5 FOUR (1/2)

The Duchess visited her daughter in her chamber. She let her pozi escorted Jiang Xi Yu's yahuan to leave the room. She wanted to have a mother-daughter talk with Jiang Xi Yu after what happened to her by the lake.

\”The guards has reported to your father and your brother about what happened by the lake. They were sure no one saw what happened there\”. Duchess of Jiang poured tea into two cups.

\”He told me that we were planning to elope\”. Jiang Xi Yu knew her father and brother purposely avoid discussing the matter with her. When her mother initiated the discussion, Jiang Xi Yu was eager to know what had happened in her past about her and that man.

The Duchess sneered as that statement. Jiang Xi Yu smiled at her because the way the duchess's sneer was exactly the same like how she usually do in the modern time. \”You met him by coincident at the spring festival last year. It was a puppy love and I thought it might be a good idea to let you marry him. I made your father promise to let you marry the man that you like and your father agreed\”.

The duchess took a sip from the tea cup before continuing, \”It is your luck and fate, you will never be marrying the son of Duchess of Yu. Just few days after you got kidnapped, I heard he took the first daughter of the pastry merchant inside the fu\”.

Jiang Xi Yu exclaimed in disbelief. Not because she was jealous about the news but because she was disgusted by that man's action. Just two days ago he seems brokenhearted by the lake.

\”The pastry merchant's second daughter married Local City Magistrate's third Son and caused gossip around the city because she gave birth less than five months after entering their fu. The third son of Marquis of Bao Rong doesn't has any good reputation. Marrying a commoner and got her pregnant before she enters the fu just added more controversy to his reputation. Then their first daughter also used the same tactic to enter noble family\”.

It was nice to share gossips with her mother. Jiang Xi Yu was enjoying her time listening to the sizzling hot gossip. She also picked up her tea cup, brought it to her mouth and took a sip. Gossiping in an elegant way was something new to her.

\”Your father and your brother also suspected that Marquis of Bao Rong or someone inside their fu is the mastermind of your kidnaping\”. Duchess of Jiang casually disclosed the shocking information and put down her cup calmly while Jiang Xi Yu was stunned. Jiang Xi Yu's hand stayed still with the warm tea cup in her hands.

\”One of your maids might be bribed to become their accomplice. She might be the one who lured you out from the fu. One of the kidnappers, who was arrested by Duan Qin Wang, admitted that she was the one who paid him to murder the other maid, swopped her clothes with yours then took you away\”. Duchess of Jiang took over her cup after noticing that Jiang Xi Yu was too shock to even realized that she was dumbfounded while listening to the story.

Duchess of Jiang put her cup to the table beside her. She held her daughter's hand and gave Jiang Xi Yu a gentle pat. \”The treacherous maid was murdered. It might be because instead of killing you, she ordered the kidnapper to sell you away to outside Luoyang. On her dead body your father found your white jade bracelet and a token with the symbol of Bao Rong\”.

\”That's why father never report the case\”. Jiang Xi Yu whispered softly. Inside her head, she imagined the story like it was a movie. She looked deep in her mother's eyes. \”Why Marquis of Bao Rong plotted to get rid of me? What kind of grudge he holds toward our family?\”

\”That's what your father is figuring now. Since The Holy One kept his eyes on the progress of the case, justice will be soon served\”, said Duchess of Jiang confidently. The duchess let go a long sigh then leaned more comfortably in her seat. \”Now, mother wants to talk to you about your marriage degree\”.

Jiang Xi Yu's mind was still lingering on the explosive information shared by her mother. The second topic was as heavy as the first one and she was not too excited about it.

\”Becoming Duan Wang Fei, you need to change your attitude. You will no longer be a part of Jiang Gong Fu. You will be in a higher position than your own parents, but at the same time you also represent your maiden family's reputation. The first thing you should learn is to manage Duan Wang Fu and to control your own feeling\”.

The Duchess taught her in a serious tone. Jiang Xi Yu caught the meaning of it. Her mother wanted her to start holding back her feelings and start accepting the fact that she will be sharing a husband with other women.

\”He wanted to marry Han Yao Ying, not me. We are supposed to think how to cancel the marriage degree\”, Jiang Xi Yu blunted out, typical of her straight talking nature.

