by Ning er
The corner of her mouth contained a smile as she shook her head, sitting there jolting on the horseback for more than an hour, in addition to crazy actions last night, Yun Qian Meng’s waist and back were already quite sore, lazily leaning herself inside Chu Fei Yang’s arms, her head slightly hang on his neck, her beautiful eyes lingered on the intertwined vast scenery of nature’s color.
Seeing Yun Qian Meng relaxed her mind, the corner of Chu Fei Yang’s mouth curved up a smile, his body shifted a bit, embracing her entire body in his arms, the corner of his mouth gently leaned on her forehead, then in a low voice he spoke “Although this place isn’t some famous mountain outside of the city, but it is a great location to see the southwest area of Xi Chu!”
“Luo Cheng is actually situated in the southwest area of Xi Chu! It is several cities apart from You Zhou!” At the same time while Chu Fei Yang was explaining, an map of Xi Chu which Yun Qian Meng had seen before appeared in her mind, afterwhich she sought out the location of Luo Cheng and You Zhou, closely following Chu Fei Yang’s words as she remarked.
Listening to Yun Qian Mang as she related the two cities like Luo Cheng and You Zhou together, Chu Fei Yang’s calm eyes seemed to appear surprised, his heart felt relieved, he had already learned about Yun Qian Meng’s intelligent mind, now that she was able to link the two of them together, made Chu Fei Yang’s eyes exposed a simple smile, then he continued “The distance between the two cities, if one would travel on horseback in full speed it will only take four or five days journey! Majority of the people residing in Luo Cheng were different tribes which had already surrendered themselves to Xi Chu before. During those years when grandpa and the late emperor had conquered the entire country, those cities in the southwest borderland which regarded Luo Cheng as their capital were the first ones to surrender to Xi Chu, protecting Xi Chu in the southwest borderland. And the most famous one in Luo Cheng, was the tribe of Xia Hou!”
Yun Qian Meng quietly listened to Chu Fei Yang’s narration, her heart was tensed up, perhaps everything that he was going to say next, was completely related to Chu Fei Yang’s life!
After all, she had already attended many feasts, yet those upper-class women never mentioned anything about Chu Fei Yang’s mother, and during these days when she was newly married into Chu family, no one had ever spoken even a few words about Chu Furen, everyone seemed reluctant to talk about this Chu Furen, which truly heightened Yun Qian Meng’s curiosity.
“Weren't they afraid of being totally wiped out after their surrender? And why did the late emperor feel assured by allowing foreign tribes to protect such important borderland for him? Perhaps within this, the only way to maintain a good relationship between the two was to provide a marriage as the peace treaty, with such relationship, both sides will be as one family, then they will have the same heart!” But, even if it was like this, then why hadn't the late emperor chosen his own son for the peace treaty marriage, but instead he selected the son of Chu Wang?
Two warm thin lips were planted on the slightly cold forehead, Chu Fei Yang gently kissed Yun Qian Meng, deep inside his heart he praised her, afterwhich he slowly spoke “During that time the late emperor had so many sons, yet he had never appointed a crown prince, and grandpa only had father all alone, but based on the people's perspective the late emperor and grandpa were like real brothers, before he ascended to the throne he had already appointed grandpa as Chu Wang! The leader of the Xia Hou tribe loved his daughter dearly, naturally he wouldn't allow his only daughter to marry any of those princes who might die anytime because of seizing the throne, it would be better to have a peace treaty marriage with Wang Ye’s family, in order to let his daughter obtain happiness in life! The princess of that Xia Hou tribe, was actually my mother Xia Hou Ying!”
Chu Fei Yang’s words heavily hit Yun Qian Meng’s heart, her face had gradually turned serious, unexpectedly Chu Pei’s marriage had actually contained a political factor, perhaps he who had been forced to marry Xia Hou Ying, his heart was totally unwilling!
“Grandpa was deeply in love with his Wang Fei, why would he allow Father to marry a woman that he had never met! Could this be the huge knot that existed between their relationship as father and son?” Thinking about the time when she was in Chu Wang Fu, the expression in Chu Wang’s face when he recalled his old memories, Yun Qian Meng was confused, he was evidently someone who knew how to love, why would he do that?
