by Ning er
In this way, it was so ironic for those who brought their lanterns to float them across the waves of the river, as those brightly colored lanterns were now sprinkled with blood. The scene made the people who saw it flustered and be in fear of the cold forest that reminded everyone of everything that had happened that night.
For quite some time, the air was filled with the lingering scent of blood that made people think of the evil that caused them to tremble in fear. Rows of the city militia were neatly standing everywhere, to be of service to and protect the people who were wailing at the funeral. All of this, in the eyes of Yun Qian Meng, seemed very ridiculous.
If Chen wang had supervised it properly, then this tragedy would not have happened. If the city militia had been capable enough to catch up when things had started, certainly the number of deaths would have dropped a lot.
But at this point, no amount of hypotheticals would change the outcome, this was just the way of life.
The sound of horse hooves approaching could be heard, and Yuan Dong immediately shielded Yun Qian Meng's as they retreated back so that the horse would not accidentally hurt Yun Qian Meng.
Just as the sound of galloping horses came to a halt beside Yun Qian Meng, she slightly lifted her eyes and saw Chen wang on horseback. He radiated coldness with a layer of ice reflecting in his eyes that no one dared to approach him too closely, so the people around them took measures to go around him, afraid that the grave and stern Chen wang would cause them injury.
At Jiang Mu Chen's ice-cold eyes, Yun Qian Meng recalled how he had just stood there in the middle of the forest looking for his target without regard for the people dying. Her heart suddenly chilled to a stop at those pair of moonlight clear eyes. Only half of Jiang Mu Chen's could be seen as he looked right beside Yuan Dong and ordered, "Return to your fu!”
When Jiang Mu Chen saw it was Yun Qian Meng who was unexpectedly leaving, his eyes gradually sank in disappointment. His feet tightened around the horse's belly and the horse obediently walked to Yun Qian Meng's and obstructed her path.
Again, Yun Qian Meng lifted her eyes to see Chen wang who appeared just like before with the expression of indifference and heart with profound fury but with the addition of the tightly-pursed lips and slightly frowning brows. Chen wang looked even more cold like this, as he was apparently very dissatisfied with Yun Qian Meng at this moment.
"No injuries?" as always he was very concise and comprehensive, but his rotten concern sounded like there was a command hidden in his words.
Yun Qian Meng lips rose up in a sneer and she curtly replied, "Many thanks to wangye's concern, chennu is fine.”
It's just that if you did not have a lack of regard for human life, perhaps I can feel better!
Yun Qian Meng only said these words in her heart and mind but did not say it out loud else Chen wang could use it as a pretext to make a fuss and she would find herself in trouble again.
She had taken Yuan Dong along with the others towards Jiang Mu Chen to do the courtesies, but Yun Qian Meng would prefer to hurriedly leave this place.
But Jiang Mu Chen was apparently still not letting people go.
Today's Qi Qiao Festival had nothing to do with him. He and his big mouth need not have left Chen wangfu, nor did he need to throw darts Chu Fei Yang.
He subconsciously hoped to catch a glimpse of Yun Qian Meng, thinking that maybe he would be able to locate her in the middle of the vast and obscure sea of people.
Jiang Mu Chen thought of the innumerable facial expressions and dialogues he had seen, since the moment he stepped out Chen wangfu his eyes had been searching the long street looking for her shadow.
But damn, when he had found her, the shadow of Chu Fei Yang had also emerged from nowhere. He had even deliberately split the dart into two, humiliated his character by giving him the jade hairpin, and forced him into an embarrassing situation.
And then, Chu Fei Yang had just left the people of the Northern Qi for him to deal with, while he ran off to be a hero himself. With his complete lack of responsibility, how could he serve as the Left Minister of the country?
Thinking about the scene just now when the two had shared a ride to the gate, Jiang Mu Chen felt very disgusted. Before, Yun Qian Meng obviously had been his fiancée, how was it possible for her who had just broken off an engagement to become so intimate with another man? Not to mention that Chu Fei Yang was unreasonably eccentric, there was nothing he did that would not come out eventually, so the concern for Yun Qian Meng was for his own sake.
Thinking this way, Jiang Mu Chen seemed to have found the cause of this matter, and from the corner of his eye he glanced at the man riding a horse coming around. Cold eyes immediately shot towards Yun Qian Meng, with rare concern he said, "Don't believe Chu Fei Yang, he is not a good person. You're inexperienced, it is natural for you to not understand that the heart is vicious, if you have time go to Chen wangfu as a guest.”
