Chu Wang Fei

by Ning er

  Seeing how his eyes had widened when seeing her, Yun Qianmeng felt her heart pound. With a smile she pulled Xiahou Aner to her feet. “We’ve had a little too much to drink, let’s go for a walk to relax!”

  She didn’t wait for a response before pulling her out of the court.

  “What’s wrong? Walking so quickly even when you’re drunk, be careful that you don’t trip and fall over!” Xiahou Aner said after the two of them made it outdoors.

  After only a few days together, Xiahou Aner understood that Yun Qianmeng was extremely calm and steady, never showing a hint of panic to outsiders. Because of that, she found her quick escape from the court quite humorous.

  Hearing the girl laugh at her, Yun Qianmeng sighed. If she knew that the Rui King had his eye on her, this girl would probably have jumped up in shock. To be smartmouthed like this after helping her escape was quite unfortunate indeed.

  Chapter 148 | Chu Wang Fei

  “Are you dizzy? Shall I take you back to the palace?” Seeing Yun Qianmeng sighing with her head lowered, Xiahou Aner paid her a look of concern.

  “I’m fine, coming out has helped! Let’s walk together out here and go back if it looks like the party is going to end!” Yun Qianmeng led Xiahou Aner along the stone road.

  The first snow was beginning to melt, and the low temperature caused the melted snow to freeze over the stones. Each step the two took was quite careful: if they fell, they wouldn’t only be injured, but might also be mocked by the others in the court.

  “Do you smell that scent?” Leaving the court where incense was burning, the natural scent made Xiahou Aner pipe up.

  “That’s the scent of the wintersweet, blooming this time of the year. They’re fresh and natural, quite enchanting. If you place a blossom in your room, the scent is far more relaxing than incense.” Internally scanning where she was standing right now, Yun Qianmeng tried to imagine which of the palaces would plant wintersweets.

  “Well then, let’s pick some! I haven’t seen flowers like that in Luoyang.” Xiahou Aner’s curiosity was enticed by Yun Qianmeng’s description. Grabbing Yun Qianmeng’s sleeve, she pulled on it pleadingly, making her roll her eyes internally. Raising her hand, she tapped her on the forehead and reminded her, “Plucking the flowers in the palace isn’t allowed. But if we put the wintersweet blossoms in your pouch I don’t think the guard will be able to find them.”

  Xiahou Aner smiled, nodding enthusiastically. She removed the delicate pouch she wore on her waist, following Yun Qianmeng as she walked forward along the wall.

  Yun Qianmeng was following the scent of the wintersweets. In the yard behind the court they found a few wintersweet trees. Smiling at each other, the two advanced to the trees, plucking the blossoms.

  “I didn’t expect Lady Chu to have such quaint interests in plucking wintersweets!” A cool, mocking voice rang out.

  Xiahou Aner’s hand trembled, falling to her side.

  Yun Qianmeng frowned slightly. A moment of surprise streaked through her eye before she turned around. Hai Chenxi was standing behind them. Although he seemed relaxed, the sharp look in his eye was unmistakable.

  She hadn’t heard him approach at all, proving that he must be physically skilled as well. It was more than enough warning for her to be cautious.

  If Hai Chenxi hoped to see therm panic and cry out, he was counting on nothing. Yuan Qianmeng smiled elegantly. “Quite the joke! I didn’t expect a duke to have such interests to admire the flowers either.”

  “Not as enthusiastic as you perhaps, madame. Not only admiring them, but picking them too! The matter of succession must have excited you.” Approaching slowly, there was a casual smile on Hai Chenxi’s face. The sound of snow crunching below his feet was just as threatening as his words.

  Yun Qianmeng reached for Xiahou Aner’s hands, moving out of the way to let him have the spot to admire the flowers. The two of them backed away carefully, maintaining twenty feet with Hai Chenxi.

  “Although the matter of succession is the Chu family’s, it’s not for women to participate in. I would never express my views so carelessly. Everything is up to Grandfather and the emperor to decide, and no one else.” Yun Qianmeng dodged the questions cleverly, all while mocking him for probing where he shouldn’t. When had it been the responsibility of the Hai family to comment on Chu affairs? If this were the case, Hai Chenxi might be able to maintain the position of duke!

  Realizing the barbs hidden beneath her words, a light flashed through Hai Chenxi’s eyes. She was just as clever as he had remembered. He couldn’t help but recall the scene that night on the boat, her protectiveness over her cousin. Even knowing that she was at a disadvantage, she tried her best to protect the people around her!