Her mother let go her hands. She shifted her body away from Jiang Xi Yu. Her gesture made Jang Xi Yu felt hurt. Her own mother turned her back instead giving her a hand to help her out from this weird tangle between her and Duan Qin Wang.

\”If I could, I would have done it the moment we received the degree\”. The Duchess touched her head as if she blamed everything on herself. \”Nobody will say no to the Holy One. There will be serious repercussion for our family, your dad and brother will be seriously affected, our enemy will be pounding on the chance to destroy us\”.

Jiang Xi Yu froze in her seat. She got to understand her parent's position by now. It wasn't like Duke and Duchess of Jiang were willing to let their daughter join the imperial family.

\”Duan Qin Wang and Rui Qin Wang are in the same position to be the Crown Prince. Their schemes would be even more unpredictable after their wedding celebrations\”. The Duchess took a look at her daughter, whose face turned pale. The serious tone from Duchess of Jiang reminded Jiang Xi Yu that she was already dragged into a power play between the two noble families. \”Jiang Gong Fu will always support you no matter what happen\”.

There was a moment of silence between Duchess of Jiang and Jiang Xi Yu. The uncertainty of how everything will eventually play out hangs heavily over their head. The door opened quietly and the old pozi stood quietly in front of them.

\”Fu ren, Duan Qin Wang has arrived and right now is at the main hall with Duke of Jiang and General Jiang Zhen Hai\”.

Jiang Xi Yu almost jumped from her seat. She already got a lot surprises today and Li Fei Long's arrival made her heart beating faster with butterflies in her stomach.

\”What brings Duan Qing Wang to Jiang Gong Fu at this time?!\” The Duchess quickly rose from her seat. Her pozi took her hand and helped her to stand. Duchess of Jiang turned and look at her daughter. Jiang Xi Yu was still seated and thinking.

\”Get ready in case Duan Qin Wang wants to see you. Usually the groom doesn't get to see his bride before the wedding night. Maybe this is good for you. Duan Qin Wang has met you and knew you in person before the wedding. Your bond with Duan Qin Wang is stronger\”. The Duchess reasoned.

***

Li Fei Long sat in the main seat at the hall. In front of him were Duke of Jiang and General Jiang Zhen Hai who sat on their seats waiting for him to explain his sudden visit.

\”Ben wang doesn't want this case to drag until the wedding day. That's why ben wang decided to come and to assist with the first trial\”. While rubbing his thumb ring, Li Fei Long took the opportunity to survey every corner of the hall. Actually, he has another motive to come to Luoyang.

\”The city department of justice has summoned Duke of Yu and Marquis of Bao Rong. With all the proofs and witnesses that wang ye help us to provide, tomorrow would be expeditious\”. Duke of Jiang lowered his head with an earnest smile.

\”How's Xi Yu?\” Li Fei Long tried to sound calm as if he wasn't there to see her woman.

\”Mei mei has been well and acting like her usual self. We just never let her know in detail about the case's development\”. General Jiang Zhen Hai answered. Li Fei Long nodded in agreement with the decision. An idea came right after he think about the innocent Jiang Xi Yu.

\”Ben wang thinks it would be the best if Xi Yu joins the trial at the perfect timing\”. Li Fei Long was beaming as he found a way to ensure the trial's result will be towards his advantage.

Duke of Jiang and General Jiang Zhen Hai looked at each other in confusion before focusing on Li Fei Long again. \”Ben wang need to have a word with Jiang Xi Yu to get her prepared for the trial tomorrow\”.

Li Fei Long's was hyped with the hope to see Jiang Xi Yu and hope Duke of Jiang won't gave any excuse to decline his request. \”Let Gong gege's personal yahuan accompany her to have a word with ben wang\”.

***

Jiang Xi Yu was feeling nervous. She was wondering what was the purpose of Li Fei Long's sudden visit to Jiang Gong Fu. His wedding gifts was still flowing into the fu like it would never end. Did he come here because he finally found a way to marry Han Yao Ying instead of her?!