When he went so far as to say this, Yun Qian Meng smiled bitterly in her heart and the peaceful moment broke. With cold and pale complexion she said, "Wangye, chennu doesn't understand these words. Chennu needs to stay at my courtyard, how can anyone go out and come in anytime they want to Chen wangfu? How could that not attract bad attention? With wangye's assessment of Chu xiang, along with wangye's comments, how should chennu think? ”
After saying that, Yun Qian Meng opened both her eyes now filled with a resolute expression and directed them straight at Jiang Mu Chen, showing him that she did not have him in her heart in hopes that he would stop doing this shameful thing.
Because of the situation Yun Qian Meng had experienced before that had led to her death, she did not have the least bit of compassion for Chen wang.
In the Throne Room and in the presence of Emperor Yu Qian he had requested for the withdrawal of their engagement. In the ancient times, this was an unacceptable occurrence to befall to any woman.
Yun Qian Meng, in order to preserve her reputation so she would not be subjected to mockery and insults, had knocked her head against a red column in the Main Hall. At that time, what had come to Chen Wang's mind was how eager he was for Yun Qian Meng to die right then and there.
This kind of cold-blooded and cruel man went so far as to show her good intentions today by telling her to be careful of Chu Fei Yang. He humbled himself to say this for fear that something that was no longer his would be picked up and used by other people.
Truly it was too terrible, this selfish person who was completely insensitive to the feelings of others, treating people as a plaything, even though he had the means to be a ruler.
So, it may be assumed that Yun Qian Meng's heart was devastated, for the Yun Qian Meng who had died in tragic circumstances, she did not deserve any of it.
When she looked at Chen wang's eyes, they had an unprecedented determined look. Within that look was a strong denial, in the heart of Chen wang there was an expectation to be loved.
“What are the two of you talking about?" at this time, Chu Fei Yang, mounted on a war-horse, approached them.
Speaking of, Chu Fei Yang's was considerably unique. Although there were no horses around the capital, high-ranking military officers used to ride their horses as mode of transportation to go in and out of the capital. Chu Fei Yang had been in the capital for a while now, and was also one of the highest government officials as the Minister, but had never rode a palanquin or carriage. He only rode his horse, it was truly hard for people to understand.
Chu Fei Yang had leisurely rode over to take a look, immediately placing himself between Jiang Mu Chen and Yun Qian Meng, obstructing their conversation by standing between them making Yun Qian Meng only face him!
But when he turned to Yun Qian Meng, she had put on a veil hat to cover her hair, as she refused to have any interaction with Chu Fei Yang.
Feeling embarrassed under his attention, with those black-ink eyes that leapt up with a shining flame, Chu Fei Yang turned his head around to shoot a cold look towards Chen wang
, casting all the anger in his heart to Jiang Mu Chen.
"Does wangye not need to deal with the aftermath? This time, under wangye's watch, a huge mishap occurred in the capital and wangye still has the leisure to chat in this situation. I'm afraid that if your deceased family members were to know of your attitude, they would be even more terrified. Perhaps wangye believes that he has an unshakable position in the court. It's seems that you no longer have any concerns towards the well-being of the common people." All would have been well if Chu Fei Yang did not open his mouth, yet he did and even went on insulting Chen wang.
That last sentence was even such a huge disrespect.
If people had used their heads to listen, they would be afraid that even Chu wang was being implicated.
But the one saying these words were Chu Fei Yang. The Chu Family has been loyal for many generations. Their massive military force was the one securing and protecting the borderlands, so even if Chu Fei Yang spoke these words in the presence Emperor Yu Qian, he probably would not have minded much.
Chen wang had anticipated Chu Fei Yang's presence and that he would not have anything good to say about his person, but he did not expect that Chu Fei Yang would be so presumptuous as to dare say anything in public.
It was alright for people to be aware of some matters, but the way Chu Fei Yang brought out secret matters to the spotlight, there was no way that his rash actions were because of some sudden impulse.
Jiang Mu Chen did not immediately refute Chu Fei Yang and instead chose to gaze at Yun Qian Meng before he returned his gaze, with more vigilance, towards Chu Fei Yang. A pair of cold eyes stared firmly before smiling the smile that people would find no flaw in. In actuality though, the words weighed in his heart. No longer betrothed to Yun Qian Meng and in the presence of this smiling treacherous man, he would not allow himself to slack off even a bit.
