Chu Wang Fei

by Ning er

  Although it was only the two of them, but Yun Qian Meng knew well that her spoken words seemed like she was reminiscing something. Thus she nodded her head, yet she was feeling that strong chest pressed against her back, feeling at ease, she laughed and said, “I just want to have some fun. Did something happen inside the Imperial Court? It had unexpectedly made our hardworking xiangye to return home quite early.”

  Yun Qian Meng returned such a casual question with such a serious one!

  Chu Fei Yang knowing that he could not hide anything from Yun Qian Meng, he wondered how she got the news. Hugging her, they looked at the Christmas tree outside glistening with lights, then he spoke in a hushed tone, “Qu Zhang Qing is now the minister of the Ministry of Justice!”

  Hearing those words, the smile on Yun Qian Meng’s face looked slightly distracted, after which she turned around lifting her eyes looking at Chu Fei Yang full of doubt as she asked, “This is the Imperial Decree given by His Majesty?”

  Yun Qian Meng understood, Chu Fei Yang nodded with a smile, but he added these words; “However, this was Chen Wang’s suggestion.”

  “Him? Since this was his suggestion, then why did His Majesty agree to it? Could it be that His Majesty is starting to be afraid of you?” But since Chen Wang was present, Emperor Yu Qian would naturally not dare to provoke Chu Fei Yang. Whether the emperor trusted Chu Fei Yang, or was using him, it was all the same. While on the surface, transferring Qu Zhang Qing out of the Ministry of War looked like a promoting, the military power under Qu Zhang Qing would all be put under the emperor’s control. Could it be that Emperor Yu Qian was planning to gradually regain military power and fight against Chen Wang all by himself?

  A series of guessing steadily floated inside Yun Qian Meng’s mind, making her slightly knitted up her elegant brows.

  A warm finger gently helped her flatten down the wrinkles between her brows, Chu Fei Yang led her to sit down beside the table, pouring a cup of tea allowing Yun Qian Meng to have a drink and warm up her body. His eyes smiling but seriously watched as Yun Qian Meng drank half bowl of tea, then he slowly reassured, “Meng’er, my father is a high official in the border area. But the people of Western Chu only knew that Grandpa and I rarely meet my father, Chu Pei. And ever since twenty-three years ago when he was being assigned to a post outside the capital and became the governor of the border, today will be the first day of his return to the capital.”

  Hearing Chu Fei Yang’s explanation, Yun Qian Meng believed that the current changes in the official posts might be related to that father-in-law who had yet to reveal his face.

  This governor of the borderland seemed to be an official post outside of the capital, yet it was being personally appointed by the Emperor himself to assume full responsibility for the province and the power over the armed forces and the government of the provinces. It was much different that those officials managing each place and those monarchs of the divided territories.

  Chu Fei Yang’s father was such kind of high official in the Imperial Court, no wonder it gave rise to Emperor Yu Qian’s vigilance. On top of that, Chu Pei had chosen this particular time of the year to return to the capital to make reports on his duty, his intention was truly hard to understand.

  “I think the governor of our borderland wasn’t the one being appointed by our current Emperor, right?” If he was appointed by Emperor Yu Qian, then the Emperor would not have just simply agreed to Chen Wang’s suggestion.

  “He was appointed by the Late Emperor!” Seeing Yun Qian Meng was able to make the accurate guess, Chu Fei Yang’s mood was slightly lifted up, as if he was not affected by the matters that had happened today inside the Imperial Court.

  Upon hearing his explanation, Yun Qian Meng nodded her head.

  This was not surprising as Chu Wang and the Late Emperor were like brothers. Together they had conquered the entire country of Western Chu, yet he supported the Late Emperor as he ascended to the dragon throne, which was why the Late Emperor owed a brother. It also became the reason was why he had allowed the child of his sworn brother to become the governor of the provinces, such kind of thing was possible.

  But unexpectedly when it came to the generation of their grandchildren, they wrestled for their own powers. Besides, Chu Wang’s family also possessed quite massive military forces which made people fear him, thus the Chu family became the second target that Emperor Yu Qian wanted to eliminate aside from Chen Wang.

  But Yun Qian Meng felt there was something wrong among all these, making her feel more uncomfortable.