  Unfortunately, Hai Tian had interrupted them before they could finish their conversation that night. And tonight she was accompanied by an insolent little girl.

  Although he was still smiling, the gaze he threw at Xiahou Aner was quite intense, enough for her to feel a chill run through her body. Those eyes were filled with ice, but also coated over with the softness of the sea. Her heart trembled, not understanding what kind of man this was. How could he wear such different faces?

  “Aner, you haven’t saluted the duke yet! His sister Princess Heshun is the one engaged with Prince Beiqi!” Seeing how he looked at Xiahou Aner, Yun Qianmeng spoke up.

  Xiahou Aner tucked away her pouch, bowing slightly. “Salutations to Duke Hai!”

  Hai Chenxi didn’t waste any time on Xiahou Aner, his half-smiling gaze turning to Yun Qianmeng while he puzzled over the words she chose to introduce him.

  Just because she didn’t like the way he looked at Chu Feiyang’s cousin, Yun Qianmeng took the chance to introduce them, even adding a line about Hai Tian to distract him purposefully.

  No wonder Chu Feiyang admired her. Such a clever, elegant woman. And no wonder Jiang Muchen wanted to destroy the whole Chu family!

  “Lady Chu, don’t forget that Major Chu and I were the ones who delivered my sister to North Qi together. Along the way, he shared my concern for her.” Seeing the invincible smile and confident gaze of Yun Qianmeng, Hai Chenxi suddenly wanted to break through the glow on her face. He wanted to see what kind of beauty resided behind such a mask!

  “Of course my husband would fulfill his duties when it came to the Princess. He wouldn’t deserve his monthly pay if he didn’t do so. How could that compare to the depth of emotions of a brother sending his sister away? Duke Hai, you must have been unable to say goodbye to your sister along the way.” Yun Qianmeng had heard more than enough attempts at provocation. Hai Chenxi wanted to see her jealousy? Nothing more than a dream! If Chen Feiyang were interested in Hai Tian, she’d never have qualified to become his wife in the first place.

  Hai Chenxi didn’t quite mind her takedown and response. Shrugging, he leaned against the wintersweet tree. Fragrance surrounding him, with a pretty, confident face before him, he was in a good mood, good enough that he wanted to keep bantering with her.

  “I’m tired, we should go back!” Xiahou Aner suddenly spoke up.

  Although she wasn’t married, she saw the admiration in Hai Chenxi’s eyes toward Yun Qianmeng, and spoke up to remind them.

  “We’re about done admiring the flowers, so it’s about time for us to go back. Since Duke Hai seems to enjoy them so much, hopefully you’ll take your time!” Yun Qianmeng nodded lightly. The two of them bowed lightly before turning away.

  Chapter 149 | Chu Wang Fei

  Emperor Yuqian looked at the situation in the palace and saw that King Rui was determined to ask for the imperial edict. However, the Xiahou family was extremely reluctant, otherwise the Xiahou clan leader would not refuse directly!

  At this time, look at that Xiahou Aner, she looked really beautiful. Compared with Rong Rong, who is as cold as a deep blue valley, it's another grace of freedom. She is full of vitality and brilliance of different nationalities, which is unprecedented for girls in Kyoto. No wonder that King
Rui liked Xiahou Aner at a glance!

  But look at the expression of the Xiahou Aner now, looking coldly and indifferently, staring straight ahead of her.It was afraid that the princess of the Xiahou family is extremely reluctant to make a decision on King Rui's own opinion!

  As for the king Chu and Chu Feiyang, although they didn't express their opinions, the words of Yun Qianmeng just now have been said for them!

  Smiling eyes turned to Yun Qianmeng, who was still standing between the seats. Emperor Yuqian raised his hand and gave a sign for her to sit down. " Why don't you sit down and talk!What the fourth brother asked for is a happy event. You don't have to be so nervous! Marriage is predestined by heaven since ancient times. If the fourth brother and the princess are predestined, it's not until I get married for them! It's just that my four brothers always have a high vision. So far, there is no decent concubine in the Royal Palace of Rui. Now he fell in love with the princess at first sight, and it shows his sincerity! "

  Emperor Yuqian's words were tortuous. Although he talked a long paragraph, but when you listened to it in full, you can understand that this sly man spoke for a long time, but he didn't say a point and he did not offend any party either. It seemed that he was thinking for both sides, but in fact, he wanted to provoke the contradiction between the two sides!

