Fei Yang, and it would not be surprising if they could shoot out icicles that froze him on the spot!

  “Jiao Da, give the three daren the Imperial Decree from the Emperor. Let them read it carefully! Benxiang is not someone who randomly interferes as he pleases. If not for the Emperor's Imperial Decree, benxiang would not even dare to have the gall to come here to take away a convict, much less contend against Su daren's just words.” He originally wanted to bring away Qu Zhang Qing without having to show his ace card, but it looked like Chen wang would die before he allowed them to leave. Thank goodness that Emperor Yu Qian still had the previous Emperor in mind and issued this Imperial Decree.

  Jiao Da immediately took out a bright golden scroll from within his sleeves and handed it to Chen wang before quickly turning back to Qu Zhang Qing to hoist his slumping body up.

  Jiang Mu Chen received the decree and swept a few icy glances through it. His expression soured, and he handed the scroll to Qin daren and the others to see for themselves.

  “Since wangye has nothing to say, then benxiang will bring Qu Zhang Qing back to Fu Guo Gong Fu for him to heal and strengthen before the Three Department Trial resumes. Otherwise, I'm afraid that if left at the Ministry of Justice, Su daren's torture weapons would have been used on this man even before the trial has begun.” Chu Fei Yang looked over to Su daren before turning on his heel to leave with Jiao Da and Qu Zhang Qing.

  “Wangye, when did this Chu xiang manage to ask the Emperor to change his mind? Being a traitor to the country is a crime that is punishable by killing the entire clan; the Emperor can't think about his affections and let the tiger return to the mountains! How can you let them go?” Su Yuan was regretting that he did not take this opportunity upon himself and take Qu Zhang Qing down after seeing Chen wang, who just allowed Chu Fei Yang to bring Qu Zhan Qing away.

  Jiang Mu Chen glanced at Su Yuan with anger after hearing him speak and furiously asked, “Su daren, do you want benguan to defy the Emperor's decree?”

  “Xiaguan does not dare.” Su Yuan denied, immediately sensing the anger in Jiang Mu Chen's words. Afterwards, he kept quiet to prevent Chen wang from venting his anger on him.

  “Although the Emperor appointed Wu daren, who lead the imperial guards, to surround Fu Guo Gong Fu, each one of you should also be aware what is happening. Once Qu Zhang Qing is on the mend, you should start examining this case to avoid the chances of things going wrong and allow the Northern Qi take advantage of us!” Jiang Mu Chen coldly ordered, then left the Ministry of Justice with heavy steps.

  “Xiangye, I have troubled you.” Inside the carriage, Qu Zhang Qing was so touched by the acts of Chu Fei Yang, who was never one for participating in political fights, to compete with Chen wang. Despite the burning pain he felt in his chest, he had to speak up.

  “Since you are afraid of getting me into trouble, you should take good care of yourself and heal your injury.” Chu Fei Yang sat across from him in the carriage and gave Jiao Da a glance, seeing that Qu Zhang Qing had suffered a lot this time.

  Jiao Da immediately took Qu Zhang Qing's pulse, after which he carefully examined the wounds on his back. Even if Jiao Da was always expressionless, after seeing the wounds, he unconsciously frowned. “Xiangye, the methods of the Ministry of Justice is really clever. Although they said that they did not make use of any torture, putting leeches on the wounds of Qu daren is like silently killing him. In the meantime, I cannot be sure whether or not the leeches have entered Qu Zhang Qing's body. I can only check the wounds again carefully when we reach Fu Guo Gong Fu.”

  Jiao Da carefully put a soft inner shirt on Qu Zhang Qing to avoid showing others his haggardness.

  Suddenly, the carriage stopped. Chu Fei Yang left Jiao Da inside to take care of Qu Zhang Qing, and left the carriage by himself. After a while, his voice could be heard through the carriage, “Send him back to have his body examined carefully.”

  After that, Jiao Da and Qu Zhang Qing heard the sounds of horse galloping. Chu Fei Yang probably had other important matters to take care of.

  Chapter 83: Part 2: Chu and Meng Team Up to Defeat Their Enemies! | Chu Wang Fei

  The people of Fu Guo Gong Fu were all impatiently waiting at the front door after receiving the Imperial Edict. Although, because of this incident, Fu Guo Gong Fu was heavily surrounded by Imperial Guards. But the fact that the Emperor granted mercy and allowed Qu Zhang Qing to recover first before being brought to trial was already extremely good news.

  At this moment, Ji Shu Yu, Qu Fei Qing, and even Lao Tai Jun with a walking stick lead the crowd of people waiting in the front door.