Jiang Xi Yu walked nervously towards the main courtyard. The beautiful rockery garden in the middle of the fu was where Li Fei Long was waiting for her. She wanted to walk faster but she couldn't. Her mind was full with questions but her heart was restless knowing that Li Fei Long was there.

Jiang Xi Yu already can see him from the entrance of the main courtyard. Li Fei Long stood with his hands behind his back. Ming He and Qian Chang Xin was the first who noticed her arrival. Ming He whispered to Li Fei Long and the man turned slowly towards her direction.

She quickly dropped her smile the moment she saw Li Fei Long. Li Fei Long got closer to her and in Jiang Xi Yu's eyes, he seen to be even more gallant than before. The moment he stopped in front of her, Li Fei Long grabbed her wrist tightly and pulled her as he walks so she needs to follow him or she would be dragged along.

\”What are you doing?\” Jiang Xi Yu stumbled on her feet.

Li Fei Long only stopped when they reached the huge fake rockery in the middle of courtyard. He positioned Jiang Xi Yu against the rockery. He stood very close to Jiang Xi Yu and looked down. Jiang Xi Yu was even more confused when she found Li Fei Long was looking angrily at her.

Li Fei Long grabbed her wrist once again and lifted it up so she can see their hands. \”This is what he did to you?\” Li Fei Long asked in a furry.

\”Who?\” Jiang Xi Yu frowns.

\”The day before yesterday, you met Duke of Yu's son by the lake and you let him grab your hand and your waist?\” Li Fei Long reviled at her.

\”How did you know?\” There were no more formalities between them. Li Fei Long was too jealous to correct her manner and Jiang Xi Yu was too surprise with his existence and action. If Duke of Jiang had made sure no one saw what happened by the lake, there must be someone else who reported to Li Fei Long.

\”Ru Qing and Ru Ming?!\” Jiang Xi Yu turned her head to find her yahuan. The two servants were in a position not far from them, along with the two eunuchs. Four of them stood with their back facing Jiang Xi Yu. They were on alert to make sure no one pass the area.

Li Fei Long's other hand held her chin then turned her face to face him.

\”It was the day before yesterday and now wang ye are here. Wang ye jumped on your horse and raced here just to roast me? I don't remember who he is. I don't recall any memories with him. It is not fair for wang ye to be angry at me when the lord approached me without my permission\”. She tried to explain to Li Fei Long. If only Li Fei Ling came to her not because he was mad, Jiang Xi Yu would be very please.

Li Fei Long let go of her wrist. The other hand while still holding her chin, brought her face closer as he lowered her head. He kissed her savagely. When Li Fei Long felt Jiang Xi Yu's legs got weaken, his hand quickly held her tight.

\”I come for this\”. Li Fei Long whispered roughly as their kiss ended. Both Jiang Xi Yu's hands was already hanging on Li Fei Long's neck. She was panting for air as her cheek was blushing. Li Fei Long felt satisfied with her reaction and he moved her body to enter the cave that was crafted in the human-made rockery.

\”My family can see us\”. Jiang Xi Yu complained. Li Fei Long was too passionate. His hands held Jiang Xi Yu really tight while he started to kiss her again. This time it was more edacious than before.

His hands was roaming around her behind. Jiang Xi Yu felt like flying. The butterflies was tickling inside her and she was enjoying every second of it. Their tongues tangled. Their bodies collided into one. Their breath were getting hotter as they stopped to catch a breath.

\”No one would see\”. Li Fei Long chuckled between his breath. \”This is the punishment for you. For letting him touched you\”.

\”I thought wang ye come because wang ye have found a ploy to nullify the marriage degree\”, said Jiang Xi Yu. She was panting and still put her hands around Li Fei Long's neck to stay stable. The profile in front of her turned sour as she mentioned that. Her frown gets deeper.

\”No one can nullify Emperor's edict unless they want their whole family and clan to be sentenced to death\”. Li Fei Long brought his face closer. Jiang Xi Yu thought that he wanted to kiss her again but Li Fei Long turned her body unexpectedly.

Li Fei Long pulled her towards himself and smell her neck while his hands started to grope her body lustfully. Her own moan surprised her. Jiang Xi Yu can't suppress her moan when Li Fei Long's hand was already groping under her garments. Her garments was made of a very smooth silk material but her skin felt even more smooth under Li Fei Long's touch.