  "Thank you, emperor!"Yun Qianmeng blessed herself towards Yugan Emperor, and then she sat down and listened to his words, but there was still a smirk in her mouth, following Yuqian Emperor's words slowly again. "what the emperor said is very true! King Rui is a giant among men, and his vision is naturally higher than that of ordinary people! Our Aner ' is fortunate to win the favor of King Rui 's, Naturally, it's also her good luck! After all, Aner is still the princess of the Xia Hou family. Not to say that it is the pearl of the grandfather 's palm, even her grandfather loves her and treats her as her biological granddaughter, her marriage would not be easy. The choice of the son-in-law can't be so hasty! Moreover, everyone has a heart for beauty. Please put it off. Don't make a wrong decision because of the surprise! "

  Seeing that King Rui was going to stay on his knees for a long time, Yun Qianmeng told him that the support force of Xiahou Aner. It not only brought the Xiahou family in, but also the king Chu became a shield at the moment!

  With these two supporting forces, the words suddenly turned around, and King Rui was secretly accused of setting a life-long cursory decision on the basis of one side, just as he left with 30000 soldiers because he was angry with Hai chenxi at the beginning, which not only killed 30000 soldiers, but also made him a war prisoner. Such recklessness is now appearing in marriage affairs. It is believed that all ministers with daughters here are reckless and not willing to marry their daughter to such a reckless person!

  Yun Qianmeng's voice was clear and light, it seemed like a slow rivulet across the stream, which made people feel comfortable.But it made King Rui's eyes become gloomy, and there was an unknown anger in his heart, and he also knew that Yun Qianmeng was now in a noble status, he could't do anything to her anymore. He could only grit his teeth and kneel on the hall in the eyes of everyone's condemnation, waiting for the decision of the emperor Yuqian with the last glimmer of hope in his heart!

  The look of Xiahou Aner' changed after she heard the words of Yun Qianmeng. She turned her head slightly and looked at Yun Qianmeng with surprise in her eyes. She had no idea that her cousin had offended even King Rui for her sake!

  Aware of the worry in Xia Hou Aner' eyes, Yun Qianmeng looked at her and told her with her eyes that her cousin would face all the consequences. At this time, King Chu and Chu Feiyang did not come out to deny the words. They have stated their position!

  If a woman like myself utters a rejection. Even if King Rui suffers, he would never embarrass me above the main hall and before the hundred officials, but if King Chu or Chu Feiyang speaks,there might be several political battles involved, which would not end well at that time!

  "Every gentleman wants to pursue beauty! Does Mrs Chu thinks that i do not have this qualification? " But King Rui didn't give up!

  Although his power and influence was not as good as that of King Chen and Hai Chenxi, etc. But he was pampered at an early age, even if it was only a question with cold manner ,still with a frightening chill. Many of the ladies in the audience put their eyes away the farce, so as not to offend the king!

  "King Rui is joking! You are trusted and relied heavily on by the emperor, also the pillar of the country! We just hope that Aner can marry a husband to be happy with each other. Otherwise, the world will only add a couple of resentments! Doesn't that just disappoint King Rui's sincerity and expectations?King Rui, you say, right!"Yun Qianmeng turned around and directly looked at the gloomy eyes of king Rui , and said with a smile!

  "Fourth brother, stand up first! Since she was a kind and beautiful girl, you would have to take more ideas! "After listening to the analysis of Yun Qianmeng, emperor Yuqian turned and looked at King Rui. He nodded at Yu Gonggong and then saw Yu Gonggong immediately come forward and stand up with his hands on King Rui!

  And emperor Yuqian's words were also very good to make King Rui avoid embarrassment , so emperor Yuqian himself became a good man for a while!

  King Rui understood the meaning of Emperor Yuqian's words although he didn't want to. But he was still lifted up by Yu Gonggong. His eyes shot at Xiahou Aner in the opposite instant. His eyes were full of determination!

  However, Xiahou Aner was very disgusted with the hot eyes glued to her body at this time. Then she turned her face across coldly and took up a glass of wine to block her red lips and said to Yun Qianmeng, "Thank you so much,my cousin!"

  "Naturally, Yun Qianmeng noticed the expression in King Rui's eyes towards Xia Hou Aner. She held up her glass with Xia Hou Aner' gently, and whispered, " It's just a small favor. "

  However, this time avoided the request of King Rui, it was afraid that the next time there is no such good excuse to avoid it!

  Besides, now all people knew that King Rui has taken a fancy to Xiahou Aner. Although Emperor Yuqian's reply to King Rui was ambiguous, he did not refuse it positively. It was afraid that the first thing for these people to go back to their house after the Palace feast is to warn the heirs to stay away from Xia Hou Aner!