  The sound of a carriage passing over the limestone path was heard. The people's faces were all filled with joy and excitement, if not for the Imperial Guards preventing
them from leaving the mansion, the crowd may have already rushed to the carriage.

  After the carriage stopped, Jiao Da supported Qu Zhang Qing out of the carriage. Qu Zhang Qing slightly raised his head and saw his grandmother, mother, and sister looking at him teary eyed. Qu Zhang Qing only realized the beauty of the world after leaving the dark and humid jail of the Ministry of Justice. In his heart, his love and care for his family also increased. Seeing his family deeply worried for him. Even though the wounds hurt so much that he could not straighten his back, he still managed to move his pale white lips and show a comforting smile.

  After waiting for Jiao Da to help Qu Zhang Qing walk the ten steps of stairs to enter the gates of Fu Guo Gong Fu, everyone immediately rushed up and lightly put Qu Zhang Qing on the soft seat of a sedan. The servants carried him running to Chu Yun Ge right away.

  The one who sent Qu Zhang Qing over today was Jiao Da, who never strayed far from Chu Wang, so Gu laotaijun immediately treated him with courtesy and personally led him to the inner courtyard.

  Jiao Da first glanced at the direction Chu Fei Yang left a while ago before he followed laotaijun to Rui Lin Yuan. He was planning to tell her everything that happened today.

  ……

  “Xiaojie, nubi went to the back door of Fu Guo Gong Fu a while ago. Biao xiaojie's yatou told nubi that biao shaoye has been sent back by the Emperor!” Mu Chun entered Qi Luo Yuan filled with happiness and had immediately told Yun Qian Meng the good news.

  “That is great. There are taiyi in Fu Guo Gong Fu, so I believe that biaoge will recover soon. Oh, have Mi mama and Ying Xia come back yet?” Hearing the words of Mu Chun slightly relieved Yun Qian Meng.

  Regardless whether or not the injustice of Qu Zhang Qing had been cleared, a cell in the Ministry of Justice is not a good place to stay too long. Being there would make it easy for Su Yuan to do something in secret.

  “Nubi will look outside.” Mu Chun bowed, then left the room.

  After a while, Mi mama and Ying Xia quickly entered the inner room. The two looked worn, so Yun Qian Meng knew that they had returned urgently and she immediately put down the book in her hand to looked at them.

  “Nubi greets xiaojie.” The two bowed.

  “Mama, how was it? Will Ying Qiu be able to cure the poison?” Yun Qian Meng said nervously, her eyes tightly staring at the two people in front of her.

  Hearing that, Mi mama smiled, and immediately replied, “Ying Qiu said that this poison is not hard to cure. But there is one ingredient of the antidote that is extremely precious. It is possibly that it can't be found in Xi Chu.”

  Hearing the first sentence, Yun Qian Meng was delighted, but after hearing the rest, she lightly knitted her delicate eyebrows.

  It was obvious that the person who had done the poisoning intended harm and would not be kind hearted enough to use a poison that was easy to cure.

  So that was why the person behind this plan did not bother to send other assassins over after Qu Ling Ao was only hurt. He might have already foreseen that the poison could not be cured even by the taiyi from the physician's institute, and Qu Ling Ao was only awaiting his death. That was the reason for the confidence.

  But, the situation was not yet at its final stages. How could she just give up?

  “Did Ying Qiu mention the name and characteristic of the herb? We still have more than a month's time. I believe that we can surely find the antidote.” Yun Qian Meng could not help but increase her stubbornness. Her belief of not giving up until the last moment from her days as a police officer suddenly came to her mind, making her look incomparably firm at the moment.

  “Xiaojie, the name of the herb is Hu Ge! Nubi doesn't know about the shape and other characteristics of the herb because there is no such herb in Xi Chu.” This time, the one who replied to Yun Qian Meng was Ying Xia who had come in along with Mi mama. Her eyebrows were tightly knitted when she spoke, as if she was thinking about something.

  Seeing her expression, Yun Qian Meng felt a surge of rising hope and softly asked, “Ying Xia, do you know where to find this herb?”

  If it was so, then she really received a great gift from Rong Yun He by sending her these two special and useful maids.

  Ying Xia slightly nodded, and said with curiosity in her eyes, “Nubi remembers someone mentioning the name of this herb when I was young.”

  After replying, she remained silent and started thinking again.

  Yun Qian Meng did not bother her either, as long as she thought of where to find this Hu Ge, even if she needed to experience a thousand difficulties and a million dangers, she would find it.

  Ying Xia lowered her head and thought deeply. She did not move for half an incense stick. Yun Qian Meng let Mi mama go out and rest for a while as she herself picked up the book she was reading a while ago then silently continued reading and did not disturb Ying Xia.