  Her delicate finger tracing along the edge of the cup, Yun Qian Meng’s mind was pondering over every spoken words of Chu Fei Yang earlier. Her heart suddenly trembled as she lifted up her head then facing Chu Fei Yang, who was sitting beside her as he remained quiet but still wearing a smile, she remarked, “He never returned to the capital for twenty-three years? Then that means to say that you haven’t met your own father yet?”

  Chu Fei Yang was wondering why Yun Qian Meng went silent for a moment, he did not expect this girl to be thinking about this matter. He replied frankly, “During the year when I was born, my father had left the capital. Ever since I was small, my grandfather and Shang Guan Mama were the people who took care of me. Soon after, my grandfather received orders and went to the battlefield, then I remained beside him, and learned the military skills and fighting skills.

  Seeing Chu Fei Yang had quite a pitiful childhood, Yun Qian Meng felt sorry for him, feeling that such kind of situation was quite similar to her past.

  Even though Yun Qian Meng had a father, but he was only like an empty shell. Chu Fei Yang similarly had a father but when they see each other they might not able to recognize each other, that was truly sad.

  No wonder Lao taijun had said those kind of words to Grandpa Chu Wang when they saw each other during her birthday celebration.

  “Then father-in-law is returning to the capital to make a report or to be an official in the capital?” The emperor’s home was naturally boundlessly splendid, but it was incomparable to the comforts of a region official.

  “I also don’t know what his plan is!” Seeing Yun Qian Meng looking puzzled, Chu Fei Yang stretched out his hand to massage her temples, so as not to stress out her clever head.

  Yun Qian Meng sat on Chu Fei Yang’s leg, leaning onto his arms, her both hands holding the back of his hands, gently patting them as if amusing a child, “Fei Yang, how about your mother?”

  “She died from a difficult birth!” She received such kind of answer.

  Yun Qian Meng knitted her brows closer together, comforting Chu Fei Yang’s heartache. The usually unconstrained Chu Fei Yang surprisingly possessed such kind of life experience. It truly made Yun Qian Meng feel pity for him.

  “Meng’er, only you can understand me. In my life, the most important persons are, you and grandpa! As for me, other people were just like strangers, there’s no need to feel sad for those who are irrelevant to you.” Lifting up his hand he gently patted Yun Qian Meng’s back, Chu Fei Yang’s relaxed manner of speaking made Yun Qian Meng’s face smile, after which she straightened up her body and her both eyes were sparkling as she voiced out, “Then do we need to arrange a guest room?”

  Seeing Yun Qian Meng’s eyes looked crafty, Chu Fei Yang’s eyes were filled with emotions, yet he revealed his thoughts, “They ought to pay a formal visit to grandpa first!”

  “They?” Yun Qian Meng instantly reacted. Could it be that this region official did not have a residence? Perhaps Chu Pei was bringing his entire family back to the capital!

  Hearing Chu Fei Yang spoke once again, Yun Qian Meng knew that in Chu Fei Yang’s heart it was very likely that he did not want his own father to live inside the xiangfu. After all, after Chu Fei Yang was born, they had never met each other again, now that if they were to allow a stranger that was only related by blood to live under the same roof, it would be quite awkward.

  “Xiangye, furen, wangye has arrived!” At this moment, Mu
Chun who was waiting in the outer room walked in and reported.

  Having heard the announcement, Yun Qian Meng immediately stood up, with a bit of rosy face she fixed the wrinkles on her skirt, then they saw Chu Wang quickly came in striding with huge steps, she immediately greeted, “Grandpa!”

  “Hey, get up and don’t hurt your knees!” Just like before, he did not require her to stand on ceremony. Yun Qian Meng smiled because she had merely bended her knees, it would not hurt her knees at all.

  But ever since she learned about the family matters from Chu Fei Yang, she was more eager to observe Chu Wang and Chu Fei Yang, thinking that the relationship between the two of them was quite uncomplicated. Yet only through this way, the grandfather and grandson would be able to live happily despite the absence of a son or a father.

  “Grandpa, are you coming to say goodbye before you get back to Wang Fu?” Looking at Chu Wang with a radiant face, Chu Fei Yang just lifted up the teacup in front of him and took a sip.

