Chu Wang Fei

by Ning er

  Yuan de taifei pretended not to notice Chen wang's glances. Without consulting anyone, she spoke, “Your Majesty, Hai Tian junzhu is a blue-blooded noble, how could we allow the neglect in decorum? If this incident were to spread, outsiders may laugh at Western Chu who seems to have juniors who disregard their seniors.”

  At Yuan de taifei's words, Hai wangfei took a deep breath. Even though she had yet to directly respond to Yuan de taifei's request, Yuan de taifei had already spoken, and her words had more weight than Hai wangfei's.

  “Taifei seems to be somehow prejudiced. I brought along my very own younger sister, Ling'er, to Western Chu, wishing she could learn something from the most talented girl in Western Chu. Besides, this feast is actually quite dull and stiff, why don't we do something more enjoyable? Something more interesting!” Qi Jing Yuan was the one who had spoken this time.

  When everyone heard that he had actually brought along Ling Xiao Di's favorite little girl with him, the audience stretched out their necks to catch a glimpse of the princess' appearance.

  Even Emperor Yu Qian would not be able to refuse after what Qi Jing Yuan had said.

  After all, between junzhu and princess, the more honorable one was already self-evident.

  And unexpectedly, this caused the people in the crowd to start discussing in whispered tones.

  “Sister Yue, is Qi Ling'er really that popular?” since Qi Jing Xuan had not taken notice of her, Xing Jin Die slowly regained her composure. But looking at Su Qian Yue's expression that looked somewhat worried, she had asked in a low voice.

  Su Qian Yue currently was not in the mood to explain things to her, so she just stared at Xing Jin Die unhappily, silently cursing her for being an idiot. To have not heard of Qi Ling'er's name as the most beautiful woman in Northern Qi, how embarrassing!

  “Your Majesty! Meng'er caught a cold yesterday, I'm afraid she is not suitable to enter the Palace at present.” The Empress Dowager uttered, reminding everyone that Yun Qian Meng really was not like Hai Tian who was constantly refusing in every way possible, but was instead down with illness and unable to participate in tonight's festivities.

  “Empress Dowager please don't worry too much, the common people of my Northern Qi possess strong and healthy body. All year round, only a few people catch cold, this is precisely because our Northern Qi has one famous doctor. Once you drink his prescribed medical herbs, you can rest assured that your illness will be completely healed. If the Empress Dowager is really afraid that Yun xiaojie's illness will worsen on her way to the Palace, then I have here a crane overcoat, it should protect her against the cold. I will give this cloak as a present to Yun xiaojie.” Unexpectedly, Qi Jing Han had put forth this suggestion. He might have heard beforehand why Yun Qian Meng was not able to attend. So in order to compel her to come out, he had made the necessary preparations.

  “Forgive me for asking, but why would the Tenth Prince want a sick person to leave home?” Chu Fei Yang put down the wine cup that he had been holding to this time. His face was faintly smiling, but his eyes radiating cold light as he spoke.

  If one was not careful, they might fall deeply into those eyes. Although they looked pretty, they were incomparably cold that people's heart began to turn cowardly. Qi Jing Han, who had suffered multiple losses under Chu Fei Yang, even felt alarmed.

  “Xiangye, don't you know that ever since my tenth brother saw Yun xiaojie, she had constantly been on his mind? Now, by means of this event, he would just like to meet Yun xiaojie.” After Qi Jing Han did not give any response for some period of time, Qi Jing Yuan had spoken out. When those gloomy eyes met Chu Fei Yang's calm and collected gaze, it was almost as if fiery sparks formed between the two of them. Their mouths each held a smile that seemed to be sneering at each other, yielding a dull chilliness.

  “The people of Western Chu are usually reserved, women from wealthy families rarely show off their talents in front of so many people. Yun xiaojie is currently ill, I'm afraid that the Tenth Prince's wish will not be granted.” Quite unexpectedly, while Chu Fei Yang was pitting himself against Qi Jing Yuan, Chen wang had suddenly spoken out without precedent.

  For a period of time, the situation had calmed down, and even the sound of drums had gradually died down. Yuan de taifei's knuckles were suffused with white, wishing she could call Chen wang forward and reprimand him right then and there.