“Meng’er, some things cannot be changed even if we tried hard to prevent them! During that time my maternal grandfather had specifically mentioned my father's name, in order to stabilize the situation in the southwest borderland, of course the late emperor nodded his head and agreed! Particularly the Xia Hou tribe was the most prosperous one, the people there have a huge influence in the southwest region, if they were to wage a war at them, perhaps it would shaken the foundation of Xi Chu, when the time comes the southern Nan Xun Guo will take advantage of this great opportunity, reaping the Fisherman's benefit!” Speaking about his life in a plain tone, Yun Qian Meng’s heart felt sad for him, a child who was born without love, will always be the pitiful one, just like the Yun Qian Meng before, eventually it will be just like the death of a beautiful woman just like fragrance diminished and the jade perished.
“Was the late emperor afraid that the grandpa might be resentful towards him? If Xia Hou tribe was to join hands together with grandpa, perhaps he will not be able to secure his own throne!” People around the country had mentioned that the late emperor and Chu Wang were like brothers, the two of them had conquered Xi Chu together, but Chu Wang had let go of his chance on the dragon throne, and he was willing to be just an official, as a result he had even earned great trust from the late emperor, even when it comes to giving the official name for the country, he had added the word ‘Chu’ on it, to show the prominent brotherhood formed between the two of them.
All these things seemed extremely ridiculous now, perhaps that was part of the late emperor’s method to appease his ministers.
The two words ‘Xi Chu’, was just merely reminding grandpa to keep in mind his own status, even if grandpa became disloyal, he will be despised by everyone!
One’s great merits make the king feel uneasy, such was a great trouble went through by the emperor in the ancient times, furthermore no one was ever be able to break free from this curse.
“Grandpa never had the intention to seize the throne. If one person’s marriage could save millions of lives of common people, as far as grandpa is concerned, that was truly worth the sacrifice! Moreover, my mother was still very young during that time, grandpa thought that by allowing her and my father to get along with each other it will strengthen their relationship, yet unexpectedly my father was extremely disgusted with it, when my mother reached marriageable age and when they got married, he then proceeded to take his official post in the far away You Zhou!” His calm tone of voice got mixed up with the agony which was hard to predict, the simple smile in the corner of Chu Fei Yang’s mouth somewhat turned weaker, becoming somewhat unreal, the helplessness exposed in his dark eyes, weakening his usual wise and farsighted expression, becoming even more real and even a bit more approachable.
So far, Yun Qian Meng didn’t speak again, since she had already understood the complicated situation among it, she now realized why these three generations had behaved so strangely when they interacted with each other.
But, Yun Qian Meng’s heart felt sorry for that Xia Hou Ying, based on Chu Fei Yang’s appearance which seemed completely different from Chu Pei, he had inherited the looks of his mother, such woman with the unique beauty was indeed short-lived, as she hurriedly passed by everyone’s life, one thing the truly belonged to her in this world, was only her own son Chu Fei Yang.
Soon after the two of them went silent along the way, Yun Qian Meng’s heart was like being pressed down by a huge stone, indeed she was somewhat unable to breathe easily, although this matter seemed to have already forgotten in the past, but after so many years of pressure, perha
ps someday the rebound will one day break out, when the time came, what sort of changes will take place in this world?
“Meng’er, we’ve arrived here at last!” Beside her ears Chu Fei Yang’s gentle voice resounded, after which Yun Qian Meng was being carried down from the horseback.
They had arrived in the hilltop, as compared to the mountain range in all directions standing tall reaching through the clouds, the mountain below their feet was indeed not outstanding, but from this hilltop looking all around, it was an extremely expansive horizon, the direction that led to Luo Cheng in the southwest was without any obstruction, the smog that surrounded the hilltop was seeping with extremely cold air, surveying around, the hilltop was covered with thick layers of white snow, but a piece tombstone surprisingly stood erect in the middle of white snow.
Chu Fei Yang had already taken down the bundle on the horseback, pulling Yun Qian Meng’s hands they slowly walked towards that tombstone, soon after he laid down the bundle in his hand to the snowy ground, stretching out his hand he gently brushed away the white snow that covered the tombstone, little by little the words that were carved on the tombstone appeared.
The tombstone was made from marble stone, these words were simply written on it ‘Mother of Chu Fei Yang --- Xia Hou Ying’s Tomb’!
Not to mention the name of her husband, even her birthday was not engraved on top of it, perhaps Xia Hou Ying had suffered from pent-up frustrations, her husband had gone away and never came back, and beside her apart from her son, there was no one else around, as a result she had ruthlessly abandoned everything behind.