  Hearing his grandson intended to drive him away, Chu Wang’s face went gloomy after which he remarked angrily, “Who wants me to return back to wangfuu? I am here to discuss with you about your plans because your father will soon arrive at the capital!”

  “My plans?! Father will come here to report the details of his duty, but not to return and bond with his children! Besides, now that he has his own beloved wife and children, why should I get involved?”

  “You……” Chu Nan Shan knew his grandson very well, but as for the relationship between the father and son, he had the courage to come here to strengthen the affection between the father and son, yet it was being firmly rejected by Chu Fei Yang.

  “Grandpa, if father-in-law will come, we should pay a formal visit to him! Besides, we ought to make father-in-law feel satisfied about our standing. It will be useless if we tried to make our judgements in advance.” Seeing the grandfather and the grandson quarreling, Yun Qian Meng immediately stood out and voiced out her opinion.

  Hearing Yun Qian Meng’s persuasion, Chu Nan Shan slowly nodded his head. He knew that if he was to force his own grandson, perhaps the result would only be the opposite to what was desired, it would evidently be better to take one step at a time!

  On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month of lunar calendar -- the date of Chu Pei’s return to the capital, together with his whole family.

  Early in the morning, Yun Qian Meng led Mu Chun and the others as they went to Chu Wang Fu. Then after waiting for the entire morning with Chu Wang in the side room, they saw Jiao Da walked in, made his way with huge steps.

  “Wangye, Master has just arrived in the capital and has already entered the Imperial Palace to formally visit His Majesty. This time the second furen brought the shaoye and the xiaojie here!” Hearing Jiao Da’s announcement, an uncomfortable feeling flashed through Yun Qian Meng’s heart, yet she remained calm sipping her tea while wearing a smile on her face.

  When the curtain of the side room was being lifted up again by the servant girls, Yun Qian Meng courteously stood up and saw an extremely young and well-maintained beautiful woman in her forties leading a man and three ladies as they entered the room.

  “Daughter-in-law hereby pay her respect to wangye!” Chu Pei’s second wife, Xie Shu Yi bearing the appropriate manners knelt down before Chu Nan Shan.

  “Grandson Qing Yang, together with younger sisters Jie’er, cousin Wan Wan and Yuan Yuan hereby pay our respects to grandpa!” Along Xie’s kneeling, she led the four children to kneel down before Chu Wang.

  “Being worn out during your journey, all of you must get up at once!” During this time Chu Nan Shan’s voice remained flat, he only allowed them to get up and sit down without mentioning the others.

  “Thank you, wangye!” Xie seeing Chu Wang’s cold face, did not look pleased, but since she ought to make appropriate response, her eyes was smiling as she quickly glanced around the room, and finally focused her gaze at Yun Qian Meng.

  “Qian Meng is pleased to meet you, Second Mother!” Yun Qian Meng noticed that the opposing party was paying attention to her, then she sincerely went ahead striking a graceful posture, wearing a simple smile on her face as she bent her knees to pay her respect towards the Xie clan.

  cristina

  Chapter 130: Part 1 | Chu Wang Fei

  “Rise!” Seeing Yun Qian Meng making her salutations towards her, Madame Xie immediately went ahead and welcomed her enthusiastically while supporting her to stand up. Her smiling eyes were carefully observing the Yun Qian Meng in front of her. With her heart filled with joy she said “Where can you find such wife nowadays, it is indeed a great blessing for Fei Yang?”

  After speaking they saw the clever servant girl who came in with them immediately went ahead and brought the things in her hands beside Madame Xie. Taking that red satin brocade case, she opened it in front of everybody and took out the jade bracelet inside, then personally put it on Yun Qian Meng’s wrist. After which she pulled Yun Qian Meng’s hand and carefully checked it, then she smiled and said “Our Youzhou province is rich in jade stone, Er Niang doesn’t really have anything good to give you, so I especially ordered someone to create this using the Yangzhi jade. You just wear it for fun!”

  Yun Qian Meng simply smiled while lowering down her head while looking at the Yangzhi jade that was worn on her wrist. Its surface was glossy, firm, thick, and perfectly spotless white, just like the concentrated fat. The jade surface that was reflecting an radiance appeared to be in pure white translucent condition while having a pinkish misty shade. At one glance one would know that it was a high quality, delicately fine structured, brightly colored, lustrous, and priceless bracelet. However, Madame Xie was extremely modest, not acting smug and proud over the expensive gift.