  Chu Fei Yang just plainly smiled as he looked at Chen wang, and his voice was like a warm spring breeze caressing the earth, “This sounds like the first time wangye and I have agreed on something.”

  * - Lu Zhou is most likely some place in Sichuan province so we just called the wine as is.

  Chapter 97: Part 2: The Princess of Northern Qi and Battling in Spite of Sickness | Chu Wang Fei

  But Chen wang did not pay any more attention to Chu Fei Yang, he only fixed his gaze at Qi Jing Yuan and continued to speak, "Besides, if Yun xiaojie meets with guests looking sickly, it might appear disrespectful to our honored guests. The Crown Prince is the cornerstone of a nation, and these are the most fundamental rules of etiquette, so I believe I don't have mention them one by one."

  "So you mean to say that wangye and Chu xiang refuse to give me the honor? I didn't expect both of you to step forward so bravely because of Yun xiaojie. I admire such friendship." As he threw out these words, Qi Jing Yuan smiled generously, and it made the group of daughters suddenly nervous.

  After all, just now when Hai Tian had met with trouble, aside from Hai wang, no one had spoken out for her.

  As for Yun Qian Meng, Chu xiang and Chen wang had immediately tried to refuse on her behalf, causing jealousy among the xiaojie. Even though all of them were xiaojie, why would Yun Qian Meng be the luckiest one to have earned such huge favor from the two of them?

  Yuan de taifei's face was completely cold now, even Chen wang would not want to look at her.

  Today's incident would mean extraordinary shame and humiliation for Yuan de taifei, because Yun Qian Meng was the woman that Chen wang had previously refused to marry.

  When Chen wang had firmly declined to marry her, he had not even once look at Yun Qian Meng directly in the eyes ever since.

  But within the brief half year period, that flirtatious vixen had seduced her Chen wang, causing him to offend the Imperial Family of Northern Qi and Hai wangfu without hesitation. Did he even know what kind of damages he was costing them?

  "Bi'er, give wangye a cup of tea for him to sober up since wangye seems to be drunk already." The entire area went completely quiet, after Yuan de taifei's voice slowly echoed. The palace maid beside her quickly carried a cup of hot tea towards Chen wang and immediately held it respectfully in front of Chen wang. "Wangye, please have some tea."

  "No need." How could Jiang Mu Chen not understand his mother's intentions? But he was currently in a bad mood, so he waved his hand. Unexpectedly, the cup of tea splashed onto his clothes, and the angered Jiang Mu Chen's face looked even more unsightly.

  With a loud plop, Bi'er immediately knelt down before Chen wang, her head knocked against the floor as she begged, "Wangye, please spare my life, please spare my life!"

  "You silly girl, you are normally quite clever, why would you be so careless today? Quickly follow wangye out to change clothes." Before Chen wang could speak, Yuan de taifei immediately stood up and reprimanded her with a strict expression.

  Following which, she stood up, faced the Emperor and the Empress Dowager as she bent her body. With an apologetic expression she said, "I'll lead Chen wang out to change his clothes, please excuse me, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager."

  "Go ahead, please don't catch a cold." Yuan de taifei had gotten up to leave, so how would the Empress Dowager force her to stay? Moreover, though the Empress Dowager seemed to dislike Chen wang, but based on today's matters she had to consider the present conditions. There was a difference between important and unimportant thing. The Empress Dowager must thought it reasonable, so she agreed and let Yuan de taifei and Chen wang dep
art in advance.

  Jiang Mu Chen looked at the tea stains on his clothes. An unhappy expression flashed through his eyes, yet he could only depart.

  And with him leaving, several daughters became disappointed. They had originally planned to attract Chen wang's attentions, but now that he had already left. They were so disappointed that in their thoughts, they wished that Yun Qian Meng was here despite of her illness, so that she would suffer humiliation being in front of everyone.

  "Since the Crown Prince and the Tenth Prince have such magnificent hospitality, Yun xiang, please command someone to bring Yun xiaojie to the Palace." Emperor Yu Qian said, but he slightly paused. Facing the gonggong beside him,he ordered, "Use the red sandalwood carriage to fetch Yun xiaojie. On the way here, please make sure Yun xiaojie does not suffer from the cold weather."

  "As you bid, Your Majesty." The gonggong immediately turned around and left, not allowing anyone to obstruct his way out.

