Chapter 18 (1/2)
Chapter 18
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Some things were decided since one's birth, such as blood ties and their destiny.
He slumped in his seat, raised his wine glass and gulped it down in one shot, along with all his suppressed thoughts and indignation.
Chu Qiao had just walked over to the city gates and saw the servants of the Zhuge family holding lanterns and looking around. Upon spotting her, they ran towards her direction in elation.
”Xing Er, the fourth young master asked us to wait here for you. Let's go back to the house.”
Chu Qiao paused. Given Zhuge Yue's character, she did not expect him to send people to locate her. She nodded and got into the carriage prepared by the servants.
The horse carriage creaked forward along the bustling city streets. The volume of the noises outside gradually decreased, eventually reaching complete silence. The child leaned on the inner walls of the horse carriage. Scenes of the recent massacre started to appear before her eyes—the cold-blooded stares of the soldiers, the deeply rooted resentment of the refugees, and the limp resistance of Wei Shuye.
It was still futile despite his identity. What could she, a small fry, do then? To resist an entire empire with her abilities would be akin to a mantis trying to stop a car—an utter failure. What she could do now, was to tread carefully on her toes and continue living on, in search of an opportunity to exact revenge and leave with Xiao Ba. As for other matters, she could not hope to change anything, due to her limited capabilities.
The horse carriage slowly wandered into the distance. Chu Qiao suddenly felt a chill. She opened the curtains and scanned her surroundings, and remarked, ”This isn't the way back to the house. Where are you taking me?”
The servant froze, not expecting a child of such a small age to be able to recognize directions. He smiled obsequiously and replied, ”The young master is in the other courtyard, not in the main residence.”
The child's eyebrows twitched. She carefully asked, ”Courtyard? Which courtyard?”
”The courtyard in the western part of the lake.”
Chu Qiao frowned. The precarious nature of her work over the years had naturally made her develop a sense of cautiousness, allowing her to sense when something was amiss. She tested the waters and probed, ”I did not manage to retrieve the things from the house that the young master instructed me to. Let's go back to the house, then make our way to the courtyard.”
The servant replied with a smile, ”Don't worry. the young master just said that the things no longer need to be retrieved. He's waiting in the courtyard. Let us go there quickly, lest he gets worried.”
Chu Qiao nodded slowly with a quiet expression and let the curtains down. The servant heaved a small sigh of relief. A sly look flashed across his eyes and the edges of his lips became sharp. However, the instant where his smile expanded, a dagger suddenly made contact with his neck, coldly. The child, taking advantage of an opportunity, swiftly pounced. She solemnly exclaimed in a cold tone, ”You're not serving the fourth young master. Who are you?”
”Hehe,” a low pitched laugh, as hoarse as a night owl, suddenly erupted from the side. A gorgeously decorated carriage slowly made its way out from the dense forest. Inside was a flamboyantly dressed old man. He laughed and remarked with words carrying a tinge of evil to the servant who was at the side, nodding and bowing to him, ”Impressive indeed, such a stubborn temper at this tender age. Her looks are not bad either. I'll reward you handsomely later.”
Zhu Shun, flattered, replied with a laugh, ”Sharing the burden of the second Grand Master is my duty. If the second Grand Master rewarded me, it would mean my loyalty was not accepted by you.”
The old man laughed and gave orders to the two servants on his left and right, ”Take this lass back to the house.” Everyone obliged resoundingly and swiftly advanced forward.
In that instant, hundreds and thousands of thoughts flashed past Chu Qiao's mind. She was aware that she could capitalize on the other party's contempt and carelessness to make her escape by swiftly wounding them. However, in this case, it would arouse the suspicions of others, especially the one-limbed Zhu Shun. Even if she escaped by luck, it would no doubt implicate Xiao Ba, who was still trapped in the house. If she decided not to escape, she would end up in the clutches of this old lecher. At that time, given the capabilities of an eight year old girl, how would she manage to resist an entire army of guards from the Zhuge residence?
To escape, or not to escape?
Chu Qiao tightened up, her mind still rapidly weighing her options. How about she beat this old lecher at his own game and eliminate him, given this opportunity?
In a flash, some well-built men surged towards Chu Qiao, intent on snatching the dagger she held in her hands.
”Hang on!” a low-pitched, distinct voice suddenly reverberated. Everyone turned their head towards the source of the voice, only to see the snow on the ground being scattered by a herd of over twenty rapidly approaching pitch-black war horses. The youngster mounted on one of the horses was handsome and was dressed in green robes, adorned with white fur. He gave a loud whistle and galloped forward.
The horses gave a long neigh and stood up, their warm breaths blending with the crisp, cold air, forming a cloud of mist. The youngster, under the guard of his servants, stared coldly at the crowd. His voice was calm, he gave off an aura of wisdom and calmness that was way beyond his years. He remarked, in a low voice, ”Long time no see, Mister Zhuge.”
Grand Master Zhuge, with eyes half-open, sized up the youngster. He gave a chuckle, revealing his yellow teeth. ”Oh, it's Prince Yan Xun of Yan Bei. At this ungodly hour, instead of resting in your house, what are you doing out here braving the strong, snowy winds?”
Yan Xun remarked unscrupulously, ”Thanks for your concern, Mister Zhuge. How could I be sleeping soundly in my house, if you, at this age, are still admiring the lights at this late hour? It's lantern festival, the entire nation is celebrating. I just came out to admire the festivities.”
”Oh?” Grand Master Zhuge's long eyebrows smoothed out and he replied, ”In this case, Young Prince Yan, do continue admiring the sight. I will not stay with you then.” He promptly turned to his subordinates and said, ”Back to the house.”
”Hold on!” Yan Xun swiftly ordered his horse to move forward, blocking Master Zhuge's path. He laughed lightly, pointed at Chu Qiao, and declared, ”Mister, you can leave, but only if you leave this child behind.”
The old man's eyebrows moved ever so slightly. He quizzed, ”What do you mean by this, your Royal Highness?”
”This child just startled my horse, Flurry, and scared it away. I want to bring her back to answer for her deeds.”
Grand Master Zhuge, hearing these words, gave a slight smile and retorted, ”In this case, I will compensate you with a fine horse.”