Chu Fei Yang glanced at Yun Qian Meng who was still in a daze, he knew that there were things that she needed sufficient time to digest, then he opened the bundle beside him, took out the things that will be used for offering then arranged them in front of the tomb, he also took a bunch of dried flowers then carefully laid it beside the tombstone, soon after he knelt down on both knees, respectfully knocked his forehead three times on the ground, his both eyes looked regretful while staring at those three words ‘Xia Hou Ying’ carved on the tombstone.
A pair of soft hands hanged on Chu Fei Yang’s shoulders, seeing him looking at her at a loss like a child, Yun Qian Meng gently smiled, in a light voice she reminded him “It’s my turn to perform kowtow in front of Mother!”
A woman who had risked her life giving birth to Chu Fei Yang, no matter how much resentment she had in her heart while she was still living, but at least he was a child who will love her, it was her who had given life to Chu Fei Yang, permitting herself to meet someone who excelled in everything like him, Yun Qian Meng deeply respected Xia Hou Ying from the bottom of her heart.
Chu Fei Yang got caught up in his train of thought for a period of time, if it wasn’t for Yun Qian Meng’s reminder, he had almost forgotten why he brought her here today.
Somewhat striving effort to stand up with his both legs, he assisted Yun Qian Meng to kneel down before the tomb, Chu Fei Yang was somewhat blushing with shame, he spoke with a bit of stiffness “Mother, this is Meng’er, your daughter-in-law, your son had brought her here to see you!”
Hearing Chu Fei Yang’s introduction, Yun Qian Meng felt funny as she shook her head, quite unexpectedly the normally invincible Chu Xiang also had his awkward moment like this, the corner of her mouth hooked up a smile as she plainly spoke “Daughter-in-law has come to pay my respects to you, Mother! Please feel reassured, Mother, that your daughter-in-law will certainly take good care and protect her husband!”
After speaking, Yun Qian Meng respectfully knocked her forehead on the ground facing the tombstone, after which she was being supported up by Chu Fei Yang.
“Meng’er, is there such thing like the wife to be protecting her husband? Did you say it wrong earlier?” As for Yun Qian Meng’s way of expressing something through words, Chu Fei Yang fussed over the minor details of them, he hooked up his dense brows, his eye expression looked dangerous.
But with this expression which looked as if it will threaten other people, it wasn’t even a bit useful in front of Yun Qian Meng, She slightly stamped her feet, her small face immediately turned towards the tombstone, feeling wronged she said “Mother, husband is bullying me now!”
Chu Fei Yang was initially waiting for Yun Qian Meng to retort back, yet unexpectedly being a proficient woman she had started to accuse him, striking back at him when he was caught unprepared, suddenly he used his military force to pull her closer to his arms, turned around that indignant small face of her, in a stern voice he said “Disturbing Mother’s rest is not allowed!”
Suddenly, Yun Qian Meng’s eyes were startled, Chu Fei Yang had actually went along with her acts, also saying everything appropriately, which was truly as sly and treacherous as a fox!
“Lord husband, I disturbed Mother’s rest? Doesn’t Lord Husband see that the one causing trouble between this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship is you!” Being pestered like this, Chu Fei Yang might get a headache!
Indeed, hearing Yun Qian Meng said these words, Chu Fei Yang’s eyes appeared to be puzzled, he was about to retort back, when he saw Yun Qian Meng’s eyes were having a delighted smiling expression, then he had let her off for this time being, assisted her to wear her cloak, he then looked at that tombstone, and bid his farewell “Mother, we will return back now!”
After speaking, he suddenly carried Yun Qian Meng up then directly flew up on the horseback.
Yun Qian Meng was completely lack of preparation, suddenly her feet parted from the ground, her body floated up in midair, instinctively she wrapped her both arms in Chu Fei Yang’s neck, avoiding herself to fall down, yet she discovered that those pretty thin lips were perked up again, suddenly she realized that Chu Fei Yang was taking his revenge for what happened earlier.
Yun Qian Meng’s eyes were spitting out flames, but her heart remained calm, without saying a word she released her both hands, frightening Chu Fei Yang as he immediately stretched out an arm and embraced her waist, when both of them were seated on the horseback, he then lowered his head and glared at Yun Qian Meng, silently blaming her for being outrageous!