  But Gu Lao Taijun sitting in a corner shot a meaningful glance at Qu Zhang Qing who then quietly left his seat when the moonlight suddenly dimmed.

  "Your Majesty, I am really curious about this Princess Ling'er." Rong Rong, who had recently become guifei, suddenly said.

  Seeing her bright eyes and white teeth, her glorious smile was like the sun and moon that brightened up the dark sky, distracting Emperor Yu Qian who used to see no value in femininity. His eyes were now focused at every frown and every smile of Rong guifei.

  Everyone inside the Imperial Garden had not expected that this guifei who was widely known to be cold since she entered the Palace could look so dazzling when she smiled. People simply could not take their eyes off her.

  When the Empress was her own husband staring obsessively at Rong guifei, although her heart was aching, she could only force a smile and said, "Why did the singing and dancing stop?"

  Upon hearing these words, the palace eunuch in charge of the ceremonial rites immediately instructed the musicians to play the musical instruments in their hands.

  Qi Jing Yuan restrained the vicious currents in his heart and indifferently gazed at Rong guifei's gorgeous appearance, lifted his wine cup to Emperor Yu Qian before they both drank.

  In the meantime, a weak purple figure appeared at the arched door of the Imperial Garden. Her beautiful posture had eventually attracted people's attention. Although this beautiful woman's face was covered with a veil, based on her bright and pure white forehead, this woman was not a person of no talent.

  Looking at her beautiful steps as she walked, her a most cautious bearing, and her rare elegance, it warmed the heart and delighted the eyes of the observer.

  On her plain purple outfit, there was a tree peony, which stood for riches and honor, embroidered in gold thread. The back and forth swaying of the silver muslin made it more discernible and particularly eye-catching.

  "The Princess of Northern Qi, Qi Ling'er, is here to see the Emperor of Western Chu, the Empress, and the Empress Dowager." A sweet sounding voice said. Carried by the cool wind as it came to the people's ears, how could this sound not be described as pleasant?

  Princess Ling'er stood at the center half-crouching as she made her salutations to Emperor Yu Qian and all the other people present. Her half-drooped eyes were suffused with a gentle charm, while her long and tilted eyelashes were like butterfly wings that made one want to pluck at. For that moment, all the gazes were focused on Princess Ling'er; she already attracted so much attention without even revealing her face yet.

  Looking at everyone's reaction, Qi Jing Han coldly smiled and said, "Apparently, the people of Western Chu haven't seen a real beauty before."

  After he had spoken these words, he saw Qi Jing Yuan shoot a warning gaze at him, intimidating Qi Jing Han until he immediately closed his mouth.

  Qi Jing Xuan's evil laugh swept through them, his gaze seemingly inadvertent as he looked at Emperor Yu Qian's direction, then immediately refocused his eyes on Qi Ling'er.

  "Please stand up, Princess Ling'er." Emperor Yu Qian was after all, the Emperor, and had already seen all sorts of beautiful women. Even if Qi Ling'er had covered her face and was of uncommon beauty, she did not change his mood too much. He only plainly smiled and let her get up.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." After receiving consent, Qi Ling'er stood up, slowly lifting her eyes, showing a ripple of clear spring in them, undulating people's hearts. They seemed so clear under the moonlight that you could see the bottom. They were truly a pair of rare beautiful eyes.

  At that moment, Qi Jing Yuan nodded towards their insider, who then hurriedly headed out. The soft and gentle sounds then immediately turned into great resounding music. Qi Ling'er's dance steps were gentle and delicate at first but slowly transformed into something coupled with strength and gentleness.

  The stage seemed to have a light purple butterfly, dancing lightly and gracefully inside the Imperial Garden, every movement was perfect and complete. Once in awhile, the sleeves slided down, revealing the carefree and relaxed arm, her flawless and snowy white skin was suffused with sparkling, pure and limpid light, seemed to be more beautiful under the moonlight.

  The veil on her face slightly lifted along with her leaping movements, occasionally revealing her flawless profile. The pinkish color that penetrated through her white cheeks not only displayed the distinctive youthful vitality of a young lady, it also indicated that Ling'er had maintained her beauty in the most proper way. Although she had not yet revealed her face, it had already reflected on the people's minds that she must possess exceptional beauty.