The moment his finger touched her nipple, Jiang Xi Yu opened her eyes in surprise, he was so daring! The eunuchs and yahuan was still around! One of her hands was on Li Fei Long's face. The other hand was grabbing Li Fei Long's thigh.

\”Wang ye…\”. Jiang Xi Yu turned her head to see Li Fei Long's face but he lowered his face and gave her a bite on her neck. Her clothes was loosen expertly by his naughty hands. When Jiang Xi Yu looked down to check her attire, her breast was exposed and only covered by Li Fei Long's hand.

\”We will get caught\”. Jiang Xi Yu complained but Li Fei Long only whisper back to her ear.

\”As long you keep the noise down, we won't\”. Li Fei Long was very calm. How could this man remain calm while Jiang Xi Yu's felt her heart beating madly, anticipating what's to come next? No this is crazy… but Xi Yu find herself getting weaker and leaning against Li Fei Long for support. His hands was still teasing her nipples endlessly, flicking and pinching them lightly. It send shivers down her spine and converge at her lower stomach, starting a warm fire that was getting hotter by the minutes.

Li Fei Long bit her ear lightly and made Jiang Xi Yu covered her own mouth with both hands but still a throaty satisfying moan escaped her mouth. Her ears was one of her sensitive spot. Feeling his hot breath and wet tongue grazing her ear lobe was getting her… wet. Her buttocks leaned more against Li Fei Long's and instantly felt his hard \”partner in crime\”. Li Fei Long had already free his ominous tools while toying with her hard nipples.

\”Ahhh…. No… Wang Ye… We can't… not here…\”, Xi Yu pleaded without much conviction. Li Fei Long smile. He knew she couldn't resist him. She was way too sensitive. Once he got her started, she can never end it without him conquering her deeply.

Li Fei Long guided her hand downward to hold his member. She was losing her own control. Her other hand was supporting herself on the stone wall and she tried to pull away her hand when she felt his burning stiff shaft. Without looking at it she knew how it looks like. The thing that make her cries in ecstasy over and over again.

\”This is your punishment for thinking to annul emperor's edict\”. Li Fei Long whispered over her ear. \”Promise me you will never again mention or think about annulment\”. Li Fei Long gave his command while his fingers was teasing her mercilessly between her legs. She can felt his hot long shaft sandwiched between her inner thigh.

Oh God… Jiang Xi Yu felt the heat of it. It was grazing her delicate moist lips back and forth, teasing her. The fear of getting caught and the urge to be satisfied made Xi Yu's head spin and breathless. Jiang Xi Yu nodded weakly and she knew her hips move beyond her own will. She wanted him so much at that moment.

Li Fei Long chuckled, obviously pleased with Xi Yu innocent eyes. Like an angel but her eyes were now glossed over with lust. His hard weapon and fingers left her and Jiang Xi Yu gasped with a tint of disappointment. Maybe he did realized this is not the right place for such intimacy… but that thought was short-lived.

She felt his menacing thrust and it was inside her fully. She cannot help but moan loudly in surprise. Li Fei Long anticipated she will not hold her moaning and already had one hand over her mouth, muffling her sexy sigh of delight, while the other hand was holding her hip, steadying her lower body while he works his magic on her. The moon light shines on the rockery garden as Li Fei Long ravage his lovely soon to be wife. It was a night that Jiang Xi Yu can never forget and chided him for his craziness after many years later.

***

Ru Qing and Ru Ming kneeled on the floor with their head looking down. Jiang Xi Yu sat on the chair in the middle of the room with her hand holding her buyao.

\”Tell me to whom you serve\”. Jiang Xi Yu said it coldly.

Both young yahuan bow down before Jiang Xi Yu with their forehead touching the ground. \”We belong to you. We are serving you, my Lady\”. In unison, both of them answered her question and sounded scare.

Jiang Xi Yu sneered at them. After their love making session, Li Fei Long prompted her to join the court tomorrow. Jiang Xi Yu waited until Li Fei Long left Jiang Gong Fu before she questions the two yahuan.