  Yun Qian Meng’s face did not appear to be very happy because of receiving such a precious gift for their very first meeting. Instead she maintained an appropriate smile out of courtesy on her face as she slowly spoke “The gift from the elder, one ought not to decline! Meng’er thanks Er Niang!”

  Seeing Yun Qian Meng’s response towards Madame Xie even Chu Nan Shan, who was sitting on the seat of honor in a dull expression, exposed a small smile of appreciation on his face.

  “Qing Yang, Jie’er, come and meet your sister-in-law!” Seeing Yun Qian Meng had accepted the gift she gave her for their first meeting Madame Xie seemed to be very happy as she immediately instructed her son and daughter who were standing behind her.

  Chu Qing Yang and Chu Jie immediately went up front. The two of them greeted Yun Qian Meng for the first time “Pleasure to meet you, sister-in-law!”

  Complying with their words Yun Qian Meng looked at them. Chu Qing Yang seemed to be around twenty years of age, born to be completely handsome. The outline of his face was around fifty to sixty percent similar to Madame Xie, but still fell short from Chu Fei Yang’s charmingness.

  After all, Chu Fei Yang was immersed in the battlefield and the royal court all year round, even if he was standing in the corner of a room, the vital energy that emitted out from his body was simply hard to ignore.

  And Chu Jie seemed to be younger in age, probably fourteen or fifteen years of age. Her facial features seemed to have inherited from the beauty of Madame Xie. With delicate brows and eyes, small and exquisite mouth and nose. However, compare with Yun Qian Meng’s slim and tall figure Chu Jie’s seemed to be more petite and frail, giving an increasingly more pitiful feeling to the observers.

  But, although these two persons had not grow up in the capital their eyes did not have timid expressions. As their natural and unrestrained actions made people know that they were born from a rich family.

  And as they made their salutations to Yun Qian Meng the expression in their eyes were not over-enthusiastic, yet was not showing any indescribable rejection but only the most fundamental respect towards Yun Qian Meng.

  “Pleased to meet you second younger brother, younger sister!” Yun Qian Meng smiled as she spoke. After which she took
two brocade small box from Mu Chun’s hands and handed them to Chu Qing Yang and Chu Jie “They’re not something expensive, I hope brother and sister will not dislike them!”

  “You are too courteous, sister-in-law!” The two of them received the brocade boxes, yet they did not open them and just thanked Yun Qian Meng wearing smiles on their faces.

  “Wan Wan, Yuan Yuan, quickly come over here to meet your cousin-in-law!” Immediately following them Madame Xie called out for the two young ladies behind her. The two of them slowly stepped forward and simultaneously bent their knees at Yun Qian Meng.“Pleased to meet you, cousin-in-law!” Their voices were clear and gentle and had unique melodious voice which was possessed by young ladies

  Yun Qian Meng had not expected that Chu Pei would bring someone from the family of Madame Xie during his current journey back to the capital to report his duty. Luckily in order to avoid mistakes she had Mu Chun prepare some more gifts for the first meeting. Therefore she avoided losing face in front of them at this moment. After handing over the gifts from her hands to Madame Xie Wan Wan and Madame Xie Yuan Yuan, Yun Qian Meng gently said “Pleased to meet you, two biaomei!”

  Soon after, Yun Qian Meng started to observe these two young ladies in front of her. The two of them looked almost the same as if they were carved out from the same mold and with a glance anyone would know that they were twins.

  The two of them were wearing clothes made from the finest materials, the beaded hairpins in their head were also valuable. They probably came from rich and powerful family, but one things that made Yun Qian Meng feel confused was, these two ladies seemed to look like sixteen years of age, why were they not staying in the Youzhou province and instead thcoming together with Madame Xie Shu Yi to the capital?

  The two of them were born very beautiful, not the same as the sweetness of Chu Jie, but the two of them had an elegant and attractive charm that one certainly would not wish to disregard.The air that the young ladies had did not fit their young age., This actually made people to anticipate interactions with them. Yun Qian Meng immediately found the difference between the two of them and kept them in mind, so as to avoid making awkward mistakes in the future.