  When the tune ended, Qi Ling'er gradually regained her previous posture, returning to the calm elegance she had had a few moments ago.

  But what seemed to be strange was, although Qi Ling'er had danced for a half stick of an incense's time, her breathing was still steady and she was not in the slightest bit panting. It was quite obvious that Qi Ling'er was an expert in dancing.

  "Please tolerate my poor performance." Qi Ling'er bent her knees towards Emperor Yu Qian, her voice sounded modest and without the arrogance of a princess.

  "It must be exhausting for you, princess. No wonder the Tenth Prince had disregarded the female dancers a while ago, the princess' dance really surpassed them by a hundredfold." Emperor Yu Qian was still wearing a smile on his face and his eyes fully amiable. No one could guess what was really going on in his mind after seeing Qi Ling'er's graceful dance.

  But by comparing a nation's princess to the female dancers inside the Palace, it seemed like Emperor Yu Qian had the intention to pressure the Northern Qi's envoys.

  "Thank you for Your Majesty's praise." But Qi Ling'er just seemed docile and did not display the slightest bit of anger from Emperor Yu Qian's mocking. She maintained her indifferent composure since the moment she had walked into the Imperial Garden.

  "Ling'er, take off the veil on your face. Meeting the Western Chu Emperor like that is really disrespectful." Qi Jing Yuan said.

  Since Emperor Yu Qian was pressuring Northern Qi, then the Northern Qi would not show any weaknesses.

  "Yes." Qi Ling'er responded in an utterly lovable tone. Immediately, she stretched out her hands to remove the light muslin, revealing her beautiful face in front of everyone.

  Hai Tian looked at the outstandingly beautiful Qi Ling'er in front of her and immediately shot a nervous look at Chu Fei Yang. She saw him still staring at his wine cup in front of him as undisciplined as before, so for that moment her anxious heart slightly calmed.

  As for the daughters who were attracted to Chen wang, many of them felt relieved that Yuan de taifei had taken Chen wang away, since even a cold-hearted man like Chen wang might be emotionally affected by this exceptional beauty.

  "Well, well, well! Indeed she would be the most beautiful in Northern Qi, Princess Ling'er is really deserving of such a title." Emperor Yu Qian also had not expected that Qi Ling'er would have such noble and pure temperament to the point that this well-behaved Emperor had immediately blurted out these word
s of praise.

  Qi Ling'er apparently felt that these respectful words were too excessive, as she only slightly bent her knees. She then proceeded towards the group of envoys from Northern Qi, moving closer to Qi Jing Yuan before she sat down.

  "Hai Tian junzhu, please play us a tune on the qin!" after Qi Ling'er's performance, Qi Jing Han impatiently spoke as his eyes flickered, preparing to mock Hai Tian.

  And at the center of the Imperial Garden, a top-grade guqin had already been prepared. Hai Tian was unable to refuse, she could only stand up and position herself beside the qin, facing the crowd she bent her knees and sat down. Her fine fingers lightly tested a few notes before she spread them out. With a calm expression, she began to play the tune <>.

  Although it was not the usual guqin she was used to plucking, Hai Tian's foundation was very good. Her <> made everyone forget Qi Ling'er's absolutely beautiful dance. Their eyes drooped as they enjoyed the sound flowing into their ears.

  "Songs, So many songs, Such heartless, Truly heartless.

  Disappoint me, Disappoint me, Until now.

  Remembering the old time when we were singing softly and pouring the wine gently.

  Each of my sounds worth thousands in gold.

  Now abandon me at the shady side of this old wall.

  Autumn winds blow the weeds. White clouds cover deeply.

  Flowing water, high mountains, where to find my friend.

  Bitter sorrow, cheerless cold, bitter sorrow, cheerless cold."

  Unexpectedly, Qi Jing Xuan had slowly recited these few lines along with the tune, unraveling Hai Tian's meticulousness as she performed before the crowd.

  Hai Tian's expression suddenly turned pale white as she finished the final note with great difficulty. She stood up with a little rigidly, faced the audience, and made the courtesies. Afterwhich, she calmly said, "Forgive me for my poor performance."

  "I feel that junzhu performance was excellent." Qi Jing Xuan said with a smile, acting as if had not embarrassed Hai Tian a few moments ago.