Chapter 94 (1/2)
Chapter 94
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Liang Shaoqing was slightly moved. After a long while in thought, he said, ”You're left with this. If you give it all to me, what about you?”
”I'll be fine,” Chu Qiao smiled and replied. ”If not for me, you wouldn't be in this state. Although it was partly your fault, I can't deny any responsibility. Keep it. Be careful in future, and don't meddle in other affairs.”
Liang Shaoqing did not talk back. He held the banknotes in his hands, remaining silent.
Chu Qiao took a deep breath and leaned on a pillar. She gazed at the moonlight outside, the look in her eyes serene. Her normally fierce look had been shed; what was left was a more demure appearance.
Liang Shaoqing looked up and gave her a peculiar look. Suddenly, he blurted out, ”Where are you going?”
”Me? I'm going home.”
”You live in the Tang state?”
”No,” the young lady shook her head lightly. ”My home is far away. I still have a long way to go.”
”It's not peaceful now. You're a girl, you have to exercise extra caution.”
Chu Qiao smiled, remaining silent. Her look was gentle, her eyelashes were long, forming small shadows on her face in the moonlight. Liang Shaoqing, seeing that she did not answer, added, ”I'm going to the Tang state.”
Chu Qiao responded softly, ”Oh.”
Liang Shaoqing's voice suddenly sounded joyful, as if he was describing a big achievement. ”I'm going to Tang Jing to visit Old Mister, Cao Zhongmou.”
”Cao Zhongmou, the senior scholar in the Tang State's ceremonial department?”
”Yes! You know him too?”
Chu Qiao nodded. ”Mister Cao is unrivaled in poetry. His name is well-known everywhere.”
”You're right,” Liang Shaoqing said. ”I've journeyed a long distance just to visit him. I must see him personally, face to face.”
”It's good to have someone to idolize. However, it's not necessary to be near him. It would be a pity if you left empty-handed.”
”Why would that be?” Liang Shaoqing was annoyed. ”Mister Cao is scholarly and well-known. Why would I be disappointed?”
”Is he?” Chu Qiao laughed and said, ”I wish you all the best then.”
The wind outside drifted into the temple, causing the torches on the ground to clatter. Liang Shaoqing thought for a long while before probing, ”Why are the officials after you?”
Chu Qiao did not look up. ”Don't you know?”
Liang Shaoqing was stunned. ”What do I know?”
The young lady was unimpressed. ”Didn't you say it? I'm a kleptomaniac. You're right, I got caught stealing, so they are after me.”
Liang Shaoqing was dumbfounded. Chu Qiao turned around and smiled. She said, ”Correct. The food you're eating, the banknotes you're holding, I stole them all. The money I used the first time I bailed you out, I stole it. You know your plight now. Do you still want to refuse the money and food, like an upright, seven-foot-tall gentleman?”
”I…I…” Liang Shaoqing stuttered for a long while. Chu Qiao laughed, giving a radiant smile. Her white teeth nearly blinded the scholar's eyes.
In this instant, Chu Qiao suddenly frowned, the smile disappearing from her face. She turned around fiercely, her primal instincts taking over. She perked her ears up, detecting countless footsteps approaching the temple from the distance.
At this moment, Liang Shaoqing sensed that there was something amiss. Nervously, he leaned over and whispered, ”Is it Boss Mu?”
Chu Qiao did not reply, discounting this possibility in her heart. Given Boss Mu's capabilities, he would never be able to mobilize such a large army. In addition, the footsteps of the people approaching showed that they were well-trained in martial arts. She stood up slowly, feeling for her sword. Slowly, she said, ”You must follow behind me. Whether you live or die is up to you.”
As she spoke, a silver gleam suddenly appeared in front of her. Danger! With great agility, she moved her body to the side and dodged the sword flying towards her. With a thud, the sword landed in the chest of the unknown assailant. A cry of agony erupted from outside. The opposition was hell-bent on killing her. There was bound to be danger this night!