  “Xiaojie! Nubi remembers!” Ying Xia suddenly shouted, but it did not surprise Yun Qian Meng who had continuously watched her.

  Seeing her overjoyed, Yun Qian Meng also smiled and felt the joy. She immediately asked, “Who was it?”

  “Xiaojie! Nubi remembered! In Xi Chu, I'm afraid this Hu Ge can only be found in one place. A few years ago, Nubi went to Pu Guo An along with Rong Xian taifei and Rong gongzi. While serving tea to Rong gongzi, Nubi unintentionally heard gongzi mention that Jiu Xuan shitai seemed to have gotten a small box of the precious Hu Ge by chance!”

  Yun Qian Meng closed the book on her hands. Her lips showed a glimpse of a smile and her eyes shone with brightness, but her voice seemed to contain more seriousness than a while ago. “Since that's the case, quickly prepare a carriage to head to Pu Guo An!”

  Ying Xia was quite surprised at Yun Qian Meng's words and immediately asked, “Xiaojie believes nubi? If nubi is wrong, it will tire xiaojie for travelling such a long distance.”

  Yun Qian Meng just stood up, her hands lightly patted the folds in her skirt, then smiled and said, “Then I'm going to ask you, what can you get from lying to me? Whether or not I will go for nothing will be clear once I get to Pu Guo An.”

  Ying Xia could not help but admire Yun Qian Meng for not being like the various xiaojie of other families who were overly suspicious. She immediately went out of Qi Luo Yuan to prepare the carriage.

  For the trip, Yun Qian Meng only rode in a common and unnoticeable carriage. She only brought Ying Xia and Yuan Dong with her and even had Yuan Dong run the carriage. The carriage quickly went to the official road and headed towards Pu Guo An.

  The horse's hooves stepped on the yellow soil and brought up a lot of dust. Because the speed of the carriage was too fast, Yun Qian Meng and Ying Xia both needed to hold on the walls of the carriage in order to sit stably.

  Half a cup of tea's time after the carriage left the city gates when Yuan Dong's voice was heard from the outside. “Xiaojie, it seems like someone is following us.”

  “Speed up.” Yun Qian Meng calmly ordered. Ying Xia and herself then held onto the carriage more tightly in order not to fall down.

  Her going out today was just decided moments ago. She had gone discreetly in order to avoid the notice of the the person behind all the evil plans and prevent them from stealing the Hu Ge that could save a life.

  But the opponent was very thorough; it might be that everything related to Fu Guo Gong Fu was being monitored.

  A cold look appeared in Yun Qian Meng's eyes as she secretly thought, 'who are these people who had been following her since she left the house?'

  The sound of an arrow whizzed by.

  “Careful!” Yun Qian Meng pulled Ying Xia over based on instinct, then quickly pressed her head down. The moment Ying Xia's head was lowered, an arrow shot through where she had been seated. The arrow had gone right through the carriage wall from the other side.

  It seemed like the person who shot the arrow used all of his strength, otherwise, Yun Qian Meng, who was inside the carriage, would not have heard the sound of the arrow and neither would the a
rrow have been able to pass through the thick walls of the carriage.

  “Xiaojie! Are you alright?” In the midst of the extreme crisis, Ying Xia's became pale and had lost all the colour from her face, but at least she did not lose her mind. Her heart was filled with concern for Yun Qian Meng's safety as she closely shielded Yun Qian Meng's front.

  “Yuan Dong, if we are being ambushed from the front, no matter who it is, just run through it.” Yun Qian Meng ordered with an unexpectedly calm voice. Her eyes were extremely cool but in her heart, she experienced unlimited anger. It seemed like the person really did not want Qu Ling Ao to live. If there were any moves were done to help him, that person would immediately eliminate the source of trouble completely.

  Surprisingly, aside from the arrow a while ago, the road after was quiet and nothing dangerous happened again. This made the three of them more suspicious. They did not dare stop on the way and went directly to Pu Guo An.

  …...

  “A group of useless grunts. You can't even catch a woman!” When the figure of the carriage was quickly receding, a voice filled with fury sounded from a hill. It was followed by two loud slaps.

  “Please calm down, zhuzi. This is Xi Chu's official road. If something happened, it will surely be noticed immediately. We are just trying to find the thing that zhuzi lost. It is better not to do anything rash. Besides, a while ago, after beizhi shot the arrow, I noticed that someone at the back shot something at beizhi's arrow as well, causing the arrow to lose two-thirds of its power. I'm afraid that while we are following that carriage, we were also tailed by someone else.” The soldier who received the two slaps immediately half-kneeled and explained the situation.