\”The night when we tried to run away from Duan Wang Fu, was it staged by Duan Qin Wang?\” Jiang Xi Yu started her interrogation. She was fury because she never even once thought that this two yahuan were purposely planted next to her by Li Fei Long. \”Answer me honestly or I will throw both of you out right now\”, she threatened sternly.

Quickly straightening their back and facing Jiang Xi Yu, Ru Qing and Ru Ming shoved themselves closer to Jiang Xi Yu's knee.

\”Yes, my Lady… Since my Lady really wanted to go outside, wang ye commanded us to pretend and to take my Lady out for some time. The original plan was to take my Lady to watch the Boat Festival and after that wang ye will pretend to be there accidentally. But…\”

Jiang Xi Yu laughed in a sarcastic way after Ru Qing can't continue her words. Now she knew why everything seems very easy that night. \”And both of you reported to wang ye about the accident by the lake?\”

Ru Ming nodded with her sad face. \”Wang ye told us to report to him every day\”. Both of them begged with hands clasped. \”My Lady, wang ye really dotes on you a lot\”.

Jing Xi Yu ignored their plead. She placed the buyao on the table. She refused to look at the two maids. \”That means you serve Duan Wang Fu, not me\”.

Both gasped then kowtow to her. \”Ming He gonggong assigned us to serve you, my Lady. Wang ye ordered us to spy on you because wang ye wanted to know your motive. But soon after that, the order has changed. Now, our duty was to protect my Lady\”, cried Ru Ming.

\”That's why you know horse riding. Both of you know martial art too\”. Jiang Xi Yu became very angry. \”This is not protection! This is spying on me!\” Jiang Xi Yu blunted out in anger.

\”My Lady, please spare our life. If you kick us out, wang ye would not accept us back to Duan Wang Fu. Our loyalty is only to you now\”. Ru Qing begged very hard.

Jiang Xi Yu turned her body and found both yahuan was already close to her feet. \”How can you say you are loyal to me if you spy on me and report everything I do to wang ye\”, Jiang Xi Yu snapped at them.

Suddenly she came up with an idea. Jiang Xi Yu commanded them furiously. \”Raise your head!\” Ru Qing and Ru Ming raised their head and look at her with their teary eyes.

\”If both of you want to be loyal to me, from now on both of you will continue to report to wang ye\”. Jian Xi Yu gave a cunning smile while her maids got stunned in confusion. She continued, \”All the report you make will be under my supervision. I will filter what's not supposed to report. This way, wang ye won't suspect that I know wang ye has ordered both of you to spy on me\”.

Ru Qing and Ru Ming looked at each other worriedly. Jiang Xi Yu was getting too excited with her brilliant idea. \”How do you report to wang ye all this while?\”

\”We took turn sending out pigeon messenger…\” Ru Qing was reluctant to answer.

Jiang Xi Yu pointed her finger to Ru Qing. \”Continue doing that. Since wang ye wants to spy on me, I will spy on him too. Now, you two must report to me everything that wang ye does\”.

Even though Ru Ming and Ru Qing felt lethargic with this spirit that Jiang Xi Yu has, they could only obey her orders. As long as Jiang Gong gege didn't get too upset and kick them out. Both were grateful that they could still stay to serve Jiang Gong gege. To have a master with this kind personality was easy for them. They could live comfortable as long both their masters were happy.

\”Now, stand up and help me get ready for the court\”. Jiang Xi Yu shook her hand at them. Still sullen, she watched her yahuan started to prepare her dress. Jiang Xi Yu leaned her chin on her hand and leaned her body to the table. Her imagination was still wandering on the pigeon. \”If you send the pigeon from inside this fu, don't you think father and brother would know?\” Jiang Xi Yu asked casually. \”Or should I order the yahuan to make me pigeon soup so that there will be no more pigeon to spy on me? Haha\”

***

The Deputy Chief Judge of the Supreme Court felt the tension in the court. He was appointed directly by the Emperor to investigate, gather evidence and witnesses, and conduct the trial of Jiang Gong gege kidnapping case. The task was heavy for him and it got heavier when suddenly Duan Qin Wang decided to attend and personally observe the trial process.