Yet Yun Qian Meng hardly dodged as she perked up a smile of victory, afterwhich to prevent Chu Fei Yang from mounting a sneak attack she closed her eyes to rest.
Chu Fei Yang watched the joyfully satisfied shallow smile in the corner of her lips, she coquettishly shook her head, such kind of behavior being a foolish who refused to give way and being repulsive, yet she still touched him wholeheartedly, making him unable to hit her, or curse her, but just still keep doting on her.
Resigned as he heaved a sigh, Chu Fei Yang’s long arms wrapped around Yun Qian Meng’s body, pulling the reins tightly and clamping on the horse belly, both of them rode together as they proceeded downhill.
The cold wind blew past her face, causing her mind to instantly calm down, thinking about the words that Qu Fei Qing reminded her during the palace feast, Yun Qian Meng spoke in a lowered voice “Fei Yang, how was the Xie family clan related to Nan Xun Guo? My cousin had told me that, Xie family was the number one aristocratic family in You Zhou, they even take control of the trading path with Nan Xun Guo, why would Father marry a daughter of a merchant?”
In Yun Qian Meng’s heart there was no distinction between among the four classes of people, but during the ancient times the people were extremely harsh with regards to the social classes, the merchant was always the lowest class, or else why would the number one wealthy Rong family, who produced two guifei, still be pushed aside by the noble families of the capital!
And with Chu Wang’s highly perfected ability plus the wise and farsighted Chu Fei Yang which was raised by him, Yun Qian Meng evidently believed that Chu Pei was also a resourceful person, yet she wasn’t able to understand why he married Xie Shi! Could this be part of his revenge by placing Chu Wang in a difficult situation?
Having mentioned Xie Shi, Chu Fei Yang didn’t immediately respond to Yun Qian Meng’s question, the
arms wrapped around her waist slightly tightened, after a while Chu Fei Yang’s cold voice resounded beside her ears “”The fragrant rice that was used by the aristocratic people in Xi Chu as food, was actually being offered as a tribute by the Nan Xun Guo to Xi Chu through the Xie family. Such kind of rice can only be cultivated in the soil that Nan Xun Guo currently has, it was rather popular among the aristocratic family! And the leader of Nan Xun Guo usually looks frail, under him he had only a princess and a young prince, in addition to Nan Xun Guo having a narrow tract of land, they would naturally show their softer side to Xi Chu!”
“Since that is the case, then why wouldn’t Yu Qian Di dispatch troops to attack the Nan Xun Guo, but instead he had allowed them to comply with Xi Chu! Don’t tell me that he wasn’t afraid that once the Nan Xun Guo strengthens its force and it will threaten Xi Chu in the future?” No matter how sincere it adhered, it couldn’t be transformed into a part of their own territory making the people feel at ease!
Even though Yun Qian Meng disapproved having a war, but sometimes, the military force was indeed the most immediate and most effective method in handling a matter! Or else once Nan Xun became powerful in the future, perhaps the safety of Xi Chu borderland will be threatened.
Hearing Yun Qian Meng’s interrogation, Chu Fei Yang smiled, the map of Nan Xun Guo suddenly appeared in his mind, one by one he explained “Nan Xun Guo is easily guarded but hard to attack, during the second year of Yu Qian, His Majesty had assigned General Hu Wei to attack Nan Xun leading two hundred thousand armed soldiers, yet they lost one hundred sixty thousand men, finally leading the forty thousand men they hurriedly retreated back to the borderland of Xi Chu! As one can well imagine, Nan Xun’s geographical location was complicated! You’ve mentioned earlier that there was only one channel of trade between Nan Xun and Xi Chu, which is You Zhou, but in fact, entering the Nan Xun Guo, there is only one way, yet the path is situated in a valley, they only needed to plan an ambush on both sides of the hills, our army actually didn’t have the ability to strike back with that! Besides, now that Bei Qi is able to surpass Xi Chu based on its strength, if during this time we are to dispatch large troops to attack Nan Xun, it will be very likely for Bei Qi to take advantage of this opportunity, when that time comes Xi Chu will be under attack, out situation will become more dangerous! As for Xie, she actually married Father three years after Mother passed away, it is said that this was to allow Father to observe a period of mourning for my mother, which was why she married Father when she was eighteen years old!”