"Chu xiang should just properly do your own job. Benwang's affairs are none of Chu Xiang's concern." Jiang Mu Chen stared back very coldly at Chu Fei Yang with his whole body on guard and ready to act.
While Chu Fei Yang's outer appearance was relaxed and carefree, inside, his strings were actually stretched taut. One was cold, the other smiling, forming a distinct contrast. Chu Fei Yang was obviously smiling but it was the imposing manner of boths sides that made it impossible for any bystander to linger.
"Wangye really likes to joke. Benxiang has a thousand affairs in a day, yet even I do not know how wangye will take control of this hideous mess. Some matters, you can control but some you cannot. Wangye is sensible and ought to know the true meaning of benxiang's words. Moreover, Yuan de taifei's heart wouldn't wish wangye to repeat such a disastrous occurrence. Wangye has to treasure your hard-earned freedom." Chu Fei Yang curved up the corners of his lips, his eyes were suffused with a smiling expression as if the summer winds that were cool and free of worry. He then turned to Yun Qian Meng, deliberately adding, "Yun xiaojie ought to think so, too.”
Yun Qian Meng had left the notice of these two people and was trying to leave quietly. She had yet to succeed when Chu Fei Yang called out to her. For a period of time, she felt upset for being stopped but showed a smile to hide her anger that could be clearly seen in her eyes. She asked, "Chennu is ignorant and unable to guess the real meaning of Chu xiang's mysterious words. However, wangye together with Chu xiang, should just continue to please speak with each other as you follow the flow of the river as you chat to change the mood of your conversation. Chennu will excuse myself.”
The words spoken by Yun Qian Meng had been laced with anger, but Chu Fei Yang was very pleasant and raised a corner of his lips instead. He moved very quickly on the horse's backing, to approach Yun Qian Meng and smiled, "Wangye naturally already has a woman for company, while benxiang would rather be together with Yun xiaojie for a night tour of the river. Would Yun xiaojie do me the honor?”
As Chu Fei Yang said the words, Yun Qian Meng experienced an extremely cold gaze that contained anger directed at her. Chu Fei Yang had on an expression of complete lack of awareness, he did not even opening his eyes to silently inquire her opinion.
Chapter 88: part 2: That Evening | Chu Wang Fei
But before Yun Qian Meng could refute, a fancy expensive carriage rapidly advanced towards them.
The the carriage was several feet away from them before the coachman began pulling the reins to stop the carriage slowly.
A small yatou wearing decent clothes quickly came out of the carriage. She immediately brought out a footstool and carefully assisted the people inside as they came out of the carriage.
A delicate white hand slowly came out of the carriage, then five fingers were painted with a rosy purple and gold flowers that was particularly striking in the moonlight, with one look one could guess that the girl was from a wealthy family.
The gongzi who had yet to return to their fu immediately forgot that they had experienced a life and death tragedy after seeing the beautiful figure appear. They were suddenly very interested, so much so that despite their social backgrounds they obstructed the servants, one after another they shoved each other forward just to see the identity of the beautiful woman.
But Yun Qian Meng, Chu Fei Yang, and Jiang Mu Chen had long since guessed, just from the decorated carriage, the identity the lady.
The eyes of Yun Qian Meng were full of sarcasm staring intently at Hai Tian's carriage that was slowly leaving. Within her heart, she could not help but admire her spectacular entrance, only to be held hostage after. She did not expect that Hai Tian would have recovered so quickly. In the blink of an eye, she was already in front of Chu Fei Yang.
Since she stepped out of the carriage, Hai Tian's eyes that longed to conquer it's desire was staring intensely at Chu Fei Yang. Yun Qian Meng secretly frowned and immediately turned her eyes to Chu Fei Yang, only to find that he was watching her, so she quickly looked away to hide her embarrassment. A very light flush momentarily colored Yun Qian Meng's cheek, taking the opportunity to appreciate the gentle flow of the water, she turned her gaze to the lake, refusing to let Chu Fei Yang catch her eye or come face to face with her.
Hai Tian had clearly noticed those subtle interactions between Chu Fei Yang and Yun Qian Meng, and her pair of bright eyes flashed with angry intentions. Immediately regaining her dignified expression, with the help of the Yatou supporting her she went to go in front of Chu Fei Yang. With both hands on her waist side she presented Chu Fei Yang with the standard courtesies. Afterwhich, with a flowing voice she said, "Chennu thanks xiangye's kindness of saving me.”
But Chu Fei Yang at this time was preoccupied solely in in enjoying Yun Qian Meng's shyness, practically ignoring Hai Tian, and only carelessly answered, "Everything was entirely Chen wang's contributions, junzhu should be thanking wangye.”
With that, he had taken hold of Hai Tian and shoved her towards Jiang Mu Chen.
While at this moment, Jiang Mu Chen was still staring attentively at Yun Qian Meng, even though Chu Fei Yang's body was still obstructing most of the light. Sensing the change of atmosphere between the two, Jiang Mu Chen felt that the situation was far from good. The profound coldness in his eyes and the tightly-pursed lips showed that he did not appreciate Chu Fei Yang's words.
Hai Tian's presence had the ability to distract Chu Fei Yang's attention, and he definitely would not permit all of Chu Fei Yang's attentions to be on Yun Qian Meng's body.
"Yun xiaojie, what are you looking at? You've been unexpectedly lost in thought. Why not tell me what has distracted you so that I may also appreciate it." Seemingly having forgotten that they were in the middle of the woods and that the parties involved had had a disagreement, Hai Tian had weakly smiled. She moved a step forward to seamlessly approach Yun Qian Meng to “coincidentally” stand between Chu Fei Yang and Yun Qian Meng. Her fully decorated hair of pearl hairpins next to Yun Qian Meng simple yet elegant look were shoved into Chu Fei Yang's view. This made him subconsciously wrinkle his eyebrows and shoot a look at Hai Tian multiple times
to stop her fidgeting.
"Junzhu must be joking. How can this scenery possibly compare to Hai wangfu? Hai wangfu's wonderful mountains with different stone inscriptions, painting of birds, flowers, fish, beasts all seem to be gifts that God bestowed, so how anything in the world can compare to it?" Yun Qian Meng was naturally aware of Hai Tian's actions, nevertheless in her heart she lightly smiled.
It looked like today, Hai Tian felt the need to squeeze herself fueled by the fact that she was saved by Chu Fei Yang.
But it had been nothing more than kindness as there was no way of knowing if Chu Fei Yang would promise her his life's devotion.
Yun Qian Meng's gaze went over Hai Tian to look at Chu Fei Yang, carefully watching his expressions. She found that Chu Fei Yang kept his fierce stare at herself, so at that moment, Yun Qian Meng returned the same stare to imply to Chu Fei Yang not to use her as a shield.
Getting Yun Qian Meng's hint, Chu Fei Yang smiled inwardly, but in accordance to her wishes, he reeled in his gaze. Those deep bottomless eyes gradually moved to look at the serene water surface, only to see a broken river lantern but he showed no signs of his state of mind fluctuating.
"Yun xiaojie just doesn't understand. The circumstances are not good, just to depend on the people who are in the same place to enjoy! " Hai Tian faintly started to talk, actually looking to steal a glance at the Chu Fei Yang just like that!
Seeing Chu Fei Yang admiring the surface of the river, Hai Tian's heart immediately felt very pleased. She approached closer to Yun Qian Meng a step, her red lips leaned in close to Yun Qian Meng snow white ear, employing a voice only Yun Qian Meng and Chu Fei Yang would be able to hear and laughingly said, "Yun xiaojie truly has good fortune to be able to accompany the stern Chen wang to admire the full moon. That which is the desire of a number of unmarried women of Western Chu, Yun Xiaojie has accomplished with no difficulty! ”
Yun Qian Meng was looking straight at the nightscape. Hai Tian deliberately putting her and Chen wang together as a couple was very childish. Even though she did not wish to talk to Hai Tian, the words were an attempt to undermine her reputation and integrity, so she needed to respond in kind. Raising her gleaming eyes and with a smile on her face, she said, "In chennu's eyes, junzhu is much more amazing. In order to show gratitude to your savior, regardless of your health, you very quickly rushed over to express your thanks. One might even be able to stage a play of how you gave your heart away! But chennu is very curious, if today, the one who saved junzhu was an old man or perhaps an ugly man of a poor house, would junzhu still act this way?”
